Just a reminder, mark your calendars and join us this Saturday, Oct. 19, for our 10th annual Toast to the Animals.
This event is gearing up to be one of our best ever. We have booked Heath Bartley for our musical entertainment and have over 100 amazing silent auction items to bid on. There will be exciting new wines and beers to sample plus wonderful appetizers to enjoy. Only $15 at the door and you must be 21 to attend.
House training older dogs is a more delicate process than with younger dogs. If you are looking to adopt an older dog that was not previously exposed to any house training at a young age, it is going to bring along its bad habits such as chewing, excessive barking, making holes in the yard or “marking” the territory.
Furthermore, you will also experience more difficulties in house training older dogs as they tend to respond and progress much slower to most training methods and commands than younger dogs.
Here are three useful tips, courtesy of pet-articles.blogspot.com, that can help you in house training older dogs successfully.
1. First and foremost, a complete checkup at the vet is necessary in order to eliminate any existing health problems or complications such as urinary tract or flea infections. Older dogs may also experience some form of diarrhea if there is a sudden change from their previous dietary habits. Do not punish him for these “mistakes”. Instead be patient and allow your dog a week to adapt to the changes gradually. If conditions did not improve, consult your vet.
2. Always establish a routine schedule for eating and drinking for your dog. This helps you to easily monitor your dog’s toilet habits and decide when to bring your pet out for a walk every time he or she finishes a meal. Most adult dogs tend to eliminate 30 to 45 minutes after eating or drinking. Learn the signs and watch out for clues of circling and sniffing the floor.
3. Older dogs have shorter attention spans; therefore, more repetitions are needed during the house training process to reinforce the desired habits. Never use violence on them if they make a mess in the house. Scolding the dog is pointless unless you actually see it eliminating indoors. Use a firm voice command, “No,” and guide the dog to its designated spot. Praise or reward your dog when it relieves itself outdoors.
House training an older dog successfully depend a lot on your consistency, discipline and perseverance. Treating the dog with patience and understanding, using the appropriate house training methods, are the main ingredients to developing a well-behaved adult dog with good toilet habits.
On occasion there are older dogs up for adoption at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Patience is definitely the key for a happy pet and its owner. Stop by and check us out. We are located at 24 Cross St. in Presque Isle. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the board of directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
