Monday, May 31, 2010

How to Make Sure If My Dog is Pregnant?

It is always difficult for people to find out if their dogs are pregnant. The doctors for dogs tell me I can get the exact answer with the help of B ultrasonic after 3 weeks.
But how do I know before that time? Keep an eye on your dogs and you would find some symptoms of being pregnant.
Do you notice that your dog is in dog heat? Dog heat often lasts 21 days and appears twice per year. When your dog is just in dog heat, it means it is ready for mating, and it is also the time for being pregnant.
Dog heat has the signs of being blood discharges and redness of dog's vulva or rear. From the first time you noticed signs of dog heat of your dog, it means you will see this happen after half a year. Experts suggest that, the best time for dog to have babies is after one and a half years old. There would be great hurt for their health for having babies in the time that they are not old enough.
After the dog heat happened, you need to pay attention to your dog if you want to make sure if your dog is pregnant. You can bring it to the vet or try to figure it out by yourself. If you want to do it by your own, there are some suggestions that I can provide. Try to feel your dog's abdomen after some time. If your dog have been pregnant, its abdomen should feels firmly, which suggests there are puppies forming inside. When it is time for x-ray, it is better to make it sure by x-ray examination. This examination is power enough to provide the most exact answer.
Dogs that have been pregnant would be more affectionate, some of them are clingy too. Pay attention to some unusual signs your dog has after a dog heat, which may give you some ideas. When they are being with companies or other strangers, they wound tend to be aggressive and anti-social. All of these actions are just ok because they are trying to protect their little puppies inside their bodies.
The pregnant time for a dog would be about 2 month. When it is sure that your dog has been pregnant, it comes to be your work to take good care for it.

How to Help Your Pet Adapt to His New Pet Carrier

You have a new small dog or puppy and you are eager to take him out with you. Perhaps you have errands to run and don't want to leave him home alone. After all, one of the reasons you probably chose a small breed is because they are portable. Well, not so fast... If you want your new pet to love traveling with you, you need to take the time to create a positive experience from the get go.
The worst thing you can do is place him in a pet travel carrier of any kind, rush out the door to the vet's office and then plop him on a cold examining table. Do not let your dog's first or only experience in a pet carrier be a trip to the vet's office for shots or an examination.
Let your pet become used to his dog tote or carrier before you take him out in it. Put a harness on your dog and place the carrier on the floor with his favorite toy and a treat or chew in the tote. Let him go in and out of the carrier for a day or two. Dog's love small spaces where they feel more secure. Praise him when he is in the carrier.
After a couple of days, put a harness on your pet, place him in the carrier along with his favorite toy and chew (bully sticks work well because they are long lasting). Attach the restraining strap to the harness and take him outside to play or run. Never attach a restraining strap to a dog collar; it is a choking hazard. Remember to praise him as he sits in his carrier. Do this a couple of times.
When you are ready for your first real outing, remember to put a toy and a chew in his carrier. Once your pet associates the dog tote or travel carrier with a positive experience, such as an outing with you, he will be wagging his tail at the site of the harness and jumping into the tote on his own in no time!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Naming Your New Dog

You have a new puppy - congratulations! You're in for a lot of fun. You probably now realize you have to name the new puppy too. This can be a lot of pressure, to find the right name for this tiny animal that you have only just met. You want a cool name, that fits its personality, and that isn't goofy or overly cute and so on.
If you get too stuck you can always go with a classic, like Spot or Fido. There are pet names that have been around forever, we've all heard of them and they never go out of style. If you have kids, though, that's probably not an option. Kids generally want more hip names for pets. You can also name your pet 'after' someone or something - mythological creatures or figures, signers, presidents, ancient royalty, literally the only limit is your imagination.
Here are a few tips to help you pick a great name:
Your dog is going to be called by this name for a long while, probably ten to fifteen years. Be sure to pick a name you really like.
Don't go crazy with a long or complicated name. It gets tiresome to call out a really complex name over and over, across years. Instead, keep it to one to three syllables. If you have to use multiple names, keep it simple.
The best way to teach your puppy its name is to use it every time you talk to the puppy. If you scold the puppy, call the puppy, praise the puppy, whatever - use the name. You want the puppy to hear that word and know it has something to do with him. Ideally the puppy will come running when he hears his name. Because of this make sure you don't name the puppy something that will be embarrassing or offensive to you or anyone else.
Play with the puppy before you name him. Take your time. If the puppy isn't named for a few days or even a week, it won't be the end of the world. If you have some time to play with the puppy before you choose a name, this will help you match the name to the puppy's personality. That's better than picking a name too soon and later realizing that it doesn't fit.
You can get advice from other people too. Family and friends can make suggestions. If you want to really have fun with this, turn it into a game. Host a Name That Puppy party, with a prize for the person who comes up with the name you pick.
There are as many names out there as there are puppies practically. Your challenge is to find one that fits him and that you like as well. Good luck!

How to Throw a Party For Your Pup

Dog parties are becoming a popular event for pets and their owners. Although it may sound silly, throwing a party for your dog can be a good experience for your pet and a great opportunity for you to socialize with your fellow canine enthusiasts. From canine cakes to dog treat goodie bags, you can go the whole nine yards. It doesn't have to be your dog's birthday, either! Throw a party for any occasion themed around your favorite furry companion. Follow these helpful tips to get started with the right dog treats, hors devours and decorations.
Dog Decorations for your Party
You can do quite a lot with only a little when decorating for your canine-themed event. Try cutting colored paper into dog treat shapes. A few streamers are nice, but not necessary. Paw prints are another easy choice that can really dress up the party area. If you have spare dog beds in your home, consider dusting them off and getting them out for the visiting canines to use. Although seating for the four legged party goers is not required, the gesture will be appreciated!
Party Refreshments for Two and Four Legged Guests
Next, plan your menu for the event. For the dogs, colorful dog treats are a great choice. You can often buy a bag of multi-colored biscuits or a similar treat. If you want to get fancy, visit a local gourmet pet treat store and order enough fancy dog cookies to go around! For the human visitors, the refreshments are entirely up to you. Adding a dog theme will help tie each item in with the party. For example, if you make finger sandwiches, try cutting them into dog bone shape.
If you like, you can also make up party favors for your furry guests. A colorful baggie with a few dog treats inside works well. If you want to get more elaborate, consider combining a small chew toy or a few different dog treats.
Activities for the Guests
Depending on the occasion, you can plan your dog party however you like. It could be a strictly socializing event, or you could plan a few activities. If you have a fenced in back yard, rounds of fetch are a great choice. Make sure you supply plenty of Frisbees and tennis balls. Remember, these items may be destroyed during the party because of busy canine chewers. Also make a point to leave plenty of water bowls outside when hosting an outdoor party during warm weather months. A few candy dishes of dog treats are also a great addition!
Party Safety Tips
Include a note with your dog party invitation requesting that all canines in attendance be up to date on vaccinations as well as spayed or neutered. This is important to avoid any mishaps. Also plan to blockade any off-limits areas in your home. Create perimeter for the party to take place within. Closing doors is a good way to start and baby gates can help block off any hallways. If you have other pets, it might be best to put them in a separate area until the part has concluded in case any of the dogs present might be encouraged to chase them. And remember to have plenty of spare dog treats on hand

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Stop Barking Electronic Dog Training Collar

