Common questions and Top Tips
These are some common questions that I am often asked.
How can I stop my dog eating his own poo?
I leave food down for my dog all day, should I pick it up?
How can I get my dog to come back when I call him, he always used to?
I know I shouldn't hit my dog, but how can I reprimand my dog?
I do not practise in cat behaviour, if you need a feline behaviourist I highly recommend Heather and Lara at Feline Fix Its , they have years of experience handling and managing cats and will be able to offer practical advise that really works.
How to choose a good boarding kennels
Choosing boarding kennels for your dog can be a nightmare, especially if you are new to pet ownership. The first step is to make up a short list, when you have done this then you must arrange a visit, a good boarding kennel will expect you to make an appointment or will have set times for visiting. This is not because they are trying to hide anything from you, but because they will be very busy caring for the animals that are staying with them. Speak to the staff about how they care for the dogs and about any special requirements you and your dog may have and make sure you are comfortable with the facilities and staff. Most boarding kennels will insist on their residents being fully vaccinated (including kennel cough vaccination - NB vets do not routinely give this vaccination and it is unlikely that your dog will have had it unless you have asked for it specifically,) and will be busy so book early. Don't be afraid to travel, a good boarding kennels is worth a long drive, remember that you are probably travelling a long distance for your holiday so don't cut corners for your dog, its his holiday too.
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It is always difficult to know what equipment you should be using with your dog. If your dog pulls on the lead then the answer may be a head collar. These are designed to take control of the dogs head preventing him from pulling, it will also help you keep his focus on you and stop him from becoming distracted. You will be amazed at the difference it will make and your shoulder will thank you. You can get these from most pet shops but I recommend the dogmatic head collar - especially designed to fit your dogs face and will not ride up into his eyes like other head collars, it is the most comfortable and easy to use head collar I have found - check out their web site and see for yourself.
Harnesses are only good for dogs that already walk well but could slip out of a standard collar, they are more secure than a collar but most dogs that pull will only be encouraged to pull harder when wearing a harness. In fact, they are very similar to the harnesses that dogs use when pulling carts or sleds and actually empower them.
A standard buckle collar and lead is the only other equipment that I would ever recomend, I would never advise anyone to use a check or half-check chain (also known as choke chain) or any other similar equipment. Approached in a kind and sensible way it is usually fairly simple to train a dog to walk on a loose lead.
How can I stop my dog eating his own poo?
Called coprophagia - This is where dogs eat faeces; this can be their own or the faeces of another animal. This is a natural behaviour for dogs, but unfortunately it can be a distressing behaviour for the owner. The most common cause of this behaviour is a nutrient deficiency, you should have the dog checked by the vet in the first instance and get advice about about changing his diet. At the same time as this you should be extra careful to pick up straight after your dog to prevent him from doing it. If the vet is happy he is on a good diet, then you can try putting raw courgette or pineapple into each meal.
I leave food down for my dog all day, should I pick it up?
You should never leave food down for your dog all day, dogs that have constant access to food are more likely to become food aggressive. Feed your dog a good quality food and give him two meal a day. Never feed your dog before you eat, this can also cause aggression, and always lift his bowl away after he has finished. If he walks away from his food then take the bowl away. Remember, a healthy dog will not allow himself to starve, he will soon get used to it.
How can I get my dog to come back when I call him, he always used to?
The most common cause of a recall breakdown is the owner. All too often dogs are let off the lead to play and are only called back when it is time to go home. This makes coming back a real chore and there is little incentive to the dog, if the dog is not rewarded properly every time he comes back then he will stop doing it. When your dog is playing in the park make a recall into a game. Call your dog, if he doesn't come run away from him, he will soon follow. When he catches up to you give him loads of fuss, reward him with a treat and take hold of his collar, then send him off to play again. You must always reward your dog when he comes back to you no matter how hard it was to get him back, if you scold him then he will definitely not come back next time. Repeat this exercise several times every time you let him off the lead.
I know I shouldn't hit my dog, but how can I reprimand my dog?
The best way to correct bad behaviour in your dog is to ignore him, this sends a very powerful message to your dog that he will easily understand. Don't be surprised though if his behaviour gets worse before it gets better. This form of reprimand works particularly well for jumping up and attention seeking behaviours. Always remember that you must always encourage him to do the right thing immediately afterwards and reward him for it.
Your dog is very intuitive and can read your state of mind very easily. If you are excited, sad, frustrated or angry your dog will know, these emotions are all signs of instability as far as the dog is concerned and will unsettle your dog. Try to stay calm and relaxed as much as possible, especially when walking your dog and disciplining your dog and you will be amazed by the change in his behaviour.
In my experience, commercial cleaning products do not work. Dogs regularly go back to the same spot over again when they need to use the toilet, commercial cleaning products may do a good job of removing the smell from our noses, but the dogs nose is much more sensitive than ours and can often still find the spot. I use a cleaning solution of bacterial washing powder and a glug of white vinegar mixed in water for fresh accidents and bacterial washing powder and half white vinegar/half water for old and stubborn stains. Saturate the area and work in with a sponge or cloth then soak up the excess water with towels and leave to dry. Sorry, your house will stink of vinegar for an hour or so but when it is gone neither you or the dog will be able to find that spot again.
Keep both hands free by using an old lead and collar and securing it to the taps (be careful that your dog doesn't pull the taps off, do not do this if your dog is likely to struggle). Water down the shampoo and conditioner in a water squirter and after rinsing the dog spray the solution all over your dogs coat, this will ensure an even distribution and will leave you a free hand. Use a mix of 1 part conditioner, 1 part shampoo and 4 parts water (approx). Use only shampoos and conditioners that are intended for use on dogs, human products can damage your dogs skin and fur.
