The Best Dog Training Tips

Dog training tips 40

2008-04-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Ten Tips to Teach Your Dog to Urinate Outdoors

Does your dog urinate when visitors are present? Is your dog only housebroken when you are around? This is something you want to change fast, before it turns into a housebreaking problem! First, and most important: your dog needs to understand that urinating inside the house is Not Acceptable. Try to act with patience when you see this behavior. Don't punish him or shout at your dog, or he may be traumatized. The result will be that your dog will be frightened every time he needs to relieve himself in your presence. You need to train your dog to urinate outside the house.

Below are a few tips for this type of dog training.

1. If you catch him in the act indoors, interrupt your dog by saying, "No!" Speak firmly, but don't shout.

2. Take your dog out for a walk, and let him walk for five minutes or so.

3. When he squats to defecate, say "Go Poop!" in the voice you normally use for commands.

4. If he doesn't do so, put him in a cage. Walk him again after 20 minutes.

5. When he does follow your orders, make much of your dog. Pat him, show your appreciation, and give him a reward.

Catching him in the act is really the only way you can train him for this. If you fail to catch him, it's too late to say "No!"

When you take your dog for a walk, remember that you are required by law to clean up his feces. Carry a small plastic bag and a "pooper scooper". It doesn't hurt to take a spray bottle of water and some wipes as well, in case he urinates in an inappropriate place. If you do not clean up after him immediately, whether indoors or on the road, your dog will think it's acceptable to make a mess in these areas. Always alert the dog by saying, "No!" and cleaning up the mess right away.

Here are more steps you can take to house training a dog.

1. Buy a dog repellent to keep your dog away from furniture, carpets, etc. B'Have" is a spray repellent, while "Boundary" is a shaker can of granules. Their odors are not unpleasant to humans, but offensive to dogs.

2. Stray animals are attracted to places where other animals have urinated or defecated. Use one of the repellents above to mask residual odors. This discourages stray dogs from urinating in that area.

3. Your might want to train your dog to relieve himself on command. Choose a command word like "Pee!" or "Poop!" -- short and crisp. As soon as he starts passing urine, say the word repeatedly. Then praise him when he's done. Do this every time your dog begins to relieve himself. In a few weeks, you'll find that the dog has formed the habit of urinating when he hears your command.

4. Don't forget to reward your dog when he eliminates on command. You can carry a bag of dog treats on your walks so you don't miss the "magic reward moment."

5. If your dog doesn't relieve himself within five minutes of your command, put him in the cage for about 30 minutes, and then try again.

The key to training your dog to urinate and defecate appropriately is patience. Never shout or punish the dog if he doesn't obey your commands. Make sure any outdoor furniture is placed away from the grass. This will make it less attractive to your dog.

If you follow these housebreaking hints and tips, your dog's elimination habits will be "up to scratch"!

Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's dog training blog right now...

Dog training tips 39

2008-04-25T01:53:00.000-07:00

Dog Breeding For Beginners

Dog breeding for beginners is a respectable choice. Dogs are man's best friend and they're always in demand. It is never as easy as most beginners anticipate. I hope to shed some light on the challenges faced by most dog breeders.

Essentially to start, all you need is a fertile female dog. That said, you need to avoid dogs that have flaws already. If you're planning on selling world champion Grey Hounds, than your dog is going to have to be extremely fast itself. A champion dog makes it much more easier to have champion pups. Your dog is also going to need to have a clean bill of health. If your dog doesn't than you risk that being passed onto the puppies.

Next step is looking for a potential mate for your female dog. Don't just breed them with any dog. It is best to use a register like the American Kennel Club to ensure quality. The stud dog should also have a clean bill of health with no sexually transmitted diseases. This process usually costs a good sum of money, but the quality of the stud yields the quality of the puppies.

If you're planning on doing this as a business make sure you get a kennel permit. A lot of states don't require them, but get it anyway because it can save you a lot of headaches down the road if your neighbors decide to complain.

The act of breeding should happen in the male dogs environment. This is just how "love" works with dogs. It's not just love at first sight. You have to make sure your female dog is in heat and it only lasts a few days. Make sure the stud dog owner is experienced with this since they'll have a better idea of how to introduce the dogs, so they'll successfully breed later.

These are some great tips to help out dog breeding for beginners. Follow them all especially the permit one because the last thing you need is legal trouble.

For more information on dog breeding and guide information, check out Dog Breeding Secrets.

Dog training tips 38

2008-04-24T00:57:00.000-07:00

Learn The Ins-n-Outs of Basic American Dog Training Techniques

America has plenty of dog training techniques. They train huge varieties of dogs. Dog training has various types. It depends on behavior related issues. Hence, there are two main categories. While the first is a theory based technique, the second has relation with canine behavior.

The first category mainly focuses on the modification of behavior. It usually disregards the natural and typical dog behavior. On the contrary, the latter focuses on the natural behavior of the dog and ignores the present learning theories.

Dog technique has three main types. It includes mixed dog training, positive dog training and traditional dog training.

The first type includes those techniques that take the help of negative reinforcement, punishment and positive reinforcement, as one of the main ways to educate the dogs.

Traditional Dog Training Technique:

Initially, dog training was developed to train dogs in times of war. This was very helpful during the First World War. Shortly after the Second World War, even civilian trainers embraced this technique. Thereafter, this became the standard way to train dogs.

Since Colonel Konrad Most established this technique, many Americans consider him as the father of the modern dog training. Since this form of dog training did not involve modern scientific learning principles, it was an empirical technique.

The main teaching ways of traditional training are punishment and negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is the process that strengthens a behavior. For instance, pushing the shoulders of the dog can provoke an unpleasant situation for the dog. In case the pressure over the shoulders disappears while the dog lies down, there is a high possibility that the canine may do the same, simply to avoid any unpleasant sensation. This is how the dog learns through negative reinforcement.

On the other hand, punishment is an unpleasant consequence of a particular behavior. Even though punishment can weaken the behavior, there is no guarantee that this can happen. Besides, the punishment technique usually has undesired effects.

The classic instance of punishment is when the dog owner hits the dog, because the dog climbed on the armchair.

Positive Dog Training:

Positive dog training is the main way of teaching good techniques. It is not the same as reward, though it is a common misconception.

It is mainly the process, which strengthens a dog's behavior simply because of the occurrence of a pleasant situation, due to the result of a particular behavior. For instance, if the dog owner offers food to treat the dog while lying down, there is more possibility that the dog would do it more often to get treats from the owner. This is how the dog learns to lie down with the help of positive reinforcement.

In many countries, the most popular technique is clicker training. The main factor of difference between other positive techniques and clicker training is the use of clicker. Clicker is a small device that offers a click sound while squeezing it.

In short, irrespective of the techniques, a dog training exercise is absolutely beneficial and advantageous.

To get 5 FREE Sizzling hot free dog training tips Please visit http://www.dogcaresecret.com and claim your copies right now, before they start charging.

Dog training tips 37

2008-04-23T00:48:00.000-07:00

How to Train a Dog in Home

Recommendations

*Basic Commands:

Time your commands, rewards and negative responses carefully. Teach the "Come" command when your puppy is behaving rather than in the midst of mischief, and reward him promptly when he complies. Once he knows what "Come" means, you can use this command to tear him away from bad behavior.

Repeat the training exercises only until your puppy gets it right, and then take a break for a little while. So after a few attempts to teach her to "Sit" reward her once she complies and then let her rest or play with you. Remember that like small children, puppies have very small attention spans.

Do short exercises in short intervals, rather than trying to teach a puppy an entire command like "Sit-Stay" in one lesson. If you trying to get a puppy to master both sitting and staying put in one lesson is asking too much of him, and of you. You will lose patience and your dog will be disappoint. Instead, teach him "Sit" in one exercise and later on graduate to "Stay."

Keep talking, the whole time. Your puppy enjoys your praise as well as your coaching and will stick with the exercises in part just for the attention. Make sure a lot of what you are saying is positive reinforcement for trying to learn. When you use positive reinforcement training, you're allowing her the time and the opportunity to use her own brain.

Know whether to touch your puppy or keep hands off her. Puppies younger than 12 weeks crave touching, so make sure your lessons involve lots of contact. Dogs older than this respond better when the lesson is pretty much contact-free, except at the very end of the exercise, when a tap is part of the treat reward.

Peter Garcia is publisher dog website, offering dog behavior articles include in dog obedience training.
For more information visit us in http://www.dogobediencenews.com

Dog training tips 36

2008-04-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Crate Tips for Your Dalmatian

It is very important that you provide just the right home to your Dalmatian. Dogs have carried over from their ancient ancestors the instinct to use a den for comfort and security. If you can harness this instinct you will not only add a wonderful tool to teach manners in the home, but will also give your dog a place to go when feeling stressed or tired.

The majority of new pet owners misinterpret the purpose of a dog crate. In fact, a crate really is a wonderful tool when used correctly. It is not used to punish a puppy. Crate training can be fun for the puppy if you make it a positive experience. The basic idea behind crate training dogs is that whenever you aren't able to supervise your dog or aren't home, the dog goes in the crate. When you have a new puppy or dog, you will use a crate to limit his admission to the entire house until he learns all the house rules. A crate is also a secure way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as an opportunity to take him places where it may not be appropriate for him to run without restraint. Another surprising advantage: dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks, often find refuge in their familiar crate/den.

Also very important, the crate needs to be in a place where your dog will not feel as if he is part of the family and not isolated. You can locate the crate in the kitchen/dining room, usually the most occupied area of the house. . Make sure it doesn't become the equivalent of a prison for your dog! Giving the pup special "treats" is a perfect way to introduce him to his crate. The only time the puppy receives these special treats is when he is in the crate; so the treats become associated with the crate. Remember though, repetition is essential. Your puppy will not understand what you want unless you repeatedly show him exactly what is required of him.

If a dog is correctly trained to love his den, his instinct will be to keep it clean. This is the foremost reason why a crate works in potty training. An attractive crate makes for a welcoming den - a comfy blanket, tasty treats, and a favorite toy help to make the pup comfortable.

Remember though, crate is not a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog will feel trapped and frustrated. As an example, if your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again all night, he's definitely spending far too much time in much too small a space. Also remember that puppies under six months of age should never stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a stretch. They can't control their functions for longer periods.

You need to be certain the crate is the correct size for the pup/dog. If it is too big, the pup may try to use part of it as a bathroom and this is something you definitely need to avoid. The crate needs to be big enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably. Crates may be plastic (often referred to as flight kennels) or collapsible, metal pens. But, the crates that are most preferred are the wooden ones with removable side panels, which are ideal for cold weather where the panels in place to keep out drafts and in hot weather where the panels are removed to allow better air circulation. You can buy flat pads for the bottom of crates to keep your dog comfortable, since lying on uneven plastic is not a feel-good event, particularly for older dogs.

In fact, used properly, a crate will often become a very enjoyable part of your dog's day.

Article written by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to find dog food storage containers in every size, go to http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/food-storage/

Dog training tips 35

2008-04-18T01:24:00.001-07:00

How To Effectively Control Fleas

Fleas, those pesky blood sucking pests that make pets' lives miserable and humans itch from just a thought, can be impossible to control unless you understand their life cycle and the vulnerability of each life stage. Most pet owners do not understand the flea as evidenced by their most commonly asked questions:

"How can I get rid of fleas once and for all?"

"Do I use pills, dips, shampoos, powders, topical drops, or a combination?"

"How can I get the fleas out of my house?"

"I've got fleas in my car, how can I get rid of them?"

"Why do I have to treat my carpets, the fleas are on the dog, right?"

"Why is my yard infested with fleas? I do not even own a pet?"

The answer: there is no single method or insecticide that will completely eradicate or control the flea. Did you get that? No single method will effectively control fleas because of their complex and multi-faceted life cycle. Preparations that are effective during one stage of the cycle are ineffective during other stages. Therefore, to successfully control fleas, understanding the various life stages becomes paramount.

Collectively, all of the species of fleas are categorized under the order name of Siphonaptera. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felix, is the most commonly found flea in the US and infests cats, dogs, humans, and other mammalian and avian hosts. Did you get that? Fleas can be found on other mammals and birds.This explains how non-pet owning homes and yards can become flea infested.

Fleas thrive in warm, moist environments and climates, and Southeast Texas, especially the Gulf Coast area, is better suited for flea development than most other areas of the USA. The main food source for the flea is blood from a host animal. 95% of the time, fleas utilize mammalian hosts. But, fleas can also infest avian species (about 5%).

