There are many benefits of owning a dog, and many of them are deemed common sense.  Canines can provide you with loyalty and companionship, act as a guard dog or watch dog, serve as a tool for teaching responsibility, perform fun tricks, and so on.  However, a less obvious effect of dog ownership is improved health.  Dog owners are often healthier than people without a pet in numerous ways, both physically and mentally.  The following is a discussion of some of the health benefits of owning a dog.

Reduced Blood Pressure

If you get yourself a dog, you may not have to renew your blood pressure medication.  Petting or stroking your pet gives it immense satisfaction, as can easily be ascertained by its body language and any noises it makes.  What you may not know, however, is that petting a dog positively affects the human as well.  Petting animals has been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure, including lowering high blood pressure that has been brought on by stress or tension.  One study on stress and pet ownership showed that stock brokers who received a dog or cat as a pet had lower blood pressure and healthier heart rates than colleagues who did not receive a pet.

Increased Happiness

In general, dog owners live longer than non-dog owners.  The unconditional love and companionship provided by the dog enables people to better cope with stress and acts as a safeguard against depression.  A person with a dog, whether living alone or with other people, knows that he will always be there to cuddle up with him, to go take a walk at the park, or even just to sit on his lap and keep him company while he reads a book or watches television.  Research has shown that a person who dealt with a stressful situation was better able to cope with and recover from the situation by spending time with their dog than by talking it over with a friend or relative.  A friend might not give you the advice you want to hear or might say something that makes you even more despondent – a dog on the other hand, will give you only love and affection.  Having such a great companion acts an outlet for stress or anxiety that increases a person’s overall wellbeing.

• Besides acting as a companion, dogs can improve your social life and interactions with human companions.  Having a dog can make you a more compassionate and caring individual, which will make people like you more.  In addition, a dog can often act as a catalyst for conversation.  You may be out walking you dog when someone stops to ask about your dog and ask if they can pet it.  This is the starting point for a conversation that could have any number of positive benefits: you could gain a new friend or acquaintance, find out useful information of which you were previously unaware, or learn about other dog-related events and information.

Exercise

Because the dog will want to get out and walk around, a person who owns a dog will be forced to go out and exercise.  You might take your dog out for a stroll around the neighborhood, or take him to the park and play catch, running back and forth with your canine companion.  Having a dog may even encourage activity where none would be found before.  A person going to the beach who would otherwise just sit on the sand and lie in the sun might instead go to a dog beach and take a beach jog with his furry friend.

• It should come as no surprise that dog owners have lower cholesterol than dog-less individuals.  Studies indicate that dog owners have lower triglycerides as well, and are at less risk of developing heart disease and various other cardiovascular problems.  Dog owners are healthier overall than the rest of the population.

There you have it – dogs are not only loyal companions, but a source of health, vigor, and positive energy.  A dog would make an indispensable companion in you life, and will provide you with many benefits you would ordinarily not consider.

Popularity: 7% [?]

When the holiday season comes around, you do not want to overlook you favorite canine friends! Here are some great gifts to keep your puppy happy and healthy all through the season.

10. A New Dog Bed

Just like people, dogs love to be comfortable. And just like babies, the more comfortable a puppy is, the better they sleep! Investing in a new resting spot for your dog doesn’t need to break the bank because dog beds can range in price from $20 to a few hundred, depending on the size and material. So be conservative, or splurge, splurge, splurge!

9. Microchip Implant

This gift is definitely more expensive than the previous, but it is worth investing in. Microchip implants can relocate lost or stolen puppies, this is especially worth thinking about if you have a full-bred puppy. The microchip implant is a pretty simple procedure that most veterinarians can perform. There is little recovery time for the pup, and the cost is approximately $100. However, if your little puppy ever runs away or gets lost or stolen, you’ll be happy you bought this gift.

8. A New Leash and Collar

This may seem like a regular ol’ gift, however a new collar and a new leash can be a very practical gift for your new puppy, especially if you are beginning leash training. One good idea is purchasing a leather leash. Yes, they are more expensive than a regular nylon lease. However, they last an extremely long time and are very hard for curious puppies to chew through! When it comes to the collar, a metal-choker collar may be a good choice for leash training, or perhaps a traditional cute and sassy collar will do.

