Having a reactive or anxious attitude can be challenging, especially when a dog’s behavioral issues are a result of previous abuse. However, reactivity, nervousness, and issues like anxiety can be dealt with. While the thought can seem daunting, the services of an experienced dog walker or sitter can be helpful.
Of course, if you have to work long hours or you need to leave town for a day or two, these kinds of services can also be essential. Here’s how you can prepare your nervous dog to spend time with a sitter or dog walker.
Four ways to prepare an anxious dog for the sitter
While sending your anxious dog to a dog walker can seem like a bad idea, the truth is that an experienced dog walker who specializes in nervous or reactive dogs can improve their socialization skills and help deal with these issues. Of course, if your dog has aggression issues, you will need to seek help for this first. Assuming the main concerns are nervousness and reactivity, however, an experienced dog walker or sitter can help.
Taking these four preparatory steps can make their job a lot easier:
Be upfront with the sitter or dog walker
When you first contact a potential sitter or dog walker, you should ask whether they feel comfortable and capable of dealing with your dog. This is true whether your dog is reactive or has underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes. Some dog sitters specialize in providing one-to-one care for nervous animals and other difficult-to-handle dogs.
Arrange a supervised meeting
One of the most common triggers for nervous or reactive dogs is a feeling of being overwhelmed or frightened. New people, new places, new dogs, and busy environments can all cause flare-ups. By introducing your dog to the dog walker or sitter in a supervised environment where they feel safe and comforted by your presence, they will be more open to getting to know new people. If they gel well, you can proceed with planning.
Provide all necessary information
When you find a dog walker or sitter who you feel is a good fit for your fur baby, you should provide them with all of the information that they will need to take care of your dog. This includes information on any medications they may need, allergies or health concerns that could cause issues, and emergency contact details for you, your vet, and a trusted third party. If you are leaving your dog with them for more than a day, you should also give them your insurance details in case of injury or illness.
Schedule a practice run
Finally, let the dog walker or sitter take your dog for a shorter period of time as a kind of practice run. This will give you both peace of mind. It will also give the sitter a final chance to assess your dog and let you know if they need anything in particular to care for it.
These simple steps will help you to prepare your dog to be cared for by someone else. Once you know which kind of pet care service is right for your dog, you can take the necessary steps to ensure the transition is smooth for both your pet and their caregiver.
Yes, cats are independent creatures and can be stubborn at times. Although, much like human behavior, they are also socially flexible. If given the opportunity and the appropriate training, cats can develop a solid and lasting bond with their owners. Besides playtime or fun, cats can also use their training to overcome behavioral issues such as urine marking, aggression, furniture scratching, etc. The act of training cats allows parents to spend more time stimulating their pet’s mind and body, keeping both parties engaged, motivated, and healthy.
Despite the widespread belief that cats cannot get trained, it’s up to the owners to understand what incentivizes or drives their furry friends. Teaching your cat new tricks is based on trial and error, depending on their personality, traits, temperament, and preferences. Unlike dogs who want to impress their owners, cats prefer to be given something in return for their efforts. Owners must keep in mind that even though cats are highly intuitive and alert, they can take time to respond with willingness. The parent’s job is to train with patience, empathy, and respect for their cat’s personal space. While teaching new tricks and bonding with the cat is suitable for their health, it’s equally important to provide them with the best flea treatment. Another great way to save money and time is to subscribe to monthly flea treatment for your cat, avoiding the hassle of making regular trips to the vet.
When training your cat, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you interact more efficiently:
Using noise-making devices, such as clickers, can help the cat mark their good behavior and connect the sound with the following treat.
Using positive reinforcements (rewards) such as your cat’s favorite treats, catnip, petting, etc., can reinforce the desired behavior and help them respond faster due to increased motivation.
A hungry cat is the most eager learner since they want to be rewarded with food instantly. However, the trick is to keep the training sessions crisp and short; otherwise, they might lose interest.
Cats are a creature of habit and have a better memory than other animals. We recommend maintaining consistency while training and keeping short spurts of sessions, i.e., less than 10 minutes.
Punishing your cat can cause severe stress and anxiety, damaging the bond you share and causing a breach of trust.
One of the most popular ways to showcase your bond with your feline friend is through a fist bump. It may not look easy initially, but it is pretty achievable with the right conduct. It would be best to understand that no two cats are the same, and some of them will take time to learn and get used to the commands. So, you can start by offering your cat a small treat in a narrow bowl so that he/she uses her paw to get the treat out. As soon as she does, say “Yes.” Next time, repeat this while holding the cup a little higher in your hand. Slowly, get away with the bowl and replace it with your fist. Be patient and always reward your cat with a treat when she follows through.
Cat owners believe that having their pets indoors can be a safe option for them. While this is true, cats require stimulation by exploring the outdoor environment, spending quality time with their owners, and experiencing different sights, sounds, and smells.
Firstly, find a harness that secures your cat to a tee so that they aren’t able to wiggle out and escape into the woods. Then, introduce your cat and allow it to get accustomed to wearing the harness around the house. You can also place a few treats near the harness to pique your cat’s interest. When they seem comfortable, begin by taking your cat to the balcony or terrace area. Keep some treats ready in hand to offer if they’re stressed, and allow them to walk at their own pace, taking in the new environment.
Only when you know that they’ve adapted to the outdoor space, can you take them to roam around your neighborhood, explore the gardens, etc.
Using a carrier is essential for a cat parent during different events, such as visiting a veterinarian, going for a trip, switching homes, etc. While the general behavior of cats towards carriers is unpleasant, there is a way for owners to change this around.
The first step is to find a carrier made of the right material, size, and with proper ventilation. A detachable top is a bonus so that you won’t have to force your cat to exit each time. The best way to start is by keeping the carrier in a separate room, with no loud sounds or distractions. Then lay a mat next to an open carrier and place some treats over it for your cat to nibble on. It will take a few days for your cat to move closer and closer to the carrier before they step inside for the treats. Also, remember that any harsh noise such as banging the door, roughly placing the cat inside, or any background movement can stress out your cat. Instead, relax your cat and allow them to take their time to lay on the mat inside the carrier. Then start by closing the door gently, in small degrees, until they begin to feel more and more relaxed inside. You can occasionally place a few toys, along with favorite treats, to allow your cat to feel secure, even when you’re not in the room.
Gradually, you can start by transporting them from one room to another before you take them for their annual checkups or other travels.
Apart from looking cool, an arm hoop jump is an excellent way to keep your cat active. Although it may look tricky at first, once you get the basics right, you’ll notice that your feline friend seems to be having a lot of fun. Reward training is an excellent place to start, and having a treat at the finishing end will motivate your cat to follow through. The other thing to consider is getting the right kind of hoop. A noisy or unstructured hoop might distract the cat. Moreover, it’s better to let your cat explore the hoop while introducing it to her. The more familiar it becomes, the more comfortable your cat would feel around it. Then by practicing it more and more and with targeted training, your cat will get in the groove and start liking it quite a lot.
