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•  I have listed several questions asked commonly by dog owners and given some tips that we believe may help owners better understand many dog behaviors that cause problems at home.
  
  
  
  If you have questions about any of these topics or another topic, please feel free to email me at blurose@gmail.com.   I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
  
  1. Why is my puppy soiling in his dog crate?
  
  
  There can be several reasons for this. Usually it is a combination of a few things. Many times the owner has given the puppy a dog crate much larger in size than he should have. Some puppies find it is easier to just go to one end of the large crate to potty and then sleep on the other side.  The owner must be more consistent in getting the puppy outside and putting the puppy in a crate, approximately the size of the pup and half again as much.  The puppy should be able to sleep, turn around and stand comfortably in his crate.
  
  
  2. Why doesn't my pup bark when he has to go outside to potty?
  
  
  Keep in mind the fact that your puppy is NOT Human! Many dogs that bark to be let out started the behavior because they were being creative when desiring to go outside to the potty and wanted to get your attention. Barking is a common behavior for many dogs that desire to get the owners attention. But, just as many dogs are not as motivated and do not bark to go outside. If you want your puppy to bark as a signal for going to the yard to potty, teach the puppy to bark on command first. Then each and every time you take the puppy outside start the trip with a "Speak" command with a treat at the door before you open it to go to the yard. Soon the puppy will put the barking behavior at the door as part of the potty in the yard training. Just be careful that your smart puppy doesn't try getting you to go outside just so he gets a treat at the door. Follow the door treat up with a treat in the yard when the puppy does his duty. The other problem here is poor house training consistency from the owners. You MUST take your puppy or dog outside yourself to the same area in the yard EVERY time he needs to relieve himself. If you are not clear and consistent in showing the puppy exactly what is to be done, don't expect the pup to totally understand what you expect from him
  
  
  3. Why does my pup seem to think we are all human pin cushions?
  
  
  He particularly seems to chew on the children the most! Have you ever watched a litter of six week old puppies at play? As the pups run around they chase one another and grab the closest part of the puppy in front of them. This is usually a tail, or leg or rump of the other puppy. The puppy
  
  then turns and returns the favor with bites of his own. This is how puppies play. Now watch your puppy as your child runs around the room in front of him. Your puppy most likely runs after the child grabbing the first thing he can. This is usually your child's ankle, shoes or sometimes the child's
  
  bottom. The puppy is NOT trying to hurt your child even though this usually is not a pleasant thing to experience. He is only reacting as he would with his litter mates. It is your job to educate the children in proper behavior to help avoid these problems. Obedience training can end this type of behavior. Your children should also learn how to train the dog. I have found that only the youngest of children have difficulty in understanding how to change their behavior and gain more favorable control of the puppy. All of this should be done with a parent demonstrating and guiding the children in training.
  
  
  4. Why does my dog ignore me or run off when I tell him to come?
  
  
  Again this problem stems from people assuming their dog understands what they want and is simply IGNORING them. Dogs are not capable of "ignoring" anyone. As with most behavior problems this one also is cause by owners misunderstanding the dog. Giving your dog human characteristics is called "Anthropomorphism". Your dog is a Canine, not a Human. If you repeatedly call your dog's name or give him a command and nothing happens as a result, soon the dog's name or the command you keep repeating simply becomes background noise to your canine. The yard, the rabbit droppings, the kids running down the street are exciting to your dog and usually will keep his attention much longer than you will. He is not purposely ignoring you. He is simply being a dog. But when at times like this you keep calling your dog or telling him to "Come" and nothing happens, you make the dog's name or the command meaningless. Again this is an owner caused problem which stems from misunderstanding on the owner's part. Once you understand your dogs behavior you will be more patient and less likely to get angry. A patient teacher makes the best dog owner.
  
  Facts You Should Know
  
  
  •  Did you know that the Ohio Revised Code prohibits the sale of a puppy under the age of 8 weeks?
  It is ILLEGAL to sell a puppy in the state of Ohio before 8 weeks of age. Puppies separated from their siblings before the age of 8 weeks have more allergies, health and temperament issues as an adult.
  
  
  •  Did you know that an intact (not neutered) male dog has a much higher risk of developing testicular and per anal cancers? They also have more temperament problems. The majority of dog bites to children every year are by intact male dogs.  We no longer agree with this!
  
  •  Did you know that spaying a female dog stops the risk of said dog developing uterine infections that can be deadly as well as lowering the risk of that dog developing breast cancer.  We no longer agree with this!
  
  •  Did you know that most training problems are caused by dog owners not understanding the fact that they are causing the problem. Misunderstanding the dog is a major contributor to behavior problems.

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