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Top 10 problems dog parents have and the top 10 products to solve them.
Do you have a destructive chewer?
Does it seem there is no end to your dog’s energy?
Do you feel guilty leaving your dog home alone for hours?
Does your dog soil in the house despite all housebreaking efforts?
Rest assured, you are not alone. More importantly, there are solutions to your problems.
While there is an abundance of information about these common issues, many dog parents still fail in their efforts to fix them. We know this is not the dog parent’s fault, because the right advice and the most effective products are difficult to find. For example, studies have shown that when chewing is directed toward objects that are acceptable, less energy is left for objects that are not, such as the leg of your antique dining table. Many dog parents do realize that chew toys help to reduce the amount of chewing on the ‘wrong’ things, such as shoes and fingers. However, many dog parents do not solve chewing problems with toys because they find that either their dogs are not ‘interested’ in the chew toys, or they chew them up in 30 seconds, still ready to take on the rest of the home.
#1 Chewing
The Kong is the safest, most chew-proof item on the market today. Think you know about Kongs? Think again! Many people don’t know the clever ways a Kong solves serious chewing problems. Kongs can be stuffed with all sorts of tasty things – dogs just can’t resist them. If you freeze a stuffed Kong it can take hours for even an avid chewer to get to every tidbit in the Kong. Hours of fulfilling entertainment – hours that don’t include munching on the couch pillows. Tired dogs are less likely to chew on your new Dolce & Gabbana pumps. There are so many chew toy products on the market today. Many of them can be dangerous and even fatal. Despite what the manufacturers state on the packaging, all chew toys should be inspected regularly for damage and wear. Always choose a chew toy that is appropriately sized for your dog. A toy that is too small can be swallowed and cause choking. Powerful chewers can devour some inappropriate chew toys, possibly resulting in impactions and digestive tract perforations.
#2 Too much energy!
Most dogs have more energy than their parents would like. Unspent energy can lead to unwanted behaviors such as jumping, chewing, digging, and barking. Exercising your dog on a regular basis is as good for your dog as it is for you. Learn your dog’s optimal exercise level. When your dog is relaxed, he has reached that state. Many pet parents are limited in their choice of safe exercise areas. Likewise, most dogs do not have a totally reliable recall if they are let loose in an area with many distractions. Using a long lead ensures your dog’s safety yet allows him to burn up energy. Dogs can jump, sniff, run and explore without the restraint of a short leash. When learning to use a long lead, it is best to start out in quiet, large, treeless areas. Soon, your dog will learn the distance of his freedom. Incorporate some sit-stay lessons into your walks. A thinking dog uses up as much energy as a running dog. Toss a Kong a few feet from your dog while in a sit-stay position. Release him to fetch after a few seconds. Treats and verbal praise follow. Great fun for you and your dog and an enjoyable way to teach them an important control lesson.
#3 Pulling on a Leash
Far too many dog parents forego walking with their dog because of leash pulling. Neck collars, despite their design and material, all put pressure on the dog’s trachea and may cause permanent physical damage. Traditional harnesses, that have leash connections on the top of the harness on the dog’s back, can actually encourage dogs to pull harder because of the opposition reflex. That is the reflex that makes sled dogs do what they do—pull. The Easy Walk™ Harness redirects the pressure through the unique front leash attachment. A patent-pending martingale closure tightens slightly across the chest and shoulder blades when your dog attempts to pull forward. When your dog slows down and stops pulling, reward him with treats and verbal encouragement. When training your dog to walk with a loose leash, first, make sure you run out as much energy as possible in your backyard or home. Initially, put the leash on your dog in your home and ‘take your walk’ around the house. Reward him with treats and praise when he walks without leash tension. Gradually move your walks to quiet areas where there are few distractions such as other dogs or critters. Repeatedly reward your dog when he is walking with a loose leash. Increasingly, walk to places where your dog will see or meet other dogs, people, or wild animals. Remember to continue the treats and praise. Soon, both you and your dog will enjoy your walks together – without pain or distress to either of you. The unique design of the Easy Walk Harness is easy to put on and has easy adjustment buckles to ensure a proper fit.
#4 Barking Dog
Door‘Nuisance’ barking, caused by loneliness, boredom, stress from being home alone, or ‘commenting’ on the goings-on around the house is often relieved with the ability to go in and outside, at will, to a safe and secure enclosed yard. There are many dog doors to choose from. We chose the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor , as its unique technology allows your pet to enter and exit safely, without the threat of other animals or people using the door. The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor uses a small infra-red collar tag that signals the door to unlock for your pet and only your pet. The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor locks in both directions preventing young children from leaving the home and other animals from entering or leaving. It runs on batteries so if there is a power outage, the door still works. Allowing your dog access to the inside as well as outside, combined with a relaxing in-home setting, are often successful in stopping barking problems.
