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How To Help Your Dog's Storm Phobias |
Many dogs that fear storm activity also fear other sharp percussive noises, such as gunfire, exploding balloons, or low frequency sounds from a sound system capable of rattling the windows. Because storm noises originate outdoors, any attempts to simulate storm noises or other loud sounds should originate there. These can be tested and used with a routine which involves a single hand clap, followed immediately by praise and introduction of some toy or other stimulus the dog associated with happiness.
These staged performances should be repeated until the dog acts happy in response to loud noises, without use of the above routine. After this stage, it is still advisable to follow the same steps required for dogs that do not respond to staged percussion. If gunfire is to be used in these sessions, the shells used must be hand-loaded, low-powder blanks. The gun should be fired outdoors into thick, soft material, such as an old pillow. Only adults experienced with firearms should be involved. Also, neighbors should be forewarned of training sessions.
If the dog does not respond to attempts at recreating storm sounds, the solution becomes more difficult, as one cannot conjure up storms at will. However, one can watch the weather forecasts carefully and make preparations at least 3-4 hours before a storm is due. This long lead time is necessary because many phobic dogs begin to show anxiety as falling barometric pressure indicates impending storms. In these situations, the training routine must be applied at the first sign of anxiety in the dog, and then reapplied until the dog shows upbeat behavior instead of the former anxiety, without any need for the routine.
Sedatives: If the owner cannot be present to apply these procedures before and during storms, sedatives and tranquilizers may be used to reduce the dog's anxiety. However, without behavioral therapy, such drugs have not been effective over the long term.
Desensitizing With Sound and Light: Though several authorities have recommended playing low-level thunder recordings and gradually increasing the volume as the dog accommodates to it, others in this field have not been successful with this technique. For years trainers have tried using recordings of thunder, coupled with flashing strobe lights, without success. This is probably because of 2 factors unique to storms. First is the lack of barometric pressure changes. Second is lack of the intense (to the dog) percussive effects of low-volume thunder recordings. |
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Does Your Shih Tzu Chase Cars? |
One of the most serious, and unfortunately most common, problem behaviors among dogs and shih tzu is that of chasing cars. Dogs must be trained as early as possible that chasing cars is not acceptable. That is because shih tzu that chase cars eventually become shih tzu that catch cars, and car plus shih tzu always equals big trouble.
There are many reasons that shih tzu and any breed of dog chase cars. For one thing, chasing moving objects is an ingrained, instinctual behavior that can never be completely removed. Chasing behaviors, however can and should be controlled through a combination of good training and supervision.
Some dogs are more apt to chase cars, bikes, joggers, cats and other dogs than are others. Dogs that have a high prey drive, including breeds that have been bred for hunting, are particularly susceptible to the thrill of the chase. Herding breeds are also apt to chase cars, attempt to herd the neighbors children, or express other undesired traits of their breeding.
One reason that many shih tzu chase cars in particular is that they have learned to associate cars with good time and fun things. Most shih tzu love to ride in the car, and when they see a car they may try to chase it down for a ride.
No matter what your shih tzu's motivation for chasing cars, however, it is important to curb this dangerous behavior as quickly as possible. Training the shih tzu not to chase cars starts with teaching the shih tzu the meaning of the "Off" command. The "Off" command is one of the basic tenets of obedience, and it must be mastered by every shih tzu.
Teaching the shih tzu to stay where he is, even if interesting, exciting things are happening elsewhere, is very important to all aspects of dog training. In the world of professional dog training, this is sometimes referred to as distraction training. Distraction training is very important, and it is applicable to teaching the shih tzu not to chase cars.
Teaching this important lesson is not something you will be able to do on your own. You will need at least one other person - a volunteer who will slowly drive by and tempt your car with his bright, shiny object. You will stand with your shih tzu on his leash as the volunteer drives by. Having the volunteer drive your own car can provide an even greater temptation, since dogs are able to distinguish one car from another. If your car is the one that provides his rides, it is likely to be the most tempting object in the world.
When your friend drives by, either in your car or his, watch your shih tzu's reaction carefully. If he begins to jump up or move away, repeat the "Off" command and quickly return your shih tzu to the sitting position. If he remains where he is, be sure to give him lavish amounts of praise and perhaps a treat or two.
Repeat this process many times over the course of a few days. Once your shih tzu is reliably remaining seated when your friend drives by, start lengthening the distance between yourself and your shih tzu. A long, retractable leash works great for this process. Slowly lengthen the distance between you and your shih tzu, while still making sure you have control.
Even after your shih tzu is trained to not chase cars, however, it is important to not leave him out off the leash unsupervised. Leaving a shih tzu unattended, except for within a properly and securely fenced in yard, is simply asking for trouble. Dogs are unpredictable, and it is always possible that the chase instinct could kick in at exactly the wrong moment. The best strategy is to confine the shih tzu when you cannot supervise him.
