Many dog parents think that a veterinarian is the only one who can tell if there is anything wrong with the health of their dog. However, this is not the case in every case. Dogs do not speak by themselves, but they are very expressive of their behavior and emotions.  Therefore, everyone can assess when their dog is sick, though the definitive diagnosis will be made by your pet’s vet.

In this article you will learn how to tell if your dog is sick, the signs of a sick dog, the chances for your dog to get sick from humans, and what to feed a sick dog.

Why is it necessary for me to know when my dog is sick?

You need to know when your dog is sick because if you suspect something is wrong with your dog, you may not be able to tell your vet what you have actually felt that was weird. There might be any health issue that you didn’t notice in your dog, and you may feel guilty later that you were unaware of the pain that your dog was suffering from.

Sick dogs may show some prominent symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. On the other hand, there are some behaviors in sick dogs that you need to notice and it may not be possible unless you know about them. So that’s why you need to know all the major signs and behavioral changes that your dog might have when he is sick.

What are the common symptoms when my dog is sick?

 There are some noticeable symptoms of a sick dog, however, some of the symptoms may not be visible. Therefore keen attention to your dog and knowledge of sick dog symptoms are needed.

Dullness or Over-excitement

Whenever a dog gets sick, the first and most noticeable symptom is behavior change. Dull and depressed behavior is prominent in most diseases in dogs except the over-excitement in rabid dogs.

Your dog may be sluggish enough that he is not wagging his tail even you talk to him. He may not be excited to go out for a walk even in daylight. Apart from any sickness in your dog, the change in the behavior may be due to over-tiredness, change in the feed, or not seeing his favorite person or toys.

So, whenever, you feel that there is a change in your dog’s behavior, always look for these aspects too. When you are sure that the change in the behavior is not related to these aspects, always seek consultation from your pet’s vet.

Vomiting

One of the most noticeable symptoms in a sick dog is vomiting. Vomiting can be mild or may be life-threatening. There are some frequent causes of vomiting in dogs which include

• Eating from scrap
• Food poisoning
• Eating not edible things
• Motion sickness
• Diseases such as parvovirus infection, canine distemper

Diarrhea

When your dog is having loose, watery, and more frequent poop, your dog likely has diarrhea, a notable symptom of a sick dog. Diarrhea may be due to

• Going to trash
• Change in the feed
• Ingesting foreign objects
• Bacterial or viral infections

If your dog has only one episode of diarrhea and is acting normal, you can wait and look for any progression. If there is no further progression in the symptoms, there is nothing to worry about the health of your dog, and if vice versa, immediately visit your pet’s vet.

Change in Eating Habits

Dogs have their set eating habits and may eat more or less on different days. However, when you notice that your dog has not eaten for 18-24 hours, there might be a problem with your dog. Try to offer some of his favorite foods and treats in this condition. If nothing works and there are some associated symptoms (weakness, lethargy, vomiting diarrhea, salivation) too, you should get your dog examined by a nearby vet.

On the other hand, when your dog is eating too much without gaining weight or he is losing weight instead of normal eating, your dog may have a problem with his stomach. You may have skipped the usual deworming schedule for your dog and he may have a worm in his stomach.

Change in Drinking Habits

Your dog may change his water intake according to the weather i.e.,

• More water intake in dry and hot weather
• Low water intake in cold and humid weather

However, drinking too much water or too less irrespective of weather conditions may depict some problems with your dog. Drinking too less water indicates that your dog is not well because he is not interested in eating or drinking. If your dog is drinking too much water, this may be an indication of

• Fever
• Diabetes
• Hormonal issue
• Feed issue
• Kidney issues

Changes in Eyes

Normally dogs have clean, wet, and shiny eyes. If you observe any of the following signs, you need to take your dog to your dog’s vet.

• Runny or dry eyes
• Pale or red eyes
• Squinting eyes
• Sunken or cloudy eyes

Runny Nose, Sneezing, and Coughing

The dogs usually have wet and non-runny noses. Some people think that a dry nose is not normal, in fact, a dry nose is not always associated with any problem. However, a runny nose depicts that your dog may have got a cold, pneumonia, or any bacterial or viral infection.

Your dog may have a cough when eating fast and anxiously or may sneeze when exposed to certain irritants such as smoke, perfumes, etc. Excessive coughing and sneezing are something to worry about because these are associated with infections (bacterial or viral) that need medical care.

Excessive Urination

Dogs usually urinate when you take them for a walk. When you notice that your dog started urinating at various places in your house, there must be health issues with your dog.

Be aware of the following:

• Difficult urination
• Any changes in the volume of urine
• Signs of blood in the urine

Frequent urination with an increased urine volume may be related to kidney issues or diabetes mellitus. Bloody urine may be due to infections in the urinary tract, stones in the kidney or bladder, tumors in the urinary tract, or any problems in the blood of your dog. These signs are important to be observed in elder dogs as compared to younger dogs. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, immediately take your dog to your dog’s vet so that proper treatment can be started.

Unexplained or Sudden Changes in Weight

All dog breeds gain body weight according to the bread’s characteristics and age progression. When there is a sudden gain or loss in the weight of your dog, there must be an underlying cause for this. Your dog might be suffering from diabetes mellitus or having intestinal or blood parasites or some other health issues.

Hair Fall or Itchy Skin

A healthy coat is an indication that your dog is also healthy. If you feel hair fall or itchy areas on the body of your dog, this can be due to skin issues. Hair fall can be in the form of patches or diffused forms. The reasons for hair fall may include

• Fungal infection
• Flea infestation
• Hormone issue
• Skin allergies

Hypersalivation or Excessive Drooling of Saliva

In summer, dogs dissipate heat from the body by producing more saliva which is normally observed after playing or exercising in summer. However, if there is excessive drooling of saliva, there may be issues with the gums of your dog or he may have any kind of obstruction in the feeding tube.

General Lethargy

Lethargy is one of the common symptoms of a sick dog. If your dog is playful and active normally, but suddenly he looks energy-drained and dull, this may be an indication of a health issue. Lethargy can be due to overexertion or a serious health issue. If the lethargy remains for 24 hours and no other signs of any sickness develop, there is nothing to worry about your dog. However, if you notice that lethargy is persistent with progressing signs of sickness, you need to consult with your vet.

Fever

The normal body temperature of dogs is slightly higher than the human body temperature. So when you pet your dog, he may feel a little warm. However, if you feel that your dog is much warmer, he might have a fever. Fever in your dog can be due to a tumor, or bacterial or viral infection.

Head shaking

Dogs do not shake their head in normal conditions. When you observe that your dog is shaking his head vigorously and repeatedly, this can be an indication of infection in the head area or the ears of your dog.

What to feed a sick dog?

If the dog is sick and has no appetite, it is always advised to offer liquid or semi-solid feed that can be easily digested. Here are some ideas:

Boiled chicken and Rice

This is an easy-to-digest meal. You can prepare it at your home by boiling boneless chicken and rice (combined or separately). You can offer this meal to your sick dog to stimulate hunger.

Bone Broth

Bone broth is also a nutritious and delicious feed for sick dogs to stimulate their appetite. Boil the chicken bones, turkey bones, or beef bone marrow for 24 hours, then remove the bones and offer the broth to your sick dog after cooling it down.

Commercial foods

You can also use some commercially made jellies that either contain chicken broth or turkey broth. Sick dogs like the aroma of jellies and start eating them.

Can my dog get sick from humans?

Dog diseases and human diseases are usually caused by different causes, so there are very less chances that your dog may get sick from sick humans. However, there are some reports in which some diseases were reported from humans to dogs. These diseases include salmonellosis, MRSA, tuberculosis, ringworm, and COVID-19.

While you’re away, you want your pet to relax and be as comfortable as possible. Now, there’s a solution – dog boarding kennels and pet sitting services.

Here’s what you need to know about dog boarding and to find the best one near you.

Dog Boarding VS Pet Sitting

The main difference between the two is the attention of care and length of stay.

One of the things you have to consider is if you want your dog to stay in the environment she’s used to. Would she be happier with paw pals around?

What does “in-home pet sitting” mean?

It’s like hiring a babysitter, but it’s someone who takes explicit care of pets.

This means a certified pet sitter will come to your home to watch over your dog. If you don’t want your fur baby staying in a kennel, then this is the right choice for you.

Understandably, there are pet moms and dads who would prefer to have their dog to stay in their own home. After all, some canines get stressed whenever they’re outside of the environment that they’re used to.

For those who want to book lodging for their canine, then the next one is for you.

