Month: November 2020

Small Dog Won’t Eat: Possible Causes And Best Solutions

November 23, 2020 / Care / Comments Off

Concerned about your small dog that won’t eat? Here are some common causes and possible solutions when your little dog won’t eat much or doesn’t eat at all.

An eating disorder is well-known in humans. What many don’t know is that this condition can also affect our canine friends.

There are numerous possible reasons why your dog seems to have lost his appetite. It can range from misbehavior to serious health problems. Either way, you need to immediately take action when this happens.

Small Dog Won’t Eat: Possible Causes And Best Solutions

In this article, we will be covering the common reasons why a dog won’t eat as well as the solutions to get him to eat again. But before those, let’s first answer one question that’s probably plaguing you as well.

How long can a little dog go without eating

For healthy dogs, most of them can go without food for 5 days, granted that they are drinking tons of water. Some can also go up to a week without. But if he hasn’t eaten anything for more than 2 days, take him to the vet.

Don’t let things get that far because it could complicate things for him. Not to mention it may cost you a lot if you wait. And if your pet isn’t in the best of health, 5 days without eating will be bad for him. In fact, the most he may survive without food is 3 days.

Common reasons your dog can stop eating

The list of potential causes for loss of appetite in pooches is quite long.

Health problems
The most common medical issues that may cause your dog to not eat include allergies, infection, upset stomach, poisoning, tumors, dental issues, parasites, and autoimmune diseases.
Mental conditions
Depression and anxiety are notorious appetite killers. Interestingly, the same symptoms occur in human beings suffering from these two mental problems. For instance, with depression, he may be far less energetic than usual, or he could be suddenly sleeping in the day instead of during the night.
Environmental and behavioral reasons
Changes in the environment like the absence of a family member or a household pet, a recent move or travel, weather changes, or even a change in the feeding schedule can trigger your little dog. Funnily, even a change of food bowl can cause him to refuse to eat. As for behavioral problems, the most common is pickiness. Another is when he’s used to being hand-fed so he’s acting up to get you to do it.
Food issues
It could be that the food is spoiled. If not, then a new food may be too foreign or different for his liking. Also, the food’s ingredients can be the problem as he may be sensitive to one or more of them.
Recent vaccination
Vaccinations are a huge help in preventing several serious and contagious dog diseases. The thing is, they can also have adverse effects. Most of these side effects are small and brief like a temporary loss of appetite.
Diet changes
Have you made changes to your dog’s diet recently like switching foods? If so, he may just don’t like what you’re feeding him now. If you haven’t changed anything for a while now, then this can be a problem too. He may be bored with eating the same food every day for months.

Best solutions to get your little dog eating again

For medical issues, consult a vet. If not, things can turn for the worse very fast. As for food-related issues, most solutions are very easy, depending on the reason. These solutions include:

Switching gradually to a new food or going back to old food
Finding out which taste and smell your dog prefers
Pick better dog food such as those with real meat, enough fat content, and have some fruits on them
When you switch food, opt for one that has similar nutritional value to the old.
Serve the food at the right temperature–not too hot and not too cold
Mix the new food with home-cooked food then make the transition gradual. If possible, just go back to feeding him home-cooked meals.
Make sure to check the expiration date to ensure that you aren’t giving him spoiled food
Check the ingredient list to make sure there’s nothing that your dog is sensitive to
Change things up a bit so he won’t have to eat the same food all the time. For example, you can give him canned food on top of the dry food he used to eat. You can also go for kibble seasoning. Other options include fruits and veggies and liquid flavors.
Stick to a feeding schedule. Most dogs are okay with only two meals per day. If more than 30 minutes have passed and he hasn’t touched his food, remove the bowl until the next feeding. This way, he will learn that there are specific times when he can eat.
Some dogs don’t like eating breakfast. In this case, give him smaller meals several times throughout the day.
Hand-feed him. Take note, however, that this should be your last option. You wouldn’t want to make this a habit.
Don’t tolerate his picky habits. His refusal to eat may be his attempt of getting your attention. If so, ignore his attempts during feeding time. Praise him only after he’s eaten.
Consider using food-dispensing toys. Aside from making him eat, it’ll make him work for it. Plus, the exercise will be beneficial for him.

If it’s about behavioral or environmental issues, the process can require more effort and time on your end. Sometimes, you may have to work with a behaviorist or a trainer. Some basic tips to help him eat regularly are:

Give him enough exercise, as he usually gets hungry after he’s been active.
Only give treats as a reward, or else he might get accustomed to the taste too much and refused to eat his regular meals
Avoid giving table scraps
Invest money and time in training
Don’t punish him. Instead, be patient and supportive
Change the food location and let him eat quietly

Final thoughts
In conclusion, whatever the reason your dog has stopped eating, it can be resolved. Tons of options are available and you’ll eventually get to the bottom of it. More often than not, you’ll see a response from your little do practically any of the methods above.

