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You have tried everything it seems:  obedience classes, corrective behavior, anything to get your dog to stop jumping on the furniture or walking through the garden.  Or, perhaps you pooch is in the middle of obedience training, and he just hasn’t mastered the “off” and “away” commands yet.  Whatever the reason, sometimes you are forced to search for additional help to combat the problem.  Here are a few temporary suggestions to help keep you pooch out of where he isn’t supposed to be.

These aversives are not meant to solve a problem.  Instead, they can be used with your normal training to help deter a habit.  Think of it as keeping a cat out of a houseplant:  she doesn’t need to be there, and you don’t want her there.  These methods are also not guaranteed to work with your pooch.  You have to work to find what it is that your dog does not like; it can be a trial and error process.  You aren’t finding his dislikes to hurt him or hold them against him, but you are using his dislikes to help with your training regime.  Never use a substance or material that can cause your pet harm in any way.  Remember that many household items are poisonous to animals; and, for this reason, such items should not be used.  It’s all about making the item or location less attractive, not teaching your pet a lesson!

Indoor problems:  Maybe your pet loves to lie on the sofa, and you just can get him to stop.  It is up to you to make the sofa less appealing.  Most dogs dislike sticky materials and substances to touch their paws.  So, grab a roll of double-sided tape.  Add pieces of tape to another material, such as aluminum foil or paper.  Place the material, sticky side up, on the area of the couch where your pet likes to lie.  You can be sure he won’t sleep on top of the sticky tape!  You can also use double-sided tape around plants, trash containers, and valuable items.  When you use a sticky substance, it is important that you protect your possessions.  That is why aluminum foil or paper is used instead of sticking the tape directly on the sofa.  Be creative!

Sometimes, indoor problems can also be taken care of with bad-tasting or malodorous substances.  Pet stores sell repellents that keep pets away from certain items.  Once the animal gets a bitter taste or pungent whiff, he may leave the item alone.  In addition to repellents, citronella, citrus juices, hot sauce, and pepper have all been known to keep a pet “off” and “away” from an object. 

Outdoor problems:  A digging dog is one of the most common outdoor issues.  However, dogs may also get themselves into trouble with flower beds and gardens.  To keep a dog out of an off-limits area, make the area less attractive.  For instance, use sharp or pointed rocks as the perimeter for your garden.  You can even use wire (sharp edges turned down), to keep your pet out.  Repellents and citronella may also work in outdoor areas.

There are other things you can use both inside and outside your home.  Water bottles with spray heads, whistles, specialized citronella/citrus spray collars, water guns, and noise makers can all get your pet’s attention and keep him from doing what it is you don’t want him to do.  Even just distracting your pooch with a toy or treat can do wonders!  Whatever you do, remember that your pet will not learn unless you show him the desired behavior.  Every time you correct his behavior, you should immediately show him what to do instead.  As he picks up on things, reward him for his new actions.

Sometimes, obedience training needs a little push.  No matter how hard you try, you pooch just isn’t getting the “off” and “away” messages.  During times like these, it is important that you look for ways to deter his behavior, while showing him the proper way to act.  Find out what your dog doesn’t like, such as sticky substances or citric odors, and use those items to reform his behavior.  Always look out for the health and wellbeing of your pooch, and never introduce an item that could cause harm!

Article provided by Jessica Taylor and pet-super-store a pet site featuring personalized dog beds, dog crate pads and dog strollers.

Not only does a dog’s curiosity lead him to places he should not be, but his tendency to want to follow you everywhere can also lead him to off-limit areas.  If you have ever left a window open or a door cracked, then you may have had to go searching for a curious pooch.  You can always work on your forgetfulness to close the door, and you can also work on your pooch’s willingness to run out the door at every opportunity.  Teaching your dog to stay inside not only helps with obedience, it also helps keep him out of danger.

It is normally easier to start training with a puppy.  However, I recommend starting this training once the puppy is potty trained and has a basic understanding of “sit” and “stay.”  My reasoning for this is that the dog will have to sit and wait at the door until you allow him to leave.  A puppy that does not know how or why he should not “hold it” is likely to pee in your floor.  But, it’s up to you to start the training when you feel it is necessary.  For this training, you will need your pooch, a handful of treats, and a door that leads outside.  You may also need a leash in the beginning stages of training, and a helper in the later stages.  Remember to keep the sessions under fifteen minutes.

