Our dogs forgive us for just about anything, but here are the biggest mistakes dog owners make and how they can impact your Morkie’s health and well-being.
We make mistakes with our dogs because we don’t always know what they want – like did you know, dogs HATE being hugged?
Here are the top 3 mistakes we make:
- Carrying your small dog everywhere!
- Confusing his potty routine.
- Don’t let him get overweight.
Let’s take a look at why these habits aren’t so good.
1. Stop carrying your small dog everywhere
Despite their adorable appearance and personalities, Morkies ARE dogs and so they should walk around, not be carried everywhere.
Carrying them around is one reason small dogs can act spoiled.
It doesn’t help them socialize with other dogs.
It can make them more frightened about the environment than necessary. You know your dog best, but Morkies can be feisty little dogs and they can stand their ground.
Carrying your dog around is one of the big reasons it’s hard to train toy dogs. We usually carry small dogs to the door, rather than waiting for a signal from the dog himself. Let your dog get used to feeling he has to go, and then signalling you (if you’re putting him outside to go).
Get ready for lift off!
Well-known expert Dr. Karen Becker suggests we that we make a signal or command, to warn our little dogs that we’re about to pick them up.
Imagine how you’d feel is a giant about 30X your size swooped in without warning and lifted you to the sky.
2. Don't confuse his potty routine.
Changing house training methods will confuse your Morkie and will ultimately lead to accidents. Pick one method – outdoors, or indoors on training pads or a litter pan. Stick with that method.
If you’re not consistent and the accidents start, you’re frustrated and your dog is anxious because he doesn’t understand what you want.
This can lead to a downward spiral in your relationship, and won’t solve the problem.
Pick a method and stick with it
3. Don't let your dog get overweight
More than 35 million dogs in America are being overfed into a state of obesity and early death, according to the statistics of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP).
“55% of dogs in America are dangerously overweight.” So says Dr. Ernie Ward, a 20-year Veterinarian, the founder of APOP*, and the author of the dog obesity book, Chow Hounds. “We are killing our dogs by making them fat,” he says. “Owners who think their dogs are ‘fluffy,’ are stuck in the fat gap,” says Dr. Ward. But just because we think our dogs look normal, doesn’t mean that they are.
But it is possible to help your dog reduce his weight with a simple 3-part program: cut out treats, reduce food and get moving.
*APOP is the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention – their website
How to tell if your dog is overweight
Morkie weight problem? To see how your dog shapes up, take a good look at him from the side. If he has a long coat, catch him right after a bath.
Compare his profile to the picture.
- Are the ribs easy to feel, with slight fat cover, or difficult to feel under moderate or thick fat cover?
- From the side view, is there an abdominal tuck beginning from base of ribs?
- Is there thickening at the tail base?
- From the overhead view, does your dog have a marked hourglass shape? (underweight indicator)
- Or, from the overhead view, is the back slightly or markedly broadened at the waist? (overweight indicator)
- Is your dog slow to rise or move around? Is she reluctant to exercise, or does she tire easily with activity?
