Having Trouble HouseBreaking your dog?

I have covered information on this subject before, but because there are so many questions on it I thought maybe I need to add more for a better understanding about it.

Dogs can be our best friends when we are down, our buddies when we take them out riding and our protectors when someone comes to the house,  but when it comes to housebreaking, crate training and just down right eliminating where we want them to, some dogs don't seem to understand us.

Little dogs can be the most feistiest and the HARDEST TO HOUSEBREAK OR CRATE TRAIN for the life of us!!!  Is this you?  You try to teach your puppy over and over and over and over .......and over and over til you can't do it no more.  You become frustrated, maybe even cry, but they usually just don't ever get it.  Or maybe your little puppy goes pee outside, then comes back inside and pees again!

Little dogs and puppies don't have bladders as big as bigger dogs do, so holding their bladder can be very challenging to them.  There are few small breeds that can do it and are very smart.  For example the mini poodle.  Just keep in mind that they still have small bladders, so they can't hold it long. 

*Puppies can have different ranges of when they can be taught successfully.  Some can learn in a few weeks, while others may take up to six months. This is because of the maturity level of the puppy.  But start teaching your puppy as early as possible, which tends to be from 6 to 8 weeks and up.

**Older dogs can learn too, but may have a harder time if they have not had the habit of being house broken most of their life.

For the little dogs, most owners need a doggie door and a secure fenced yard so they can simply go out when they need to because they may not let us know when its time, or may have to go often.

Bigger dogs for example a Labrador Retriever, Doberman, German Shepherd, and the like can be much easier to house train/house break/crate train.  These dogs were actually bred specifically to be detailly trained by their owners and also have the bigger bladder. The breed is something to think about too.  You may want to look into the background of your dog breed.  A lot of little dogs were bred simply and specifically for companionship or to be shed-free. 

So if you have a small/little dog that you have tried and tried and got to where you're wearing yourself out trying to get it to become house broken, then maybe its just not a dog that will be house-trained.  And know that it's not what you're doing wrong. You can do the doggie door and secure fenced yard thing or put down doggie pads which are very popular with breeders of small breeds.

                                                        

A mixed breed may even be a good choice for you. ...... A companion dog mixed with a training dog......a non-shedding dog mixed with a training dog....etc....  Lab mix, Poodle mix, Rottweiler mix, etc.  Labs are the most popular dog in the U.S. 

There are some bigger dogs that won't be house broken either, but a much smaller amount than little dogs.

Next:  How to successfully housebreak/crate train your dog. 

If you would like more information you can fill out the contact form to the right. 

So You Want To Train Your Very Own Playful and Cute Puppy?

So you want a puppy?  Maybe your friend has one and every time you go over her house her puppy is so fun and playful...cute and adorable! Its even trained to sit, speak and let her know when it needs to go potty. It gave you the idea.."Why don't I get one?  It will be my puppy.  I will have my very own fun and adorable puppy to come home to everyday."

Stop!...................................

That's the usual scenario.  Someone sees a puppy that is just so adorable and has to have one of their own.  But did they count the cost of being able to keep that puppy everyday?

Puppies are just like children.  They can't tell you when they feel sick.  They pee wherever and need to be told what to do from the second of them being in a new home.

What else?  

Puppies get worms from their moms.  It doesn't matter if the mom has been wormed. A lot of times things get missed because mature dogs immune systems are able to enable them not to become sick from things around  them.  Puppies need to be wormed from at least week 4 and up.  And if they are wormed later than week 4 can have the risk of getting very ill with worms before their bodies catch up.  And if your puppy has been around fleas it may have tapeworms.  So you need to worm for round worms, hook worms and tape worms.

Ok, then your puppy could of been around other dogs that had a virus or contagious sickness.  A lot of puppies just don't survive fatal sickness.  Most of the small puppies in the shelters won't make it out alive.  Not because of euthanasia, but because of the sickness in the shelter.  If you do bring a puppy home from a shelter,  it needs to be kept in an isolation, away from other dogs. Your veterinarian may be able to give it some meds for relief if it becomes ill, but most of the sicknesses in puppies come from viruses that can only run its course on its own.  There is no cure.  This is where your puppies vaccinations are important so it won't get sick if it hasn't yet.

WHY AM I REFERRING TO ALL OF THIS BEFORE TRAINING?   Because all this happens to most people when they get their new puppy home.  You as the owner, need to make sure your puppy isn't sick, or you won't be able to even start training.

All of the above is what you need to consider before taking your puppy home.
Questions are: 
Where will you get your puppy from?  
What type of breed is good for me according to my lifestyle? 
Will I be able to do a lot of traveling if I want to?  
Will I have time to train my dog to fit me?  