In conclusion, training a cat can be challenging at times, but cat owners must remember that patience and repetition will help with even the most distant felines. While most parents start training cats at a young age, when they’re most adaptive and involved, older cats can also get trained as long as they’re consistent and patient. The end goal is to reinforce your cat’s good behavior and help deepen the bond between you and your feline friend.
With working from home restrictions slowly easing, pets raised during the pandemic may grow to develop separation anxiety once their owner is out of their line of sight.
In order to help pawrents whose dogs may suffer from separation anxiety, Team #TWA has reached out to QiuLi, AKA @taroandtoastie, to learn more about what it entails.
Read on to learn about QiuLi’s experience with crate training, and how Taro’s separation anxiety has since improved.
Experience with Crate Training
Hello! Tell us more about your relationship with Taro.
Hello! Taro is my first dog and I’m mainly the one feeding, training and playing with him that’s why he is very attached to me.
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
Being a first-time dog owner, I didn’t know much about dog training. At 3 months old, Taro was a little terror. He showcased slight aggression when handling, a tendency for resource guarding and kept chewing on things he’s not allowed to.
It definitely wasn’t what I thought having a dog would be like. But since working with him on setting structure and boundaries, our relationship definitely grew stronger and he is able to understand what is most expected of him.
What is separation anxiety and how does it affect your daily life with Taro?
I think Separation Anxiety in dogs is characterised by their inability to cope when left alone.
They would get stressed and start to whine, bark, howl, pace around. They just can’t seem to lie down and settle. If left to roam freely, they might even display destructive behaviours or have indoor accidents despite being potty trained.
As I work from home most of the time, Taro had always been by my side and follows me wherever I go into the house. He is only able to nap during the day if I am nearby or within his line of sight. Thus it became quite stressful, especially on days that I am heading out because he would whine the moment I accessed my closet.
If he’s allowed to free roam, he will obsessively follow me everywhere and start pacing around because he’s either excited that we’re heading out or panicking that I’m leaving him at home. I used to arrange for someone at home to accompany him but he refused to engage with family members either. He would just wait for me to come back and that’s when I realized I needed to do something to boost his independence and to have a healthier state of mind.
Bring us through a day of training with Taro.
Taro was crate trained since the day we brought him home. He is able to sleep overnight and nap during the day in the crate in the day but once he is awake he whines and barks to be let out. Other than that, he spends most of his time free-roaming throughout the house.
When I started working on his Separation Anxiety, I moved his crate out into the living room so he could learn to sleep overnight alone. The first night, he barked and howled throughout and would not settle down to sleep. After a week or so, he could sleep overnight without any whining. We also stopped engaging with him at home, refrained from giving him too much affection (though I still do sneak in some affection time haha) or playing excessively with him.
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
Hence, whenever he’s at home, he’s either in the crate or hanging out on the cot. We stopped letting him free roam the house as well. I would bring him down for potty and walks twice a day and I use his meals to do training for some mental stimulation. When we go outside, I would use his toys to engage with him. This taught him to focus better despite having distractions.
On days when my family members are not at home, I will also take the opportunity to leave him alone in the crate while I sit outside the house and observe him through the camera. He usually naps for the first hour but once awake he begins to whine before going back to sleep. After 2-3 hours, I will go back in and he will begin to whine for my attention. Despite this, I will continue to ignore him for at least 1-2 hours depending on how fast he calms down. This helps to teach him that leaving and coming home is not a big deal.
How long has it been since you started crate training and have you noticed any improvements?
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
It has been about 3 months since we started this new routine and his Separation Anxiety has significantly reduced. He used to whine when he saw me gathering clothes, or when he hears me preparing my bag to head out. He even whines when I am just visiting the toilet. After training, I can head to the toilet without getting him anxious. Though he still does whine a little when he sees me preparing to head out, it is a lot lesser compared to last time and he stops when I step out of the house.
Advice for Beginners
Do take note that QiuLi is not a professional trainer. Hence, interested pawrents are advised to consult a professional if they encounter behavioural issues.
How can I introduce crate training to my dogs?
If you have a puppy, that would be the best and easiest time to crate train them. Older dogs that require crate training might need a longer time to adapt. You’d need a lot more patience to endure the transition period where they’ll be whinier.
The ultimate aim is to let them know that the crate is a safe haven that does not harm them. This would help them fully relax in the crate. I always use food and toys to help them associate the crate with positivity so that they would enter it of their own free will.
You can start by feeding meals outside, yet near to the crate. Afterwards, slowly progress to placing some food inside the crate so that they would willingly step inside it. For puppies that nap frequently, invite them to nap inside the crate for short periods of time throughout the day. If they’re awake and starts to bark, do not attend to them immediately and only let them out when they’ve quieted down.
It is also important to choose the correct crate size. Small crates might be uncomfortable for them. Big crates may result in potty accidents inside. The length of the crate should be just ample for them to walk one round and height should still provide some allowance while they’re standing.
When it comes to crating overnight, most puppies tend to whine in the middle of the night as it’s a new environment and they’re separated from their family. I took this chance to potty train Taro. When he begins to whine in the middle of the night, I wait for him to quieten down before bringing him out to his designated potty area. I then put him back to the crate straight after.
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
While doing this, you want to make sure there are no fun distractions as we do not want them to think that whining can get them out of the crate for some cuddle/baby (affections) instead.
Sometimes after he has gone to potty and he still continues to whine in the crate, I would bring him out to potty again so he knows that whining only provides potty visits. There are times we went to and fro from crate to potty at least 3 times (and all 3 times he did go) before he settled.
Another method that worked incredibly well for us (after you know he definitely cleared his bowels), was to sit in front of the crate door and leave the door open. The moment he attempts to step out, shut the door to prevent him from doing so. I would repeat this until he gives up trying to come out and would eventually settle. After around 1 week, Taro was able to sleep in the crate without waking up in the middle of the night.
What should pet owners take note of when pursuing Crate Training?
When it comes to any aspect of dog training, I think consistency is very important.
Do the same thing every day, set up a routine, and make it into a habit and they’ll adapt/learn quicker. I know some people cannot bear to ignore their whines when they’re crated and hence give up. Yet, I assure you crate training definitely has more pros than cons. We just need to persevere during the initial stage and be consistent and you’ll be able to reap the results after.
PROS
It provides your pet with a place to relax and sleep, hence reducing their sense of heightened alert whenever a passerby walks outside the house.
It keeps them out of trouble and from practising bad behaviours, your house and items do not get destroyed and there are no potty accidents.