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Little Dog Won’t Stop Peeing In The House: 8 Tips To Try

November 23, 2020 / Behavior / Comments Off

Does your little dog keep peeing in the house? Here are some helpful tips for when your small dog keeps peeing inside your home.

When you have a dog in your home, accidents are bound to happen, especially if it’s a new little pooch. Peeing is inevitable but it’s also an issue that has to be addressed as soon as possible.

They pee on the carpet, on the floor, and just about everywhere they aren’t supposed to. This is especially the case with puppies. They’re still young and don’t know better so there’s no helping it. Like babies, little pooches have smaller organs, thus don’t have much control over their bladder.

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways you can solve this dilemma. This way, you won’t have to deal with smelly floors and ruined carpets.

What Do When Your Little Dog Won’t Stop Peeing In The House

But first off, let’s find out the likely reasons why a dog pees inside.

Possible Reasons why your dog is peeing inside

In the veterinary world, peeing in the house is called inappropriate urination. It’s a common problem in dogs, but it’s typically resolved during puppyhood. If you have a puppy, then chances are, his house training isn’t done yet. If he’s already house trained and suddenly started urinating inappropriately after his house training, then there are potential reasons for such behavior. These include:

Medical-related problems
Health problems like urinary tract infections, diabetes, kidney disease, bladder stones, and more increase urgency. As a result, the dog can’t go run outside fast enough and just pee on the spot.
Overexcitement
Another possible reason is overexcitement. Excitement urination is when your dog displays joyous behavior like jiggling, jumping and wiggling as he happily pees on the floor. Often, this results in urine being sprayed everywhere. Eek!
Submission or fear
Regardless of the age, a dog can also experience submissive urination, albeit it’s most common on puppies. This could be because your dog is intimidated or scared by someone or something. For instance, when someone stands over them or looks down at them to scold them, peeing is common, especially if he’s young or fearful.
Environmental changes
Has your dog’s environment changed, say, due to moving to a new place? He might not associate the new home with being off-limits when it comes to urinating. If so, then you may need to potty train him so he can understand that your new place is still indoors, and thus, he must not relieve himself there. Or, it could also be because of other changes like a new pet to your household or maybe a new baby. Dogs are very attuned to their environments and a major change can lead to inappropriate urination.
Marking
Dog marking is due to various reasons. It’s often driven by sex hormones and happens more commonly in males. Once he starts, it can easily become a habit–peeing small amounts in certain areas in the house.

Tips to stop your dog from peeing inside

Whatever it is don’t give up on your pooch nor give him away. There’s a way through this! Follow those tips below to hopefully put a stop to your dog’s bad habit of urinating indoors.

Lookout for peeing signs
Dogs typically exhibit certain “tells” before peeing. Some of these indicators are sniffing the floor, circling, or cocking their legs. Once you see them doing either of these, get them outside and keep them there until they pee. Make sure to reward him to show your approval.
Interrupt him
If you catch him in the act, make a loud noise to try and stop him from peeing inside. This may stop him long enough for you to lead them outside. Once he’s outdoors, let him finish the deed there and praise him afterward.
Use sprays
Dog sprays come in various kinds. There’s the kind that can help stop your dog from urinating in a certain area. Sprays like these contain compounds like cayenne pepper that dogs dislike and will avoid. Another kind of spray smells like urine to encourage him to pee in the right place.
Remove the smell
Don’t just stop cleaning the area. You must completely remove the smell, otherwise, he will return to those same spots over and over again because of the urine smell. A dog’s urine releases a strong enzyme, so cleaning won’t be enough to get rid of the scent. Lots of retail products will eliminate the smell.
Don’t punish him
We understand how much it drives you up the wall every time he pees inside. But never resort to hitting him or even just shouting. Doing so will only make him fearful and nervous. And in the future, he won’t relieve himself in front of you, which makes it harder to potty train him.
Introduce a word
Many dog owners use a specific word to associate it with going to the toilet. Dogs are usually eager to please and hearing words like “pee-pee” or “toilet” can help them understand what they need to do. Use it every time without fail until they get the hang of it.
Increase potty breaks
After eating, drinking, and napping, take him outside to pee. Talking him to a walk every morning is also a great way to exercise him, all the while, giving him the chance to empty her bladder and bowels.
Limit drinks before bed
Of course, you have to make sure your dog is hydrated, especially during hot weather. Thus, it’s advisable to keep a constant supply of clean water available for him. However, you may want to consider limiting his water intake on an evening, say, after his dinner.

