Indoor dog potties are replacing pee pads when it comes to giving your dog a place to relieve himself inside. Pee pads can make a good temporary solution, but long-term they are very costly and produce a ton of waste, on top of being stinky and unsanitary. An indoor dog potty is a cleaner and less wasteful option for potty training and for dog owners living in apartment buildings, homes without yards, or who are away from the home for long hours.

Artificial and real grass dog potties are solutions to the need for a doggie litter box, but there are a number of problems with grass dog potties. First, they are very difficult to clean, permanently trap bacteria, and start to smell over time. They are not as cost effective of a solution because the grass must be replaced periodically. Even worse, they don’t dry out very easily, therefore, the dog’s paws get wet using the potty causing him to track urine and bacteria all over the house. The grass solutions are only recommended for use on a porch, which limits the number of situations in which they can be used.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the problems with grass dog potties:

Dirty and Hard to Clean: Grass dog potties have a tray underneath the grass that catches urine, but poop rests on top just like outdoor grass. If the dog goes number two while you’re away from the house, you come home to a stinky mess. Urine gets trapped in the grass every time the dog pees, so it needs daily cleaning to stay sanitary. The problem is you need to clean the grass outdoors with a hose to be able to get it clean, which isn’t always an option when you live in an apartment building or a cold winter climate. And the urine tray requires daily cleaning too, although this can be done indoors. Even with daily cleaning synthetic grass fibers still can absorb and trap bacteria that is easily missed or disguised and eventually becomes soiled over time.

Very Expensive: Because artificial grass dog potties are marketed to people who live in apartment buildings, the most viable option for keeping the grass clean and sanitary is to periodically replace it. The synthetic grass inserts run from about $50 to $75 dollars, while the initial investment for the grass dog potty system costs anywhere from $150 to $200. The system is really only cost effective for potty training and other temporary situations, because replacing the grass for the life of the dog—recommended anywhere from every one to six months depending on the amount of use—can really add up over time.

A Breeding Ground for Bacteria: Not all of the urine reaches the holding tray underneath. Some of it gets caught in the grass and eventually dries—if you’re lucky. The grass often stays wet, depending on how often it’s used, the number of dogs using it, and the size of the dogs. Not only does the grass become stinky and full of bacteria, but also your dog will track their wet paws around your living space if it’s used indoors. Most dogs won’t step in their own poop, but it still exponentially increases the amount of bacteria your dog is spreading around the home.

Best Used on a Porch, Balcony, Deck, or Patio: Grass dog potties can be great for dog training as a temporary solution while your puppy or newly adopted dog is still learning. They help dogs understand that the grass is the right place to go the bathroom, and when placed outdoors, they learn that outside is where the potty is. But because they are so unsanitary, hard to clean, and expensive to maintain, they do not make a viable option for people living in apartment buildings who need a place for their dogs to go when they’re not home or when using the bathroom outdoors means a long walk and/or an elevator ride in the middle of the night.

Not Like a Litter Box: While grass dog potties are sometimes marketed like a doggie litter box, they are very different from cat litter boxes, which are much easier to clean daily and more sanitary because cats instinctively cover their urine and feces with the litter. Grated dog potty systems like the UgoDog indoor dog potty are more like litter boxes because they are made for use indoors, don’t stay wet or trap bacteria, and are easy to clean on a daily basis.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The New Year is a time to make positive changes that improve lifestyles for both you and your pet. Coincidentally, dog owners make many of the same resolutions for both themselves and their pooches, with common resolutions such as more exercise and a better diet. You can work with your dog to improve both your lives at the same time for a happier, healthier home.

1.     Spend more time with your dog: The most common resolution for a dog owner to make is simply to give their best friend more time and attention, especially in families with       children that often trump time spent with pets. Luckily, dog owners can fulfill a number of their other doggie-related resolutions by spending more time with Fido.

More time doesn’t always have to mean more play time. You can spend extra time with your dog with more grooming, training, or cuddling, in addition to exercise. And families can spend more time with their dogs by including them in family outings and planning more family outings in the great outdoors.

2.     More exercise: This is the number one human resolution made each year, and it’s often easier for people to stick to this goal when there’s a dog involved. While you won’t be able to bring your dog to the gym or walk him on a home treadmill, you and your dog will both really benefit from daily walks or jogs around the neighborhood and a weekend hike in the woods, giving you both the advantage of fresh air from exercise outdoors. You can also resolve to give your dog a greater variety of exercise and socialization with other dogs by including play time and trips to the dog park.

