Recent content by lapdog

I just started volunteering at our local shelter. 80% of the dogs in there are pit bulls. They are all sweethearts. I understand this is true at most shelters across America and the rescues are full. What I don't understand is why. Obviously they are popular and overbred. Why are...

I think your dog is obscessed with treats. No more treating in the family room. Personally, I would give the treats a rest for awhile and then only use sparingly after that. As far as the barking goes, ignoring will eventually work, you just have to wait it out. It might take a...

I'd give them a good exercise session and crate them when you're asleep. Do it for a couple of months at least and then start letting them stay out and see if they go. if they do, then crate again. There's no other way to stop them when you're asleep. Its night, they should be sleeping...

Maybe a throwback to some instinct that makes them cover up their scent from preditors? I'm just guessing. My dog empties her bowl and throws it around the kitchen!

Where did you get him? Is it snowy where you live? If so, could be salt burns.

Ear infections can have a brown waxy discharge. But if he is scratching all over, I'd switch to a food specifically for allergies. If that doesn't help, start saving for the vet.

Wood floor with poly coating scratch. I have them and the chairs and kids have done more damage than the dog. You redo them every couple of years, but you learn to live with the scratches. Cut the nails short, file them so they are dull and learn to live in a happy, though imperfect, home...

Take her outside every hour. Don't play or make excessive conversation except to tell her to go potty, until she goes, then reward her with some verbal praise and play. Take all bedding out of the crate/or keep her in a pen. Don't let her be somewhere she can lie in it, you want her to get...

How old is she?

Has anyone started from scratch with a rescue or adult dog? Just wondering how long it took.

All of our parents or grandparents or great-grand parents were immigrants. They went through the proper channels and became legal. Why, now, is that something they feel that they shouldn't be required to do?

Honestly, I know no other way of pottytraining without a crate. Maybe a behaviorist can help you get your dog comfortable in a crate first, before you even attempt to potty train.

The biggest mistake you can make is to give a dog that young the run of the house. When you're busy, confine the dog to the area with the pads and leave little room for her to miss. Sometimes you think potty training is complete, but you have to keep confining them longer than you think...

That was a really good article. Thanks for posting it.

There's always something to be learned every day. I am impressed with some of the subtlties I've learned from just a few shows, like eye contact, posture, etc. Things like that can make or break your training.