If you’re like many dog owners you may be plagued by unsightly yellow spots in your yard where your dog urinates.  Whether you’re a lawn fanatic or you’d simply like to have a nice-looking yard, here are some tips to help you get rid of these urine spots in your lawn.

Your dog’s urine is full of waste compounds but many of them are rich in nitrogen.  As you may already know, fertilizers are rich in nitrogen, too.  However, when your dog urinates on your grass it is simply too much in one place at one time.  Your dog’s urine essentially burns your lawn.  Instead of fertilizing the grass, your dog’s urine is overly concentrated.

There are several things you can do to overcome this problem.

If you are already fertilizing your lawn consider how much you’re fertilizing in the area where your dog potties.  It may help to cut back on fertilizer in this area slightly to decrease the overall amount of nitrogen in the soil.

Water your grass regularly.  If your dog has just urinated then flooding the spot with water will help dilute the urine and its nitrogen concentration.  It will be far less likely to burn the grass or cause any damage.  The area should continue to grow as normal.

If the spot on your lawn has been in place for a while then you can dig out the area and flush the soil with water to dilute the extra nitrogen.  Then reseed the spot or apply new sod.

Since you love your dog and you also want to keep your yard looking nice think about seeding your yard with a grass that is more resistant to urine spots.  Fescue and perennial rye grasses are less susceptible to damage from urine than other grasses.

You can also train your dog to use one particular area in your yard in order to keep the rest of your yard looking nice.  Use grave or mulch in this area so it’s easy to pick up and keep odor down.

Make sure your dog has access to water at all times.  By keeping your dog well-hydrated you will also keep his urine less concentrated and it will do less damage to your lawn.

Many people believe that the urine of female dogs does more damage to lawns than the urine of male dogs.  This may be because female dogs urinate in one place while male dogs tend to sprinkle a little everywhere.

Some people also prefer to walk their dogs to allow them to urinate elsewhere.  You may wish to consider this if it’s a possibility in your case, although it may not always be convenient.

If you follow these suggestions you should be able to eliminate all or most of the urine spots in your lawn.

Before you do any training with your dog remember that any time your dog is near the water he should be wearing a pet life jacket.  Dogs can drown just as people can.  A life jacket will keep your dog afloat in the water if she should fall overboard or if he should swim out too far.

You may also want your dog to wear a harness instead of a collar when he’s on the boat.  If your dog should fall in the water it can be much easier to try to haul him back into the boat if you have a harness to grab instead of just a collar.

Once your dog has the right gear you can start boat training your dog.  Some of your training will depend on the kind of boat you have but all dogs will need to know how to get on and off the boat safely.  This may entail the use of a ladder in some cases so show your dog how to use the ladder and help him up and down until he gets the idea.  With other boats your dog may be able to simply jump in and out of the boat.  Teach your dog to wait until the boat isn’t moving to avoid accidents.

It’s always a good idea to train your dog and practice with the boat tied up on shore or at a dock.  The water will be as shallow as possible and you’ll be able to help your dog easily if there are any problems.  You can gradually take the boat out into deeper waters as your dog gets more used to the boat and the water.

Do use the sit-stay command with your dog on the boat. If your dog is running around the boat a lot he’s more likely to lose his balance and fall into the water. The sit-stay command will keep him in one place and prevent accidents.

Many people worry about dogs potting on the boat.  This problem can be easily solved in two ways.  You can provide your dog with papers or a potty patch on the boat, if it’s large enough, and train your dog to use them the same way you would train him to use them in your house.  However, some dogs don’t like to potty on a boat and they will “hold it in” as long as possible.  You can solve this problem by teaching your dog to eliminate on command.  This isn’t really as difficult to train as you might think.  You’ll need to begin by taking your dog to the chosen spot to eliminate when you are sure he needs to go.  When he relieves himself you should give him the command such as “Go Potty!”  Then reward his success.  Do this each time he needs to relieve himself.  Even if he takes a few minutes to accomplish his task you should wait it out and stay until he has relieved himself. Then reward.  Make sure you use the command words.  If you do this each time your dog will quickly learn to relieve himself on command.

Boat training your dog will make it much safer to take him with you when you are out in the water.  If you follow these precautions then you and your boating budding will have a great time.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Sometimes I stop and consider what dogs probably think about.  What does a dog think when he sees a cat sitting in a window and the cat is teasing him?  I think I have a pretty good idea what the cat is thinking, but what does the dog want out of that encounter?