Why does the flea bite itch? Flea saliva, like other biting skin parasites, contains an ingredient that softens, or "digests" the host's skin for easier penetration and feeding. The saliva of fleas is irritating and allergenic -- the cause of all the itching, scratching, and other signs seen with Flea Allergy Dermatitis, or FAD.

Fleas have four main stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The total flea life cycle can range from a couple weeks to several months, depending on environmental conditions. The total flea population is made up of approximately 50% eggs, 30% larvae, 15% pupae, and only 5% biting adults. This means that the majority of the fleas life is spent off the animal making the environment the most logical treatment target rather then the host animal.

ADULT: The adult flea is very flat side to side. There are hair-like bristles on the flea body and legs to aid in their navigation through pet hair. Fleas have 3 pairs of legs, the hindmost pair designed for jumping. The flea is most famous for its jumping abilities.

The adult flea prefers to live on the animal and its diet consists of blood meals courtesy of the host animal. The female flea is very proliferative and lays white, roundish eggs. She can lay up to 50 eggs per day, 1,500-1,600 eggs over several months.

Fleas cannot reproduce without a blood meal, but they can survive for up to a year without feeding provided they do not emerge from the cocoon.

EGG: The eggs are not sticky (like some parasites), and they usually fall off of the animal into the carpet, the pet's bedding, floorboards, or on the ground. Remember, a dog carrying just 10 producing adult females can spread 15,000 to 16,000 eggs in your house over the course of a few short weeks.

The point in time when the flea egg hatches will vary -- anywhere from two days to a few weeks, depending on environmental conditions. The larva emerges from the egg using a chitin tooth, a hard spine on the top of the head that disappears as the flea matures.

The flea egg is relatively non-susceptible to routine flea treatment programs.

LARVA (plural = larvae): The larval stage is actually made up of three developmental stages. Larvae are about 1/4" (6.35 mm) long, and semi-transparent white. They are often mistaken for fly maggots. They have small hairs along their body and actively move. In order to survive, the larvae eat flea dirt, or the feces of adult fleas (which is mostly dried blood) and other organic debris found in the carpet, bedding, soil, and even on your pet.

Depending on the amount of food present and the environmental conditions, the larval stage lasts about 5 to 18 days (longer in some cases) then the larva spins a silken cocoon and pupates.

PUPA (plural = pupae): The pupa is the last stage before the flea becomes an adult. The adult flea can emerge from the cocoon as early as 3 to 5 days, or it can stay in the cocoon for a year or more, waiting for the right time to emerge. Stimuli such as warm ambient temperatures, high humidity, even the vibrations and carbon dioxide emitted from a passing potential host will cause the flea to emerge from the cocoon faster. And, once he emerges from the cocoon, he has only one thing on his mind - a blood meal.

This brings us back to the starting point, the adult flea.

The entire life cycle is quite variable, as evidenced by the variability in each life stage progression. As mentioned above, the cycle can be as short as two weeks or as long as two years. That is why it is so important to remain vigilant. Even when a flea problem is thought to be under control, it probably is not!

The Flea Control Program

Recognizing that during its life cycle, the flea is only on the dog or cat 5% of the time and off 95%, it only makes sense to focus a control program following the same percentages. Invest 5% of your time and money in controlling fleas on your pet and 95% on ridding your environment of the eggs, larvae and pupae. Here's what we suggest:

Irregardless of whether you do or don't have a flea problem, apply once a month spot on type treatments for each of your pets. This should be continued year round - each of the 12 months if you seriously want to eliminate your flea problem or prevent one from occurring.
If you already have a flea problem:
a. Treat the inside of your house with a flea fogger that contains a growth regulator (IGR) and then complete follow up applications 7 and 14 days later for a total of 3 treatments. Severe infestations may require more treatments.
b. Vacuum your floors daily for 21 days.
c. Apply boric acid powder to your carpets and floors once weekly for 3 weeks. Leave the powder in place for 2 hours and then vacuum.
d. Wash your pet's bedding using a good detergent. Continue this step every other week, more often if necessary.
e. Treat you lawn with an agricultural limestone product. If possible, add some diatomaceous earth to the mix. Water in thoroughly.
f. If using broad spectrum spray type insecticides, treat your yard daily for 5 days and then follow up with a single application 7 and 14 days later. If you use a granular type, apply once weekly for 4 weeks. Pay particular attention to outside pet sleeping areas.
If you are pro-actively attempting to prevent flea problems:
a. Apply boric acid powder to your carpets and floors once monthly. Leave the powder in place for 2 hours and then vacuum.
b. Treat your lawn with agricultural limestone and diatomaceous earth in the spring and again in the fall.
c. Apply a granular type broad spectrum insecticide once monthly from March through and including October.

Please take note - we have not suggested dips, shampoos, or powders. Although these methods are quite effective at killing adult fleas, they do nothing to eliminate the egg, larvae, or pupae infestation. Topical sprays containing growth regulators are more effective, but again they only target 5% of the flea's life cycle. These preparations each have their place in the overall scheme of flea control and it might be best to consult your local Veterinarian, Pest Control Serviceman, or your Feed Store's Pet Consultant for further suggestions.

Bill Bergfeld is a professional Network Marketer and owner of multiple businesses. As a Farm and Ranch Store Pet Consultant, he maintains a website dedicated to flea control and infestation prevention. You can find more information at http://www.profleacontrol.com

Dog training tips 34

2008-04-17T00:26:00.000-07:00

Dog Obedience and House Training

The first thing that dogs need is a respect for your authority and leadership. One of the ways dogs react to weak leadership is to get out in front and pull vigorously, usually with the human in tow. When the dog is pulling, the dog is the leader.

In a healthy relationship, you must first accept the principle that you have to be the leader. A relationship with a dog is not democratic: you have to be in charge, meaning you know far better than your dog does what is in its best interest.

Apart from a general understanding of how to begin teaching obedience, an essential element of teaching your dog how to heel is the leash correction. It is imperative that you learn how to pop the leash correctly, and that this becomes reflexive. Practice is the only way you'll master this. What follows are some important footnotes.

Go back and forth as necessary, popping the leash and reversing directions as needed. Thus, the sequence is as follows:

1. letting the dog get out in front
2. when the dog begins to forge, give a leash pop as you say "NO!"
3. reverse directions 180 degrees and start walking in the other direction
4. repeat this, going back and forth, until the dog starts to avoid the leash corrections and pay attention
5. As the dog goes into the heel position, praise it warmly.

As for breaking the dog's spirit, training is intended to foster exactly the opposite. Good training brings out the best in the dog, which is one of the reasons why I so emphasize praise in this method. Praise that is sincere and earned builds up the relationship between you and your dog. It is entirely positive and strengthens the bond.

Learn how to EASILY stop biting, in-home peeing, and other dog obedience issues at http://dogtrainingmadeasy.blogspot.com

Dog training tips 33

2008-04-16T00:53:00.000-07:00

The Unspoken Language of the Pack

Does the term obedience within the dog training world reference something we want or something we must become? Would the term Pack Leadership better describe the process in which we achieve harmony and balance with our four legged friends.

As I Watched a dog owner scrambling to hold onto his dominant and aggressive dog while attempting to pull food treats from his pocket to help gain control was just another reminder that perhaps Pack Leadership would be a better term. As the ignored treats went flying into the air I now found myself using the owner's attached leash to re-direct a large dominant dog which was now on top of me. This situation with a new dog client was only one of many where a dog would ignore, respond or react for food, motivator or a device however still elevate into a high dominant or aggressive state of mind. More was happening with dogs than what could be seen from the surface.

The insight into what really was going didn't come from the easy dog cases or assuming that the fault was the owner or dogs. Years ago I began to suspect that a dog which displayed high levels of dominance or aggressive behavior was not separate and apart from what was occurring within pack. Witnessing a dog turn on his handler years ago after a movement from the dog was answered with a choke chain correction added another glimpse into this dynamic within pack. When we see a pack of dogs interacting without human influence what is happening to maintain balance within the pack?

I have witnessed dogs with physical injuries take the dominant pack role within the human world often. Even the injured pack dog will take on the burden of this role. This is where the human and animal world speak different languages. The unspoken language of pack is what needs to be understood to create true overall role change and enjoy a mutually rewarding relationship with you and your dog.

Dale McCluskey
Leader of the Pack
K9pack.com

Dog training tips 32

2008-04-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Parvo - How It's Spread, How to Recognize It

The ease with which Parvo infection can happen cannot be stressed enough. Puppies are especially prone to it because of their immature immune systems. Are you concerned yet? If not, you should be. Learn how Parvo is spread, how long it takes between exposure and illness, and how to recognize the signs of Parvo in your puppy.

HOW IS PARVO SPREAD?

Remember this virus is literally everywhere: every carpet, floor, yard and park. And, it only takes a tiny portion of infected stool, which doesn't even have to be fresh, but can be months old, to infect a non-immune dog. The puppy can ingest the virus by sniffing or eating infected stool, or by cleaning himself, or by eating food off the ground or floor. It only takes a microscopic amount of stool to infect a puppy.

Parvo can be brought home to your dog on shoes, hands and even car tires. So, your puppy can contract Parvo even if he never leaves your yard. It is speculated that even a bird invading your dog's food dish can deposit the Parvovirus there. Insects and rodents may also spread the disease.

Are you concerned yet? If not, you should be.

WHAT IS THE INCUBATION PERIOD FOR PARVO?

It depends on who you ask. Most veterinary practitioners believe it takes anywhere from 7 to 14 days after exposure for a dog to show signs of the disease. However, shedding of the virus in feces can begin as soon as the 3rd day after exposure -- long before any clinical signs appear and before you have any idea there is anything wrong with your puppy.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PUPPY HAS PARVO?

Besides having your puppy tested, there are symptoms of Parvo that you should watch for in your dog.

Symptoms usually start with fever, lethargy, depression and loss of appetite. Your puppy will probably not drink as much water either. When the virus has moved on to the intestines, your puppy will experience vomiting (often severe, usually yellow, foamy bile), diarrhea/dark or bloody foul-smelling, liquid stool. Diarrhea and vomiting result in dehydration. The dehydration can critically unbalance the dog's electrolyte balance.

The barrier separating the digestive bacteria from the blood stream breaks down, making it possible for bacteria to enter the body causing widespread infection. The bone marrow has also been attacked by the virus limiting your puppy's ability to defend itself against infection. In many cases, shock and death follow.

Cheree is practice manager of Azzore Veterinary Specialists, and founding director of the Mill Creek Animal Rescue - both in Russellville, AR. You can view pets available for adoption at Petfinder or visit her at MySpace

Dog training tips 31

2008-04-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

How To Make Homemade Dog Treats

We humans are very fond of getting the odd treat now and again, especially when we feel we have been especially good or done something really well. It shouldn't really be a surprise that our pooch pals feel the exact same. With that in mind making a special dog treat for fido should be on our to do list.

The pet supplies store are full of off the shelve dog treats that we can just scoop up and head for the checkout. The other option is to make one at home from a dog treat recipe.

I have yet to come across any breed of dog that didn't love a treat and even more so when it's home-made. All we need to do is Google "homemade dog cookies," and hundreds of easy to follow suggestions are there to choose from.

To be on the safe side I always check all ingredients from dog treat recipes that I find online, that way I feel 100% secure that everything in it is safe for my dog.

My German Shepherd Alfie loves all of the treats I make for him, but there's no doubt that this treat is his no1 choice.

Alfie's No1 favorite - Cheesy Dog Biscuit Treats Ingredients:

* One cup rolled oats (something like Quaker)

* One third (1/3) cup margarine

* One cup water/boiling

* Three quarters (3/4) cup corn-meal One

* One tablespoon sugar

* Two (2) teaspoons beef or chicken stock (instant bouillon)

* Milk 1/2 cup

* One (1) cup grated/shredded cheddar cheese

* One (1) egg, beaten

* Two to Three (2 - 3) cups whole wheat flour

Ingredients at the ready, lets get baking.

Make sure the oven is preheated at 325 degrees then its time to grease the cookie sheets.

Combine the margarine, rolled oats and boiling water in a large mixing bowl and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Then add the sugar, bouillon, cheese, milk, egg and corn-meal and mix together.

Gently spoon the flour into the measuring cup and begin to add the flour one cup at a time, mixing well before adding the next. You will know its well mixed when the ingredients form a stiff dough.