Defining dog boarding

This is a dog care option where your pet would be staying in a lodging facility. It’s an excellent option for paw parents who don’t feel comfortable having other people in their house.

Depending on how long you’ll need someone to take care of your dog, you can opt for long- or short-term dog boarding. Not only that, there are different kinds of cage-free boarding for dogs so your pet wouldn’t experience any stress of being caged.

Most boarding facilities also offer additional services such as grooming, engaging activities, and a bit of behavioral training.

Types of dog boarding kennels

Before you check out boarding kennels, you have to think first about the environment that your dog is used to.

Questions such as – Is your dog a social butterfly and do well with other canines? Is your pooch a barker? Does she enjoy chewing on anything when bored? Or does she prefer to relax in solitude? – will help you pick the right lodging for your pet.

Kennel-style boarding for dogs

This type of boarding involves private enclosures that are custom-built for a dog or two. Your pet can enjoy the indoors with sheltered bed space, an open area for food, and an outdoor to play with other boarders.

For pets who don’t do well with other dogs will do best in kennels since they are separate from other canines.

The dogs will get their potty breaks once staff members let them out of their kennel, about four times a day. Kennel-style lodging for pets was the most common boarding, but there are other facilities that offer a more personalized and comfortable option.

In-home boarding kennels

Perfect for those pet parents who’d prefer to have their dog stay at an actual home – a dog sitter’s home.

Those who accept boarding dogs in their own house has a small number of pets, about a maximum of 5.

It will be less stressful for pets, especially for those who have a nervous temperament and don’t like the busy kennels. They’re also suitable for delicate dogs, as well as the young and old. This kind of boarding will reduce the risk of pets getting sick or picking up germs.

Other owners prefer the idea of having their dog enjoy all the comforts of home.

Free-Range Doggie Kennels

Most suitable for friendly dogs! This kind of boarding kennels has a large, open doggie daycare area for pets to socialize.

What operators do here is have the dogs separated based on their temperament, size, and age. So expect for these kinds of facilities to require owners to bring their pets in advance so they can be assessed.

Once their playtime is over, your dog will get to sleep with up to 5 new friends that she made in a large room.

Posh Hotel for Dogs

If you’ve seen the actual movie “Hotel for Dogs,” there really are fancy hotels for pets.

They can range from simple and functional to a 5-star luxury hotel that can wow all pet parents and their furry friends! To give you a headstart, a chain of D-Pet Hotels has locations in Hollywood, Austin, LA, Scottsdale, and Chelsea. They boast luxury suites, flatscreen TVs, and an ala carte menu.

You can also choose a service for your dog from amazing choices such as a Bentley, Rolls Royce, or Porsche, and more!

Another luxurious hotel is Grand Pet Resort and Spa in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s one of the best options as you can keep an eye on your dog via webcam (DogCams). They have a dog-friendly bakery, their signature bone-shaped pool, and private suites. They go the extra mile with flat-screen TVs, soothing music, treats, and even hugs.

If you’re health-conscious, try Henderson Pet Resort in Henderson, Nevada. They offer daycare and dog boarding services with air purification and hospital-grade disinfection. They also have commercial-grade laundry and dishwashing systems that both sanitize everything that your pooch uses.

Expect your pet in safe hands since there’s an on-site staff 24/7 and webcam access so you can also check in on your dog.

Before we move on, here’s a quick tour of Petsmart’s PetHotel by Bailey, the Golden Retriever.

How to pick a good boarding kennel for your dog

Once you find that perfect doggie daycare or pet boarding for your fur baby, you’ll probably want to stick with them and their services.

It might sound easy, but here are the significant factors that you have to look out for when choosing a boarding kennel for your pet.

Cleanliness of the facilities

It’s best if you visit the kennel, so you know the kind of place your dog will be spending her time in while you’re away. As tempting as it is to show up unannounced to catch everything in the act, it’s best to call ahead and arrange a schedule.

Think about what’s convenient for the operator of the kennel. With so many tasks to accomplish, it wouldn’t be courteous to disrupt the schedule or routine of everyone, especially the dogs that are currently in their care.

Once you’re there, use your senses to observe. Does everything smell and look clean? Are there areas that are air-conditioned or heated?

If possible, visit more than once to verify the consistency of how things are.

Availability of drinking water for dogs

Boarding facilities have a lot of activities for their guests, so it makes sense that these pets should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Especially if a dog is experiencing stress for being in a new environment.

Some kennel operators withhold water at certain times to minimize the potty breaks the dogs need.

But did you know that certain breeds are more prone to bloat? Those are dogs who are large and over seven years old, as well as deep-chested canines.

The only time that they can limit a dog’s water intake is if they’re following protocols to avoid bloating. So if this is the case for your pet, let the boarding operator know the reason behind the request.

Private access to outdoor runs

This would depend on how the facility is designed. Some boarding kennels have a doggie door for each enclosure that will lead the pets to an outdoor field. If the weather permits it, they’re left open throughout the day.

If during your visit and you notice there isn’t a doggie door, ask how many times the dogs are taken out of their enclosures in a day and how long. Once they’re out, is it just to pee? Are they allowed to roam and go for a walk for a few more minutes?

Ideally, pets should be taken out of their enclosure twice a day, for at least 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

Which means staffing is also necessary. If there are too many dogs and fewer people to handle them, that could be a problem. There isn’t too much time left for meal preparation, cleaning, and the staff member’s breaks.

Security of the area

How safe is the boarding kennel?

Just in case your pet slips out of her enclosure, is the building door or gate closed to make sure dogs won’t be able to go far? Is there a fence that would stop boarders from running into a road?

Separation in the enclosures

Consider this factor as some pets have issues and aren’t at ease when another dog is present, like someone bigger than them.

It’s best if there’s a visual barrier to reduce stress and keep the peace between the pet guests.

Also, canines shouldn’t be able to make physical contact when in their private enclosures, such as spaces above or beneath walls.

Health emergency protocols

No matter what medical emergency might happen during your dog’s stay in a boarding kennel, you’d want to make sure that everyone working there knows what to do.

All the staff should be certified in pet first aid. It’s also a great facility if they have transportation available all the time. If in case they need to get a dog to a vet, then they’d be easily able to do so.

It’s advisable to put into writing a list of medical decisions that the kennel operator can make on your behalf, as well as the ones you’re supposed to be making.

Dog interaction

Your pet’s socialization can raise a lot of questions. Some boarding kennels promote dog-to-dog interactions while some may prevent it from happening. It can be tricky as there are dogs who do well in the company of other paw pals.

Teaching dogs to play along well with fellow canines can be healthy, especially if it’s well supervised and managed.

But some have to be kept apart from each other due to being aggressive or fearful. Some pets can’t socialize due to injuries, or they’re still recovering from an illness or surgery. While elderly dogs can’t engage physically the way they did when they were younger.

For those pooches who are allowed to interact, the play area should be spacious. It shouldn’t consist of more than a group of 10 to 15 dogs. And again, at least one person should be supervising a group.

It would help put your mind at ease to know how your pet’s playmates are selected.

Is it based on size or their temperament? Are the staff qualified in reading dog body language so they can recognize if any of them is under discomfort, stress, or volatile situations? How would they handle the dogs in such circumstances?

If you, as an owner, would prefer not to have your pet playing with other boarders, would the operator and staff respect your wishes? You’d know what’s best for your dog. The decisions and requests you make should be honored.

Discipline

Another essential thing to know is how they handle misbehavior, like excessive barking or growling. What exactly will they do to the pet-boarders?

Ask for specific answers as any type of discipline and handling tools are UNACCEPTABLE.

No matter what, all dogs should be treated with patience and kindness. That’s why you entrusted your fur baby to them. If they’re certified and qualified with this kind of business, they should know how to manage dogs under their care.

Health requirements

Be prepared to provide your dog’s health records as most boarding kennels will ensure that your dog’s vaccines are up-to-date.

Even if you have personal feelings towards their protocols regarding immunization, if you want their service, you’ve got to meet their requirements.

Food handling

Depending on the age, size, and medical background, dogs would have different dietary needs.

Would staff members assigned to watch over your dog be able to maintain the kind of diet specified for her? Would they follow your instructions about feeding her?

It’s a tedious task, especially for those dogs who are used to the raw food diet. Does the boarding kennel have the necessary refrigerators and freezers to store the ingredients and food? Do they also have the time to prepare and mix dehydrated meals?

For treats, if you packed stuffed Kong’s for a whole week with special treats, will they be able to give it to your dog as she requested?

Expertise and staffing

By entrusting your chosen kennel with your dog, you want to make sure that there’s always someone available within earshot. Especially if you’re leaving your pet overnight or for a few days, ask if there are staff members 24/7.

