8 Dog Potty Pad Training Mistakes to Avoid
The directions on your puppy or dog’s pee pads are simple and effective, yet some dogs require a little more attention to training on a pad. Here are the eight most common training mistakes to avoid when using or training with a dog pee pad:
1. Not using a “potty” phrase
Whether it’s “Hurry up,” or “Go potty,” or “Do your business,” dogs become housebroken more quickly when you associate a phrase with the potty process. And, as they get older, most dogs will actually “go” on command if you’ve taught them a phrase as a puppy. Think about that next time you’re dreading walking your dog at midnight in the rain or freezing temps. Being able to step outside and say, “Get busy,” (or whatever your designated phrase is) and have them immediately comply, is a dream come true for any dog owner. So use a consistent phrase and repeat it each time you take your dog out or place them on a pad.
2. Not introducing your dog to the potty pad
Yes, some dog pee pads, such as WizSmart, have an attractant that only your dog can smell, but they still need to be introduced to the pad in the beginning. It will take a few times for them to get familiar with the pad, so be patient and praise them when they get it right. To introduce your pup to the pad, put them on a leash so they don’t wander, and then lead them to the pad. Use your “go potty” phrase and keep them there until they use it. Make sure you take them to the pad immediately after eating, every 10-20 minutes after playing hard, and when they first wake up, and before they go into their crate at night.
3. Not paying attention to your puppy’s “gotta go” body language
Whether it’s a new human baby or a new puppy, all new parents have to learn their baby’s body language, cries, or how they communicate their needs. Puppy parents are no different. If you want to learn to potty train your puppy quickly, learn what cues they give off when they have to go. That’s your cue to put down a potty training pad or lead them to where the pad is.
4. Not tethering your puppy when they’re out of their crate
It might sound strange to have your puppy on a six-foot leash when they’re inside and out of their crate, but it’s not. Puppies are masters at slipping away and “having accidents.” By keeping your puppy on a leash when they’re inside, but out of their crate they learn:
- To bond with you!
- That they can’t just run away to explore or pee or poop at will
- That you’re the alpha dog in their pack and that what you say goes!
- It teaches you your dog’s “I gotta go mom/dad” signs and behaviors
- It forces you to focus on your dog, or put them back into the crate, reducing stress on you both
5. Not giving your dog enough potty breaks
Estimate your pup’s hold time by converting her age in months into hours she can hold her pee. For a sleeping puppy in a crate, that means that a 3-month old puppy can probably hold it for about three hours maximum. That rule doesn’t apply when your puppy is playing. Depending on your puppy’s age, an active puppy might have to go out as frequently as every 20 minutes. If you’re going to play with your dog for any length of time, try to play outside as much as possible. That way if they need to stop every 15-20 minutes to relieve themselves, they can. Remember to take your dog outside or put them on a pad immediately after eating or drinking.
6. Slacking off on training when your dog seems to be house trained
We get it. No one wants to keep buying puppy pee pads once they’re sure their dog is house-trained. If you’ve had a good week and your dog has gone outside, on schedule, with no mistakes or inside accidents and you’re down to your last box of pee pads, the tendency is to assume you don’t need another box of pads. Here’s the thing. It takes several months, not just weeks, for your dog to truly “get it” when it comes to house training. Things like weather, not feeling well, excitement (holidays, new people in the house) and just having an off day can mean your dog can relapse into puppyhood and have an accident indoors. Keep using pads until your dog hasn’t had an accident in several months. Then, keep a box around for times when they’re not feeling well, or are recuperating from surgery or illness.
7. Not praising your puppy’s efforts
Dogs are like people. They like to be noticed and praised for their efforts—including any time they’re learning a new skill. For puppies, this means going potty. Every time your puppy does what you want them to, like hitting the center of the potty pad, or holding it until they get outside, praise them and give them a small treat. This tells them that each time they comply, they’re rewarded with a snack and praise.
8. Punishing your dog for having accidents
Dogs, especially puppies, are not people and they don’t understand exactly what you want them to do. They may soil a puppy pad at the edge rather than relieve themselves. They may wander off and soil your carpet or wood flooring. They may go inside their crate. Don’t punish them. They have no idea what they’ve done wrong and will work extra hard not to get caught again. Spanking or hitting your pup, rubbing their nose in the mess, scolding or physically intimidating her will confuse and scare your dog. It might also make her afraid to eliminate near you when outside, especially on a leash!
