Toy dogs have more than a few special things about them, most good, some not so good. The upside: They're adorable. They're portable. They're usually long-lived. On the downside, they seem to be exceptionally hard to house-train.
The problem, says small-dog expert Darlene Arden, is mostly human.
"People don't have the same expectations of a toy dog that they would of a golden retriever or Great Dane," says Arden, author of "The Irrepressible Toy Dog" (Howell Book House, $17.95). "Everyone looks at a toy dog as a perpetual infant.
"And because of that and the difference in the amount left behind, people just don't seem to care until they step in it at 2 in the morning, or until company's coming and the house smells bad."
This lack of consistency on the part of doting humans isn't the only problem, she says, pointing out that many small dogs are in trouble from the moment they're brought home as puppies. Many small dogs in the most popular breeds -- such as Yorkies, Maltese or toy poodles -- come from puppy mills or other large-scale breeders who simply don't take the time to lay the groundwork that makes house-training easier.
"These puppies grow up on a paper, eat on the paper, sleep on the paper, go on the paper," says Arden, who notes that puppies raised under such conditions learn to live in their own filth. Buying from a reputable breeder is essential, she says, not just for proper early training, but also for health screening and socialization.
Even poorly raised dogs can usually be trained, says Arden. You have to start by looking at things from a small dog's point of view -- and that can be very hard for people who think their dogs are little people.
For example, you have to make sure your dog can feel safe in the outdoor spot you've chosen for him. The act of elimination is one when a dog's guard is down, and when you weigh 10 pounds or less, it's important to feel you're not going to be attacked. "They feel vulnerable," says Arden. "You need to find that one very safe spot for them." And keep the grass short so the dog doesn't feel as if he's hacking through a jungle, she adds.
Cold weather can also make house-training more difficult. Little dogs lose heat rapidly and would rather use a nice corner of a warm house than venture outside. Sweaters, says Arden, are not silly for the little dog and can help with house-training.
Despite the special challenges the small dog presents, Arden says house-training is possible. Once your dog has that safe spot outside, you can teach him to use it with the aid of a schedule, praise, and a dedication to consistency.
"Feed on a schedule," says Arden, "and be aware of when the puppy has to go. You must take your dog out after he eats, after play, after any kind of stimulation.
"Take a very special treat and your happiest voice to the special spot. The moment the puppy's feet hit the ground, get excited." When the deed is done, says Arden, praise to the heavens and deliver the treat.
Limiting a dog's range in the house helps, too. "I'm a firm believer in crate-training -- as a tool, not a punishment," says Arden. "A crate keeps a dog out of trouble when you can't watch him."
Mistakes are part of the learning process and should never be punished. "If you see the dog starting to go in the house, pick him up and run him to that special spot," says Arden, and praise when the dog finishes up outside.
Your biggest ally in the struggle to get your dog house-trained is the typical toy dog temperament. They want to please you, says Arden. "Because they bond so tightly with their owners, toy dogs want to do what you want." You just have to help gently steer them in the right direction.
PETS ON THE WEB
Nobody likes dealing with dog poop, but some folks apparently find it a source of amusement. More such people exist than you'd imagine, and they're all busy making the Strange Foreign Objects in Dog Feces Web site (www.watchingyou.com/poop.html) both thoroughly disgusting and absolutely hilarious. This site was suggested by reader Jack Russell -- who takes care to point out he's not a small spotted terrier. (He needn't have bothered. I get very few letters from dogs of any kind -- owing, I'm guessing, to the shamefully poor design of computer keyboards when it comes to accommodating dog paws.)
Here's the, er, poop on this unusual site: Dogs eat many things that aren't digestible, and many of them show up you know where. It's hard to pick the most remarkable thing ever make the journey, but a Barbie doll has to be pretty close. Check it out, but not near mealtime.
THE SCOOP
Don't underestimate food as a way to keep your bird busy and amused. Check out food holders designed to make eating a challenge. These holders have skewers or nooks to hold foods such as fruits or nuts and are meant to make a game out of getting to these treats. One of my particular favorites is an acrylic tube you load up with nuts in their shells, with holes to insert plain wooden pegs. To get the nuts out, the bird has to figure out how to pull the plugs. Look for these kinds of accessories in a good bird shop.
Food in its original form can be fun, too. Feed corn on the cob instead of in kernels, for example, as a way to keep your pet occupied -- and well-fed, too!
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: We have been experiencing a problem lately with our neighbors' dog, a 2-year-old male golden retriever. Every time they open their door, the dog comes out, making a beeline for landscaped flower beds that we have worked very hard to maintain. He is constantly urinating on the shrubs, flowers and trees, and in general runs through the flower beds, tearing up the plants.
The neighbors are aware that their dog is doing this -- they watch him destroy our landscaping. We have tried the granules that you spread around, but they don't seem to have any effect on the dog. We once tried to approach the subject with them about the urine damaging our plants, and were told that "only a female dog's urine will cause damage to plants."
I was hoping you could suggest something we could do that might help eliminate his desire to visit our flower beds, before the situation gets any worse between neighbors. -- A.N, via the Internet
A: You don't have a dog problem. You have a neighbor problem. They are rude, inconsiderate and obnoxious, and they are a threat to those of us who work so hard to be responsible pet owners.
Urine is urine, and their male dog's urine is just as damaging to plants as any female dog's urine. Males tend to hurt upright plants, while females are harder on lawns, but urine is still not an ideal substance to be putting on plants.
Explain to your neighbor again that the dog is a problem. Most communities have leash laws, and your neighbors are in violation for allowing their dog to roam off their property -- remind them of that. Some people resort to more drastic measures: reporting the off-leash dog, suing for the cost of replacing lost plants in small claims court, and so on.
I believe very firmly that people who don't own pets have a right to dig in flower beds without cat poop in them, to sleep without listening to dogs barking, and to expect that people will pick up after their dogs while in parks and on walks. It's common courtesy, but it's also enlightened self-interest. When pets are a problem, laws get passed limiting the places people can keep them and take them.
Good luck with your neighbor. I have a feeling you're going to need it.
Q: I bought a baby kitten yesterday of the "exotic" breed. My kitten is right now only a week old, but I want to be prepared when he is going to be here, in another nine weeks. What can you tell me about this breed? -- A.M., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A: The exotic, also called the exotic shorthair, is basically a shorter-haired version of the Persian. Temperament is fairly similar as well -- the exotic is laid-back and affectionate.
The coat of the exotic is shorter than the Persian's, but there's still a lot of it, dense and plush, with a generous undercoat. The cat comes in a wide variety of colors and marking patterns.
The exotic is a good choice for a person who wants the large body, short face and mellow temperament of the Persian, but without having to put quite so much work into maintaining the Persian's long, silky coat.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to WriteToGina(at)YourPetPlace.com.
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