Flour a flat surface and use it to knead the remaining flour into the dough. It is ready once it is of a smooth consistency and loses its stickiness. Next smooth the dough out into a 1/2 inch thick layer either by pressing or rolling it flat and even.

Use cookie cutters in the shape of a dog-bone to cut. Put shapes on pre-greased cookie sheets approx 1 inch apart. Place the shapes into the oven at 325 degrees for maybe 35-45 mins or when they are a delicious golden brown color.

With homemade dog treat aplenty your favorite canine will be happily chomping for days to come. Are they really better than the dog treats you can buy at the pet supply store? I dunno, let your dog have the final woof!

You can find more delicious how to make homemade dog treats recipes and loads of the best info on just dogs here.

Dog training tips 30

2008-04-10T23:40:00.001-07:00

Training Your Puggle Takes Patience and Due Diligence

Unfortunately, many times a new Puggle owner will be faced with the dilemma of how to get their cute and adorable puppy under control. And, after weeks of trying to get their dog to obey, they then decide that they are just going to give up. My response to them would be this: Have Patience and Due Diligence! There may be a number of factors to why your dog is not doing what you want them to. The following are some tips to assist you in your training process.

There are many different factors that might be causing your Puggle to not want to behave as he should. First, you need to ask yourself, how old is your dog? Is he still a puppy and only eight weeks of age? The reason I ask is because dogs that are young can take weeks if not months to learn specific commands as well as how to potty train. Another factor that might be affecting your baby's ability to learn is consistency. Are you being consistent with your commands and your schedule? A puppy is much like a baby when it comes to obeying. If a parent doesn't stay consistent with their rules, then how can the baby know what the rules are?

Are you training your dog as a team member or are you training your dog as you being the master? Believe it or not, your dog will be more motivated to want to do what you say if you are reinforcing and motivating him and encouraging him with rewards. The more positive reinforcement you use with training your Puggle, the more your dog will want to continue to do what you want him to.

Are you using a firm tone in your voice with your commands? Dogs need to hear that in your voice. For some reason, it raises their ears and gets them to focus on what you are saying. Also, only use one to two word phrases for your commands. Simple phrases are much easier for your dog to comprehend.

Are you hitting your dog? This is not a question that many people will want to answer, but think about it. If you were to be hit, would you want to listen and do what the person says afterwards? Punishment is acceptable, but hitting is not. Actually, the more you hit your dog, the more he is just going to be afraid of you and if this is what If this is what you want then maybe you shouldn't have gotten a Puggle in the first place. Puggles need love and acceptance not abuse and punishment! If you do decide to punish, trying using a loud newspaper and smacking it on a counter or table and only do so when catching your dog doing something in the act that they shouldn't be doing.

Remember, training takes time and the journey may seem long, but the rewards in the end are much greater!

Christy Taylor, author, is the proud owner of her very own Puggle. She is also an in house breeder. For more information on Puggles visit her website at http://www.pugglehugs.com

Dog training tips 29

2008-04-04T00:41:00.001-07:00

Puppy Dog Training - 7 Important Puppy Training Tips

A Pup demands particular dog training in order to acquire all the skills it requires. It can be difficult for a fresh dog owner to get by the puppy stage. Here are seven tips to help train your puppy.

1. Build beneficial Habits early

Your domestic dog will be a great deal more compliant later if you start it off with effective habits. Don't allow the puppy to do anything that you would not wish it to do once it's a adult dog .

2. Make Your Puppy socialise

If a pup achieves maturity and has not experienced a lot of contact with other dogs, it might not respond well to them. The dog could bark or even bite other dogs. You don't need this to happen so aid your pup by bringing it to the park to come across other dogs or to an acquaintance who also has a dog .

3. Acquire Your Puppy's Trust

If your dog does not trust you then it won't abide by your commands. Rebel dogs are unsafe dogs. To nullify this, acquire your young dog's trust prior to doing some kind of dog training. Caressing the dog could assist with this. This will make the chore of training it a good deal easier.

4. Apply Positive reenforcement

Puppies enjoy treats. They'll do whatever they can to acquire those goodies. Therefore, make them do what you require, and feed them a treat once they perform it. This will help their brain associate beneficial habits with payoffs.

5. Don't Drag Your Pup About

Your hound won't care for this and it will just offend your dog . If worst comes to worst just carry the puppy around. It will not be excessively heavy yet and so this will not be too difficult. Dragging your canine will only exacerbate it.

6. Don't allow Your Dog To Chew upon Anything

If you allow the pup to gnaw on anything it desires, then it could do that in adulthood too. This isn't desired. Chewing upon a few things could also be harmful to the puppy .

7. Train Your Dog Yourself

If you don't experience what you're doing then you've to learn 1st. Acquiring a trainer is one choice, though that's pricey. You are able to actually train your dog by yourself with the correct information. This way, you're there for the entire dog training procedure and could build up faith with your dog whilst conditioning it. Sit Stay Fetch is one guidebook that can help you train your dog . Made by experts, it's the authoritative guide about dog training.You can obtain this guide at my web site below.

Get more Information On Sit Stay Fetch Dog Training. For A Puppy Dog Training Guide Visit: http://www.TeachThatDog.com

Dog training tips 28

2008-04-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

You're at work all day, and you come home, tired and hungry yourself. But your dog, who spent the whole day napping, is well rested and ready for play time. As much as you love your dog, you really just want her to entertain herself while you have a relaxing dinner. Sound familiar?

Most dog owners have been in this situation at some point, and only feel guilt that they just can't entertain their dogs at that moment when their dogs need it most. But here's a fun trick - you can teach your dog to play with her food using food dispensing toys.

A food dispensing toy is just like any other toy, but you can put your dog's whole meal in it, and let her play with and toy until she figures out how to get all the food out. It's a great way for your dog to burn some physical and mental energy, and gives you a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Some people may argue that it's cruel to make your dog work for her food - isn't she entitled to eat? The truth is, though, dogs like to hunt and play with their food. It is an instinctual drive, and if you don't give them something to hunt for, they will invent their own hunting games - hunting for rabbit poop in your yard, for used tissues in your garbage can, even for dirty underwear in your clothes basket!

Most pet stores now carry several different styles of food dispensing toys. The toys can be either hard plastic or fabric. Generally the hard toys, which are more durable, require your dog to push or throw the toy for the food to fall out, and the plush toys require the dog to reach in and pull the food out, which is more mentally difficult.

You can also make your own food dispensers. Empty plastic bottles make great dispensers. Juice or sports drink bottles are usually a strong plastic and work well for heavier dogs who like to pounce on the bottles. Water bottles also work, but are not as durable (if your dog literally crushes the bottle, it can be impossible to get the food out). If your dog has trouble learning how to use the food dispensing bottles, you can cut the top off so that the opening is bigger and it will be easier to get the food out. As she learns how to use the bottle with a large opening, you can switch to a bottle with a regular opening, which will be slower and more challenging for her.

Cardboard boxes also make good food dispensers. Simply put the food in the box (you can even smear some peanut butter on the sides, and add some tasty treats), then close up the lid. Your dog will figure out that she has to tear into the box to get the food out. These boxes are great because they give your dog an outlet for her tearing and shredding instincts, instead of tearing up your carpet or your furniture. Of course this can become very messy, so it's best done outside, or in an enclosed room or crate.

You can also get creative and invent your own food dispensers - different shapes and sizes of boxes, paper bags, plastic food containers, etc. You can even put food in your old socks or gloves and let your dog tear them up to get all the food out! Just supervise your dog whenever you give her a new type of dispenser - make sure that she is not swallowing chunks of plastic or fabric. The more creative you are, the more creative your dog will have to be - equating to more quiet time for you!

Hans Lynch is the owner of http://www.lucysdoghouse.net Lucy's Dog House has a great selection of treat stiks, a type of food dispensing toy, and other fun dog toys as well as a variety of great products for you and your dog.

Dog training tips 27

2008-04-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

Dog Barking - Proven Strategies To Stop Your Dog Barking

Controlling excessive dog barking is a painful ordeal for the dog owners to deal with. It is difficult and time consuming unless you know why your dog is barking in the first place.

Dogs bark for various reasons. It is their way of communicating to you their moods, excitement and to get your attention to their needs. It is not mere noise but in conjunction with their body language, tail movements and facial expressions they tend to convey their message across to you.

Here are some instances where they convey different meaning. High-pitched short tonal bark with swift tail wags when he is in a playful mood. Low gruff bark gradually increasing to howling when somebody is at the door or near the house. Loud bark with raised hackles when he sees another dog or cat. High pitched incessant bark when he is lonely or distressed and so on.

Once you start observing and identifying the causes then it becomes easy to train your dog according to the situation. Reasons for barking can be either due to a fundamental behavior issue or the situations and surroundings contributing to the barking. Natural dog instincts to which they voice should not be curbed.

Here are some proven techniques to stop your dog's continuous barking, which is unwarranted and not natural:

Teaching your dog what is an acceptable behavior and what is not should be the first in your dog behavior training. Barking constantly in an attempt to get your attention and forcing you to submit to his needs is not good. Just to stop him from barking if you give a treat or play then you are encouraging him to bark even more in the future. Just walk away from him and don't even look at him. He may be confused and bark harder at first but by consistently reinforcing this you will have better control over this behavior.
When he barks, divert his attention by saying, "quiet" or "hush" in a strong yet calm tone. Use the same command every time for consistency and not to confuse him. When he obeys and stop barking praise him immediately. He will pair the command with the praise and learn to be quiet.
When your dog feels dominant he will simply ignore any of your commands. He needs to be taught at earlier stage before he becomes teen the hierarchy of the household. He has to learn that he is below every member in the household. Dogs behave well under a leadership and form a good relationship based on trust and regard.
Boredom is another reason for constant barking. Dogs need to be engaged constantly and exercised enough to get rid of their boredom. Take your dog for a long walk every day or spend time with interactive plays like fetching the ball.
Loneliness and separation anxiety are other causes of constant barking. They bark in an effort to get out of their confinement when left alone. Vigorous exercise before you leave will make him sleep when you are away and with chewy toys and items around will keep him busy till you return.

Bark aka shock collar use to stop dog barking is not human and has long-term psychological implications. Conditioning with praise and reward is the most compassionate approach to any dog behavior problem.

Stop Dog barking and other dog behavior problems. Correct with reward and positive reinforcement methods. Visit http://www.ezdogtrainingtips.com today for a FREE 10 lesson series and a limited time popular FREE report on Dog Obedience Training!

Dog training tips 26

2008-04-01T00:46:00.000-07:00

How To House Train My Puppy - He's Making A Mess Of My House

Any dog lover who has looked into the eyes of a puppy has mostly fallen in love at first site. We take the puppy home and he/she becomes a part of the family However we do not realize the responsibilities that come along with pet ownership. This article is going to discuss and hopefully assist you with some tips how how to house train my puppy. Most of us get a puppy and then leave him/her alone for several hours while we go away to school or work, while the puppy stays in your home for several hours all by themselves. While we all must work for a living how can you juggle your job and days activities wile still learning how to train your puppy?

A puppy can be a great addition to your life and if you learn how to properly train your puppy it will be a wonderful experience for both you and your puppy. Here are some puppy training tips that if followed should make your house a lot quieter and cleaner:

1. Pick the right puppy: Every puppy is cute and adorable; however we must remember that they will only be puppies for awhile. Eventually they grow up. If you do not want a big dog then decide that while they are still puppies and be aware of what breeds of dogs are big dogs and which ones are lap dogs.

2. Have everything ready: Puppies are a lot of responsibility they are like young children. I highly recommend that before you bring your puppy home to have all the pet supplies you will require so that you do not have to rush out and get the things while leaving the puppy at home.

3. Kennel training: This worked so good for my dog; that I tell everyone who has a puppy to begin kennel training them. Dogs will not use the bathroom where they sleep and if you get a kennel they will begin to understand that this is their home and they will not have accidents during the night.

4. Keep a tight schedule: Always take the puppy out at the same times everyday. Your puppy will eventually learn that these are the times that they should go to the potty. You want to take them out first thing in the morning when they awaken, 20-25 minutes after each meal, and then before you put them in their kennel for the night.

5. Be consistent: A puppy or dog is not that difficult to train, and the best part is that it will not take you years. If you are consistent in everything you do your puppy will grow into a healthy and disciplined dog and will be a great addition to your family.

Potty training or any other training you give your dog is not that hard. It is in your pets nature to try to make you happy. If you learn the proper techniques on how to properly train your puppy you will be amazed at how quick and easy it is to train your pet.