Preventing separation anxiety as they learn to settle on their own. Remember to not only crate them when you are leaving the house as they might then associate the crate as being left alone. Crate them during the day for short periods of time even when you’re home so it becomes a normal routine.
A big thank you to @taroandtoastie for sharing her experience with crate training! For pet owners whose cats suffer from separation anxiety, we urge you to readSherlyn and Leo’s experiences.
If there are other styles of training that you think is important for pet owners to know, let us know in the comments below!
Pawjourr aims to be the number one pet parenting platform for pet owners to find advice and products/services that best suit their pets. However, we also aim to help future or expectant pet owners in deciding whether they should get a pet, and what comes with it.
Dogs, cats, and other animals are all great companions to have, but with that companionship comes a lot of responsibilities that people are sometimes not aware of.
Therefore, team #TWA have put together some considerations for you if you’re looking to get a pet, but not sure what are some things you need to be aware of.
Can you afford it?
While rewarding, owning a pet in Singapore can also be one of the most expensive experiences to have, with a host of things being needed to be paid for in order to keep your pets happy and healthy.
There are the more obvious costs such as food, medical costs, and toys you would need to cover over the course of your furkid’s life. However, there’s also hidden costs such as grooming, logistical costs if you bring your pet out, repair costs if they damage anything, and many others.
Based on Valuechampion.sg, it costs “S$25,800 on average to own a dog over 10 years. Cats are less expensive, costing at least S$15,600 over 10 years”.
While that isn’t a particularly large amount given it’s over the course of a decade, this does means that there may be purchases you might have to sacrifice. Items that you’ve been wanting such as the latest gaming consoles, a new handbag or other things might have to be put on hold, so that you can buy your pet the things that they need or maybe even want.
Are you able to commit to the lifestyle?
Getting a pet changes your lifestyle entirely, even before the actual day that you bring them home. Things like planning where your pet will sleep, what they’re going to eat, what accessories they might need are all things you would need to settle before getting the actual pet.
For working adults, being in the office 8-9 hours a day means that if there’s no one at home to spend time with them they’ll be alone for most of their days. Dogs and cats are extremely social creatures and require a lot of attention.
Therefore, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons in your head before getting a pet. Not only do they need to adapt to your lifestyle, but also to the lifestyle of your family or flatmates.
Are your family members/flat mates ready for a pet?
Owning a pet doesn’t involve just you, but also involves people that are close to or living with you too. Before you decide to get a pet, it’s important to ensure that the people living with you are okay with it too, especially for those that may have allergies or other conditions that makes having pets difficult for them.
For relatives who are scared, it’s important to let them get used to the idea first before getting one and hoping that they’ll adapt to the situation. If they’re never able to live with a pet, it may mean you having to give them up and delaying the process of them finding their forever home.
Training & Vets
Before you get your pet, it’s also important to know what kind of training you’d like to engage in to help them accustom themselves to your house. With a huge variety of training styles available, choosing one or two that you think would work best is important so that you can add structure from day one.
It’s also crucial to work with a pet trainer so you can get more accurate advice on what may or may not work with your pet for maximum effectiveness. They can give you tips and tricks, and help you refine your training style further to better suit your pets.
Conclusion
Having a pet is an extremely wonderful experience and it’s filled with lots of love, laughs, and moments that you’ll never forget! However, with these wonderful moments also come a lot of responsibilities when caring for your pet.
Once you’ve found ways to take into account the various considerations above (and any others that are relevant to your lives), you’ll be able to ensure a smoother transition for when your pet first enters your home.
While there will always be ups and downs regardless of how much preparation is made, part of the pet ownership experience is the journey of watching them grow up, in spite of both the good and the bad.
So, get ready for a fun-filled adventure with your future companion!
– – – If there are other things you think potential pet owners should consider before getting a pet, let us know in the comments below!
Now, today, I want to talk about enthusiastic dog lovers/owners; not the ones that’s afraid.
So with the utmost respect, I say this on behalf of most dog owners, particularly owners that’s struggling or value dog training: don’t touch our dog without our permission.
1. Don’t bend down to stroke my dog. 2. Don’t call it over when it’s walking towards you and you’re walking in the opposite direction, standing outside a shop, or sitting at a table outside a cafe. Or doing sit stay exercise. OR ITS WEARING A “TRAINING” TAG. 3. Don’t stroke my dog when it’s sitting me waiting to cross the traffic light. 4. Don’t lean over and randomly stroke my dog when I’m walking by. 5. And don’t you even think about picking my dog up without asking.
What a miserable, stuck-up dude, you’re probably thinking I am. Talk about being possessive over his dog. Don’t touch then don’t touch lor.
No, I get it, all dogs are cute, they’re painfully cute and nobody likes being told they can’t stroke one (particularly children). Dogs/Puppies bring total joy to people’s lives; my Kobe, in particular, puts a smile on people’s face when they see him wagging his tail, and wanna lean against you for affection when you stood down to welcome him. Puppies and dogs are so powerful that they have the power to make you coo unabashedly out loud in the middle of the street when surrounded by total strangers. Puppies are great which is why (nearly) everyone wants to stroke them.
To you, dear dog obsessive, stroking a puppy seems normal yeah. why not? It’s also a complement saying your pooch is adorable what. But I’m here to break the bad news to you. When you stroke a dog without asking the owner’s permission or call it over to you, not only are you being disrespectful and incredibly rude, you’re potentially endangering yourself and the dog, and the owner.
Over the months of being a new Singapore Special / Mongrel dog owner, I’ve noticed there are 2 categories of enthusiastic dog lovers/ people:
1. People are dog owners and respect the importance of training. 2. People who just love dogs but have clearly never owned one (or did so without proper training).
The people who fall into the first category are the only ones who ask permission before meeting my dog and stroking it or even feeding treats.
The second category of people force themselves onto my dog and ignore my existence, and now I’m the invisible dog owner/walker. I tend to abruptly and unashamedly avoid the second category of people and return the favour by ignoring their existence.
If I hear someone coo my dog over to them as he’s walking on a leash, I will just carry on walking without stopping. Guess who’s labelled the rude one? Me.
Someone once said when I was training proper leash work on Kobe: “But I could see him (Kobe) looking at me, he was pulling at his leash to come over to me; he want to say hello to me. Yes, he does, but you know what else my Kobe was interested at and pulls at his leash to get to? Trash, birds, leaf… Oh, and every single person walking on the street.
I’m classified as stuck up because of my face, and rude because I don’t allow people who don’t ask permission to have access to my dog.
Part of that training includes not teaching my dogs to run up to EVERY strangers. Why? Because I am a responsible owners, I think for people that’s afraid of dogs, or due to religion.
