I admit it I am a dog lover….I have two dogs that I rescued after Hurricane Katrina, little man and baby girl, and after I was hurt in a construction accident they played a major roll in my recovery….so yes I am a dog lover!

It is the weekend and as usual I have found something other to post than the political tomfoolery or economic games….it always feels pretty good to find something that everyone can relate to…..for politics and economics are not those subjects…….

I know your dog may do things to irritate you like barking or peeing on the floor or well you probably have your own list…..but do you realize that you could be irritating your dog as well?

I found this on a site called Paw Nation and just had to pass it along to my readers……

Misunderstanding His Bark: Dogs use barks to communicate alarm, excitement and boredom — and owners annoy dogs by ignoring these important warnings.

– Shouting “Shut up!” can increase barks if your dog thinks you’re joining the barkathon.
– Ignoring some barks — squirrel alert! — could encourage a dog to stay quiet when a burglar drops by.
– Lonely dogs relieve boredom by talking to themselves with barks or howls.Being Inconsistent With Potty Training: Accidents in the house are common owner complaints, but dogs don’t think we play fair. Yelling at your dog to stop midpee or punishing the dog minutes or hours after she’s done the dirty deed is confusing. She knows you’re unhappy but won’t know what to do instead. Particularly confusing is if you do something crazy like rubbing your dog’s nose in her mistake.
Anger over potty problems teaches your dog to hide deposits better and avoid “going” in front of you, which makes it even harder to explain proper potty manners. Instead, take your dog to the right spot after meals, naps or playtime, and reward her production so she understands that pooping outside on the street is what you want.

Incarcerating Him Outside: Though dogs enjoy spending time outside, they want to be part of the family. Leaving Fido alone too much hurts his feelings, so he’ll dig, climb or jump fences to find company. You may think tethering or chaining is a solution, but such tactics can increase aggression — tethered dogs can’t get away from scary or threatening situations and use their teeth instead. If you think your dog is feeling too fenced in, boost the time you spend with him and work to make him feel like part of the family.

Forcing a Car Ride: Dogs either love cars or hate them, based on what happens during or after the ride. Work to associate the car with fun, positive experiences rather than just trips to the vet. Go for rides to the dog park or stop at the drive-through for a tasty treat.

Leaving Him Behind: Separation anxiety affects some dogs so much that they throw fits if left alone. Dogs will destroy objects or even injure themselves trying to soothe their angst or escape to follow you. One way to handle this is by helping them get accustomed to your coming and going. Stage situations where you leave and quickly come back over and over again to dilute the power of your absence. Puzzle toys also keep the dog’s mind (and teeth) occupied during the critical first 20 minutes or so after you’ve left.

Making Him Go Out in Bad Weather: Sure, some breeds adore romping in snow, but those same dogs may hate going out in the rain. Whatever the case, each dog, regardless of breed, will have its own preferences about going out in bad weather. But you can diminish the discomfort. Invest in a raincoat or jacket for your dog to protect him from the elements. Consider creating an indoor-potty zone for tiny dogs who get chilled easily outside.

Sleeping Late: Dogs can’t imagine why owners sleep late on weekends when the best sniffing and walking time is the break of dawn. Cold-nose pokes and raising a ruckus points out empty bowls and full bladders. Dogs believe their job description includes keeping owners on the proper schedule. Understand that and try to stick to a regular timetable.

There you have the list of things that irritate your dog…are you guilty?  I have done my part to make you a better pet person……you are welcome!