7. Homemade Artisan Treats

If you are shopping on a budget this Christmas, homemade dog treats are a great way to treat your new puppy and show them how much you love them. You can get as creative and labor intensive as you want. Some people go all out and decorate little bone-shaped treats, but don’t forget, all that really matters is how they taste. Most recipes are based on wheat flour and flavorings, so all the ingredients can be picked up at your local grocery store.

6. Clothes

Let’s be honest, puppies in clothes are absolutely adorable. Certain breeds even require some extra clothing when going outside during those frigidly cold winter months. Christmas is a great opportunity to make your dog look exceptionally festive in a winter sweater, or get them geared up for Valentine’s Day with something pink or red. Even if your puppy doesn’t need doggie clothes, make the exception once in a while. Come on, its Christmas after all!

5. Personalized Feeding Dishes

Make your puppy’s food and water bowls stand out by getting them customized. You can add your puppy’s name, and favorite foods and toys to the bowls. This is also a good time to think about how large your puppy is going to get, and maybe getting feeding dishes that are elevated off the ground. If your breed is smaller, consider bowls with a slip guard so the bowl doesn’t move around and scratch your floor when your puppy is pigging out.

4. Gift Basket

This is a great idea if you are buying a puppy Christmas present for someone else. Most major pet stores, and lots of online retailers, offer the perfect gift baskets for new puppy owners. And since you don’t know exactly what the puppy and owner may need, these baskets give them a little bit of everything: training books, treats, chew toys, accident pads, etc.

3. Outside Toys

When it comes to playing with your puppy outside, think outside the box this year. Of course tennis balls and tug-of-war ropes are a fun choice, but there are lots of other options available. Rubber discs are a nice replacement for Frisbees because they are perfect for teething puppies. Jolly Balls are a fun blend between tug-of-war and fetch toys. Get creative with outside toys!

2. Puppy Toiletries

Puppies like to look good and feel good too! Get your new pet looking fresh and clean by buying them scented and freshening shampoos and conditioners this holiday season. Believe it or not, dog toothpastes and toothbrushes are another popular dog “toiletry.” Dental health is just as important to dogs as it is to us. And no one likes bad breath!

1. Indoor Dog Potty

This may actually be more of a gift to yourself than to your puppy. Accidents happen, especially when a new puppy is left at home by itself. Some indoor dog potties are made with synthetic grass, but they can be kind of messy. Either way, an indoor dog potty of any kind can help your pup relieve himself during the bustles of the holidays, without causing a huge mess!

Popularity: 11% [?]

It’s officially the holiday season, and with it comes a long list of things to do and to remember. Unfortunately, many people often forget about their pets during this season. Although it’s hard to forget that they’re there, it is hard to remember what things can be hazardous and stressful for your animal, especially when you’re stressed about making sure everything goes as planned during the holidays. Unfortunately, many things that come with the holidays can be extremely hazardous to your pet, including holiday food, decorations, and even just plenty of people hanging around can be potentially dangerous. Fortunately, you can take a few steps to help keep your pet safe and happy, all without having to make huge changes to your holiday plans. (Image Source)

Food

One of everyone’s favorite parts of the holidays is the tasty treats that everyone gets. Whether it is turkey, pumpkin pie, latkes, ham, eggnog, or cookies, there is something about the holidays that changes a normal food item into something special and something that everyone looks forward to. However, there are some holiday foods that can be very dangerous for your pet to ingest. When you do have your food ready though, there will always be that temptation to share the holiday spirit with your pet by giving them a few nibbles of the food, and while your intentions may be good, the result can be disastrous.First of all, giving animals too much people food can be dangerous for their long term health as they can contract serious diseases such as diabetes, but there a few foods in particular that you should avoid giving your pets. First of all, although it’s often a joke, never give alcoholic beverages to your animal. Giving them alcohol can cause a list of problems including alcohol poisoning or even make them go into a coma. Also on the list are foods such as chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, or anything with poultry bones. Each of these can cause very painful situations, or even death, for your pet. If you want to give your dog a little treat, and you’re sure it is in good health, remember that they’re carnivores and just give them meat!


