Keeping Dogs Safe at Home

If you choose to keep your dogs indoors the majority of the time, there are certain things you will want to do to ensure the safety of “Jake”. You don’t want him getting in the cabinet under the sink and accidentally drinking drain cleaner or electrocuting himself or knocking over your prized Ming vase.

"Baby Proofing" Your Home

To minimize vet visits and you being angry with Jake, follow these simple steps:

• Don’t place breakable things on your coffee table or anywhere that’s within tail-wagging distance.
• Electric sockets not being used should have plastic inserts.
  • This is especially important if you have new puppies.
• Cabinets should have baby proof slide locks.
• Use baby gates to keep dogs out of specific parts of your house.
  • This will assist you as you are house-training Jake.
• Crate your dogs when you’re not home to avoid coming home to your favorite pair of shoes ending up tossed.
• Offer your dog bones to avoid them chewing on your favorite shoes or phone.
  • Deer antlers are all natural and have bone marrow in them, which is better than brushing Jake’s teeth.
  • Deer shed them naturally and these are not removed in an inhumane fashion.
  • They can be found on eBay or by Googling deer antler.

House Training Jake

This is very simple. 95% of inappropriate elimination is the owner’s fault. It is very possible to train Jake to be house-trained, but this takes time and won’t happen until he is at least six months of age. Even after training and age six months, accidents can happen. To avoid this you can do the following:

• Use baby gates to keep dogs confined to one area of the house, such as the kitchen.
• Install a “doggy door” to your back yard (provided it’s confined or fenced in).
• Crate Jake while you’re at work or out of the house.
• Take him out regularly and take notes when he eliminates.
  • For example some go like clockwork after eating.
  • Many dog owners report that they’ve never had inappropriate elimination in the house.
  • This is by no means by accident.
• Many dog trainers suggest praising Jake when he eliminates outside. This can be done by simply saying, “good outside” or “good girl” or “good boy”. They associate hearing good with eliminating appropriately. If you say bad when they eliminate indoors, they too make the association. Dogs don’t want to be bad.

Photo Credits: jennikate

This post involves:

baby gates, baby proof, baby proofing your home, back yard, coming home, electric sockets, puppies, vet visits

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Canines, Tips for Dog Owners

Posted by Dog Training Pet on August 31, 2010 in Canines, Tips for Dog Owners. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.