We all love dogs, but sometimes they can really test our patience.  Here are five of the most common annoying dog behaviors, and what you can do to fix them.

The behavior:  Pooping and peeing in the house

Why it’s so annoying:  Frankly, bodily functions released in your living room goes well beyond the annoying stage and can be categorized as downright rude, animal or not. Puppy housebreaking is one of the most challenging times in a dog-human relationship.  The stress level is high and can leave first-time dog owners feel like they are in over their heads.

Puppy housebreaking tips

1. Give your dog their last food and water a couple of hours before bedtime.  Then, take them your dog potty to go to the bathroom right before you go to sleep.  Remember to praise the dog when she does her business using the dog toilet.
2. Crate your dog at night.  Dogs love their crates!  It’s part of their cave-dweller past.  The more they feel like that crate is their home, the less likely they will be to use it as a bathroom.
3. Set a timer to ring every 30 minutes.  When the timer goes off, take the dog to her dog litter box (even if she doesn’t have to go).  Praise her when she comes follows you to the dog toilet.  This will help get your dog in the “flow” of making regular trips to go to the bathroom.
4. Consider a puppy litter box.   They’re not just for cats anymore and they can significantly help curb the behavior.

The behavior:  Barking into all hours of the night

Why it’s so annoying:   Because having your neighbors mad at you all the time is like living on the border of an unfriendly nation.  Maybe nothing will ever happen, but the more that dog barks, the more tension that builds below the surface.

Tips on how to stop problem barking:

1. When the dogs bark at night, come out and tell them “bad” in a loud authoritative voice.  When the dog does NOT bark at things in the night (and provided that you are still awake) always provide praise her immediately following the behavior.
2. Crate your dog at night, placing the crate in an area of your house that will minimize the noise your neighbors will need to hear.
3. If you are unable to control the barking after 2-3 weeks of trying to discipline the dog, you should probably consider a dog training school to control the behavior.

The behavior:  Unwanted “romantic gestures”

Why it’s so annoying:  Seeing a Jack Russell Terrier hump a vacuum cleaner is funny when it’s happening to someone else on YouTube, but in your world, not so much.

Tips on how to stop your dog from humping everything that moves:

1. If your dog is a male, you should really consider having him neutered.  It helps control the pet population and does away with most of the humping behavior.Get your dog more exercise.
2. This behavior is sometimes the result of pent up energy or restlessness.  Grab your dog leash and take her out to the park for a good long run, or at the least a nice walk every day.
3. If the behavior continues, visit your vet.  There are some cases where the humping behavior is caused by a serious hormonal imbalance that needs to be treated by a professional.

The behavior:  Aggressive behavior towards people and other dogs

Why it’s so annoying:    If you got a dog to try and attract members of the opposite sex, it’s kind of hard to grab their digits when they’re running away, stricken with fear.  Nope, dogs who lunge at other dogs, small children, attractive adults or clothing store mannequins are just plain no fun to be around.

Tips on how to curb your dog’s aggressive behavior:

1. Don’t punish aggressive behavior with additional aggressive behavior.  If you strike your dog for acting in a violent manner it will only perpetuate that cycle.  You might want to consider a special dog collar instead.
2. Reward your dog for submissive behavior.   Provide lots of praise when your dog lets a situation pass with growling or lunging.
3. If the problem continues, it is absolutely vital that you get professional help for your dog.  A dog training program can help you solve the aggression problem before it puts you, your family or your dog at risk.

The behavior:  Chewing up everything in the house

Why it’s so annoying:  How a dog can bypass everything you’ve ever bought at Target to specifically destroy your Louis Vutton purse or Lacoste shirt is a mystery of behavioral science, but whatever the value of your worldly possessions may be, you don’t want them chewed to shreds my your (mostly) loveable pup.

Tips on how to stop unwanted chewing:

1. Get your dog some chew toys!    Dogs love toys like Kongs and Nylabones, and will chew on them for hours.  They’re safe, good for the dog’s dental work and give them something else to do besides laying waste to all your material possessions.
2. Praise your dog when she uses the chew toys.  Tell her “good girl” when she starts gnawing on the toys your supply.
3. Teach your dog to drop things that are not hers.  In a low, assertive voice, tell your dog to “drop it” or “leave it” when they begin to chew on your possessions.  Praise her extensively when she does what you ask her to do.

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Picture someone spending time and playing with their dog. In most cases, you might imagine the dog owner playing fetch out in the backyard with the dog, or something close to it. But sadly, not all climates offer outdoor time with your dog. In many places, there are long stretches of time where the dog simply may not be able to handle the weather, particularly colder climates. This means some adjustments may need to be made, including housing your dog indoors, training your dog to use a UGODOG indoor dog potty, and playing indoor dog games.

Indoor dog games are a great way for your dog to enjoy physical and mental stimulation. Read on for some examples of fun games that you and your dog can enjoy. Some of these games offer dog training tips for the owner, so pay attention!