If you have a dog which barks constantly you owe it to yourself to get an electronic collar to stop excessive barking. The peace of mind you will have by stopping your dog from barking into all hours of the night at anything that moves. Sure it is great to have a good watch dog to let you know if someone is intruding on your property. But when your dog barks at every single sound and sometime at nothing at all. It seems that the dog likes to hear itself bark. Get yourself an electronic dog collar for such a purpose.
Your neighbour's will love their once again peace and quiet they once enjoyed before you found your new pet. They will probably learn to like you once again. Lets face it, a dog who loves to bark can quickly get on your nerves. Well I am here to tell you it gets on other people nerves many times worst. It is annoying and the owner should do their best to train their dog to stop. If you have tried conventional methods and they have not worked, an electronic dog training collar for this purpose can certainly be your answer.
The collar is not meant to be a punishing tool but a training device instead. Most are designed not to send a shock when other dogs barking or send a signal when he barks once or twice, just for the annoying excessive barking. When using the basic training manual that comes with the collar, you will have your dog trained safely in no time at all.
Some dog owners can sleep through a war zone and have no idea that the constant barking of their dog is bothering other people in their neighbourhood. In my opinion these people are brain dead. There is nothing more irritating than the constant barking of a dog. It will even send the calmest of people to the loony bin after a while.
The people who make these stop barking electronic dog training collars are not fly by night companies. These companies have been in this business for a long time and they know what works. If you purchase one of these dog collars you will soon see what I am talking about. Modifications have been made over the years through testing and customer support to bring the models they have on the market today.
You should never keep the collar on the dog at all times. Especially when it is unsupervised. After all, it is a training device and needs a trainer to make sure that it is working the way it was meant to. Your dog will learn to stop its excessive barking and the collar will no longer be needed. This will please everyone concerned.
I would always try conventional methods first, but when you are at the end of your rope and the only thing your dog does when you tell it to stop barking is answer you with a flurry of barks, it is time to try the stop barking electronic dog training collar. Conventional methods can work well if you have proper training or are instructed how to make it work. They are preferred by most people because of the idea of giving a dog an electric shock to get it to stop doing a bad habit. I myself prefer conventional methods but they sometimes will not work. Do not be afraid to use the stop barking electronic dog training collar. The shock is tested by experts and is found to be quite safe.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Remove Scapies On Your Dog

Just like it happens in humans, scabies on dogs is caused by the underlying parasite beneath the dog's skin. The mite would remain alive for about 21 days and complete the full life cycle on the host. The infestation may perhaps spread to the other parts of the body if not treated in time. These mites that reside on the dogs would not survive long if they were to move on to a human host. In such situations, humans are referred to as accidental hosts.
These mites can spread from one animal to another, through direct or indirect skin contact. At the same time as dogs can get the infection through various ways, most cases arise due to direct contact. It is imperative to maintain proper hygienic conditions for your pets. The symptoms of scabies on dogs would usually appear on the ears, chest, elbows and abdomen. Small red bumps would appear on the skin, also known as the papular eruptions. This would lead to extreme itchiness and cause a lot of discomfort to the animal. In severe cases, you may also notice the dog to become thin or unhealthy.
If the dog is in good health and kept in hygienic conditions, skin scrapping methods for diagnosing the condition might test negative. Therefore the condition is identified through symptoms. One of the safest ways to treat a dog is to use a medicated shampoo or a lime sulphur dip. The condition may worsen at first, before getting better in dogs.

Buy Top Quality Dog Clothes to Make Them Cute

Always remember to get your pet dog something when you decide to do your seasonal shopping for your loved ones. If you have decided to get garments for others than even get your dog clothes because this animal will love your present and will show it off with pride.
Dog garment shopping is equivalent to baby clothes shopping. And if you want your pet to look cute, then it is very easy to find pretty, mini garments at the pet shop.
Dog clothing comes in various ranges including winter collection, summer range, baseball jerseys etc. At bed time you can make the pet wear PJ's and a bath robe after the dog comes out of a shower. Dog clothing even has a range of party dresses, costumes, holiday attires just like kids do.
If you want everyone to look at your dog when you take him out for a walk than make him wear accessories such as designer dog collar, leather dog lead etc. But consider the tips given below before you start shopping for your dog.
When shopping for dog clothes you should remember that if your dog is fond of chewing than don't get clothes designed with great details. For example don't get clothes with small sized buttons, feathers and tassels because these things attract dogs and they might try to swallow it and choke on it or harm their digestive system.
Plus dogs prefer clothes that fit them well and do not trouble them when they go out for a walk or while running. So it is important that you get comfortable clothes that fit your pet well. In order to get the perfect fit take measurements of your dog from collar to the tail in order to get the right length. You don't need to worry much about the waist of your dog (unless your dog is barrel chested type) as dog clothing comes with adjustable Velcro tabs.
If you know how to sew than you can even stitch clothes for your lovely pet, all you have to do is measure his length and waist but make sure that you leave the waist one inch loose just in case. If you are able to stitch good ones for your pet than you can make clothes for your friends pets and gift it to them

Monday, May 24, 2010

Summer Dog Costumes and Beachwear For Doggies

Summer is approaching and people are heading towards picturesque beaches to enjoy beach vacation or have some beach water fun. People are also busy in shopping for summer costumes and beachwear for them as well as their doggies. Online dog couture shops are full of latest collection of dog swimwear, beachwear or other summer gears to cool them off. Therefore, it is time to shop for the most exciting summer costumes, swimwear and other summer accessories for lovely doggies.
Hottest Summer Costumes Design for Dogs
Nowadays, several celebrity fashion designers are engaged in designing magnificent costumes for doggies that love style and need special treatment from their masters. Therefore, finding innovative designs of summer costumes and other summer accessories (like swim gears, life jackets, cooling pads, and cooling mats) is not that tough. The most popular summer costume designs are All-American Bikini, Board Shorts, Sport Trunks, Zebra Bathing Suit, Swim Trunks, Bikini Top and Panties.
Summer Gears for Fur Babies
Well, fashion designers not only look at the style and comfort factor of your loving fur babies. They also give priority to security issues and innovative and useful summer gears in several designs, colors and patterns. This summer dog owners can find awesome designs of dog life jackets, which will not only give stylish look but also provide safely while swimming.
Apart from that there are several other cool dog accessories to shop for doggies this summer. Cooling pads, evaporative cooling mats, cool vest, or cooling coats can provide a comfortable life to every doggy this season.
Thanks to the prominent dog fashion designers who made it possible for people to provide their puppies with comfortable costumes and accessories to cool them off in summers. People are trying to find these products for their canine babies. Online dog fashion stores are the best place to shop for them with much convenience.
Some of the most reputed online dog fashion boutiques offer comprehensive collection of costumes and apparel targeting the summer season. Dog owners have multiple options to choose from the latest collection of swimwear and other summer costumes. They can give a completely new and stylish look to their fur boys and girls this summer season through these excitingly new collections of designer dog costumes and apparel

