Five Elements

I've been reading more into Chinese medicine from the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Fundamental Principles book by Huisheng Xie and Vanessa Preast. One of the components I found fascinating is the five elements. They originated from the seasons and a way to explain the natural phenomena. Later this system became the fountain of traditional Chinese medicine practice and the relationship among the body's internal organs.

Wood
This element represents spring time and green, as well as wind. Other characteristics of wood include sour, anger, shouting, germination.

Body parts: liver, eyes, tendons, feet, nails, tears, and sides of the tongue
Personal: dominant, aggressive, competitive, confident, fearless, adaptive, intolerant
Physical: thin body, big eyes, wiry pulse, runs quick, nimble
Unbalanced diseases: aggression, irritability, stressed, liver problems, eye problems, seizures, allergies, hypertension, stroke
Recommended foods for balance: chicken, pig liver, green veggies, carrots, citrus fruits

Fire
This element represents the summer and redness. Other characteristics of fire include south, bitter, joy, laughter, growth, and walking.

Body parts: heart, small intestines, tongue, blood, complexion, tip of the tongue
Personal: Easily excited, friendly and playful, sensitive, noisy and talkative, enjoys attention and physical contact
Physical: Strong body, small head, red face, fast pulse, runs fast
Unbalanced diseases: Hyperactive,high stung, insanity, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, stroke, sudden death
Recommended foods for balance: pork heart, fish, brown rice, wheat, spinach, celery and mushrooms

Earth
This element represents the late summer harvest and yellow. Other characteristics include center, sweet, thinking, worry, transformation, and sitting.

Body parts: spleen, stomach, mouth, lips, taste, muscles, vomiting, center of the tongue
Personal: mother, laid back, easy going, friendly, sweet, slow moving, humble and kind
Physical: Short, sturdy, big head, prominent musculature, brown hair, thick lips, slow pulse
Unbalanced diseases: Excessive worry, obesity, muscle atrophy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, edema
Recommended foods for balance: rumen, lamb, chicken, ginger, garlic, and sweet potatos

Metal
This element represents the autumn, dryness, and white. It is considered to be light and superficial. Other characteristics iunclude west, pungent, grief, sadness, collection, reclining.

Body parts: lung, large intestines, skin, respiration, coughing, wheezing, and the mid-tip of the tongue
Personal: Aloof, independent, organized, quiet, confident
Physical: broad forehead, big and wide nose, broad chest, good hair coat
Unbalanced diseases: excessive sadness, nasal congestion, upper airway infection, cough, constipation
Recommended foods for balance: eggs, duck, barley, tofu, rice

Water
This element represents the winter, cold, and darkness. Other characteristics include north, salty, fear, storing, and standing.

Body parts: kidney, bladder, bones, hearing, and the rear part of the tongue
Personal: quiet, timid, introverted, solitary, hesitant, fearful, observant
Physical: thin, black hair, deep big eyes, cold intolerance, deep pulse
Unbalanced diseases: withdrawal, fear, kidney and bladder issues, arthritis, premature aging, back pain
Recommended foods for balance: pork kidney, eggs, duck, mussels, sweet potato, and black beans

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine fundamental principles 2nd edition 

The elements are connected to reach other in a certain order, and connected elements can promote or inhibit each other. When the five elements are balanced, the body is healthy.

House Training

When I adopted my new dog, I thought I was adopting a house-trained dog. Perhaps, it's me that needs to remember how to house train a dog. I got extremely lucky when I adopted Anya, that she was already house trained and :knock on wood: has never had an accident in the house, other than when she gets excited and submissive urinates. So I wanted to to take the time to refresh my memory of house training as well as informing new owners of some tips.

Where do you want your dog to go? Some people are ok with their dog using pee-pads in the house, but most people, including me, prefer that their dog goes outside in the grass. Stand with them in the area that you want your dog to use the bathroom give a command. Whether it be "go outside" or "go potty" or whatever works for you. The actual words don't matter, but whatever you decide, you need to be consistent. Consistency is key because dogs like routine.

How to tell you. How do you want your dog to tell you that it needs to go out? Some dogs grab their leash, scratch the door, bark at the door, sit quietly by the door, ring a bell, or sit and stare at you. I would prefer if my dogs rang a bell or sat at the door and barked, but Anya will come, sit, and stare at me. Then when I ask her if she has to go out, she gets really excited. Make sure that you teach and repeat whichever behavior you prefer, each time you take him/her outside. Again, routine.

Setting a schedule. Take your dog out immediately after he/she wakes up, about 20-30 minutes after he/she eats, and before bed. It may take a few minutes before your dog actually uses the bathroom, but be patient. If it takes longer than 10 minutes, then take him/her back inside and try again in another 20-30 minutes. A puppy can hold it for as many hours as they are months old, plus one. So for example a 3 month old puppy, can hold it for four hours.

Crate training. Contain your dog to a small space so that it doesn't have complete roam of the house, especially when you aren't home.  Most dogs don't like to urinate where they sleep, so keeping them confined helps to decrease the chance of making a mess in the house where they shouldn't. I personally like crate training, but others may not.

Reward. When your dog does use the bathroom appropriately, we need to praise like crazy. Either it be a food reward or lots of petting and gushing. Never punish your pet if you don't catch him/her using the bathroom inappropriately. However, you must let your dog know it's unacceptable behavior only if you catch him/her in the act of actively going. A stern "no", is typically enough.

It will be frustrating, especially when it doesn't seem like they are getting it. Just when I think Aurora is getting the hang of it, she will end up urinating in her crate and I get extremely frustrated. However, I know she knows that when she does it, it's wrong because she runs away and tries to hide.  She's adorable and is doing well in all other instances. I just need to be patient, I've only had her two months, and I can't compare her to how fast Anya caught on. We will get there Aurora!