Mar 22 2008
How To Get Your Dog To Stop Eating Dog Show Ribbons
Although it might look glamorous, you don’t get much from showing dogs. But what you do manage to get is cherished. So, if you’ve taken all of that time and effort to bring home dog show ribbons, it can be ironic but painful to find that your dogs likes to eat them. No need to stop showing dogs or get rid of your prize show dog. You just need common sense, patience and persistence when training your dog not to eat his dog show ribbons.
Make Them Taste Beyond Foul
In the meantime, before you can trust your dog around dog show ribbons, try and keep them away from his hungry mouth. This is not always possible. What you can do is try to discourage your dog from putting his mouth on them by spraying your dog show ribbons with noxious stuff called bitter apple spray. It’s harmless, but horrible. It’s usually sold as “training sprays” to get puppies to not chew the furniture.
The “Leave It” Command
Sometimes even bitter apple won’t deter a hungry dog. Somehow, eating dog show ribbons has been associated as a pleasurable activity that fulfills some kind of yet unknown need. If he’s going to eat dog show ribbons, he’s likely to eat more dangerous things like chocolate bars, rocks or children’s toys.
You need to train him to drop what’s in his mouth and not pick it up again. This is called the “leave it” command, but some trainers use the keywords “thank you” while others use “Drop it!” This takes a long time to learn. A lot of trainers recommend you train bit by bit. leading up to eventually having him drop whatever is in his mouth when he hears the command.
Have something you want your dog to chew – a Nylabone, rawhide bone or toy, for example. Leave out a dog show ribbon on the floor or table that is nose-high to the dog. When he puts his nose on the ribbon, say “Leave it!” in a sharp, deep no-nonsense tone of voice. When my dog won’t let go, I’ve leaned down and growled at her like a dog would. She lets go.
Immediately upon letting go, praise and give with what you want them to chew on. You have to be persistent with this. Everyone in the house should know the command and to praise afterwards. Eventually, the dog gets the idea that dog show ribbons are permanently off of the menu.
Most people consider a pet a member of the family — and for good reason. Pets offer companionship, amusement and unconditional love. Studies support that owning a pet offers a multitude of emotional and overall health rewards.
However, with the plunging economy and the rising costs of food, fuel and housing, cash-strapped Americans are pinching their [...]
She can jump from the floor to the top of the refrigerator, or bound across your desk without disturbing a single sheet of paper. Your cat personifies the graceful, enviable sure-footedness of her species. But what about her eco-footprint?
With 88 million domesticated cats in the country (according to the National Pet Owners Survey by the [...]
On September 12, 2008, Mars Petcare US issued a voluntary recall of their Everson, PA, plant dry pet food product due to potential Salmonella contamination. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if
there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in
people as well, [...]
Moving away from home can be traumatic. Add to that living with strangers and having to leave behind beloved pets, and it’s a wonder anyone wants to go to college at all.
Luckily, some colleges are starting to recognize the fact that when students are allowed to bring their pets with them to live in the [...]
Anyone who knows me well can attest to the fact that I spend a good amount of time looking for new and interesting products and supplies for my pets. (I have a cabinet full of cat toys, and a growing collection of collars for my dog).
Through my Internet journeys, I came across FunStuffForDogs.com, and as I [...]
While flipping through a recent issue of O magazine, I spied the end-all be-all compliment to my new living room decor, pillows with the mugs of dogs and cats on them.
The pillows, created by the aptly-named Pillow Pillow Pillow, are crafted by designer Aaron Stewart.
According to Aaron Stewart and Hornet Toys, the line of comfy, cozy [...]
Summer has arrived and for many families, that means more fun and festivities, but for pets it can become a stressful time due to increased sudden noise such as thunderstorms, neighborhood festivities and fireworks.
“The summer can be a difficult time for pets with the noise of stormy weather and neighborhood commotion. However, recognizing these changes [...]