A lighthearted look at the lengths we may have to go to in order to survive when owning a dog!
As a bouncing, fluffy puppy, a dog can make a playful companion for young children, growing with them to become a much loved member of the family, however, your dog may be just as likely turn out to be a noisy, smelly, flea bitten, shoe chewing, postman chasing, muddy pawed, garden digging, cat chasing, barking, disobedient hound from hell!
I hope this guide for desperate dog owners will give you some useful tips and ideas to make keeping your dog less.... stressful.
For UK readers arriving here looking for Pooper Scoopers, House Training, Flea Control, Dog Hygene And Dog Grooming Products find what you need in our Paws n More store.
House Training Puppies
House training your dog should start as soon as you get him home!
When you bring a new puppy into your home you might just as well accept that there will be soggy carpets, puddles on the tiled floor and more unpleasant deposits in unsuspecting places. Its an inevitable part of your new daily life, at least to start with.
Remembering to eject your puppy into the garden at very regular intervals combined with careful training will eventually teach him the error of his ways and let him know that the yard or garden is now his toilet area.
In the meantime, try to avoid walking around in bare feet and always check your shoes and slippers before putting them on!
The following dog training products should go some way towards helping to house train your puppy.
Remember that patience, persistence and consistency are the keys to house training your dog.
For UK readers arriving here looking for House Training Products find what you need in our Paws n More store.
Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies & Adult Dogs!
Amazon Price: $13.48 (as of 12/05/2009) 
List Price: $14.98
Simply OUT! Extra Thick Floor Protection Pads, 50-Count
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $16.99
PureAyre Pet Odor Eliminator Kit
Amazon Price: $22.79 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $29.99
HOUSEBREAKING VIDEO. Dog Training with Max
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $39.95
UGODOG Indoor Dog Potty
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price:
Praise Don't Punish When Toilet Trainining Your Dog!
Please bear in mind that when house training a puppy it is far better to praise him for going to the the toilet in the right places than to punish him for going in the wrong places!
Dogs And Fleas
Trying to rid your dog of fleas is like being in battle, day after day, week after week, month after month. No matter what you do you just can't win!
The thing is that the fleas don't only live on the dogs. They live quite happily all around the house, on carpets, furniture, curtains, duvets and all sorts of other soft furnishings, not to mention the dogs bed.Unless you treat your home too the little bloodsuckers will continually leap out to repeatedly re-infest your dog, and try a varied diet of an odd human ankle no matter how often you treat your dog for fleas.
Start to win the war against those pesky parasites, you can get discounted flea treatments online now.
Or in the UK
Flea And Tick Control Is Paramount For The Comfort Of Your Dog
Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for 0-to-22-Pound Dogs and Puppies, 6 Doses
Amazon Price: $61.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for 45- to 88-Pound Dogs and Puppies, 6 Month
Amazon Price: $66.05 (as of 12/05/2009)
Dancing Paws - Flee, Flea! Anti-Flea Spray for Dogs - Purely Botanical
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Spa Dog Botanicals Eucalyptus Flea Spray, Conditioning Repellant, 8.5 oz (225 ml) (Pack of 2)
Amazon Price: $15.52 (as of 12/05/2009)
Synergy Veterinary Formula Flea & Tick Shampoo, 17 Ounce
Amazon Price: $6.77 (as of 12/05/2009)
Muddy Dog!
Does your dog get muddy paw prints all over the floor?
If you're a dog owner then you will already know that you spend too much time cleaning muddy paw prints from your floors, furniture and the inside of your car!Unless of course you take some basic precautions before going walkies in wet weather.
NB: If you're a new dog owner you have more chance of seeing hell freezing over than keeping your dog away from mud on wet weather walks!
Does Your Dog Smell?
Bathing your dog is a must if you are to keep his odor at an acceptable level!
Of course they smell! But being a dog owner you just have to accept that it is part of the deal!