It really doesn’t matter when all is said and done.  That dog will chase that cat just as certainly as the cat will find a way to escape.  But, if you are a cat owner, or if you have cats in your neighborhood, then this kind of behavior can be annoying and even unsafe for both cats and dogs.

Why Do Dogs Chase Cats?

Dogs can chase cats for lots of different reasons.  Sometimes it’s an aggressive kind of chase, when they see a small, furry, active body trespassing on their territory.  In that case they want to chase the feline away.  Almost every time the cat will run off, and that means the dog will go on chasing it.

Other dogs may see cats as prey, but it’s usually a case of defending territory or protection.  There are cases where the dog is trying to play or become friends with the cat, but it doesn’t go well.  In some cases it may be the cat that is being territorial and the dog may take this as a challenge to his status.

These situations can all result in the dog having an extreme urge to hunt down the cat.  The cat can be injured and both animals can be put in danger.  There can also be a lot of noise.

Stop the Chase

When a dog is chasing a cat outdoors you probably won’t ever be able to fully control what’s happening.  When your dog chases a cat it’s much like when your dog chases a squirrel:  it’s just going to happen sometimes.  However, as long as you have a collar and leash on your dog he won’t be going anywhere or chasing anything.

When your dog is in the house, however, it’s a different story, and you can make some changes so your dog doesn’t chase the cat.  You can start by introducing the dog and the cat in a room together.  Your dog should stay on a leash so your cat can escape if necessary.  You should make your dog sit and wait while you introduce the two pets and let them meet each other.

If your dog tries to chase your cat you need to control the situation.  Use a firm correction such as “No” while you have the leash in your hand.  Sometimes a disagreeable cat can make the introduction much more difficult, but if your dog learns that chasing the cat makes his life unpleasant, it will reduce this kind of impulsive chasing.

You have probably figured out that dogs have a strong instinct to chase, so you can’t expect your dog to change after just one lesson.  You will need to correct the chasing behavior more than just once.  Sometimes it takes many corrections before your dog learns he shouldn’t chase after the cat.

You can also teach your dog another good lesson with the “leave it” command.  Most dogs can learn this lesson quickly and you can apply it to lots of things they want.  If you teach your dog that he can’t have something when you give this command, your dog can learn to respond the same way when he’s chasing a cat and give it up.

Giving Up Chasing Long Term

There are some dogs that just will not learn to stop chasing cats.  You can say that any dog can learn to do something or to learn not to do something, but when it comes to chasing cats or other small animals there are some dogs who are just bred to do this and no amount of training will stop them.

Combine the fact that chasing can be an inborn instinct with the fact that a cat may enjoy taunting your dog or playing around him, and you can have a situation that leads to your dog chasing a cat.  Things may get knocked over.  There may be noise.  If it is too much of a problem then you should crate train your dog when you can’t supervise him indoors or make your cat an outdoor cat.

There are always answers for these cat versus dog problems, no matter how aggravating they can be.  The answer is consistency and a lot of patience.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Bennie The Pug here again with something very important to tell you about.

Quick…..come take a look at what I ordered online!

I couldn’t sleep the other night…Pug-insomnia.  So, I decided to get on mom’s computer and just surf the net….you know, maybe go to a doggy dating website, look for a new dog bed, shop for some cool clothes.  But what I found was waaaayyyyy cooler…I found MrChewy.com.  With visions of dog treats floating in my head, I was clicking the “add” button time and time again.  I couldn’t believe the selection of dog treats and dog food that MrChewy.com offered….and the prices…WOW!!!  Most items were less expensive than at local grocery and pet stores.  And  FREE SHIPPING for orders over $49.00.  My favorite treats delivered to my door, arriving in just a few days.

I decided to try a few treats that I have never had before….The GOOD DOG treats are really good…loving the peanut butter and jelly…can’t wait to try the apple dumpling!  I have tried the Newmann’s peanut butter treats before and they are yummy.  I got a few boxes of Iams weight control biscuits because I know I’m gonna put on a few pounds with all these goodies.

So…the next time you are surfing the net, check out MrChewy.com and tell them that Bennie The Pug sent ya.  I promise you won’t be disappointed!

www.twitter.com/MrChewy
www.facebook.com/MrChewyPets

Thanks for your time and as always please let me hear from you.

Bennie The Pug

Quite often I am asked why a dog should be neutered so I thought I would give you a quick run down on some of the top reasons to do it.