Buying the Right Dog Crate

Getting a dog crate can be a great option for your dog for several reasons. First of all, portable ones can make transporting your dog a lot easier. They're also perfect for house breaking or otherwise training your dog. Your dog will likely appreciate having a place of his own, as well.
There are two main types of dog crate. One is a wire option. These have several advantages over their plastic counterparts. For one thing, they are very sturdy. They make great permanent options for crating your dog. They are also open so they can allow your dog to see everything that's going on around them. This also prevents a smell from building up. The downside to this option is that they are very heavy and not good for carrying or traveling. They also can let a lot of light in while your dog is trying to sleep. To combat this problem, you can place a blanket or towel over the top of it to make it dark for your dog.
A plastic dog crate is much better for transporting your dog. They are the only approved type to take on a plane, if you're traveling with your dog. They also provide more privacy for your dog, which some dogs appreciate. The downside is that they're fairly flimsy. They are a great option for traveling but if you're using this dog furnishing daily this probably isn't the best option for you.
There are several times that a dog crate really comes in handy. One is for training purposes. Dogs are den like creatures in nature, and will take great pains to not soil their homes. Leaving them in one while you are away will force them to build up bladder control. Be careful though, if you get one that is too large they will have room to use the bathroom in one corner and sleep in another. A good rule of thumb is that it should not be any larger than is necessary for your dog to turn around comfortably.
Another time that a dog crate is really handy is for dogs who like privacy. These can be dogs that don't get along well with your other pets or dogs that live with families that have a high level of traffic in the home. Most dogs will appreciate having a place to go when they want to be alone. Putting a favorite blanket or other bedding in their dog crate can make it even more comfortable for them.
If you have a puppy and want to buy it a dog crate, you will likely want to buy one large enough to work for your dog as it grows. However, this large of one will not be very comfortable for your dog and is not good for training. Fortunately there are dividers that can be put into it to partition it out. This will create a smaller area for your dog and can be moved as your dog grows to accommodate their larger size

Sunday, May 23, 2010

How to Stop Dog Destructive Chewing

Did you come home and find your favorite shoes or furniture chewed by your dog? This is a very destructive and costly behavior exhibited by your dog and here are some techniques that show you how to stop dog destructive chewing and train your puppy to become well behaved.
Dogs are predisposed to chew on items. They have the teeth that were made for chewing and their teeth are usually cleaned through chewing. Their teeth however, are designed to cause damage because they are sharp and pointy. I have been bitten by a dog once and so I have personal experience with how sharp and damaging their teeth can be!
Destructive chewing refers to the dog chewing personal possessions and other items in the household besides the dog's toys and chews.
Not all dog are destructive chewers either. Some seem to have an innate desire to chew and take great pleasure in it while others do not seem to have this desire unless they are bored but even then, they are lazy about it. Most dogs however are chewing dogs.
Some of the reasons that dogs chew destructively;
1. As mentioned above some if not most dogs have a desire to chew. They find this activity a great way to spend their time as well as being delicious if they are chewing on a bone.
2. This serves as an outlet for a bored, lonely or anxious dog. They channel their emotions into the act of chewing in order to obtain some comfort and relief from their negative emotions.
3. Some dogs chew in order to burn up nervous energy if they are not exercised enough.
Techniques to prevent destructive chewing;
1. The first step is to take care of your possessions. Do not leave them lying around to tempt a dog especially a bored dog. You need to dog proof your house because all dogs like to explore with their noses as well as with their mouths.
In order to dog proof your house, this simply means that if you have a favorite shoe or shoe collection that you do not want her to chew on, you need to make this unavailable to her. While making items unavailable, you need to consider her capacity to climb, jump, or leap on items.
Do make sure that food items are placed securely away or out of reach of the dog. Do not leave snacks lying around the house that can be easily reached. Dog proofing your house is something that you need to consistently do in order to train the dog to become well mannered. Also, clean any dirty dishes and do not leave them lying around.
2. Do not blur the lines between what is okay for her to chew (her toys and chews) and what is not okay to chew (your stuff). This means not giving her items such as any of your old shoes that you have no use for, to chew and play with.
If you do this, there is no way for her to tell the difference between an old shoe and your favorite shoe. If you find your favorite shoe chewed, do not blame her, blame yourself.
3. Since most dogs have an innate desire to chew, give her alternatives to your possessions especially if she is still a puppy. Give her two to three toys or chews to play with at a time and every few days change these toys for new or different toys to keep her toys interesting to her.
4. Make a commitment to actively supervise her while she explores the boundaries set by you. Do not keep her locked up in a crate or cage as an easy way for her to not be destructive, because it is convenient to you as you will not be training her to respect your rules and boundaries which is only detrimental to the dog and to you. Besides, dogs are social creatures and thrive greatly when attention is paid to them. She needs to learn how to act and you need to teach her by actively supervising her behavior.
5. You need to positively reinforce her when she displays good behavior. If you find her chewing destructively, loudly clap your hands or make a loud noise and immediately hand her one of her toys or chews.
When she starts chewing on the toy or chew, praise her. She will then associate the negative (loud noise or clapping or other way you choose to interrupt her) with chewing your possessions and positive (lavish praise) with chewing only her possessions.
Remember to remain positive and realistic with your expectations because neither you nor your dog is perfect and you both shall make mistakes on the road to teaching your dog positive behavior. Remember that dogs need rules and boundaries in order to become happy and well behaved dogs. It will take a while before the dog learns new positive behaviors so you need to be patient.

Dog Diet and Pet Health

Dogs have developed as omnivores, meaning that they eat and need a wide range of different types of food ingredients to fulfil their nutritional requirements. They have teeth that are adapted to tear and shear, as well as flatter teeth that can crush plant material and chew food. The dog's intestine is also relatively long - about 6 times the length of the body - to allow fermentation of more fibrous plants. Meats, cereals and vegetables can all be used relatively easily by the dog's digestive system.
There are 37 'essential' nutrients that dogs must eat in their food to maintain pet health. Prepared dog foods are formulated to provide all of these in the right amounts and proportions and great care is taken to ensure that the end result is appealing to dogs.
Make sure you are feeding the right amount - follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the size of your dog and don't leave it to guesswork. If you are feeding dry food, weigh out the correct amount and use the same scoop each time. If you have more than one pet, feed them separately so that they don't finish off each other's leftovers.
Despite many owners choosing to feed their cats and dogs table scraps or home prepared diets, great care needs to be taken if you choose to do this. Human food might upset the balance of their diet. In particular, 'left over' bones are not safe because they often splinter and may get lodged inside the pet's digestive tract, causing serious illness.
Dogs can eat specially formulated pet treats, but remember that they count as part of the overall daily food intake, so adjust meal servings to take this into consideration. Obesity is a significant pet health care problem in the UK at the moment, so try not to overfeed your dog. Regular exercise is an essential component of pet health so make sure that your dog gets adequate exercise. The way to your dog's heart is not necessarily through their stomach!
As a guide you should be able to feel a dog's ribs and spine but not see them. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) provides handy Pet Size-O-Meters for dogs, cats and rabbits which you might find useful. Of course, there could be underlying health problems for both overweight and underweight dogs so it is worth checking with your vet before you change your dog's diet.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes there are foods available that suit whether they small or large breeds puppies adults the nutritional needs of will vary through life depending on how active their stage for advice optimal weight feeding your dog pet health, speak with the staff at a local veterinary practice.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Dog Language

