Category Archives: Health

Grooming your Puppy for the First Time

Posted on by

All good dog owners know that grooming isn’t just about primping your pet to look cute; it’s also about maintaining good health.

The first time you groom your puppy is an important occasion that requires careful preparation and dedication. Don’t be put off by your inexperience; it’s easy to do once you know how. If you approach the situation armed with good advice and confidence, all will go smoothly for you and your furry friend.

Puppies are obviously going to be more challenging to groom than an older dog, and the first grooming experience is much like a child’s first haircut, i.e. expect some tears and tantrums!

Grooming Preparation:
In the weeks before grooming, concentrate on building a positive relationship with your puppy and ensure he is as comfortable as possible with touch and being handled in anyway. This is probably the most important thing you can do to prepare for grooming. Your aim is to make each session a calming, bonding experience.

You can practice this with positive reinforcement whenever you feed your puppy from your hand; stroke your puppy as it is lying down and gradually teach that being held by you is not dangerous.

Create a friendly environment so that your puppy immediately knows that whatever is about to happen is safe and enjoyable. Show affection with petting and soothing words so that the puppy is relaxed.

Keep your first groom session short, that way the puppy won’t misbehave and when you are ready for a second session, your puppy will be more used to the process and you can gradually go for longer each time.

Keep your puppy loosely restrained so that you can maintain your control without frightening him is also important.

Bath Time
Begin with a nice, relaxing bath using puppy shampoo and conditioner. Take care not to get soap in the puppy’s eyes. To really put your dog at ease, you can give it a massage as you work your way lathering down the back towards the tail and back legs.

Brushing
For the first session keep the brushing to a minimum. Be aware that any brushes, clippers and tools might alarm the puppy so show each brush or comb to the pup first before giving a treat as a reward. Do this a few times before then giving the puppy a few short strokes with the item. Be mindful of sensitive areas at first like inner legs and tail.

Clipping
Remember that clipping your dog’s claws is not the same as trimming your own nails. Cut at a 45-degree angle so as to avoid trimming the blood vessel that runs into the nail (which will be a painful experience for your dog if it gets cut by mistake!). You need to only cut the part of the nail that extends beyond this blood vessel known as a ‘quick.’

If unsure about clipping claws you should seek advice from a vet beforehand.

Grooming sessions at first should be short but done fairly often so that your puppy becomes accustomed to them and learns to associate them as just another fun activity to share with you.

Ruff Guide to a Dog Friendly Home

Posted on by

The silly grin and gentle tail wag from our furry friends never fail to brighten our day. Not only do dogs make excellent house pets, but they are also proven to make our lives happier. After all, all they do is makes us laugh and smile (except of course if they get a poop or pee accident!).

However, it’s not all about them making us happy, because we, as responsible dog owners should also bring back the favor to them. There are lots of ways you can do that, one of which is by making your home as dog-friendly as possible.

Let them roam freely and safely inside your house and backyard and giving them quick access to essentials like food and water goes a long way for your canine buddies. You can also give them toys to play on so that they won’t get bored and be destructive.

It’s all about ensuring that they stay healthy, both physically and emotionally. And take note, dogs have feelings too!

Well, some of you might think that having a dog is a walk-in-the-park — but it’s not.

It’s just like raising a child, except for the fact that it’s harder! But then again, it’s not a big problem because we’re going to help you become a responsible dog owner. As long as you love what you’re doing and you know what to do, then you’re on your way to raising your “super dog”.

Want to know more? If so, then scroll down to check out this creatively informative graphic from AXA. It’s a life saver!

Ruff Guide to a Dog Friendly Home

Is pet hair bad for your health?

Posted on by

Pet allergies explained
People with pet allergies are allergic to certain proteins found in dander, urine, feces, and saliva in common household animals, such as dogs and cats. The compromised immune system of those people leads to the release of IgE antigens (a type of protein) that attaches to the lining of the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes.

Furthermore, this will produce chemical reactions that result in inflammation and common allergy symptoms, including: wheezing, coughing, constricted airways, runny or congested nose, itchy throat, and watery and itchy eyes.