What You Should Know About Vaccinations for Dogs
What are the Vaccinations for Dogs?
A vaccination is a treatment to cause immunity to certain diseases ordinarily administered by injection directly into the vein, although in some rare cases, they will be taken orally. The actual vaccination that is injected into your dog contains the tiniest amount of the virus which they are being vaccinated against. This isn’t enough to infect your dog, merely enough for your dog’s immune system to learn to recognize and destroy the virus.
That way, in the future, if he’s exposed to the actual virus, his body should immediately be able to shut down any unwanted attacks.
Which Dogs Need Vaccinated
Most states require your dog to obtain the core vaccinations to move freely within the state. These vary by state, so your best bet is to ask your veterinarian for the correct list for your area.
Ordinarily, the required vaccinations will consist of the Rabies, Parvovirus, Distemper and Canine Hepatitis vaccines. It’s also important to consider any additional vaccinations that your dog may need if you decide to travel to another state. You will need to look into the requirements for each state that you will be entering into.
Where to Get Dog Vaccines
It’s important always to seek out a licensed veterinarian to perform our dog’s vaccinations. Not only do they understand the risks, side effects, and procedure better than anyone, but if the vaccines are not administered by a vet, your state will not recognize your dog as having been vaccinated.
Types of Dog Vaccines
There are three main categories that dog vaccinations fall under: 1. core 2. non-core and 3. not recommended. The core vaccinations are those that your dog needs, the non-core are those that aren’t legally required but your veterinarian may recommend, and then there are the not recommended which most veterinarians tend to agree don’t seem to show enough evidence of doing anything.
Which Vaccinations Does Your Dog Need
1 VACC TYPE - Rabies
AGE ADMINISTERED - 12-24wks
WHAT IS RABIES - A highly contagious disease that can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected mammal to another (this includes humans.)
2 VACC TYPE - Distemper
AGE ADMINISTERED - 6-8wks
WHAT IS DISTEMPER - This serious viral infection has no known cure, and similar to rabies causes behavioral changes to the afflicted. As of yet, there is no known cure.
3 VACC TYPE - Parvovirus
AGE ADMINISTERED - 10-12wks
WHAT IS PARVOVIRUS - Parvovirus, more commonly known as Parvo is a viral condition that commonly attacks puppies and dogs with weakened immune systems. The symptoms of which are vomiting, diarrhea and severe weight loss.
4 VACC TYPE - Canine Hepatitis
AGE ADMINISTERED - 10-12wks
WHAT IS CANINE HEPATITIS - This condition affects the dog’s liver and is transmitted through infected canine urine, blood, saliva, nasal discharge and feces.
Which Vaccinations Your Dog Might Need
While the below vaccinations aren’t ordinarily required legally, they may be a requirement to travel with your dog internationally. If you’re planning on crossing a border, check with your veterinarian and the local government's website to confirm whether your dog will require any of the following.
1 VACC TYPE - Bordetella bronchiseptica
AGE ADMINISTERED - 6-8wks
WHAT IS BORDETELLA - More commonly known as Kennel Cough, as you might be able to guess is a respiratory condition that causes coughing. Treatment is available and takes 3-6wks depending on the health of the dog.
2 VACC TYPE - Borrelia burgdorferi
AGE ADMINISTERED - 12wks
WHAT IS BORRELIA - Lyme disease is a common condition transmitted by infected ticks, symptoms only occur in around 10% of infected pooches. This vaccine is much more likely to be recommended in states with a moderate climate and lots of ponds/lakes which seems to be where ticks thrive.
3 VACC TYPE - Leptospira bacteria
AGE ADMINISTERED - 12-16wks
WHAT IS LEPTOSPIRA - A relatively common bacterial infection, if your dog is exposed to this bacteria, the bacterium will likely penetrate the skin and travel through the bloodstream to the main organs. Here, they will reproduce and cause varying levels of damage to your dog’s internal organs.
Are There Risks with Dog Vaccines
Nothing is without its risks, and vaccinations do of course come with risks. Allergic reactions are a possibility but rarely to a severe or deadly extent. There is a minor risk of your dog developing the disease that he is being vaccinated against, but all you can really do is look at the statistics which show the vast majority of canines benefit from vaccinations.
Common Side Effects of Vaccinations for Dogs
As you’re introducing a virus into your dog’s system, he may feel a little under the weather for a few days, most commonly he may exhibit fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and/or depression.