Did you find these tips on How Do I Potty Train My Dog helpful? Get your FREE 6-part mini-course that will teach you little-known Dog Obedience Training Secrets to correcting dog behavior problems using REAL-LIFE scenarios.

Dog training tips 25

2008-03-31T00:34:00.000-07:00

Natural Dog Food - Give Your Dog The Best

There are some dangers of feeding a dog commercial dog food. That is why dog owners have come with a new idea called natural dog foods for their beloved dogs which is safe, easy and healthier.

The best natural dog food is meat. Dogs require meat protein, and preferably meat protein. Always choose fresh meat for your dog. It's best to buy from a butcher or from a meat processor. These meats will be fresher, can be bought in bulk for better pricing, and you can have the butcher cut up or grind the meat for you if needed.

Natural dog food helps your pet maintain better health. There are a number of ingredients to choose from when natural dog food is made. Meats can be used, although it is preferable that they be boneless. Grains are also a great ingredient. There are also certain vegetables that are beneficial for your pet.

You will also want a nice choice of vegetables. Many types of produce are good for your pet, but brightly colored choices are among the best. These include orange, yellow, purple and even green items. Carrots and beets have necessary nutrients. For proper taste and texture ensure your choice of items is fresh.

There are a number of foods that are nutritious and good for people to eat that are at the same time unhealthy for dogs. Most of these are vegetables, such as beans, greens, and peppers. Since dogs mainly eat meat or grains, it is better to add a supplement to their meat rather than feed them these vegetables.

It is best not to over feed your dog. Determine how much to feed your dog each day by taking its weight and activity level into consideration. Aim for a consistent amount of food fed at consistent times each day. This will develop a routine for your pet. Many people cook their own dog food using recipes for dog food that were found on the internet. Just like people, controlling the ingredients and eliminating the fillers and preservatives will improve your dog's health.

Another option for your pet is sojos food. It's filled with the kind of nutrients, essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes your pet won't get from eating already cooked and processed nugget of kibble. Because sojos is natural and preservative-free, it gives your pet the same high quality nourishment usually reserved for humans.

Dog owners today have become more wary about the type of dog food they feed their beloved pets, after recent contaminated dog food scares. For many, natural dog foods have become the products of choice, not only for their safe, healthy ingredients, but because they are just as easy as traditional commercial products. You can find many recipes for dog food on the Internet. If you want your pet to have food that is higher quality, try Sojos food. The food produced in higher in vitamins and minerals that other prepackaged dog food.

Dog training tips 24

2008-03-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

Dog Training Tips

It's very exciting for everyone when you bought a puppy.

One of the major challenges of first time dog ownership is the in-house dog training. It'll be much easier if you impart yourself with some dog training knowledge.

Upon the puppy arrival, take your her outside. Your puppy may get very tense up from the excitement of the car journey with new faces, new surroundings and new sounds. Let her relax herself at the garden. In the meantime, toilet train her. If she do it inside your house, she's gonna do it again.

Wait while your puppy sniffs around the designated toilet area, refrain from petting her or playing with her. She has to learn that this part of the garden is for toilet breaks only.

When she's done, make a big fuss. Shower your dog with praises and give her some treats. It can be fun if you enjoy the training process with your dog. Dog crate training is the most effective and efficient ways of house training a puppy in a short time.

How dog crate training works

Dog crate training is based on all dogs' habit of disliking to sleep in a soiled area. Because the dog movement is restricted to her sleeping space, she'll tend to hold it until you let her out of the crate. (Provided you don't leave her in there too long.)

This is why it's important to choose a crate properly. Not too big that the dog can use one end for toilet and the other end for sleeping. Use the crate for house training.

You'll need to be consistent to make everything work. Be positive.

To read more on house dog training, as well as a great deal of useful information on canine behavioral problems and the most effective dog training techniques, check out dog training guide. It's the complete dog house training guide..

Cecilia's blog offers tips that first time dog owner to effectively train dog. Check it out here. Training for a Dog

Dog training tips 23

2008-03-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

The Truth About Dominant Dogs

Alpha. Dominance. Pack Hierarchy. Top Dog. These words are fun to say. However, despite what many people will try to convince you, they have nothing to do with puppy obedience or domestic dog behavior.

For the past 20 years or so, the word "dominance" has been used by many dog trainers to describe the main reason for every kind of dog behavior problem. Dogs and even very young pups have been labeled "dominant" for every possible misbehavior, including

house-soiling
playbiting
fear/aggression
possessiveness
jumping
chewing
not coming when called
not sitting when commanded
not heeling
not staying
sleeping on your couch
sleeping on your bed
entering doorways before you do
and more.

There are many problems with this theory, even on a strictly logical basis.

As a dog trainer and former owner of a 40%2B daily cage-free dog daycare, I can tell you without any doubt that 99% of all dogs exhibit several of the above misbehaviors until there are properly trained.

If 99% of all dogs exhibit these misbehaviors, does it follow then that 99% of all dogs are dominant? How could every dog and puppy who misbehaves be dominant? The dominant dog is in the very top position in a pack hierarchy made up of many other non-dominant dogs. So where are all the non-dominant, or submissive, dogs?

The fact is, most dogs are not dominant, and the ones who are dominant generally are not misbehaving in the ways described above. Pack theory gives us a pyramid of dogs, with the dominant dog at the apex and the remaining non-dominant dogs below him, following his lead or fighting among themselves to establish their position under him.

Dog trainers' fascination with pack theory, most evident in wild wolves, led them to believe that they could apply the dynamics there to the domestic dog-in-a-human-household scenario. They started touting "evidence" to show that a dog was "challenging" its owner when it, for example, peed on the floor. The cure, then, was to strip the dog of its dominance.

The problem of course is that after all the dominance-stripping, the dog still pees on the floor! The trainer then tells the owner to do more to reduce his dog's dominance: Never allow him to go through doors first, never allow him to eat before you do, never allow him to sleep on your bed, yadda yadda yadda.

What's the result of all this dominance theory? The dog still pees on the floor, and the owner feels like he's unable to take charge of his dog. The trainer thinks maybe there is something else "wrong" with the dog, and the owner gives up and either re-homes it, neglects it, or worse. All in the name of "dominance" where none existed.

Dominance is also often used as the solution to these problems when dog owners try to overpower their dogs with "alpha rolls", scruff shakes, and other physical means. But what toddler, elderly or handicapped person can flip a dog on his back and hold him there? And what able-bodied adult can do so without fear of losing the battle or gaining a bite wound?

Show me a dog who exhibits any of the so-called "dominant" behaviors listed above, and I'll show you an owner who doesn't understand that all dogs work solely on a for-profit basis (unless there is a history of physical abuse or neglect).

Dominant dogs do exist. But dominance plays no part in the training game. Dominant dogs very nicely obey their owners, the children in the household, the elderly and anyone else - as long as they perceive a profit for a requested behavior.

Now, throw a dominant dog into a group of dogs who are challenging his position and yes, you may see a scuffle. But tell me which dog in that group is offering Mr. Dominant a cookie in exchange for good behavior?

See Using Food Effectively at http://www.dogdaysusa.com/usingfoodeffectively.cfm

For more great positive reinforcement dog behavior and puppy training articles, go to http://www.dogdaysUSA.com, or go directly to Traditional versus Positive Training: http://www.dogdaysusa.com/traditionalvspositive.cfm and the Food Calculator at

Dog training tips 22

2008-03-25T23:50:00.001-07:00

Bringing Puppy Home

My daughter got her first puppy after she got married. She spent a lot of time away from home while in school, and so we did not have a dog at home. She and her husband had been to many pet stores looking for that perfect puppy. They took me to many of the pet stores to look for a puppy. They fell in love with every puppy they saw and my heart strings were being tugged. I am a pediatric nurse and I love babies. I love all kinds of babies, and so it was easy for me to fall in love with those beautiful puppies.

One day she called me and said that they had purchased an 8 week old 'Morkie" (a mix of Maltese and Yorkie). She actually sent me pictures by email of Kate and her brothers. I saw 2 white puppies and this darker one. I thought she would go for the white ones but they fell in love with the one with a black body and some white on her face. They brought her home on a Saturday, and I went the next day to see my new 'grandpuppy'. However, when my daughter answered the door, she was so tired and sleepy, and I could not help but ask: "Baby kept you up all night?" She said that Kate was crying a lot during the night and they had to wake up several times to take her out and just comfort her before she would go to sleep.

There are several similarities between a human baby and a new puppy:

They both cry a lot
They both need to go potty a lot because they have small bladders
They both need a lot of love and security
They both need to be fed often
They both need toys or a stuffed animal to keep them company
The new parents do not get much sleep for the first few weeks
It is good to have someone watch them while the parents catch up on their sleep, so they won't be grouchy

So in a way bringing a new puppy home is the same as bringing a new baby home, except a human baby needs a lot more care and takes a lot longer to grow out of their need for constant care. Thankfully, puppies grow up to be adults a lot faster than a human baby. So, it is a good experience to have and love a puppy before bringing home a human baby. An adult dog still needs and wants a lot of attention, and we must not forget that. Although a dog cannot talk, he/she can certainly tell you what they want.

Evangeline Samuel PhD. is a retired nurse who enjoys her daughter's dog, Kate's company, and loves dressing her up in stylish dog clothes, and pretty dog harnesses and have her sleep on designer dog beds.

Dog training tips 21

2008-03-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

How To Stop A Dog From Barking - If You're Serious About Learning, Here's How

For dog lovers, there is nothing to compare with having such loving and faithful pets in their home. No other animal could ever hope to measure up to a dog as the ideal pet. But even dog lovers realize that dogs need to be taught how to behave properly. One of the most important things that a dog needs to learn is when it's okay to bark and when it's not. Here are some suggestions that will help you learn how to stop a dog from barking.

You could always look for a local dog training school to enroll your dog in, and let them guide you. However, this may be a fairly costly way to train your dog. And honestly, there are lots of other options that may work just as well, as long as you are prepared to put in the time to train your dog. Before you commit to anything, at the very least do a search on the internet. There are many information sites that are devoted to all kinds of dogs as well as sites just for dog lovers.

During your search, you will come across sites with message boards. Here dog owners and even training professionals share their knowledge with each other. Just by reading the postings you may find some useful tips to break your dog of his bad habits. With any luck you may find several strategies that you can utilize as you plan your own barking dog control. The main advantage of using message board ideas is that it only costs you the time it takes to read and plan your strategy. You can be certain that the strategies discussed in message boards have worked for the person posting. So why not try a few of these ideas with your own pet? You may find that they work very well. If so, before you know it, your problem with excessive dog barking may come to an end.

While searching for dog training information, you will also find dog training programs and courses that are being sold online. Notice that these courses are available in a number of different formats. If you are on fast internet, like cable or DSL, you may want to choose a program that can be downloaded to your computer. That way you will have immediate access to the information. For those who are still using a dial-up connection to the internet, several of the better programs offer their materials in the form of CDs or DVDs, which can be shipped to your home. Either way, before purchasing, take a close look at the information on the program's website. Check to see that the program spends time specifically teaching how to stop a dog from barking, rather than just mentioning this as a secondary issue. You may even be able to pick up a few tips right from the website information.

Making use of sound to stop barking dog problems is an important part of the best dog training programs. The program you choose should help you learn how to use voice commands as an integral part of the training they offer. The next step is up to you. If you truly want to learn how to stop a dog from barking, take some time today to check out the resources available online. Without doubt, you'll be glad you did as you discover solutions to the problem.

Want to find out how to stop a dog from barking? Yes, it can be done! Click here to discover how to put an end to your dog's unwanted barking. Go to http://howtostopadogfrombarking.blogspot.com

Dog training tips 20

2008-03-22T01:06:00.000-07:00

Dog Harnesses

What are some of the uses of dog harnesses? We will discuss a few medical purposes to use a dog harness. Usually a harness is best for small dogs, and large dogs. When your dog drags you down the sidewalk it is best to attach the lead to a harness.

Uses of dog Harnesses:

1. An extra large dog - so that the collar won't cut into his neck.

2. To help a large dog into the car - using the harness you can easily lift your large dog into the car.

3. Help with dogs who are partially paralyzed - provide support for their body and to move them.

4. Assist dogs with severe arthritis or osteoarthritis

5. Small dogs - support their little bodies

A harness is placed around and under the dog's body. It may be made of leather, cloth, or material. The leather harness may be plain, or it may have metal spikes on it. The harness with metal spikes are used for dogs such as pit bulls. There are some made with fancy colors and jewels on them. The dress vest type harness affords the best support. The regular ones are made of strips of leather like ribbons, but the dress vest harness is a complete apparel in itself. So it can be used to protect the dog from the cold, or the wind, or even the heat. We must be sure to have the right fit for the dog or it would cause more harm than good.