Decorations

Decorating your home for the holidays is an important part of getting into the holiday spirit. It just seems to create an energy that makes people happy and relaxed, so it’s no real wonder why so many people take part in the decorations for the holidays. However, a lot of the decorations used in the home can be dangerous to your pets, including mistletoe berries. Fortunately, most disasters can be diverted with the simple use of common sense. One constant in most holiday celebrations is the use of candles. They set a great mood, smell nice, and provide a good ambience; however animals will chew on just about anything, including candles. The wax itself is harmful when swallowed, but any additional substances used in the candle can also be equally as dangerous, if not fatal. Chemicals used to make scents could be toxic if ingested, not to mention the risk of knocking over lit candles.Animals don’t know this so it’s up to you to make sure that these things stay out of their reach. It is probably a good idea to do this with all decorations. Potpourri and dried flowers in wreaths can all make animals sick, while small glass or plastic figurines can shatter and get stuck in paws and gums causing large amounts of pain to your pet. Old tinsel could be made of lead and even lead-free tinsel can get tangled in their mouths or be ingested. All of these events can cause your pet to get sick, but they can all be avoided with a little common sense. If you think your pet would be interested in playing with or eating a decoration, do your best to keep it out of their reach or sight to keep away temptation from coming into their mind.


People

Of course lots of animals love people, and vice versa. Dogs often find delight in the company of lots of people, and even some cats like the presence of another person to sit and play with. However, the holidays present a unique mass of cheerful visitors. With so many friends and family members coming over, your house could get crowded quickly, adding additional stress on your pet. This stress grows exponentially if it is a new puppy or kitten. An unfamiliar place with lots and lots of new people nearby can easily scare the pet, and a pet that is scared and stressed can often react in uncharacteristic ways. This means that even your pet who is the most gentle and loving animal could be scared into a position where they become unsocial or violent.And if this is their first time around a lot of people, there is a good chance that they will have an accident in the house out of fear or excitement. If you notice your pet starting to act scared or uncomfortable around so many people, take them into a quiet room and give them some food, water, and a toy for them to occupy themselves with. If they want they can always come back out, but if they have their own quiet spot then they will be far more likely to stay calm and collected.

So when you start planning your holiday schedules, be sure that you don’t forget about your four-legged friend and take them into consideration as well, they’ll be just as thankful this holiday season.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Choosing to bring a new pet into your home is a huge decision. Once you have decided on the type of animal you want, there are still lots of additional things to consider. Dogs are one of the most popular pets to have because they provide companionship and tons of affection. This is why they are man’s best friend! When it comes to bringing a new dog into your home, here are a few key things to consider.

(Image Source)

For starters, where should you purchase your new dog? Adopting from a local animal shelters or SPCA is a great way to save an otherwise homeless animal. Not only do you find a loving pet, but you also help control the pet population. Most SPCAs and animal shelters include spaying/neutering and the first round of an animal’s shots and vaccinations is included in their purchase price. Best of all, the cost usually remains around $100. However, some animal shelters require a pretty rigorous application process so be prepared to wait a few weeks for approval.Some people prefer to buy a very specific breed of dog. Full-bred dogs are usually hard to find at animal shelters and so you have to seek out breeders. The cost for a full-bred dog can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the desired breed. One of the easiest ways to find a breeder near you is through online directories. Depending on the availability of the breed you want, you may have to wait a few weeks, or even months, for an available litter.