It may sound a bit different that there are people who understand the dog's language. This is what creates a difference between seasoned dog owners and the novices. The seasoned ones develop a bond with their dogs much deeper and they are the ones who can conveniently understand the dog language. Most of the times it is body language, barks or growls. The important thing is that you can only have a healthy relationship with your dog when you understand him the way you want him to understand you.
So, how can you understand what your dog is saying to you? The barks or the growls may sound just like senseless noises, but the gestures with the barks or growls, when understood by you is the actual essence of relationship you want have with your newly brought in dog.
• Wagging the tail - When your dog is happily wagging his tail and his tongue, he is in a playful mood. He may even lower the front of his body to the floor and raise his little hind end in the air. He is probably full of energy and ready for play time.
• Ears standing up - Something has caught his attention. He may stop wagging his tail and even lean his head to the side to pay closer attention to whatever is catching his eye. This does not always mean that there is some danger it might mean he has found something new.
• Bearing his teeth - This is considered a show of aggression. He possibly will do this with strangers or when meet an animal that he feels vulnerable by or that may be intimidating you.
• Lying on the ground with tail down when he greets you - This is a way of greeting you that shows loyalty also. When you walk into the house, he may lower himself to ground. This pose is also referred to as an "active submission." He doesn't feel threatened or fearful. It is a way to express his friendship, accepting that you are the boss and a friend.
Now, your dog makes other noises besides barking. Barking can have many meanings in itself, so we are going to talk about other sounds that your dog may makes which you may like to be aware of.
• Growling - Your dog shouldn't be growling at you, but he may growl at strangers. It could also be in response to his sensing that you are uncomfortable with someone. If your dog does growl at you when you take something away from him, it could be a play for the alpha position.
• Whining - This is such a cute gesture. Sadly it can be annoying as well if you are trying to get him to do something that he doesn't specifically like to do, like to go to the vet. In these times, ignoring the whine lets him know that it won't get him out of doing his duty. Droning can also go along with their show of loyalty and greeting.
If you are familiar with any of the gestures mentioned above then you can be the best in communicating with your dog. You can "speak" his language.

Dog Games - Top 5 Games That Will Tire Your Dog Out

Playing dog games with your canine pet provides your beloved with his much needed physical and mental stimulation. This also gives you the benefit of reinforcing his obedience training in a fun way as you establish a deeper relationship with him.
However, not every dog is thrilled with playing ordinary fetch all the time especially if he is very intelligent. Many dog breeders, vets, and trainers agree that the best dog games are those that provide exercise and challenge accompanied with positive reinforcement by giving the animal a reward for accomplishing what you want.
FETCH When you're dog has become tired of the basic throw-a-stick-give-it-back-to-me fetch he will refuse to play. To solve this problem, think out of the box and vary how you play the game with your dog.
Instead of using a stick, use a ball or his favorite toy then climb up the stairs. Throw the ball or toy gently then tell your dog to fetch the item.
This game is perfect for those winter or rainy days when you can't take him out of the house. Be sure though that you're dog already knows how to go up and down stairs.
BACKYARD TUNNELING Dogs love obstacle courses so this a game Fido will surely love. Not only is this a good mental exercise for him this game will also improve his agility.
You can set up tunnel in your backyard and coax your dog with his favorite treat to go through the tunnel. You can run along at the side of the tunnel or opt to wait at the other end just to convince Fido to follow you.
You can gradually add more obstacles to make it more fun. Although pre-made equipment is helpful, if you are creative enough I'm sure you can create a homemade backyard tunnel and obstacles at minimal cost.
HIDE AND SEEK This third in our list of dog games will give him a chance to put to use his scenting abilities as well as provide him with mental stimulation. You can opt to hide yourself or you can get one of his toys or a special toy just for this game and hide it at any safe place around your property.
Start easy then gradually make it more complicated for him to find hidden toys. This game is a great way to teach Fido how to find other objects as well.
FRISBEE CATCHING A modified form of the Fetch game this is a great way to teach Fido agility. Beware, this is an intensely physical game that is not recommended for old dogs.
To do this throw a Frisbee nearby until he learns that he must return the Frisbee to you. Gradually throw the thing farther and farther until he learns how to catch it.
The nice thing about this is you can opt to join Frisbee competitions with Fido if he gets really really good at this game.
SWIMMING The last in this list dog games is beneficial to his entire body not just his muscles. If you love swimming and there is someplace that you both can do this, why not swim with your dog?
Dog games not only allow you train your dog to do stuff this also helps to create a disciplined dog provided that whenever your dog does something good you use positive reinforcement and give him a reward. It's also important that you make the rules and not the other way around, one way to establish this is to stop the game while the dog is still excited and not when he is already bored.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Realistic Tips For Buying Puppies

Nothing in the world could be as cute as a puppy. When you've made the decision to make a puppy a part of your family, you will begin your search for puppies for sale. There are several things that you need to be aware of before selecting the puppy or puppies that you will buy.
Hopefully, you already know what you are looking for. For example, it is important to determine whether your puppy will grow to be a show dog or not. You need to know what sized dog you eventually want, because puppies do indeed grow. You also need to know if you prefer a certain breed, whether a full-breed dog is important, and other pertinent facts that pertain to what you want, in terms of a puppy, and eventually a fully grown dog.
It is important to have that information before you even begin your search, as it saves a great deal of time and effort. Remember that all breeds are very different in terms of their general personalities, as well as their intelligence and how well suited they are to being indoor or outdoor dogs.
Obviously, you will want to see registration papers for the puppies you buy before making that purchase, if breeding is important to you. While there are many full bred dogs available, who are not registered, it is important to see the registration papers if you will be showing or breeding the dog. Otherwise, it may not matter to you whether the puppy is registered or not.
Naturally, you will want to see any health records that are available for the puppy, and possibly for the parents, depending on the breed of the dog and whether or not that breed is susceptible to certain illnesses or conditions. You need a record of any treatment or exams that the puppy has had to date. Ask if the puppy is up-to-date on shots and vaccinations and worming, if the puppy has been spayed or neutered, and if the puppy has been micro chipped.
If possible, you should ask to see the entire litter and the parents, even if all that is available is pictures. This gives you the opportunity to gather more information about the puppy or puppies that you are considering. Pay attention to how healthy the dogs appear to be, as well as how well they have been taken care of, including the conditions in which they have been living.
You will of course want to know the price of the puppy, and check to see if this price is reasonable, as compared to prices charged by other breeders. Note that females are almost always more expensive than males. Also note that puppies that have champion level parents are very expensive as compared to those that do not have champion level parents.
In many cases, there will be a written contract. This contract should specifically identify and describe the puppy or puppies for sale that you have agreed to purchase. It should also include a guarantee, which should allow you to return the dog within a certain amount of time, for a full refund, if the puppy isn't healthy, as determined by your veterinarian.
When you find the puppy that is right for your family, and you decide to make a purchase, it should be a pleasant, stress-free experience for you - particularly if you are making your purchase from a reputable breeder. If at any time you do not feel right about the purchase, or the condition of the puppy, you should have the option of backing out of the sale - before it is made, and again, for a certain period of time after the purchase has been made as well.