Pet allergiesAre pet allergies linked to asthma?
There is still a wide breadth of unexplained phenomenon between allergies and asthma in general. Not everything is known but it is assumed that chronic inflammation (from pet allergies, for example) can potentially lead to the development of asthma later on.

However, it is not a clean-cut piece of information and remains as a possible theory amongst a batch of contradicting information.

Can pets prevent allergies?
It is thought that early exposure to pet allergens can help reduce the risk of pet allergies in the future. Having a pet cat before the age of 18 can help decrease cat allergies while exposure before the age of one (in boys) to a pet dog can also do the same.

The possibility is there but further research is necessary to firmly confirm preliminary studies. Most will agree though that a bit of germs (and allergens) to boost immune systems may be quite helpful in the long run.

Can pets prevent allergies

How do I know if I have pet allergies?
You may start suspecting pet allergies if you suffer from any of the previously mentioned symptoms while being around animals. You may also notice that those symptoms are gone or find relief soon after avoiding contact from pets.

The only real medical way of knowing what you are allergic to is by having an allergy test done. It is recommended that this test be done as soon as symptoms are bothersome in order to prevent chronic inflammation (and thereby, asthma or asthma attacks).

Treatment plan for pet allergies
The best treatment plan for pet allergies is removing the pet and avoiding them in future situations. If you are a big animal lover and insist on having a pet in the house, ignoring your allergies, then you can take other precautionary steps to help ease symptoms.

The most important is not allowing pets to sleep in your bedroom, and especially not in your bed. Keep the bedroom door closed at all times to avoid their unwanted proteins from contaminating your area.

Pet hair and other substances will get transferred anywhere so it is important to remove upholstery (or clean it daily) and/or prevent pets from getting on them. Your pets will have to undergo a proper bath at least every week to keep potential allergens at bay. Another option can be the use of special air filters to reduce airborne allergens.

An easy but non-natural solution can also be prescribed medication. Certain medications will help prevent allergy symptoms or asthma attacks, such as antihistamines. If you happen to have any type of allergy, it is always wise to work with your medical physician and come up with an effective treatment plan together accordingly.

Treatment plan for pet allergies

Does ingested pet hair cause health issues?
Contrary to popular belief, ingested pet hair does not cause health issues. Pet hair actually has a similar structure to human hair, being made of mainly keratin, which cannot be digested by the human body.

Rumor has it that pet hair may travel to other organs but this is simply not true. Someone will have to ingest plenty of pet hair in order for health issues to develop and this highly unlikely.

Should I consider having a pet?
The benefits of having a pet far outweigh the possible side effects in most cases. It has been scientifically proven that pets bring comfort, help heal, and increase happiness in owners. They are a wonderful addition to any family and can contribute to a person’s overall wellbeing.

However, if you already suffer from pet allergies and your symptoms are uncontrollable, it might be best to not own any four-legged creatures. At the end of day, it is a personal decision (based on many factors, excluding health reasons) that will ultimately decide this answer.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Harmful to Dogs?

Posted on by

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar that is manufactured from the fermentation of apple cider. It involves the breakdown of sugars in food substances using yeast and bacteria. The process starts with the conversion of sugars to alcohol and then the solution is fermented further to vinegar.

Over the years, most people believe that apple cider vinegar is rich with enzymes and nutrients that are fundamentally important to humans. But the question is: are these properties also beneficial to dogs?

Let’s start by saying that apple cider vinegar isn’t harmful to your dog. To give you a better understanding, we are going to discuss the various ways through which apple cider vinegar might actually be an excellent addition to your dog’s cleaning and feeding routines.

Why is Apple Cider Vinegar Beneficial to Dogs?
Research has shown that apple cider vinegar has a couple of nutritional and health benefits to your dog. Below are some of them;

1. Improves the Digestion of Your Dog
The first question that runs through your mind is; can my dog consume apple cider vinegar? Will it harm my dog? Well, ACV might be safe for consumption by the dog but you really need to be careful with the amounts you administer.