3.     Get your dog spayed or neutered: This is a task that’s easily put off by dog owners with limited time and/or money. But you can really help limit the number of homeless pets by spaying and neutering your own. Spaying and neutering also helps pets calm down and makes them easier to train, so it may help you with your other dog-related resolutions. There are a number of state-funded programs around the country that give financial assistance to low-income pet owners to help with spaying and neutering expenses. You can check online or with your vet to learn about programs in your area.

4.     Get doggie identification: Whether it’s a microchip or an old-fashioned ID tag on the collar, you’ll greatly improve your chances of reconnecting with a lost or stolen pet by giving them an ID. Microchips are fairly inexpensive theses days and can be instantly scanned by vets around the country to identify you as your dog’s owner, as long as you keep your contact info current in the database.

5.     Take your dog to the vet for regular checkups: Many pet owners only visit the vet when there’s something wrong, but just like humans, dogs need well checkups too. Dogs need to see the vet for maintenance such as shots and teeth cleanings, and regular visits to the vet can include blood work and a professional opinion about your dog’s health that can prevent or deter more serious problems and illnesses.

6.     More or regular grooming: Dogs and their owners are both happier when they’re clean. Regularly grooming or brushing your dog can curb shedding by up to 95%, depending on your dog’s breed. While regular grooming can become costly, you can do most or all or the work on your own at home. Even including just five minutes of brushing a day in your dog’s routine can significantly limit shedding and a smelly coat. You can bath your dog outdoors in the warmer months and splurge on some professional grooming when it’s cold outside, in addition to taking advantage of a number of DIY dog-washing stations that are popping up around the country

7.     Better training: Even good dogs can usually become better trained, while working with a poorly behaved dog can significantly increase your happiness together and decrease the chances that you’ll put your dog up for adoption because he refuses to listen. There are a number of options for dog training, depending on your dog and his behavior, including books, videos, classes, and professional training camps. And don’t forget that getting your dog a sufficient amount of exercise can curb a lot of his bad behavior by giving him a proper time and place to release his energy.

8.     Better potty training: When older dogs continue to go to the bathroom in the house, it can indicate a greater problem such as incontinence. If your younger dog refuses to potty train completely, it may be because he doesn’t have enough opportunities to go to the bathroom in an appropriate place. If your dog is alone for long hours at a time, you may consider asking a neighbor to let him outside, hiring a dog walker, or purchasing an indoor dog potty.

9.     Adopt a homeless pet: Pet owners are healthier, happier people because pets improve quality of life in a number of ways when they’re properly cared for. Single people, people who live alone, and childless couples can really benefit from the company of an animal. Pets are also wonderful for families with children when they include the pets in their daily lives as part of the family.

10. Don’t forget the kitty: While cats generally require a lot less time and energy then dogs, they need love, attention, and exercise too. There are a number of ways that you can apply the above resolutions to your cats to help improve their lives and yours. 

“Cuddle Monster” Photo Credit: ramsey everydaypants

“Jeanne’s Dog Grooming” Photo Credit: windygig

Popularity: 1% [?]

Dogs are our greatest companions. They come in all sizes, from small and cuddly to large and lumbering. Most people keep them as pets, and they gradually become trusted friends and even members of the family.

In many cases, dogs are used as service animals. Originally, some of the larger dogs were specifically bred and trained as pack animals. Dogs have been used for centuries to track animals and hunt game. These days, just about everyone is familiar with seeing-eye dogs.

Dogs have also taken part in the effort to solve crime and ensure safety for citizens. Law enforcement officers are lucky to have these dogs.

Police Canine Breeds

Such a tough, dangerous job takes a certain breed of animal. While most dogs have the instincts to hunt and track, only a handful of dogs are well-suited to help law enforcement officers. A few of the most common are German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and bloodhounds.

The main attributes that a police dog requires are aggression, intelligence, physical strength, and sense of smell. Most importantly, these dogs must be easy to train, whether it’s housebreaking with a UgoDog indoor dog potty or training to track specific scents. German shepherds feature all of these attributes, making them a well-rounded dog for all K-9 duties.

Labradors are also incredibly intelligent, strong, and active. However, Labs are mainly trained to sniff out drugs and other illicit substances.

Bloodhounds are highly intelligent and were originally used to track and hunt game. Known to have amazing noses, bloodhounds are probably the best trackers in the canine world. This reliable breed is commonly used to track missing persons or objects.

Police Dog Training

As with regular canine training, training to become a police dog occurs at a very young age. By the time a dog is ready for police K-9 training, it has received proper house training with the UgoDog indoor dog potty.