Dog House - The True Need of Your Dog

Dog is a very sensitive pet regarding serving his owner and it is known as the most faithful animal. Due to this quality mostly people like to keep it as a member of the family or some like to keep it as the guard of the house. In both cases it is like a family member and needs attention of its owner and really need affection.
For fulfilling the desire of the dog to get affection you can give leisure and just take care of the needs of your dog.
One of its most important needs is the proper place to live where he can sleep and take some rest or even can eat. The dog house is specially designed for your dog so it can easily sleep there in a shelter.
There are different kinds of dog houses available in the market and you can choose from them according to the size of your dog and the nature of it. After considering the size you can further go in details like the material and design.
You can take measurements in three ways. First you can measure from the head to the toes, second from the nose to flank, third from shoulder down to the bottom chest. These measurements are necessary for selecting the dog house. The length of the door opening must be an inch higher regarding the shoulder and chest measurement.
There are different styles of the dog house like the A shape and barn shape. But now as the importance of the pets have been realized by the owners so for the appealing they now like to have the flat roof dog house. Some of them are manufactured like the igloo style. The material used in these houses may be of wood and polyester

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Top Tips on How to Stop Dogs Jumping Up on You

Our four legged family members can be rather over excitable at times. Jumping up at you on arrival can be very frustrating and annoying. So today I want to help with some top tips on how to stop dogs jumping up on you when you walk through the door, and also give you a good understanding of how jumping up starts.
Jumping up is definitely a learned behaviour, and it happens generally at the time when he or she is a pup.
Pups watch everything we do, and our actions teach them very well. If we put a certain coat on to take them for a walk, you will soon see a very excited reaction to you touching or putting that coat on, because they associate that piece of clothing with going out. Like wise, if we have a routine of checking doors and windows every morning before we go to work, you will probably see them make their way to their bed before you go, as they have learnt that those actions means you are going without them.
So our actions and the consistency of doing them teaches them a lot!
So what actions are we taking to teach a dog to jump up?
Well when we have an 8 -10 week old ball of fluff that just looks adorable, of course what we do is pick the puppy up a lot to cuddle them. These actions teach the puppy that up is for great fun, and down is for no fun, and that is when jumping up begins.
So how can we stop it or prevent it from happening
Top Tips On How to Stop Jumping Up in a Puppy
This is a simple one to solve. Remember to always pet your puppy on the floor, and if they try to jump at you stop petting and reprimand "No" with a guttural sound to your voice. Only pet again when they are back with their paws on the floor, and give lots of praise.
Top Tips On How To Stop Jumping Up in an Adult Dog
If you have an adult older dog all is not lost. Again its all about consistency with your positive actions to solve the issue.
Firstly, for jumping up at the door on arrival it is best to ignore them, don't talk to them or give eye contact. Start doing tea, get changed etc and hold out for a good 30 min's. If your dog is a little wild at the door, try and turn away from the jumping, and ignore as much as possible. Don't push your dog away as he sees that as you reacting. If you do this consistently you will quickly notice that your dog is a lot quieter when first greeted.
For normal jumping up situations your dog needs to be reprimanded, and timing is the issue here. Try and concentrate on your dogs body language, as its always better to reprimand just before they jump at you, this stops them in their tracks, and they quickly learn.

Fun Games to Play With Your Dog Outside

There are many reasons for wanting to play with your dog. Aside from the fact that this is an entertaining activity for you both it also keeps your dog from getting bored plus it makes him healthier mentally and physically.
If you play with your dog on a regular basis, you develop bonds of understanding, respect, loyalty, and communication that remain forever. Games moreover are a fun way to train your dog to: obey you and not the other way around and to socialize with you and other pets you might have.
How can you tell that your pooch is bored? Observe his attitude, if he becomes destructive and often gets into trouble these are sure signs he has nothing to do.
Fun Outdoor Games For You and Your Dog
1) Fetch - There are canines which are natural fetchers and there are those who aren't but all of them do love this game. You can use a stick or his favorite toy for this.
To play with your dog, throw the toy and tell him to fetch it and return it to you.
2) Frisbee - You both can exercise with this very physical game which is perfect for the overly active dog. This is just like a modified version of the fetch game where you throw a flying disk known as a Frisbee. Your dog should try to catch the Frisbee in midair or otherwise and bring it back to you.
Once you and your dog get really good with this you can opt to join competitions. Competitions are confidence boosters both to you and the dog itself.
3) Hula Hoop - This is a game you can play indoors or outdoors, start with a hoop appropriate to the size of your dog. Begin the game by laying the loop on the ground. If your dog figures out that he has to be in the center of the circle, praise or reward him.
After he's used to this you can play with your dog by teaching him to jump through the hoop standing on its side raised inches above the ground.
4) Treasure Hunt - Dogs will love using their noses and powers of concentration in this game which you can play indoors or outdoors. Start with a treat that he really likes, show him the treat, and have him watch you put it behind a couch or a nearby bench.
Gradually make it harder for your dog to find the treat. If you want to teach your dog to find anything through this game, change the treats to shoes, or belt or any item that you can easily loose.
A Few Reminders
1) End the game while your pooch is still interested not when he is already bored. This is one of the techniques to establish control over your dog.
2) Don't forget to reward your dog with his favorite treat if he successfully performs anything.
3) When playing with your already confident canine pet, letting him win all the time makes the him dominant. Instead of you controlling him, you now find yourself being controlled by your pet because he beat you over and over in your games.
4) If you play with your dog who is the shy type, let him win once in a while, this will develop his self confidence. However, don't overdo this or you will create an overly confident dog.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Dog Training - How to Screw Up Your Dog?

Everybody and their uncle has a dog these days and more and more people are planning to own one of man's best friend. We see lovely,adorable and cuddly puppies and subservient dogs in commercials and movies. Most people take it for granted that these animals comes trained by default and this is mainly because the dog that they have seen on TV was well behaved. Dog training is one of the most misunderstood and underestimated part of dog ownership and since epic proportions have already been written on how to train a dog, I am not venturing out into that area. A less focused area it seems is how not to train a dog. Here are some ways you should never train your dog.
Never making the training process boring for the animal especially in the initial stages. A bored dog will also be a least responsive dog and this can negatively impact the training process. You should always try to make training as fun as possible. The dog should in the ideal sense,consider training as a time of fun and abundant praise. Never be reluctant to praise and always increase praise as the dog responds positively to training.
Training especially in the early stages should be in a calm and quiet area and never be at a place where the chances of getting distracted are high. It might be ok to take your dog to a park or a public area once the dog has been reasonably trained but always remember that an untrained animal is the perfect recipe for chaos in a public place and always make sure that you are confident about keeping your pet under control in public places.

Choosing The Right Dog Bowl For Your Dog

Choosing the right dog bowl for your pet can easily get a little overwhelming. There are so many colors and styles to pick from. Should you pick stainless steel, ceramic or plastic? You can buy dog bowls with their names on them, pictures and designs, even team colors and logos. You can buy bowls that match your kitchen or your dining room. You can even buy dog bowls that look like outdoor pots for the patio! There are bowls for small dogs, large dogs and all the dogs in between. So how to pick? How do you know which bowl is best for your dog?
The first thing to consider when looking through dog bowls, is your dog. If you have a large dog, you're obviously going to need a large bowl. Smaller dogs, toy dogs and short-legged dogs such as Corgis and Dachshunds need smaller, shallower bowls. A dog with a short snout, like a bulldog or a pug, won't be comfortable eating or drinking out of a deep bowl. Dogs with long ears and furry faces can end up soaking wet after a visit to the water bowl.
We all know dogs love to eat! Sometimes they can be overly enthusiastic, gulping atheir food and spilling it all over the floor, sending the bowl sliding all over the place as they lick it clean. To help dogs who eat too quickly slow down a little, consider buying an anti-bloat bowl. This bowl, developed and recommended by vets, has small shapes inside that prevent a dog from being able to gobble their food too quickly.
Raised bowls or elevated feeders are other options to consider when looking for a dog bowl. These bowls are more comfortable for dogs to eat from and can help prevent some of the mess a bowl on the floor can lead to. For older dogs with joint pains, or dogs with back or neck problems, a raised bowl can be more comfortable for them to eat from. Elevated feeders come in many styles, colors and materials making it easy to find the one that will best suit you and your dog.
When trying to choose the perfect dog bowl, it can be hard to settle on which one you like the best. They can be made of stainless steel, wood, ceramic or plastic. You can pick a bowl with a Grecian or Roman style, or one with a more modern flair. You can even find dog bowls designed to look like flower pots for outside patios. Any color, any style, any material are yours for the asking. For an added personal touch, you can even customize a dog bowl with your pet's name, breed, or favorite color.
Another consideration when choosing a dog bowl is how easy it is to clean. Ideally you should wash your pet's food and water bowl regularly. Many people recommend a light washing once a day for water bowls and after every meal for food bowls along with a more thorough cleaning once a week. After all, you don't like eating off of dirty plates every day, do you? So why should your dog?
Choosing the right dog bowl for your pet is an important task and one the whole family should be involved in. And despite how many options you have to choose from there are no wrong decisions. Just remember to take into account what will best suit your dog and their personality. In the end, your dog will love whatever you pick out for them!