How about if the boarding kennel is a newly built facility?

Whether they’re popular or just starting with this kind of business, everyone should be trained. They should have plenty of experience dealing with different breeds.

And since the laws are different from one state to another, the legal documents are also different. Ensure that they have the required certifications to operate in your specific location.

Dog Boarding Prices – Daily, weekly, & monthly rates

Remember that the cost of boarding your dog would depend on the type of lodging, services, and length of stay. Location and the time of year can also affect the pricing.

We’ve prepared the average rates depending on how long your dog will stay in the kennels and the type of boarding. It’s still important to do in-depth research on all options available near you before booking your trip.

Dog boarding rates per day

If you’re going to board your dog for a day, the average cost is about $15 to $29.

Aside from boarding, you’d also be paying for activities such as lunch, quiet time, and mostly play with dogs with the same size as your dog. Then you’d have to pick her up after work or your daily errands.

Let’s say you won’t be able to pick up your fur baby at the time discussed, so it’s reasonable to pay an additional fee for the exceeding time.

There are boarding kennels that have a lock-up time. If that’s the case, then you can pick up your pet the next day and expect to pay overnight fees.

Overnight dog boarding rates

Having your dog stay in the kennel over the night would cost about $29 to $80. Since your pet would be sleeping in the facility, the price depends on the size and type of room you choose.

If you pick out a room that has a raised doggy bed, a TV and a DVD player, with a theme-based decor, some kennels that charge for $55 to $84.

Cost of boarding a dog for a week

The average weekly boarding rates can range within $140 to $175 – and that’s for a typical kennel.

If you opt for a luxury dog hotel for your pet, expect the price to be about $525 to $665.

The price for boarding a dog for a week can still go up as there’s a lot of choices when it comes to the size of the room. Not to mention the amenities and services you’re going to add.

Monthly boarding rates for dogs

With its duration, the cost can range between $458 to $610 in a usual kennel. For luxurious hotels for pets, it can go up to $2,600. It usually includes additional amenities and services you pick out for your dog to enjoy.

For daycare, most of them offer long term packages for up to 6 months, where costs can range from $2,000 to $3,000.

If you’re boarding more than one dog, some kennels offer discounted rates of about 10% to 50% off for each additional dog.

Discounts are more common for smaller breeds as they can share a crate, a bed, or a room.

Cost of dog boarding by type

Another significant factor that would affect the price is the kind of boarding kennel you choose and the services they offer.

The price range that we have below would help give an idea of what’s most suitable for your budget while making sure your dog has a great time during their stay.

Dog Kennel Rates

A traditional boarding kennel can cost an average of $25 to $55 per night.

These kinds of typical facilities would include playtime, walks, water, and meals, as well as a personal crate with doggy bedding for a good night’s sleep.

If you choose a boarding kennel that offers training, the rates are between $500 to $1,000 a week. They’d be taught basic training and obedience tasks.

You can check out Camp Bow Wow and Pooch Hotel that offers daycare and dog boarding, as well as training and other services.

Luxury Dog Hotel Prices

For a luxurious stay, dog boarding hotels have rates from $75 to $95 a night.

Although it’s more pricey, your pet can enjoy large dog suites, spa services, gourmet food, large outdoor play areas, and a swimming pool. You can also keep an eye on your pooch from time to time with the online webcam.

Some boarding kennels can offer some or most of these upgrades, but for an additional $15 to $20 per night.

Let’s use Sparta Pet Palazzo as an example. They offer the amenities mentioned above on a per night basis:

• For $75, you can get your dog a 10×7 room with a TV and leather loveseat
• For $85, a 16×13 room will give your dog a private bed, TV, and webcam
• For $95, a more spacious room with a size of 20×20 has a leather sofa, TV, and webcam

Dog sitting and In-home boarding cost

If it’s okay with you that your dog stays in a sitter’s home, the price range will depend on the qualifications and experience of the sitter. Those who are background checked, their rates are between $15 to $50 a day or night.

Rather than letting your dog stay in a locked kennel alone, you’d be comfortable knowing that your pet is with someone who loves dogs and has a pleasant stay.

If you prefer to have your pooch stay in your own house and it’s okay to have a sitter come over, professionals can charge for $70 a night, and $5 additional if you have another dog.

You can have someone stay indoors or check on your dog every 4 hours or so.

You can check out pet sitters registered with Pet Sitters International and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

Vet & animal hospital boarding costs

There are a lot of veterinarians, infirmaries, and pet hospitals that offer boarding services, too.

The average cost is about $35 to $45 a night for dogs with no medical issues. For those with medical or behavioral problems, it can go up to $39 to $55 as they need to be isolated.

A lot of dog owners are willing to pay the price as they feel more confident in leaving their pet under the care and supervision of trained and experienced staff.

Preparing your dog for boarding

It’s ideal to have your dog spend three days of doggy daycare prior to her stay at your chosen boarding kennel. It will allow her to get comfortable and used to the staff and facility. Not only that, it will give the staff members a chance to learn your pet’s preferences and personality.

Bring your fur baby’s meals, especially if she’s on a specific diet and prevent digestive problems. You might want to bring extra as your dog is going to be busy and burning more calories.

If your dog has a favorite bedding or blanket, bring it as well so she’ll feel more “at home.”

Don’t worry about toys. Your dog will surely be busy with all the activities and other pets around her. Besides, it might cause problems as she can get possessive of her own toy.

Here’s a short video on how to prepare your pet for her stay in a boarding kennel.

What to expect after boarding your dog

Since your pet has been more active during her stay in the boarding kennel, expect her to be more thirsty upon arriving home. Don’t fuss! This is a normal reaction when canines are overwhelmed with excitement.

Let your pooch calm down and withhold water for the first 30 minutes from the time they got home.

Once she’s all settled, try giving her a small bowl of water. Continue doing so while monitoring her for the next few hours. Dogs that drink too much too quickly can lead to problems such as vomiting and bloating.

With regards to feeding, wait for at least 3 hours after arriving home before letting your fur baby eat. Just as with drinking water too fast, this will also cause illnesses.

Then make sure your pet gets lots of sleep. She’d need to recover from being very tired from all the activities and excitement she had from her stay with the boarding kennel. Avoid over-exhaustion by canceling trips to the dog park or play dates for at least a few days.

Conduct further research about boarding kennels near you

In the end, a big part that would tell you about how boarding kennels operate is their reputation.

They may have well-designed websites and advertising, but you might want to get references from actual people who have used and continue to use their services.

You can even ask vet clinics around their area on their opinion about a specific boarding kennel.

Just bear in mind that some responsibility would fall on you as an owner. Be sure to provide instructions clearly and even put them in writing. If you want, provide a schedule of what your dog’s routine is like.

It’s understandable that all dogs have their individual needs when it comes to their temperament, dietary requirements, and medication.

What’s your top priority when choosing a pet sitter or a dog boarding kennel? Help other pet parents by sharing your tips and ideas by typing it all in the comment box below.

You have to do your research about the breed you want, know what to expect from dog breeders, and be ready to ask and answer questions.

What you should do before buying a puppy

Whether you already have a specific breed in mind or not, it’s every potential dog owner’s task to know the basics.

You can read some profiles to get an idea of the pros and cons of the breeds you’re interested in. One of the factors that you have to decide on is the approximate size of the dog that will work for you.

It’s noticeable how most people are in love with puppies, but once they’re all grown-up, they end up being given away, or they’re left in shelters or pounds.

Another thing is the temperament or personality you prefer. Although certain breeds are categorized as friendly or intelligent, it doesn’t mean others can’t have those good (and bad) traits.

Breeders who care for their dogs know what they’re like character-wise, and they can be passed on to their dog’s offspring. Other than that, they probably have observed how the puppies are within a few weeks. They can help you pick out which one is a barker, have a prey drive, or even exhibit watchdog abilities.

How about gender? Do you know the difference between having a male and a female dog? How much grooming is okay with you? Is anyone in your family allergic to pets? Shedding tendencies would be a big deal, then.

Aside from researching what health issues are common in the breed you want, helping them stay in tip-top shape means you’re up to the task for the dog’s exercise requirements.

If you join dog shows or competitions, trainability may be an essential factor for you. This means you should be aware of breed standards, as well.

Here’s a video of 5 things you need to know before getting a puppy.

Important questions to ask breeders when buying a puppy

It’s understandable for responsible breeders to quiz you with a Puppy Buyer Questionnaire, but what do you have to ask before purchasing a puppy?

