Porch Potty Blog

Before you add a new pet to your family you need to make sure you are able to care for it. If you are accustomed to cats for example, a dog requires different care because it has different needs. Love, attention, feeding and vet care are pretty much the same, but cats are independent, and a dog requires exercise and running room.

You can find pet care information at your vet’s, at pet stores and even online. You can find out about how much and when to feed, how to keep them happy and healthy, what their specific breed requirements are – don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Your vet is the best place for information. You can find out anything and everything you need to know in order to ensure your dog is healthy. Diet, weight, exercise requirements, recommended toys are all available for the asking. And, most vets will give you the information you need whether you ask for it or not, they want to make sure your pet is kept healthy and happy.

Online, you can find articles about training, housing, housebreaking, health alerts, nutritional needs and just about anything else you can think of, including clothing and accessories.

Below are a few tips to get you started:

1) Overfeeding your dog is unhealthy, so is feeding dog food that is not nutritionally appropriate. Read labels, and follow your vet’s advice as to dietary needs. What is best for one dog may not be the best choice for another.

2) Physical punishment, such as hitting or even shouting, will only accomplish making your dog afraid of you. It will not change the unwanted behavior. Scolding is fine – just as with a child. If your dog needs to be trained or retrained, there are many sources of information available. After all, you want to change the behavior, not alienate your friend.

3) Make sure your dog has had all of his shots. These prevent disease and other illness that is uncomfortable for the both of you. Regular vet visits are also a part of the general care of your pet.

4) Never, ever give a pet as a gift, unless you know for a fact the person receiving the animal wants one and can take care of it properly. Including the additional time and expense a pet requires.

5) While your dog is not a human being, he or she has feelings, too. Don’t push them away when they are craving attention – especially if you have been gone all day at work. They missed you! Your animals convey their feelings, pay attention to what they are trying to tell you. If there are major changes going on in the household or in your life, talk to your dog about it. He may not understand the words, but he will understand your body language and tone of voice, and understand that things are really ok. Praise them when they do something good, and don’t forget a treat or two!

6) Make sure your dog has an area in which to do his or her business. And, make sure it is accessible. Imagine the confusion you dog will experience if you are gone longer than expected to be, and just can’t hold it any longer, and then gets scolded for soiling the carpet. Remember the discomfort you yourself feel when a toilet is not handy – your dog experiences the same discomfort, and sometimes really just can’t wait for you to get home to let him out.

The Change in weather affects our pets just as much as it does us.  As the weather warms,  we put away our heavy winter coats and clothes, and bring out our summer stuff.  We bring out our patio furniture and beach equipment and picnic baskets.  As the temperatures cool, we start to batten down the hatches make sure the furnace is in top working order!

The heat and cold effect our pets.  Make sure you are aware of what the changes do.  Rule of thumb is, the smaller the body, the more changes in temperature effect them.

Summer

In the summer, move fish tanks away from windows with direct sunlight, In the yard, make sure there is plenty of fresh, cool water and a place in the shade. Don’t forget the local yard creatures, such as lizards and birds – they need shade and water too. Move food out of direct sunlight as well, especially moist or canned. It can spoil easily.

Never, ever leave your animals in a car – both heat and cold can and does kill. If you notice an animal in a locked car, try to locate the owner. If that is not possible, and the pet is in distress, call 911 for assistance.

Watch dogs and cats for signs of heat stroke which may include panting, wobbliness, dark red tongue, glazed eyes and vomiting. If overheating occurs, cool them down as soon as possible, move to a cooler area, Starting at the paws, use cool (not cold!) water then legs and finally the body. Cooling down too quickly can send them into shock, which only makes matter worse!

Winter

Don’t assume just because our pet has a fur coat that they cannot be affected by the cold. Hypothermia and frostbite can and does occur in animals as well as in humans. Severe shivering is the first sign, and it is important to get the animal warmed as soon as possible. The warming must be gradual otherwise shock will occur. Again, start with the paws and legs, as the body will conserve the warm blood in the body’s core protecting internal organs.

Our pets are important to us. It is our responsibility to make sure they are not effected by the elements, whether it be heat, cold, rain or snow. We need to be watchful to changes in our pets’ demeanor and activities to make sure they are as happy out in the weather as we are!

Separation anxiety comes in several forms, but there are several common denominators.

Generally, dogs that behave badly when the owners go away do so as a result of poor training or simply boredom.  Any dog that is pretty much ok with being left alone but acts out occasionally by chewing things for example, does not suffer from separation anxiety.  This is more a training or lack of exercise issue.

A dog with true separation anxiety absolutely cannot bear to be separated from their owner for even one minute. These dogs will whine and scratch at a closed bathroom door or bark incessantly if the owner steps outside for just a moment. This behavior intensifies the longer the owner is out of sight. They bark, pant, hyperventilate, and howl continuously until the owner returns. They often urinate and defecate in the house, tear up things that smell like the owner such as shoes or socks. They will even destroy things the owner has recently touched, such as a TV remote, or even a telephone. They are so anxiety ridden they cannot function normally or calm themselves down. Even after the owner returns, the dog is overly happy to see the owner and still cannot settle. Jumping and running in circles, and even proudly displaying the destroyed items is common.