The natural ingredients in apple cider vinegar will improve the digestion of your pooch by reducing bloating or gas, but it’s advisable to give her the ACV in controlled amounts. That is because too much of the ACV will lead to stomach upsets and other related health complications.

All in all, ACV is great addition for dogs suffering from diarrhea or constipation. But you should note that a portion of plain apple cider vinegar will be as uncomfortable to dogs as it is to humans. In that case, you should add a few drops of this ingredient to water before giving it to your dog. It’s also best that you look for raw apple cider vinegar than the commercial produced one for better results.

2. Prevents and Cures UTIs
So far, there has not been any evidence showing apple cider vinegar can cure UTIs. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend this ingredient as a first resort to any urinary infection in dogs. However, some of the dog owners say that using apple cider vinegar on their dogs on a daily basis has prevented urinary tract infections.

When there is too much alkalinity in the urinary tract, it allows the entry and growth of bacteria. Therefore, it’s only logical that the acidity in the apple cider vinegar will balance out the alkalinity hence reducing the UTI infection. However, before settling for the ACV in treating the unrinary tract infections, please contact your vet.

3. Prevents and Cures Ear Infections
Most people use apple cider vinegar to flash out debris out of their dog’s ear. During summer, your dog is likely to get a brown sludge or debris stuck out in her ears especially after a long day in the pool or the sea swimming and diving. However, with apple cider vinegar, you can take care of such an infection easily.

You only need to dip a piece of cloth in a solution of ACV and plenty of water. But before use, you should consult with your vet because if her ears have any open wounds or any bleeding, the use of apple cider vinegar might worsen the state. Also, you should monitor your dog closely after every use. In case you notice that she is excessively scratching her ears, you should stop using the apple cider vinegar immediately.

4. Clears Any Yeast Infections
Malassezia primarily causes yeast infections on the skin or gut of your animal. The immune system of your pooch is always alert and keeps the numbers of this fungus in check. However, the stress in her immune system might at times be too much, and causing the fungus to overgrow.

In that case, you will need an additional treatment in order to reduce the numbers of the fungi. Yeast infection causes irritation of the skin, constant licking on the affected areas, smelly skin, foul-smelling discharge from the ears and head-shaking among other symptoms. All these symptoms will make your pooch really uncomfortable.

Fortunately, apple cider vinegar can get rid of the yeast infections completely after a few uses. But, as I keep on insisting, you should consult with your vet before choosing this type of remedy.

5. Eases Pain in the Joints
Apple cider vinegar is also a good home remedy for joint pains which are majorly caused by arthritis. Arthritis is a disease that is caused by deposition of calcium in the joints especially when your dog is getting older. These calcium deposits may cause stiffness as well as discomfort to your dog.

When your dog ingests apple cider vinegar, it will help her breakdown the calcium deposits hence relieving the pain and discomfort. If you add apple cider vinegar in your dog’s water, remember to measure one teaspoon for every 50 pounds of your dog’s weight.

More to that, always avail plain water next to the water with apple cider vinegar. That is because dogs may drink less water when it is mixed with ACV. The plain water will help prevent dehydration and ease the burning sensation from the ACV.

Precautions and How to Administer Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Dog
As you have figured by now, not all vinegars are good for your dog’s health. Don’t use any clear vinegar from the supermarket since they are considered ‘dead’. That means the vinegar doesn’t contain any enzymes and any other ingredients found in the raw apple cider vinegar. Therefore you might end up doing more harm than good to your dog.
The best vinegar is the raw apple cider vinegar. You can either use it to rinse your dog’s ears in case of an ear infection, spray where she sleeps to get rid of fleas or simply mix it in her drinking water to help with ingestion problems.

You can also mix the apple cider vinegar with honey if you plan on adding it in your dog’s drinking water in the bowl.

That way, she will take the water with much ease and heal any of her joint problems quickly. It is important to consult first with your vet so that you know whether of or not apple cider vinegar is safe for your dog.

Kyra pets

How to Find Best Pet Insurance For your Pet and What Should You Know Before Buying?

Posted on by

When we adopt a pet, we know for the matter of fact that it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason: They bring happiness and joy and optimism. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.
We find a friend in them and unconditional love. So, to protect these amazing animals in their times of sickness or injury and to give them the best medical aid, it is imperative to avail Pet Insurance.