·   First, all police dogs must go through basic obedience training. They have to obey their handler’s instructions immediately and without hesitation. This helps keep the dog’s aggression in check and allows the officer to control the amount of force the dog uses

    Dogs trained in Europe are only given commands in their “native language.” Although many would assume this is a means of deceiving suspects, it’s actually just how the dogs are trained. A police dog trained with Dutch or German instructions will only understand Dutch or German commands.

·         Police dogs also have to pass basic endurance and agility training. Climbing stairs, jumping over walls—a police dog should be able to do it all. K-9 dogs also have to acclimate to city life. After all, they should be comfortable around people.

·         Once the dog has received basic training, he will proceed to specialty training, which is where they learn to sniff out drugs or weapons, track missing persons, enforce public order, or perform other K-9 duties.

Police Dogs: Drug Training

It’s often assumed that drug sniffing dogs seek out drugs as food or are themselves addicted to that drug. In actuality, drug sniffing dogs are wholly uninterested in drugs, as food or otherwise. When looking for drugs, these dogs are actually seeking their favorite toy. During training, the dog learns to associate the toy with the smell of drugs.

To begin the training, the handler essentially just plays with the dog and its favorite toy—which is usually nothing more than a white towel. A towel is just the easiest to use for this specific training; besides, dogs seem to love playing tug-of-war with a towel.

During training, the towel itself has been washed to remove any possible scent. Soon, the handler rolls up a bag of marijuana into the towel. After some time, the dog starts to recognize the smell of marijuana as the smell of his toy.

Once the dog has made this association, the handler hides the towel with the drugs in various locations. When the dog catches a whiff of the drugs, he will proceed to dig and scratch in order to get to his toy. He soon learns that sniffing out the drugs leads to a reward of playtime and tug-of-war.

As training progresses, different drugs are placed inside the towel until the police dog can successfully recognize the scents of numerous drugs.

Police dogs might have to go through more rigorous training than your average pup, but for them, it’s all in a day’s work. And don’t worry—they get plenty of love along the way.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Deciding to get a puppy is exciting, picking one out is something you will always remember, and playing around at home the first day will fill your camera with the cutest pictures. But, the challenge of owning a puppy will sink in as soon as you begin the dog potty training process. The first few weeks you have a puppy, you must make a commitment to take care of them, have patience when they make mistakes, and be consistent in your training methods so the puppy can learn and soon take care of themselves. Before you make the move and bring a new puppy home make sure you are ready for the task at hand, housebreaking a puppy can be a trying task at times. Three general tips for a future puppy owner are to make sure you have the commitment, patience, and consistency to take care of the puppy. Dogs enrich our lives so much, but remember, you’ve got to make the puppy’s life happy, too!

Commitment                                                                                                                                                                                    

·      Watch Constantly: When you have just gotten a puppy you’ll want a indoor dog potty otherwise they will wander and potty all over the place. You have to constantly keep a close eye on them to make sure you can properly train them to go potty outside or wherever you designate the appropriate location. Keeping an eye on them is harder than it sounds, but it will help the training process move along quicker.

·        Take them Outside: Every single time the puppy is sniffing around to go potty or immediately after they eat you must take them outside to the designated potty location. This may seem hard at first because the puppy needs to go outside often but as you train them and they get older it will become much easier.

·   Cleaning Up: The puppy will make a mess both inside and outside the house and you have to be committed to immediately cleaning it up. If you don’t clean it up right away, the puppy will likely make a mess there again in the future because they like to return to the same location.

·       Tools for the Job: If you plan on having a puppy, you have to go get all the necessary supplies. You will need to buy a collar with tags, a leash and maybe a harness, food and water bowls, dog crate, toys, and a dog bed. Potty training pads or dog potties like UGODOG are helpful during the potty training process, and can be a great permanent solution for apartment dwellers. The biggest expense will soon become the constant purchasing of dog food, but that comes with the job.

     Patience

·       Expectations: A puppy is bound to make many mistakes, especially when it comes to going potty in the right location and at the right time. You have to go into puppy ownership with the right set of expectations. Remember that your new puppy’s habits are a blank canvas, and it’s up to you to transform them.

·       Praise: Always praise your dog when they do something right. Immediate praise will help them to learn through repetition what they are doing right.

·       No Yelling: Despite popular belief that punishing a dog will help them to learn, it’s positive reinforcement that really does the trick. Don’t scold or yell at your dog, it will only confuse them. Also, don’t rub your dog’s nose in its mess—it’s inhumane and can make him sick. (You’d never do that to a child, right?) Instead, when you see your dog going potty in the wrong area, or preparing to, pick him up immediately and move him to the appropriate place. When he gets it right on his own, give lots of praise and a treat.