Mild or Moderate Cases

Dogs with mild or moderate separation anxiety display the same type of behaviors to a lesser degree. There are several things an owner can do to lessen the anxiety in these cases. Start by not making a fuss over the dog before leaving. Make a plan to reassure the dog by leaving the house for a moment or two, and then returning. Pet the dog only when he is calm. Repeat this process, slowly making the “away” intervals longer. Soon the dog will understand that you will, in fact, return.

Increase exercise and play times as well. Also consider teaching additional tricks and commands. This focuses the dog’s attention on the owner.dogs with plenty of exercise and “owner” time will happily sleep while the owner is away.

Vet Intervention

In severe cases, vet intervention is needed. There are medications that can be prescribed to help calm the dog. There are also many natural or herbal remedies available. Your vet may even suggest a behaviorist to help in training or retraining. In this case, active participation by the owner is highly recommended.

A lot of dog owners are uncomfortable using prescription drugs to treat their pet’s ailments, especially when it comes to skin or coat issues.  The reason for this is mainly because the owner prefers something more natural and less chemical.

Holistic vets are very popular for the same reasons.  They usually try other homeopathic, or natural, herbal remedies before moving on to the prescription medications only when the chosen alternative fails.  Side effects are another consideration in choosing natural remedies.

Natural dog shampoos and conditioners contain the same ingredients that natural human shampoos and conditioners do. The same hold true for skin care. natural products are primarily herbal, containing such things as oatmeal, chamomile, lavender oil, aloe vera, olive oil, and grape seed extracts. They often contain Echinacea and natural forms of Vitamins C, D and E. These natural products are usually far superior to traditional over the counter products and medications in that they leave the skin and coat soft and supple. They also rinse easily, leaving no soapy residue which can dry the skin and cause itching or even allergic reactions.

Many of the natural remedies also cause a natural calming or soothing effect, not only for hot spots for example, but for the general overall effect it has on relieving stress or anxiety the dog feels during bath or treatment. They are also very popular in stress reducing aromatherapies and come in sprays, topical creams and ointments as well as shampoos cleansers and conditioners.

You can even find flea, tick, dewormers and heartworm remedies in natural forms. These treatments are safe for puppies as well as adult dogs. One thing to remember when using these products in their natural form is that it is on a continual basis, as opposed to the more traditional remedies that are only used every two to three months. The more natural approach is gentler and easier on a dog’s digestive tract.

A very popular herbal remedy for high strung or over stressed dogs is the Bach flower. While not all emotional or stress issues are completely controlled by the flower, it is a very safe remedy and there is no concern about accidental overdose or injury. The easiest and most commonly used form of the Bach flower is liquid.

There are herbal remedies for ear infections, especially in those dogs with long droopy ears where chronic ear infections are a fact of life. For some dogs, the treatment may span a few months, but even the most troublesome are eventually cleared.

Even though your dog has plenty of toys, don’t forget he needs you to play with him too. It’s great exercise and fun for the both of you. Frisbees, balls, tug toys are all great “my human can play too” toys.

Yes. Dogs really do need toys. Toys keep them happy, occupied and out of trouble.

Dog Gears

Dog gears and furniture play a major role for your newest puppy who will be coming home soon. As much as you wanted him to feel welcome and comfortable in his new environment, there are sets of proper dog furniture to make this possible. Several dog furniture and equipments are available in the market for you to consider of purchasing to help you achieve this goal before picking your dog from the breeder or the seller.

First, you have to purchase a dog crate or a dog kennel. This is just one of the most important things that you would need in making your new dog feel at home. It serves as your dog’s own private and secured place where they’ll feel safer to go to. Apart from the fact that it is very helpful when you are not home to watch out for him, this also serves as your dog’s potty training process because you wouldn’t want your dog to mess up your house. The good thing about this product is that it comes in a broad range of choices to select from, making it simpler for you to choose the best and most functional for your furry friend. It comes in various sizes to fit all small, medium, large, and extra large dogs. These crates and kennel can be created using materials such as metal and plastic. These are also commonly known as dog carriers.

An equally important furniture for dogs is a dog bed. When your dog is not on its crate or kennel and is situated outdoors, you’ll want your dog to also have an additional spot in the house where he can contentedly snooze if he wants to. If you put a dog bed in place, then this will set you can set restrictions for the areas that your dog can and can’t sit on. Even if you command your dog not to go on the living room couch, he won’t feel bad because he has his own comfortable spot to go to. Similar to the dog crate and kennels, there are a wide range of choices as well. Forms include donut shape, flat, horseshoe shape, and there are others that look like small pieces of human furniture. On the other hand, these dog beds are normally elevated. It’s not recommended if your dog tends to chew on things.

For a simpler way to test out all the dog furniture alternatives, you have to do online research and check out some online shopping sites. It’s convenient for you because you need not go outside your house to purchase these equipments. Most online shopping sites save you the time of going to the pet store because they offer direct shipment and you will receive your package on your doorstep in no time.

