Category: Behavior

If your dog is lying down while eating, it could be due to a medical condition that makes it painful to bend his neck down to the bowl. If it’s a tall dog, it could simply be uncomfortable to stretch his neck down to reach a bowl on the floor. If the behavior started suddenly, you should schedule a visit with your vet to rule out an underlying medical condition.

What To Do Next If Your Dog Eats Lying Down 

As mentioned above, if your dog suddenly starts to eat lying down, you should bring him to the vet to rule out problems such as arthritis or joint pain. If you suspect discomfort may be the issue, you can try to curb the behavior by purchasing a raised bowl that makes it easier for your pet to eat standing up.

If there is no medical condition, is it really a problem if dogs eat lying down? Not usually. In the wild, dogs are often seen lying down why eating prey and domesticated dogs often enjoy a treat lying down.

While eating meals in that position isn’t common, it’s not necessarily cause for concern once a medical condition is ruled out.

In order to get a dog to stop whining, you’ll need to figure out why he is being vocal. Dogs use whining to communicate, so if you learn what your dog is trying to tell you, you’ll be better able to stop the whining. That doesn’t mean you’ll give him whatever he wants when he whines—that could only make the problem worse—but it means you’ll be able to figure out a way to tackle the issue. 

Possible Reasons Your Dog Is Whining 

There are many reasons your dog may be whining. Here are a few examples of why dogs whine:

He’s not feeling well.

A visit to the vet may be in order if the whining started suddenly. 

He’s in a new environment (i.e. when you first bring a puppy home).

Normally, the whining will stop once the puppy realizes he is safe.

He needs to go outside.

Some dogs whine when they need to relieve themselves.

He wants something such as more food or a treat.

Don’t reward whining with a treat. Instead, wait until your dog is quiet and then give him the treat.

He wants to play or go for a walk.

As with giving food or treats, wait until your dog stops whining before getting his leash or tossing the ball around.

He’s trying to alert you to something.

If he’s whining and trying to lead you to a certain spot, he’s likely trying to alert you to something. Check things out. Once your dog sees you’re not concerned, he’ll probably calm down. 

Keep in mind that whining is communicating. If you can figure out what your dog is trying to say, you’ll be better equipped to stop him from whining. 

It is not cruel to crate a dog at night as long as he is properly crate trained, enjoys being in his crate, has had plenty of out-of-crate time during the day, and was given a potty break before going to sleep.

How Long Should I Crate My Dog?  

As a rule of thumb, your dog should not be crated for more than 8 hours without a break. Older dogs or puppies will need more frequent breaks. Also, they shouldn’t be spending the majority of the time in a crate. If you crate your dog during the day and then again at night, consider doggy daycare or a pet sitter as an alternative for the daytime. This way, your pup won’t be spending all his time crated.

A Safe Space For Your Pet 

Crating is useful for training because it draws on your dog’s natural instinct to be in a den. For that reason, if your dog is properly crate trained, the crate will be a comfortable place that he likes spending time and where he feels safe. 

Another option once your dog is trained to act properly in your home is leaving the crate door open so he can come and go as he likes. This allows him to have his comfortable “den” without being forcibly confined for most of the day.

It is not cruel to crate your dog at night. In fact, many dogs happily enter their crate at night and enjoy the safety the space provides. 

Citrus and vinegar are examples of smells that deter dogs. When you’re looking for a way to keep your dog away from certain areas in and around your home, one effective method may be applying a scent that dogs don’t like. There are many things you can try, but it may take some trial and error to figure out which deterrents will be most effective with your pets.

Some Deterrents Are Dangerous 

When searching for ways to deter dogs, keep in mind that some suggested methods can be dangerous to pets. These include ammonia, some essential oils, and citronella. Since there is so much conflicting information online, it’s a good idea to check with your vet if you’re not sure if a particular item is safe.

Examples of safe deterrents include:

• Citrus Peels: You might love the smell of a fresh orange or other citrus fruits, but your dog doesn’t. To try this simple, natural solution, simply pulse citrus peels in a food processor to release the oils and sprinkle them around the area of your yard you want to keep dog-free. You can also bury the peels under some mulch to keep them in place.
• Vinegar Sprays: Fill a spray bottle with water and add two or three tablespoons of vinegar. You can also place vinegar-soaked cotton balls around the forbidden areas. If you don’t mind the smell, you can also use the vinegar-soaked cotton balls indoors. 

Another option is to purchase repellent sprays that are available at most retail pet stores. If the natural remedies and store-bought sprays don’t seem to work, seek advice from a reliable animal behaviorist who will be able to give you tips about curbing unwanted behaviors.

