Today we welcome Tyler Evans. Tyler is the creator and head blogger at dogzasters.com, a funny, entertaining and informative site for dog lovers everywhere. Tyler has been kind enough to write a special article just for us here at loyalpitbulllove.com. We hope you will enjoy it as much as we did!
Photo via Pexels
How to Prevent Frustrating Doggie Disasters in Your Home
It’s no secret that dogs make our lives better. They're always thrilled when we come home, they force us to get outside when we're feeling lazy, and they continuously provide us with unconditional love. However, dogs can also cause various disasters in the home, from bathroom accidents to torn-up clothing and furniture. Fortunately, you can take certain measures to ensure your pet doesn't get into trouble.
Train Them Properly
One of the most common reasons that dogs misbehave is because they haven't been properly trained. House training is especially important if you want to avoid the headache of constantly cleaning your pet's accidents off the floor. Instead of punishing your dog for eliminating indoors, reward them when they get it right. You should also supervise your new pet closely by limiting them to certain areas of the house. Teach them other key behaviors such as “sit,” “come,” and “leave it.” This will help your dog learn that certain items are off-limits and they are only allowed to chew on their own toys.
Make Sure They Get Regular Exercise
Like humans, dogs need exercise to stay healthy and fit. Regular activity can improve their mental health and reduce behaviors caused by anxiety and boredom. Make sure your dog gets their recommended amount of exercise per day or else they'll have boundless energy to fuel household destruction. The exercise requirements vary by breed, age, and their physical fitness, so talk to your vet about tailoring exercise to your specific pet. In general, herding and sporting dogs need over an hour of high-intensity daily exercise, while smaller breeds may be fine with a regular, leisurely walk.
Keep Them Entertained
Boredom is a common and preventable cause of misbehavior in dogs. According to Chewy, you should watch for the following signs of boredom in your dog:
● Chewing items other than their toys
● Excessive digging in the yard
● Barking for attention
● Getting into mischief, such as poking their nose in the trash can
● Pacing around the house
If you notice that your dog seems to be suffering from boredom, try to keep them entertained with toys and games. Buy some hard, rubber dog toys that can be stuffed with treats to keep your dog occupied and stimulated. This can even improve your dog's cognition as they use their problem-solving skills. Play with your dog whenever possible, throwing balls for them to fetch or engaging them in a tug of war. You can even create a fun agility course in your backyard to provide both mental stimulation and exercise.
Pet-Proof Your Home
Your dog is most likely to get into trouble when they’re home alone, so make sure you pet-proof your house before going out to ensure your pet’s safety and the safety of your possessions. First, make sure food is kept in closed containers and stored in cupboards where your dog cannot access it. Keep your garbage in a container with a heavy lid. You’ll also want to move electrical cords out of reach in case your pet is a chewer. While you’re at it, remove other small items off the floor, including children’s toys and dirty laundry. Finally, makes sure all of your houseplants are safe for dogs since some can be toxic. You can take advantage of baby gates and closed doors to limit the rooms your pet has access to while you're away.
Ease Separation Anxiety When You Leave
Separation anxiety describes the stress that some dogs experience when their owners leave. This can cause them to engage in negative behaviors such as creating messes or barking. When you first get your pet, teach them to get used to your absence by leaving them alone for short periods of time. Make sure they have a comfortable area with chew toys and water. You can even turn on the radio to provide comfort and muffle distressing sounds from outside.
No matter how much you love your dog, no one wants to come home to a huge mess. Your dogs want to please you, so make sure they know what you expect of them. Keeping your pets out of trouble and ensuring their happiness while you're away will help you bond and create a strong relationship of mutual respect.
**************
Again we thank Tyler for taking the time to write this great article for us and be sure to check out all the great stuff on Tyler's site, dogzasters.com!
How to Prevent Frustrating Doggie Disasters in Your Home
It’s no secret that dogs make our lives better. They're always thrilled when we come home, they force us to get outside when we're feeling lazy, and they continuously provide us with unconditional love. However, dogs can also cause various disasters in the home, from bathroom accidents to torn-up clothing and furniture. Fortunately, you can take certain measures to ensure your pet doesn't get into trouble.
Train Them Properly
One of the most common reasons that dogs misbehave is because they haven't been properly trained. House training is especially important if you want to avoid the headache of constantly cleaning your pet's accidents off the floor. Instead of punishing your dog for eliminating indoors, reward them when they get it right. You should also supervise your new pet closely by limiting them to certain areas of the house. Teach them other key behaviors such as “sit,” “come,” and “leave it.” This will help your dog learn that certain items are off-limits and they are only allowed to chew on their own toys.
Make Sure They Get Regular Exercise
Like humans, dogs need exercise to stay healthy and fit. Regular activity can improve their mental health and reduce behaviors caused by anxiety and boredom. Make sure your dog gets their recommended amount of exercise per day or else they'll have boundless energy to fuel household destruction. The exercise requirements vary by breed, age, and their physical fitness, so talk to your vet about tailoring exercise to your specific pet. In general, herding and sporting dogs need over an hour of high-intensity daily exercise, while smaller breeds may be fine with a regular, leisurely walk.
Keep Them Entertained
Boredom is a common and preventable cause of misbehavior in dogs. According to Chewy, you should watch for the following signs of boredom in your dog:
● Chewing items other than their toys
● Excessive digging in the yard
● Barking for attention
● Getting into mischief, such as poking their nose in the trash can
● Pacing around the house
If you notice that your dog seems to be suffering from boredom, try to keep them entertained with toys and games. Buy some hard, rubber dog toys that can be stuffed with treats to keep your dog occupied and stimulated. This can even improve your dog's cognition as they use their problem-solving skills. Play with your dog whenever possible, throwing balls for them to fetch or engaging them in a tug of war. You can even create a fun agility course in your backyard to provide both mental stimulation and exercise.
Pet-Proof Your Home
Your dog is most likely to get into trouble when they’re home alone, so make sure you pet-proof your house before going out to ensure your pet’s safety and the safety of your possessions. First, make sure food is kept in closed containers and stored in cupboards where your dog cannot access it. Keep your garbage in a container with a heavy lid. You’ll also want to move electrical cords out of reach in case your pet is a chewer. While you’re at it, remove other small items off the floor, including children’s toys and dirty laundry. Finally, makes sure all of your houseplants are safe for dogs since some can be toxic. You can take advantage of baby gates and closed doors to limit the rooms your pet has access to while you're away.
Ease Separation Anxiety When You Leave
Separation anxiety describes the stress that some dogs experience when their owners leave. This can cause them to engage in negative behaviors such as creating messes or barking. When you first get your pet, teach them to get used to your absence by leaving them alone for short periods of time. Make sure they have a comfortable area with chew toys and water. You can even turn on the radio to provide comfort and muffle distressing sounds from outside.
No matter how much you love your dog, no one wants to come home to a huge mess. Your dogs want to please you, so make sure they know what you expect of them. Keeping your pets out of trouble and ensuring their happiness while you're away will help you bond and create a strong relationship of mutual respect.
**************
Again we thank Tyler for taking the time to write this great article for us and be sure to check out all the great stuff on Tyler's site, dogzasters.com!
RSS Feed