Pet insurance

What do pet insurances do?
The first question comes on our mind Is Pet insurance necessary? The Pet insurance schemes cover all veterinary expenses incurred for the treatment of a pet who has suffered an injury or is sick. Some pet insurance plans along with death cover also cover the loss of the pet that is insured. These benefits help pet owners to eliminate the risk of high expenditures on medical treatment of the pet and protect its valuable life by giving the best treatment.

Features and Benefits of a good Pet Insurance:
Customized plans – Pet insurance plans are customizable according to the needs and available for pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, etc. Know here how to find an insurance company.

Sum Assured – Generally, the sum assured on pet insurance products, varies from £500 to £750. This depends on the factors like the breed of the pet and other related considerations.

Add-On Cover – Some insurance providers like Future Generali insurance offer add-on benefits and covers as well for the base policy, such as loss of show entry fee. This cover is meant to offer for the forfeit of entry fee when the pet cannot make it to the show due to an injury or sickness.

Third Party Liability – Third party liability cover is also offered by some pet insurance policies, in the unlikely event that your pet attacks a third party and causes any damage to third party property.

Types of Cover – There are three major types of pet insurance cover.

Lifetime cover
Time-limited cover
Money-limit cover

What does pet insurance cover?
These policies cover the following
Accidental Death
Illness contracted or injury suffered while the policy is in effect
Full Treatment expenses of the pet.
An accident of the pet insured while in transit via rail, air or road.
Loss or theft of the pet insured
Incapacitation
Accidental poisoning
Any Third Party Liability

Factors considered in Calculations of premiums for Pet insurances:
Age of animal
The breed and type of animals
Health condition of the animal
Exotic animals will have a higher premium rate
The location of your house and the prevailing climatic conditions

A good pet insurance covers pet’s treatment at the vet, covers the vaccinations that need to be given to the pets for protection, the life cover of the pet.
Home is not a home without a pet. So, ensure your happiness with pet insurance.

5 Most Common Dog Health Issues To Be Aware Of

Posted on by

When you take care of your dog, you are rewarded with friendship, loyalty and unconditional love. As well as ensuring they are well fed and exercised; it also involves safety when handling and housing them, but also carefully monitoring their health over time.
However, it is not always easy as it can be stressful when your dog is ill and suffering. To help give you a greater understanding of what is happening, there are five common health issues that you should be aware of.

Diarrhea
Although it is not a disease, diarrhea is more a symptom of an underlying condition. This could be something very short term and acute and related to their diet. It is likely to pass by quickly.
You need to look our for other symptoms though, such as vomiting or if they are feel uneasy, lethargic and have lost their appetite.
Diarrhea could be a sign of a more serious illness. Look out for recurrences and make water readily available. If the diarrhea doesn’t pass and your dog shows signs of other symptoms, it could be a move serious condition. In this situation, take them to your local vet.

dog ear cleaner

Ear Infections
Your dog may have an ear infection if they are shaking or tilting their head a lot. Another symptom or sign is rubbing or scratching their ear. If you see your dog doing any of these things, take a closer look around their ears for redness, swelling or discharge. Also check for any bad odors and if there is a combination of any of these symptoms, it is possible your dog has an ear infection and needs to take a trip to your vets.
Dogs commonly suffer from ear infections, particularly breeds with ears that flop. As their ear canals are vertical, it makes them much more susceptible to contracting infections, as it makes it east for microorganisms, foreign objects and unclean water getting trapped. All of which can cause infections.
Your vet or animal hospital will need a swab taken from the area and inspect their inner ear. Insecticide, antibiotics and fungicides can be used to treat ear infections, depending on what caused them. You could also make sure that you have some ear dog-ear cleaning products in at home to make sure their ears are always clean.