Reputable breeders would welcome all questions as it shows how much heart you have over getting a dog.

Here are good questions that will be handy once you’re talking to a breeder.

Ask to meet the parents and siblings of the puppy

Getting to see what the dam and sire look like would help buyers predict what temperament and conformation the pup will have. Being able to visit the dogs will also give you a chance to observe their overall condition.

Check the facilities to make sure that the puppies are treated well and was raised in a clean environment.

One of the warning signs is where the parents and the litter seem scared or aggressive, but if the kennel or house is filthy and crowded with dogs, then that’s a no-no. We all know that with puppies, it can be challenging to keep things clean all the time, but you can tell if they are experiencing neglect.

If a breeder declines your request to visit, it should alert you, not unless they have a valid explanation. A common reason is the puppies are too young, and it’s to protect their health.

Request for a record of health tests and certificates performed

Some breeds are at risk of genetic conditions such as heart problems and hip dysplasia. Since they mostly are inherited, ensure that no diseases are passed on to the puppies by making sure the bitch and sire were tested before breeding.

Don’t be afraid to ask for certifications that they are tested and certified clear from genetically passed health issues.

While you’re at it, ask about the puppies’ breed line or family history and pedigree.

The breeders’ experience

Don’t hesitate to ask the breeders how long they’ve been breeding and their experience with the specific breed they have. After all, they should be knowledgeable of their dog’s genetic diseases, weaknesses, and strengths.

A great question you can ask related to a breeder’s experience is the cost of the puppies.

If their dogs have “show” potential, they will likely charge more for a puppy. Sometimes, the sky is the limit for their prices when a puppy comes from an excellent bloodline!

But expensive doesn’t always mean a canine has better quality than others. Be careful as there are backyard breeders and puppy mills that offer pups for a lower price, but won’t pass any of your questions or checklist.

How do the puppies socialize?

Whichever purpose you have for getting a puppy, it’s best if they are properly socialized.

Know if the pups have been around other dogs, pets, and people. What are the puppies used to?

They’d be able to adjust easily with a new life with you if the puppy had early socialization with other puppies who differ in breed, size, and age.

If during your visit and you see the dogs are kenneled, ask how much interaction is provided.

Ask to see a record of up-to-date vaccinations

Puppies must get their shots on time, have routine deworming, and regular visits to a veterinarian.

Responsible breeders know the shots that the puppies need. They should have a record showing all the vaccinations they got and when to get their next shot.

This is also the right moment to ask if any of the pups have ever been sick. If the breeder said yes, go ahead and question what were the symptoms of illness, and what was the diagnosis and treatment for it.

Dogs can get sick, it’s inevitable even for well-bred and cared ones. So another essential question related to this part is asking their visit with their trusted vet. How often do they get checked, and are the puppies have been or currently on prescription meds?

Have a contract that guarantees a healthy puppy

What kind of guarantee can the Breeder provide when you purchase a puppy? What steps should be taken if the pup suddenly gets ill or if you can no longer care for it? These are just some of the questions that puppy buyers would want to see in a puppy contract before paying anything.

Clarify if the amount they’re asking for the puppy includes the breeder’s guarantee.

Some might offer rebates or refunds if the dog developed a hereditary condition. To back this up, the breeder may include in the contract some recommended diet, certain health care practices, or other instructions.

At what age will the puppy be able to go home with you?

Puppies are allowed to go home to their new owners by the time they’re 8 to 12 weeks old. They need time to nurse from their mom, so they can mature and get to socialize with siblings.

New owners can pick up their puppy as soon as their socialization period is happening. It will give them a chance to adapt to their new home and surroundings.

Once they’re 7 to 8 weeks old, their first behavioral fear period occurs and is the right time to build resiliency to a lot of experiences.

Keeping in touch with the breeder

Breeders would usually give their contact information when you pick up your puppy. They encourage those who buy puppies from them to reach out if they have any concerns or questions with regards to the pups.

Breeders know that they’ll be the buyers’ breed mentor and source of information and support throughout the dog’s life.

To start this communication, you can ask what the breeder is currently feeding the dogs to avoid a sudden change in their diet, which may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. And when you’re ready, you can ask if they belong to a breed club.

You can ask for references, and your breeder can guide you on what to do to join their current association, canine club, or sports, such as the American Kennel Club.

What is the breeder looking for from puppy buyers?

Aside from answering their questions, show breeders how willing you are to have that pup in your family. Ask if there’s any other information or action that is needed for you to be able to get a puppy.

They’d want the little doggos to go into good homes that know what to expect from the furballs.

Get informed with plenty of research and questions

There’s nothing wrong with asking so many questions to make sure you’re bringing home the best dog for you and your family.

Purchasing a puppy is best done by meeting the breeder in person to discuss everything about the canine. If that’s not possible, exchanging a lot of emails or chat conversations or lengthy phone calls can work. The important thing is having your queries answered.

With responsible breeding, proper socialization, and appropriate care for the dog’s health will make a huge difference in the kind of dog your puppy will turn out.

Do you have any other questions to add to our list? Type them all in the comment box below!

Any dog can learn how to maintain a clean house by eliminating outside, if you know how to potty train a puppy correctly.

This article is the Ultimate Guide for Potty Training Puppies and presents all you have to know about the FASTEST METHOD to toilet train your dog.

The main trick is to reward your puppy every time she eliminates in the right place.
Whenever she eliminates outside her toilet area, you’ve missed a chance for a potty training session.

Definition of Potty Training

You can call it house training, housebreaking, potty training, or you can use a term of your own. Basically, it’s just teaching your dog to control her bladder when she’s inside and eliminate in a specific area.

The Most Effective Ways to Potty Train a Puppy

According to Dr. Mary Burch, Ph.D., director of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs, you can use three methods for potty training a dog:

• Crate training;
• Frequent trips outside;
• Paper training.

The success of any of these methods depends on the same four things. No matter what road you decide to take, you need to pay attention to these four details:

1. Provide your dog with the correct diet. Healthy meals help your dog’s digestion, so your dog will eliminate regularly.
2. Maintain a regular schedule for feeding and going out. Dogs learn faster if you keep an organized schedule. Furthermore, regular activities will help you prevent unpleasant incidents.
3. Encourage your dog to exercise. Through exercise, your dog stays healthy and burns off the extra energy that makes her agitated. A calm puppy responds better to your commands.
4. Use positive reinforcement by rewarding your dog every time she eliminates in the correct area. So your pup gets the idea that “Potty in right place” = “Treat”.

Before you start dog potty training, choose an easy to access toilet for your pet. If you live in an apartment on the third floor, for example, you’d better organize a corner inside your bathroom or a pen as your dog’s primary toilet area.

Things are easier when you live in a house with fast outdoor access because you can designate your dog’s toilet area somewhere close to your home, but still outside the house. You’ll need a pen anyway, but it’s always better when your dog learns from the beginning that her toilet area is not inside.

Why Crate Is One of the Best Potty Training Tools

Crate training is the best way to potty train a puppy because it uses the dog’s “den instinct” as a starting point. Normally, dogs don’t soil their dens and most puppies learn this right from their first days.

When they are very young, they eliminate in the sleeping area and their mother always cleans both them and the place where they live, so puppies learn to sleep in a clean spot.

Growing, they start imitating their mother’s behavior and go outside the den, so it’s in dogs’ nature to learn at an early age (2-4 months) not to eliminate where they sleep.

By confining your dog and by providing her frequent access to an external area for eliminating, you will satisfy your puppy’s natural need for home and safety and help her maintain her “den instinct”. This generates the desire of keeping the sleeping area clean.

The confined area can be an exercise pen, a large crate, a restricted area in the bathroom, or any other space that works well for you.

Keeping the dog confined when you can’t watch her over is not cruel, as some people might think. In fact, teaching a dog to stay inside the crate is helpful, especially when you travel and when she needs to remain locked up for safety reasons.

For the method to work, you must pay attention to your puppy’s needs and give her access to an area where she can eliminate every time she scratches and whines.

If you miss these signals, the dog will understand it’s ok to soil the crate and the housebreaking your puppy will become longer and more difficult.

How to Choose a Crate?

A crate has the right dimensions if, once inside, your dog can turn around, lay down and stand up without difficulty. However, you don’t want it to be too large, because this will allow the dog to set herself a space for sleeping and one for soiling.

She’ll eliminate in one of the corners and then she’ll get into the bad habit of spreading the dirt. If your dog learns to live in a dirty home, she’ll have no problem soiling your entire house.