Neutered dogs make better pets and better members of the community because they are not wandering the streets contributing to any pet over-population problems.  Keeping your dog contained and leashed will also prevent your dog from wandering.

Some of the reasons you should neuter your dog include:

Your dog is less likely to get testicular cancer. Some kinds of cancer are more likely to occur in dogs who have their testicles.  Removing the testicles can help your dog avoid testicular cancer, for example.

Your dog won’t be as likely to roam or wander if he is neutered. Male dogs can be inclined to roam and wander in search of a mate if they are not neutered.  Neutering removes this incentive to roam.  Good fencing and containment measures are recommended whether your dog is neutered or not.

Your dog will be better behaved and easier to train. Some trainers say that neutering a dog makes him better behaved and easier to train.  This is certainly true when male dogs are around girls in season.

Your dog will not mark in the house. Intact male dogs are more likely to mark in the house than neutered male dogs.  If your dog is spraying in the house, then neutering should take care of the problem, even if you have tried other things.

Your dog will be less aggressive. Neutering your male dog will most likely make him less aggressive because it will reduce the testosterone in his body.

Your dog will be less likely to have an unwanted litter. Neutering your male dog means he will be unable to sire any unwanted litters.  However, again, good containment for male dogs, and for all dogs, makes unwanted litters less likely.

Conclusion

Not convinced?  Talk to your veterinarian about other good reasons to neuter your dog. There is a great deal of veterinary evidence, pro and con, about spaying and neutering your dog.  Your vet can advise you about the health ramifications that matter in your dog’s case.  There are many things to consider before neutering your dog:  age, overall health, your dog’s breed, predisposition to other health problems, and so on. Neutering your male dog is often a good idea but you should talk to your vet about all of these issues before making a final decision.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Hi, Bennie, the Pug, here.  I’m a blogger, and thought, hey, why not write a blog article for one of my fav dog trainers, Wayne,….and, if you like it, maybe I will be invited back to write more articles.

OK…so why the take on the old Dean Martin song?  Cuz it popped  into my head when I thought about my human BFF….the lady I call Mama.  Ahhhh….it was love at first sight….you know, sorta like Kermit and Miss Piggy.  But enough about her…Let’s talk about me…(a little nod to Toby Keith)

I was taken back to the kennel because my first owner didn’t make the payments to the breeder.  Yep….I am a repo’ed pug.  I know…it’s hard to believe..,the face, the tail, the wiggle in walk….but that’s the hand life dealt me.  Enough with the sad face…it could be worse.
Doing time in the kennel yard isn’t easy for a pug…there was a lotta back-in-forth, “whatcha lookin at?  Hey….what YOU lookin at?  I just kept my head down and my tail tucked between my legs, hoping that the other dogs would just ignore me while I prayed for solitary confinement.

One day the breeder, aka “The Warden” came to my kennel and told the kennel worker that someone was coming to look at me later that day and to get me cleaned up and looking my “Sunday best”.  Really???? Did I have a chance at a real life outside these kennel walls?  Oh man, I wasn’t going to blow it…I wanted out of here and wanted out NOW.

Sunrise…Sunset…(and yet another musical tribute…it’s obvious that I have spent way too many hours in front of the TV watching SMASH).   Nightfall came, and just as I was about to give up hope, a car pulled up to the kennel, and out walked a man, a woman, and what?… another pug?  Awww, man…I don’t want to be the ugly step-sister (or in this case, step-brother)…I want to be THE DOG, Top Dog, #1….But I also want out of this place, so what’s a brother to do?  Well, when in doubt, kiss-a%@*?….I let the little diva pug princess sniff me, I let the tall man pick me up and look me over, and then…wait for it….yep….and then SHE KISSED ME. (rock’in with the Crystals)….she kissed me in a way that I’d never been kissed before….The lady looked me straight in the eye and planted a big fat kiss on my nose….and it was at that moment that I knew my life would change forever.

If  you are saying to yourself,” Tell me more…Tell me more..”, please leave a comment so Wayne will invite me back.

About the Author: Bennie The Pug is a very important member of our household.  In fact as you would guess he pretty much runs the house.  He is 9 years old and has brought much happiness to me and my wife Terry.

Thunder jackets. Thunder jackets, or capes, are wraps that wrap around your dog’s body.  They reduce the amount of static electricity that collects in your dog’s fur.  Many people theorize that the static electricity bothers some dogs and makes them fearful of storms.  You can buy one of these thunder jackets for your dogs, which wraps tightly around his torso, or you can pin a t-shirt around his body, or use a tube shirt. The important thing is to wrap the cloth tightly around your dog’s body. This method does seem to help many dogs who are scared of storms.