(Image Source)

Before contacting a breeder, it is important to consider exactly what kind of dog is best for you and your situation. Do you live in a smaller-sized apartment, or do you have a house with lots of space, including a backyard? Generally, smaller-sized dogs are best for smaller spaces. Bull dogs, for instance, are small to medium-sized dogs that require light physical activity. They are very mild mannered and will do okay living in a place without a yard. However, just because you live in an apartment without a yard doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get a lap dog. Some larger breeds, like Great Danes, are known for their calm and lazy demeanor, therefore making them great apartment dogs too.If you are looking for a dog and have a fenced-in yard, you have a lot more flexibility in choosing a breed. Golden retrievers and Labradors are two of the most popular family-friendly breeds. These larger sized dogs love physical activity and benefit from having a lot of space to exercise. Field dogs, such as Irish Setters and Field Setters, are smaller in size but high energy dogs that love running around and jumping. For this reason, they are not recommended for apartments.

(Image Source)

Another consideration when buying a dog is whether or not you have children. Often times, people only think about the size of the dog, or how cute it is, instead of its demeanor. As mentioned before, most breeds have distinct “personalities,” so to speak. Beagles and Collies are known for being very patient and child-friendly. More aggressive dogs, like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are not recommended for homes with small children. Young children may accidently agitate these extremely protective and defensive breeds. When introducing any new dog into your home (regardless of its breed), never leave young children—especially toddler-aged kids—alone with the new dog until you are sure that the new dog is completely comfortable in its new space. This phase may take several months.One of the most overlooked things to consider is your pre-existing pets! Cats and dogs are notoriously known for not getting along, but this stereotype isn’t necessarily true. Dogs that have been raised around cats at an early age usually adjust quite well to new cats. Breeds that have been traditionally bred for hunting, like terriers, may not be well-suited to cohabitate with cats or any small animal. These dogs are instinctively bred to hunt small animals. If you already have a cat and are planning to get a dog, its best to choose a dog that is young in age and has a calm demeanor.

(Image Source)

Before purchasing a new dog, be sure to do a little research and read about the different tendencies and personalities of each breed. Consider your overall living space, including the size of your home, the size of your yard, and the rest of your family, including pets. The transition to a new home requires a bit of time both for the family and the new pet, so be patient. If you’ve done your homework and patiently sought out the right dog for you and your family, it will be a smooth transition!

Popularity: 10% [?]

House training a puppy is never an easy process. Mistakes and messes will inevitably occur in the first few months, but it doesn’t take long for most dogs to catch on. A new trend that has proven very useful for families is to train your dog to tell you when he has to go by ringing a bell. You can generally implement this after training and weaning your dog from an indoor dog potty, pee-pads, and the like. Once they understand that they need to eliminate outside, they are ready for the bell!

This method is generally used to train guide dogs for the blind and sight-impaired, so you know that it works.  While most of us are able to see when our dog is waiting to go out, it is easy to get wrapped up in work, kids, television, or cooking, and miss the signs. This is when accidents happen. There are a few easy steps and tricks to training your dog to ring a bell, which might remind you of Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiment.

1. Your first step is to hang a string of bells close to the front door, or whichever door you usually take your dog through to go. Make sure it is long enough that your dog will be able to reach it. Put a little treat, such as peanut butter, on the bell closest to his nose height.
2. Get your dog to lick the treat from the bell, which will make the string of bells ring. (Never shake the bells at the dog; he needs to understand that he is the one making the bells ring.) The trick is to get him to associate the treat with the bell and eventually the bell with the door opening and letting him out to do his business.
3. When it is about the time for your dog to go, or you think he is ready to eliminate, put the bells back down and add some more peanut butter or other treat. Make sure you get him to ring the bells before you open the door to let him out every time.
4. When you think your pup is starting to get the hang of it, try a few tests to see if he can figure it out. When you know he has to go, wait near the door with him until he rings the bell, encourage him however you can, and then say, “good boy!” when he rings it. You can also try leaving with the family, by closing the door right in front of your dog. If he rings the bells on the other side, then he’s finally got it!

Before you know it, your dog will touch the bells every time he has to go out, and you have completed your bell potty training. All puppies learn at different rates, so some dogs may get it in a few weeks, while others might not catch on for a month or more. Remember that you should never punish your dog for mistakes, and avoid violent or aggressive behavior when he has done something wrong. He will either feel abused, or merely think you are playing. Reward your pup for good behavior, and always use your tone of voice to determine your pleasure or displeasure with his actions.

Popularity: 48% [?]

