In order to discourage your dog’s habit of soiling your home, it’s important to understand why he’s doing it in the first place. There are several possible reasons, including a host of medical conditions, marking behavior, separation anxiety, and showing submission. We’ll explore each of these factors in more detail below. We’ll clarify the reasons your canine may be eliminating inappropriately, and offer a few tips to help you curb the behavior.

Health Conditions

Dogs often suffer health problems without their owners realizing it. Some of these problems are direct contributors to house soiling. For example, your pooch may have a bladder infection or gallstones. Both can increase urination. Or, he may have Cushing’s disease, a disorder that commonly affects older canines and leads to urinary accidents.

Another common condition in senior dogs is cognitive dysfunction. This is an aging disorder that is accompanied by mental deterioration, increased thirst, and inappropriate urination. Diabetes, issues with the pancreas, and gastrointestinal problems can also play a role.

Make an appointment with the veterinarian to conduct a physical examination for your pooch. If a health issue is causing a urination or defecation problem, it should be identified and addressed as quickly as possible.

Marking Territory

Many animals mark their territory by urination. Leaving a trace of their urine behind is a way to tell others that an area belongs to the animal marking it. Both males and females do it, and learn to do so at an early age.

If you have not yet neutered your male dog, he will be much more likely to exhibit marking behavior in your home. The same is true for an unspayed female. Neutering and spaying often resolves the issue. If your canine continues to mark inside your home, clean the area thoroughly and use a product to eliminate the odor. You may need to cordon off the marking site and confine him to certain areas of your home if he persists.

Separation Anxiety

Sometimes, dogs eliminate inappropriately when their owners are away from home for long periods. As long as their owner remains nearby, the problem is nonexistent. If this describes your canine’s behavior, the issue is likely due to his suffering a degree of separation anxiety.

Does he follow you around the house? Does he appear anxious when you grab your car keys or open the garage door? Does he bark relentlessly when you leave, and greet you excitedly when you return? These are signs that separation anxiety is triggering an elimination problem. The solution involves counterconditioning and desensitization training.

Showing Submission

This problem is more prevalent with young dogs and usually dissipates with obedience training. A young canine may use urination as a way to let others know that he will be submissive to them. Sometime, this is done to show deference to a dominant animal. Other times, the behavior is less discriminatory, which can be particularly frustrating for the dog’s owner.

An effective strategy for breaking the habit is to instill a sense of confidence in your canine. This can be accomplished, in part, by avoiding confrontational training methods, playing retrieval games (e.g. fetch), and exposing him to a variety of environments. Dog treats are a valuable training tool for encouraging confidence and discouraging undesirable urination.

Regardless of the reason for your dog’s inappropriate elimination, realize that he will have accidents, even as you’re trying to curb the behavior. Avoid becoming frustrated since doing so will likely worsen the problem. This is especially true in the case of submissive urination. As with all canine behavioral issues, modification and shaping take time. The payoff is worthwhile.

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This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine.

1 – Identify Your Ideal Match

Some breeds are more active than others. Some are perfectly content to sit on the couch all day while others need plenty of exercise. Think about your lifestyle. If you enjoy hiking, jogging, or bicycling, an active breed, such as an American Foxhound, might be more appropriate than a Basset Hound. Also, think about your living space. If you live in a small apartment, a Chihuahua may be more suitable than a German Shepherd. Adopt a pet that accommodates your life.

2 – Get Up Close And Personal

The only way to know whether a given canine will make a good companion is to visit his kennel up close. Take the time to walk through the entire facility and visit as many dogs as possible. Signs of friendliness are easy to spot; you’ll notice a wagging tail, an eager approach, and an excited playfulness. In contrast, if a shelter animal remains in the back of his kennel, and refuses to approach you, that may be a sign of things to come.

Keep in mind, however, that some dogs remain standoffish because they are unfriendly while others are merely shy. The latter can make wonderful companions once they get to know you.

3 – Ask Questions Of The Staff

There’s a good chance the shelter’s staff will have spent significant time with each animal in their care. They’ll know which dogs have quirky personalities, special medical needs, and a spotty history. Speak with the employees (or volunteers) and ask questions regarding the canines that interest you.

Ask about the results of a temperament evaluation (if one was conducted when the dog was admitted). Ask about behavioral tendencies that emerged while in the shelter. Ask whether the canine is friendly, reserved, withdrawn, or playful. It is in the best interests of the shelter to make sure you adopt the right pet. Hence, they’ll be happy to answer your questions.