One of the noisier, yet more fun games is doggy hide and seek. Have your dog sit in a different room for a second while you hide, and then call the dog. Your dog can then run into the room and run around until he or she finds you! Certain dogs can be fooled for a while, and the excitement causes the dog to run around and get good exercise while hunting you down!

If you and your dog enjoy playing fetch, then consider playing hide the toy with your dog! Show your dog the toy (usually a squeaky one), and then hide it – perhaps under a rug or something similar. Just like the hide and seek game, the dog gets excited running around looking for the toy. You can even tease the dog by squeaking it with your foot if he or she is having trouble tracking it down.

If you want to combine an indoor dog game with a little obedience training, have your dog sit, and then go across the room (or to a different room if you don’t have enough space). Then, call for your dog to come running. Once the dog approaches, immediately tell him or her to sit – the excitement may be too much for your dog, but if well-trained, your dog can hold it in long enough to obey.

Don’t let a colder climate keep you from getting the dog you want. By combining some indoor dog games for stimulation and a UGODOG dog toilet, your dog can live a full and exciting life – just as much as an outdoor dog would!

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1. Walk your Dog

This is the easiest and most efficient way of exercising your dog is taking him for walk. It is recommended that you take your dog for long walks twice daily. The length of the walk depends on the size, and fitness level of the dog. Find a local trail or park and progressively increase the length and speed of the walks on a weekly basis. Make this part of your daily routine because you owe it to your best friend.

2. Play Fetch

A fun and highly effective form of exercise is playing fetch. Grab yourself a frisby, tennis ball, stick, or any other dog toy and have yourself a blast! This provides great exercise for your dog, while not wearing you out.

3. Take a Jog

Next time you go for a run take your dog along. Keep yourself in shape, as well as your fellow canine. Hopefully you can keep up with your dog!

4. Take a Dip

With summer coming along soon take your dog for swim in your local pool, pond, river, or lake. Swimming is a great source of exercise for any canine or human. Next time you take your dog for a mid-day swim, join him!

5. Put your dog on a treadmill

If your going to be a couch potato, don’t let your dog suffer. I would have never thought of this 20 years ago, but there has been a recent trend in Dog Treadmills. You can purchase a treadmill specifically for your dog, or just put him on yours!

6. Take a stroll to the local Dog Park

Dog Parks have grown in popularity throughout the past years.

7. Cycle

Next time you ride your bike, take your dog along side of you jogging. This is not for your average canine, but for the more active and fit dogs.

8. Dog Classes

If your dog is getting bored with the exercises mentioned above, enroll your dog in a fitness class. This provides a competitive environment and can challenge your dog not only physically, but mentally.

9. Stair Climbing

This is one of the easiest exercises for your dog, and it can conveniently be done indoors or outdoors. Stair Climbing burns a high amount calories, and increases your dogs fitness level.

10. If you can’t do it, OUTSOURCE!

If you can’t dedicate enough time to your dog, hire someone to substitute for this missed exercising. Dog Walking Services have become popular in recent years and are easily accessible and convenient. Prices range for $10 to $30 dollars for a 20 minute walk.

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Have you ever wished you could talk to your dog or know what they’re thinking? Well, some dog trainers believe you can through various uses of body language and other “non-aggressive” techniques. “Dog Whispering”, as the training technique is called, has been gaining notoriety among many professional dog trainers, as well as with the general public through the growing popularity of National Geographic’s The Dog Whisperer.

The technique of dog whispering is derived from the concept of horse whispering, developed in the early 19th century by Daniel Sullivan. The prevailing idea of dog whispering is that body language, tone of voice, and other “non-aggressive” techniques are much more effective than “command” techniques. Learning what types of tone and body language to use, as well as what your dog is trying to communicate to you are the first steps to becoming an effective dog whisperer.

Here are some tips and techniques that you can use to help communicate with and train your dog.

• Dogs may understand a few command words, but little more than that. If you want to communicate with your dog, you must do it through the tone of your voice.
• Understanding dog body language and what your body language communicates is a major factor in successfully communicating with your dog.
• When approaching a dog, try coming from the side. Lower yourself to around the dog’s eye level. These actions will show the dog that you aren’t being intimidating or threatening.
• Establish yourself as the “pack leader”. Don’t allow your dog to run things, so to speak. As “pack leader”, your dog will look to you for stability and will be submissive rather than aggressive.
• While communicating with you dog can bring you closer, it is always important to establish rules and boundaries with your dog. Remember that you are the owner, and must take responsibility for your dog’s actions.

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Do you:

• Feed your dog brand-name dog food?
• Take your energetic puppy jogging?
• Have houseplants?
• Allow your dog to ride in your pickup bed?

If so, you may be killing your dog. Read about some of the everyday things that can be dangerous to your dog, and also some tips on how to help keep your dog safe and healthy.

