It’s Zaturday, the day that we (Ziggy and Zorro) take over Mommy’s blog.
Zorro here. I know it’s been a really long time since Ziggy and I have been on here, but whew, have we been busy! Well, I guess it’s Mommy and Daddy who have been busy. First, something happened to Daddy. Mommy said he had shoulder surgery. Ziggy and I don’t know what that means, but he came home with this great big thing on his arm and had to wear it for a long time. Ziggy and I were scared of it at first, but we got used to it. Soon we were back to snuggling with him.
Then we all moved from Florida to North Carolina. Ziggy and I like car rides, so we didn’t mind that at all. What was really fun, though, was when Mommy started unpacking. Every time she emptied a box, Ziggy and I got in! Boxes are the most fun thing in the world! Well, catnip toys are pretty fun, too.
Lately, though, Mommy and Daddy have been making lots of noise, and we don’t like that. Even Aunt Kim is getting involved. Mommy says they’re remodeling. While Mommy and Aunt Kim put a new floor in, Ziggy and I hung out on our catio.
For a while, there was white stuff all over the ground, and it was really cold. When I wanted to get warmed up, I just came in and curled up in Grandma’s lap. Grandma has a soft, warm lap, because she wears a thick, fuzzy robe.
Now the room where everybody was working is all finished. Ziggy and I are glad. We like to hang out in there and look out the front window…
…or play on the new floor.
Mommy says she’s not done with the remodeling, though. Next, she’s going to tear up the hall bathroom. That sounds like a noisy job, too, so Ziggy and I are hoping she’ll change her mind. Think we might be able to convince her to play with us instead?
Caring for a dog can be a wonderful experience for families, but sometimes, a few doggie disasters are to be expected. These can include your dog going potty inside the house or acting out when you’re not around. If your dog is misbehaving, it’s likely due to underlying behavioral issues that should be addressed. Fortunately, these types of doggie disasters can be prevented and treated so you can live a long and happy life with your pup. Here are some great ways to prevent common doggie disasters at home.
Preventing Your Dog From Going Potty in the House
If your dog is going potty inside the house, it may be a sign of an underlying anxiety issue. Separation anxiety is one of the most common causes of this type of accident and can often be treated with the help of a veterinary behaviorist. Your dog may also be anxious about outside conditions, such as noise. Noise phobias may be triggered due to frightening sounds from outside, such as honking from a car. This may cause your dog to only want to pee inside instead of outside.
This can be reversed by taking your dog to a quieter outdoor setting or playing some soothing music through a music player. Accidents can also be prevented by keeping a clean indoor environment. If a dog smells its past accidents, he or she might believe that the indoor environment is the right place to go potty. Overall, this type of issue must be treated with love and proper care. Scolding or yelling at your dog will only instill more fear and anxiety instead of treating the problem.
Preventing Your Dog from Acting Out
A dog acting out is a form of misbehaving and not listening to his or her owner’s commands. A dog may also act out in front of guests or strangers. Here are some ways to prevent your dog from misbehaving:
Play with your dog more often. Dogs who aren’t getting enough activity may become frustrated and act out, so make sure your pup is getting a lot of exercise. If you have a busy schedule, hire a dog walker to stop by once or twice a day to walk your dog while you’re out, or hire a pet sitter who can keep him company more regularly.
Create consistency in your dog’s routine. Dogs love consistency, especially with regard to their training. They also rely on their owners for maintaining a sense of order in their life. If a dog’s needs aren’t being met, they may lash out or cause a bit of chaos to get their owner’s attention.
Sometimes dogs act out due to stress. They can pick up on our emotions, and if you’re feeling anxious or troubled, your dog will reflect it. So take steps to create a more peaceful and positive environment in your home. Remember, reducing stress in the home isn’t just good for your pets; it’s good for you, too!
Don’t use negative reinforcement, but don’t always use positive reinforcement either. For example, if your dog begs or barks for your attention and you give in, you would be teaching your dog that acting out is the “right” way to get attention. Instead, reward your dog for good behavior, such as not jumping on guests.
Note when the bad behavior started. Have you moved recently? Have you been spending less time with your dog? Have you been lashing out at your dog due to stressors from life? Identifying the factors that triggered your dog to start misbehaving may provide context to applicable solutions, such as spending more time with your dog or creating a more consistent routine for them.
Protecting Your Dog
One disaster that can be truly tragic is if your dog gets into a rodenticide. First, know the signs — which could include lethargy, bleeding gums, or difficulty breathing — and if you spot them, contact your veterinarian immediately. Also, instead of using poison or traps, if you have a problem with pests, you can hire a professional to safely eradicate them.
It’s also crucial that your pup avoids choking hazards and electrical dangers. ZenBusiness recommends tying up any loose cords and keeping them out of reach. Also make sure to remove any rubber bands, staples, and paper clips off the floor.
Doggie disasters, such as bad behavior or going potty inside the house, may be triggered due to outside factors or underlying behavior problems. It’s important to identify these factors quickly so you can teach your dog proper behavior. If it’s difficult to treat your dog’s behavioral problems on your own, consider consulting a veterinarian or a behavioral specialist.
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Thank you, Ryan, for all the great info. For inspiring stories about man’s best friend, check out Ryan’s website, A Pupper’s Love.
Then we all moved from Florida to North Carolina. Ziggy and I like car rides, so we didn’t mind that at all. What was really fun, though, was when Mommy started unpacking. Every time she emptied a box, Ziggy and I got in! Boxes are the most fun thing in the world! Well, catnip toys are pretty fun, too.
Lately, though, Mommy and Daddy have been making lots of noise, and we don’t like that. Even Aunt Kim is getting involved. Mommy says they’re remodeling. While Mommy and Aunt Kim put a new floor in, Ziggy and I hung out on our catio.
For a while, there was white stuff all over the ground, and it was really cold. When I wanted to get warmed up, I just came in and curled up in Grandma’s lap. Grandma has a soft, warm lap, because she wears a thick, fuzzy robe. 