Puppies love people, they want to meet everyone and everything because they love cuddles and play. If I allow my dog to run up to anyone once, I have to then justify allowing it to run up to everyone else.
The first time I ever took Kobe out after the circuit breaker, as a naïve new puppy owner, I was stopped 123456 times during a walk, but that’s ok, because people are concern about what happens to his missing limb, and also because we wanted Kobe to be friendly and not afraid of people, but then again, with that we also allow him to charge towards people/kids that’s afraid of dogs, then we become as “Owners that cannot control their dog”.
I’d never had a puppy on a lead before, but I boiled up with rage. I was utterly furious with the overt disrespect and invasiveness. It’s actually a miracle I didn’t punch this person; if it happened again I probably would. The first few weeks of a dog’s life are essential for puppy training and I was very positive and excited to embark this new experience with Kobe, but this random person had ruined my dog’s first associations with going out on a lead. I told that person that Kobe is on training on how to heel properly. “Nevermind la” “Let puppies be puppies la, why so strict” “Still so young don’t need training la” “You see you see, he want to come to say hello to me already!!”
Nobody would do this to a newborn baby. Nobody would run-up to a pram without acknowledging the mother, touch the baby or cuddle right: they’d be arrested for it. But dogs are public property, apparently, so it’s ok?
I’m not being a rude, tight-arsed or stuck up douche when I walk pass you with my dog ignoring your cooing, your tutting and attempts of getting his attention; I just want to be a responsible dog owner who trains my dog. Have you ever wonder if the dog you’re cooing might be actually aggressive? What if my dog bites you because your cooing is actually provoking him and making him anxious?
My dog’s life is my responsibility; he can’t give consent and he doesn’t know the world as well as I do, so it’s my job to keep him safe and protected. I don’t want him running up to random strangers, what if that person is scare and hit my dog as “self defence”, or my dog gets aggressive trying to defend himself and bite that person by accident?
The other day, I was at X dog cafe with a group of friends, Yes all the dogs are off leashed, running around and “enjoying” themselves.
Because its a weekend, that dog cafe was rowdy and filled with loud noise and commotion from big dogs and small dogs. I leash Kobe and walked to our table, and unleash him after he obey my commands. Well for people that met Kobe before, you know he is a sociable dog when it comes to strangers and other dogs. So he was mingling and running around wanting to make new friends with dogs and humans, but then again; due to his insecure nature, certain dogs makes him feel intimidated and he will become a little more anxious and wary.
So when I notice he was a bit “off”, I recall him back and put on the leash, because I am a responsible owner right? I don’t want my dog to be barking the cafe down, or terrorising other dogs while I’m sitting there enjoying my meal.
So as Kobe was sitting beside me with his leash on, someone approached him, X asked me if my dog is KOBE.SG, and I said “Yes! Hello nice to meet you too!” X asked me if X can pat Kobe, I was like sure, why not? Don’t want to be rude right, X asked permission, thats a rare one!
But X display signs of uncertainty, X hover the hand in front of Kobe’s face and not sure if X wants to pat him; I immediately told X that If you want to pat him, pat with confidence, because if you display uncertainty, he will be wary of you and gets anxious and defensive. But X did not adhere to my advise and continue hovering X’s hand in front of Kobe face, and I saw Kobe starting to snarl… Despite my nerves and a lifetime of people-pleasing tendencies, I finally broke my suppression, “Don’t touch my dogalready” calmly but sternly. And explain that he is gonna bite.
But…….. X did the predictable; which is ignoring my warning…. X is not the first one that takes my warning lightly.. Whats with people not adhering to warning? Do you think that I am joking when I say my dog is gonna bite you?
So after I told X off, X finally decided to move X’s hand forward and pat him, and this time I saw Kobe’s snarl and heard his low growl, shifty eyes and round forehead ready to lunge forward to the incoming hand, and I IMMEDIATELY YANK X’S HAND OFF, AND SAID “I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH HIM ALREADY, HE’S GONNA BITE YOU”
If I can be honest, I was pissed. Was I wrong to feel this way?
And there was a awkward silence after that incident and X decided to excuse themsleves, and despite whatever happen few seconds ago, X decided to crouched down and wave X’s hand in front of Kobe’s face to say byebye… A FEW TIMES… And this time I have to tighten Kobe’s collar and pull him towards me…
Why? I don’t get it.
And this is not the only thing.
Parents. IF you want to bring your kids out to meet some cute little cuddly dogs, please go to a dog cafe that you get to pat their in house dogs. Its for the safety of your child and other peoples’ dog.
Don’t bring your kids to a dog cafe or a dog run to pat random strangers dogs who you have no idea what their temperament and trigger points are.
I cannot emphasise this enough. When I was at X dog cafe, I told this kid off 3 times, not to touch Kobe, and she just doesn’t listen, I even told her that he will bite. And my last straw, I raise my voice a little and gave a final warning, and suddenly her parents which is just the next table, decided to speak up after me and told his kid “People already told you don touch already, why you still do that?”
C’mon Sir, shouldn’t you be already educating your kid before she reaches her hand over once again?
When I was at X dog run, there’s this girl that’s just running free around the dog park, chasing every dog and touching all the dogs thats passing her, what if she met an aggressive one? I don’t see her parents around.
She was chasing Kobe and screaming at the same time, making Kobe super scare, and finally Kobe ran towards me, she wants to reach her hand over to pat him, I said no, but she wants to do it, What am I suppose to do? Obviously I told her off, but honestly what else can I do beside telling her again and again not to touch my dog and explain why..
I had to finally asserted myself and it hadn’t been as painful as I thought it would. I hate not giving people what they want, especially when I’m more than capable of giving it to them (after all, I could have just let them pat Kobe right), but it wasn’t about doing something just because I could do it. It was about finally demanding your respect and attention to adhere to my request of not touching my dog due to safety reasons.
It was about finally taking ownership of my right to say no; it was about me acknowledging to myself that just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should, especially if I don’t want to, because I’m afraid of the consequences.
Dogs are cute, but they also need a lot of training and all good dog-owners take training seriously. Whatever training works for your dog, as long as it’s trained. If you really do love dogs, please start showing respect for other dog owners and acknowledge they are part of the equation, you don’t have to agree to what they think is best for their dog, but at least have the same level of respect because we all just want the best for our dog. Just as you wouldn’t walk up to a baby or toddler without acknowledging the parent, don’t walk up to a puppy without asking the dog owner first.
After all, not only is it inconvenient and detrimental for a dog owner who is possibly training a dog, it’s also wiser for you: you don’t know the nature of a dog. That cute little dog could be utterly terrified of people, they may cower, bark or even bite you. They may be aggressive or anxious, they may even be blind or deaf, so don’t force yourself onto a dog which can’t give consent, no matter how cute they are.