There seems to be an overload of information out on the web right now concerning dog house training and housebreaking techniques. If you do a brief Google search on the subject, you’ll be sure to run into thousands of articles and how-to-guides full of information. However, not all of it is actually true. Amid the helpful tips on how to train your pet, you’ll also find plenty of myths that remain unverified and yet continue to be passed on as sound advice. So in order to shed some light on the matter, here is a list of some of the most popular house training myths today and whether or not they hold up to the test.

Clean up your pet’s bathroom accidents with club soda!

This is one of the most popular myths that people will call upon when discussing ways of housebreaking your dog. Inevitably, there will be some accidents in the beginning, when your pet hasn’t yet learned to go potty outside on its own. However, club soda will only help to a certain point. It may get rid of a small stain or pile, but as far as getting rid of the accompanying odor, it won’t really do much good. To make sure that your pet’s bathroom accidents don’t leave a mark (visible or otherwise), use a high-powered enzymatic cleaner that is made especially for that purpose. It’s important to get rid of the odor, not just because it’s unpleasant to humans but because your dog will recall the odor next time it needs to go, and will return to the same spot again unless you get rid of the smell. On a side note, you’ll also want to avoid using ammonia as a stain cleaner. It gives off a scent that dogs interpret as urine, or in other words, an open invitation to use that spot as a toilet.

If your dog rolls on its back and urinates, the house training isn’t working

This is a common misconception. If your dog rolls onto its back and urinates, it does NOT mean that the housebreaking isn’t working. This kind of behavior is actually a sign that your dog is intimidated or is scared of you. It’s called “submissive urination” and it happens when your dog wants to show respect or deference. How do you fix this problem? Try to be a bit more accommodating and not so intimidating. Don’t scold your dog after it performs this submissive behavior. Leave it alone for a minute and then clean up the mess. Continue with your normal housebreaking routine, but make an effort to crouch down next time you pet your dog so that you are at eye level with it. Don’t look it in the eye, as this may signal that you are trying to enforce your dominance over it. And make sure to give it plenty of love and attention.

Adult-sized crates are best, even for pups

This one is, quite simply, false. The idea of buying an adult-sized crate for your puppy stems from the belief that it’s best to get the puppy used to a bigger crate so that you don’t have to wean it out of the smaller ones gradually (something that is not just time consuming, but also expensive). However, putting a small puppy in a big, adult-sized crate will only accomplish one thing: it will encourage the pup to use one end of the crate to sleep and the other end to eliminate. Nonetheless, it is true that buying a new crate for each stage of your puppy’s development can get quite pricey. The best way to solve this crate training problem is to buy an adult sized crate with a divider that can be moved to adjust the size of the space available to your dog as it grows up.

Do NOT scold your puppy after an accident

This one, surprisingly enough, is true. For a long time people have held to the belief that scolding your puppy and rubbing its nose it its own waste was essential to teaching it not to make a mess where it’s not supposed to. When articles started coming out preaching the exact opposite, many people remained skeptical. But as any professional dog trainer will tell you, scolding your dog is an ineffective training method. Often, it will only serve to frighten and intimidate them, as they probably won’t remember what it is they did to make you so angry. The best way to housebreak your puppy is by taking it out to the yard or designated bathroom area at regular (usually 2-hour) intervals and keeping a close eye on it during its house training period so that you prevent accidents before they happen. And more importantly, reward your dog with affection and treats when it performs the desired behaviors.

Popularity: 43% [?]

Cute, cuddly, sweet little puppies are able to steal the hearts of many in a matter of seconds. However, much like anything else that you love, a puppy is a huge responsibility. It takes lots of time and energy to train, feed, and raise a newborn puppy, and depending on the breed, it may be much more difficult than you anticipate. While parenting manuals are abundant, many could use guidelines on what to expect when you’re expecting a puppy!