Give The Best Dental Care For Your Dog

The bond between an individual and their dog. There are few things that can come in between that bond more efficiently than bad breath and it's a very, very common issue nowadays.
People really try to look after their pets in a good way - buying their pets toys, spending a while out of the busy schedule to keep the dog active, giving proper shelter and the best healthy food possible to maintain the dog’s wellness. However strangely several dog owners draw the line at dog dental work. This is often misconception not malice - individuals use terms like dog breath all the time and also the underlying message is that it is normal for dogs to have bad breath, while it is not. With this mindset, dog teeth cleaning then becomes an optional or cosmetic procedure.
The most effective means around this mindset is to place it our terms - if we had stinking breath, infection and ache in our mouths we would do something about it right? Dog teeth requires the same attention as ours. The health of individuals has come a long way since we started taking care our teeth and the same health benefits are there for dogs.
Dog dental disease isn't always obvious - dog teeth may seem clean at 1st glance however beneath the gum is the virus and pain of periodontal disease. Dogs are very powerful and don't express their pain in the same manner as we humans usually do. As animals their instinct is to live through the pain and still eat with no sign of weakness, which mistakenly assures several individuals that things can't be too bad and they feel that their dog is quite normal.
It will take a professional to diagnose dental disease, typically requiring general anesthesia and x-rays thus regular veterinary tests are important in each animal’s life. Most of the dental treatments for any animal are performed using anesthesia and teeth are cleaned or extracted as needed. The main goal is to leave the mouth healthy and pain free - and to keep it that way for as long as possible.
Dog teeth’s cleaning is a necessary part of each dog’s health - simply as necessary as feeding them and taking them out for a walk. With dog teeth cleaning it is important to consult a professional veterinarian first to ensure no painful disease already exists. Then you'll be able to learn techniques to help maintain your dog’s dental health.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Six Dog Training Tips to Modify Negative Behavior

Almost every dog owner will have to use some sort of behavior modification techniques at one time or another when training their prized pet. If you are able to 'get' why your dog does what he does, when he does it, you are one step closer to solving the problem. This article will detail ten ways of doing just that, in a general fashion that can be used for a wide variety of issues.
Dog Training Tip #1: It's All about Control
Let your dog know who is in charge, and you've alleviated a lot of problems. It's not about fighting for control, it's about knowing who has it. So when it's time to train your dog, put on his training collar so he's fully aware of what time it is. Alternatively, use a leash when walking your dog, so that he knows who is boss all of the time.
Dog Training Tip #2: Reframe the Negative
Instead of telling your dog, "NO!" for something bad he's done, try and reframe the negative into something positive instead. For instance, if your dog decided to run after a chipmunk running across your lawn, try, "Sit" instead of whatever you'd normally use. Now you can praise him as well for his good behavior, instead of yelling at him because he didn't stop.
Dog Training Tip #3: Allow for Differences in Perception
Your dog may not think that digging is a bad behavior, but you and your garden probably do. Instead of getting upset, why not provide your dog with adequate digging space elsewhere, complete with buried treasures? Then, you can do the same as dog training tip number two, and provide positive feedback when he digs in the allotted space, and not in your flower garden.
Dog Training Tip #4:
Make Sure the Whole Household Acts Consistently When you are training your dog, make sure that everyone in the house knows what you are doing, and how to provide supportive measures when needed. That means that if you are teaching the word sit, then everyone in the house should know what to do, when to do it, and why if a behavior presents itself where the command should be used.
Dog Training Tip #5: Keep Moving!
Many behavioral issues with dogs lie behind the fact that they don't get out enough for a long walk or run. Make sure to take them out on a regular basis (daily, if at all possible) to somewhere new that he can explore on his own time.
Dog Training Tip #6: Keep it Simple
The more clear you are with your dog while training him, the better off everyone will be. Show your dog what you are asking him to do, instead of just telling him. Give the command at the same time while you show him (gently, of course) and ensure that your body language matches your words.

Dog Training Hand Signal - Train Your Dog To Sit With Only Showing Your Hand

Dog training hand signals are a great way to get to know your dog and form a permanent bond with him. This kind of methods are enjoyable to teach and simply to understand for most dogs.
Dog training hand signal if the animal insists on getting on furniture anyway, it should be grasped by the scruff of the neck, told briskly, No, No, No, and put down. This works for other situations too, like biting other dogs or something else. Do not hurt the dog or something in that way but he has to understand that he has done something wrong. Do not hit the dog with your hand or feet, just grap his neck and speak loud.
Training your pet using dog training hand signals can be very beneficial. In most cases the dog will understand very quickly what you want when using signals. It is clear that a dog can better understand signals than words. With repetition your dog will begin to respond to the dog training hand signal. Use the dog training hand signal you have chosen for the command. He has to know what you want before using a typical signal. The basic commands to begin with in your dog training hand signal teachings are "sit" and "down". Start by giving the chosen dog training hand signal. It will only be effective if your dog has learned to associate a hand signal with the appropriate command words. It is a great way to begin to really understand your dog. You will see it is very funny. Taking the time to properly train your dog using dog training hand signals will bring years of pleasure to both of you. A well behaved dog is very important. There are many benefits and variations to using dog training hand signals. You have to begin the dog training hand signal by having your hands at your sides, bringing it up deliberately and folding it as if you were going to throw something over. While he is being trained to follow a verbal command you can teach him to follow hand signals as well.
Training the behavior sit first. It is one of the basics the dog need to know. Do not worry about adding the command until the dog understands what he has to do to get the treat. The signal should be that you just show the dog your open hand over his head. After a few times of practice he will understand and you have nothing to say if you want him to sit down.Training sessions do not have to be long. A good trainer will know if his dog needs more time for training in the particular thing he has to learn. When you have used the method enough to know it well, you can add your own personal touch as needed. You know the best what your dog needs to have in training. Training your dog is not an easy job to do. So you have to learn it first and then train him well. Even if you know a lot about dog training hand signal it is better to have a look if there are any new techniques or other stuff as well. Dog training hand signal is a important thing to do. Especially for hunting dogs it is very effective because you have to be quiet but the dog has to understand what you want from him. But, of course not only for hunters. You have to see the benefits of it and then you will have fun to teach your dog in training hand signals. Think about the sit training it is very, very good to learn for you and your dog