But if you ask me then yes, I will release my dog from training and you can touch my dog. But if you’re wary and scare, then please don’t request to touch my dog. Thank you.
This content was originally found on lombardvet.com, and the original article can be found here.
From puppy breath and snuggle seshes to silly selfies and watching them fall asleep right in their food bowls, puppies are, quite frankly, perfection. As veterinarians, however, we always want to make sure that anyone considering taking the puppy plunge understands that, along with all of the good stuff, taking care of puppies can be a lot of work. Not only that, but they are itty bitty balls of energy that require a lot of time and dedication.
It’s not that we don’t want you to enjoy your PuppyPalooza, but we hate when we see them get rehomed for being, well, puppies. But if you’re new to the game, you might not know what’s normal puppy behavior and what’s not. Along with a discussion on that below, we’ll share five puppy behaviors you want to nip in the bud…for your sake and your bitty ball of fur, too!
How can I tell if my puppy has behavior issues?
Your expectations and lifestyle define behavior issues. A behavior that is a problem in one household – such as getting on the furniture – may be welcomed in another. If your pup is practicing behavior that is not ideal in your circumstance, find a way to redirect that energy or reinforce an alternative behavior. Reach out to your veterinarian for help with this.
How much puppy biting is considered normal?
Mouthing and nipping behavior is normal in all puppies….so is peeing wherever they want, unfortunately! The critical question is, what do you want to consider normal in your household? In most situations, we want essentially no mouthing or nipping behavior long-term. The management of the mouthing habit in puppies is vital to a healthy relationship long-term and may be a matter of life and death in some dogs’ lives. Teaching a puppy bite inhibition (or having a soft mouth) is relatively straightforward in most situations. Many veterinarians have helpful handouts on this with guidelines on this process, so be sure to ask.
Why is teaching your puppy how to have a soft mouth so important?
Any dog has the potential to bite in certain situations; for example, if their tail gets closed in the door, if they have an injury out in the woods, or they get startled by a toddler. If a dog has learned bite inhibition as a puppy, they instinctively know how to “pull their punches.” Dogs with good bite inhibition will cause less damage in situations where they reflexively bite.
This bite inhibition is important from a human safety standpoint, but it can become a crucial factor if the dog needs to be rehomed at some point in life. The idea of rehoming your precious pup may be unthinkable right now, but sometimes life changes. A very happy dog with a quiet couple may not adjust well if a baby comes along. We need to set our dogs up for success as much as possible. Dogs that have poor bite inhibition will cause much more severe bites when scared or injured. A serious bite history can be a death sentence for a dog in rescue. It may seem silly to worry about those puppy nibbles, but having a soft mouth is a lesson every puppy needs!
Do all puppies have what’s considered to be a rebellious phase?
The adolescent phase can be a trial in just about any species. This is true for dogs as well. The adolescent phase starts around six months and can last until 2-3 years of age in some dogs. Dog adolescence is a time of testing boundaries, lots of hormonal changes, and often a bit of fear. This mix can lead to many challenges with training and behavior. Surviving the adolescent phase without too much stress can be done with a good training routine, a lot of enrichment, and patience.
How should I discipline my puppy for behaviors that I don’t want to continue?
Discipline or punishment is NEVER the answer. We need to cue and reinforce the behaviors we WANT to see in our pups. Dogs only continue behaviors that work. If we stop (inadvertently, in most cases) reinforcing unwanted behaviors, they will cease eventually. By redirecting to and reinforcing behaviors we want, this extinction of unwanted behaviors will often go away more quickly.
5 Puppy Behaviors to Nip in the Bud
“Good” versus “bad” dog behaviors are a bit of a gray area because, as we mentioned earlier, some behaviors are acceptable in certain families while others are not. There are some puppy behaviors that can be downright dangerous, however, and those are the ones that we want to nip in the bud. Perspectives on this may vary depending on the size and the breed of your puppy.
1. Jumping
Why do puppies and dogs jump on us? In most cases, they want attention and interaction. When we push them away or tell them “No” or “Off”, we’re fulfilling those desires, whether we like it or not. If we want to stop the jumping, we need to give them an alternative. Teach a default sit. This is a foundational behavior that has a million uses – this is just one of them.
When your pup jumps – ignore them. Turn your face or even your whole body away and stay silent until they have all four feet on the floor or even sit. In many cases, a dog with a default sit cue will eventually sit in an attempt to get attention. The MOMENT those feet or the bum hit the ground and stay there for more than a second or so, reinforce!!! (This is why we always need cookies in our pockets.) It’s not going to be pretty or perfect, but in many cases, this is all it takes. Don’t allow your dog to jump up on others, even if they say it is OK. Ask them to turn to the side and ignore the dog. For dogs with a longstanding jumping problem or those that are a bit more stubborn, additional steps may be helpful. Just check in with us or your trainer for some other techniques to build the habit you want. And remember: Punishment never works long-term and will damage your relationship with your pup!
2. Poor Leash Manners
Poor leash manners isn’t a life or death situation, per se, but it can actually be dangerous if your puppy grows into a huge dog and you’re just a tiny human! In general, having an impolite walker is more of a nuisance but, as you can imagine, as dogs get big, bigger, and possibly biggest, this could make for a perilous circumstance if your dog pulls you or, worse, gets off-leash to pursue another dog or a squirrel. Having good leash manners will also help if you are out to keep your dog from jumping up on others. Have your dog sit, you can even step on the leash to keep your dog from jumping up, this will keep them in place for you to either get in front of them to get their attention or to free up your hand so you can have treats ready.
3. Nipping/Mouthing
We’ve covered a bit of this in other topics, but the most dangerous behaviors in puppies are those that can or will affect your relationship long-term, if left unmanaged. The biggest of those would be nipping/mouthing behavior. Early management and intervention is the best thing we can do with any behavior concern. You absolutely cannot check-in enough. Please let us help with anything that comes up!
4. Guarding Behavior
It’s important to understand the difference between guarding and aggression. Guarding is when your dog feels the need to hide or protect what they have, the most common of which are toys and food. They may growl when a person or another pet is near. If left unchecked your dog could develop aggression (lunging and biting) and that is a lot harder to overcome, as it will take professional guidance and a lot of patience.
Avoid tug-o-war with dogs that have guarding behaviors. Have a lot of toys and treats when you are first working with them on guarding. They need to feel comfortable that you won’t take away their toys, and if you do, they need to know that they will get them back. Start off by having the toys close to you, try to stay in the same place, and move slowly. When they drop the toy, give them another toy or a treat, and then give them the toy back. Keep repeating with different toys until your dog becomes comfortable.