Top 10 tips in keeping apartment dogs

Apartment and Condominium Dogs have played a major part in the daily household experience of its owners. Living in a building with several floors and elevators will already make you think twice of keeping a dog at your flat. It will never be similar to keeping a dog in a normal house. There’s no back door you can open to make him go outside – you will always have to strap your apartment and condominium dogs with their leash and go with them to the ground floor regardless of the current weather outside your apartment. You will have to get used to dealing with elevators, tight pathways, big lobbies and share all these with all the dogs in your condominium. It’s a completely special planet with a totally new group of training requirements.

It is indeed a warm and intimate community you are getting into if you have decided to hold residence in an apartment or condo with shared pathways, common lobby and public elevators. You will start to belong in the same community of common spaces even if you have no idea who your neighbors are and do not communicate frequently with them. This given surrounding demands a strong sense of sensitivity toward the desires, requests and ease of the rest of the condo owners. It will be different on how comfortable you are living in a private home as opposed to living in a condo where you have to act accordingly in an apartment.

Below are Top 10 Tips in Keeping Apartment Dogs that are based from real life experiences on keeping a dog in a high-rise condominium. This can further promote openness between the apartment owners and dog owners to allow dogs in their buildings if each homeowner with a dog will abide by the given rules in this list.

1) If you run or walk on streets, make sure to always bring a plastic bag. You may opt to choose a common grassy area when he can potty, maintain it clean by using a plastic bag to clean it up.

2) Never leave your dogs unleashed. Your dogs should always be tied up on their leash most especially when you intend to go to common spaces of your apartment. Even if your dog is trained, never risk of leaving him unleashed.

3) Use a short leash on your dog. Keep him close to you when you go through the pathways and lobby of your condominium.

4) Never let your dog have that chance of running up to someone. A lot of people are still not keen of dogs around them. If there was a person intending to pet your dog, make him sit first before you let your neighbor touch him. Just ensure that your dog is on sitting position the whole meet. Others may just walk straight to your dog without asking permission. By having a short leash, you can easily control your dog’s actions toward the person.

5) Whatever the size of your dog, never let him jump on strangers. Train your dog to sit before you pet and praise him. Dogs that are rowdy and jump on people may cause a lot of trouble.

6) Train your dog not to growl when you’re in the shared area of your apartment. Dogs are capable of barking very loud regardless of their size when situated inside any closed building. Unforeseen circumstances may arise causing him to be surprised and bark endlessly. By teaching him not to bark when you command similar to training him to speak only when you command.

7) Maintain control in any given situation. If you come across a neighbor inside your condo, make the dog’s leash short and close to you. Have him lie or sit down once the other dog pass through – most especially if your dog is larger.

8 ) It is best that you do not initiate introducing your dog to another dog. If unavoidable, make the bigger dog lie or sit down while the smaller dog comes near. Even if both dogs are sanitized, you still have to be very cautious most especially with two male dogs. There will be a lot of barking and roaring if one of them feels more overbearing.

9) Always stand toward the back when your ride the elevator with your dog. Practice him to just sit next to you and make him keep his eyes on you during the elevator ride. Your dog should only get up and exit the elevator once he gets a signal from you.

10) Potty train your dog indoors. You can start this off by setting a schedule for your dog’s potty times. You have to remember that establishing a schedule is one of the main key you have to be consistent about. It is also essential that you reward your dog for a job well done by praising him. Find the most suitable potty area that is easily accessible and make sure to mark it. The potty area should not be just near your carpeted floors inside your house. It may be on near the dirty kitchen or somewhere that does not have any carpet.

These rules in keeping apartment dogs should be applied even when you are alone with your dog. Your dog will get to learn this as part of his normal behavior if you always make it under your control when he is inside the condominium premises. Your dog will not just associate this when he is surrounded by other people.

If you’re like most people, summer vacation is a tradition you love to indulge in each year. But if you’ve just gotten a new puppy and want to take him along for the ride, be sure that you’re keeping him happy, safe, and healthy with these easy travel tips:

1. Make sure your dog is wearing his proper ID tags at all times. His collar should have your immediate contact info or a microchip.

2. Stash a copy of your dog’s current health and immunization records into your glove box or suitcase in case something should happen.

3. Be sure to read the fine print of your hotel’s pet policy. Some hotels charge additional pet fees and deposits, some refundable, some not – or they many not even allow pets at all.

4. If you’re traveling by car, be sure that you’re taking frequent potty breaks for your puppy. If your dog has never tried going while on a leash, be sure to train your dog to do his business that way also.

5. If you’re traveling by plane, check with the airline to see the pet policy and what accommodations can be made. Also be sure to give your pup a potty break before and after the plane ride.

At PorchPotty, we’ve always grown up with dogs and love dogs – they’re our constant, loyal companions. Yet, we know how difficult dog training can be, and how easy it can be to take a step backward. That’s where K-9 Corner comes in – this dog obedience training blog helps you get on the path to effectively training your dog!

Check out “Dog Obedience Training”, a great post on dog training strategies and why these strategies work. Learning the dog training strategies that are actually effective and last!

Be sure to check out K-9 Corner for dog obedience training, and learn the “secrets to dog training!”