For a large dog, a padded harness might do the trick, especially if he is fond of yanking on the harness while you are walking him. Be sure to change the size of the harness as your dog grows. If he gains weight, you might find it fits too snug, then it is time to get a new one that will fit well, and be comfortable. Of course, if you have a diva dog, you might own several types, such as those that have bling or jewels on them.

Evangeline Samuel PhD. is a retired nurse who enjoys her daughter's dog, Kate's company, and loves dressing her up in designer dog clothes, fancy dog harnesses and stylish dog clothes.

Dog training tips 19

2008-03-20T23:48:00.000-07:00

3 Tips on How to Exercise Your Mastiff

Mastiffs are not naturally active, but your Mastiff will be healthier and happier if you make sure it gets a moderate amount of exercise. So take walks together, play fetch and other games, and keep your Mastiff trim and healthy. When you do begin to exercise your Mastiff, begin gradually and build up slowly. Keep an eye out for signs that your dog is getting tired or overheated. If you are on a walk or away from home, always carry water with you, as Mastiffs get very thirsty.

A great way to keep your Mastiff active is to have a regular playtime. Playing with your Mastiff will keep it healthy and make it happy, because it loves nothing better than spending time with you. When playing with your Mastiff, try to do things it enjoys. If your Mastiff enjoys running, play fetch. If it likes water, fill a small pool with water and romp together. You will also want some toys for your Mastiff.

Toys need to be durable and able to withstand the mastiff's tremendous strength. Good toys include:

Children's stuffed animals
Plastic soda bottles with the cap and cap ring removed
Knotted rope bones
Large rope rings
Soccer balls and basketballs
Empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes
Empty cardboard boxes
Lawn mower tires

Remember that you should NOT over-exercise a Mastiff puppy. Until a Mastiff is around three years old, its skeleton is still developing. Too much exercise can lead to permanent bone and joint damage. Don't walk farther than you can carry your puppy back home!

Don't let the years pass before you learn how to take care of your mastiff. Click Here to take action today and learn how to raise, train, and breed your mastiff

Dog training tips 18

2008-03-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

Crate Training Your Puppy

Crate training your dog is one of the most important parts of creating a healthy relationship between you and your canine. Crate training teaches young dogs how to hold it in, so that they need less frequent bathroom breaks. Also, crate training is useful because if your dog displays any bad behaviors when you leave your home for short periods of time (like excessive chewing, ripping up carpet, or "going" on your furniture), a dog that likes its crate can be placed inside the crate when you leaving so it feels safe while you are gone.

How to Crate Train

Choose a crate that is not too much larger than your dog, because you do not want your dog to be able to wander around in the crate (dogs will not pee where they sleep, but with enough room, your dog can go in a corner and sleep on the opposite end - so smaller is better). Crate training involves a significant amount of time and effort, but properly crate training your dog can be accomplished in these simple steps.

1) Slowly introduce your dog to the crate - Place the crate in a social area of the house, like the living room or dining room.

2) Try to talk your dog near crate, using a kind, helpful tone so that your dog feels safe around the crate. The crate door should be open all the way so that it does not accidentally swing into your dog's face.

3) Use treats and toys to convince your dog to enter the crate - depending on how frightening the dog finds the crate, this may be a difficult task, but throwing a few treats in there and rewarding the dog with kindness whenever it moves further inside is the best way to teach your dog that the crate is safe and harmless. Do not lock the crate behind your dog. These exercises are only meant to introduce your dog to the crate.

4) Place food near the crate during meals - Once your dog has been inside the crate, putting food in or near the crate will help make the crate a positive experience for the dog. Each time you feed it, you can put the meal a little further back in his crate until eventually the puppy is fully inside the crate just to eat its food.

5) After the dog has been inside the crate a few times while eating, it is okay to close the door behind it. The first time you do this, you should open the door right after your dog finishes eating, in order to avoid any added pressure. But later, as your dog becomes more used to the door being closed on it, you can keep the door closed for longer. If your dog whines, do not remove it from the crate. Always wait until your dog has stopped whining before you let it out of the crate, otherwise your dog will think that whining is the only way for it to leave, and will continue to do so.

6) Once your dog has been inside the crate a few times without too much anxiety, it is time to try to start putting the dog in the crate for short periods of time while you are home. Throw a treat in there, possibly use a command, like "Crate," and close the door behind it. Leave your dog in there for no more than 30 minutes at first, but as you continue this process on different days, you can increase the amount of time by a little bit each trial.

a. Once you are going to leave your dog in the crate for more than a few hours, it is important your dog gets a walk first in order to not become anxious due to having too much energy.

b. After any crate trip, it is a vital to take your dog out for a walk and try to get it to use the bathroom. Eventually, your dog will learn that the crate is a place for sitting, sleeping and resting and only afterwards does it get to go to the bathroom.

c. If your dog ever has an accident in its crate, it can cause serious problems with crate training. Don't crate train if your dog has not gone to the bathroom for a long time. And, if your dog does have an accident, it is vital that you clean the crate out thoroughly in order to remove any trace of the smell. Dogs like to go to the bathroom in places they can smell that they've been previously.

Once you have completed all of these steps, your dog will be able to stay in the crate for long periods of time, and you can use the create as a way to teach your dog to hold its urine until you have taken it outside and given it the opportunity to go to the bathroom. This is key not only to teaching your dog to go outside the house, but also to be more comfortable when you are absent.

Healthy Dogs enjoy Dog Treats and Bully Sticks

Dog training tips 17

2008-03-19T00:50:00.001-07:00

Bloat and Dogs - Potentially Deadly

Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation, is a condition in dogs that can kill the dog in a matter of hours. Unlike in human where the person simply sits down and relaxes for a little while after feeling bloated and it will go away, when there is a bloat in a dog, it could literally kill your dog. When a dog is suffering from bloat, it means that its stomach is distended. This is sometimes followed by the stomach getting twisted. If the stomach gets twisted, the food substances in the stomach will get trapped while the gas volume continues to increase.

This is dangerous in that as the gas volume continues to increase, it can literally press against blood veins and arteries inhibiting the flow of blood. If this is not stopped on time, the dog will get less blood in its brain causing the brain to shut down and the dog to go into shock. With consistent swelling, the spleen will get affected resulting in it being dislodged from its normal position. This has been known to both twist the spleen and stop the flow of blood completely. With increased gas pressure and lack of blood flow on the stomach walls, the areas that tighten in the stomach pack up and die.

Everything that was just described in the first paragraph can happen in a matter of minutes depending on the severity of the bloating. So what are the signs and symptoms one should look for in a dog so as to quickly detect if the dog is having a bloat? The signs are many. This is coupled with the fact that the symptoms can vary in different dogs. For example, five dogs may be having a bloat in the same compound and all the symptoms would look different from each other.

Some of the more common symptoms in a bloat are panting, pacing forwards and backwards, agitation, drooling, foaming at the mouth, difficulty walking, anxiety, discomfort, retching, inability to lie on its side, stomach distension and restlessness. The stomach in this case usually appears abnormally huge in size -more like when a dog has swallowed a basket ball or two- and is hard to the touch. Other obvious symptoms are pale gums bordering on grey or ash, weak pulse rate and a fast heart beat. If you notice symptoms of bloat in your dog you must consult your vet immediately. If the pressure is not released it can, as already described, be fatal for your dog.

The causes of bloating in a dog can be prevented. Some of the preventive methods are making your dog eat calmly; not by gulping or snorting its food, and avoid stress as much as possible. Whether the stress is in the form of boarding stress or stress of travel it could potentially be harmful around meal time. Avoid giving your dog too much bread and by not mixing soy with its diet - while this has not been proven yet; some breeders and dog owners have noticed their dog developing bloat after a meal mixed with soy. Keeping your dog calm immediately after eating is also an excellent way to prevent bloat from occurring. It is challenging as many dogs including mine get very excited around meal time and that translates into playful excitement after the meal as well.

There are few products on the market today that are specifically designed to slow your dog's eating. Most notably is the Brake-Fast bowl which has three columns in the bowl area to prevent your dog from taking large mouthfuls of food at the same time.

Hans is the owner of http://www.lucysdoghouse.net and is a life long dog owner. Lucy's Dog House offers a selection of dog beds and much more to make your dog's life happier and healthier. A percentage of all sales goes to support Great Dane Rescues.

Dog training tips 16

2008-03-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

Stop Barking Dogs

Barking dogs are a huge annoying problem for dog owners. barking disrupts your quiet time and at times can keep you and your family awake at night. not only you but your neighbors as well. It could even be your neighbors dog that is doing all of the barking. Most areas have city ordinances against dog barking but the local police will normally not get involved in dog barking problems. You can talk to your neighbor about the problem, suggest some possible remedies, or if they do not care there is the drastic approach, the ultra sonic noise generator. This gives the barking dog a blast of ultra sonic sound which is very annoying to there sensitive ears, but people can not hear it.

Why are your dogs barking?

It could be several factors, he could be lonely, bored, or just need a little more of your attention, and barking is just his way of letting you know. Another reason is he could need more exercise. Make sure to tire him out by running outdoors or going for a good walk to get rid of all of that pent up energy.

Observe your dog to see just what category he falls into.

If your dog barks while you are gone, try tiring him out before you have to leave, by playing with him or letting him run around outdoors. you may also try feeding him before you have to leave him since most dogs normally sleep after they eat.

You can also change your dogs surroundings. If he or she is an outdoor dog try putting him or her in a different part of the yard, give them something different to look at, they may be bored with the same sights. If the dog is an indoor dog, the same can applies, possibly a different room or even something as minor as closing the drapes.

You must also make your dog quit calling the shots, for example, if he or she barks and you let them in the he is controlling you, he is then training you to do what he wants, so do not reward his barking. It will be tough to deal with the barking for a few days, but he will learn.

You would of course want your dog to bark if there is danger or an intruder. It is very important to teach your dog not to bark just for your attention, or just because they or bored or lonely. Above all the most important factor in controlling the barking is to be consistent in which ever approach you use.

Some breeds of dogs are just naturally barkers, they have been bred to bark, for example a beagle was bred to be a hunting dog, he would bark when he would find his prey. Some of the toy breeds were also bred to be barkers so that they could be a warning signal of an intruder, for people who live in a smaller places, like and apartment or condo.

The barking dog can be quit frustrating , but we have to remember that this is his way of talking to us. You may think he is barking to much, keep him happy, there are a lot of toys on the market to stimulate his brain, this can also help, with the barking.

Most of all enjoy your best friend and make sure he is loved and happy. I hope that some of these ideas help with your barking problem.

Brenda writes articles on dog related issues. You can learn more by visiting my blog STOPBARKINGDOGS. http://stopbarkindogs.blogspot.com

Dog training tips 15

2008-03-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

5 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Your First Puppy

Bringing a new puppy into the home as a new member of the family is an experience that everyone should have. Kids absolutely adore puppies, all of your neighbors have puppies, and now it's time for you to take part of this joy and fill your house with puppy love!

But before you bring home your first dog, there are five key items that you must consider before making this large commitment to raising another life in the house, even if it is just a dog:

Puppies Need Plenty Of Your Time Invested
Puppies are like raising toddlers - they need constant supervision and require plenty of time to be devoted to training and housebreaking. And even when your puppy becomes familiar with basic training principles, he will still need additional supervision well into his adult years.

Entertainment is another factor to consider. Keep in mind that if you and your family are gone most of the day, at work or for any other reason, buying two dogs may help keep the animals entertained by each other.

If You Have Children, They Too Will Need To Be Trained To Handle The New Puppy
As mentioned above, puppies need an abundance of your time for training and care. If you have children in the house then you must factor in their need to be taught how to handle the puppy, what not to do in terms of improper guidance, and safety tips when playing with the dog.

Puppy classes are an ideal choice to make for both you and your children. There is nothing better than hiring a professional dog trainer to help guide you and your children with proper puppy care.

Puppies Are Expensive
Perhaps the term "expensive" is a bit over the top, but for many families that are on a budget, raising a new puppy can take quite a bit from the old bank account. You will need to buy toys, treats, bones, registrations, training aids, food, and of course, veterinarian visits which consists of checkups and shots.