      Consistency

·     Feeding: You have to have a consistent feeding schedule in order to create a consistent potty time schedule. Every time they eat or after drinking lots of water they should be taken outside to go potty. If you plan the meals at the same time every day, it will become a habit for them to go potty right afterwards.

·        Message: Your verbal message should always remain consistent. You can say whatever phrase you like to make them go potty, but make sure to use that exact phrase every single time. It is important to consider the tone you use when saying the phrase because dogs understand tones more than they actually understand words. Dogs pick up on human’s moods, so your message will be more effective if you deliver it with a loving tone.

·        Location: Before you bring your puppy home, pick out one spot that you are okay with for a puppy potty area. Then once you have the puppy, take them to that same location every single time. They will soon realize this is where they are allowed to go potty and once completely trained they will always go back to the same location, making cleanup easier and decreasing the chances of a mess all over your yard.

·   Reward: An often overlooked tool when potty training is the act of offering the puppy a reward immediately after they go potty. It needs to be right after so they know what they are receiving it for, but it will make them want to go out to go potty in the right location and promptly every single time you want them to if they know there is a treat in store for them.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Dogs are man’s best friend. There’s no doubt that dogs are incredibly loveable and increasingly loyal to their owners. Treat a dog with care and respect and he will stick with you through thick and thin.

From cute and cuddly to large and rambunctious and everything in between, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, giving us humans the opportunity to pick and choose based on our own criteria. There are hundreds of breeds that exist in the world, and that’s not even taking into consideration the mixed breeds.

Of course, the main thing that many people worry about is training; specifically, house training. As much as you love a dog, you don’t want it piddling around the house. It’s important and necessary to set boundaries, and make use of modern housebreaking tools such as UGODOG. While every dog can be house trained, some breeds tend to be more stubborn than others. These stubborn breeds might take a little more time and a bit more coaxing. The key is to start training when they’re young.

If you lead a busy life with lots of time constraints, or if you’re a novice dog owner, you may want to go with a dog breed that is easier to train. Here are some of the best dog breeds for house training.

Border Collies

The Border Collie is known as the smartest dog breed available. They are also easy to potty train as puppies. Initially bred to herd livestock, Border Collies are just balls of physical and mental energy. They learn quickly, which makes house training a breeze.

However, Border Collies are prone to trouble if not properly trained, so make sure to train them early. They also get bored quite easily if not physically or mentally engaged, so give your Border Collie something to do every day to avoid any disasters in your home.

Labrador Retriever

Known to be helpful, loyal, and courageous, Labrador Retrievers are a very common pet. Labs were originally bred to retrieve fish and fishing nets. Loveable and affectionate, Labradors always seem to have smiles on their faces.

Labradors are big bundles of energy but they’re also incredibly intelligent. You can begin training them as early as six months of age. Labrador Retrievers are eager to please, so house training should be a cinch.

Australian Shepherd

As you might guess, these dogs were bred to herd sheep, so they are full of energy and smarts. Australian Shepherds are a bold, confident, and independent breed. Similar to the Border Collie, Aussies need a good physical and mental workout every day to allay any boredom. An under-stimulated Aussie will try to herd anything, including children, other animals, and even cars.

Your Aussie should pick up house training quite easily. Just make sure he gets enough exercise while he’s at it.

Papillon

A smaller breed than those mentioned above, the Papillon is believed to have originated from the Dwarf Spaniel in Italy. The breed we see in the current day was developed in the 1800s by Belgian breeders. Papillon comes from the French word for “butterfly,” which describes this breed’s characteristic ears.

Papillons are probably the perfect lap dog with their small size and affectionate demeanor. They are also very clean and very intelligent, so house training should almost be second nature to them.

Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog was bred in the 1830s as a mix between a Smithfield and a wild dingo. This was then crossbred with several other breeds, including the Collie, Dalmation, and Australian Kelpie. Such a dynamic mix has led to the Australian Cattle Dog we know and love today. Like all other herding dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog craves physical and mental activity.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a smart, reliable breed and full of stamina. Start house training early and it shouldn’t be a problem.

Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle is the tiny version of the standard Poodle we all know, but don’t let size fool you. Toy Poodles are playful, sensitive, and alert. They are incredibly affectionate, though some can be initially reserved around strangers. Toy Poodles may also bark and yap a bit.

These tiny dogs are full of energy. They are smart, but what makes poodles so easy to house train your is their sensitivity and eagerness to please.

Popularity: 4% [?]

