Can’t Sit, Won’t Sit: Getting Your Dog to Play Ball

Some dogs are naturally well-behaved. In just a few sessions, they’re able to sit and heel on command, calm down when they’re told to, and all-around be good, obedient members of the family. Then there are the other dogs, the free-spirited canines who never seem quite to understand that they’re not masters of their destiny. So what do you do if you find yourself looking after one of these pups? You don’t have to give in to their ways. Take our tips below, and you’ll have a happy dog that’s able to follow the rules in no time.

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Understand: Training is Good

It can often feel like you’re not making any progress with your pet, but all great journeys begin with small steps. If your dog is struggling to master the big changes you’re trying to instil in them, then start small. Your dog needs to learn that training can be good for them; they need to know, in other words, that good behaviour will be rewarded (and, to your dog, the best reward will be food). Once you’ve made that connection, they should be more malleable in your hands.

Be Consistent

You’d be surprised at one of the biggest barriers to your dog’s progress: it’s your family. They don’t mean to, but they might, unbeknownst to you, be undermining your progress. The key is to be consistent; if you have one rule for your dog, then the whole family need to have the same rule. You can’t blame a dog for failing to get a message if they’re receiving several different messages throughout the day; how will they know which one to follow?

Tricks of the Trade

If your dog is stubborn, there are a few things you can do. These will be either divided into bribing your dog so that they do what they’re told because they know there’s a reward waiting at the end; or you can outright trick them, as is the case with dogs who won’t take their medication. When that happens, you should use Vetiq pill pockets; they’ll swallow their pills purely because they think they’re getting a treat. For everything else, it’s about showing positivity and staying on top of the bad behaviours that can derail their progress.

Limit the Triggers

Your dog might have a natural tendency to go mad, but it won’t always just spring out from thin air. It’s possible that your dog has triggers that cause them, in one way or another, to temporarily lose their mind. If you can make a connection between these triggers and their madness, then you’ll be able to control their behaviour better. It’s not so much a long-lasting solution, but it’ll ensure you can get some peace for a while.

Be Patient

Finally, remember that you’re asking a lot from your dog. They’re not human, and you shouldn’t expect progress to be made overnight. Be patient; they’ll get it eventually. And if they don’t, you’ll still have a lovable - albeit slightly crazy - dog to play with.

5 Reasons Why Your Dog Has A Bad Appetite

Like humans, dogs too suffer eating disorders, which can be extremely distressing if you are a new pet owner. Generally, dogs are insatiable animals with a healthy appetite for food. And in most cases, they'll feed on basically anything you serve. For this reason, a dog that won't eat raises a lot of concern. There are several reasons for poor appetite in dogs. Knowing what might be the cause for that can help you remedy the situation. So, what are the main reasons why your dog won't eat?

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1. Medical Conditions

Poor appetite in dogs is a possible sign of an underlying health issue. Although this may not indicate what the problem is precisely, it's important to watch out for other symptoms.

Conditions and illnesses such as fungal infections, kidney failure, heartworm and lyme disease as well as cancer can cause dogs to avert eating. Not only will it impact on your dog's weight, but also its overall health. Take your dog for a checkup and inform your vet doctor on the symptoms you've noted.

2. Dental problems

If you've ever suffered a toothache then you probably understand how it feels trying to chomp something. Similarly, dogs with dental disease have difficult time eating, dry food in particular. But unlike humans, dogs cannot show pain. Hence the conditions usually go unnoticed.

Common dental issues in dogs include broken teeth, swollen gums, periodontal disease and gingivitis. To know if your dog has a tooth infection, check out for signs such as foul-smelling saliva, the presence of tooth abscess red gums among others.

3. Medication

Although vaccination is vital in managing diseases and ensuring your dog stays healthy, some drugs have undesirable side effects.

One usual side effect is lack of appetite, which is a temporary condition that should wear off after a few hours. If the condition persists, check with your vet for solutions. He or she will recommend effective medications for your furry friend. Be sure to learn more about the medications and their effects. For example, you want to read Advantix for dogs reviews to know other pet owners’ opinions.

4. Quality of food

While dogs occasionally become picky in what they eat, the quality of food they feed on also matter. If your dog is used to eat foods that are rich in protein, serving  it something different can cause them to avert eating altogether.

Go for quality dog food that has the special ingredients your canine is used to. If you are thinking of introducing a different food, feed it in small amounts until it develops a taste for it. Another reason why your dog might be avoiding food it's because the food is spoiled. So, when shopping for pet food, ensure it hasn't spoiled. Foods that have stayed long on the shelf tend to develop a different taste and smell. And dogs easily detect lousy food.

5. Unusual Surroundings and Routine

A new environment can make your dog not to eat. This is because unfamiliar places make dogs feel insecure and develop nervousness, which can hinder them from eating.