(conclusion)
Stopping a puppy from peeing inside requires so much patience, much more so if he’s an adult dog already. Try some of those tips to see if your canine friend stops peeing in your house. When all else fails, have him checked by a veterinarian. A professional can help identify any potential underlying cause for your pooch’s inappropriate urination. Your veterinarian may refer you to a behaviorist if the habit is too deeply-rooted to break.

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8 Small and Calm Lazy Dog Breeds – Little Dogs With Low Energy

November 16, 2020 / Lifestyle, Small Dog Types / Comments Off

Are you a couch potato looking for low energy small dogs to fit your lifestyle? Here are calm and lazy small dog breeds that are the least active.

Dogs have some uncanny similarities to humans. One of these is the trait of being lazy.

Like us, selected dog breeds are born with low-energy, meaning, they lack vigor and revel in it. For some of us, especially those who are juggling between work, family, social life, and countless other things, we see the appeal of a lazy dog.

Though it can be hard to add something else to our already busy schedule, having a dog enriches our lives. Fortunately, some breeds seem to be wired exactly to fit our lifestyle. This time, we have determined 8 small and calm lazy dog breeds that may just be what you’re looking for.

Small and Calm Lazy Dog Breeds: Little Dogs With Low Energy

What does calm and low energy mean for dogs?

All breeds require daily exercise. Nonetheless, some require far lesser energy than others. This is what they call low-energy dogs. If a dog prefers to snooze on his dog bed instead of chasing after a ball outdoors, then it has low energy. This energy level of a dog is ideal for those who aren’t an overly active person or someone who lives in an apartment.

Small and Calm Lazy Dog Breeds

1. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus love being around people. They need to give and receive lots of affection. They’re the happiest when snuggling and napping on the couch or their bed. Generally, this fluffy breed is known for being docile and quiet, just content playing and rolling indoors. While Shih Tzus only need minimal exercise, they enjoy a daily leashed walk.

2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This fancy-named breed is a typically happy, intelligent, and friendly dog. They get along with everyone and are naturally quiet, unlike other small breeds. So, you won’t have to worry about them randomly yapping in an ungodly hour. Just a brief playful romps inside and it’ll knock them down to a long nap afterward.

3. Pug
Pugs are also another breed of lazy dogs. This cute-sized dog with a permanent grumpy yet adorable face sleeps a lot and needs minimal exercise. They even earned the nickname “canine couch potatoes.” And because of their tiny size, they tend to have low endurance. Still, try to squeeze in some exercise time to prevent obesity, as pugs are more prone to this health condition.

4. Miniature Pinscher
A mini pinscher may not be the laziest and calmest among the list, but their size is perfect for compact or apartment living. And it won’t take them long enough to get tired after zipping around your living area. Give it a couple of minutes and soon they’ll be curled up somewhere and having a sound sleep.

5. Boston Terrier
All Terrier breeds are generally good for lazy owners. Boston Terriers, in particular, only need a few, short daily walks, but overall, they’re low-maintenance. Give them chew toys and they can play with them for hours. Most of their time is typically spent just lounging around like a quintessential couch potato.

6. Pekingese
Often a one-person dog, a Pekingese tends to be aloof with strangers. This makes them a good watchdog. In the house, they can be calm and quiet. Moreover, they love to lie on the couch and normally need a little exercise. Pekingese is far from an outdoor dog, but a daily walk won’t hurt–though they’d still prefer to take an afternoon nap instead of a walk.

7. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small toy breed that’s known for being affectionate and gentle. They’re bright little dogs that thrive on human companionship. As such, they shouldn’t be left alone for too long. Normally, you’d see them lying down and catching up some shut-eye. However, they can have short outbursts of energy so a daily walk is needed.

8. English Toy Spaniel
Want a cuddly dog? Get an English Toy Spaniel. This breed is gentle, loving, and quiet. They can also be the sweetest, as they tend to bond very closely with their owner. As low-energy dogs, English Toy Spaniels are happy to relax or play ball in the house. But when you’ve got time, take him on a leased walk, too.

(Conclusion)
A lazy, calm dog sounds like a good way to fit a canine family member into our lives. They can match with our busy schedules or not-so-active lifestyles just fine. Just make sure to promise them some time for exercise and they’ll be happy as a clam to lounges like a queen or king.

