Does your dog drink from the toilet? Does it make your skin crawl?
It may be because the toilet water is cooler and fresher than what is in the dog's water bowl. Think about it, the water in the toilet is changed several times a day. It's fresh! How about the dog's water bowl? Do you wash and refill it twice daily or do you just top it off as needed and wash it out only when it looks scummy?
Try having a number of bowls. Get in the habit of putting down a clean bowl with fresh water and picking up the old bowl and putting it in the dish washer. Just as you would for your own glasses. Your dog might like that water better and forget the toilet.
It's one of those things that make you say "Hmmmmm".
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Scent Marking vs. Potty Training
Does your adult dog still have accidents? Maybe its not potty training in the sense that your dog has to relieve himself. It may be insecurity.
Our modern domestic dog (Cannis Familiaris) is descended from wolves. Many of their behaviors are rooted in their wolf ancestry. Wolves in the wild are territorial. They feel safe when they are with their pack and in their established and marked territory. How is the territory "marked"? The alpha male and female use their urine as well as other scent glands to mark their pack's territory. See the equation? Marked territory = security.
An insecure or fearful dog may mark in your house. Its no accident. Ask yourself, does your dog act skiddish, wary, afraid of strangers, nervous, shy? He may be fear marking. If so you can solve the marking by boosting your dog's self confidence. You have to reestablish trust if you lost it between the two of you. If the fear comes from sources other than you, a family member, other pets, etc. you must address them.
Here are a few quick tips:
Don't physically punish your dog.
Establish a consistent daily routine such as sleep, eat, play, sleep, eat, play, etc... (in any order)
Wolf puppies lick their superiors lip's in a sign of submission and to gain acceptance. This equals security too. so let him plant a big sloppy one on you.
Desensitise your dog to any sources of fear. This requires a qualified trainer. There are books on the subject meant for experienced trainers. A novice can further traumatize the dog and make matters worse.
Our modern domestic dog (Cannis Familiaris) is descended from wolves. Many of their behaviors are rooted in their wolf ancestry. Wolves in the wild are territorial. They feel safe when they are with their pack and in their established and marked territory. How is the territory "marked"? The alpha male and female use their urine as well as other scent glands to mark their pack's territory. See the equation? Marked territory = security.
An insecure or fearful dog may mark in your house. Its no accident. Ask yourself, does your dog act skiddish, wary, afraid of strangers, nervous, shy? He may be fear marking. If so you can solve the marking by boosting your dog's self confidence. You have to reestablish trust if you lost it between the two of you. If the fear comes from sources other than you, a family member, other pets, etc. you must address them.
Here are a few quick tips:
Don't physically punish your dog.
Establish a consistent daily routine such as sleep, eat, play, sleep, eat, play, etc... (in any order)
Wolf puppies lick their superiors lip's in a sign of submission and to gain acceptance. This equals security too. so let him plant a big sloppy one on you.
Desensitise your dog to any sources of fear. This requires a qualified trainer. There are books on the subject meant for experienced trainers. A novice can further traumatize the dog and make matters worse.
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