If you have another dog in the home, keep the other dog away as you are working with them one on one. Reward your dog when they are allowing the other dog to chew on a toy by either giving them rubs or yummy treats. The message is that they receive good things when their furry sibling is enjoying time with a toy. This is a similar technique to food guarding as well. You can feed them straight from your hand or place handfuls of food in the bowl once they finish and back away, have them wait, and add more food. Having them wait for your OK or release to eat teaches them good manners. If you ever suspect your dog has aggressive behavior, speak to your veterinarian about ways that they can help.
5. Barking
Dogs communicate with you by barking, and letting your puppy know that you are listening is an important part of training and behavior. Letting them know when to be quiet is also part of being a well-behaved dog. This doesn’t mean that you should never let your dog bark, but they should know when it is OK to bark and when it isn’t. Just like with kids, if you let them get away with it, they will continue to do it. You may become immune to the barking but this could be an issue down the road with family, friends, or neighbors.
How soon should I get my puppy into behavior training?
Behavior training such as basic obedience (sit, down, stay) is vital to developing a good line of communication for your puppy, as well as setting clear expectations. Behavior training should start as soon as your pup settles in at home. The much more important aspect of most early training programs is socialization. Any good puppy class will focus most of their time on environmental socialization. Training will also help you and your puppy bond.
The socialization period in puppies lasts from about 3 weeks to 3 months of age. This period is vital for creating a well-rounded and resilient dog. This means that early environmental socialization should be starting while the pup is still with their breeder or foster parent. Early socialization can take place in the form of noises, smells, and textures as well as gentle handling intended to produce very low levels of stress to the pup to help them develop healthy coping mechanisms. As puppies grow and begin entering their adoptive homes, it’s still important to continue this socialization. 70-80% of socialization should be environmental. That means that you should not spend most of your time introducing your pup to other dogs and people. Focus on the world and all the noise, texture, and movement that takes place there. Your payback will be a less fearful, more resilient pup!
The only things most veterinarians would consider truly abnormal behaviors are extreme fear and/or anxiety, signs of aggression (not just playing), or anything that may indicate a medical issue in your puppy such as lethargy, inappetence, circling behavior, pressing their head against a wall, or any sort of vomiting or diarrhea. There’s no way we could list every possible sign of a problem, so never hesitate to call your vet if you have concerns. We’d rather hear from you frequently than have you wait too long when something’s wrong!
If you’re looking for a trainer for your furkid, there are a few things you need to consider –
What category of training are you looking for
There is a variety of training available – puppy training, basic obedience training, behaviour modification etc. Before selecting a trainer, know what type of training you are looking for and proceed to look for trainers that offers/specialises in that type of training.
2. What method of training are you comfortable with?
In dog training, there are different types of training methods – Positive Reinforcement, E-collar, Balanced Training etc. Our advise would be to do your research & find trainers who use methods that you are comfortable with.
With these answers in mind, now you can start to look for a trainer for your furkid! In this article, Pawjourr has consolidated a list of recommended trainers that you can consider based on the different training categories & methods.
K9 Kampong
K9 Kampong
K9 Kampong trainer & founder, Su Lin, has a wealth of experience in dog training stemming from her many years of working & living with dogs. She is an AVS accredited dog trainer and is on the Project ADORE trainer’s panel for all 5 AVS endorsed Rehoming Partners.
K9 Kampong offers basic obedience & socialisation classes, puppy training workshops & behaviour modification training. They believe in using force-free, positive only methods in their training programs.
For dogs who require Project ADORE certification, K9 Kampong offers the obedience classes & certification.
Wooga specialises in their 14 days Board & Trainprogram that guarantees a number of obedience commands. They also offer services such as Daycare, Boarding, Handstripping and other unique training programs.
The foundation of their training is based on creating a balanced relationship and unbreakable bond with the dog with clear communications and a solid foundation. Wooga uses markers and low level E-collar stimulation focusing on effective communication, motivation, enhancing and creating confident and balanced dogs.
They are the only training program in Singapore that guarantees results in a short 14 day period.
At Fuwang Dog Training, they believe that all dogs can be trained with education & building a solid partnership between owners and their dogs.
Fuwang trained overseas extensively under the guidance of 2 Times World Champion Dog Trainer Ivan Balabanov. He believes that dog training is an art which one must constantly upgrade his knowledge.
Fuwang Dog Training offers services such as Puppy Assessment, Behaviour Modification, Basic Obedience & Extensive In-Depth Rehabilitation.
They are recognised for their behaviour modification & rehabilitation programs.
Puppy Colours is a dog training school in Singapore that teaches dog owners to teach their dogs using methods based on behavioural science using positive signals and positive reinforcement. Their training focuses on real-life & social skills and problem prevention along with basic training skills.
Puppy Colours nurtures thinking dogs to make good decisions. They teach them what to do instead of telling them what not to do by finding things that motivates the dog and use that to encourage them to make good decisions.
Focusing on nurturing puppies into becoming a happy and well-mannered member of the family, Puppy Colours is known for their puppy training. They also group classes, private lessons & behaviour modification.
Hands up if your puppy works for the food, because mine definitely does ??♀️ Training is essential because it sets the foundation for puppies on how to act when they become an adult — especially if you have a husky like me (who is going to grow up to 35kg in the future), it’s definitely important to teach commends like sit – down – stay.
& what more to encourage these little pups than some treats and rewards for their good behavior? We’ve tried different treats and these are some of our favorites. A note that Oolong is extremely food-motivated and not fussy when it comes to food; so definitely check out Pawjourr’s sampling program to redeem free samples before committing to the full-sized products!
01. Instinct Pet Raw Boost
Product packaging vs. Product size
Why I’m in love with this product ?
I’m super impressed with the entire process of manufacturing Instinct Pet! This brand is from the USA and uses High-Pressure Processing (aka HPP) to create extreme cold pressure for extreme food safety with pure, cold water—no heat, no chemicals, and no preservatives needed.
I’ve heard of horror stories of other freeze-dried brands containing worms and it just scares me; with Instinct, I’m really confident about the quality — also because it’s premium and pricey lah.
During walks, you are going to be really busy (all the distractions — smells, noises, pulling etc). The last thing you want is your hand being all sticky and gross (did it with his kibbles and urgh) — I like that the raw boosters are of a just-nice size and most importantly, DRY. So i will just pop into Oolong’s mouth when he is behaving well!
Some consideration points ?
With puppies, you will need LOTS of treats. Instinct can get a little pricey — selling at $25.90 for 156g on their Shopee’s store. If you are looking to try, you can opt for the smaller packs first to try out different variants and deciding which is your pup’s favourite.
Definitely on the calories. It’s advertised to be a nutritious training reward under 6 calories each. I think this is really the main reason why I decided to get this product .. (perhaps also for the free snuggle mat they packaged together previously — please do not buy that dumb bundle set it’s bullshit for $48).
