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| answered a question | Why does my dog poop all the time? Certain types of food that have a higher or more rich protein content can cause dogs to poo more frequently. Talk to your vet about recommendations they may have on good foods to help combat this constant elimination. My pup Jordy was on a high protein diet and would go as much as 6 times a day. Now that we have switched his food to a hydrolyzed protein diet, he has cut down the frequency to twice a day. Of course, things like eliminating waste will depend on other factors as well. This is just one to consider. |
| answered a question | Why won't my dog poop outside? Potty training comes down to routine and positive reinforcement. If you aren't already, try to set up a strict potty routine with your pooch. For a puppy, the routine could be a potty break as frequent as every 30 minutes. Other routines may include a potty break right away in the morning, an hour after breakfast, an hour after dinner, before bed, and every couple of hours in between. But ultimately you will have to come up with something that works with your schedule. Once your dog potties outside, praise him in a really excited fashion so that they know this is the best behavior ever!! In the house, do not rub your dog's nose in their mistakes, instead, clap loudly and say a firm "No!" when you catch them in the act, then immediately take them outside and ask them to potty out there. This is important: If you do not catch your dog in the act, you will not be able to effectively discipline them for the act. They will not be able to associate your firm discipline with going potty inside since it happened already. The discipline and the act must be simultaneous for them to associate the two. If it sounds like a lot of work.... you're right! But staying in a routine and keeping a positive attitude greatly diminishes the amount of time you will spend on potty training. Some troubleshooting tips: If your dog does not want to poop outside, try getting them a longer lead, walking them through more grassy areas, and getting them out at those key times that they will need to poop. Additionally, ensure you are cleaning their indoor poo spots very meticulously so that they do not smell the remnants. This will help curb the behavior as well. |
| answered a question | How can I stop my dog from barking at the neighbor's dog? I would recommend you try the Doggie Don't! Since you have exhausted other options, this simple noise redirection device may be just the ticket. Read more about it's uses here: http://thedoggiedontdevice.com |
| answered a question | Why does my dog sleep all day? Every dog is going to be different when it comes to how active they are. On average, a dog will sleep or be inactive for about 50% of their day. If this is normal behavior for your furry friend, then there is nothing to worry about. If he or she starts sleeping a lot more than usual, it could be something to bring up to your vet at the next visit. Although, if they continue to have a hearty appetite and will eventually get up to go for a walk with you, there is nothing to be concerned about. If you are interested to learn more about your pet's sleeping habits, feel free to check out this article: http://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-long-dogs-sleep-average/ (http://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-l...) |
| answered a question | What can I give my dog for bad breath? Dental hygiene is important in dogs just like it is in humans! To help eliminate bad breath you have a few options. You can use chews that are specifically made to help clean teeth and combat bad breath, although these may add unnecessary calories to your dog's diet. You can also purchase a doggie tooth brush and toothpaste. It will take some time for your dog to get used to this routine, I would recommend starting by using your finger with a bit of toothpaste on it and graduate to a brush once they become used to the feeling. Personally, however, I use a product you can find in your local pet store that is a simple water additive. You put in a couple of teaspoons each time you fill their water bowl and it helps to eliminate bad breath and clean their teeth. Whatever you choose to use, remember that your buddy's oral hygiene is important and it is always recommended to discuss these things with your vet! |
| answered a question | Why does my dog leak urine? There are many different reasons that a dog could be leaking urine. They could be suffering a UTI, have urinary incontinence, or be afraid. Another cause of this could be a build up of struvite crystals in the dogs urine which could later lead to the formation of kidney stones! At any rate, you should check in with your vet. Most of these are easily treatable but can become more serious the longer you wait to determine the source of the problem. |