We use the internet every day to find much-needed answers to questions about our pets happiness, health and training. WikiHow is a huge resource for addressing these and many other questions, and now it just got a whole lot more exciting for pet owners.
Elisabeth Weiss, owner of Dog Relations NYC, is now a writing contributor for wikiHow Pets!
She has co-authored several blogs in partnership with other dog behaviorists, nutritionists and trainers around the world, answering questions about understanding your dog and how best to address less desirable behaviors. These blogs cover a large variety of topics including basic puppy manners like sleep training and how to teach ‘sit’ to more serious issues around separation anxiety in dogs and fear triggers. These blogs are an invaluable resource to those with a new puppy and seasoned dog guardians, alike.
Keep reading this blog to discover the different topics addressed by Elisabeth and be sure to click the links to read more on wikiHow Pets!
Your Dog and Their Fear Triggers
Are you and your dog struggling with fear triggers? As the guardians, it can be hard to understand exactly what frightens our dogs, but there are ways to help put your puppy at ease!
“It’s heartbreaking to see our dogs shy away from people, objects, and other animals that can enrich their lives.
To put your dog at ease, you can desensitize them through gradual exposure and by creating new, positive associations with their triggers. Over time, your dog will learn to overcome their fear and live a fuller, happier life…”
If you are interested in helping your puppy with their fear triggers, click here for a wikiHow article co-authored by Elisabeth on how to desensitize your dog.
Loose Leash Walking is Possible
Are you enjoying walks with your dog? Or is the enjoyment overshadowed by concern for their walking training?
The goal is to help both you and your dog enjoy loose leash walks! This will put you at ease and help your dog understand exactly what is desirable leash behavior.
Teaching your dog to walk next to you doesn’t need to be overwhelming or frustrating. Read the helpful step-by-step guide in this wikiHow blog!
Dominant Dog Behavior
Do you feel you have a dog with dominant behavior?
While it can seem like a ‘dominant dog’ issue, your dog is just trying to understand what behaviors will be the best ones to choose, most of the time!
When our dogs don’t understand which behavior is the most desirable, they will make a best guess. Sometimes, that guess is exactly what you don’t want, resulting in a dog that acts out as dominant.
This can be addressed through positive reinforcement, as well as clear boundaries. Want to learn more? Read this helpful wikiHow blog co-authored by Elisabeth to understand the best ways to address dominant behavior in your dog!
Stop Those Destructive Chewing Habits
Destructive chewing can be costly and concerning!
If you have a puppy who is teething or simply loves to chew on the objects around them, make sure to limit access to toys that they are allowed to chew on. Positively reinforce their behavior when they chew on the ‘good’ items.
However, if you find that your dog tends to destructively chew on objects when left alone, this could be a sign of separation anxiety.
Want to learn more about issues with destructive chewing and how to solve them? Read this wikiHow blog co-authored by Elisabeth on wikiHow Pets and reach out to Dog Relations NYC for any help you may need!
Helping Your Puppy Fall Asleep (and Stay Asleep)
Sleep is so important for a young puppy! It is essential in helping them grow and develop healthily, as well as keep them happy, relaxed and feeling comfortable. Puppies need consistency and boundaries to settle in for a night of good, productive sleep.
Are you learning about your puppy’s sleep cycle or looking to help them get settled and fall asleep sooner? Read this wikiHow feature discussing how best to get your puppy sleeping consistently through the night! With a helpful step-by-step guide, this blog shows the best ways to help prepare and tire your puppy out for sleep and how to keep them asleep once they are ready for bed.
‘Sit’ is a Great Place to Start
‘Sit’ is one of the most fundamental training topics for new puppies and dogs alike!
The most important thing is to set up a positive learning experience for both you and your puppy. You want the training to be a fun way for you both to connect. Understanding your dog and how they like to learn and interact with you will help you form a loving bond for years to come.
Teaching your dog to sit is a great place to start! Read this wikiHow article on how to encourage your puppy the right way when it comes to ‘sit’.
Need some help with teaching the basics of puppy training? At Dog Relations NYC, we offer many personalized training options, both virtual and in-person in New York City! Check out our website for more information. www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com
How to Address Excessive Licking
Puppy licks are often a sweet, friendly indication of how much your dog loves you! Licking is normal behavior for puppies to affectionately interact with their dog guardians, to groom or to taste something delicious.
But, it is important to note that obsessive licking can be a sign of anxiety in your dog or puppy. Understanding the motivation of the licking and if it is your dog’s way of expressing discomfort or anxiety is key to knowing how they are feeling.
Want to learn more about this issue and ways to curb excessive licking? Check out this wikiHow Pets article co-authored by Elisabeth!
If you think your dog is dealing with anxiety-manifested licking, this often needs more focused attention and care. Contact us at Dog Relations any time for a virtual or in-person personalized session to better understand your dog’s anxiety triggers and ways to help relieve their stress. www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com
Get Your Dog and Cat Living in Harmony
Relationships between animals can be so special. Whether they meet while you are on a walk with your dog, or you live at home with a dog and a cat, having more than one animal around can give companionship and comfort to you and them.
However, the environment can sometimes be stressful if your dog wants to chase cats! If your dog and cat are not cohabitating well, or if your dog reacts to cats in your neighborhood in an undesirable way, don’t worry! This is solvable and will help all of your animals feel comfortable and safe.
At home or out on a walk, the key is to control the environment in which your dog and cat interact and reward them both for their desirable behavior towards each other. By following the five helpful steps in this wikiHow Pets blog, you’ll be able to have all animals living in happy harmony!
No More Extreme Barking
Is your dog barking often? Does it seem uncontrollable? This issue can feel frustrating and overwhelming, especially when we don’t understand what our dogs are trying to communicate or why.
It could be that you have accidentally reinforced this behavior as acceptable. But don’t despair! Dogs are incredibly smart and want to choose those good behaviors you want to see.
Take a look at this wikiHow article co-authored by Elisabeth that discusses how to stop excessive barking and how to encourage your dog to respond to stimuli in different, less noisy ways!
Help Your Dog’s Fear of Vehicles
Whether it is driving in a vehicle or walking beside one on a busy street, they can trigger a fear response in your dog or puppy.
This can be a difficult thing to deal with if you want to take your dog on a trip to the dog park or even to walk around the block near moving vehicles on the road.
You may feel helpless to your dog’s response, but this doesn’t need to be the case! Explore three steps in this wikiHow article that can aid your dog’s fear of vehicles.
Dog Agility Courses are Safe and Fun
We’ve all been staying at home a lot more than usual, lately. When there is a dog in the home, it’s such a blessing to receive their love and attention, especially during these difficult times. But, if you’ve noticed you have had to limit walks and dog park visits because of the pandemic, there are still exciting ways to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Turn your backyard or even your apartment into a mini agility course for your dog! Keeping your house-bound dog energized and happy can be a fun activity for both of you and can be a very rewarding training experience.
There are many DIY options for creating an agility course out of materials you may already have laying around. Need to get inspired? Take a look at this wikiHow Pets feature Elisabeth contributed to for agility ideas!