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I hope you have enjoyed this months articles.
Next month we will look at Assessing Canine Separation Anxiety, Incessant Barking, and the importance of Microchipping.
We will also have at least one fun article and of course more recipes for your collection.
If you have any requests for articles, please contact me and I will do my best to include them in future articles. Pictures of your babies are also welcome for inclusion.
Until next time.... | |
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| Greetings! |
Happy May Day!!
With spring, we often have thunderstorms. My furbabies hate them and need extra comfort at that time. This month I have included an article to help you get your pup through the hard times. |
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 Pros and Cons of Spaying and Neutering in Dogs
To Spay/Neuter or Not |
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It's time to start thinking about spaying or neutering your dog. But, you are not quite sure if it is the right thing to do. If you're wondering whether you should just leave your dog as nature intended, consider the positive and negative aspects of spaying and neutering before making your decision.
Spaying - The Positive Side
Spaying removes the risk of pregnancy.
Pet overpopulation is a serious issue and by allowing your dog to have litters, you are adding to the problem. Finding homes for your new family additions is not as easy as you may think. Even if you choose to keep the puppies, you now have the additional cost of vaccines, parasite control, toys and food for several pets. In addition to costs, the health of the mother can be in jeopardy during delivery. Some new mothers can have serious complications delivering puppies and can even develop health problems during nursing. All these potential problems can be avoided by spaying your dog.
Spaying makes for a cleaner, calmer dog.
Without the drive to mate, your dog may be quieter and not prone to an incessant need to seek out a mate. The spayed dog no longer attracts males and their annoying advances and serenades. Dogs won't have a bloody discharge for several days while they are in heat. Without proper protective products, the discharge can stain sofas, bedding and carpets.
Spayed pets are also easier to get along with. They tend to be more gentle and affectionate.
Spaying keeps your dog healthier.
A final positive aspect of spaying your dog is that spayed pets tend to have fewer health problems. Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Without these organs, ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer of the reproductive tract are no longer a concern. Studies have shown that dogs spayed before puberty have a significantly lower chance of developing breast cancer than unspayed dogs or dogs spayed later in life.
Spaying - The Negative Side
Spaying means sterilization. Spaying will result in the sterilization of your dog, and she will no longer have the ability to become pregnant. If you wish to breed your dog, spaying should not be done. Spaying may cause weight gain. Some pets may gain weight after spaying. Unspayed animals typically have a strong mating desire and can expend a lot of energy seeking a mate and reproducing. Without this energy burden, your dog may eat the same amount but not burn off as many calories. Cutting back on her food can help reduce the weight gain but it is still something to be concerned about. Spaying makes some dogs less active. Pets that have been spayed tend to be less active. If a more sedentary dog is not for you, spaying may not be the best option.
Neutering - The Positive Side
Neutering removes the risk of pregnancy.
Pet overpopulation is a serious issue and by allowing your dog to breed, you are adding to the problem. Although you may not own the female dog, and you are not burdened with finding homes for those new puppies, someone else is. Even if you accept your responsibility and choose to keep the puppies, you now have the additional cost of vaccines, parasite control, toys and food for several pets.
Neutering makes for a calmer dog.
Another positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutering can result in a calmer, and sometimes cleaner, home. Without the drive to mate, your dog may be quieter and not prone to an incessant need to seek out a mate. The neutered dog no longer feels the need to seek out and serenade females. He no longer has the stress of needing to mark his territory and urinate throughout the house and yard. Neutered pets are also easier to get along with. They tend to more gentle and affectionate. Neutered males tend to roam less and typically are not involved in as many fights with other animals.
Neutering keeps your dog healthier.
A final positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutered pets tend to have fewer health problems. Neutering is the removal of the testicles. Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer a concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced. For those people who would like to sterilize their dog but do not wish to alter his appearance, testicular implants are available.
Neutering - The Negative Side
Neutering is sterilization.
Neutering will result in the sterilization of your dog. He will no longer be able to reproduce, so if you intend to breed your animal, do not have him neutered.
Neutering changes his appearance.
Your dog will look different because his testicles will no longer be present. If the absence of these organs is a cosmetic problem for you, don't have him neutered, or discuss testicular implants with your veterinarian.
Neutering may cause weight gain.
Some pets gain weight after neutering. Intact animals typically have a strong mating desire and can expend a lot of energy seeking a mate and reproducing. Without this energy burden, your dog may eat the same amount but not burn off as many calories. Cutting back on his food can help reduce the weight gain but it is still something to be concerned about.
Neutering will make him quiet.