Desensitizing your dog with CDs of thunder and fireworks. If your dog is particularly upset by the noise of storms and fireworks you can try to desensitize him to the loud sounds by using CDs.  You can buy these recordings or make your own.  Record the sounds of thunder and/or fireworks then start playing them at a low volume in your house.  Allow your dog to get used to the sounds at the low volume and then gradually raise the volume until your dog is comfortable with the sounds at full volume.  This desensitization technique helps some dogs.

Create a safe place for your dog. Some dogs can make it through storms and fireworks noise if they have a safe place.  This safe place can be their crate, your bathtub, the center of your bed, or any place where your dog feels safe and secure.  If is often a dark, quiet place.  It may make your dog think of a burrow or cave.  Some dogs seem to prefer bathtubs because they are porcelain and this is a place where static electricity can’t build up in their fur.

Try herbal remedies and aromas. Rescue Remedy is a popular treatment for noise phobia and fear of storms and fireworks.  It is a flower essence that you can buy at a health store or online.  Some people also recommend a D.A.P. diffuser which is a pheromone dispensing diffuser sometimes used in kennels and animal shelters to soothe dogs.

Drown out the noise. You can also try drowning out the noise of the storm or fireworks by turning up your TV or stereo.  If you play them loud enough your dog may not realize there is a storm outside or fireworks being shot off. This works in some cases.

Conclusion

If your dog’s fear is severe you should seek the help of a behavior specialist that has experience working with dogs that suffer from noise phobias.  You can also talk to your veterinarian.  In some cases your vet may give you a sedative for your dog to get through the storm.  You should always talk to your vet before giving your dog any kind of medication.

Is your dog fearful in storms?  Tell us what you are doing to help keep it calm.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

If you want to help your dog live a long and healthy life than you need to help him lose that extra weight.  Obesity drastically increases a dog’s risk of cancer, diabetes, and organ failure as he ages.  Start when your dog is young and you can reduce the risk of disease throughout your dog’s life.

Step One:  Food Intake

The first thing you should do for your dog is take charge of his diet.  In most cases obesity is simply due to a dog being fed too much each day.  Veterinarians suggest feeding the following amounts for your dog, based on their weight:

•    Less than 10 pounds:  Feed 1/3 to 1 cup of food per day
•    10-25 pounds:  Feed 1-2 1/4 cups per day
•    25-50 pounds:  Feed 2-3 cups per day
•    50-75 pounds:  Feed 3-5 cups per day
•    Over 75 pounds:  Feed 5-8 cups per day

These measurements are for dry food and the weights given are for normal, healthy dogs.  If your dog is already overweight or obese, you should take into consideration what a healthy dog for your dog’s breed should weigh.

You can start cutting out your dog’s extra food by feeding your dog two meals per day.  Split his recommended food amount into two meals.  Some people like to put down the dog’s ration once a day and keep filling the bowl throughout the day but that’s the best way in the world to make your dog obese.  Instead, feed your dog two smaller meals per day and carefully measure the amounts you put in the bowl.

You should also cut out unnecessary treats and table scraps.  Treats are fine as a training tool but you shouldn’t give them to your dog continuously.  It’s okay to give your dog one or two treats per day but if you keep giving your dog treats all day they will add pounds to your dog.  Table scraps add weight, too.

Step Two:   Exercise

Ask anyone who’s been on a diet and they will probably tell you that it’s not enough to eat less.  They also have to add some exercise to lose weight.  It’s the same way with your dog.  Luckily, most dogs enjoy exercising.

Unless your dog is elderly or he’s lost his energy, he will probably enjoy getting out to go for a walk or run.  But you must give your dog the opportunity!  Your dog may sit around the house all day, but don’t assume that he doesn’t want to go out and get some exercise.  You have to go outside with him and give him the chance to exercise.

If you don’t have a chance to go out, then spend time playing with your dog indoors.  Play some games.  Play fetch with your dog and teach your dog to chase some toys through the house.  If you have a small dog then you won’t even have to get up when you play fetch with him.

Even if you have a dog with a low energy level, often times when you start making changes in your dog’s diet you will start to see some changes in their level of energy.  If you take them outdoors after you change their diet, you may see that your dog is more alert and energetic.  Your dog may feel like playing again.

