Why do dogs hate me?

Don't stare directly into your dog's eyes. To him - that is a sign of aggression. Put your hand out for him to sniff and offer him a treat. Let him associate you with the tasty treats.

Why do dogs hate me?

Even evil people have dogs that are loyal to them. If your dog or other dogs are reacting negatively to you, it is because you are giving off energy that makes the dogs feel threatened or insecure. While humans should be at the top of the pack, being a leader is different from being a dictator. Try and think about your dogs perspective and work on simple obedience commands, like sit and come. Reward him with lots of love and treats when he succeeds. This builds confidence in the dog and shows him he can earn your affection by being well behaved and social.

Why do dogs hate me?

Also, I do not think a dog wishes harm on anyone. They do not think like humans and have premeditated plans. They react and act in each moment. Thats part of why dogs are so awesome!

Why won't my dog play with me?

Joe Joe, you need to make sure your puppy is healthy, first. Take him to the vet for a checkup. If he is totally healthy and still wont play, try adding treats into the equation and talk to him with a sing-songy high pitched voice when you play. Try a few types of toys. Order a bunch of really inexpensive toys from a wholesaler online. Try rubber, squeaky, stuffed, balls, things with lights, etc. Something should get his attention. If he is teething, try some Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy (just a few drops) to ease the discomfort. Maybe your dog prefers his belly rubbed to playing. Is your breed a breed that isn't playful?My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel could fetch for HOURS if you let him, but he only figured that out after he turned a year old. My eight month old rescue will play, just not really with toys. She loves to chew beef sticks and play with my Cav, but only or 2 toys are interesting to her. She will grow out of it!

How do I know what dog is the right breed for me?

The most important consideration when bringing a new four-legged member of the family home is your lifestyle. Are you active or a couch potato? Do you live in a studio apartment or on a farm with lots of land? Can you afford to feed a large dog high quality food? Are there children in your home? Do you want a watchdog or a playmate?

Once you have answered these questions, you can begin to research breeds that fit with your life. Look into what the breed was used for, historically. Pointing dogs will need to point, hunting dogs will need to hunt, etc. Can you provide enough stimulation and exercise to keep the dog balanced?

Also, don't think small breeds are less work. Often, smaller breeds need a lot more grooming and training to become a reliable member of the family. They also still need a lot of exercise.

A dog is a full time commitment and a puppy, especially, is like having a baby. Consider adopting an adult mixed breed from a shelter. You will likely get a housetrained pal with traits from multiple breeds. Often the shelter will tell you the dominate breed of the pet, make sure its a breed you want to live with.

Good Luck!

How do I know what dog is the right breed for me?

I agree with Chanel. If you decide to get a dog at a shelter, make sure he is the right dog for your lifestyle. The same is true for purebreds. Even more so, since the purebred dog will exhibit the breed's characteristic traits. Do not buy a dog without doing research on the breed and the breeder and knowing the price range of your desired breed, (if it sounds to cheap to be true, it IS!).

Ask for references from the breeder to speak with other people who have her dogs - not just puppies, but older dogs too. Its a great sign if someone has a five ear old pedigreed pooch and still is in touch their breeder. People breeding dogs also should care who is buying the dog. Expect the breeder to be interviewing you as well. This isn't to discourage you, it shows they care!

Should we get a 2nd Dog?

Hmmm. It sounds like your dog is actually pretty dominant rather then social and outgoing. If your dog is running after other dogs and chasing them, or barking incessantly every time she see another dog, thats semi-aggressive, dominant behavior. You say she is clingy with you, which is my main clue that before you add a second pup, you are going to need to do some behavior modification and formal socialization before bringing another dog into the mix.

Before getting a second dog, sign up for obedience classes and practice the commands with your dog every day. This should help build confidence, reduce aggression and help Waggles see you are boss. In addition, you will get to see how Waggles reacts in a controlled environment with other dogs.

Once you and Waggles have been doing this routine for a while, if you still want a second dog, go for it! Just keep in mind, the second dog will do nothing to keep Waggles from being lonely if she is a misbehaving dog. More likely then not, she will teach the new dog her bad habits.

Should we get a 2nd Dog?

It really depends on the first dog. Honestly analyzing your dog's personality without projecting your own personality on to him or her is difficult. Try and get a sense of your dog around other dogs. If he hates big white dogs, clearly that's not a good match. However, if he loves dogs that are smaller then him, that is the way to go. Be respectful of the fact that your first dog will be territorial at first and the new pet often gets more attention at the beginning.

I have 3 pet Chihuahuas ruining my house! Help!