If your pooch likes to follow you out the door, then you won’t need to use the leash.  However, if your pooch is preoccupied or isn’t too concerned with you leaving the home, then go ahead and place him on the leash.  Walk toward the door.  Visually mark a place a couple of feet in front of the door as the “stop zone.”  It will help if you stop at this spot, and have your pooch stop at the spot, every time you head out the door.  When you get to the spot, tell your pooch to “stop.”  He probably won’t understand the command yet, so you should follow “stop” with “sit.”  Open the door and close it.  You don’t have to go outside, but the action of the door opening will help his associate the behavior.  Give him a treat, a little praise, and repeat.  Do this several times until your pet understands what you want him to do.

Now, have your pet “stop” and “sit.”  This time, tell him to “stay” as you open the door.  Walk out the door (to where your pooch can’t see you), and then immediately return.  Give him a treat for staying.  You may have to remind him to “stay” as you walk away.  Once he stays without following you, begin to walk out farther and stay out a little longer.  Now, when you exit, turn back toward your pooch and release him.  You can release him by saying “release,” “okay,” or whatever you prefer.  Give him a treat for coming to you.  If you think your pooch has the “stay” part of the training down, then grab a helper.  It’s time for the next part.

Have the helper head to the door, and make sure your dog is following.  The helper may need to grab the dog’s favorite toy or another item to get his attention.  You should be somewhere near the door where your dog can see you.  Once the helper approaches the door, tell your pooch to “stop” and “sit.”  Repeat the training from the beginning, having the helper exit and return.  Once the helper makes it outside a few times, then start releasing your dog.  Since you are the one training, it is important that you are the one giving the commands until your pooch gets the hang of things.  Eventually, your pooch will learn to “stop,” so “sit” and “stay” may not have to be used.

If your dog darts outside at every opportunity, then it’s a good idea to teach him to wait on your approval.  A loose dog can endanger himself and others.  Training your dog not to go until you command him to will make him less likely to dart out the door without your permission, keeping him out of trouble!

Article provided by Jessica Taylor from pet-super-store.com a website featuring aluminum dog crates, dog doors and dog beds.

You know your dog best. Take a moment to consider if your dog will truly enjoy the boating experience. Not all dogs will enjoy being out on the water. Once you’ve determined that your dog will love the water as much as you do, follow these steps to ensure a safe boating adventure. 

Step 1: Check the guidelines of the body of water you like to boat on. Are there any restrictions pertaining to having a dog in the water at this location? Is there a leash law in effect that will determine which shorelines you’ll be able to visit? The last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is receive a citation from ocean or lake patrol.

Step 2: Make sure your dog has proper identification and vaccination tags secured to his collar. Invest in a Personal Flotation Device for your dog. These can be purchased at many boating supply stores and you will find the right fit for your dog by knowing his weight. Not only will a life jacket keep your dog safe from drowning, it will also be handy in getting your dog out of the water after a swim; dog life jackets come equipped with a handle on top so that you can easily lift your dog out of the water.

Step 3: Before you leave the dock, make sure there is plenty of water and food available for the duration of the trip. It’s also wise to make sure there is a shady spot on the boat so that your dog can get some reprieve from the hot sun.

Step 4: Keep in mind that a heavy coated dog will experience a higher body temperature than a shorthaired dog. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of being overheated. When it comes to shorthaired dogs, you’ll need to keep an eye on areas where their hair is thin as these areas can be prone to sunburn. If your dog will wear them, you might even want to invest in some dog sunglasses to keep his eyes safe from UV rays as well.

Step 5: Once you get underway, be sensitive to the fact that your dog might take some time to get his “sea legs”. Allow time for him to adjust to being onboard and adjust your speed accordingly. It would be helpful if you have a piece of carpet or a rubber mat that your dog can stand on. Oftentimes the fiberglass of a boat can be slippery for a dog who isn’t wearing boat shoes! This will also protect your pup’s paws from the heat that emanates from the fiberglass.

Step 6: After a day out on the water, rinse your dog off with fresh water and clean out his ears to avoid infection.

Boat and dog owners can safely combine their best hobby with their best friend by adhering to these tips each time they hit the open water. This article was provided by pet super store an online pet store carrying: aluminum dog crates, orthopedic pet beds and pet carriers.