Invest in a quality cage that can withstand all your puppy’s physical changes. So, get one large enough to fit your dog when she grows up, and ask for a divider or panel to delimit the living area, to make it fit your puppy’s current small dimensions.

Get a crate that you can clean easily, as you’ll have to wash it and sanitize it often. Wire crates, for example, are reliable, allow you to have a full view of the dog and some models can even be folded, so they’re also easy to transport.

House Training When You ARE Home

When housebreaking a puppy, you should watch her as long as possible and take her to the designated toilet area regularly. She’ll learn faster if you reward her more often, so spend a lot of time with your dog and take her out whenever she shows signs that she’s ready to eliminate.

Some typical signs that your dog needs to go out are:

• Sniffing around
• Squatting
• Circling
• Barking
• Restlessness
• Whining inside the crate
• Going close to the door.

However, all dogs have different signals, especially when it comes to number 1, so you should observe her carefully to learn her habits and be able to step in at the right time.

After going out, when she has an empty bladder, you can quit on the crate and leave her outside the confined area. However, you should continuously watch over her to catch the next moment she needs to go out, so make sure your dog is always close to you.

Use the leash to have permanent control over the places your puppy explores. If you have your dog literally attached to you, she won’t have a chance to hide and eliminate without you noticing it.

Keep the leash when you’re in the yard, too. Puppies need attention all the time, especially if you want to take advantage of any opportunity for housetraining.

If you can’t keep your eyes on her for any reason, don’t leave the puppy by herself outside her confined area, even if you are at home. Until she’s potty trained, you will either need to watch your puppy all the time or keep her in the pen.

Keep the puppy away from rugs or carpets. These objects are inviting for her, because they are soft and absorbent, perfect to pee on.

Why to Keep a Schedule

A regular schedule, based on your puppy’s habits, will help her learn faster. Take your puppy out periodically, every 30-45 minutes at an early age, and moving gradually to every two hours as she grows.

Use the following list of specific moments when your puppy normally eliminates to organize your schedule better. Take her out after each of these activities and, as always, praise and reward her for eliminating in the correct area.

1. When she wakes up: first thing in the morning (before feeding) and after her naps during the day
2. After eating. Some dogs eliminate right after eating, while others need up to 30 minutes before they’re ready to poop.
3. After drinking. You can control your dog’s water intake by periodically checking her bowl.
4. Before going to bed at night.
5. After she has spent some time in the crate.
6. When she’s finished playing and exercising.

Regular meals will help you potty train your puppy faster because they generate fixed hours for going out. So, give her food at the same hour, in the same location every day and, unless a veterinarian has advised you to do so, never free-feed. Try not to feed too late in the evening because it causes defecating during the night, which is no fun for you or your puppy.

Always provide your puppy with the best food, whether it’s kibbles or homemade products. Examine stools periodically and, if they’re loose or stinky, talk to your vet and change the puppy’s diet.

Avoid feeding any salty foods. They increase water intake, which means your puppy will urinate more often and you won’t be able to respect the schedule.

Overfeeding makes puppy potty training more difficult. Specialists advise dividing the food into three daily meals for young dogs because their digestive systems are not mature enough to handle all food in one single meal.

Before going to bed, you need to take your puppy to her primary toilet area. Praise and reward her after eliminating, then put her in her crate and go to bed.

During the night, if your dog whines because she needs to go out, you must release her from the crate and take her to the toilet.

Verbal Cues

Potty training a puppy works better if you associate a verbal cue with the moment when the puppy should go out. You can choose any word, such as “Outside”, “Do It”, or “Potty”, as long as all family members use the same command. It’s important to remember that this verbal signal serves for one activity only.

If you take your puppy out for any reason, other than eliminating, you should use a different verbal cue, to avoid confusion.

Using words will encourage your puppy associate your command with eliminating. This is important because it will make her to come to you when she wants to go out, instead of barking or waiting in front of your door to be let outside.

Paper Training or Passive House Training When You’re NOT Home

There comes a time when you have to leave your puppy home alone and you need a reliable method to continue potty training when you’re not around.

You can’t leave your small dog locked up for more than four-five hours a day. So, if you spend most time outside, you should choose an adult dog that can wait for longer periods before eliminating, or find a person to walk your puppy regularly.

There’s also the third option of training your puppy to eliminate in a fixed place indoors, but it’s less recommended, mostly because it encourages the puppy to eliminate inside. Furthermore, a very small percentage of dogs are able to go through this training process with good results. So, if you choose to use this path, you should know there’s a high possibility your puppy never learns to keep a clean house and you’ll have to teach her, at an older age, to eliminate outside. This means more work and additional stress for both you and your puppy.

Paper training generally works with very young dogs, whose breeders have used paper to start basic housebreaking training. So, unless you have some clues your puppy meets these requirements, it’s better to quit on the idea and hire a dog sitter to help you with outside training.

However, if you have no choice, then prepare yourself with patience and papers, and praise her every time she makes progress. Reinforcing is essential, and so are a rigid schedule and your ability to remain focused on your puppy’s needs.

Any mistake you make can confuse your puppy and she’ll end by soiling your home more and more often.

If you’re paper training your puppy, then you should have a dog pen where to confine her during training sessions. The pen is large enough to have separated areas for sleeping, playing and eliminating, which is exactly what you’re looking for if you plan to teach your puppy to eliminate in a specific angle.

Step 1: Prepare your dog’s confined area by covering the entire pen’s floor with papers.

Don’t worry if, at the beginning, she goes everywhere without rules. This is normal behavior, and so is playing with the dirty papers or chewing on them. Remove all used papers, clean the surface and cover it back with a few layers of fresh paper.

Step 2: Reduce the papered surface.

With time, the puppy will always use the same place to eliminate. When all other papers are clean, gradually reduce the covered area, starting from the opposite corner to the dirty one. If you move too fast, your dog will make mistakes. If that happens, you must go back to the previous step, when the papered area was larger. Remember that your dog needs to have separate areas for sleeping, playing and eliminating.

Step 3: Move the papers into the location you choose.

Once your dog has learned to eliminate in the same spot, modify the papers’ position by just a few inches every day, as sudden changes could provoke a negative response that will force you to have to start the training over.

Step 4: Move the papers outside.

Paper training isn’t the best way to potty train a puppy, but it proves itself helpful sometimes. Once the puppy has developed the habit of eliminating on paper, move the papers closer to the door and add some outside the house too. As the puppy grows, she will learn to eliminate outside and will quit using the papers indoors.

You can substitute papers with treated or wee-wee pads. They have a particular smell that shows the puppy where the right place to eliminate is.

Some specialists recommend using a sod box instead of papers, to avoid the unpleasant situation where your puppy learns to soil any newspaper lying around your home. You can buy one from the pet store or do it yourself by placing sod in a container.

How to Choose an Exercise Pen?

If you prefer to substitute the crate with an exercise pen, then you should be sure it’s tall enough to prevent your dog from jumping out of it.

Place the pen in the area where you spend most of your time, so that you can watch over your puppy more easily. Organize the spaces inside with a corner for sleeping, one for playing, a separate spot for water, and a specific toilet area, not very close to the entrance, covered with paper or tarp. Toys should stay as far as possible from the spot chosen for eliminating.

Watch your dog without staring at her and, after she has used the correct toilet area, reward her and release her from the pen. This way, your puppy learns that “Potty in the correct area” = “Treat” = “Freedom”.

When to Begin House Training a Puppy

The best age for potty training your puppy is between 12 and 16 weeks, when she starts gaining control over her bladder and bowel. However, experts say that training can start at earlier ages, as long as you carry your puppy to the designated toilet area yourself.

After the age of 12 weeks, puppy housebreaking can take longer, especially if your puppy has already developed some bad habits, such as eliminating inside her crate or even eating the waste.

How Long Does It Take to Potty Train a Puppy

It depends on how much time you spend with her; the more time you dedicate to housebreaking your puppy, the faster she will learn what you expect from her. Generally, housebreaking a dog takes between 4 and 6 months, but you can’t talk about a completely trained dog before the age of 6 months. So, no matter how well she’s doing, accidents can happen at any time.

Some factors that can influence potty training, besides your efforts, are:

• Breed and size. Smaller breeds need to go out more often because they have a high metabolism and small bladders.
• Previous behavior. Correcting inappropriate behavior requires more work than starting training from scratch.
• Age. Young puppies develop differently and some of them learn great manners from their first days, while others need to grow a little before getting things right.
• Training background. It’s easier to work with dogs whose breeders have already started some basic training.

