When you read a title that states housetraining is not a behavior problem the first thing you think of is inviting the guy who wrote that statement over your house to show him all the spots on your carpet.
Before you think I'm nuts for making such a bold statement let me explain a few things. Many of the things that dogs do are labeled as behavior problems. Most of the things that our dogs do are not behavior problems.
If you were walking along a path and your dog picked up a stick and started to chew on it most people think it was no big deal. "Hey look, Junior is chewing on a stick". But when Junior comes home and starts to chew on your expensive oak furniture it becomes a problem.
Peeing and pooping is a very normal, natural behavior. Every living creature does it. It becomes a problem when your dog doesn't do it in the right area. So my argument is that housetraining is not a behavior problem it is a location problem.
Your dog just has to be taught the right place to go. You just need to learn how to communicate to your dog where the right area is and where the wrong areas are.
This can be done by keeping a close eye on your dog. You really need to set it up so your dog does not have the opportunity to make a mistake. Using a crate, baby gates to keep your dog with you in the room and keeping a leash on your dog are all ways to help you keep a close eye on your dog.
I know that it sounds like a lot of work but it is well worth it. You need to catch your dog in the act. When you catch your dog making a mistake you can quickly bring her outside. When you bring her outside you need to stay her to communicate that she is now going in the right area.
One other tip is to put your dog on a schedule. In extreme cases I have brought the dog out every hour. This way you are setting your dog up for success and not failure.
Remember - Housetraining is like real estate. It's all location, location, location.
Good luck!
Eric Letendre is the author of The Amazing Dog Training Man.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Jobs That Dogs Do
Dogs are amazing creatures. They are our wonderfully loving and nonjudgmental friends, but they also work. Many dogs have regular jobs, and all of us depend on these working dogs to do those jobs and do them well.
Dogs would likely survive without humans, but humans probably wouldn't fare as well without dogs. Do they get paid? Well, not in cash. What would they do with cash? No, they get paid in love and gratitude which is the only pay that they expect or need. That's cheap labor. Try finding a human being who would rush into a burning building to save life or run around rounding up cows until their tongues hung out for nothing more than a pat on the head, a scratch on the head, and a bowl of kibble.
Dogs do many jobs. They pull sleds, herd farm animals, hunt for game, find clues of crimes, inspect luggage for illegal drugs or food items, and hunt for missing persons. They serve as service dogs for those with disabilities. There are seeing-eye dogs and hearing-ear dogs. Dogs pull wheelchairs, turn lights off and on, pick up dropped items, and even call for help when it is needed. Dogs act as our guards and protectors without even being asked.
There are hundreds of breeds of dogs, and dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but there is one thing that all dogs have in common. Dogs have the ability to love unconditionally. There is another thing that all dogs have in common. All dogs want a job to do. A dog might be a search-and-rescue dog that saves lives every day, or he might just bark at the postman to keep him from stealing your stuff. But ALL dogs want to be employed!
Milos Pesic is a certified dog trainer and owner of popular and comprehensive Dog Training information website. For more articles and resources on dog training, dog training certification and programs, free online dog training classes, dog potty training and much more visit his site at:
=>http://dog-training.need-to-know.net/
Dogs would likely survive without humans, but humans probably wouldn't fare as well without dogs. Do they get paid? Well, not in cash. What would they do with cash? No, they get paid in love and gratitude which is the only pay that they expect or need. That's cheap labor. Try finding a human being who would rush into a burning building to save life or run around rounding up cows until their tongues hung out for nothing more than a pat on the head, a scratch on the head, and a bowl of kibble.
Dogs do many jobs. They pull sleds, herd farm animals, hunt for game, find clues of crimes, inspect luggage for illegal drugs or food items, and hunt for missing persons. They serve as service dogs for those with disabilities. There are seeing-eye dogs and hearing-ear dogs. Dogs pull wheelchairs, turn lights off and on, pick up dropped items, and even call for help when it is needed. Dogs act as our guards and protectors without even being asked.
There are hundreds of breeds of dogs, and dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but there is one thing that all dogs have in common. Dogs have the ability to love unconditionally. There is another thing that all dogs have in common. All dogs want a job to do. A dog might be a search-and-rescue dog that saves lives every day, or he might just bark at the postman to keep him from stealing your stuff. But ALL dogs want to be employed!
Milos Pesic is a certified dog trainer and owner of popular and comprehensive Dog Training information website. For more articles and resources on dog training, dog training certification and programs, free online dog training classes, dog potty training and much more visit his site at:
=>http://dog-training.need-to-know.net/
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