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All of us have seen or experienced it. You come home and your dog is so excited to see you that he jumps on you and knocks you off balance. While it may cute when the dog is a puppy, once they become adult, it can become a real issue.

Most dogs will jump on people at times. The frequency will vary with breed and by individual. One theory suggests that dogs use their nose and eyes to explore and that whenever they try to get close to a person’s face it is not to attack, but to interact.

If this theory is true, then one way to prevent jumping is to kneel down and interact with the dog at its level. Keep an eye out for excessive enthusiasm but let the dog explore your face. If you have taken the time to become the pack leader, you should not fear a bite by interacting in this way.

In the case of an older rescued dog, or an unknown dog, you should take proper precaution when using this technique. Keep a thumb inserted in the dog’s collar, just behind the neck and be prepared to jerk sideways, if necessary. Whenever possible, use a sideways jerk as opposed to a sharp pull backwards as the dog’s throat can easily be bruised. The movement is not meant to punish but to protect the owner and inform the dog.

You can also discourage jumping using off-leash training. Begin by having the dog stand in front of you. Using a sit command is very useful against jumping but your dog can’t sit all the time. Start the exercise with the dog standing as jumping usually follows standing or running.
Keep a close eye for any body tension that precedes jumping and when youyou’re your dog about to jump order a ‘sit’. At first, your dog will probably jump anyway. In that case, lift your leg slightly and bump the dog’s chest with your knee or thigh. At the same time, you want to thrust a palm near the dog’s face. Follow this by a sharp command: ‘off!’. (‘Down’ is a separate behavior.) Using a raised knee helps to keep the dog off and puts it off balance while the hand in the face both obscures its vision and discourages a repeat jump.

For more stubborn cases, enlist the help of a partner and do some leash training. Have your partner jerk sideways as you issue the ‘off!’ command as soon as the dog starts to leap. As you need to have the dog focus and obey you, you should issue the command, not your partner.
If you are working outside without the help of a partner, you can use a long leash wrapped around a tree or post. This will be more difficult and the jerk may be more back than to the side.
Another option is to use positive reinforcement techniques. With the use of a treat or a favorite toy, hold out the treat or toy above and slightly behind the dog’s head as soon as the dog starts to jump. This will distract the dog and puts it slightly off balance. It will also encourage a sit, just when the impulse was to jump.

Be patient and firm when training the ‘off’ command. Repetition and consistency are, as with any training, will be your key to success.  With time, most dogs will learn to control this natural behavior until and unless they receive permission to jump.

If you want to be successful in potty training your puppy, then you have to choose a tried and tested method. But not only that, you have to ensure you are committed – it’s the key to successful potty training. Keep in mind that it might take a few months before your dog is fully potty trained if you do not spend enough time training him in the beginning.

How to Start Potty Training Your Pup

Potty training a puppy is to a large extent reliant on a good daily routine. Like babies, a pup has to poo every hour, and pee every 15 to 20 minutes in the beginning. So it’s important that you learn when to take him to his potty spot (oh, you have to decide on one before you bring him home.

Usually you should take him to the toilet straight after a meal, when he wakes up after a nap, after extended periods of play and excitement, and before you take him to bed. Over and above that check with him every 15 to 20 minutes. Also, beware of the tell tale signs of him needing to go: restlessness, digging, going around in circles or sniffing. Once you see these signs, take him to his potty spot. He will get used to the idea that that is his designated potty area.

Unfortunately at least in the beginning you need to keep a constant eye on your puppy – or it will go anywhere. If you feel you have no time to spend with your puppy now, maybe look for an already potty trained pup, or postpone getting a puppy until you can get some solid time together.

How to Deal With Potty Accidents

Number one rule: do not hit or yell at your dog when he’s not gone to the potty spot you assigned him. Remember – he’s not doing this to spite you – he’s simply following nature. In these early days, if your pup relives himself in the wrong place it is more your fault than his – he’s just a puppy that’s learning…

If you catch him in the ‘act’ pick him up calmly and take him to his potty spot. Wait for him to finish there and tell him he’s a good boy. If his potty spot is just too far to take him to while urinating, then just leave him to finish (he’ll make less mess that way), then be more vigilant next time and take him to his potty more often.

Your puppy wants to please you – so be patient and he’ll soon learn where to go by himself with very little if any accidents.

Things You Need to Remember Before You Start Puppy Potty Training

As a last note, I would like to give you some pointers that will make potty training your puppy much easier:

• Dogs hate soiling their territory. It’s important to clean his potty spot often or he might just decide to go somewhere cleaner.

• Give him treats or praise whenever he poops on his designated area. Actions which are rewarded tend to be repeated.

• Follow a schedule. Feed your dog at the same time every day. This would make potty training easier and more convenient for you.

• Believe it or not what goes in will come out. So feeding your dog solid food will make his doos more solid and hence easier for you to clean up.

• Dogs need to go to the potty a few minutes after they wake up. So try to wake up at the same time your dog to minimize accidents.

• If do not have an open area to train, you can lay down papers on an area where your dog can relieve himself.

From then onwards, all you need to do is to make sure that your dog relieves himself in his designated area. You have to be consistent and patient, and soon your dog will know what to do, how and where to do it.