4 – Get To Know The Frontrunners

It’s one thing to look through the front of a kennel and be immediately drawn to a canine. It is another thing entirely to interact with him. The animal shelter should provide you with the chance to spend time with the dogs you’re seriously considering adopting. Some facilities will let you take the canines for a walk. Others will encourage you to spend time playing with them to see whether you enjoy the interaction. Take advantage of the opportunity. It’s the best way to determine whether a given canine’s temperament is a good fit.

5 – Avoid Rushing Your Decision

Most shelters are willing to hold a dog for you for twenty-four hours. This is a good chance to leave the facility and consider whether a specific canine will fit your lifestyle. Moreover, you’ll be able to do so more objectively without his longing eyes staring expectantly at you. Come back the following day and make your decision. There’s no need to rush.

Adopting a shelter dog is a great way to find a lifelong companion. Use a methodical approach and ask plenty of questions to ensure you bring home a canine that adds to your life.

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Canine training is not really all that hard. One thing to remember is that most dogs simply want to make their owner happy. The problem is communication. Of course there is a language barrier, and owners need to get your pet to understand what you want.

Canine training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the methods that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.

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Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but don’t go any further than that, or you risk alienating the animal. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog behaves as he should is the better way to go.

Praising your dog of course reinforces the correct behaviour. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviours is of course nice, but experience has shown better results happen when food treats are distributed at the time the behaviours observed. When you really think about it, food motivates almost every animal, so to it works with our four legged friends.

Body movement can also influence your pet’s behaviour. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A technique that works well in doing this is to match a verbal command with a particular movement of either the hand, arm, or even leg.

Refusing to give up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your DirecTV, but you need to be consistent in your training. Your dog is not going to train himself, and training usually takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are tough with your dog. Things will not always fall into place, so do not give up at the first sign of trouble.

Training your four legged companion can be both a difficult and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.

Aside from melamine, there are other ingredients still included in dog food that aren’t particularly healthful, aside from providing the bare minimum to keep your dog functioning. Some of these ingredients include “mystery meat” (unidentified source of meat), Propylene Glycol, Gluten, and BHA/BHT. For a complete list of these unhealthy ingredients, visit Dog Food for Life. If you want to be 100% positive that you are feeding your dog the most wholesome dog food, you can always make it yourself! Don’t freak out—this isn’t as tough as it sounds. Dogs require natural ingredients, mainly meat because they have need of larger amounts of protein. We’re going to list a few easy but completely nutritious recipes that are a cinch to follow. If you find you have a knack for making your own dog food, have a look at the Dog Food for Life eBook, which contains a great deal of excellent recipes for meals, treats, and desserts for your dog.

The first set of recipes provide nutritionally balanced meals that your dog is sure to enjoy!

Meat and Potato Meal
12 ½ cups of potatoes, chunked
3 pounds beef heart, cut into chunks
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup zucchini, squash, carrots or peas
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label, it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)

In a large pot, boil the potatoes until they become soft. If you choose to cook the meat, pour out half the water and add the beef heart chunks. Then simmer until they are no longer pink. Add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, pour off all of the water after you cook the potatoes, and just add the beef heart with the remaining ingredients.

Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day

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Beefy Rice
2 ½ cups brown rice
3 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)
¼ cup dog oil supplement
1 cup zucchini, peas, pumpkin or wheatgrass sprouts (switch them out from time to time)
6 tablespoons dog powder
4 teaspoons bone meal (Check the label; it should have 1300-1500 mg of calcium per tablespoon. If it doesn’t, adjust the amount you use accordingly.)

Heat 5 cups of water in a large pot until it comes to a boil. Add the rice, turn the pot down to a simmer, and cover it. If you choose to cook the meat, add it now and cook it with the rice. Once the rice is cooked, add the remaining ingredients. If you are feeding raw, you’ll add your meat at this time as well.

Servings: Toy dogs: 1-2 cups, Small dogs: 3-4 cups, Medium dogs: 6-7 cups, Large dogs: 8-9 cups per day, Giant dogs: 9 cups per day

The next couple of recipes make great treats for your dog!

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Barking Barley Brownies

1 ¼ pounds beef liver or chicken liver
2 cups wheat germ
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1 cup cooked barley
2 whole eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt – optional

Pre heat oven to 350. Liquefy liver and garlic clove in a blender; when it’s smooth, add eggs and peanut butter. Blend till smooth. In separate mixing bowl, combine wheat germ, whole wheat flour, and cooked barley. Add processed liver mixture, olive oil and salt. Mix well.

Spread mixture in a greased 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. When cool, cut into pieces that accommodate your dog’s size. Store in refrigerator. or freezer.

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Yogurt Pups
16 ounces plain non-fat yogurt
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
Dissolve bouillon in water, Combine water and yogurt in blender and blend thoroughly, Pour into small containers for freezing, cover and freeze.