#5 Housetraining
In certain situations, a dog just must have an indoor toilet. Is your dog getting on in age and having ‘mistakes’? Is your little dog sometimes unreliable in his housetraining habits? Do you live in a 6th-floor walkup and the thought of a dog walk at 2:00 a.m. is not that appealing? Has a new puppy joined your household? The Porch Potty is the answer to these problem situations and more. Dogs can hold it for only so long. So many variables determine how often a dog must eliminate. What is known about dogs is that they do determine where to ‘go’ by their sense of smell. If a dog learns to eliminate in the home on your Oriental rug or on your teak floors, he may very well choose that spot again and again because it has been ‘marked’ with his odor.
Train your dog to go in one place when the need arises – the Porch Potty. If you know there will be times when your dog may not get to the outdoors to eliminate, consider the Porch Potty. Your dog can happily go to an ‘approved’ area and the rest of your home will stay fresh and clean.
#6 Arthritis
There's no reason for any dog to suffer from the pain of arthritis. Pain can have a tremendous impact on your dog’s quality of life. A heated dog bed? Absolutely! Heat make this therapeutic bed the best choice for arthritis pain all year long. Many arthritic dogs show increased signs of pain when the temperatures dip, humidity rises, or barometric pressure drops. The plushy softness and the gentle heat of the bed provide a comfortable and therapeutic refuge for your dog. The first thing you notice when your dog plops down for a nap, his body is cushioned, protecting further damage to the joints and bones. The gentle heat relaxes tense muscles that surround achy joints, helping your dog’s pain-related, stress. What's more, it just feels good, and the relaxation it brings can help break the cycle of pain and stress that often goes along with arthritis The bed provides beneficial features that will enhance your dog’s life – cushiony supportive softness, gentle heat.
See your dog’s health care professional to learn about arthritis and forms of treatment and palliative care available today.
#7 Boredom
Sometimes, you must leave your dog home alone. Wouldn’t it be great if you— and your dog—could feel good about it? Let's introduce Fluff & Tuff Toys—all-day entertainment for the home-alone dog. Soft plush dog toys have never been so good.
Made with Fluff & Tuff’s unique, ultra-plush outer fabric. and the thick, durable Tuffweb mesh liner.
All seams are concealed, generously folded, and double stitched.
New, non-toxic polyfill is placed for optimal shaping and playability.
For safety, the eyes are embroidered.
Please always supervise your dog’s playtime.
While the toys are made out of high-quality materials to be more durable, they still are plush toys and therefore not indestructible as they are play toys, not chew toys.
#8 Dry Skin
Many pet parents are concerned about their dog’s dry skin and the resulting itching and flaking. The causes of a dog’s dry skin, just like ours, are primarily environmental. In general, skin—ours and our dogs’—is driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. But the reverse may be true if you live in desert regions, where summer temperatures can top 110 degrees and humidity levels sink to 10 percent or less. Central air and heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin and your dog’s. We all know that drinking up to eight glasses of water is recommended for people. Water is essential to all living beings—including our dogs. But, like us, dogs sometimes just don’t drink enough water. Without proper hydration, a dog’s skin, just like ours, gets dry and flaky. How can you entice your dog to drink more water? In nature, moving water is much fresher than stagnant water. The movement constantly breaks the surface tension of the water and draws oxygen from the air into the water. This process is called aeration and it makes the water more appealing to drink. Dogs may be drawn by instinct to moving water for this reason. Some dogs drink water with gusto. But, others have to be coaxed to take just a sip. Developed by a veterinarian for her kidney-compromised cat, the DRINKWELL® PET FOUNTAIN filters and aerates continuously moving water to keep it much fresher than standing bowl water – and much more enticing.
#9 Lost Dogs
Few situations can be as terrifying as learning that your dog is lost. We recommend that you always have ID tags on your dog's collar and that your dog is microchipped. Now that there is a universal system for detecting microchips, there is a much better chance a vet or shelter will find it. Be aware that both tools are passive in finding your lost dog. You are dependent on someone finding, catching, reading your dog's ID, and returning him to you. Many people who find "stray dogs" keep them, assuming their dog parents don't want them. Now there is a far more reliable way to find a lost dog. GPS technology now enables you to take an active approach to find your dog. The GPS dog location system tracks your lost dog’s movements on an easy-to-read hand-held screen. You will know where your dog is immediately if he or she escapes from your care.
#10 Dog Fights!
We speak to so many dog parents who describe frightening incidents where they and their dogs have been attacked by loose, marauding dogs. Do not allow yourself, members of your family or your dog to become a victim of a dog attack. Take a proactive approach and always carry Premier SprayShield. Many preparations, such as pepper spray and taser-type devices are sold as protection from attacking or threatening animals. But, many trainers agree that some of these products may actually antagonize aggressive animals and they can cause bodily harm. Stop an attacking animal in its tracks with this highly effective, safe, and humane spray. The citronella formula halts low-to-medium-level aggression from dogs, cats, snakes, raccoons, opossums, etc., without harmful side effects. It also won't injure you, your family, or your dog if it accidentally gets sprayed into the eyes.
#11 Bonus!
Jumping up
Don’t use your knee or yell at your dog when he greets you with a jump, simply turn away and ignore him until he sits, then slowly greet him, pulling back your greeting if he escalates his excitement. Want more? Expert advice is available here. For tips, challenges, and tried-and-true solutions, keep coming back to the blog!