Smelly farts; dog breath; wet coat; rolling in fox poo! They all contribute to the overall, sometimes overwhelming aroma of your loved one.
But do not worry, as you may have guessed, there are products on the market to help combat this!
Bathing a dog can be an incredibly soggy experience for yourself so you may need protective clothing such as a souwester, hat and gloves, especially for that time when the bath is over and he shakes himself, spattering everything in sight with his surplus bath water!
UK readers can try our Paws n More store for Dog Bathing Products
Booster Bath Plastic Dog Bath
Amazon Price: $179.95 (as of 12/04/2009)
List Price: $229.99
Bamboo Dog Body Brush with Shampoo Applicator
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
List Price: $7.99
Dog Drying Towel
Amazon Price: $15.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
List Price: $24.99
Halo Cloud Nine Herbal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats 16 fl. oz.
Amazon Price: $9.39 (as of 12/04/2009)
List Price: $14.99
Pooper Scooping
The responsible dog owner cleans up after their pet.
These days responsible dog owners do not allow their pets to pooh in public open spaces and simply walk away from it. We pooper-scoop it and put it in the bin!There are products on the market which make it easier for us to do this:
- Breathing apparatus for when we can't stand the smell
- Liquid nitrogen for freezing sloppy poohs
- Rubber gloves to prevent contamination of our hands
- Plastic bags
- Purpose made scooping equipment
Msa 10043202 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus System
Amazon Price: $2,260.00 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price:
Poop Freeze Aerosol Freeze Spray
Amazon Price: $10.50 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $21.99
Mutt Mitt - Box of 100
Amazon Price: $42.48 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $18.99
Mess-Free Grip N Grab Dog Poop Scoop
Amazon Price: $17.19 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $20.29
Help... My Dog Is Digging Up The Garden
Or Maybe He Is Sumbathing On Your Prized Plants
To the average dog every flower bed and border is a potential bone burying site and soft, bushy plants become possible sun loungers.To teach your dog not to sleep on your favourite plants simply plant a few cacti in between them and he will soon get the message!
Don't Lose Your Dog
Make sure that your dog can be safely returned if he strays.
Short of sending them to a specialist trainer to learn doggy orienteering and providing them with a few basic accessories like a compass and map so that they can find their own way back, it would make sense to see your vet and microchip your furry friend so that when he is found you can be easily contacted and collect him at your convenience.
Its worth noting that dogs should also be tagged putting your contact informatin on the tag.
Highgear AdventurePlus Hi-Intensity LED Flashlight with Compass, Thermometer, Magnifier, Safety Mirror, Safety Whistle, and Dry Storage Compartment
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $19.99
Orienteering (Essential Guides (Stackpole))
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $16.95
Bone Safety Reflective Pet ID Tag with Personalized Customized Engraving
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $0.00
Heart Safety Reflective Pet ID Tag with Personalized Customized Engraving
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $0.00
Is Your Dog A Fussy Eater?
Here are a few tips to get him eating what you want him to!
- Simply serve his meal to the cat, when she turns her nose up at it and he thinks that you aren't looking he will steal the food from the cat bowl!
- Stop him watching adverts for dog food on TV
- Mix his peas thoroughly with his wet meat thus making it more difficult to spit them out.
Tip: Save money by not purchasing that medicine dispenser as this works equally well with any medicine or tablets that he must take. - Peel the labels form the cat food tins and re-attach them to the dog food. If he thinks he is being served cat food there will be no complaints!
- Put his food on a plate that you no longer use and leave it on the edge of the work surface and walk out of the kitchen for two minutes - he will think that it is yours and steal it before you return!
Note: This only works with particularly tall dogs like our greyhound, you may have to resort to leaving it on the coffee table for smaller dogs!
NOTE: If you do resort to a coffee table you will be giving the dog an additional opportunity to cock his leg and leave a puddle on the carpet!
And of course wooden coffee tables will provide excellent chewing fodder for days!