Whether you’re trying to keep dogs from stomping through your garden or from jumping on the furniture, with a little patience, you’ll find the solutions you need.   

An apartment complex cannot deny an emotional support animal (ESA) that provides support directly relating to a mental or emotional disability of the owner. While emotional support animals are not afforded the same widespread protections as service dogs, housing is an area in which there is legal protections in place. Even if a complex has a no-pet policy, a waiver must be granted in most cases once documentation is provided.

Providing Documentation 

Getting the needed document is pretty straightforward. You’ll just need a letter from a licensed therapist or other mental health professional. If the landlord still refuses, you can file a discrimination complaint with HUD or get a lawyer involved.

Some landlords think they are not required to provide accommodations for an ESA in the same way they are for a service dog, so sometimes it only takes educating them on the laws to get them to comply.

Note that while the landlord should not charge you a pet deposit, you will be responsible for any damage caused by the ESA.

Service Animal vs. ESA 

It’s also important for those with an ESA or those planning to get one to understand that protections for an ESA only pertain to housing and air travel. Unlike a service dog, an ESA may not be welcome in restaurants and other rehome_legacy places while a service dog must be allowed anywhere open to the rehome_legacy.

Exceptions to the Rule 

Most rental properties must allow your emotional support animal, but there are some exceptions:

• Single-family homes rented without the help of a broker
• Buildings with four or fewer units and in which the landlord occupies one 

The laws change from time to time, so it’s important to know your rights before you begin your search for the perfect rental.  

Most dogs should not be crated for more than 8 hours at a time, and the length of time is shorter for older dogs and puppies. Also, you shouldn’t have your dog spend most of the time in a crate, even if you give him frequent breaks. Dogs are social and need to be around their people, so it’s not ideal to have them crated all the time.

Proper Crate Training Is A Must 

Crates are a great tool when house-training a dog as it draws on their natural instinct to spend time in a den. When proper crate training is implemented, the dog will view the crate a safe and comfortable space. That’s definitely what you want if you plan to crate your dog while you’re away. 

How Much Time is Too Much Time in a Crate? 

If you’re crating your dog while you’re at work all day and then crating him again all night, it’s too much. If you feel you must crate the dog while you’re at work, allow him out once you get home and overnight. Another solution is to bring your dog to doggy daycare during the day so he is supervised, but not confined to a crate or to hire a dog walker or have a friend or family come over to take your dog out for a mid-day potty break.

Crating too much is a quality of life issue for your dog, and his physical well-being and emotional well-being must be considered when deciding how often to crate.

How Long Can Dogs Hold It? 

If you’re wondering how long dogs can go between potty breaks, the average is 4 to 6 hours, but older dogs and puppies may need more frequent breaks. If you’re gone longer than that during the day, consider installing a doggy door and not crating while you’re away, hiring a dog walker, or signing up for doggy daycare.

While there is no hard and fast rule about how long you can crate your dog, one answer is: no more than is necessary. Let your dog be part of the family as much as possible.  

In most cases, your doctor will recommend a tetanus shot after a dog bite if you haven’t had a tetanus shot within the past five years. While there are no statistics on how many cases of tetanus have passed from dogs to humans, and tetanus is rare in dogs, there is still a chance that a dog bite can transmit tetanus to humans. A dirty wound presents a higher risk, but your doctor is likely to order a tetanus shot for any bite that has broken the skin.

When To Get A Tetanus Shot 

Even if you’re able to clean up the wound yourself, you should still visit a doctor immediately after being bitten. Tetanus shots may need to be administered within 48 hours to be most effective. The doctor may discuss whether you need other treatment which may include antibiotics and, in some cases, rabies shots.

Why Do I Need A Tetanus Shot If The Disease Is Rare In Dogs? 

It’s rare—not unheard of. The mortality rate for tetanus is 30% and it’s more than 50% in patients over 60. That’s why administering the shot following a dog bite is standard procedure.

Symptoms of Tetanus 

If you did not get the shot and are worried you may have contracted tetanus from a dog bite, here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Jaw Cramping
• Involuntary Muscle Spasms
• Painful Stiffness
• Headache
• Seizures
• Fever
• Elevated Heart Rate 

The chances of contracting tetanus from a dog bite are slim, but out of an abundance of caution it is best to follow the advice of your doctor if he/she recommends getting a tetanus shot following a bite. 

Bark collars are cruel in that they inflict discomfort and/or pain as a method of stopping barking. There are better and more humane ways to deal with barking that don’t hurt your dog and also will address the root of the problem. Bark collars do not address the reason for the barking. Barking is a normal behavior, so punishing your pet for just being a dog is a cruel choice.