In some cases, changing your dog's feeding time or moving their feeding bowl to a different location can make them avert food, at least temporarily. Dogs are sensitive to their surroundings, and they thrive in familiar places. Until a dog feels secure again, that's when they'll eat.

A dog that has stopped eating is like a toddler refusing milk. It's worrisome and stressful to their owners. By noting abnormal signs and seeking expert advice, you can effectively handle the situation and get your dog back to healthy eating habits.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding What Your Dog Wants

Knowledge is power, and if you know exactly what goes on in your dog’s head, training them can be easier than ever. Many experts say that they can speak to dogs, and they know exactly what they think. Believe it or not, you can study the behavior of your four-legged friend and understand their preference to implement changes into your training schedule, making it more effective. Whether you are a professional dog trainer, or just want your pet to respond to some basic commands, you will find the below steps useful.

“dog in training” by megan ann is licensed under CC BY 2.0“

All Dogs Like Being Praised

Praise works much better than punishment with kids and dogs alike. Dogs love being praised, and they are proud of their achievements. Make sure that you keep on moving the goal post and target, so your pet has a new challenge every day. In some cases, praising your dog can be more effective for training than treats. It also helps you communicate the standards of behavior with your dog.

Understand Your Dog’s Preferences

Does your dog like doing exercises for hours, or does he get tired easily? Would they prefer a familiar environment, or do they like exploring? Are they easily distracted by other dogs or wildlife? Every dog comes with a unique personality, and while dog trainers say that there are some general rules, you have to listen to the signs of likes and dislikes when creating an exercise or training schedule.

Find Out What Works

Does your dog have a favorite toy or treat? Find out more about his dog taste now. You can get help from experts who can design the nutrition content of your unique dog treat or food that optimizes the diet of your pet. Take into consideration the age of your dog, his history, and how long he has been living with you. Ask the previous owner about his habits if you just adopted a new friend. Learn from fellow dog owners about designing a tasty diet and adding healthy treats that your dog prefers.

Understand Your Dog’s Feelings

Even though dogs cannot talk to you, they can understand commands and let you know what they like and dislike. If you learn to pay attention to the signs of distress and joy, you are halfway to understanding a dog’s wish. Your dog - just like people - wants to be loved, looked after, and considered useful. He will bring you items he finds valuable, and protects you from those he considers enemies. Listen to his behavior and you will see a clear pattern.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend” by Soggydan Benenovitch is licensed under CC BY 2.0

When you are planning to train your dog or making him more obedient, you might need to learn to read his emotions and preferences. Look up his history, ask experts, and use praises often along with healthy treats to make him feel comfortable, accepted, and a part of your tribe. This way, you can build a long lasting valuable relationship with your dog. Never let him down, and he will reward you with his friendship forever.

Poorly Pup? Here's How to Help Them Get Better

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Dogs aren’t just man’s best friend, they are a part of the family. So when they get sick, you want to look after them just as well as any other family member. But what are the best methods for treating your furry patient?

Water Little and Often

If your dog is being sick or has diarrhea, they will want to drink a lot. The problem is that they might want to drink too much at once. You should give them cooled boiled water little and often so that they drink enough over the day, but not all at once. Boiling the water first makes sure that it is free of any potential bacteria but make sure it is cold before your serve!

Keep an Eye Out

Changes in your pet’s behaviour could be a sign of illness.Pet MD have a symptom checker you can use to see what the causes could be. If your dog is under the weather for more than one day, you should take them to the vets for a check up. The vet will be able to do some tests to find out exactly what is wrong and prescribe some medication to help with your dog’s recovery.

Finish the Prescription

Like humans, it is important that your dog finishes any medical prescription given by a vet. Though it can be difficult to persuade dogs to take pills, it is well worth the effort to ensure they return to their normal selves without a relapse into illness. One trick to get even the most resistant dogs to take a pill is to use a sneaky pill treat like Pawsiq. These are hollow treats that mean you can fill them with the pills for easy administration. Your dog won’t even realise what he’s begging for!

The Right Bed

Like us, dogs have an instinct about how and where they want to sleep off an illness. It might be tucked underneath a blanket nice and warm or they may prefer somewhere a bit cooler. Follow your dog’s lead and let them decide where they should be sleeping. You might need to relax the house rules for a day but once he’s better, you can reinstate the ‘not on the couch!’ rule.

Be Ready For an Emergency

It’s not likely to happen, but if your dog is unconscious and not breathing, you may need to perform canine CPR. This is much like performing CPR on a human but you need to close their mouth and breath down their nose in between compressions.

Staying Healthy

Once your dog is back up and running circles around you and your family, it’s important to give him the best chance of staying healthy. Dogs are just like us and they will get ill from time to time naturally, but a good diet, plenty of exercise and lots of love should keep them healthier for longer. And don’t forget that human foods like chocolate can cause real trouble for our canine friends.

With these five tips, your dog will be on the road to recovery and back to his happy self soon.