Do keep in mind that if your dog is very overweight or obese, or unhealthy in any way, that you should talk to your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet or undertaking any kind of fitness regimen with your dog.  You want to make sure that you aren’t putting any undue stress on your dog’s body with the changes you want to make.  Your vet can give you some good advice.

Is your dog overweight?  Tell us what you are doing to help it slim down.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Lack of socialization with other dogs. In some cases a dog may act aggressively around other dogs because it has not been properly socialized around other dogs.  Dogs have an etiquette or way of behaving with each other that they learn from the time they are puppies.  If your dog has not spent much time around other dogs then he may not know the correct way to behave around other dogs.  He may not read canine body language well or he may think other dogs are being aggressive or offensive when they’re not.  This is a common problem with dogs that aren’t well-socialized when they’re young.  The period of socialization is from birth to 20 weeks.

A fearful dog trying to keep another dog away. If your dog has a timid or fearful temperament then he could become aggressive around other dogs to try to keep them away.  It doesn’t matter how big or imposing he is, he might feel scared when he meets some new dog. This could make him feel like he has to show some aggression to try to scare the other dog away.  Fearful dogs are sometimes more prone to biting people, too.

An untrained, poorly-behaved dog that needs to learn manners. In some cases a dog can behave aggressively because he is untrained and doesn’t have any manners.  He may be young, for example, and lunges at every dog he sees.  He hasn’t been taught that this is not proper behavior.

A dog that feels it needs to protect the owner from other dogs. Some dogs behave aggressively because they think they need to protect their owners from other dogs.  Some breeds are more protective than others but this is not good behavior.  The dog needs to learn that, unless the situation calls for real protection, he should not behave aggressively.

In all of these cases, training and socialization can help the dog overcome the problem with inappropriate aggression.

With some proper training your dog can learn how to be around other dogs without looking like Cujo the killer dog.  Your dog can learn good manners, how to interact properly with other dogs, and how to be calm and relaxed when meeting other dogs.  Good training can teach your dog that he doesn’t need to react with aggression when he encounters other dogs.

Does your dog embarrass you when you see another dog on your walks?  Have you been able to cure the problem?  Tell us how you did it in the comments section below.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Things to consider to prepare your dog

1.    Getting the dog trained. If you are expecting a new baby then there are some commands that it’s important for your dog to know:  stay, down; and no jump.  These are basic commands that all dogs should know but when you have a baby in the house these commands can be critical for preventing accidents.

2.    Set boundaries in the house for the dog. Your dog may currently be allowed to go in any room, to get up on furniture, or do other things without permission.  When you have a baby in the house, these things can become dangerous.  It’s important for you to set boundaries in the house for your dog.  Start teaching your dog that he is not allowed in certain rooms or areas of the house, such as the nursery or other places where the baby will be.  Use baby gates to keep your dog out of these areas.

3.    Start walking your dog with an empty stroller. The stroller and some of the other equipment for the baby can seem strange to your dog.  Get your dog used to these items before the baby is born. Start walking your dog with the empty stroller before the baby is born, for example.

4.    Get your dog used to the smell of baby oil and other new scents. Babies mean there will be new scents in the home.  You can help your dog get used to some of these scents before the baby is born.  Let your dog get used to the scent of baby oil, baby powder, and other things you will be using for the baby before the baby is born.  This will help your dog make the adjustment when you bring the baby home.

5.    If mom usually takes care of the dog, have dad take over the responsibilities of walking and feeding. Mom is going to be busy.  Obviously, mom is going to have her hands full with the baby, so dad can start taking care of the dog.  Dad can start taking care of the dog while mom is pregnant to help out.  But mom should still spend some time with the dog.  Don’t let the dog feel neglected or left out.

6.    Do the actual introduction slowly. Once the baby arrives and you bring him home, you should introduce him to your dog slowly.  You don’t need to let your dog put his face up to the baby to smell him (your dog has a great nose), but your dog will be very curious.  Dog and baby can be in the same room together for an introduction.  Everyone will be in love with the baby, but don’t forget or ignore your dog during this time.  Allow him to feel part of the family.

7.    NEVER leave the baby alone with the dog. NEVER.  Many dogs love babies and children but it just takes one dog who doesn’t understand or who is jealous or frightened by a baby’s crying to cause a horrible accident.  Do not ever leave a dog and baby alone together, not even for a moment.

Your dog and baby can live in harmony together but training for your dog is important, so get started before the baby gets here.

Please share your thoughts.  How were you able to introduce your baby to your dog?  Don’t be shy, please share your successes.  We can’t wait to read your response!

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com