DogBoy's Dog Blog

Humans do a lot of things that just drive dogs insane. We try to make our dogs act like humans, BUT they’re dogs.

Crates are “Comfy Caves” to your puppy, NOT the “Evil Cages” that they can be portrayed as. When crate training is done properly, there are tons of benefits it can provide for both dog and owner.

For dogs, parasites are just a fact of life. Even owners of indoor dogs aren’t safe from these persistent invaders. While it may seem like there’s no getting around these pests, you can definitely take steps to keep your dog safe.

Hiking with your dog is a great way to exercise, explore, and enjoy nature. Whether you were inspired by some awesome pictures of dogs camping, or just want to try something new that your dog will enjoy, here are some tips for how to hike safely with your dog.

Microchipping your dog can be the determining factor in whether your dog comes home safely after being lost. However, we know there’s a lot of hesitation that comes with putting your dog through any kind of invasive procedure.

Submissive urination is a fairly common problem, especially with smaller dogs and puppies. However, sometimes it can be difficult to determine if the urination is caused by other issues, such as:

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of  getting a new puppy. However, it is incredibly important that you take precautions and prepare for their arrival beforehand.

The first step towards soothing your dog’s upset stomach is to pay close attention to their symptoms. Every situation is different, and requires different methods to remedy the problem. So make sure you are keenly aware of what symptoms your dog is displaying in addition to their upset stomach.

Disclaimer: In this article we are discussing the use of invisible perimeter fences that shock dogs through an electronic collar. However, this is not a comment on the specific brand Invisible Fence.

Also, we want to say that we understand why some people see a need for using invisible shock collar fences in some very special circumstances. Some dogs just cannot be contained, and invisible shock collar fences are often looked to as the last resort for a desparate owner.

Finally, for the person that argues that you can use these types of "fences" with the collar only on a vibration mode, please note that most owners will "turn up the heat" in frustration when the more humane mode doesn't bring the desired result.

These fences are NOT recommended. In fact, invisible shock collar fences will more likely do your dog harm than good, and here’s why.

#1 Invisible Shock Collar Fences Confuse And Frighten Your Dog Instead Of Protecting Them

An underground electric fence administers a shock when the remote shock collar crosses the perimeter. You may understand why this shock is happening, but your dog won't.

Dogs lack the context to comprehend why they’re being shocked. All they know is that they are in pain for no apparent reason, and this creates fear and confusion in your puppy. Your dog may eventually start to associate the fence line, or the perimeter of your home, with pain and anxiety. This combination almost always leads to unwanted displacement behaviors in dogs.

Invisible shock collar fences can cause unanticipated behavioral and health problems that are difficult to reverse because of their reliance on fear and pain. An owner may forget to take the remote collar off before a trip, and their dog will be accidentally shocked as they leave. This sort of thing actually happens a lot more often than you might think.

If a dog is repeatedly subjected to pain without an apparent cause they will start to fear whatever they’re looking at, or sensing, when the shock occurs. It could be anything from:

• The car itself
• Grocery bags
• Your cologne
• You

Now, your dog may submissively urinate when they smell that cologne or they might be hesitant to get in the car (which will complicate every vet visit!).

We’ve all had this problem before. Your dog gets a wiff of some tasty human food, and now they’re glued next to the table at dinner time. Whether their begging is cute or not, the table scraps your dog wants are often unhealthy and possibly dangerous for them to eat.

Here’s how you can protect your dog from dangerous people food and get them to quit begging once and for all (even if it’s adorable).

# 1 - Don’t Ever Give Your Dog "Table Scraps"...Period.

The best way to stop your dog from begging is to never give them a reason to beg in the first place. Any time you feed your dog from the table, couch, counter, or wherever you prepare and eat your meals, you increase the likelihood of begging in the future. If you don’t ever feed them scraps from your plate, they’re less likely to think they can beg for food at all.

If your dog has started begging regardless of being fed from the table, the best thing to do is ignore them. It may seem cold or mean, but if you give your dog attention then you’re reinforcing the begging behavior. Moreover, if you continuously give in to their begging, they see the food as a reward for the behavior you don't want.

The better option is to just ignore them, and realize that it's better for you and your dog to not give in. Eventually, your dog will understand that the cold shoulder means no food and no attention. Then they will quit begging.

But, what should you do with the leftovers?