You’ve made a commitment to having a new family member in your life and now he or she needs to be house-trained. Whether you have a new puppy or adopted a slightly older dog that isn’t yet potty trained from a shelter, you’re going to have to train your new dog where to relieve himself. Potty training can be frustrating and you’ll have to be patient, but below are a few basics to get the process started. The potty training process will take a varying amount of time depending on your dog’s specific temperament, age, and so on. However, if you closely follow these tips, work persistently, and be patient, it can take as little as one month.

Show Them Where To Go:

Make sure it’s easy for your dog to figure out where he should be relieving himself. Take him outdoors or to his UGODOG potty every time you notice he is about to relieve himself.

Be Consistent!

You’ll have to be very vigilant in the beginning of the process to make sure your dog gets the idea. Every time he starts to make a mistake, quickly pick him up and place him where he should be going. If you have a yard, outside is best. But if you live in an apartment or don’t have quick access to the outdoors, his dog potty will be appropriate. The more consistent you are with this, the faster the dog will make a connection.

Don’t Rub His Nose In It!

Literally! There is no reason to do this to a dog and it can actually give them a bacterial infection. Especially with young puppies, it’s unnecessary to punish them like this. Simply placing them outside every time they make an accident will encourage them to find their designated bathroom area next time. Most dogs are eager to please and will figure this out.

On the flip side of punishment, make sure to reward your dog each time he uses his UGODOG potty or signals to go outside. Rewarding positive behavior is much more effective than punishing negative behavior.

Give Access to the Outdoors, often!

The more that your dog is able to go outside the more success he will have and the happier the both of you will be. The idea, of course, is to have a fenced yard where he can safely go out at all times. If you have a dog door, utilize it, or leave a door cracked for him as much as it is safe to do so. This way your dog gets the idea on its own. Once he gets the idea that he’s supposed to go outside to relieve himself he’s likely to try to do that, but if you’re not there to open the door it will lead to a mistake. As a puppy gets older he’ll have more muscle control, but in the beginning he won’t be able to hold it.

Potty Training Pads

Some people like to use pads to train their dogs. These can be a good idea, especially if you live in a smaller city apartment and it’s difficult to take your dog all the way outside every time he needs to use the bathroom. If you don’t have a safe fenced yard or a yard at all, these can be lifesavers. Products like UGODOG are great indoor potties for dogs, and they are more cost effective and environmentally friendly than disposable pads. They also control odors effectively.

Get On a Schedule

One of the best ways to avoid as many accidents as possible is to pay attention to your dog’s natural cycle. In the beginning, potty training is really about how good you are at making sure your dog gets out at the right times. He’s not going to know how to ask to go outdoors in a timely fashion early on, so you’ll have to be on watch for him. A good bet is to let him out after he eats or drinks a lot of water, but he’ll need many outings in the early stages.

Use A Good Cleaner:

Make sure you clean up any accidents really well. The last thing you want is for him to smell a previous accident spot and think it’s a good place to relieve himself again. (Dogs like to designate a place to relieve themselves, and they do so with their sense of smell.) There are excellent products on the market like Nature’s Miracle that do a great job of removing natural odors and stains.

Be Patient:

If you’re consistent and keep on it, in a month or less your dog should at least have the idea of where he should go out. If you have a young puppy, an older dog, or an adult dog that was never potty trained before it may take awhile before you can really count on your new dog to do his business in the right spot. They will probably have the idea in a month, but accidents do happen! Try to maintain your cool and remember how much you love your fluffy four-legged friend. He’s trying to do the right thing for you!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Raising a dog in the city can be quite challenging, especially if you live in a high-rise apartment building. Dog owners without a fenced-in yard live under special circumstances that demand a lot of time and attention toward dog walks, exercise requirements, and potty breaks. Balancing a dog’s walking schedule with your own busy schedule can be a daunting task that not every city dweller is suited for.

However, one advantage to living in the city with a dog is that it can actually be better for both you and the dog. With no fenced yard to let Fido into every time he wants to go out, he will get more quality attention, walks, and exercise from you. Dog owners with yards are more apt to become lazy and use the yard in lieu of regular walks, exercise, and quality time.

Challenges of city living with a dog often revolve around the lack of a fenced-in yard. These challenges can include:

·         Finding time for three to five walks a day

·         Leaving your dog alone in your living space for eight or more hours a day during the work week

·         Having enough space for a larger dog

·         Getting the dog enough exercise

·         Difficulty in making frequent trips outside to go potty

Of course, there are many advantages to owning a dog in the city, including protection, never leaving your apartment empty for the day, having a great daily walking partner to get outdoors with and stay in shape, and the many joys of the constant companionship of a dog. For many city dog owners, once they learn to work around the yardless issue, the advantages of owning a dog well outweigh the challenges. 