How Often Do Puppies Have to Potty

As previously stated, a puppy needs to go out every 30-45 minutes, unless she’s sleeping. Experts say that the time a puppy can control her bladder is related to her age: a 2-month puppy can hold for 2 hours, a 4-month should be able to resist as long as 4 hours, and so on. When they sleep, dogs can go without urinating for as long as 7 hours.

However, this is just a guideline, as each puppy is unique and has different timings. You have to observe your dog’s rhythm in order to adapt your training methods to her individual needs.

Further reading

• How Often Do Puppies Poop and Pee?
• Why Does My Dog Poop So Much?

Giving Treats

Rewarding good behavior is the most important thing in dog potty training. So you should reward your puppy every time she eliminates in the correct area, indoor or outdoor. Adapt your praise to your dog’s preferences: some puppies prefer loud celebrations, while for others, your silent approval works just as well.

Use something your dog likes to eat as a reward to motivate her and help her learn faster. A treat can be a pea-size piece of her favorite homemade food or any of the special dog snacks you can find at the pet store, as long as it makes her happy and leaves her craving for more. However, you must pay attention to quantities and count all treats when you consider your puppy’s daily food intake, to prevent obesity.

The reward must arrive immediately after eliminating because dogs don’t have the ability to associate things that are separated in time. So, if you wait until you’re back inside to offer the treat, your puppy won’t understand what she’s being rewarded for. Keep treats somewhere close to the toilet area, to be sure that you can reward the puppy every time she eliminates.

Never rush your puppy when you’re taking her to eliminate and avoid using a loud tone for the verbal cue. These cause stress and can distract her from what she has to do, so she’ll stop eliminating to focus on you until she’s back inside.

What to Do When Accidents Happen

Accidents inside the house are normal when you’re potty training your puppy, especially if your dog is younger than 6 months.

The good news is you can minimize damage using some of these tricks:

1. If you catch your puppy in the act, interrupt her immediately. You can make a noise, such as saying “OUTSIDE” or “WRONG”, but pay attention not to scare her. Then carry your dog to the designated toilet area and allow her to finish. Always praise and reward her after she’s eliminated.
2. Don’t punish your puppy for accidents, whether you catch her in the act or not. Remember, dogs don’t associate things that have happened in different moments in time, so punishment for something that occurred in the past is completely useless. Furthermore, scolding your puppy could make her afraid of you or of eliminating when you’re around. This will considerably increase the training period. Physical corrections, the act of rubbing the puppy’s nose in the dirt, or leaving your puppy alone as punishment almost always bring bad results. In fact, punishments can affect your relationship with your dog throughout her entire life.
3. Clean the dirty areas extremely well. A zone that smells of urine or feces is going to be soiled again, as the scent signals to your puppy that it’s OK to pee there. As previously stated, you can place the dirty rag you used to clean messes within the correct toilet area, to help your puppy identify it easier. For cleaning, use some specific products, such as Nature’s Miracle, or any other similar enzymatic cleaner, made specifically for this task. Use the producer’s instructions to be sure you obtain a perfectly clean spot. Just because you don’t notice the smell of urine, doesn’t mean your puppy won’t. Avoid cleaning substances that contain ammonia, because their scent is similar to urine and sends the wrong signals to your puppy.

PATIENCE and DEDICATION are keywords when it comes to reducing the number of accidents. Supervise your puppy and keep her in a confined area to give her fewer opportunities to soil around the house. And, whenever she goes in the wrong place, clean up as quickly as possible, without making too big a deal out of it.

What to Do When Your Dog Is Soiling Her Crate

Many dogs who have lived in pet stores or shelters tend to eliminate inside their crates, mostly because they have lived in a confined area for long periods, without access to a separate toilet.

When you’re potty training this type of puppy, you’ll need to adapt the method, using the following steps:

Step 1: Try to evaluate how long your puppy can control her bladder and bowel when she’s outside the crate. This will help you understand better how to toilet train your dog using the right potty training program.

Step 2: Organize a consistent feeding schedule, paying attention to the quality of the food you’re providing.

Step 3: Give her access to the toilet area frequently, using a rigorous timetable. Take into consideration all indications from the subtopic “Why to Keep a Schedule”.

Step 4: If you can’t respect the timetable because you work outside your home, hire a dog walker or find someone you trust to take your puppy out according to schedule.

Step 5: After every accident, clean the crate and any other soiled area until there is no odor left.

What to Do If Your Pup Is Not Able to Hold on Until She’s In the Toilet Area

If your puppy can’t hold on as long as you need to arrive at the toilet, you’ll have a missed training opportunity. Whereas making it on time gives you the chance to reward and praise your puppy.

To avoid such situations, some dog trainers advise dog owners to carry their puppies to the toilet. By picking your puppy up in your arms and taking her to the toilet area in time, you can avoid accidents caused by the fact that the puppy is too young to control her bladder well enough.

You can use this technique every time your puppy needs to pee. It’s not recommended when she’s pooping because puppies don’t have the ability to interrupt this process and you’ll end up making a mess all over the place.

This method is helpful mostly when you’re training small puppies, under the age of 3 months. However, if your puppy is too large and you can’t pick her up, use a leash and hurry her to the toilet area without any stops.

If the toilet area is outside, make sure you use a collar and leash when going out. Never let your puppy lose outside the house unless your yard is closed and pet-proofed.

Spontaneous or Submissive Urination

Sometimes, puppies need to go out when they are over-excited about something. It’s what veterinarians call submissive or excitement urination. It generally happens in “special” moments, such as when you two meet after your long absence when your puppy comes close to another dog, or when she is afraid of something.

You shouldn’t punish your puppy when it occurs, because she doesn’t have any control over her bladder during such moments, and punishment will only make things worse. So, if your puppy urinates spontaneously when you arrive, it’s better if you first take her out to eliminate and then greet her.

Generally, this problem disappears with time, when the puppy is between 4 and 7 months.

Further Reading

• My Dog Pees when Excited – What Do I Do?
• Excitement Urination

Setbacks

They generally occur when you quit puppy potty training too soon. Even if your dog seems completely trained, you need to wait before letting her free and unwatched. So leaving her home alone and free to explore the entire house is out of the question.

You should stick to the schedule for some time, as too much freedom can make your puppy go back to her old habits.

Main Rules When Potty Training a Puppy (Summary)

1. Keep a regular schedule for all your puppy’s activities:

• Feeding. Generally, what goes in regularly will come out at consistent times. This will help your dog learn faster and will allow you to have a more flexible schedule.
• Going outside. If you can’t remember her schedule easily, a diary is a practical tool to keep track of your puppy’s next time to go out.
• Removing the dog’s water bowl two hours before bedtime. This can reduce the chances of your puppy needing to go out during the night.

2. Be consistent when you interact with your puppy

• Always reward and praise your puppy for going in the correct place; special treats work best.
• Use the same verbal cue every time your puppy has eliminated, to avoid confusion.
• Maintain a cheery voice when you encourage your dog. If you can’t control your tone, quit on the verbal cue.

3. When you keep your puppy locked up for a long time, the first thing you should do when you get back to her is taking her outside to eliminate.

Common errors

1. You expect too much from your puppy from the beginning

This includes:

• hoping your puppy will go through the night without eliminating;
• waiting for her to ask to go out instead of providing access to the toilet area regularly;
• keeping the puppy in a confined area for too long

2. You punish your puppy

It has negative consequences, such as making training longer and more difficult. Your puppy will be scared of you and of eliminating in your presence, which is totally unacceptable when potty training dogs, as you need to be there when she eliminates to reward her.

3. You don’t pay attention to your pup’s diet

Too much food or bad nutrition will cause your dog to go irregularly and prevent you from keeping a consistent schedule. So, try to avoid:

• Overfeeding,
• Free feeding,
• Inappropriate diet.

4. You leave your puppy on her own

This is wrong mostly because:

• A puppy that can go outside whenever she wants won’t learn to eliminate outdoors because you won’t be there to reward her good behavior.
• If the yard is always available, it will be the puppy’s playground rather than the place where she should eliminate.
• When the weather is cold you have to limit her access outside and she’ll eliminate without rules inside.

Under these conditions, teaching your puppy to remain quiet for long periods is necessary if you’re planning to keep the dog in your family.

Yes, it’s possible to control dog barking with patience and, in specific situations, a little professional help.

The fact is that it’s in every dog’s nature to bark.

It’s only their natural way of communicating with the world around them. For centuries, dogs have been warning their families about possible dangers and strangers trespassing, through barking, and owners have been praising and rewarding them for being good guardians.