Fleas
Fleas are incredibly common are very easy to spot. The first thing to look out for is your dog biting, licking or scratching at their coat or skin. If they have an infestation that has gone on for a long time unnoticed, this might become clearer if you notice skin irritation and abrasion signs or the loss of fur. Check your dog’s coat regularly for fleas, looking out for dark droppings and eggs. Around the ears, the neck and tail base are the most common areas.
Vets will provide your dog with an oral treatment if it is a more serious infestation. A simple flea treatment in the form of a liquid can be applied to your dog’s skin, which deters adults from staying on your dog’s body. Along with treating your dog, you need to also think about the environment they live in and if possible, remove or replace bedding and vacuum around the places they frequent, disposing of the dust collected carefully.
After treating your dog’s flea problem, make a habit of using spot-on treatment every 4 to 8 weeks to prevent a recurrence. As flea’s lay eggs that mature, the cycle begins once again, so break this cycle.

Hot Spots
The first sign you may be aware of with hot spots is a small area of irritation in the form of an insect bite. That small issue can become worse if your dog scratches or itches around the offending area.
In time, this can develop into what is known as a hot spot, also referred to as acute moist dermatitis. Hot spots are irritated, moist skin, that can sometimes ooze and cause matted hair. Other causes for hot spots can be something dog’s environment, poor grooming, fleas or allergic reactions. When your dog suffer from this, they will scratch and itch at it until it worsens and causes a more serious irritation of the skin, which can lead to nasty infections if untreated.
Treating hot spots normally involves having your dog’s matted hair clipped, cleaned and dried sufficiently. Then applying a light disinfectant. If there are severe hot spots, cortisone can be applied. Your vet will be able to advise what is the best course of action.

Vomiting
Although if your dog vomits on occasion, this is not anything you should be worried about, especially if they are an otherwise healthy animal. However, if you it appears that your dog is vomiting more often, it is important to be on the lookout for more symptoms of distress and discomfort. It may be that normal dietary issues cause vomiting.
Be sure to look for sings of diarrhoea, blood or any other changes in your dog’s behavior, as these can all be signs of more serious problems. Vomiting is caused by various diseases, toxins and even infections. Therefore, if it persists, it is a good time to visit the vets.

dog health

4 Reasons Why Your Dog Should Wear a Flea Collar

Posted on by

Fleas are exceptionally hardy creatures. Even if you manage to kill all the adult fleas with the most expensive flea medication in the market, you’re actually only addressing 5 per cent of the problem. This is because 95% of fleas are eggs, larvae, or pupae. It is for this reason that effective flea control requires a more holistic approach, preferably one that includes a variety of treatment modalities to help arrest the growth and development of these immature fleas and put a stop to their life cycle. One of the things you really should consider putting on your pet dog is a flea collar. And here are 4 reasons why your dog should wear a flea collar.

flea collars

It is effective in killing and repelling not only fleas but also ticks, lice, and other bugs
Most flea collars act in two ways. First they kill fleas within the first 24 hours of application. Some products can actually start killing the little pests within 12 hours after the initial application. What this simply means is that if your pooch already has fleas, you can expect that 80 to 90 per cent of the insects will be done for within the first 24 hours. Give it another day and the extermination should already be complete.

However, since your pooch will not be confined to a particularly zero-flea area, there is always the possibility of other fleas from the external environment crawling up onto your pet. Depending on the mechanism of the best flea collars that you’ll be using on your pooch, you can prevent this from occurring. A different active ingredient may serve as a repellent for these bugs that they will never go anywhere near your beloved dog.

With this combination of insecticidal and insect-repellent properties of flea collars, you are ensuring the best possible flea solution for your pet. But that is actually not everything because the best products in the market also happen to have a broad spectrum of activity. These are fully capable of killing and repelling ticks, lice, and other organisms as well.

It is much easier and less invasive to use on your dog.
Compared to spot-on flea medications, putting a flea collar on your dog is very easy. It is as simple as, well, putting on a collar. Spot-on topical applications will require you to meticulously part your dog’s fur so that you are going to apply the medication onto its skin and not on its fur. The same is true with medicated flea shampoos. You will have to massage the formulation onto your dog’s skin to make sure that the active ingredients don’t just stay on your pet’s coat. For tablet flea medications, you do know how challenging it can be to shove a large pill down your pet’s throat.