How to Make City Living with a Dog Easier:

Tip # 1: Get on a Regular Walking and Feeding Schedule

Dogs like schedules and routines. Most dog owners have probably noticed that their dog expects to be fed and walked at the same times each day. This is good for both the dog and you, because you can predict when they will need to use the bathroom. Dogs on regular walking schedules also understand when it’s time to play and release energy (at walk time) and when it’s time to rest and be quiet (indoor time).

Most dogs need to be walked three to five times a day in order to get enough exercise and take a sufficient number of bathroom breaks. That’s a lot of walks to fit into a busy schedule. But two or three of these walks can be shorter bathroom breaks, and one or two of the walks, such as the walks you take before and after work, can be longer, exercise-centered walks or trips to the dog park.

Tip # 2: Hire a Dog Walker

If you work long hours or have a long commute to work, it may be impossible for you to fit in five walks a day or make a trip home on your lunch break to take the dog out. Having the help of a dog walker makes owning a dog in the city a much easier task. A midday dog walk with a dog walker will ensure that your dog gets the exercise he needs, a bathroom break, and some time outside the apartment while you’re away for long stretches of time.

Families with older children who get home from school before their parents can also help fulfill the role of a dog walker. If your child gets home from school several hours before you get home from work, a 30-minute walk outside with the dog may be just what they both need after a long day of sitting indoors.

Tip # 3: Purchase an Indoor Dog Potty

The UGODOG is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to owning a dog in the city. While this eco-friendly and convenient indoor dog potty should not take the place of regular walks, it can certainly make the dog-walking schedule a lot easier and less worrisome. Further, it can allow you to leave your dog alone in your apartment for long hours without having to worry that he won’t be able to relieve himself, or that he’ll do it on the living room rug.

If you need a few minutes to regroup or have a snack before your dog walk when you get home at the end of the day, an indoor dog potty can buy you this extra time. Fido may be desperate to get outside to play after being indoors all day, but at least you’ll know that he isn’t desperate to relieve himself. Dog potties are also extremely helpful at night when your dog needs to go out one last time and you’ve already gotten ready for bed.

Tip # 4: Take Advantage of Dog Parks

Dog parks have been growing in popularity over the last ten years, so it’s not too hard to find one near your home in most cities. Provided that your dog gets along with other canines, a dog park allows him to socialize with other dogs and gives you both much-needed space for play and exercise. Dogs should get a variety of forms exercise—not just walks—and a dog park can allow your pooch to run, swim, and play games of catch and frisbee.

Tip # 5: Get Dog Obedience Training

It won’t do you any good to purchase an indoor dog potty or hire a dog walker if your dog is so ill-behaved that he has to spend the whole day in a crate or can’t be walked by anyone but you. Crate training is great for puppies but doesn’t work well as a long-term solution or replacement for obedience training. You will enjoy your dog a lot more and you’ll both be a lot happier if you can trust him alone in your apartment, train him to use an indoor dog potty, take him to the dog park, and let a dog walker exercise him with other dogs.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Many factors go into the decision about which breed of dog to choose for your family, including disposition, trainability, and hereditary issues. The size of a breed is the decisive factor for many dog owners, however, because each person has a different lifestyle that affects their ability to care for different sized dogs, particularly when it comes to where a person lives and the size of their home.

Generally speaking, people who live in cities and apartments tend to choose smaller breeds of dogs because they live in smaller spaces with less room, while people in suburbs and rural areas tend to have more space for larger dog breeds that often need more indoor space and exercise outside. On the other hand, city dwellers sometimes choose large dog breeds for protection (no one wants to break into an apartment with a rottweiler waiting on the other side of the door), while suburbanites may choose a smaller breed of dog for a variety of reasons.

Regardless of where you live, some of the issues to consider when choosing the right breed of dog for your particular lifestyle include

·         The breed’s disposition

·         The breed’s ease of training

·         The size of the breed

·         The size of your living space, family, and vehicle

·         The amount of time you have to devote to exercising the dog each day

·         Your work schedule and the number of hours you work

·         Your own activity level

·        The reason you are considering getting a dog in the first place (companionship, as a walking or running partner, for protection, etc.)

Of course, some people prefer to adopt mutts or mixed breeds in order to avoid problems that come along with inbreeding and the homogenization that sometimes comes with purebred dogs. Conversely, some dog owners choose purebreds because they’re more likely to know what they’re getting themselves into before they bring the dog home. And it’s important to keep in mind that the personalities of some mixed-breed dogs will still be dominated by only one of the breeds in their blood.