Choosing a Puppy

There are thousands of breeds and mixes of canines, each with different personality quirks. If you need to be able to travel a lot with your dog, a Collie or a St. Bernard might not be the best option. Before making any final decisions on what pup to purchase or adopt, make sure you consider your lifestyle. Some dogs do not do well without constant attention, and others just love to be social with other dogs. Be sure to research the many different options before trying to get a dog that will fit in perfectly with your lifestyle. Remember, it is not easy to change dogs; you should plan on changing your lifestyle to fit your dog!

Housebreaking Your Puppy

This is one of the most difficult parts of training a puppy. It is always best to start early, though it will be difficult for a pup younger than 8 weeks to catch on to housebreaking puppy training. As soon as you have trained your puppy, both of your lives will become significantly better. Most types of dogs have to potty at least once every two hours or so. If you do not have the time and patience to devote to housebreaking a puppy, consider hiring someone or asking a neighbor to let him out throughout the day. Otherwise, it will be almost impossible for you to train your puppy appropriately.There are a few tactics to help you in the process if no one will be around to help. Many people try to use a dog litter box as well as pee pads. These can save you from cleaning up a lot of messes, and help teach dogs that there are appropriate places to urinate and defecate. Another great idea is to use a crate whenever you are not home. Not only will it keep the mess in one place, but it will also teach dogs to hold it. As they get older, they tend to avoid tainting the same area where they may eat or sleep, so they will try to hold it until you come home and let them out. Just be sure to take them outside right away so they get used to it!

Training Your Puppy

Let’s face it; puppies are like training wheels for parents. You have to teach them many things about the world, and do it all without the benefit of language. There will be ruined shoes, damaged couches, and stained rugs if you are unable to train and control your dog (and some of those things will happen regardless). The first step is to teach your dog to listen to you. Using a firm voice rather than a loud or angry voice makes a much bigger impact on the dog. If you yell at them, they will probably not associate whatever you are saying with whatever they did wrong. Affection will increase their loyalty, as well as their ability to understand your tones, and listen to your requests and demands.After you have gotten the important obedience training out of the way, you can start with the fun part! Dogs love attention, and they can tell when they have impressed people. Teaching your dog to jump, sit, and rollover is often as rewarding for them as it is for you. Not only do they get plenty of treats, but they also get much desired love and affection. You can see their enjoyment in the wagging of their tail and the energetic excitement. Using a combination of praise and treats is the best way to train your dog.Regardless of the type of dog you get, it is important to make sure that your lifestyle will support it. Many breeds of dogs are very curious and rough, and may not ever acclimate to a small apartment, or overall indoor living. Dogs are often a 15-year commitment, so make sure you have the time, money, energy, and desire to raise your canine; as well as a large dose of love and affection.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Potty training a dog is generally a lengthy process which costs the owner valuable time, money and countless amounts of patience and it is for that reason that selecting the right product right off the bat is so significant. When deciding between purchasing a dog litter box or pee pee pads, there are many factors to consider. At first glance it may appear as though both are viable potty training and indoor toilet solutions, however there are some great financial advantages associated with the litter boxes. This guide indicates the financial upsides to training your dog to use an indoor dog litter box rather than a pee pee pad in terms of equipment costs, additional expenses, and their overall environmental impact.

The Numbers:

Speaking strictly in terms of numbers, a dog litter box is a more sound financial investment. A dog litter box requires the one time purchase of the litter box (roughly $50), and with pee pee pads the expense is cumulative. Consider the following scenario: if your dog utilizes two pads per day at $18 for a package of 30 pee pee pads, that owner is facing a $450 a year expenditure on pee pee pads alone. For five years at this same rate, this dog owner is likely to spend $2,250 on pee pee pads. The annual cost of pee pee pads measured in the cost of pads alone illustrates how indoor litter boxes are a more financially feasible option. Moreover, when owners take into account the price of correcting certain problems intrinsic to pee pee pads, the true annual cost advantage of indoor litter boxes becomes evidently clear.

(Image Source)

Pee pads are not a perfect invention and have inherent problems associated with their usage. How do urine stained paw prints on your clean carpet sound? Or puppy pee on your hardwood floors? Dogs stepping on a pee pee pad are essentially stepping in their own urine which they then track throughout the house. Conversely, the dog litter boxes have grates which prevent even the smallest of dogs from stepping in their own urine which is safely stowed in the space below. A dog’s tracks of urine throughout the house will have accumulative costs associated with steam cleaning carpets, furniture and odor eliminating procedures. It becomes shockingly apparent that dry paws equal happy dog owners.

