Paw Prints July 2015

Summer Safety  

If you're out in town and you've got your dog with you, don't go anywhere you can't take him!  Too many dogs die in their cars because their owners think they won't be long.
Leaving the window cracked will not give your dog the relief it needs to withstand the heat inside a hot car.
If you see a dog left in a car, look around for its owners.  If you cannot locate them, it is okay to call 911 or your local animal control!
Spread awareness to friends and family members who own pets, too!

Dr. Ernie Ward was brave enough to show viewers the reality of being trapped inside a hot car by conducting the experiment... on himself.
As the minutes ticked by, you can clearly see his discomfort rise and as the heat continued to take over the inside of the car, you will see that leaving your dog inside the car can result in his fatality.

Shout Out!!

Kunsan Patriots for Animal Welfare and Scholarship (PAWS) is a non-profit American organization dedicated to helping animal shelters in South Korea.  PAWS raises funds and calls for volunteers to extend the much needed helping hand at the many, many shelters around the peninsula.  There is always a need, but PAWS is always putting forth its best effort with the dedication and endurance of its members.  Good on you, PAWS, for doing what you do!
Check out their Facebook page!


Training Tip of the Day
Submissive Urination

Although unpleasant to us humans, submissive urination is actually normal canine behavior.  Not all dogs do it, but those who do usually submissively urinate when they greet people, are super excited during play or when being petted, and when they are being scolded.  It is a common behavior in puppies as well as in dogs who lack confidence.  This behavior can be frustrating and when handled inappropriately (most often done), it will only worsen and the relationship between dog and owner will be a rocky one.

When approaching the issue of submissive urination, you have to first rule out other possibilities.  For instance, a medical complication will cause uncontrollable urination.  When Bruce had a bladder infection, he was constantly urinating in the house and thankfully I took him straight to the vet.  Other things to consider before deciding on treating submissive urination are:  house training, separation anxiety, and urine marking.  Once you've ruled all those out, you're ready to approach submissive urination.

The ASPCA offers help for this!  See below:

What to Do About Submissive Urination

Dogs usually grow out of submissive urination by the time they reach one year of age, even if their pet parents do nothing about it. However, many people find it messy and unpleasant, and some dogs never grow out of it. If your dog or puppy submissively urinates, the following suggestions might help you manage, minimize or stop the behavior.

• If possible, greet your dog outside.
• Toss a handful of small treats or a few favorite toys in the direction of your dog as he runs up to greet you.
• Ignore your dog when you first come home and walk through the door. Wait until he has completely calmed down before interacting with him. When you finally greet your dog, do so calmly. Look off to the side instead of straight at him. Sit on the floor or squat down—and avoid looming over your dog as you bend toward him.
• Teach your dog to perform a behavior, such as sit, when he greets people. First, practice the sit behavior outside of the greeting context, in a calm place, without other people around. To learn more about teaching your dog to sit, please see our article, Teaching Your Dog to Sit.
• When you pet your dog, touch him under the chin or chest, rather than on top of his head or ears.
• Keep play sessions with your dog low-key and play games with him that focus on toys rather than bodily contact.
• If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) for assistance. To find one of these qualified experts in your area, please see our article, Finding Professional Help.

What NOT to Do

• Do not look at your dog, touch him, bend over him or speak to him if he starts to submissively urinate or if you think he might.
• Do not hug your dog or pat him on the top of the head when greeting or interacting with him.
• Do not scowl or frown at your dog, especially in response to submissive urination. You should even avoid making frustrated comments, as doing so might make the behavior worse.

DO NOT VERBALLY SCOLD YOUR DOG OR PUNISH YOUR DOG IN ANY WAY. Scolding and punishment are likely to make the problem worse. The more you yell at your dog, the more he’ll feel motivated to submissively urinate in an attempt to make you less angry.

Just Keep the Dog is dedicated to encouraging owners

to endure the challenges of

dog ownership.

If you would like to contribute to this cause, your help is definitely welcome!

Contact me at justkeepthedog@gmail.com