How Bark Collars Work 

Bark collars react to the sound of barking or the vibration of your dog’s vocal chords by spraying the dog with citronella, emitting a high pitched sound, or shocking the dog. All of these punishments fail to address the reason for the barking. In the best cases, they make the dog fearful and uncomfortable. In the worst cases, they cause pain.

Alternatives to Bark Collars 

Inflicting pain and discomfort shouldn’t be a method any pet owner is willing to try. Fortunately, there are plenty of humane ways to stop excessive barking such as: 

• Ignore It: If your dog is looking for attention by barking, ignore him completely. Don’t say “no.” Don’t act annoyed. Just walk away. When the barking stops, give your dog the attention he craves. He’ll learn to associate barking with being ignored and being quiet with getting attention.
• Find the Cause: If you can figure out what is triggering the barking, you can deal with that directly. For example, if he barks at people walking by, consider keeping him in a back room or blocking the windows during high traffic times of day.
• Professional Training: If the methods you try at home don’t do the trick, invest in professional training. You’ll learn how to use positive reinforcement to stop unwanted behavior.
  If you suspect the barking is due to separation anxiety, seek the help of a vet or animal behaviorist at once. The problem will only get worse if left untreated. 

Whatever is causing excessive barking, punishing your dog isn’t the way to go. Rather than inflicting pain with a bark collar, find a training method that is positive and healthy and that will bring out the best in your pet. 

To stop your dog from licking everything requires identifying the reason for the behavior, which can be either medical or behavioral. From there you’ll be able to either treat the medical condition or work on behavior modification. It’s important not to rule out a visit to the vet—especially if the behavior started suddenly.

Tips for Stopping Excessive Behavioral Licking 

Unlike cats who gracefully sit in the sun and silently groom themselves, the sound of a dog’s sloppy licking is enough to drive even the most patient pet owners a little crazy.

If your dog is licking everything and your vet has ruled out fleas, allergies, or another medical cause, the reason could be as simple as boredom or because the act calms him. Other dogs lick out of habit, when they are anxious, or, in the case of licking their owners, out of affection. If you’d like to curb this behavior, try:

• Training: So many pet behavior problems can be solved by training your dog to obey the “leave it!” command. Work on this so when you see your dog start to lick, one simple command will put a stop to it.
• Ignoring: Your dog could be licking just for attention. Try ignoring the behavior completely.
• Playtime: If boredom is the cause, extra playtime and daily long walks could be the cure.
• Bitter Spray: If the rest fails, you can try spraying the areas he licks with an unpleasant tasting spray that is designed to stop dogs from chewing and licking. Note that some dogs find some of these sprays to be pleasant, so you might have to try more than one. 

Obviously, the above won’t work if the reason is medical. Dogs who lick themselves excessively may be dealing with fleas, allergies, parasites, GI issues, or infections. Some dogs lick so much that they lose hair and create hotspots.

If your dog is licking floors, furniture and other objects, another possible medical cause is nausea as the licking can help to soothe that feeling. Once the underlying cause is treated, the behavior will stop pretty quickly.

Whether the cause is medical or behavioral, if your dog is licking to the point that he is damaging his skin, you’ll want to see your vet right away. Fortunately, licking isn’t usually harmful and it’s fairly easy to stop through some trial and error. 

 

Your dog may be barking at the wall because he hears animals or pests scurrying about or because he is experiencing cognitive dysfunction. The latter is more likely to occur when the dog is older. If he only focuses on one area of the wall, pests are more likely the cause while those with a medical problem typically stare and growl at various places on the wall.

So It’s Not Ghosts? 

The internet is fun. It’s given us dancing babies, social media, and information about how to tell if your dog barking at the wall is due to paranormal activity he’s sensing. The truth is that it’s much more likely that he hears mice or other animals or that he has a medical condition. Here’s what you need to do if you dog is barking at the wall:

Set Up An Appointment With The Vet

Anytime your pet exhibits strange behavior, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment just to rule out any medical concerns.

Call The Pest Control Company

If your pet is barking because some uninvited guests have taken up residence in your walls, the behavior will cease soon after they are removed. Call a humane pest control company that will safely relocate your visitors.

Another possible reason your dog may bark at the wall, especially if he’s never done it before, is because he senses an outside threat. Whatever the cause, it’s important not to ignore unusual behavior in your pet. Whether he’s trying to warn you, detects pests, or is suffering from a medical condition, it’s vital to address the underlying cause of barking at the wall.