Aside from tracking pee throughout the house, pee pads are also known for their leakage problems. This leakage can be as a result of the dog simply urinating more than the pee pad can handle or a defective pee pee pad. Regardless of why the pad is leaking, the result is the same: soaking your home with your dog’s urine while you are away. Continued leakage in the same place will cause undo costly damage to wood and carpet surfaces, and not to mention anything else it touches. A dog litter box is does not leak and is built for easy cleaning.

There are also certain problems with using pee pee pads that are unique to puppies. Puppies like to explore, dig and chew on things and pee pee pads are a potential target. Puppies are known for chewing pee pee pads into tiny pieces and then playing with them thereby leaving urine soaked pieces throughout the house.

(Image Source)

Environmental Cost:

With everyone making strides towards being more environmentally sustainable, the ecological cost of your dog’s potty training or indoor toilet should also be point of consideration. With landfills already reaching maximum capacity, pee pee pads are only further attributing to the loss of landfill space as they do not breakdown easily. On the other hand, an indoor dog litter box can be lined with old newspapers which can be discarded and recycled at the end of the each day. (It should be noted that indoor litter boxes do not require newspaper to be fully operational.)

Indoor dog litter boxes are a more economical indoor pet bathroom solution than pee pee pads. Not only is the one time purchase fee associated with a dog litter box less than the yearly expense of pee pee pads, but the additional costs associated with repairing the subsequent effects on home flooring and furniture from potential pee pad leaks and urine paw print stains, makes the decision between these two options crystal clear: dog litter boxes are more cost effective. This financial consideration coupled with the overall environmental cost of pee pee pads, in comparison to a dog litter boxes’ minimal carbon footprint, catapults indoor dog litter boxes as the best option.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Potty training your puppy can be hard if you’re a first-time owner, and even if you’ve had dogs in the past, potty training is still one of the most challenging parts of house training your pet. Every pup has its own personality, and the things you do to train it must cater to your puppy’s specific habits.However, there are a few simple tips that can make the whole process a whole lot easier. All of them have, as their underlying principle, the idea of consistency. Dog training is about getting your pet into a habit. A consistent routine is what is going to accustom your dog to relieving itself in the same place every time. Here are 10 simple tips to potty training your puppy that will keep both of you happy.

1. Dog Toilet Features. If you’re using a dog toilet, make sure that it (a) is easy to clean, (b) has a splash back, (c) has a post for your puppy to aim at, and (c) is large enough so that your pup doesn’t out-grow it so quickly.
2. Praise is the Key. Praise can go a long way in training your puppy. If it uses the dog toilet correctly, or if it does anything else that you want it to do again, for that matter, don’t forget to give it lots of praise. Doing so will ensure that your puppy will want to keep going outside when it has to, instead of just using your carpet or coffee table as a toilet.
3. Watch for Signs and Act Quickly. If you see that your pup is turning in circles or starting to crouch down like it wants to use the toilet, quickly grab your dog and lead/carry it outside. Place him where you want him to go every time. Your pup will realize soon that this is where you want it to go. Eventually it will start using that spot on its own. The key is to keep alert for signs that it wants to go.
4. Keep a Strict Feeding Schedule. Make sure that you feed your puppy at the same times every day. A consistent meal schedule will make it so that your dog has regular, predictable bowel movements. Obviously this will be immensely helpful during the potty training process.
5. Indoor Toilet: Use Newspaper. This is tip is mostly for you, the owner. It is much cheaper and just as effective to use newspaper under the grill of your indoor dog toilet, rather than a gel or litter-type products sold at pet shops.
6. Deodorize Unwanted Accident Spots. If your pup goes potty in an unwanted spot, clean it up as quickly as possible and deodorize it. This will get rid of the smell that your dog associates with going potty and will prevent your puppy form going back to that spot.
7. Play with your Pup in Accident Spots. This is related to number six. Because dogs tend not to use the toilet in spots that they associate with eating and playing, it is important to not only clean accident spots thoroughly but also to feed your puppy and play with it anywhere where there’s been an accident.
8. Frequent Attention. Give your puppy lots and lots of attention during this crucial training period. It will allow you catch accidents before they happen and will strengthen the bond between you and your pup, which will make potty training process easier and more enjoyable.
9. Restrict House Access. For the sake of keeping your house as clean as possible, restrict house access until your pup is fully potty trained. Baby gates and tile floors are recommended.
10. Keep Training Consistent. As mentioned in the introduction, consistency is key. If you’re leaving your dog with a dog-sitter or a relative for portions of the day, make sure that they use the same training methods as you. Otherwise, the pup will be confused and it will take much longer to train it properly.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Traditionally, dog training techniques worked on the basis of the reward vs. punishment dynamic, with punishment being the more prevalent teaching tool. Harsh sanctions against unwanted behavior were the norm. But in recent years, the dog training world has been experiencing a rapid shift from the old training techniques to more positive, reward-based methods.