Dog Training Fundamentals - 5 Key Dog Behaviour Factors That Affect Training

Whether you already have experience of dog ownership, are a new dog owner or are about to be a dog owner, then training your dog is one of the most important aspects you need to consider. Likewise if you currently have a dog with behaviour problems, then dog training is essential.
However, knowing you need to train your dog and actually training your dog are two entirely different things. Just where do you start?
To successfully train your dog, you need to consider and understand some key facets of dog behaviour. Knowing and understanding these 5 facets will greatly improve your dog training.
1. The origins of dogs. Dogs are in essence descended from modern day wolves. While domestication has dampened or eliminated many traits, some key natural instincts still remain. Like wolves, dogs are pack animals. What does this mean?
Well, there are several traits that derive from being a pack animal. The important ones when it comes to training are dogs are naturally sociable, they are used to routine and they are used to a social structure (i.e. the famed alpha male).
As sociable animals dogs thrive on the interaction with other dogs. A dog does not consider you as a human but rather a funny looking dog. Therefore, dogs thrive on the interaction with you. Just like a wild wolf, rejected by the pack, if you starve a dog of this interaction, they will become unhappy and very agitated.
When it comes to training, you can use this to reward or punish your dog. Interacting with your dog (e.g. patting, encouraging/excited talk, etc) can be as much of a reward as treats of food. Similarly, ignoring your dog (e.g. turning your back, stern talk, putting them in another room, etc) can be a harsh punishment for a dog. Its definitely better than smacking them.
As with all animals (including humans), dogs thrive on routine. If they know what and when they are likely to be doing certain things, then they are relaxed and comfortable. They know what to expect and are not confused by ever changing circumstances.
Training should also stick to a routine. Decide when the best time of the day is best for you to train your dog and stick by that time as rigidly as possible. Your dog will soon get into a routine of expecting to be trained at say 3pm every day and will be prepared for when training time comes. If your dog is ready and expecting to be trained, then it goes without saying that they will actually train better.
Within a pack there is always the alpha male. The dog that leads the pack, protects the pack and ultimately ensures the pack is fed and survives. As mentioned, a dog sees you as a funny looking dog and not a human. To be a good dog owner you absolutely need to be the alpha male. How many nature programs have you seen where the alpha male is being challenged by one of the other would be alpha males? Likewise, your dog will be challenging you to be the alpha male - this is a natural instinct for them.
You must establish yourself as the alpha male from the beginning. Providing food, interaction, punishing bad behaviour, body and vocal language all go towards asserting yourself as the alpha male. If your dog does not consider you as the alpha male, then they will not listen or act on your training instructions.
2. A dog's memory. We all know that goldfish have short memories. However, you may be surprised to know that dogs also have short retention memories. If you could tell your dog something, it is likely that by the next day or a few hours later, they will have forgotten. On the other had (or paw) dogs do have incredibly good associated memory. This basically means that if your dog can associated something with what you tell it then it will likely remember what you told it for years to come.
For example if you told your dog (assuming you could speak doggy language) that the chocolate biscuits were in the cupboard your dog would probably forget this within a few hours. However, if you showed your dog where the chocolate biscuits were, repeating the words 'chocolate biscuits', every time you said 'chocolate biscuits' it would probably go straight to the cupboard. It may also search the cupboard every few hours for the rest of its life looking for the chocolate biscuits but that's not the point.
Therefore, when training your dog you need to associate the training topic with something. For example: if you are teaching your dog to sit. If you associate the word 'sit' by getting your dog to physically sit and then giving them a reward. Repeat this a few times and soon your dog will associate your command 'sit' with it physically sitting and then getting a reward. The difficult bit is disassociating the reward - ask yourself why almost every dog will naturally sit when you have food in your hand?
3. Doggy language. Despite comments above, we cannot speak doggy language and dogs cannot speak our language. This is important when it comes to training. You have to choose words for commands that both you and your dog will remember. Be careful not to choose very common words or else your dog will be easily confused when this word keeps appearing within the middle of a sentence. A common word often used in training dogs is 'come'. For this example, it may be better to use a slang version or combine 'come here' into a single short word.
The important thing is that when you decide on a word for a command to stick with it and be consistent, otherwise your dog will become confused.
I know it can be difficult, especially if you come home to your new TV pulled off the cabinet, to always use pre-selected words when talking to your dog. Your dog does not speak human language and will only know what those few words you have trained it with are (and the tone you have used). So if you start using other words or different tones your dog will not understand.
For example: imagine someone speaking to you in a foreign language asking for directions to the city hall. You can't understand a word they are saying yet they get more and more frustrated, talking in a louder and quicker language. Is it your fault you can't understand them? Why are they getting angrier when you have no idea what they are saying? What is their problem? What will I do? Similarly, if you haven't trained your dog to understand what 'sit' is and you start shouting 'sit', 'down on back legs', 'down', etc is it your dog's fault it is looking at you confused and increasingly scared.
4. Puppy behaviour. Just like babies, puppies do not know how the world works or how they are supposed to behave within that world. They need to be taught and learn what is good, bad, right or wrong.
A healthy and happy puppy will be a bundle of energy, desperate to explore as much as they can as quickly as they can. Dogs do not have good eyes that can see things or hands that can feel the intricacies of objects. Instead they have noses that can smell things and mouths that can chew objects.
While this can come through training and general maturing, the importance of this is that you must be patient and understand where your dog is coming from and why it does what it does.
5. Structure and enjoyment. While I have in a round about way touched on these two above, no dog training information would be complete without mentioning these two aspects on their own.
However you decide to train your dog, as with routine, you must have a structure to your training. If you have never trained a dog before, how do you know when your dog can start learning to sit, stay, etc and when it can run down to the local shop and pick the paper up for you?
You need to know what it is you actually want to train your dog to ultimately be able to do and what steps you need to take to get to that point. Personnel dog trainers, dog training classes and dog training guides can all do this. Personally, I prefer to train my own dogs and believe that in the end you develop a much stronger bond with your dog. Also, your dog is more obedient to you rather than the trainer. However, at the very least, and particularly if you have never trained a dog before, I would recommend purchasing a dog training guide.
The small amount of money for a dog training guide, compared to the time you would waste searching for free online tips that will be a mix match of training and will not provide the structure, is just not worth it. More than that, the time saved in training and the end result of a properly trained dog for the rest of its life (around 15 years) is worth many times more than the cost of even the most basic training guide.
If you, and more importantly your dog, do not enjoy training then you will never properly train your dog. Training will take longer and be much harder. When you start training your dog remember they are most likely to be a puppy and at that age all they want to do is run and explore their new world. Be flexible with the time you plan to spend training. Try and keep training short but if your dog appears to be really enjoying it then be prepared to train for longer. Likewise if your dog will just not focus, then maybe leave it for a bit before going back to it. With a routine and structure to your training, your dog will soon learn that when it comes to training they need to focus for a short length of time and will be better able to do so.
I hope the above has been helpful in your desire to train your dog. By knowing why and how your dog does what it does, you should be able to understand it's behaviour much better. By using this understanding you can better bond with your dog and train your dog. A good training routine and structure as well as plenty of patience and eventually you will have a well trained dog. Always always always make sure training is enjoyable for both you and especially your dog

