Caring For A Dog: 5 Steps To Potty Training Success

by Michael Lewis


Potty training a dog is one of the most frustrating things you will have to do. Take heart in the fact that once your dog gets the potty training, you won't have to teach it again. In many ways, potty training can be rewarding too. Not only can you help your pets to stop making messes on your favorite carpeting, but you can develop a strong relationship of trust and bonding with them to.

Here are 5 steps to make potty training successful in your home.

1.Use a crate. Crate training is very effective. A crate is used to allow your pet to have a place to sleep and teaches them to control their bladder. They won't soil their bedding. Then, when it is time to get up and go out, you can easily do just that. The dog learns from the start that you control potty time.

2.After meals, give your pet 15 minutes and then take them out. Food is a trigger not only to eat but also to go. When it comes to potty training success, allow your pet to get outside when the urge is approaching. What's more is that you shouldn't leave food out. Put it down for them at the designated time and allow them to eat for 15 minutes to 30 minutes and remove the bowl. Soon he will learn and that again allows you to control potty time.

3.Pick a potty spot. Select the area of your yard that you want your pet to go in. Take them to that spot every time to go. This will help your puppy to learn that when he needs to go, he needs to come here. What's more is that the smell of urine is yet another trigger to your pet to go.

4.Don't reward them with food. Remember that rewards need to be emotional, and therefore it is more successful to give them a reward of a patting and rub down then it is for you to hand them a treat. Also, treats are food which triggers potty time again!

5.Reward success, but don't punish accidents. Although you will be angry and you will want to punish your pet, your pet does not see this as a bad thing. He sees it as attention. He also can become aggressive as well as not like to be around you. Dogs don't relate their potty mistake to the punishment you are given them. Instead, ignore them when they do something wrong. Don't speak to them or interact with them.

Caring for your dog is hard work, but when it comes to potty training, success can and will happen when you install these five tips into your program.

Feeding Your Dog: What To & How Much

by Craig Williams


WHAT AND HOW MUCH TO FEED PUPS, TEENS, ADULTS, ACTIVE / SPORTING, DOMESTIC or STERILISED PET, WHELPING AND AGED dogs.

PER DAY GIVE AS FOLLOWS.

PUPS

(Up to 8 weeks) Give 4 small meals per day.

(8wks-6mths) Give 3 medium meals per day.

FEEDING YOUR PUPPY

Premium pet food tends to have higher nutritional value. In particular, foods such as Science Diet, Eukanuba, Nature's Recipe. This means you can generally feed your dog a smaller amount of food.

Also, they tend to be highly digestible which means that there is less waste to clean up in the yard. For these two reasons, many people feed their pets premium foods over grocery store foods. But the decision is yours and many healthy, happy dogs have been raised on plain Purina Dog Chow.

FEEDING SCHEDULES:

There are two methods you can use to feed your puppy:

FREE FEEDING and SCHEDULED FEEDING.

FREE feeding is when dry food is left out all day and the dog eats as it wishes. SCHEDULED feeding gives the dog food at set times of the day, and then takes it away after a period of time, such as a half hour.

10 Steps to Finding the Perfect Dog Sitter

by Andi Wize

The flights are reserved, the bags packed and the kids are finally ready! But just as you're rushing out the door, you run into Fido with those big, sad puppy eyes. Oh NO, what about Fido?

When planning vacation and holiday getaways, our pets are often a forgotten, last-minute detail.

Next time, consider using a pet sitter. It allows your dog to stay in the comfort of their home and maintain their normal routine. These are things even well-meaning friends or family, and certainly kennels, cannot offer. Also, having a trusted pet sitter in your home can help protect your home from intruders.

But how do you find the perfect pet sitter? Start looking before your next trip and follow these 10 recommendations:

1. Personal Referrals. Ask trusted friends or family members if they can recommend a pet sitter they have used. Word-of-mouth is often the best reference.

2. The Interview. Set up a meeting in your home with each potential pet sitter. Watch how the sitter relates or interacts with your dog. Are they actively involved with the dog or are they distant or restrained around them? Does your dog want the pet sitter's attention? Don't second-guess your dog's reaction (or your own); if they don't seem engaged, move on.

3. Questions, Questions. The kind and volume of questions pet sitters ask will showcase their actual experience in caring for your particular breed of dog. A professional sitter will take notes; you should too. If they don't ask questions, cross them off your list!

4. Affiliations. Judging solely by an organization affiliation (such as PSI - Pet Sitters International or NAPPS - National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) is tempting. However, remember these national organizations do not know these individuals or their reputation. Instead, ask for local affiliations and follow-up.

5. Client References. Ask for other client references. These will help you get a clearer idea of what to expect if you hire this person.

6. Bonding & Insurance. Bonding and insurance protects you in the case of damage or theft of your property. However, is does NOT ensure that the pet sitter is reliable, caring or trustworthy.

7. The Dotted Line. Ask for a copy of their contract and carefully review the details later. A contract will protect you and your dog. It will also spell out exactly what you can and cannot expect from the pet sitter. It should also list the appropriate rates for all services offered. Do not hesitate to ask questions!

8. Arrange another visit. Arrange for the pet sitter to spend some alone time with your dog. A walk is a great idea. Monitor your dog's reaction; is he happy and comfortable with the pet sitter? Or does he seem eager to get away from them? This also gives the pet sitter a chance to see if they can appropriately handle your dog (particularly if the dog is a large-breed, strong or very energetic).

9. Listen to your gut! Finally, go with your gut feeling! If it doesn't "feel" right, it's not! Keep looking.

10. Before you leave. Leave detailed instructions (prepared earlier), phone number(s) in the event of an emergency, and your vet's name and number.

Investing your time in advance and following these steps will ensure the best possible pet sitting experience. So the next time you're making those early travel plans, remember to put Fido, and his pet sitter, on your checklist to avoid those big, sad puppy eyes!