Puppies Do Not Stay Small Forever
Although this tip is obvious, you would be amazed at how many people gave up their dog because it grew too big, too fast. For some reason, we like to bring home a new puppy and forget completely that it may grow into a very large pet, depending upon the breed. Make sure that you do your due diligence and find out how big your new dog will grow when he becomes an adult.

Most Dogs Are Not For Lazy People
With the exception of a variety of toy breeds and miniatures, the vast majority of dogs will need plenty of daily exercise. These little guys need plenty of room to run around and play. They also need people to play with and toys to keep them entertained. This means you! If by any chance you prefer to live a sedentary lifestyle and cannot offer your time and energy to daily exercise, consider purchasing a breed that does not need much activity.

Daniel Waser is a dog lover since his childhood. He owns 3 dogs of his own and has a lot of experiences in dog training, dog health, dog grooming and feeding a dog the healthy way. For more information about puppies visit his Cute Puppies Website or visit his Dog Training Tips Website to get helpful tips on how you can train your dog.

Dog training tips 14

2008-03-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

The Top Ten Reasons to Take the Dogs for a Walk

1. As Jersey and Styx (my dogs) say, "It blows the stink off."

My dogs mean this a little more literally than I do. But I do notice that as I allow daily worry and concerns to creep in, I begin to smell.

2. It keeps you putting one foot in front of the other.

If it's true that movement creates momentum and momentum creates flow, then putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how mindless, is literally the first step in movement and towards flow.

3. It's a moving meditation.

While my body is doing all the work, my mind is allowed to wander in directions it needs to go and finally become silent.

4. It's cheaper than therapy.

Dogs are great listeners.

5. Your body will look and feel better.

If an improved cardiovascular system isn't enough incentive, think about your legs and butt in shorts and swim suits.

6. You'll notice things only your dog can point out.

Jersey and Styx have hearing and a sense of smell that are far superior to mine. I've come to rely on them to point out wildlife I would have normally walked right by.

7. Ice Cream!

The hot fudge sundae you'll now be tempted to stop for seems a little more justified.

8. Without movement and fresh air, dogs, like the rest of us, can become a little testy.

A daily walk can save you repair bills on furniture, boots and shoes, and anything else you dog uses to cure her winter blues. Jersey's personal favorite is playing "keep away" with my $200 hiking boots.

9. If you've been walking your dog regularly, yard clean up is a lot easier. Enough said!

10. By developing a strong bond with your dog, she may one day share the importance of turning around three times before lying down.

Deb Martin at http://www.portagecoach.com loves the outdoors and nature. "I think exploring oneself while in nature is one of the most powerful things we can do," says Deb. With Mother Nature as the inspirational background, Deb loves to introduce "The Wilds" to others through her writing and her Adventure Coaching Retreats.

Dog training tips 13

2008-03-13T01:08:00.002-07:00

No-No Dog Training Techniques

Sometimes dog owners think that once they have signed their dogs up for a basic dog obedience class, their work is done. "There," they think, "now my dog will learn how to behave himself!"

Whoa! Not so fast! Just signing a dog up for an obedience class isn't going to turn an unruly dog into a well-behaved one. There are basically three mistakes that owners make during the process of teaching their dogs obedience.

The first mistake that owners make is that they are INCONSISTENT. Dog training does not happen during the hour or so at the weekly or biweekly dog training class. No! Dog training happens constantly. Dog training never stops. You must constantly work with your dog at home to help him to learn to obey your commands. The dog trainer from whom you are taking the dog training course isn't training the dog. He or she is actually training YOU to train your dog.

The second mistake that owners make is that they are IMPATIENT. Dog training does NOT happen over night. You aren't going to take your untrained dog to an obedience class on Monday night and magically have a well-trained and obedient dog on Tuesday morning.

The third mistake that owners make is that they are WORKING when they are training their dog. Dogs don't understand the concept of work. Dogs see their training sessions as PLAY, and they see their training sessions as quality time that they are getting to spend with you.

So here is the bottom line. If you want to have a well-trained, obedient, and loving dog, sign him up for an obedience class and then keep your own head screwed on straight. The dog will learn but only if you are CONSISTENT, PATIENT, and HAVING FUN!

Milos Pesic is a certified dog trainer and owner of popular and comprehensive Dog Training information website. For more articles and resources on dog training, dog training certification and programs, free online dog training classes, dog potty training and much more visit his site at:
http://dog-training.need-to-know.net/

Dog training tips 12

2008-03-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Top Tips For Training A Labrador Puppy

You've made the decision to bring a Labrador puppy into your life - good for you! Your next step is to get some tips for training a Labrador puppy so you don't run into problems later.

A few things you need to bear in mind, particularly about this breed of dog are:

1. Labradors love people! It's no good getting a Lab then spending all day at the office while your new dog pines for you at home. If you are going to have a Labrador in your family, then you need to be prepared to spend plenty of time with her.

2. Labs are an active breed, originally bred to retrieve prey from the shoot. If they do not spend enough time exercising, then you are highly likely to run into problems, both health wise (getting overweight, which will promote the common problem of hip dysplasia) and in terms of behavior as a result of separation anxiety.

If your Labrador is left without physical exercise, she will get overweight and have all the health problems associated with it. If she is not mentally stimulated, she will have behavioral problems and be difficult to control.

So here are my top tips for successfully training a Labrador puppy:-

#1. Spend as much time as possible with your Labrador and use positive reinforcement (treats and praise) during training sessions.

#2. Exercise your dog at least twice a day, and incorporate training into the exercise times

#3. If there are times when you will not be home for prolonged periods, make sure you have someone available who can take her for a run to feed her need for both companionship and exercise.

Labradors are a very devoted breed. If you give your dog the attention she rightly deserves, then the rewards will be many fold. If you do not have the time needed to raise and nurture a Lab, then please think twice before making the decision to bring one into your family. If you do have the time spare, then follow these very simple tips for training a Labrador puppy and you will have a friendship with your dog that lasts for many years.

Darren has spent a lifetime as a dog lover and promotes positive dog training methods both as an Ezinearticles Expert Author and as a Squidoo lensemaster with lenses about Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Methods and House Training Dogs and Puppies

Dog training tips 11

2008-03-10T01:40:00.001-07:00

Training Your Dog Through Punishment Should Be a Thing Of The Past

Punishment as a form of training is still widely used by dog owners who know no better when training a dog. What your dog sees as a punishment can take many forms: verbal (shouting or an angry tone), physical (kicking, hitting or other forced actions such as rubbing his nose in the carpet) or even the posture of his master. No dog wants to be punished, nor will he do anything 'on purpose' and be aware of the (physical) consequences beforehand.

If you come home to find your dog has upset the garbage can and spread the contents all over the house, he is unlikely to realize when he is being yelled at that it is because of the mess he made some hours ago. What he will do is associate the return of his master with physical or verbal punishment, making him anxious about you returning home. You may even begin to notice your dog showing fear towards you if your training methods have included physical punishment.

If you see your dog crawling or slinking around looking "guilty" about the time you have noticed something he did earlier, you might think he knows he has done something wrong. This is not the case. Dogs have no sense of right and wrong. When shouted at, he is not acting "guilty", but is in fact just showing submissive posture in response to your harsh tone of voice or angry demeanor.

There are forms of behavior modification that may be acceptable even though they are based upon negative reinforcement that you could use in correcting unwanted behavior in a dog. If this is a method you wish to use, it is best that the 'perceived punishment' does not come from you, but instead comes from the environment your dog is in. For instance, noise can be an effective form of correction. When the dog is caught doing something that is undesirable, a sudden loud noise can disrupt what he is doing. It is important that the sound does not appear to come from you, but is something that 'mystically occurs' whenever he is misbehaving - it can come from an air horn or a tin full of beans that is shaken to make a noise. In time, your dog will associate the unwanted noise with the behavior you want to correct and avoid doing it again, even when you are not around.

If any of the above sounds familiar to you, or punishment to correct your dog's behavior is not the way you want to train your dog, why not consider positive reinforcement as a training method? Positive reinforcement is the exact opposite of punishment as a dog training technique, and providing you are consistent, it can be much more effective, rewarding and enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Darren promotes positive dog training methods through articles and Squidoo lenses about Positive Dog Training Methods and Puppy Toilet Training

Dog training tips 10

2008-02-11T23:58:00.000-08:00

House Training Your Dog

The training of your dog should start early in his or her life. It is very essential that your dog learns the "rights" from the "wrongs" very quickly. The best way to go about this is to praise and give him or her treats when he/she does something right. The more times your dog or puppy is rewarded, the easier it becomes for him/her to remember and learn. It also is very important to spend a lot of time with your new puppy or dog when it first comes home, also give him regular access to his restroom area.

House training your dog usually lasts up to the 6 months of the dog's life, considering that the puppy starts house training after weaning (the 2nd or 3rd month of its life). House training your dog is not easy and it is very unpredictable. Puppies, like human babies, grow rapidly during this stage of development, eating more and burning food faster. This is why they tend to eliminate more frequently. Like babies, they haven't developed very good bladder and bowel control at this point - they can't 'hold it in' as long as older dogs can.

In house training your dog, confine him to a small room or area within the house. Place old newspapers on the floor to protect it from unwanted discharges. His bed, toys, water and food containers should also be in this area. Your puppy will very likely chew up and play with the newspaper -- this is normal behavior for puppies, so do not scold him just yet. He will also often miss the paper when he excretes. When this happens, just clean up the mess and replace the torn and soiled newspaper with clean ones.

By confining your dog to a certain area, he or she will know the places he is or isn't allowed to go. You should also guide him by praising him when he behaves or does something right. On the other hand, correcting him with a firm commanding voice when he does something wrong, or goes to a part of the house where he is not allowed, is also advisable.

While being in the confines of this area your puppy will also develop a habit of eliminating on paper. As your puppy grows older, he will start to show a favored spot on the floor to do his thing. When this spot is established and the rest of the papers in the area remain clean, then you can start covering a much smaller area. Start removing the paper that is furthest from his preferred spot. After a short while, you will only have to leave a few sheets of paper in your puppy's area.

If he ever misses the paper, then you may have reduced the area too soon. Go back to covering a larger area or even the entire room. Once your puppy is consistently doing his thing on the papers you've placed, then you may progressively move his papers to a more convenient area of your choice. Move the papers an inch everyday until you reach your desired spot. If your puppy misses again, then you are probably moving too fast - go back a few steps and start over.

Do not be discouraged if you keep on repeating these steps. Your puppy is still learning and will eventually catch on. With a little patience and consistency on your part, your efforts in house training your dog will pay off, and you'll have a loyal, friendly, and disciplined companion for many years.

Find out all of your tips to train your dog and keeping it happy
http://www.healthydogcareonline.com/blog

Dog training tips 09

2008-02-11T23:57:00.000-08:00

Training a Dog

Training a dog can be enjoyable and rewarding. Whether conducted in a private setting or a classroom setting, it requires consistency, direction and firmness. In general, dogs are eager to please, but teaching them new skills takes time and energy.

It's not necessary to have formal training to teach a dog behavioral skills. It is necessary, however, to be consistent, firm and loving, while making it fun. When dogs know what to expect from their masters, they're much more likely to comply. Here are a few tips to make your training experience a rewarding one for both you and your pet.

First of all, it's important to begin training as soon as you bring a dog into your home. Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, it's important that it knows who's in charge. As dogs are pack animals, they need to know their role in the hierarchy of the home. Once the dog can identify its master as the leader, it will be much easier to teach it necessary commands. Some dogs may always test their boundaries, but knowing they have a set role in the family gives them a measure of comfort.

Secondly, make it fun for the dog. Speaking in a soothing, encouraging voice, and lavishing praise on your pet when it follows direction helps reinforce the lesson learned. If a dog thinks sitting, staying or fetching is fun, it will be more likely to perform on command. When training a dog, it can be frustrating in the beginning if the dog doesn't follow direction. If this happens, stop the training session. Dogs can sense stressful situations, and react accordingly. Lessons should be enjoyable for a dog. Practicing positive reinforcement goes much further than teaching a dog to fear its master. If it thinks it's playing a game, it's more interested in participating.

Next, be consistent. If you're teaching a dog the "sit" command, and it's rewarded whether it sits or not, it won't learn the lesson. Follow through is critical during training. A dog must be able to identify consequences for its actions. If it carries out the command, it's praised. If it doesn't do what's been asked, it isn't. Sending mixed messages to the dog will make training that much more difficult.