But pay no attention to what I say, if you are in the UK check out The Pine Factory for suitable wooden coffee tables for your furry friend to pee up and chew!
Walkies!
The Happy Trails Pet Stroller
to my mind is a no no!
Murphy Meets the Treadmill
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
If you find that some evenings you don't have the time or you would rather watch your favourite television program than take him for a walk, then you may find that a 'doggy treadmill' is just what you both need! Just pop your pooch onto the treadmill to provide an ideal alternative to traditional walkies!
Dogs And Cats!
One of your average dog's favourite pastimes is chasing cats!
We happen to be fortunate that our greyhound (despite his breed having natural tendencies to chase) would rather ignore them and go to sleep. If your dog, however, proves to be an incurable cat-chaser, constantly terrorising the neighbourhood moggies, then the best cure is to let him know how it feels to be a cat chased by nasty big dogs!
This can be achieved by simply making or hiring a cat fancy dress outfit, putting your dog in it and leave him at the mercy of the other neighbourhood dogs to see how he likes it!
Do You Despair At Your Dog Shedding Hairs
Grooming your dog regularly will help to control the shedding.
Carpets, rugs, curtains, furniture, beds, clothes, soft furnishings and your visitors all will attract a furry outer covering that only an industrial sized vacuum cleaner on full power can hope to shift! Personally I recommend Dyson DC15 The Ball Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner Silver/Lavender
from Amazon UK!
Dyson DC15 Animal Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon Price: $499.00 (as of 12/05/2009)
This Dyson cleaner is fantastic for people with pets and great on dirt!
Amazon says - Designed for homes with pets, this Dyson upright vacuum cleaner features advanced Root8Cyclone technology to ensure thorough, efficient cleaning with no clogging or loss of suction. Effective for use on all floor types, the unit's motorized brushbar can be turned on to remove dirt and pet hair from carpets, or turned off to protect rugs and delicate floors.
The Furminator!
The ultimate de-shedding tool
FURminator Large Yellow deShedding Tool with 4-Inch Edge
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
Designed to reduce shedding better than any brush, comb, or rake, this innovative tool works effectively for all shedding breeds of dogs and cats, both long- and short-haired. It addresses the issue of the undercoat, which can become a dense mess of loose, dead hair and the major source of shedding, and the allergies and cleanliness problems that come with it. The revolutionary grooming device utilizes a unique 4-inch stainless-steel edge that grabs loose undercoat hair and quickly and easily removes it, without damaging the topcoat. It actually brings out the pet's natural oils, leaving a shiny and healthy topcoat. The pet will enjoy the feeling the de-shedding tool provides, and caretakers will appreciate the results. Used by veterinarians and recommended by doctors for people who have allergies, the tool is proven to decrease shedding by 60 to 80 percent for about four to six weeks. The patented de-shedding tool features a comfortable, ergonomic grip handle and measures 6 by 1 by 4-1/8 inches.
See The Furminator at work!
Is Your Dog Chewing and Scratching?
Dogs can do a lot of damage around the house, scratching at doors, digging their way through carpets, sofas and duvets, and chewing up everything in site that will fit between their powerful jaws.There is no end to what a dog might consider dragging away into a corner and having a good old chomp on! Rugs, cushions, shoes, slippers, books, the morning post. Nothing is sacred.
Of course you could keep your dog permanently muzzled to stop him from chewing. You could even armour plate your doors and pop his little paws into fluffy slippers to prevent damage to your woodwork but I think he will appreciate having plety of chewy stuff of his own around such as chewy bones, rubbery dog toys and, if he isn't too aggressive that he will rip it to shreds, maybe the odd soft toy to provide a bit of comfort when he is lonely!
Guardian Gear Lined Muzzle 7 In Snout Size 3
Amazon Price: $6.03 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $12.99
ZW478-DUCK
Amazon Price: $13.08 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $17.99
KONG Extreme Goodie Bone Dog Toy, Medium, Black
Amazon Price: $6.44 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $11.19
KONG Extreme Dog Toy, Large, Black
Amazon Price: $6.93 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $12.75
Multipet Curly Pets Dog Toy, Monkey
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $5.99
New Shoes Madam?