When to Call Your Vet after Vaccination
Although rare, there have been cases of severe, and even deadly reactions to vaccinations so it’s important to be on the lookout for the uncommon side effects so that you can phone your vet immediately upon seeing them. They include:
1. Difficulty breathing
2. Swelling of any kind especially on the face, legs, or injection site
3. Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
4. Itchy skin, persistent scratching
How Will People Know if My Dog Hasn’t Been Vaccinated
Although it’s different in each state, all states require that your dog have a vaccination card showing his vaccination record, this may be anything from a stamped card showing the dates of vaccination, to a full medical history booklet.
The police, border agents, and other officials have the right to request this documentation, and if you fail to show this - or the vaccinations have lapsed - they often have the right to remove the dog from your care.
What Will Happen If I’m Traveling with an Unvaccinated Dog
When traveling with an unvaccinated dog, in a worst case scenario and you are caught, the local authorities may take the dog from your care and place him into quarantine for which you will be responsible for financially.
Many states work incredibly hard to rid themselves of diseases that have rampaged through their local wildlife, so please do be considerate of this, it’s not just domesticated pets that are being saved when you responsibly vaccinate your pet.
7 Best Non-Shedding Dogs for Apartment Living
Dogs who work best in an apartment lifestyle are typically quiet and peaceful by nature, content with playing ball in a small space as opposed to running for miles daily. As the human population increases and the urban living grows, dog owners look for pets that will fit comfortably into apartment living.
Living with a dog in a confined space means considering factors beyond dog pads and the noise level. Often, allergies have to be addressed. Therefore, dogs that are non-shedding, or as hypoallergenic as an animal gets, are considered as candidates.
Although there is no such thing as a 100 percent non-shedding or hypoallergenic dog, there are several breeds that shed only minimally and whose activity level fit nicely into an apartment lifestyle. Here is a list of suggestions:
- Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie, as it is affectionately known, is typically very small, ranging from 5 to 7 pounds. They are a notorious “pocket pet,” carried comfortably around in women’s handbags. There are exceptions, however, and some individuals grow larger. Yorkies have long, soft hair, and although they generally shed very little, they do require regular grooming.
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
One of the kindest and gentlest of terriers, the soft-coated Wheaten tips the scales at around 35 pounds, and it may need more outdoor time than some of the smaller breeds do. They are playful but generally have a calm disposition, and they are considered excellent family dogs.
- Italian Greyhound
Italian greyhounds thrive in an apartment lifestyle. They are intelligent, loyal, and quiet. Their coat is flat and tight. They shed very little, but they can be fragile. They tend to get cold and do well to have a sweater provided for them.
- Bedlington Terrier
The unique-looking Bedlington terrier resembles a lamb, complete with the curly, wooly coat. Weighing under 25 pounds, they are ideal for apartment living, having a moderate activity level. They can be attentive watchdogs, alerting the household when someone comes to the door. Like most terriers, they are very intelligent.
- Havanese
Originally from Cuba, the highly social Havanese is intelligent and has a sense of fun, happy to play vigorously indoors. Although sporting a shaggy coat, they are considered hypoallergenic.
- Chinese Crested
The hairless variety of Chinese crested is considered hypoallergenic. They require only mild exercise, preferring to hang out on the laps of their owners. They are heat-seeking dogs, best if outfitted with a sweater in cool weather. Their skin should be protected from the sun at all times.
- Shih Tzu
Weighing from 9 to 16 pounds, the fur on a Shih Tzu is long, with a thick undercoat. They need a serious amount of grooming, but they shed very little. Shih Tzus are normally very outgoing dogs with happy and well-adjusted dispositions. They are known for being a great choice for families with children.
Regardless of breed, whatever dog you choose to live in the apartment will be your companion for many years to come. Be sure to offer the best quality of life to your dog, and he will help you make the best of your years together.
Sources
Dog Care: Good Nonshedding Dogs For Apartment Life
http://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/good-nonshedding-dogs-apartment-life-2756.html
Oh My Apt: Six Non-Shedding Dog Breeds To Keep Your Apartment Clean
https://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/six-non-shedding-dog-breeds-to-keep-your-apartment-clean.html
Dogtime: Hypoallergenic Apartment Dogs List
http://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/4896-hypoallergenic-apartment-dogs-list#!