It can work almost all-year round
Topical flea medications have a maximum insecticidal effect that lasts about a month, some as long as 3 months. On the other hand, some of the best flea collars can work up to an amazing 8 months, although 3 to 6 months is the usual norm. With this in mind, you can actually use a single flea collar to last the entire flea season and even further.

It is more practical
This is a natural outcome of the lengthy insecticidal effect of flea collars. A monthly application of topical flea medications means 12 units of the product. A 6-monthly application of a flea collar means you only get to buy this product twice a year.

Flea collars are effective only against fleas that are already on your pooch. That’s why it should be made part of a more comprehensive approach to flea management and not be made as the sole treatment.

flea collars

Dog poo on beaches

Posted on by
Reply

Hundreds of bags of dog poo have been found on the UK’s beaches according to the Marine Conservations Society’s 2016 research; with 792 bags recorded at 364 beaches by volunteers over the Great British Beach Clean weekend in September last year. However these numbers don’t show the full scale of the problem; beach clean volunteers do not record unbagged waste therefore the total amount of dog poo left by some owners on our beautiful beaches remains unknown.

Dog poo on beaches

Many people believe that leaving dog poo on the beach is OK because the tide washes it away, however this natural disposal technique isn’t the best thing for our beautiful beaches and seas. Bacteria present in dog poo is potentially harmful to beach users and can affect water quality.

That’s why organisations and campaigns from across the UK are uniting this week for #binit4beaches; a campaign focused on reducing pollution and litter at the beach and calling for dog owners to help with ongoing improvements.

Millions of people head to the UK’s beaches to relax, paddle and swim every year and we want water quality to be the best it can be. Last year 98.5% of the UK’s bathing waters met the tough minimum standards. By working together, we can continue to help protect and improve water quality. So, if you visit the beach with your dog please do your bit to help by bagging and binning your dog poo, making the beach safe for everyone to enjoy.

10 Things All Dog Owners Should Know About Lungworm

Posted on by
Reply

You may have heard lungworm being discussed by other dog owners in the park or even seen posters in the vet waiting room. But what actually is lungworm, what are the symptoms of lungworm in dogs and what is the best treatment for lungworm?

1. Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a parasite that can cause serious health problems in dogs and can even be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early enough.

2. Slugs and snails carry the lungworm larvae which means dogs can become infected when they accidentally eat these common garden pests, or their infected slime.1

3. A recent survey of UK vets by Bayer, experts in parasitology, indicates that the vast majority (66%) have experienced a case of lungworm in their practice within the last year.2

4. Dogs of all ages and breeds can become infected with lungworm, but younger dogs are more likely to contract the parasite, due to their inquisitive nature and new owners not knowing enough about the risks of the parasite. The average age of affected animals is between just 10 and 14 months.3,4

5. If your dog likes to rummage through undergrowth, eat grass, drink from puddles or outdoor water bowls then speak to your vet about preventative treatment. Be careful about leaving your dog’s toys outside too as slugs and snails can be attracted to them.

6. Spring and autumn are peak times for slugs and snails due to the wet and mild conditions. It is important to be extra vigilant around these times.

7. Lungworm infection can result in a number of different signs in your dog which may be confused with other illnesses. However, some dogs will not show any signs.

8. Not all worming treatments cover lungworm. Only monthly prevention with products available on prescription from your vet will protect dogs against the parasite; use only every three months leaves dogs at risk of disease and even death.

9. Lungworm is now endemic throughout much of the UK, according to a study by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College, one in five veterinary practices in the UK have reported at least one clinical case in a dog.