As defined by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), dog-friendly training is “training that utilizes primarily positive reinforcement; secondarily negative punishment, and only occasionally, rarely, and/or as a last resort includes positive punishment and/or negative reinforcement.” Positive dog training seeks to use training methods that are not detrimental to the owner’s relationship with his or her dog. This means thinking in terms of rewards, not punishment, as the main tool for shaping your pet’s behavior and using learning devices that avoid physical pain, intimidation or fear.

The reason positive training methods have gained popularity is because they work. Their success lies in the fact that, like people, and nearly all other animals, dogs will keep doing things that are rewarding and stop doing things that result in no rewards or are outright ignored. No punishment is required. Just the lack of a reward is, most of the time, enough.

The trick is not to have lots of treats at hand all the time, but rather to control the outcome of your dog’s behavior. If take this bit of dog training advice and use it every day, you will quickly be able to lead your dog towards the desire behavior.

How it works

The two concepts under which positive dog training techniques function are associative learning and operant conditioning.

Associative learning says that if two things consistently happen at the same time, we eventually start expecting one as soon as we see or experience the other. This is sometimes referred to as Pavlovian conditioning, a term that derived from psychologist Ivan Pavlov’s famous experiments with dogs. In his research, Pavlov conditioned a group of canines to salivate at the sound of a metronome, because they came to associate the sound with the appearance of meat powder.

Operant conditioning, the other concept underlying the positive dog training method, involves the use of consequences as a means to modify canine behavior. Rewarding desired behavior and ignoring undesired behavior results in the near complete elimination of unwanted behavior.

One of the reasons that positive training is so effective is because it separates learning the behavior from learning the command. By associating stimulus with desired behavior, positive dog training lets the dog learn a behavior first. Then, a verbal command can be added. By breaking down the process of learning, positive training creates easy benchmarks for both dog and owner.

In traditional dog training, people tried to teach the desired behavior by saying the verbal command while physically forcing the dog to perform the desired behavior. Methods of traditional training often require the use of violence, via choke collars, prong collars and electric shocks. The idea was to use pain to coerce dogs into adopting a behavior.

This is not only painful for the dogs, but it is also a lot less effective than positive dog training techniques.

Effectiveness of Positive Dog Training

Most trainers today agree that positive dog training techniques are more effective than traditional training methods. Positive techniques tend to have better timing and focus more on specific behaviors, which helps accelerate the training process.

Corporal punishment and coercion, on the other hand, will often lead to a dog becoming aggressive and violent. Additionally, the use of pain increases a dog’s stress levels and actually impairs its ability to learn. Not to mention the fact that physical intimidation will break a dog’s spirit and make him a lot less confident around other animals and crowds.

Positive dog training eliminates the use of pain and physical coercion. This creates a stronger bond between owner and dog, as the animal will look to its owner for leadership and will look forward to performing desired behavior.

For tips on housebreaking a puppy please visit our puppy training page. 

Popularity: 14% [?]