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10 Smartest Small Dog Breeds That Are Easiest To Train

November 16, 2020 / Behavior, Small Dog Types / Comments Off

Searching for small dog breeds that are easy to train? Here are intelligent little dogs that aim to please and therefore, are easiest to train.

Been wanting to adopt a small dog to add to your household? Do you want one that’s easy to train? If so, then look no further. In today’s article, we’ve rounded a list (and a brief description) of small dog breeds that are smartest and most trainable.

Doing research first is a great idea. Small dogs are known for being cute and irresistibly adorable. That may be true, but these tiny tail-waggers are actually just as trainable as their larger counterparts, or maybe even more.

Smartest Small Dog Breeds That Are Easiest To Train

As a matter of fact, many petite pups have outstanding agility and endurance training, certainly, far more than large breeds. So, don’t let their size fool you!

1. Bolognese

The Bolognese breed is an easygoing and friendly pet to have. They like forming close bonds to their owners, following them closely wherever they go.

Although a bolognese can be reserved with strangers, they actually love people. This small dog breed is easy to please and obedient. They’re quick to learn and respond well to training.

2. Miniature Poodle

This breed is known for being a vibrant, playful, sensitive, and happy dog. He can also be mischievous and destructive, so make sure to give him attention.

A miniature poodle is an exceptionally easy-to-train dog. What’s more, they love learning tricks and games. They’re terrific at dog sports like agility or obedience. Since they’re a high-energy dog, they will need a great deal of exercise.

3. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

This personal favorite breed of Queen Elizabeth is a smart one. True to their ‘royalty ties’, these poochies have an easygoing personality, as well as smart, alert, and affectionate. They’re typically athletic, brave, and protective, so you can depend on them to guard your family.

The corgi excels at dog sports like herding. They’re incredibly easy to train, too, especially during the first year of his life.

4. Shetland Sheepdog

A sheepdog, also called sheltie, is one of the most trainable breeds overall thanks to its high intelligence and devotion. Amazingly, shelties are quick to catch on, able to sense if you’re in a good or bad mood. A sheepdog also excels in agility and obedience trials. Plus, he responds happily to rewards and praises, so make sure to give him one if he deserves it.

Just keep in mind that a sheepdog can be sensitive so try not to be harsh with corrections. Rather, indulge them with gentle but firm training.

5. Border Terrier

Characterized as happy and affectionate dogs, Border Terriers get along well with both people and other dogs. They’re well-tempered and obedient, making them easy to train.

Although their personalities can vary, by nature, this small dog breed is curious and will want to join all family activities. While they can be strong-willed and independent, they’re still easy to train and resilient to your needs and lifestyle.

6. Papillon

For a small dog, the Papillon has a huge appetite for activity and exercise. They love being and playing outdoors yet also do well when exercised and entertained indoors.

As a very intelligent breed, it’d be a waste for a Papillon to just be a lap dog. Have him compete in dog-sports like agility, and he’ll surely have the best time. Suffice it to say, papillons are quick to learn and are even dubbed as the most obedient toy breed.

7. Pomeranian

Often mistaken as a stuffed animal, a Pom is smarter than you might think. Described as vivacious, outgoing, and affectionate dogs, Poms don’t shy away from play, work, or train.

They want to please their owners, which makes it easier to train them. Hence, whether you want to train him on flyball, tracking, or agility, this breed won’t disappoint.

8. Maltese

Malteses are small, white, and fluffy. They’re also easier to please and thus, easier to train. Maltese are usually no heavier than 10lbs.

Other appealing traits for Maltese pups is that they have a hypoallergenic silky fur coat and they don’t shed as much other other little dog breeds. Maltese dogs do like to bark and may be a little nippy so they might not be the best around little kids.

9. Miniature Schnauzer

This little dog breed looks as thought it has a beard. A miniature schnauzer is generally very friendly and intelligent. Like the Maltese, the mini schnauzer also does not shed as much as other small dog breeds.

They are very vocal so they can make good alert dogs. (Not so much guard dogs, since they don’t really bite in aggression). You often see mini schnauzers compete in agility competitions because of how easy they are to train.

10. Phalene

Phalene is a lapdog who’s generally lively, cuddly, and outgoing. Albeit they can be gentle and patient companions, they need a good amount of exercise. Don’t be surprised if you see him romping and rolling around the floor–he just loves playing.

They can also find trouble when bored or neglected. This dog breed performs best under positive reinforcement training.

(Conclusion)
Breeds play a huge role in the trainability of a dog. That said, it’s certainly not a definitive factor. Still, if possible, it’s better to choose one that’s generally known for being an easily trainable dog–unless you want to be challenged. Good luck!

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