And don't think that getting an older dog will make things go faster.  In some cases it may. But older dogs have a past, a history where they already learned things that may prevent you from training right away.  They may need to UNLEARN some things first.  They may have been abused or not had any vet care yet.  Unfortunately, a lot of these dogs need vet care and may already have heart worms because they were neglected their whole life, even if it was for 1 year or less.

So make sure you have the heart and soul to put into HAVING YOUR VERY OWN PUPPY before you think having your very own will be fun and easy.  Training can create a bond between you and your dog.  It creates a routine and trust with your dog, which is what it thrives on.  

Puppies As Child Gifts during the Winter Holidays

For many this year Christmas brings the joy of getting together with family and friends to celebrate. And Parents and Grandparents are trying hard to make their child’s Christmas the best!!! And usually with gifts of toys, gift cards and puppies.  

Puppies are not meant to become gifts under the Christmas tree.  Don’t get me wrong, there are some families, but very few, that will actually keep the puppy they introduce to the family this Christmas. 

If you are familiar of what happens after Christmas day you would know that people return items they don’t want to the stores.  Tons of items go back through customer service desks.  But those are not the only unwanted gifts that get returned or tossed to the side.  Puppies are also on that “gift return” list.  People become discontent because they didn’t realize how much responsibility the puppy would be or that their child would become uninterested in the puppy.

So what happens to the puppy that was under the tree for Christmas?  That same puppy that was in a warm home, with a bow on its head is taken to the shelter or pushed to the side feeling unwanted. 

Please understand that a puppy is a LIFE with feelings, not just an object that stands still until you decide to move it. Let a child grow and have a passion for animals before you get a puppy that will become unwanted. The only exception is if you are an adult that has had a dog before and you know what it takes to care for one.  So if the child doesn’t want the dog then you can have your very own best friend.  

Pet Supplies Plus is a HIT in Concord, NC

I went to the new pet store in Concord today, Pets Supplies Plus. That's me in the blue sweater. The store has been having their Grand Opening Saturday, Dec. 8 & Sunday, Dec. 9. I enjoyed sniffing and playing with the dogs for adoption! And there were some wonderful ones!..... Like Storm, Nana, Gina and Ellie. The rescues I met were from Concord & Greater Cabarrus County and HS Cabarrus County Rescue. Hey, I'm for adoption too!

I also walked on leash while there looking at all the smell good dog treats( they had tons!!!), fun squeaky and chew toys, soft dog beds,
oH...and even the other animals .... fancy gold fish, fuzzy rabbits and different breed & colored birds! You should of seen the 11 year old dog that came out looking like royalty after he was groomed. 

The customer service was great and the store is very clean. I loved walking down the dog food isle!  There are isles just for cat food and isles just for dog food...and lots of it!!!  So chances are you'll find the one you're looking for. 

The store also has a rewards card for Preferred Pet Club members that includes a birthday reward coupon for customers who supply a birth date for their pet(s), up to 3 per household.

I had soooo much fun at Pets Supplies Plus...what an awesome NEW Place!!! You and your babies ought to check it out sometime!
BTW their address is: 1237 Concord Parkway North, Concord, NC in the Shoppes at Davidson Corner plaza with Harris Teeter. 

N.C. LOW COST Spay / Neuter THANKSGIVING SPECIAL!!!

Are you looking for a Low Cost way to have your pet spayed or neutered soon, but don't know a GREAT place to get it done?

Take advantage of the November THANKSGIVING SPECIAL at SPAY / NEUTER CHARLOTTE!!!

-Cats are $35.
-Dogs are $65.
Dogs that weigh 50 to 84 lbs pay an additional $15. 

Rabies vaccine is $10.
All animals must have their rabies vaccine up to date or receive it on the day of surgery. If your pet already has its rabies vaccine, just bring in the certificate the day of the surgery.

An E-Collar can be provided for your pet for only $10.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY or RESIDE IN CHARLOTTE!!!

Call 704-375-2009 to set up an appointment.
You can also choose to set it up through their online form.

Appointments fill up quick!

I personally had my dog fixed with their pitbull spay/neuter special in September and was I am very happy! My dog was sent home with meds and had NO complications at all! She is now healed up and has a spay tattoo. I'm also going to have another dog done there in November!

Their staff is very detailed, personable and orderly!
Check them out and give them a try! Information is right on their site.

http://SpayNeuterCharlotte.org
http://facebook.com/SpayNeuterCharlotte

3 Bonding Secrets To Dog Training

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Are you having trouble getting your dog to listen to what you want it to do? Do you find yourself becoming frustrated with training your dog to sit, calm down or go potty where you want it to?

There are 3 need to know Secrets for dog owners that most dog trainers don't teach. They will help create a lasting bond with you and your dog.  

When I was a teenage girl, I loved caring for stray animals.  People in the neighborhood saw what I was doing and started telling me about strays they saw and one person actually left a puppy on my doorstep one morning. Although I couldn't have pets in my home then, I had 2 cats that would stay around my home and greet me whenever I came outside.  