Monday, May 17, 2010

Dog Training - Fun Ways to Train Your Dog

The thought of dog training can make most people cringe. The hours of work and the constant repetition may seem too much, yet dog training exercises can be enjoyable. Being able to have a well trained dog and have fun in the process is possible. Because dogs have different personalities, an owner may need to try a few methods in order to see how their dog responds best.
Reward training is a type of positive reinforcement training. Part of this type of instruction is giving your dog a command and then rewarding for the proper action. Clicker training is one popular example of this. When a dog performs the desired act, the clicker sound gives him the acknowledgment that he did right. When starting the clicker training, the click is followed by a treat. This gives the dog the knowledge that the click is what he wants to hear. After awhile, the treats can be taken out of the equation, and the sound of the clicker is enough reinforcement. Treats are great supports, but a pat on the head or excited voice can also be very important to you dog. This reward training is used for most types of training. If you are using the right kind of treat, for treat based training, your dog will want to spend the time learning.
Agility training is a fantastic way to enjoy your dogs education. Most dogs, except for large, heavy ones will enjoy this fun way of exercise, and you might be amazed at the amount of discipline that the dog must learn in order to accomplish this task. An agility course is set up to have the dog go from one obstacle to another in a timely manner. Some of the obstacles might include crawling through a tunnel, jumping over small fences, and climbing over walls, to name a few. The owner stays with the dog, but must only help the dog by giving a dog command, and at the beginning, leash guidance. Through this course, dogs learn to listen to their owner, get exercise, and helps build a teamwork bond between pet and owner. With the popularity of agility training there are more schools using this method, but if you cannot find it in your area, a simple search online to find the appropriate items can set up your backyard.
Almost any game can be used to teach your pet. When you are working on obedience training, it is a good idea to intersperse some tricks in the midst. This will help you enjoy the time more which will help your dog relax and learn more easily. Simple tricks like "shake" and "stay" are teaching valuable lessons. In order to "shake" a dog must learn to sit properly. "Stay" is a great command when you have children or elderly people visiting.
A well trained dog is the goal of most dog owners, yet many of us stop training after our dog gets beyond the bad manner behaviors. The guidance should not stop there; in finding exercises and games that both we and our dog enjoys will enable us to continue the education and the bonding time with our pet. Obedience classes as well as agility training are available in most areas for all ages of canine.

The Best Tips on Housebreaking a Puppy - Stop Your Pooch From Peeing All Over the Carpet

Getting a new puppy is exciting. There is nothing more fun than seeing your new puppy get comfortable at home.
Now, before you get too excited, you have to know and be ready for housebreaking a puppy. You may need a lot of patience for house training your puppy but everything will all be worth it in the end. Here are some tips you can follow on housebreaking a puppy.
At the start of your training, it's important for you to have a command to give to your puppy to signal that he needs to do his thing. It can be any word like "go", for as long as you use the word consistently, your puppy will recognize that every time he hears this word or words, he needs to relieve himself.
Use positive reinforcements when housebreaking a puppy. Give your puppy a reward or treat for every successful attempt he does. This will let your puppy know that he did a good thing and that for every good thing he does, he will get a treat. It's also important that you show your puppy who's the boss and of course, that's you.
If you see your puppy urinating on areas that he shouldn't be relieving himself on, reprimand him. Just like commands, use a consistent word or phrase to let your puppy recognize this as a sign that he did something wrong. If your puppy accidentally relieved himself on the wrong place, it's important that you immediately clean the area and get rid of the odor. Puppies use their sense of smell to find the spot where they usually urinate or defecate. If you don't get rid of the smell, your puppy will always go to the wrong spot to relieve himself.
Different ways of housebreaking a puppy
One of the most popular ways to housebreak a puppy is through crate training.
Crate training is when you put your dog in a crate to urinate and defecate. Before you start your crate training, it's important for you to know that putting your puppy in a crate for a long time may make your puppy noisy and destructive. Only put your puppy in the crate if you won't be there to watch him. Do not put him in a crate if it's not necessary.
Buy a crate that is big enough for your puppy. Place your puppy in a crate for the first month. If you see your puppy getting restless, pacing and sniffing around, take him out of his crate and bring him to the area that you want him to urinate on. Let him play around the house after relieving himself and then put him back in the crate.
Housebreaking a puppy is a bit of a task for first time pet owners. You need to be very patient when training your puppy. It may take weeks before your puppy learns the habit of going out to urinate or defecate. Give your puppy the time he needs to learn his toilet habits.

House Training a Dog

Dogs are intuitively clean. You may or may have not observed this with your own dog, but the knowledge will hopefully help you better understand why your dog displays certain apparently unpleasant traits. All dogs have their own definition of cleanliness and they instinctively act to maintain that standard. Dogs do not intentionally soil themselves. In fact, they have various inbuilt ways of avoiding doing so. Some dogs prefer to dispose of their waste on the grass, while others prefer to use gravel. You may not have noticed, but in this mannerism they are very similar to cats. It is best to consider these dog habits to be a positive element that can be worked on. A useful way to start training a dog, is to take advantage of these natural habits as a basis for fast and successful house training.
There are two essential steps when training a dog within your home. The first is to set up a specific living area for your dog. This can be set up in relatively little space in such places as the garage or the bathroom. Some people use a small area of the kitchen. It might not be such a good idea though to utilize any part of your living room for your dog, as it might be quite difficult for both you and he to accept that as his private space. It is highly advisable to spend some quality time with your pet in his own living area. The living area should be chosen as a potential place to play with your dog. Your dog should also be free to sleep and eat in that area. It will be more satisfactory and motivating for your pet if you also provide them with their own bed in the designated area. Have patience in dealing with your dog in the 'his' living area. Your dog may pass waste in there at first but later, will realize that it is their own living area and will then make an effort not to mess in there again.
Once your dog becomes familiar in sleeping in his specialized bed, it is then no longer a problem to transfer the bed to any part of the house, or anywhere you wish. If you move the bed outside your dog's living area, you will need to ensure that you confine your pet to the bed. If you are using a crate as his bed, make sure to close the crate's door. If you are using a towel as your dog's bed, place it behind particular furniture and harness your dog so he will not stray from the bed.
It is not advisable to leave your pet unattended while they are leashed, so you may well consider having the leash attached to yourself. You may for instance, clip one end of the leash to your belt loop. This would allow you to keep an eye on the dog and constantly supervise his conduct and activity.
The second step in house training a dog, is to set up a toilet area. You will then need to train him to pass waste in your prescribed toilet area. If your dog shows signs of wanting to, or actually starts, to do his business, then immediately take him to this area. Stay with your dog during this process each time until he finally establishes the habit of only passing waste in his own toilet area.
The steps outlined here are practical, yet have a significant impact on your dog's disciplinary behavior. Once your dog develops such habits, moving on to a higher level of training should become much easier

Friday, May 14, 2010

Dog Training - Easy Ways to Make a Best Friend

Dogs are without a doubt man's best friend. With a little knowledge they can become a treasured part of the family. Dog training is very important to the harmonious running of any household.
There is a lot to think about when you are adding a dog to the family. Dogs can display many antisocial types of behaviour. These may include peeing in the wrong place or time, barking too much, chewing on your favourite shoes or maybe the postie's shoes with the postie still in them. They can get into digging holes where you don't need them, run down the road as soon as you open the door or become anxious and upset as soon as you pick up the car keys to head off to work.
You really can teach an old dog new tricks. It is possible to have a dog inside all the time. It can be a pleasure to take a dog for a walk and not have them pulling on the lead or haring off after every cat they see. Dogs do not have to leap up at you and lick you to death.
Dogs will respond positively to rewards and praise. Their training should be fun and consistent. If a dog is allowed to sit on the door mat one day and not the next it will become confused. They understand your tone of voice and some body language. If you train with fear and punishment they become unhappy and you can create more problems.
It is important for the dog to know who is the boss. When you answer the door you must be the first one to the door. When you sit on a chair the dog sits on the floor. When toilet training the dog should get used to going on on a particular surface, whether it be gravel, newspaper or whatever. There are many simple tricks to training a dog and if you are gentle and consistent you will be rewarded with a best friend.

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