Now that most dogs no longer have to fulfill the mission of protecting the family house, the noise can easily become an unpleasant problem. A bark every now and then is natural, but extreme dog barking can force even the most patient of pet owners to get rid of their ear-splitting puppy.

How to stop your dog from barking excessively? Learn to understand what she wants to communicate and fix the problem. Then train your dog to remain quiet on command. It takes time and a lot of practice, but the good news is that most barking dogs respond to training and you can easily regain control over the situation.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Dogs bark to express fear, pain, threat or boredom, but barking can also be a sign of joy or excitement. Generally, it’s easy to tell the difference once you learn how to listen to your dog.

According to specialists, the most common reasons dogs bark are:

• Fear. You know your dog is afraid if she keeps her ears back and her tail low between her back legs. Barks caused by fear can happen when she hears loud noises, such as thunder or fireworks and sometimes when she feels the presence of strangers or other animals nearby.
• Attention. Dogs use this type of bark to tell you they’re hungry, thirsty, cold, or hot. They also do it when they need to go outside to eliminate.
• Boredom and loneliness. A lonely dog gets bored and is unhappy, so if you leave your puppy all by herself for too long, she will start barking. In fact, excessive barking is often the result of loneliness.
• Territoriality. It’s natural for dogs to threaten anyone who comes too close to their home. This type of barking includes an aggressive look, which becomes more obvious as the person or animal gets closer to your house.
• Play. In this case, she generally wags her tail and wants to greet you or another member of the family.
• Separation Anxiety. This specific situation includes more signs, such as destructive behavior, depression, and irregular elimination.

How to Stop a Dog from Barking

In most cases, the ongoing barking is just a symptom, so the best way to solve the issue is identifying the problem that’s causing your dog’s bad behavior and eliminating it.

To understand your dog’s reasons, you need to determine:

• The moments when your dog barks;
• The places where she barks;
• The people, animals, or objects that cause this specific response;
• The type of barking you hear.

0. General Rules

Different causes call for separate solutions against dog barking. However, in all situations, you have to respect the same principles to be sure you obtain good results.

1. Any type of response will make your dog bark again. Whether you react positively or negatively to your puppy’s noise, she gets what she wants: your attention. Many dog owners try to ignore the dog for a minute or two, but they end up responding anyway. This is wrong because what the dog understands is the fact that she needs to work harder and bark excessively to get what she wants. So, try not to respond to her barking at all. Wait until she’s quiet for 2-3 seconds and then praise her for the good behavior.
2. Never yell or shout when your dog’s barking. She’ll see it as a positive response because it sounds as if you’re barking back. Your dog won’t stop barking, as long as she’s happy because you’re joining her.
3. Use positive reinforcement only. Rewarding your puppy when she’s good has better results than any physical punishment. There’s no need for violence when training dogs.
4. Remain consistent. You can’t allow your puppy to bark sometimes and then stop her when you need silence. This can cause confusion and your dog won’t understand what she’s doing wrong. Always react in the same way and advise all family members to act in a similar way whenever she’s barking, so your dog understands the message and learns to control her instincts.
5. Pick a command and teach her what it means. Dogs don’t understand your language, so just because you tell her “No”, “Quiet”, or “Enough”, doesn’t mean she gets the message. You must choose one word only and teach her its meaning through obedience training.
6. Be patient. Barking dogs need time to learn to control their habit. Organize training sessions with care and pay attention to all details. Don’t hurry and, most important, don’t get angry, because you’ll make things worse instead of solving the problem.
7. Ask an expert. Changing behavior requires time and energy. If your dog doesn’t respond well to your training sessions, then you should get professional help. Every dog has a unique personality and sometimes applying general rules won’t work. Special dogs need special training tricks, so ask a behaviorist, a trainer or a veterinarian for some personalized advice.

1. When She Defends Her Territory

Your dog develops the habit of barking at passengers outside the house, bikers, or cars, mostly because something permanently reinforces her action. For example, when a biker passes by, your puppy starts barking. After a while, the biker disappears and she believes that this is the effect of her barking. She’s got what she wanted and she’ll continue doing it.

So, the first thing to do is restrict what the puppy sees and hears. You can either keep her away from the windows and the entrance door or cover the windows that have a street view. In both cases, this first step should limit your dog’s reactions.

Then you must teach your puppy to respond to your commands. Once the dog has warned you about the arrival of a stranger, you must command her to stay quiet, so she knows that you’re in control of the situation and that she needs to stop barking.

2. When She’s Scared

Fear is a common cause of barking and most dogs that are afraid of people or objects need special attention to learn how to control their instincts.

Most of the time, fear is just a characteristic of your pet’s temperament. Not all dogs are alike, and some of them get scared easier than others. However, fear can also come from a bad experience in the puppy’s past, or from the lack of socialization, so you should take things slowly and don’t push your dog’s limits too far.

Generally, dogs are scared of a limited number of things. It can be anything, from a person, an animal, an object in your house, an activity you do, or even a specific place or odor. In all cases, you need to identify what scares your dog and teach her to handle the situation.

Experts call it desensitizing your dog to the stimulus. In simple terms, you should help your puppy to get used to whatever scares her so badly that she barks continuously.

It’s not an easy job, but you can obtain good results following the following steps:

Step 1: Recreate the situation that scares your puppy at a time when you’re in charge. Choose a moment when your puppy is relaxed and hungry, so you can motivate her with some tasty treats. If your puppy feels safe on her leash, then don’t be afraid to use it.

For example, if she’s afraid of another dog, arrange for a friend to bring a dog nearby. Keep the second pet far enough to avoid her barking at your puppy.

Step 2: Far away from the thing that agitates your dog, start praising her and offer her some treats. Don’t feel discouraged if, during the first 3 or 4 training sessions, she’s busier barking than taking the food. If you repeat this exercise several times and she’s hungry enough, the barking will stop, as she’ll give in to temptation.

In the example, keep your dog busy with treats while your friend passes by with the other pet. Be sure to keep a far enough distance between the two animals, to allow your dog to feel safe.

Step 3: When the stimulus is gone, stop the treats.

Step 4: Repeat the operation several times.

Step 5: As you feel your dog getting more and more relaxed, you can start reducing the distance between the two pets. However, don’t rush things. Give your puppy some time to get used to the new things she’s learned before moving on to this step.

Further reading

• Dogs and Thunderstorms

3. When She’s Bored

All dogs need physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy, so not meeting your puppy’s basic needs will lead to bad behavior. If your puppy is bored or lonely, then you should find a way to give her more attention to get her to stop barking.

If she spends too much time in the yard, by herself, maybe it’s time to bring her inside where she can feel like part of the family. Dogs are pack animals; they need to bond to be happy. Leaving her alone will make her develop separation anxiety, one of the main causes of excessive barking.

If you spend all day working away from home, hire someone to walk her and play with her for a couple of hours. Tired dogs don’t bark, so let her burn off her extra energy through exercising and you won’t have to deal with the problem anymore. If you can’t find a dog walker in your area, try a dog daycare.

When you’re out for a few hours, leave some special food-dispensing toys to keep her busy for the time you’re not around. Most puppies go to sleep after playing and having some treats from toys, so she’ll have no time left for barking or crying.

4. When She’s Seeking Your Attention

When your puppy barks to let you know she needs your attention, you must never respond immediately or she’ll continue barking every time she needs something.

Also known as demand barking, this action generally happens because it works. You’ve responded to your dog’s bark in the past and she’s learned how to take advantage of the situation. Remember that even a negative response is still a response. Maybe not the type of response your puppy expects, but it’s still something that stimulates her to carry on barking.

When your dog barks, leave the room and wait until she calms down. Then call her to you, praise her and reward the good behavior.

If your dog barks because she’s hungry or thirsty, wait a few minutes after she’s stopped barking before giving her food or water. To avoid this unpleasant situation in the first place, set fixed hours for her meals, so she doesn’t have to ask for food, and make sure she drinks enough water during the day.

When your dog barks because she needs to go outside, teach her to ask differently. One easy solution is to have a bell next to the door. If you ring the bell every time you take her outside to eliminate, she’ll learn to use the bell to let you know she needs to go potty.

If your dog barks just because she wants your attention, ignore her. It can be annoying, but any answer will make things worse. Generally, though, you can avoid this situation by spending some time with your dog every day, walking, playing, and exercising.

5. When You’re Playing

Dogs can get very excited when they’re playing, so barking is sometimes a natural way of telling you they’re happy. However, if you want to keep things under control, make sure you don’t encourage this behavior.

When your puppy starts barking, change the game with something that requires less activity, or even stop the game until she calms down.

Over time, train your puppy to respond to your commands and teach her to stop barking when you ask.