Apartment Living with a Dog

Apartment living presents several additional challenges for dog owners, chief among them the inability to send your dog out into the yard to relieve himself on his own. Instead many owners rely on a indoor dog potty or frequent walks outdoors. While people who live in smaller apartment complexes or close to the first floor have fairly easy access to the outdoors, residents of high-rise apartment buildings are forced to contend with long hallways, elevators, main lobbies, and sometimes nothing but concrete for blocks once they get outside. These situations don’t give Fido a lot of time to reach the outdoor bathroom when he really has to go, and training a puppy to go strictly outdoors can be nearly impossible.

Indoor Dog Potties

The difficulty of getting a dog outdoors to use the bathroom has not prevented millions of apartment dwellers from enjoying the companionship of dogs as pets. Many cities have wonderful dog parks, exercise areas, and other pet-friendly facilities that make owning a dog in the city a pleasure. Still, your dog may need to relieve himself as soon as you get home from work (or sooner), not thirty minutes later when you reach the dog park or his favorite patch of grass.

Newspaper and doggie pee pads have been popular for potty training puppies and for older dogs who are left alone inside for long hours, but indoor dog potties take this concept one step further by giving your pooch an appropriate place to go indoors without making him feel guilty or leaving a stinky mess for you to clean up when you get home. Indoor dog potties are as easy to clean as a cat box and can leave both you and your dog worry-free while you’re away from your home.

Indoor dog potties are ideal for apartment living, puppy potty training, or any home in which a dog must be left inside for extended periods. They are built for both small and large dog breeds, so dog owners are less limited by their living space in the breeds and sizes of dogs they can own. Indoor dog potties are more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than doggie pee pads, because you don’t have to continually purchase a product that gets thrown in the trash after every use.

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Dog training should begin the moment you bring your new dog home, whether he’s a puppy or an adult. If you adopt a dog over the age of two, don’t expect it to come trained or housebroken, since rescued adult dogs are likely to have been neglected and abandoned by the previous owner due to lack of time or behavioral issues that were blamed on the dog but were ultimately the owner’s responsibility such as housebreaking a dog.

Older dogs may be calmer and easier to train, but will require training, discipline, and role-establishing techniques as well. Dogs have a great ability to break old habits and learn new ones at any age.

The goals of dog ownership and training should be to create a happy, confident dog with a good dog-owner relationship, while avoiding behavioral issues. All owners want a calm dog that listens and is well-behaved both on and off the leash, and to have confidence in their dog at all times in all situations. By understanding how to train your dog and following these three basic dog-training rules, you will be well on your way to reaching these goals.

Become the Leader of Your Pack

Dogs are pack animals and are happy as long as they understand their place in the pecking order, regardless of whether they are on the top or the bottom. If you want to be in control of your dog, the number one thing you need to do is establish yourself as the alpha dog. If you let your dog control you, instead of you controlling the dog, your dog will develop behavioral problems and won’t listen consistently.

If you fail to establish yourself as the leader of the pack, your dog will take on that role himself, leading to behavioral issues such as aggression toward people and other dogs. Your dog can sense that you’re not in control and will feel the need to protect you, even when it’s not necessary. If you have a dog that is aggressive or consistently attacks other dogs, it is likely because you have allowed him to establish himself as the alpha dog and he feels it is his job to maintain that he’s in charge.

Even if you adopt a calm dog that doesn’t seem to need a lot of discipline, there are still some easy strategies you can use to make sure that you are the dominant one in the relationship. You will be using your dog’s natural instincts in order to train him.

• Never let your dog walk past your heel. This puts you in front of your dog and shows him that you’re in control. If you hike on trails with your dog off-leash, make sure that he follows you instead of running ahead.
• Make eye contact with your dog whenever you speak to him or give him a command. This shows him that you are in charge.
• Don’t feed your dog until after you’ve eaten. Make him wait until you’re finished and feed him immediately afterward. Pack leaders often provide the kill for the rest of the pack, eating what they want first and then leaving the rest for other pack members to feast on once they’ve had their fill. Of course, never feed your dog handouts from the table, and you may want to train them to stay out of the kitchen completely.
• Don’t allow your dog to sleep on your bed on sit on the furniture. This is your domain and allows him to be on the same level as you. You must establish that certain areas of your territory are off-limits to him.
• Don’t let your dog lie down with his back toward you, which is the body language that an alpha dog uses to establish his role over a lower dog. If you see your dog’s back to you in a room, ask him to get up, sit, and lie down facing you.

Use Positive Reinforcements Only

Once you’ve established yourself as leader of your pack, you can train your dog to follow your every command without ever having to use punishments, violence, or even raise your voice. Dogs are much more willing to listen when they understand that they’re following the pack leader.

