Tag: Old Dogs

Adopting a dog can be one of the most rewarding decisions you ever make. However, you want to head into this decision with a lot of wisdom and research. Adopting puppies are great, but BestBullySticks.com wants to let you in on another choice that might be even better for your family: adopting an adult or senior dog. November is Adopt-A-Senior Dog Month, so here are some reasons why adopting an oldie, but a goodie might be a wonderful option.

Less Work: Puppies are a lot of work; they need lots of just about everything including exercise, training, socialization and more. For most old dogs, this is old hat.

Mature in Every Way: An older dog already has a well-defined personality, emotional and physical characteristics. Whereas a puppy goes though many changes, a mature dog doesn’t hide much.

Good for First-Time Adopters: If you’re a first time adopter, or even dog owner, an older dog is probably the best match for you! This way a future puppy parent can ease in to dog ownership and responsibility, whereas adopting a puppy requires much more time for training, exercise and socialization. Instead of potential chaos, you’re sure to get plenty calm and ease from a senior dog.

Will Love You Just As Much: No matter a senior dog’s former life, dogs have very large hearts and when they’re truly cared for, will love their companions wholly.

Be A Rebel: At a shelter, many people overlook older dogs, but you can be a rebel! Do something others don’t; love on an older dog. BestBullySticks.com knows it will be a rewarding experience.

To find out more about adopting a senior dog, read the ASPCA’s Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog. 

Have you adopted an adult or senior dog? Tell us your success stories! 

Teaching a puppy to “go potty” outside is a normal part of raising a dog. However, what happens when your full-grown, older dog goes back into puppy-mode and decides it’s okay to go in the house again? Best Bully Sticks is going to address some ways you can deal with the behavioral issues that could be causing this puppy relapse.

Potential Medical Issues
Before you address behavioral issues, you’ll want to rule out any potential medical causes. Some of these could include: gastrointestinal upset, change in diet, incontinence, medications, old age or cognitive dysfunction. If your vet rules out these, mostly likely the cause is a behavioral issue you can deal with first hand.

Steps To Take
1. Have A Regular Schedule: Keeping your dog on a regular schedule will help create a time table when certain things happen throughout the day. Food should be given at particular times and be picked up between meals. Taking your dog outside to eliminate should happen at strict times as well such as right when you wake up, when you get home from work and before you go to bed.

2. Keep Tabs on Your Dog: Knowing where your dog is 24/7 is important because you’ll want to be looking for warning signs of your dogs potential to eliminate. If you see your dog whining, circling or pacing, take your dog out immediately.

3. A Pat On The Back: Every time your dog eliminates outside successfully give him a treat and speak kind words to your dog.

4. When You’re Away: When you can’t be around to watch your dog, confine them in an area, like a crate or gated off area, that gives them just enough room to stand up comfortably, lie down and turn around. Dogs eliminate away from the place where they create their den, or home. If your dog is confined comfortably like this, he most likely won’t have any accidents.

5. When Accidents Happen: You have to expect accidents to happen in the house as this training process progresses. If you ever see your dog in the act, make a loud noise, like clapping your hands, to startle your dog, but not scare them. This should cause them to stop long enough to get them outside.

6. Clean Up: You’ll want to very thoroughly clean your home and everything in it to prevent this behavior. Also, steer clear of ammonia-based cleaners. Urine contains ammonia and will just further the behavior. An enzyme cleaner works best. Read more