The size of the treat — i can’t really show you because i didn’t take a photo, but it’s shaped as a rectangle. Usually when your pup gets very excited, they might “bite” the treat and accidentally chomp on your hand – but because of the way the treat is shaped (in a long way), it helps that you get some “safe space” LOL especially if the teeth super sharp ah.
Some consideration points ?
To be honest, there are no consideration points but I guess because Ziwipeak has always been just … that brand that is not bad, I also don’t really see any unique factors that make me stick to them (?) Granted their price is not expensive — selling $15.90 for the lamb on their Shopee here but yeah like it’s just another brand lor.
I don’t really know what’s the “unique selling point” of Ziwipeak … so I bought it once and didn’t buy it again cause I felt super cheated by the dumb bundle set LOL.
I know this is BS but OMG — can someone please give this design agency a pay raise?! I’m in LOVE with Wagg’s new packaging, website and everything just says YES to me when i walk into Pet lovers centre! Long story short, i was shopping for some training treats for Oolong because obviously I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was — walked into PLC and the packaging just caught my eyes.
It’s definitely wallet-friendly (going at $4.00 for 1 packet over at PLC Shopee’s page here) but also that the products are categorized nicely into puppies – sensitive – low fat for me already, which I find very thoughtful and convenient for first-timer like me.
The biscuits are also a nice mix-up from the meat and freeze-dried food; though i must say that Oolong focus is much lesser when i use these as training treats.
Some consideration points ?
Yes, the treats are made in the USA but if you take a closer look at the ingredients, it might not be something you want to feed daily / a lot on a long-term basis. To be honest, I’m not against carbs or must die die only feed “single-ingredient treat”. I believe that my dog can eat everything, albeit in moderation — you everyday eat veggie also not enough nutrition right????
I’ve since stopped buying these though because Oolong has “upgraded” his palate to eat meat only (he started saying NO to these after 3 – 4 packets — woah free things still wanna be choosy ah). But all in all, I think it’s a great treat to mix up with the other food!
I have so many brands which I want to recommend, but here are just some of my favourites — maybe also because I know the owner personally! ☺️
Why I’m in love with dehydrated treats ?
Depending on what you buy — e.g. Chicken is really easy to break into smaller pieces during walks.
As I feed Oolong lots of treats during training, knowing that I’m feeding him non-commercialized treats does assure me to a certain extent that he is not just eating “junk food”.
Single-ingredient treats so I know that nothing goes in — it’s just 100% protein. Balance is key.
Some consideration points ?
Short shelf life. Since dehydrated treats are all-natural, it is important to note that their shelf life might not be as long as your commercial treats.
Takes time to deliver. If you are looking for something fast, you can pop into any of the pet shop to pick up your pack of treats. But if you are looking at dehydrated treats, you will need to wait for delivery which can take 3 – 5 working days.
Potential scammers. Yes, there are people who are out there to take advantage and I’ve heard of businesses who “MIA” after collecting payment. Make sure you do you research to avoid being cheated!
Eventually, all dehydrated treats are more or less the same. This is why it can be difficult to differentiate between brand A vs. brand B.
IN SUMMARY,
This is why we created a new category under pawjourr to help brands stand out from the crowd with reviews and coupons for customers to try. Often, pet owners will just buy from a “bigger” brand because #safe, #everyonebuysfromthem and #ionlyknowthem. I understand that, but maybe we need to give the new brands a chance too!
?? Head over to Pawjourr and leave a review for the brands whom you have tried before. Customer testimonials matter and your feedback (be it positive or negative) will also help other pet owners make an informed choice!
I hope this article gives you a brief idea on where to start looking for training treats for your puppies. Remember —
✅ Dry and doesn’t make your fingers dirty when it touches saliva.
✅ Low calorie — also check ingredients if you know you are going to be a treat dispenser.
✅ Switch up protein; I like to do Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Beef, Kangaroo, etc because I’ve heard of dogs developing certain health issues when they just stick to eating 1 protein (may/may not be true).
✅ Keep within your budget, no need to go broke buying expensive treats just for the Instagram game. It’s your pet — it’s not your followers’ pet.
Do check out our new categories — home-based biz and the coupon page and comment below what do you think! ??♀️
Article originally published on SitStay. Refer to the original article here. Article written by Jessica Mabie.
What is Separation Anxiety?
Dogs with separation anxiety experience stress, confusion, and tension. Separation anxiety manifests when a dog is insecure when left alone and is separated from their human.
There are varying separation anxiety levels that dogs can experience, from mild whining to extreme behaviors like destroying their surroundings. Symptoms associated with separation anxiety include:
Drooling and panting: When dogs experience extreme anxiety, they may pant and or drool excessively.
Crying, barking, or whining: Dogs will display persistent crying, barking, or howling when separated from their family.
Urinating or defecating: Dog with separation anxiety will have absence when left alone, even though they are housebroken.
Destructive behavior: Dogs with severe separation anxiety will dig or chew on furniture or exit points such as doors, window sills, or other accessible objects. This behavior is not only destructive but can also be dangerous and cause injury to your dog.
Escaping: Some dogs will attempt to flee their home, yard, or crate to find their humans.
Pacing: Pacing often at the door their human used to leave is a common habit seen in dogs with separation anxiety.
Stress colitis: Dogs who experience prolonged stress from separation anxiety may even begin to suffer from colitis. Colitis is inflammation in the large bowel resulting in diarrhea.
Separation Anxiety – The Difference Between Dogs and Humans
Dogs and humans are very different when it comes to what feels natural when separated. Humans grow up to be independent to leave their parent’s home.
It feels natural for humans to leave to go to the store, out to dinner, work, and even on vacation. It feels unnatural and uncomfortable for most humans to stay home all the time, as seen in today’s world of social distancing and quarantine.
On the flip side, dogs are pack animals. Pack animals do almost everything together, from hunting, sleeping, eating, and even rearing their young. Though there are a few times that the pack may separate, they often do so in groups, rarely leaving any of them completely alone.
Pack animals find a sense of security together, it is easier to hunt together, and there is safety in numbers. And though our dogs no longer need that same security to survive, it is an ingrained behavior.
Separation Anxiety Dog Training
Whenever anyone gets a new dog, they focus on housetraining, recall, sit, and down, but often overlooked is training your dog to be okay when left alone. Proactive training to avoid separation anxiety is always the best choice when possible.
However, every situation is different, and dogs may develop separation anxiety for various reasons. One of the common reasons dogs suffer from separation anxiety is if they were previously abandoned. These dogs are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety in their new home until they become more confident.
Below are some different ways to help your dog get over separation anxiety.
What is Dog Training for Dogs with Separation Anxiety?
Dog training dogs with separation anxiety is about changing how a dog feels about being left alone. Training helps dogs associate feelings of calm and confidence instead of anxiety and fear when the owners leave.