Chihuahuas are notoriously difficult to housetrain. Are you certain you just hadn't noticed prior accidents? Before you assume one of your dogs is sick, ask yourself if there have been any unusual changes in your dog's routine, if you have been overly stressed out or if another member of your household is going through something. Dogs are able to tune in to our emotions and often react when they sense us having an intense emotional experience. Next, to find out who the culprit is, I suggest they all spend a few days in doggie diapers. You will know who 'makes' and who waits to get oustide, panty-free. If that isn't something you are comfortable with, restrain them all under your supervision to a confined area. You will be able to tell who is most anxious or see if someone has an accident. Most likely, if one of your dogs is sick, its probably just a urinary tract infection. Its a good time for your two older dogs, especially the 8 year old, to be getting more checkups with her doctor now that she is aging. If they are all acting out and urinating, its time to start re-housetraining them all! Start by making a schedule in which all three are let out to go to the bathroom every 2 hours except at night, when you can wait 4 hours. Take them out as soon as you wake up, 15 minutes after eating or drinking and right before bed. Gives plenty of praise and treats when the dog goes outside. If this reaction is due to a stressor, make sure to give the dogs extra exercise, it will burn off everyones nervous energy and leave the dogs tired and relaxed. It will hopefully do the same for you as well! After a few weeks of this schedule, you'll be able to reduce the number of times you take the pack of Chihuahuas outside. Remember, they have tiny bladders and what comes in, must go out, so do not leave a bowl of food out for them to snack on all day and limit the amount of water (except on hot days or when you are outside). At night, you can leave a few ice cubes for them to lick for moisture without filling their tiny bladders up.

I have 3 pet Chihuahuas ruining my house! Help!

Mel, Thanks for your answer. I agree, if you aren't taking your dogs out enough, they may make their own schedule. Accidents do happen, even with perfectly trained dogs. My 14 month old dog has gone without an accident for almost six months and then yesterday, BAM! Right in front of me, he just squatted and started to pee. Since I caught him in the act, I scolded him. NEVER punish a dog for having an accident after the fact. He will NOT understand. The dog will know you are angry and shoving his nose into his pee, but won't know why you are doing this. Dogs do not relate events and items to one another like we do. Negative reinforcement does nothing to help with the problem!

I have 3 pet Chihuahuas ruining my house! Help!

Mel, Diapers should only be used for the incontinent or while a female is in heat. Diapers also must be used under supervision and be changed as soon as the dog goes. Otherwise, you are letting him rot in his pee, best case scenario, he smells badly and needs a bath, worst case, infection and hotspots can occur from the moisture and friction. I would not recommend anyone use diapers as a substitute for training and exercise. These are two of the most important tools we have to live with our dogs, conflict-free.

Do I need to add supplements to my dog's diet?

It depends on your dog and what you are feeding him. A mix of kibble and wet food is fine, so long as this is a high quality meat based formula. Check the ingredients. The first three should be meat, organs and more meat. There should not be grains or byproducts listed in the first three ingredients. Make sure there are not chemicals like ethoxquin or other preservatives that have been shown to cause health problems.

If your dog is a healthy four year old, a well balanced, high quality food should be enough. If you notice your dog having dry skin, add some Omega-3 Oil or Cod Liver Oil. You can buy these at any health food store. Do not buy generic fish oils as these can do more harm then good. If you notice your dog is itchy, try a grain free formula before you take your dog to the vet for treatment. Many dogs are allergic to grain and beef based food. A basic multi-vitamin is fine, so long as you aren't overdoing the dosage - make sure to follow it exactly. Again, do not buy a generic multivitamin. You need something specially formulated for your pet's needs.

Do I need to add supplements to my dog's diet?

Thanks purebred!

You are right about the value of a pro-biotic. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gets acidophilus (the general name for a pro-biotic) every day. It soothes the intestines and gut, promoting healthy bacteria which fend off any unhealthy germs.

I would finally suggest getting an ezymatic dog toothpaste and brushing your Greyhound's teeth daily. Healthy teeth are key for a healthy dog and since you regularly feed canned food, it is vital that you manually clean his teeth. There are some three sided toothbrushes and finger brushes that make this task a breeze.

Why does my dog sniff everything?

Wow!

Sounds like you have a little obsession going on.

You need to redirect your dogs attention. As soon she starts to sniff, make a noise to distract her and reward her with praise and a tasty treat (use something healthy and grain free, because you are going to be using a LOT of these). Do the same thing with her crotch sniffing. Additionally, make sure she is getting enough exercise. If you are giving her a half hour per day, raise it to an hour. If you usually exercise her for an hour, one hour, raise it to two and so on -double it. Keeping her tired and keep redirecting her focus. Don't yell at her, that will make her more compulsive. If a vocal redirection doesn't work, bang a pot on something to make a loud noise or fill a cola can with coins and shake it. Only use this method when you want to redirect her attention. If that doesn't work, you should seek help from a professional behaviorist.

Holistic Pet Food Invades Mainstream!!

Yay! How wonderful!

A brief history of Wellness:

Wellness is another great brand of pet food. Originally, the brand of treats, Old Mother Hubbard, launched in 1926 as a line of dog biscuits carried throughout the northeastern US.

In an effort to further its commitment to improving its products, and providing the highest quality ingredients for our animal companions, Old Mother Hubbard reformulated its traditional baked dog biscuits and gourmet treats to 100% human grade recipe.

In the 1990's the company decided to make a holistic pet food, formulated with human grade products, including chicken and fish, hormone-free lamb, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. By 1997, the new pet food, marketed under the brand name Wellness was launched and the company maintains a standard of using only whole foods, with no meat by-products, preservatives, fillers, or artificial colors and flavors.