Use the same hand signals and/or simple verbal commands for each lesson. If you're teaching your dog to stay off the sofa, repeating the same word, such as "off," each time is much more effective than using different words, like "down" and "go," interchangeably. The dog needs simple, clear, consistent direction to best understand and carry out its duties.

Also, every member of the family must commit to taking part in training the dog. If one parent enforces the rules, and someone else in the home doesn't, the dog will quickly figure out that it can get away with misbehaving, and all the work the trainer did can unravel.

Dogs can get bored with lengthy training sessions. Positive gains can be seen in just a few minutes per session. Focusing on one trick for too long can cause the dog to tune out entirely, while shorter sessions spread throughout the week can be effective and enforce lessons. As your dog learns tricks, add new ones. This way, their confidence grows when they can respond to commands they're familiar with, but they can look forward to learning something new. They enjoy pleasing their masters, and can withdraw if they sense that they're not doing so.

Formal obedience training is also an option, for owners who would like to reinforce lessons they're teaching at home. Professional trainers have experience with a wide variety of different breeds and temperaments, and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Also, group training is a great time to work on socializing your dog, or teaching it to be more comfortable around and tolerant of other dogs.

A common reason dogs are dropped off at shelters is because they're not trained. Generally, it's a simple matter of spending enough time with the dog, and consistently enforcing rules. Not only is it rewarding for the dog, it's rewarding for the master as well. When a dog performs a newly-learned command for the first time, it's cause for celebration. Not only is a well-behaved dog a joy to be around, but training a dog can create an unbreakable bond between dog and master.

David Beart is owner of the Professors House, a site dedicated to family, relationships, dog training, and household issues.

Dog training tips 08

2008-02-11T23:44:00.000-08:00

The Top Ten Most Intelligent Dog Breeds

Border Collie

Border Collies were originally bred in the borderlands between Scotland and England as herding dogs. They were selected to be able to work long days on rugged terrain, have excellent herding skills, instincts and intelligence. Over time, this led to the Border Collie's astounding energy, trainability and ability to reason. Border Collies are still used universally as herders.

Poodle

Though they are known more for their appearance, Poodles are actually some of the world's smartest dogs. The air of dignity and elegance with which Poodle's carry themselves accords with their highly above-average intelligence and trainability. Though Poodles are usually show dogs in the United States, they have served as police dogs in other countries.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are noted for their versatility, stability, energy, strength and intelligence. Shepherds are known not only for their intrinsic smarts and trainability, but for the multitude of roles they can fill, such as family pet, police dog, herding dog and TV and movie actor.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers were originally bred by an upper-class Englishman who wanted a hunting dog that made a great companion. A mixture of the Irish Setter and several types of Spaniel, the Golden Retriever was bred to find and retrieve downed birds and be a good companion. Today's Golden Retrievers are just that -attentive, loving dogs that will chase down anything you throw them.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher originated as a police dog in 19th Century Germany. These dogs are top-notch watchdogs, guardians and protectors, as well as guide dogs and military dogs. Doberman's were bred for their loyalty and intelligence, and the modern version of the breed continues to show both those traits. Dobermans are working dogs and do best with a lot of structured exercise.

Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog, or "Sheltie" was bred on the Shetland Islands of Scotland to herd sheep. These small, agile dogs resemble collies and are widely regarded as highly intelligent. Shelties are also renowned for their trainability, even temperament and loyalty. They are very active and do best with lots of exercise.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers come from unknown origins but are now the most popular dog breed in the United States. The Labrador Retriever's are an active, affectionate and highly trainable dog and very intelligent. Many Labrador owners comment about their dogs' seeming "humanity." Labrador Retrievers make great family pets, drug-sniffing dogs, hunting dogs and seeing-eye dogs.

Papillon

The Papillon a small, long-haired dog breed considered by most to be a lap-dog or show dog. Despite this reputation, Papillons are athletic, active and very intelligent. They're known to be people-centered and enjoy social situations with lots of humans in attendance. Recently Papillons have emerged as agility champions.

Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog or "Blue Heeler" is another intelligent, active herding dog. These medium sized dogs are noted for their spotted orange or bluish coats. Australian Cattle Dogs thrive when given a complicated task such as an obstacle course, tricks or other dog sports. Australian Cattle Dogs have excellent fine motor skills and will meticulously shred their toys.

Bark Busters offers in-home dog and puppy training solutions across Canada for all dog breeds and ages. Comes with a written lifetime guarantee. http://www.barkbusters.ca/

Dog training tips 07

2008-02-11T23:43:00.000-08:00

Just Great, My Dog Has Worms, Now what?

It can be a devastating and disgusting diagnosis when a Veterinarian tells you that your dog has Worms. Even worse, you may actually see the Worms coming out of your dog or in their stool, if they have Roundworms or Tapeworms. Trust me when I say that that can be a nearly traumatic experience. Also disturbing, some of these Worms can even be transmitted from your dog to you, which is called zoonosis. These include Roundworms and Hookworms, so you should take extra precautions and follow your veterinarians advice to the letter, if you dog has one of these parasites.

Each type of wormy parasite requires a different treatment or medication, and will display different symptoms. Every dog owner should at least have a working knowledge about the warning signs of a Worm infestation and the treatments involved. Here are the five types of Worms that may infect your dog.

1. Roundworms - There are two types of Roundworms and they are the most common Worm infestation in dogs. The symptoms of Roundworms include: pot-belly appearance, diarrhea, vomiting, dull coat and weight loss. You may even see this type of Worm in your dogs vomit or feces. They look like pieces of spaghetti up to 6 inches long or longer. This type of Worm is usually treated with oral medication, with follow-up fecal screenings. This is one of the types of Worms that can be transferred to humans, but good hygiene will usually eliminate this threat.

2. Hookworms - Hookworms can not be seen with the naked eye, so they are usually diagnosed by your Vet with a test. The symptoms of Hookworms include: bloody stool, anemia, weight loss, pale gums, diarrhea and low energy level. This parasite is usually treated with oral medication, follow-up fecal screenings, and in the worst case, a blood transfusion. This is the other type of Worm that can be transmitted to humans. Good hygiene and cleaning up after your infected dog can prevent a human infection.

3. Tapeworms - Common Tapeworm symptoms include abdominal pain, nervousness, severe itching around the anus, vomiting and weight loss. You may also see this Worm in your dogs feces. The broken sections, which may still be moving, will give the dogs stool a rice like appearance. Tapeworms must usually be treated with a prescription oral or injection dewormer medication. Over-the-counter dewormer medication is usually not strong enough to clear this kind of Worm infestation.

4. Whipworms - This Worm can not be seen by the naked eye, and must be diagnosed through testing. Symptoms of a Whipworm infestation include anemia, weight loss, flatulence, diarrhea with blood or mucus in the stool and lack of energy. These Worms can be difficult to treat with over-the-counter medication, but there are very effective prescription treatments.

5. Heartworms - Although easily preventable, untreated Heartworm infections are potential fatal. The symptoms usually do not show up until the last stage of the disease, and include pot-belly, coughing, lack of energy and dull coat. Because symptoms do not appear until its too late, it is best to use a over-the-counter preventative medication to stop these Worms before they endanger your pets health.

Having a Wormy dog can be an unpleasant experience, but in almost all cases there is an effective treatment available to help your favorite dog live a healthy and Worm free life.

Go to Dewormed.com to learn more about dog Worms types and treatments. If you think you have the stomach for it, go here to see pictures of Worms in dogs.

Dog training tips 06

2008-02-11T23:42:00.000-08:00

Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health -- Foods that Fido should Avoid

"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got himself into sticky situations..."

So begins a story in the latest report from the ASPCA on foods that may be toxic to dogs. It turns out that Magoo got into the pantry and snagged himself about a pound of raisins. He ate the whole thing, of course.

The ASPCA never mentions Magoo's fate. But they do tell us that as little as a handful of raisins can impair a dogs health and has been fatal for some. Ditto for the grape.

Who Knew?

Growing up, I regarded our family dogs as "the first cycle of the dishwasher". They were good about waiting their turn for whatever we left on our plates, and we weren't too concerned about offering them "people food". It never crossed our minds that our dogs health could be affected by a few measly table scraps. What was safe for us, we figured, was safe for our pets.

What's more, whenever I ate grapes, I liked to give one or two to our German Shepherd "Tiffany". The grapes always popped out of her mouth when she tried to bite into them and Tiffany, ever the good sport, refused to give up until she'd squashed each one into submission. It guaranteed at least 60 seconds of harmless fun.

Tiffany was also fond of chewing gum (she chewed it -- wrapper and all -- but didn't swallow it!) We had the sugarless kind, which is often sweetened these days with xylitol.

Little did I know that I might have been poisoning our family pet! (More on xylitol below).

Why are grapes harmful?

As far as grapes and raisins go, no one is sure why they're harmful. It's been confirmed that even grapes grown without fertilizers or pesticides can be toxic to dogs. But not to every dog, and not every time. It's also not known whether small amounts eaten over a long time period could have a cumulative effect.

What we do know is that the end result in nearly all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity is acute kidney failure. (The term "acute" means that the condition is severe and comes on quickly.) The dog ultimately can't produce urine, which means they can't filter toxins out of their systems -- a process essential to life.

During the twelve-month period in which the effects of grapes were studied, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 140 cases involving one or more dogs. Over a third of the dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven dogs died. The ASPCA based their study on reported cases, so naturally there may be cases where a dogs health is entirely unaffected by eating grapes. But until they know all the facts, the Society advises against feeding pets grapes or raisins in any amount.

An ounce of prevention

So, your dog just scored himself a big box of raisins. What's a pet owner to do?

The first line of defense, if the grapes or raisins were eaten recently, is to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal (it absorbs toxins in the GI tract). Vomiting is also the first sign that your dog is in trouble, so skip right to the activated charcoal if vomiting has already occurred. (In a pinch you can make your own activated charcoal by charring a piece of toast until it's blackened and crumbles easily.) Then call your vet right away.

Can't reach the vet? Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435

The vet will keep your dog on intravenous fluids for at least 48 hours and monitor blood chemistry daily. Normal blood work after 3 days usually means your dog is in the clear.

Keeping a watchful eye out, of course, is the best way to keep your pet out of trouble. Like children, dogs (and other pets) have a knack for getting into mischief when we're not looking.

It's Not Just the Grapes...

There are other foods your dog should be kept away from, and some of them may surprise you.

Here are some other foods that can put a dogs health in harms way:

Chocolate

Who can resist chocolate? Like it your not, your dog. Chocolate is made with cocoa beans and cocoa beans contain a chemical called Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. So on Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind to your best buddy if you eat all the chocolates yourself! Read my special report on chocolate at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/chocolate to learn more, and see how different types of chocolate have varying effects on dogs health.

Cocoa Mulch

Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production (which is how mulch made it into the "foods" category) and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer. However, some dogs like to eat it and it contains Theobromine.

Fatty foods

Fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can can overtax the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. This can threaten your dogs health and is potentially fatal.

Nuts

Macadamia nuts should be avoided. In fact most nuts are not good for a dogs health since their high phosporus content is said to lead to bladder stones.

Mulch

Mulch isn't food, but there's one type tempting enough for dogs to eat. Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.

Onions

Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. (Stephen J Ettinger, D.V.M and Edward C. Fieldman, D.V.M. 's book: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 2 pg 1884.) Stay away from onion powder too.

Potatoes

Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible.

Artificial Sweeteners

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugarless gum and candies. Ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. According to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center, "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product" states Dr. Dunayer, "...therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."

Turkey

Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to it's high fat content.

Other foods listed by the ASPCA as harmful:

Alcoholic beverages

Avocado (the only "fatty" member of the vegetable family)

Coffee (all forms of coffee)

Moldy or spoiled foods

Salt

Yeast dough

Garlic

The Bottom Line

Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days. But it's important to keep up with what's currently known about foods and their effects on dogs health. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were only discovered very recently to have harmful effects. Check frequently with sources like the ASPCA, or sign up for the "Cold Noses News" and we'll keep you informed. (You'll also get a bunch of cool dog stuff along with your free registration).

Of course, being alert and getting your pet to the vet promptly will help assure a happy outcome if something unfortunate should happen. Here's to your dogs health and good nutrition!

Carolyn Schweitzer, a former family dentsit, is owner and editor of several websites, including http://www.Great-Dog-Gift.com.

Visit http://www.great-dog-gift.com/foodarticle to view the full illustrated article with links to resource articles from the ASPCA such as "How to Poison Proof your Home".