Training aids your dog in understanding that when you leave, you will also come back. Training also helps dogs acclimate to being alone and shows your dog it’s safe for them to be on their own.
Separation anxiety training is about building trust between canine and human and teaching a dog how to live in a human world. Additionally, separation anxiety training helps build on the amount of time your dog can be left alone.
How to Train a Dog with Separation Anxiety
First and foremost, your dog must receive proper exercise before you leave the house. Dogs who are full of energy will not be content being left alone for hours on end. So, the first step in training is to drain that energy before you even step foot out of your house.
The second most important factor is your behavior and energy. Do you feel bad about leaving your dog? Nervous or anxious? Dogs pick up on our feelings and energy. If we are putting off nervous or tense vibes, your dog feels that, but they do not know why; instead, they just know something is wrong.
So be sure when you leave your dog that you are calm and confident. Do not become excited or go through a big goodbye routine. Instead, grab your wallet or purse and leave the house. When coming home, do not enter your home with exciting energy; instead, be calm, the same as you were when you left. You want to teach your dog that leaving and returning is not a big deal.
Next, it is all about baby steps. Start with teaching your dog to comfortable staying behind when you leave a room. To do this, you will want to find a focal point for them to wait on. It can be anything like a bed, mat, or training table. Put your dog on their focal point and take a step away, then come back and reward. Be sure you are rewarding calmly; this is a low energy exercise.
Never call your dog off the focal mat; instead, use a release command. With time build on this exercise with greater distance and duration.
Note this is not where your dog will stay in your absence; you are teaching your dog to be calm and confident being away from you. Your dog does not need to sit or lie down; your dog only needs to be relaxed.
Another thing to work on when training a dog is desensitizing them to their trigger points. Suppose your dog starts to show signs of anxiety when you put on your jacket, shoes, or touch the doorknob to leave. You will want to desensitize this action, meaning you need to remove any value that this action has to your dog.
Key Takeaways to Your Dogs Separation Anxiety
All too often, humans unintentionally trigger separation anxiety in their dogs, either by not teaching them to be alone in the beginning, creating too much nervous energy when leaving or by not providing enough exercise before leaving the house.
The great news is that many dogs can overcome separation anxiety with training.
However, in severe cases of separation anxiety, it is best if you seek the professional help of a dog behaviorist or veterinarian to aid you and your dog.
This content was found on dogtime.com, and the original article can be found here.
Few things can put a damper on the joy of bringing a new puppy into your home than unwanted accidents. If you are looking for ways to housetrain your puppy, you are not alone.
There are lots of ways to potty train your new puppy, and the good news is your puppy definitely wants to learn! Before you let your pooch get full run of the house, make sure to teach them the house rules and avoid accidents.https://27e34e16f580062fadce6db47bb2a679.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Training a puppy to do tricks, to not chew up your things, and not to have accidents isn’t as difficult as it may feel. Yes, it can be a daunting task, but you can do it!
Here are all the things you need to think about as you start housetraining your new puppy.
1. Confinement May Seem Like A Punishment, But It Will Help
(Picture Credit: Laura Fay/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
For many, the thought of restricting a brand new puppy to a certain area of the house or a crate may feel awful. Hearing your pup cry out can definitely put your willpower to the test, but keeping your dog in a small enough area will quickly teach them not to relieve themselves inside.
Confinement training is effective for a multitude of reasons. Your puppy will not want to relieve themselves in a small space they can’t leave.
Crate or confinement training also helps keep your puppy safe. For example, if you are not home and let your puppy get free reign of the house, they could get into something toxic or get stuck somewhere.
Eventually, with proper training, your pup will come to consider that space as their own, personal territory. It will be a safe place for them to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed or just want some peace and quiet.
You may find them taking a nap there by choice before long, and they may even prefer it to your human furniture when looking for a resting spot.
2. As Soon As You Let Your Pup Out Of Confinement, Take Them Outside
When you first start crate or confinement training your puppy, you may want to play with them as soon as you let them out. Before introducing your puppy to their new favorite toy, take them outside and have them relieve themselves.
Use a command word, like “potty,” “outside,” or whatever works for you to signal to your puppy that it’s time to go out and relieve themselves. Even if you have a gated backyard, you should start with your puppy on a leash so they know it is time to eliminate and not to play.
If you’re home with your puppy throughout the day, you should still keep them in either a doggy playpen or a crate unless you are able to keep all of your attention on them. Let your puppy out every one to two hours to make sure they aren’t sitting in their confined space with a full bladder or bowels.
3. Reward Them Generously
(Picture Credit: Paula Danielse/Moment/Getty Images)
Keep some small treats on you whenever you let your puppy outside to go to the bathroom.
Once they successfully eliminate, be sure to heavily praise and reward them. Your puppy will quickly associate the positive reinforcement they get with relieving themselves outside, and they’ll get the idea that they’re supposed to go potty there.
4. Avoid Yelling At Them If You Find An Accident
(Picture Credit: Alex Sokolov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
If you leave your puppy in their crate and you return home to a soiled situation, resist the urge to shove your pup’s nose in it or yell at them.
Your puppy will not associate the punishment with the act of soiling, as you did not catch them in the act. Yelling at your puppy could actually lead to the opposite effect of housetraining–they could start submissive urination to prove to you that they aren’t a threat.
They could also develop neurotic behavior, like hiding or even eating their poop to avoid punishment.
If you live in a five-story walk-up or you get a puppy when it is freezing cold outside, it may be difficult to let your puppy out every couple hours. This doesn’t mean you can’t still successfully train your puppy how to relieve themselves outside.
Set up a space–be it in a mudroom, in the corner of their playpen, or near the back door–that you can designate for your puppy to use the restroom. There are pee pads made of turf that can help your puppy transition from relieving themselves inside to doing so outside.
6. Putting Your Puppy On A Sleep Schedule Can Help, Too
Now, you won’t be able to magically dictate when your puppy falls asleep and wakes up, but in order to make sure your puppy is able to grow into a dog who can relieve themselves on your schedule, you’re going to want to set up a routine for your pup.
For example, puppies usually need to urinate within half a minute or so of waking up. If you want to get some things done in the morning before walking your pup, perhaps they should sleep in their confined space–not in your room–so they don’t wake up as soon as you do.
Conversely, many people find that walking their puppies first thing in the morning helps keep them from hitting the snooze button half a dozen times, so you may want your pup to sleep in the same room as you.
It may take some trial and error, but you and your pup will find a groove in terms of relieving themselves in the proper manner. By taking your puppy out at the same times throughout the day–moreso at first, and then slowly weening them to every four to six hours instead of every hour–they will know when they can expect to go outside and relieve themselves.