Unhealthy and Dangerous Dog Foods

In this day of fad diets and health consciousness, many of us read food labels in search of the most nutritious products. The fact is, most people fail to do the same when food shopping for Fido. This can be a major mistake, especially since some of the bigger names in dog food (Iams, Purina, Eukanuba, Beneful, etc.) use corn, wheat, and rice as the main ingredients. These ingredients are difficult for dogs to digest and offer very little nutritional value. If that wasn’t bad enough, there have been several pet food recalls due to poisoning, the latest coming in March.

Solutions: Make sure to check the ingredients of your dog’s food before you buy it. Products with chicken or turkey as the first few ingredients are better quality. Try to find brands that use natural ingredients like Innova or California Natural.

Over-Exercising Your Dog

Although a nice long jog might seem like the perfect way to burn off your puppy’s energy, too much exercise can be damaging, especially for younger dogs. Exercising your puppy too much too soon can advance the onset of hip dysplasia and other joint problems in some breeds. Too much exercise can also be harmful to older dogs with arthritis.

Solutions: Start off slow with your new puppy. As they grow stronger, the length and intensity of exercise can be increased. In both puppies and older dogs with arthritis, exercise should be brief and gentle. With any pet, regular exercise is the key.

Killer Plants

Most dog owners realize that household items like insecticide, bleach, and other products can be hazardous to their dogs. Few, however, are aware of the dangers that their indoor and outdoor plants can pose to their pets. Many types of bulbs, ferns, lilies, flowers, and shrubs contain species that are poisonous to dogs. Dogs who ingest poisonous plants can experience anything from gastrointestinal problems and lethargy to seizures and death.

Solutions: Become familiar with which types of plants are poisonous to dogs. If you have any of these poisonous plants inside or outside of your home, take precautions to ensure that your dog will be safe. Dogs are naturally curious, so pay attention to what they are getting into.

Hazardous Joy Rides

Allowing your dog to roam unrestrained in the bed of your pickup as you drive around town may sound dangerous…it is. But think about how many times you’ve seen a dog in a pickup bed, ears flopping freely in the wind, as his owner barrels down the interstate. Any sudden bumps or turns could send your dog tumbling into oncoming traffic. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 dogs are killed each year by riding unrestrained in the bed of pickup trucks.

Solutions: Placing a shell over your truck bed makes it a much safer ride for your dog. A traveling crate that is securely tethered to the sides of the truck is also a safe alternative. Many cities and counties are implementing laws that prohibit dogs from being unrestrained in pickup beds.

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Finding a dog-friendly apartment to rent can be about as hard as finding a Chihuahua in a coal mine. They’re out there somewhere, but you better come equipped if you want to track them down. Here are a few helpful tips for dog owners looking for a new apartment – as well as some hints for making that rental space a pleasant environment for all its two-legged and four-legged residents.

How to find a place for you and your dog

Work with an apartment rental service

With the advent of the web, most apartment rental services (or “finders”) in major cities are equipped with online components that make it a snap to find everything you’re looking for in a new place. Before you begin your search, look for the “dog-friendly” check box found on most of these sites. This will help narrow your search, and keep you from mistakenly getting your hopes about an apartment – only to find they only accept ferrets and hermit crabs under the terms of the lease.

Find a good dog park and ask around

Your fellow dog owners are generally a healthy source of information about owning a pet in the city. Scope out a friendly face at the local dog run, and see if you can get an inside track on who rents to dog owners. Who knows, you might even get a date out of it (for you or Fido).

Offer up some references

Nothing puts a landlord’s mind at ease more than the word of another landlord who will vouch for the non-Cujo-like nature of your pup. Before you leave your old apartment, try and get a quick letter from the owner or building manager. It can be something as simple as:

Dear Future Landlord:

Scott and his dog Frida are both wonderful. I miss them already. They lived here for five years and my property is still standing and was never once condemned during their tenancy.

Thanks

Old Landlord

The Next Steps

Now that you’ve got some prospects for a new living space, here are some other important considerations:

Proximity to parks and open spaces

Sure, you can drive to the dog park every night. After work. In traffic. When you’re exhausted. But instead, wouldn’t it be great to have a big open space for your dog right nearby? Check out the best dog parks in your area, and then contain your apartment search accordingly.

The trip to the bathroom

Like all of us, when your dog has to go, he HAS TO GO. You don’t want to have to navigate five flights of stairs or a long elevator ride while your German shepherd crosses his legs and tries to think about the desert. Try and select an apartment as close to the exits as possible.

Create a dog-friendly environment

There is a wealth of pet-accessories that really help make your living space more appealing for your canine friend. If you’re going to be gone during the day, do everything you can to create a more enriching, safer environment for your pet. Find the right toys and home potty-training devices to make your pooch more comfortable when you’re not home.

Apartment-train your dog

You and your beloved pet have to share the same limited-amount of space. So be sure and set some ground rules right from the get go. Find a dog trainer who specializes in helping dogs adjust to small spaces. Read up on how to raise your puppy with a firm, but loving hand. Your couch will last longer and your relationship with your dog will be stronger!

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