10. To find out whether lungworm is in your area, search by postcode at https://mypetandi.bayer.com/uk/lungworm/campaign-about-lungworm/

1. Conboy et al. WAAVP 2015
2. Survey of 300 UK Vets, conducted by Bryter in March 2017.
3. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in 23 dogs (1999-2002), P. S. Chapman et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice (2004) 45, 435–440
4. Spatial, demographic and clinical patterns of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in the dog population of Southern England, T. R. W. Blehaut et al., Veterinary Record (2014) doi: 10.1136/vr.102186

How to Stop Your Dog from Peeing on the Carpet Now

Posted on by
Reply

Dogs may be adorable creatures and keeping them indoors can be such a joy. Giving them food through an automatic pet feeder would be convenient too. So, even when you are out, you don’t need to worry that they will get hungry.
While dogs are great security guards for your home, they can be naughty from time to time though, so you need to prepare yourself for when they misbehave. There are times when it’s hard to keep them in control. Sometimes, they will mess up with the pet water fountain or run around your home like crazy in the name of fun.
There are times, however, when their antics become destructive. Some dogs love peeing in the wrong places like your carpet. The last thing you want to end up with is a carpet that is stinking of dog urine.
If your dog thinks that the carpet is the perfect place to pee, you need to do something about it quickly or else you will tolerate this bad habit. What’s the best way to discourage your canine to do answer the call of nature by peeing on the carpet?

Here are 4 things that you can do to address that behavior:

Potty Training
There’s no denying that a dog needs to be reminded that it should be peeing in the right place. One way to make sure that your dog knows this is to start potty training. Teaching your canine about proper behavior is a must if you do not want to end up cleaning the carpet over and over because your pet considers it as his bathroom.
Potty training will help your dog realize that there is a right place to pee. This means that it would be easier to teach your dog about the right place to poop. So, if you have a dog that has not been housebroken yet, this may be a good choice.
Potty training is all about teaching your dog that there is a place to poop. The most effective way to accomplish this is through positive reinforcement and by rewarding your pet. Taking your pet outside to a regular spot to pee or poop is the best choice to do this so that next time, they will know what to do.

Crate training
Another choice for making sure that your carpet will not suffer from more accidents is through crate training. Keeping your pet in a crate and letting them out when they have to go is easier and less dangerous when they are in a crate. Just a word of caution, this is not the magical answer to all dog problems.
Housetraining is best done using crates although there are differences in opinion about that among dog owners. Some people find this to be an inhuman way to treat canines since the animals are placed in captivity. Although you can put a dog in a crate when you are out, it’s not recommended since dogs tend to feel depressed when you leave them alone for long periods of time.
Crate training is a means of making sure that the newest addition to the canines in your family will not destroy your house. However, you should never consider this as an option when you are dealing with puppies that are less than six months old. The maximum number of hours that you can leave your pets in a crate is just four hours, so always keep that fact in mind.

dog peeing on carpet

Clean carpets to remove any trace of pee
Dogs have a good sense of smell. This is one of the reasons why they are such a valuable companion when you are hunting and tracking. This same ability can backfire when you are training your dog to stop peeing on the carpet.
Once your dog already peed on your carpet, they will leave their scent in there. If they get a whiff of that smell and they get the urge to pee, they tend to do the deed in a place that smells just like pee to them. So, if there are still traces of pee smell on the carpet, they will love to pee in there as much as they want.
You also need to keep in mind that just because you can’t smell the pee, it’s not there. Make sure that the carpets are cleaned thoroughly so that your dog will not get the urge to continue peeing on it. Although it’s good to use homemade solutions, always make sure to get the scent totally gone or else your carpet could still be in danger.

Hire professional dog trainers
If you have done everything that you possibly can but your dog is still peeing on your carpet, you might be feeling quite frustrated by now. Don’t worry, there are still choices that are open to you. You can always look to professionals for help. These people are the best choices that you have when it comes to understanding dogs and their behavior.

When things seem to be too hard to handle and your dog just won’t budge, there could be a bigger problem. Professionals can help you in this aspect and they might even assist you in handling your dog and making it obey you. This may be a costly option but it would totally pay off.
Dogs that keep on urinating on the carpet can be a huge source of frustration. If this is one of your struggles, try to look into these suggestions.
Did you ever own a dog that kept on urinating on the carpet? What did you do? Tell us all about it in the comments section and be sure to share this with your friends if you found it useful.

BIO:
My name is Diana Hutchinson. I am the founder of Tinpaw.com.
I have more than 10-years’ experience in nurturing and caring cats & dogs. I love them. Since long ago they had been become important members of my family.