As I grew up, those who knew me would say I was the "animal lady" because I spent lots of time with animals and connected with them so closely.  I would take strays in, bathe them, feed them, and find them a place to stay.  

In the process of caring for animals, I learned 3 Bonding Secrets that no one can learn from a book.

Secret #1.  Connecting with an animal is not much different than spending time with a person you love.  What do we do to people we love?  We make sure they eat, give them what they need to be in a good environment and most of all, we show them that we love them.  The bonding love from an animal can be a very heart warming experience. Take heed though.  Animals are not DUMB. Most of your domestic animals, if you give them love, they give love back. But your ENERGY has to be right because they know a bluff.  

Secret #2. Animals do not want to be around negative energies.  Those are energies that mean to  harm them or approach them with the wrong attitude. So if you ever become frustrated with training or play time with your dog, take time out until you can come back to the situation.

Secret #3.  Its best to get an animal that matches your level of energy activity. And sometimes its not all about the breed of dog. If you like to go hiking and do lots of outdoor activities, then a high energy dog would be good for you.  On the other hand, if you are an average walker, then you need a dog that fits your lifestyle and that energy level. 

Please go share these 3 Secrets so more animals' lives can be happy.

5 Fun Things To Do With Your Dog While Staying Safe On Halloween

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Are you wondering what to do with your dog on Halloween? Well here are 5 things you will want to do after you read them!

Fun thing #1.

Put on Clothes, Hats and Wigs:

Do your kids like to put clothes on the dog? Well on Halloween let them have a ball! Maybe put on an outfit, a wig, hat, whatever fits your dog's fancy or funny bone!

Now if your dog is fussy and doesn't like putting things on, that's ok! There are still ways to enjoy putty clothes on him or her. Read on.

How to decorate a fussy dog? Be gentle and talk softly. Then when your dog gets one piece of clothing on reward it with a “good girl” or “good boy”! Say it like you really mean it and feel it. Your dog will start to realize that its something you enjoy to do and that's why you do it, not just because it needs to be done. And if you plan on dressing your dog up often or even every Halloween, and your dog is young, you will want to start now because as your dog ages it will become accustomed to dressing up and be less fussy.

When your dog puts a few things on and lets them stay on, then do things as normally and don't be tense. See how funny your dog looks with what you are putting on it in your mind? Have fun! Laugh at your dog a little! Those are the feelings that encourage your dog to do more!

Fun Thing #2.

Take Your Dog out of the House:

Yes! Take your dog out with you if you can! Let it socialize and become part of your family. A socialized dog is a happy dog. You don't have to take it all around town. Try to do something outside of your dog's everyday surroundings so it can smell new things and see new people and dogs.

Now if you are not sure how your dog is going to act you may want to wait til you know what its temperament is like on a consistent basis. Some dogs just won't get along with other dogs or people. But if you can bring him or her out and away from home for awhile, even if its to the pet store then do it.

Make sure you can handle your dog on its leash! And please DON'T let a child hold the dog leash if the child is young and not old enough to know how to hold your dog's leash! A young child can easily be swayed to putting his or her mind on something else and totally forget to hold on to the dog leash tightly or forge to hold on to it at all. And please, please, PLEASE, don't say it won't happen to you because that is usually the time when accidents happen, when you think it can't happen to you.

Fun Thing #3.

Go to a Dog Halloween Costume Party

These are very fun events for both you and your dog! There are usually game prizes and FREE gifts just for coming! There are also different breeds of dogs to see, costume contests and special offers for exciting buys you may not know about yet.

Vet practices have them, you may find them at pet stores or maybe someone has one at their home. Lots of times these are public events open to anyone to come and have Fun with their dog. Just look out for them locally online or ask around at different pet places.

Fun Thing #4.

Take The Dog Trick or Treating With the Kids

Doing this is great for socializing your dog! He or she will get to meet different people. Maybe even meet new pets they have.... And will see how much fun the kids have. Dogs are a lot like us, Monkey see Monkey do. And that's how they learn.

Fun Thing #5.

Dress Up With Your Dog

Yes, I said it! Its always more fun with 2 than just one, isn't it? Your dog will also get to understand just how much fun it can have!

This is also something you can go back to “Fun Thing #1” with. If the “good girl” or “good boy” tactic doesn't work, try dressing up yourself then dressing your dog. Some dogs may like that better. Although if you dress all up then try to dress your dog may be a little harder or your dog may get silly seeing you get dressed, then trying to dress them up while they sling the clothes off will be funny to them, you may really want to try this, because its still Fun and you will have yourself and others in stitches with laughter!

So there it is! 5 Fun Things to Do With Your Dog While Staying Safe On Halloween

Pictured is one of our rescues at age 5 months Halloween 2011.