Pets that have been neutered tend to be less active and calmer. If a more sedentary and peaceful dog is not for you, neutering may not be the best option. |
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Words Your Shih Tzu Should Know (Part 3) |
Continuing our series on commands (words) your dog should know, we will define six more important words. Take your time and teach one at a time.
Enough (Whatever you are doing was Ok, but I've just changed my mind and now I want you to stop it, as opposed to "No," which means whatever you are doing is unacceptable and should never be done). The command "Enough" is taught mainly, believe it or not, by tone of voice. It is usually learned rapidly and can stop excessive barking, a game of roughhousing that has gotten out of hand, or any activity that is usually ok but cannot, for whatever reason, continue at this point. It can calm a dog instantly. It can give you the full attention of a dog who was, up until a moment ago, acting up or acting out.
Out . This word can mean as in "Do you want to go out?" It is also used for getting the dog to give up what he has retrieved. In addition, "Go Out" by itself means leave this room and go to any other place in the house.
Biscuit or Cookie (Dog biscuit). The two words offer the fun of anticipating a treat. Therefore, when you say "Do you want a cookie?" he gets more than a dog biscuit. He gets to salivate a little imagining a dog biscuit.
Speak (Bark). This word should be taught verbally and then as a hand signal.
Take It (Take this in your mouth). As long as you are going to play with your dog, to toss a ball for him to bring back or to encourage him to carry small packages or help pick up his toys, you might as well add the phrase for that skill to his vocabulary. "Take It" is commonly used as a fetch or pick up command. Young puppies love to chase a toy or a ball and sometimes bring it back. If you keep retrieving fun for the dog, and if you name this activity, you have a nice game plus the option of tightening play retrieving into reliable retrieving on command later on.
Wait. Some dog owners do not like to use the command "Stay" except in the formal sense, the freeze on command. When letting the dog know he is not going on an excursion or not getting out of the car just then, they say "Wait" instead of "Stay." This can also communicate something important to the dog who is off-leash trained. It would make more sense to say "Wait" as your dog bounds toward the corner or toward the exit of the park than to say "Stay" which would be asking him to freeze in mid-leap. "Wait" tells him not to cross the street, leave the park, rush out the door, until you tell him to. But it allows him to be at ease while waiting. It's worth teaching. |
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 The pet IQ test
How smart is your dog? |
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This is just for fun and you should not "grade" your dog.
Seven questions to ask yourself and score to test how brilliant your pooch is.
1. Does your dog respond to its name? 20 points
2. Does your dog sit when it sees you have a treat, before you say 'sit'? 15 points
3. Does your dog change its emotions in tune with yours (i.e. go all quiet and calm and consoling when you're upset, get excited when you're happy)? Yes, dramatically and suitably. 20 points Yes, but its just inappropriate (barking, anxiety). 10 points No. 0 points
4. Does your dog put two and two together, e.g. putting your joggers on means a walk and the dog gets excited about this; getting work clothes on, car keys out makes them anxious, clingy? Five points for each.
5. Does your dog recognize family members/friends it hasn't seen for more than six months and give a noticeable reaction? 20 points
6. Put two biscuits on a plate. Show the dog the plate with the two biscuits. With the dog interested and begging and wanting the biscuits, hold the plate so the dog can't see the biscuits anymore. Eat one in one mouthful, then eat the other one. Does your dog walk off/look disappointed, disinterested, dejected or let down because it knows all the biscuits have gone? If yes: 20 points
7. Put your dog outside through one door. Call it from behind that door. Does it go around to the other door to get in or stay there? 30 points
Total Dull: 70-80 Average: 90-110 Highly intelligent: 130+
No matter how your furbaby scored, give him/her a big hug and a made ones below. |
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Cooking for your Dog |
Welcome to our kitchen! In our newsletters you will find free dog treat recipes for homemade dog treats, snacks, biscuits, cookies and bones. Making home made dog treats is really fun project to do with your children or grandchildren!
Puppy Pops
Ingredients:
- 1 Quart fruit juice
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup yogurt
Directions:
Mix ingredients together thoroughly, then freeze.
These can be eaten by people too.
Newf Breakfast Bars
Ingredients:
- 12 c. oatmeal
- 4 c. whole wheat flour
- 8 eggs
- 3/4 c. oil
- 2/3 c. honey
- 1/2 c. molasses
- 2 c. milk
- 1 large can solid pack pumpkin
- 3 to 4 mashed bananas
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325. Grease 2 cookie sheets
Dump everything into a VERY large bowl. Mix this whole mess together (I use my hands, AFTER I take my rings off, another story), pat onto greased cookie sheets & bake at 325 for 1 hour. After 1 hour turn oven off, crack oven door & allow cookies to cool in oven. Break into whatever size you want .
These freeze really well. My guys love these, they sit in front of the oven waiting.
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May 1st, 2007