I guess we will have to go shoe shopping then :-/
Noisy Dog
A continually barking dog can be a problem
- He wants to go out
- He wants to come in
- He is hungry
- There is someone at the door
- The cat has stolen his toy again
- The kid has stood on his tail
You would think that he has good reason for his constant whining, however, some dogs will bark and howl continually, especially if left alone for long periods.
Whilst turning up the stereo to full whack may drown out his barking the neighbours might not appreciate it as such persistent noise does tend to get on your nerves after a while.
If you have a detached house with no immediate neighbours it might be worth investing in a powerful hi-fi system!
Sony ZS-H10CP Heavy-Duty CD Radio Boombox
Amazon Price: $120.34 (as of 12/05/2009)
Pump up the volume on this boom box - guaranteed to almost drown out the noise from your barking dog.
Fully portable, take it wherever you go in the house and the barking won't follow you!
*WARNING Some dogs may be inclined to join in by howling when music is played. Avoid high pitched music such as Opera!
Don't Leave Your Dog Alone Too Long!
Please, if you have a dog, try not to leave him alone for long periods at a time, and especially all day long. He is bound to get bored and it is just not fair to him.
Having Trouble Getting Puppy To Sleep?
Sit, Stay, Fetch Free Dog Training
When all else fails try this FREE 6 day dog training course.
Joking aside, dog behavioural problems can be very trying, sometimes no matter what you try it has no effect on your furry friend and you just don't know where to turn next. That's when we have to admit that we just might need some help.SitStayFetch is one of the easiest dog training systems to follow.
Learn how to train your dog like a professional trainer and change its behavior. The system is packed with information, including guidance on how to solve over 25 dog behavior problems. There are real-life case studies, the best dog training techniques available, unlimited dog behavior consultations with the SitStayFetch team, lots of photos that will boost your learning AND step-by-step instructions... all within one instantly downloadable package.
Over 200,000 owners have signed up for the Free SitStayFetch 6 day dog training course and there have been countless success stories.... hey, the 6 day course is free so it has to be worth a try!
Your Comments Are Welcome
I would love to receive your feedback and comments so please feel free to leave me a note here.
You can comment even if you are not a member of Squidoo but why not sign up here to start building your own lenses and become part of this fantastic community.
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Reply
- Supergirl5 Supergirl5 Oct 15, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
- Great lens!! I especially liked all the cute pictures. They really played a relevant part in the context of the lens.... nicely done.
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Reply
- lakern26 lakern26 Aug 5, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
- I really enjoyed this lens. It was amusing, but informative as well. Lensrolled to Raising a Puppy - Are You Ready?.
I'd love to know where you found the great pictures and graphics!
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Reply
- stemcells stemcells Mar 28, 2009 @ 9:28 am
- Thank you for top information about pets!
I picked up a lot of pet
grooming tips from this site:
Pet Grooming
Accessories and history of bringing up a pets
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Nov 25, 2008 @ 7:38 am
- Love this lens and I love my dog. Lensrolling to Doggie Birthday Party
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Reply
- karmasherbs karmasherbs Sep 6, 2008 @ 7:28 am
- Thanks for sharing. Great tips! 5*'s
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Reply
- The_Homeopath The_Homeopath Aug 28, 2008 @ 11:54 am
- This is so funny. All true, though. I think my Jonesy would protest if I attempted to make hime wear mud boots, just not his style.
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Reply
- sisterra sisterra Aug 28, 2008 @ 10:31 am
- Great lens!
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Reply
- WeaselPuppy WeaselPuppy Jul 4, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
- I loved the pictures and graphics!
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Reply
- carrieokier carrieokier Jun 28, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
- Excellent job on your lens, and some great info.
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