posted 05-18-2003 01:13 AM         

A dog can be compared to a small child in many ways. A pet should not be unattended for very long or chances are that they will get into trouble. The following is a list of some of the most common reasons for pet owner anxiety. These are the top complaints from pet owners:

1. A pet who messes in the house repeatedly.

2. A dog who gets into the garbage, strewing it all over the floor.

3. A dog that is destructive. (They chew shoes, furniture, carpeting, curtains, or many other items.)

4. A pet who jumps up on people, many times scratching them.

5. A dog that runs away frequently or won't come to the owner when his name is called in a calm manner.

Loneliness and boredom are the main reasons that many dogs act out or disobey the rules. An animal who is home alone for many hours needs to have a designated place to stay during that time. For some that is in the basement, the kitchen, in the yard, or in a large dog cage. Depending on which area that you choose, the dog will know his limits and also be free from temptations.

While there are some pet owners that choose to leave their dog free roaming capabilities, many owners find that blocking or restraining them to a particular area helps curb the temptation, and in turn, lessens the frequency of these various different messes.

There are many ways to keep your dog occupied while you are away. Here is a list of things to have available to your pet on those days that they will be confined to the house or other appropriate place:

1. Always let your dog outside for at least ten minutes prior to your departure.

2. Have chew toys, bones, and other doggy playthings accessible to your pet.

3. Keep the pet in a well-lit room that is supplied with plenty of fresh water and food.

4. Empty the trash before you leave the house. (If this is not possible, block them from access to the trash containers.)

5. Leave a radio or TV on in the area that they are in. This can give them a little company. (There are many new video and audiotapes now available for both dogs and cats. These are a very good idea for a pet that has free access to the entire house.)

6. Be sure to remove anything that the dog might chew like shoes, dolls, and other items from the area.

When you get home from work or wherever you were for the day, be sure to praise the dog if he did not make a mess. Make sure that the dog knows that you are proud of him. Give the darling a treat even! By using this positive reinforcement, you can insure that this will be a much more frequent occurrence.

If the dog still was able to make a mess, you should be firm and consistent with your discipline. Always remember to treat your dog like a small child. You should never harm your pet in any way. Perhaps a light swat on the behind is appropriate when this happens, but remember to never scream at the pet and certainly never hit or kick your dog!

Instead of physical punishment, many pet owners have found that a water spray bottle is much more effective. Every time that the dog does something inappropriate, you should admonish him verbally and also squirt the pet with a squirt gun or a water spray bottle. This is a very effective tool.

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When you practice the above tips and tricks, the other pet's behavior problems like jumping on guests and pets that are unresponsive to the owners' calls should also lessen. The water bottle is also helpful for times when the pet jumps at people or scratches them.

Now you have the tools that you need to keep Spot in line. Now maybe your days will be filled with less time cleaning up after your pet and more time hugging him!