6. When She’s Greeting Someone

To stop your dog from barking every time she hears the doorbell you must change her behavior completely. Specialists advise pet owners to distract their dogs when someone is about to come in the house. You can use her favorite toy, for example, to keep her busy while your guests are arriving.

If this easy trick doesn’t work, you should teach your puppy to stay away from the door when she hears the doorbell.

Choose a place far away enough from the entrance, that still gives her enough visibility of the door and start training her following these steps:

Step 1: Call your puppy to the designated spot. When she arrives, give her some treats and praise her. Repeat this step about 10 times, in short training sessions.

Step 2: Start a new training session. After calling your puppy twice, ask a family member or a friend to ring the doorbell when you’re praising and rewarding your puppy. If she starts barking or leaves you to go to the door, wait until she calms down and restart the exercise. When she stays next to you, praise her and reward her. Repeat the exercise a few times during more training sessions.

Step 3: When your puppy’s learned to stay silent, ask the person who’s helping you to enter the house. If your puppy barks or leaves you to greet the guest, then you should both ignore her. Once she’s calm, redo the exercise until she remains with you in silence. Praise and reward her every time she’s not barking during the training sessions.

This process requires patience, especially if your puppy is already used to excessive barking when someone knocks at your door. Give her time to understand what’s expected from her and reward her for her progress, no matter how small.

7. When She Suffers from Separation Anxiety

If you think your puppy might be suffering from separation anxiety, you must ask for professional help. A specialist can prescribe medication depending on how bad the situation is, so choose someone with specific expertise in dealing with this kind of cases, such as a certified applied animal behaviorist, certified dog trainer, or a veterinary behaviorist.

Some possible causes of separation anxiety are:

• Separation from a family member;
• Loss of another pet;
• Environmental change, such as moving to a new home;
• Too much time alone.

How to Teach Your Dog the “Quiet” Command

Many of the situations described above require the “quiet” command as part of the solution to stop your dog barking. Teaching her to remain silent when you ask is less complicated than you might think. All you need are some good treats, always at hand, and enough time to spend with your dog.

Choose ONE verbal cue, such as “Quiet”, “Stop”, “Enough”, or “Silence”, and teach all family members to use the same word when they command her to remain silent.

Then start training sessions whenever you and your dog are in a good mood for teaching and learning. You can use the following method, for fast results:

1. When your dog starts barking for any reason, say the command only once. Then take a treat and put it close to your dog’s nose. Most puppies stop barking to smell it, so immediately after you have a second of silence praise her and give her the treat. If you’re not fast enough and she starts barking again, don’t give her the treat. Leave the room and wait for another opportunity.
2. Repeat the first step, as often as you can, until your puppy starts understanding that “being silent” = “delicious treats”.
3. Increase the period of silence. After you say the command, keep the treat close to your puppy’s nose for a few seconds (between 4 and 6) before releasing it. Give the treat only if your puppy manages to stay silent. Practice this exercise often and, as you go further on with the training, gradually add a few seconds to the waiting period.
4. Alternate long spans with shorter ones. Sometimes give her the treat after a few seconds, and sometimes let her wait for as long as 35-40 seconds. If you diversify the exercise instead of always using the same pattern, your puppy will stay silent for longer periods, waiting for your reaction.

How to Prevent Dog Barking

Prevention is easier than any treatment or training session, so instead of learning how to stop a dog from barking, you could try to block this behavior before it happens.

Here are some useful tricks when it comes to keeping your dog happy and in good shape, so she doesn’t develop bad behavior, such as excessive barking:

1. Keep Your Dog Tired

As you’ve already learned, too much energy can agitate your dog and make her bark excessively. That’s why you should include daily activities in your routine. Walk your dog at least 30 minutes every day and adapt all physical activities to her breed, size, and age.

Besides regular walks, introduce fun activities and games that will stimulate her mind. Dogs are intelligent animals and need to develop their abilities to grow happy and healthy. If you don’t have enough time to do everything by yourself, involve family members or hire a dog sitter.

Further Reading

• Beyond Fetch: Fun Games You Can Play With Your Dog
• 7 rainy day games to play with your dog

2. Control the Environment

You can avoid barks by keeping your dog away from things that disturb her and make her nervous. If you leave your puppy in a calm area of the house, then she won’t start barking once left alone.

Some easy ways to create a good environment for your dog are:

• Providing her with a clean crate, where she can feel safe. Add some of her favorite toys to keep her busy while you’re gone.
• Covering some of the crate’s walls, to limit your dog’s visibility outside. The fewer things that distract her, the lower the chances of her barking at something.
• Keeping her calm with classical music or special relaxing music for dogs. Some experts believe that this way you can reduce other irritating sounds that can cause your dog to bark.

3. Start Teaching Your Puppy What’s Expected from Her at an Early Age

Many bad habits start developing when your puppy is young and you let her do whatever she likes. So, if you teach your puppy some good manners right from the beginning, you’ll have fewer problems dealing with your adult dog.

Try to ignore your puppy’s whining. When you bring your new pet home, keep her crate in your bedroom, so she doesn’t sleep alone. This prevents separation anxiety and encourages the bond between you two. At the same time, it also reduces whining, which means she’s less likely to learn that barking can generate positive responses.

Teach her to interact with people and other animals at early ages. Socialization is very important for dogs, so show your puppy the world immediately after you’ve vaccinated her. If you’re able to control these first interactions, she’ll learn not to be afraid of strangers, or to bark at people and dogs when she’s outside.

Introduce her to objects that can cause fear. Many older dogs can’t handle noises made by many common objects around the house and this can cause excessive barking. So, when your puppy starts growing, gradually show her what each object around the house does. Let her sniff the vacuum cleaner, the hair drier, and any other objects that have the potential to scare her. Then, as she gets used to them, turn them on, to show her they’re harmless.

Start basic training around the age of two months. If she learns to listen to you and to follow your commands, you’ll avoid many of the bad habits developed by adult dogs, including barking.

What NOT to Do When Your Dog Is Barking

• Don’t encourage your dog to bark in any circumstance to avoid confusion. So, even if you find it useful when she announces the presence of a stranger, don’t reward her for doing it. Wait until she’s quiet to praise and give treats or other rewards.
• Don’t punish your dog. Physical punishments generally make things worse and can cause more behavioral problems, including aggression. Treating your dog badly will also make her afraid of you and you won’t be able to train her anymore.
• Don’t use a muzzle when you’re not watching her. It might seem like a good tool to keep a dog quiet, but inappropriate use can cause your dog pain. Remember that when wearing a muzzle, your dog can’t eat, drink or cool herself, so don’t overuse it.
• Don’t use anti-bark collars unless a certified professional trainer has told you to. And most probably, none of them will. These collars are forms of punishment, so you should think twice before using them. Remember that in order to stop your dog barking, you need to know what’s causing it and fix the problem. A collar doesn’t solve your issue because it can’t tell the reason why your dog is barking. As your dog can’t communicate with you, this punishment will only make her feel unsafe.
• Don’t choose the practice of debarking your dog. This surgical intervention involves removing tissue on either side of a dog’s larynx to keep her from barking. Many organizations want to outlaw this procedure because it’s painful and can cause serious complications, such as choking, breathing difficulties, and anxiety, as your dog won’t be able to communicate efficiently anymore.

When to Consult an Expert

Whenever you feel you don’t understand your dog’s behavior or when you suspect there’s something wrong with her, you should ask your veterinarian for help. A vet can check her physical condition, prescribe treatment when needed, and give you useful information about animal behaviorists or professional dog trainers qualified to work with your dog on her specific problems.

Some signs that your dog needs professional help are:

• Extreme separation anxiety: your dog starts barking immediately after you leave the house or, in some cases, when she sees that you’re getting ready to leave.
• Destructive behavior and barking: not only does she chew her toys, but also the furniture and your personal things.
• Excessive barking without any apparent reason: your dog barks in the absence of an obvious stimulus.
• Excessive fear: she is too scared to come close to you or your family.
• Growling: she is overprotective and tends to bark aggressively when you get too close to her things.

Conclusion

Dog barking can be annoying for you, your family and your neighbors, but there’s no need to quit on your puppy. Teach her to change her habit instead and enjoy all the good things that having a dog brings into your life.

How to stop your dog from barking? The first step is listening to what she’s trying to tell you and to solve the problem immediately. Then teach your puppy some basic training tricks. And remember that professional advice can make the difference sometimes.

We’re looking forward to learning some new and useful tricks from your stories, so please leave a comment. What do you usually do when your dog is barking and what works best in your case?