One of the first commands you’ll want to teach your dog is what “no” means. Whenever you see your dog doing something you don’t like, whether it’s going to the bathroom inside or chewing on your favorite shoe, immediately stop the behavior and give him the “no” command in an even but firm tone. Then you must also show him the correct behavior that you want to promote.

In the case of going potty indoors, you’ll want to take him outside to the appropriate potty spot or over to his indoor dog potty to allow him to finish, praising him for performing the correct behavior. When you catch your dog doing something like chewing on your shoe, take it away from him and give him one of his own chew toys. You will need to be consistent with your training and make sure you go through these steps each time you need to correct your dog’s behavior, in order to avoid confusing him.

Socialize Your Dog

Dogs are social, pack animals that like to be around other dogs, people, and animals. If your dog never sees anyone but you, he’ll learn that other people, dogs, and cats are unusual, foreign, and threatening.

Puppies are easier to socialize since they haven’t learned as many aggressive behaviors, and it’s important to make time for your puppy to be around your friends and their dogs, cats, and kids, on both your turf and theirs.

Adult dogs can be socialized as well, but they may be more timid or aggressive and it may take longer. Over time, dogs get used to the environments they are exposed to, making them happier dogs because they feel comfortable in a variety of situations.

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In the age of nationwide health initiatives, and startling numbers of obese adults, children, and pets, it’s not a bad idea to start making your own homemade dog food to keep your pooch healthy and happy! Don’t worry – it’s quite easy, and doesn’t take long at all!There are a number of benefits to controlling exactly what your dog eats.

• No Preservatives – since it is homemade, you do not have to worry about your pet consuming preservatives!
• All-Natural or Organic – this one is up to you entirely. If you want to splurge for the high-end stuff, at least you’ll know what is going into your dog’s body.
• More Affordable – Preparing your own dog food is much healthier and cheaper than the commercial alternatives.

Your first step is to decide what combination of items you want to mix for your dog. Common recipes include a combination of the following: ground turkey, ground beef, carrots, rice, brown rice, brewer’s yeast, bison, venison, fish, rabbit, chicken, broccoli, celery. For the most part, your dog’s diet should be at least 1/3 protein from meat.Here is a simple recipe. Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your dog’s preferences!

• Sauté half a pound of ground meat with minimal added seasonings. Onions and garlic can be toxic and should be avoided.
• Cook the vegetables – carrots, celery, broccoli – just enough to soften them. (Microwave, sauté, steam, however.)
• Puree the vegetables in a food processor or blender.
• Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly.
• Serve!

You can portion out the dog food, and freeze some of it to make it last longer. If you don’t have the chance to sauté something delicious, you can always offer them a slab of fresh, raw meat as a meal.For those of you that are still unsure about homemade dog food, consider the BARF diet. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods, and the trend is gaining steam among purists and pet lovers. Since a dog is an omnivore, the diet suggests that both animal and plant raw food items should be the only items to make up your dog’s diet. The idea is that your dog should only eat what it biologically evolved to eat, so only raw food found in the wild. (This is similar to the PALEO diet for humans.)If you want to stick with the BARF diet, here are alternative homemade dog food options:Bones! Dogs love bones, and real ones with flavor are the best. Not only does it help increase their metabolism and burn off a little steam, chewing on bones keeps their teeth sharp and healthy.Innards! The muscle tissue, fat, organ meat and other innards are perfectly acceptable and delicious for dogs to consume. Many true BARF believers claim that these items are even essential to a healthy doggy’s diet. You can often get the fresh leftovers from butcher shops.Raw! You guessed it; BARF believes that fresh, raw meat is one of the best options for a dog’s diet. Raw vegetables are also great, but make sure you feed them vegetables they would have access to in the wild – such as broccoli and carrots.Warnings:

• You should always ask your vet before switching to homemade dog food.
• Be aware of the foods commonly toxic to dogs (chocolate, raisins, onions, grapes, pits, various leaves and stems).
• Try not to introduce anything exotic into the dog food. Dogs can have allergies, even with certain types of meat, just like humans, so be careful with any odd additions to your recipe.
• There is a lot of controversy around whether or not dogs should eat grains. Many sources cite that it leads to long-term and sometimes fatal health issues. If you must use grains – rice, oats, etc. – in your dog’s diet, use them very sparingly.

While you’re at it – make sure you pay attention to your pet’s preferences, reactions, and stool for the first week or so. Having an indoor dog potty can help you monitor your dog’s diet. This way you will know if the new food is causing any abnormalities. Many people like to mix commercial dog food with their new homemade recipes as a way to slowly and safely change their dog’s diet. Happy cooking!

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