Sign up for the "Cold Noses News" at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/noses to have information like this delivered to your mailbox.

Dog training tips 05

2008-02-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

How to Choose an All Natural Homemade Dog Food

With so many issues about commercial dog food, more and more pet owners are now switching to all natural homemade dog food. Homemade dog food is not only safe but also healthy. Choosing and preparing your own dog food are relatively easy if you know how. Here are some useful tips:

Before switching to all natural homemade dog food, it is best to consult your vet and get some advice. You also have to understand the healthy diet requirements of dogs with regards to their breeds, age and other factors. Generally, dogs need 40% protein, 30% starch and 30% fiber.

Slowly switch to all natural homemade dog food. A sudden change in your dog's diet may result to an upset stomach and other digestive problems.

Choose healthy fresh lean meat for your dog. Meat is the basic component of protein requirements of your dog. An all natural homemade dog food may contain lean meat like turkey, chicken, beef and fish. Kidney, liver and other organ meat are also good for your dog. Cook the meat before feeding it to your dog. Although dogs are carnivores, it is best to cook meat to kill the bacteria that may cause health problems to your dog.

Another source of all natural homemade dog food is the addition of vegetables to your dogs' diet. Vegetables act as antioxidants and a good source of nutrients and vitamins. You can add cooked corn, squash, peas and potatoes. Raw carrots and lettuce are also good for your dog.

You also have to make sure that your dog is well hydrated and there is plenty of water available for your dog. Avoid feeding your dog with table scraps; it is not a good habit to teach your dog to eat leftovers.

Switching to all natural homemade dog food is not only cheap but it also ensures your dog's health and safety. Get some healthy, well-balanced dog food recipes and start feeding your dog homemade food.

Do you want to discover a step-by-step survival guide that makes your dog live a longer, healthier life, so you enjoy up to 8.3 more years of happiness & companionship than is statistically predicted? Visit Dog Food Secrets at Dogs' Corner

To know more about pets visit All About Pets

Dog training tips 04

2008-02-11T23:35:00.000-08:00

How To Find Your Perfect Puppy

The choices you make at the start are crucial. You have to ask yourself if you are prepared to devote the next ten to fifteen years of your life to the care of this living, adorable creature. Are you ready to give him unconditional love and attention, for that is what he will be giving you in return, if you treat him the right way.

If your answer is yes to these first basic questions, then you have to consider other choices, which are numerous. How big or small do you want him? Do you want an energetic or a docile pet? Do you like them long haired or short haired? Do you want him to be kid friendly? Do you want a pedigreed puppy, or a cross breed, or a rescued one?

A lot of the choices will fall into place, if you consider where you live and how you live. For instance, is your home large enough for a Great Dane? Do you have a balcony or a fenced-in yard, or neither? Are you an indoors person, or do you love going on long walks? Do your neighbors like dogs? Are there kids at home, or any other pet? Will there be someone at home at all times, or will your puppy have to get used to being home alone? Lastly, will you be able to afford feeding him, paying the vet’s bills, and kennel charges when you go on vacations?

So do all the research you can beforehand. Talk to the local vet; if there is a local dog rescue center, you can tell them about your requirements; see the kind of dogs the neighbors have, they may have already done their homework, and their experience with their pet dog may give you valuable insights; read up on different breeds at the local library, the internet, or at the bookstore. Don’t make the mistake of giving in to the kids’ whims; you have to be totally comfortable with the choice you are going to make, since you will be bearing the brunt of nurturing the puppy!

When you are doing your research, note down any special equipment which might be required for the breed you will be choosing, like yard fencing, collars and leashes, bedding, food, toys etc. You have to know beforehand if your chosen breed is prone to any health problems which it might develop; you might even have to change your mind.

Lastly, never buy a puppy for someone as a surprise, and never buy one for someone without asking them these questions.

To find out what Dog Obedience training can do for you and to Learn expert dog training techniques for your puppy and advice to help with dog behavior problems, and more tips to raise an obedient dog and companion. Please go to this link: http://kcjack-trainingdogs.blogspot.com

Dog training tips 03

2008-02-11T23:34:00.001-08:00

Dog Training Secrets Revealed

Outlined below are the critical techniques that must be followed when training you dog, no matter which training method you choose. Using these techniques will help the training process immensely and ensure that you get the most out your relationship with your dog.

Bonding.

Probably the most important part of building a successful relationship with your dog is the rapport you are able to create with him, Rapport will only be created if you spend quality time with your dog and become his best friend talking to him- taking him out for long walks, playing with him. This is the key to a healthy relationship with your dog,

Consistency

Delivering consistent clear messages to your dog will help him see his world as black and white rather than various shades of grey. By consistent messages we mean the commands you use to train praise and reprimand your dog should always be the same. It is important that all members of your family are using the same commands as you. When first training your dog it will help if just one person does the training. This is important because although the command may be the same the body language or the tone of voice may be completely different.

Timing

By timing we mean the amount of time allowed to pass before your dog responds (or not) to your commands and your praise (or reprimand). This time should be no longer than 2 to 3 seconds. If any longer the chances are your dog will not associate your words with his actions. Remember that you dog's mental ability is the same as a toddler. By the same taken it is important that any physical correction to your dogs response to you training command occurs within the same 2 to 3 seconds. If for example you have given the command sit and the dog does not sit then you could push his rear quarter down while giving the sit command

Repition.

Dogs are creatures of habit and learn by repition. It may take several repitions of the same command before the response becomes implanted in the dogs brain and the action you are trying to teach him becomes automatic. Your dog will also require refresher sessions so that the command or action does not become lost during his life. You should always praise him when he does something right.

Session length

Keep all training sessions short and enjoyable so that you dog's concentration is maintained throughout. Quality not quantity is the key, you should also always try to finish the training session on a positive note I you can.

Attitude

Always be reasonable in your expectations of what your dog can achieve. It takes time to get results. If your dog has difficulties in picking up a certain command try and look at why he is having difficulties. Come back to it another day.

Praise.

Always use praise whenever you dog has successfully completed an exercise. This should also be done as soon as your dog has done the desired act (remember the section on timing) When delivering the praise look directly into his eyes so that he understand the connection between the voice or touch and his action. Deliver the praise either verbally or with the hand by either patting or stroking him.

Eye contact.

Using eye contact can be more effective than using the spoken word especially if there is a close bond between the dog and owner. If a dog wishes to communicate with you he will look directly into your eyes trying to read your intent.

Hand signals

Using specific hand signals while at the same time speaking to your dog can be an effective way of training you dog. It will be useful in getting young dog to respond at long distances and you can eventually stop the verbal commands so that he responds to the hand signal only. Give hand signal in front of and above the dog's head as this is in their line of vision.

Voice signals

Dogs are known for their intelligence but they are only able to understand a few words, even those are more of an association between the sound you make and the action the dog has learned to respond to the sound with. Use one command for one action and pronounce the command with the same tone of voice. You should gain your dogs attention by saying his name before starting a command.

It is important to realise that you dog will not understand every thing you say and may misunderstand the meaning of what you say. For example if you have trained you dog with the "down" command he may well if he is sitting on the furniture not respond to the command "get down" as he has only recognised the word down.

Punishment and correction

It is important that the dog sees you as the pack leader. In the wild if a dog steps out of line the"alpha"dog will punish or chastise it immediately.

For general disobedience use the "Alarm No Command" method. This method has three steps that you take when your dog does not respond as you wish.

Use something to alarm your dog, such as a squirt from a water pistol or shaking a pebble filled can. Make sure that you do this while he is in the act of misbehaving.

At the same time say aloud No or Bad .Use a stern voice so that your dog recognises the difference in tone from your normal voice .It is important that your voice correction is sincere and that the delivery is consistent so that the dog associates the harsh words or words with stopping the behaviour.

Then redirect your dog with a command. Sit and stay is a very good choice.

A check collar offers an easier yet more physical ways to give a correction.

A third option would be to exile your dog from the pack. In the wild the alpha dog would growl and chase the offending dog away from the pack. The ostracised dog would not be allowed back into he pack until the alpha dog lets him. You could do this by growling at your dog and chasing him away from the family area say out side to the garden.

Hi my name is Richard. I live in the UK with my wife and daughter and our pet dog "Ollie". I have been a dog lover for a number of years. I have studied dog behaviour primarily to enhance our relationship with our pet but also because I feel that most behaviour problems are easily avoided if the correct training methods are adopted in the first place.

Check out http://dogtrainingproblemsolved.com/ for your Free report on 5 sure-fire ways to show your dog whose the Alpha male plus many other successful training tips.

Dog training tips 02

2008-02-11T23:31:00.000-08:00

Puppy Dog Training - 7 Tips To Help Train Your Puppy

A puppy needs special dog training in order to learn the all skills it needs. It can be hard for a new dog owner to get past the puppy stage. Here are 7 tips to help train your puppy.

1. Establish Good Habits Early On

Your dog will be much more obedient later own if you start it off with good habits. Do not let the puppy do anything that you wouldn't want it to do when it is a full grown dog .

2. Make Your Puppy Socialize

If a puppy reaches adulthood and hasn't had much contact with other dogs, it may not react well to them. The dog may bark or even bite other dogs. You do not want this to happen so help your puppy by taking it to the park to see other dogs or to a friend who also owns a dog .

3. Win Your Puppy's Trust

If you dog doesn't trust you then it will not follow your commands. Rebellious dogs are dangerous dogs. To avoid this, gain your puppy's trust before doing any sort of dog training. Petting the dog can help with this. This will make the task of training it much easier.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Puppies love treats. They will do whatever they can to get those treats. So, make them do what you want, and give them a treat when they do it. This will help their mind connect good habits with rewards.

5. Do Not Drag Your Puppy Around

Your dog will not like this and it will only hurt your dog . If worst comes to worst just carry the puppy. It won't be too heavy yet so this wont kill you. Dragging your dog will only aggravate it.

6. Do Not Let Your Dog Chew On Anything

If you let the puppy chew on anything it wants, then it may do that in adulthood as well. This is not desirable. Chewing on some things can also be harmful to the dog .

7. Train Your Dog Yourself

If you do not know what you are doing then you have to learn first. Getting a trainer is one option, although that is expensive. You can actually train your dog by yourself with the right information. This way, you are there for the whole dog training process and can build trust with your dog while training it. Sit Stay Fetch is one guide that can help you train your dog . Created by experts, it is the definitive guide on dog training.You can get this guide at my site below.

Get more Information On Sit Stay Fetch Dog Training. For A Puppy Dog Training Guide Visit: www.TeachThatDog.com

Dog training tips 01

2008-02-11T23:16:00.000-08:00

Potty Training Puppies - Why Is Training A Puppy So Important?

When you first get a puppy it is fun to just play with them but you soon come to realize that you need to start training a puppy. The first thing you need to start with is potty training puppies. This is one of the most important things that you can teach them. Potty training puppies may not be easy but it will be well worth the effort when you don't have to clean up any more messes!

Puppy potty training is about keeping your floors and carpets clean but it can also have an impact on your dog's social behavior. You will need to have a lot of patience and be persistent when house training puppy. There will be moments that you think they will never be potty trained but it will happen if you work with them on a daily even hourly basis if necessary.

One thing that you need to know when training a puppy is that you don't want to punish them when they go where they are not supposed to. You should instead praise them big when they do something right. Accidents that happen need to be dealt with quietly and calmly. You also need to learn to read your puppy's signals so you know when they need to go to the bathroom. It will take both of you working together for the puppy potty training to be successful.

When you are house training puppy you will need to show them where you want them to go. It is important to remember that puppies need to have a routine for when they go to the bathroom. They will need to go potty when they wake up, after they eat and drink and right before bed. You might have to think of something for the middle of the night because that is when accidents happen the most. Puppies have weak bladders until they get older just like humans.

When you are training a puppy the puppy will start to give you signals on when they need to go to the bathroom. Some of these signals that you need to watch for are whining, barking, nudging, nipping at your feet or pacing. Your puppy may have other ones that you need to watch out for but these are the most common ones that all puppies do.

Potty training puppies will be a frustrating experience for both you and the puppy. However, it will get easier for both of you until eventually the puppy potty training is done. Then you will both be a lot happier and be able to bond in other ways. You can use the time when training a puppy to not only teach them where they need to go but also to bond with them. This will make it more fun for both of you.

Find out more on potty training puppies, and don't forget that puppy health is going to be extremely important as your puppy grows up and ages - so start as you mean to go on, both with keeping your puppy healthy, and training him right!