Glad to have it more readily available to consumers!

Are these things ok to feed?

YUMM! Frozen pineapple in the summer. Sounds like a treat to share!

FOOOD RECALL!! Timberwolf Organics

That is terrible! I think of Timberwolf as so trustworthy. Hopefully its just a manufacturing glitch...but it makes me really think about putting premade dog food into my furkid's tummies!!

Thanks for posting this and let us know if there is more news.

Has anyone heard of a new movie about Chihuahuas?

Jessie, I wrote about it on Cup of Dog. I think you mean Beverly Hills Chihuahua?

Here is the link to the article.

http://www.cupofdog.com/2008/05/ 08/chihuahuas-hit-the-big-screen/

Has anyone heard of a new movie about Chihuahuas?

September 26, 2008, according to my sources. Hopefully it wont be delayed or anything :(

What Shampoo/ Conditioner?

<p>In response to Coco 41 - great advice -  but do know that tea tree, when used in moderation can be a higly effective natural flea deterrant. Get to know your dog and your dog's needs!</p>

Housebreaking Troubles....

How old are they? Some breeds are slower to housebreak then others.

In addition, if your dog is under a year old, she or he wont be totally reliable anyway!

Have you tried crate training or confining them to a limited area?

The best solution to housebreaking troubles is not to free feed or offer water all the time. Get on a routine of taking them out every three hours, praise when they go in the right place. A few weeks of serious structure will enable them to suceed and then you can start lenghthening the time between trips outside.

Good luck and let us know how its going!

Do maltese's dream and why do they growl when they are resting/sleeping and we humans bother them?

Of course dogs dream! Your very handsome Maltese, like other pooches and like humans goes through a variety of sleep stages, including REM (you'll see your pup's eyes flickering open and closed). What do they dream about? I don't know. Hopefully, yummy treats and tummy rubs!

Scientists have done studies, however, that show brainwaves similar to humans, during our sleep cycle.

Sometimes dogs growl in their sleep as a part of their dream, which doesn't mean its a nightmare! Dog's growl while playing, too! Sometimes, when we bother them while they are deeply asleep, they might let out a warning growl - as in - can't you see I am sleeping??

Have you ever heard the expression, let sleeping dogs lie? Its because NO one likes to get woken up and some dogs will snap if they are bothered. Know your dog well and be careful!

Congrats on having such a cute dog. Whoever selected him for your family must have been brilliant!

Bones...

I think the best bones for small breeds are tendons and ligaments - i.e. "Bully Sticks" or "Flossies."

These are easy to digest and exercise pup's jaws and help keep their teeth clean! Make sure to supervise while any chewing is going on!

Bones...

Miami Moe - where do you get these Turkey necks? From a grocery store or a pet store? More info please!!!!

Bones...

Thought this link to my new article might be helpful!

http://www.cupofdog.com/2008/08/05/ rawhide-danger-in-disguise/

Bones...

I just tried a few new chewing objects that are working out great! Antlerz and Canine Caviar!

As with all chew objects, make sure you supervise and tell us how your dogs like their chewys!

Last night my dog was barking and moving around in his sleep. What does this mean?

Sounds like your lil guy was dreaming! Much like humans, dogs have different stages of sleep, and like us they dream! When dreaming, they can speak or move about, just like we do. I hope your pooch was dreaming of good meals and lots of love!

won't go biggy-boy in the yard...

It sounds like a behavioral issue that may have been imparted before you rescued Jake. He maybe wasn't allowed to 'go' in a yard...who knows?

Is he trained to go on pee pads? If so, you can try leaving pee pads outside that he has already gone on, so he catches the scent...otherwise, the best advice I have seen is from Victoria Stillwell's show, Its Me or The Dog. No free feeding or treats. One meal for breakfast and a small afternoon/ evening dinner. Take him out every 2 hours and praise lavishly for going in the right place. As he begins to reorient to his new schedule, he should start going in the right place.

Let us know how its going!!

How do I stop Barking?

Yes! As many of you know, I am a serious Victoria Stillwell fan. She has a TV show on Animal Planet called Its Me or the Dog and is an amazing dog trainer who trains by using positive reinforcement methods rather then dominating ones. You can read up on her here.

She suggests that to stop barkers, you must first train them to bark on command! Use lots of treats and praise.

Make sure your Poms are getting enough exercise - looong walks are important for tiring out young, rambunctious pups.

Finally, the pennies in a can and other tricks stop working for a few reasons. a) the dogs begin to associate the human with the noise (make sure you hide your noisemaker!) b)they just get used to it.

Mix it up. You have to really distract them. Are they barking at each other or out the window? If its at each other, a good 45 minute walk should do the trick.

If its something they specifically bark at, like something happening out the window, remove the temptation. Block off that room, maybe even use gates or Scat Mats to discourage them from hanging out in their 'barking area.'

Finally, the most important thing of all is consistence. One walk won't help, but daily walks will. Hire a neighborhood kid to do it if you are too tired or your schedule doesn't allow it.

Let us know how its going!