It happens every night. You settle in for a lovely slumber only to be interrupted by your cat pouncing on your bed as it looks for its own nice place to rest. Sure, this would not be a problem if he was quick about it, but 15 minutes later he settles down and now you are wide awake. To keep this from happening again, give your cat its own space to rest and relax by purchasing some lovely cat furniture for it.

Now, the type of cat furniture that would provide your pet with a fantastic spot to sleep the night away would be a kitty condo or cat house. This type of furnishing is made out of some type of wood that is then covered in fabric that is both durable and soft like carpeting. Usually it will be cylindrical in shape, has enclosed sleeping areas, and can be one or multiple levels high. So, if you have more than one cat, they can all share the condo at night. Another nice option for sleeping for your cat is a luxury cat bed, which is just as plush and soft as your own bed.

Along with providing your cat a nice place to take it easy, there are also other cat furniture options perfect for letting your cat play and release some of its pent up energy. For example, you can purchase a kitty gym for it that, like the kitty condo, can have multiple levels and is made out of a durable soft fabric. However, instead of just being cylindrical in shape, it will have multiple perch areas, juxtaposing towers and boards where your cat can climb and jump, enclosed towers, and they can even come with hanging toys built right into them. There are other furniture options too besides the kitty gym where your cat can have a good time and they include cat trees, scratching posts, and cat steps, which are also nice for helping your cat get around.

If your cat already has a spot to play and rest, but you are still searching for a way to pamper it, there are a number of lovely cat accessories that you can purchase for it that allow you to do just that. For example, you can your cat jewelry, a decorative food and water dish, a hideaway litter box, and a slew of toys. For a fast and easy way to browse all the different options, forget about jumping in your car and heading to the nearest pet store. Instead, just go on the Internet and do some comparison shopping. Just by the click of the mouse you can check out everything that is available and once you do find something you want, it is shipped right to your door. Now, it cannot get any more convenient than that.

So, if you want to keep your cat out of your bed at night, give it a place of its own by purchasing some cat furniture for it. By getting some today, you can enjoy a good night’s rest tomorrow.

The key to a happy and healthy relationship between you and your dog is good training. All dogs need to be trained to be obedient for their own health and well-being, just as much as making them manageable is easier for you.

Often, if dogs are not trained correctly, they will become unruly, aggressive and in some cases completely unmanageable. This is not just bad for the dog’s owner, it is also incredibly distressing for the dog. We humans intentionally bred only the submissive traits of wolves when creating the domesticated dog. Therefore, when it comes to leadership, it is not a role that our dogs feel comfortable in. However, all packs must have a leader and if its not you, then a dog will feel that it has to occupy the post even though it finds it confusing and stressful.

Moreover, a well-behaved dog is a pleasure to be around for all people, even non-dog lovers. Therefore, it is in everybody’s best interest to train your dog and ensure that he, or she, recognizes you as the boss.

The Basics of Training Your Dog

Because a dog is genetically programmed to want to please its master (you), the very best way of training is with positive reinforcement methods, such as clicker training, using treats as rewards or simply providing praise for good behavior. Almost all dog trainers recommend this approach to training rather than punishment of negative or naughty behavior.

It is advisable to begin training your dog as soon as possible. If you have a puppy, then training will be easy if you start from day one. However, even if you adopt an adult dog training is not difficult as long as you begin as you mean to go on. In other words, do not get carried away by the joy of having a new pet and spoil him, or her, because you will be making life difficult when it comes to enforcing rules. For example, if a house rule is no dogs on the furniture, make sure this is upheld from the day a new dog is welcomed into your home. Remember, mixed messages will simply confuse and distress a dog.

Manners All Dogs Should Have

Of course, each home will have its own rules. However, there are some basic rules that all dogs should abide by, partly for his, or her, safety, partly to reinforce your position as boss and partly to ensure that no visitors to the home are distressed by your dogs behavior. For example:

Dogs should never jump up on people – you may think of it as an affectionate way to greet you, but if a dog puts its paws on your shoulders, it is likely to think this is an acceptable thing to do to anyone who walks through the door and not everyone enjoys being leapt on. Additionally, jumping up to your height can be a gesture to challenge your authority, so it is advisable to make a dog wait patiently until you are ready to greet him, or her.

Dogs shouldn’t beg at the table – begging will often occur if your dog has been fed at or under the table in the past. Therefore, if you do not wish your dog to drool at the sight of you eating, do not offer him, or her, sneaky treats.

Dogs should never be possessive over bones or toys – In case your dog gets hold of something it shouldn’t, it is important that you are able to take any item away from him, or her. Moreover, this is a great way to establish your authority and gain your dog’s respect. Therefore, it is a good idea to take a favorite toy, bone or food away from your dog at random points when he, or she, is a puppy. This may seem a little cruel, but if the dog behaves well, you can replace the item straight away and give him, or her, lots of praise. If, on the other hand, the dog growls or is aggressive, you may need to take things from him, or her, more frequently and for longer periods. The aim is to get the dog to recognize all items as yours – you just let him, or her, play or chew them.

Obviously, these are just some of the things that a dog owner should consider. However, they are great foundations from which to expand your dogs training. If you are having difficulty with your dog, seek the advice of a animal trainer, behaviorist or veterinarian.

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