DOG

Dog Medicine

2010-07-27T02:54:00.000-07:00

Dog Medicine: Important Tips Every Dog Owner Should Know by William Kyle
in Family / Pets (submitted 2010-07-27)

Dog Medicine: Important Tips Every Dog Owner Should Know

There are few things more frustrating and upsetting than having a sick pooch. Pets are special members of the family but happen to come with a certain language barrier that keeps you from explaining the bitter little pill you've been trying to hide in a certain someone's dinner. Here are a few quick suggestions and tips to help you and your special canine get through any illness in comfort.

When your family dog is in need of medication, it's important to realize that both their illness and medications may likely be just as serious as your own. When any pet is prescribed a pill or shot, whether he gets his meds on time and in the right amount or not can make the difference between a speedy recovery and lingering or worsening symptoms.

Above all other advice, keep in mind that your pet's veterinarian can offer the most authoritative and essential information about any condition or medication. During you and your dog's visit to the doctor, never hesitate to ask lots of questions about dosage, ways of administering the medicine, what to do in the case of a missed application and other applicable issues.

Administering Medication

Although getting your dog to swallow his medicine may sometimes be a lengthy and arduous ordeal, the benefits surely outweigh the cost. If you've come to the end of your medicine-applying rope or are simply looking for some helpful hints before tackling the job, this quick advice might help make the process a bit simpler.

Pills

Pills are generally the most difficult type of pet medication to administer, due to the fact that your dog must voluntarily swallow them and their often seemingly awful taste. The approach you choose to take when offering pills will vary depending on the personality, temperament and condition of your particular four legged friend.

If your dog tends to wolf down snacks and is in good enough condition to do so, your task may be quite simple. Try to hide a pill completely in a snack your pet is used to and offer it under normal snack-giving circumstances-if your dog senses something amiss, he'll be more likely to take his time or investigate.

This camouflaging approach can also work at mealtime, but can make verification a bit trickier. Try to avoid crushing pills, as it will be difficult to determine whether an entire dose has been administered and crushing can tend to make your dog's normal meal taste strange, possibly leading to rejection.

Liquid Medications

Liquid medication application tends to be a bit easier to accomplish since specialized syringes are available specifically for the task. Before administering the medication, try to bring your dog to a calm and relaxed state-the more comfortable he is, the simpler your job will be. Since your pet trusts you, you can turn medicine time into a routine that ends in a generous treat for a job well done.

Be Aware of Common Conditions

Most people have a general knowledge about illness that affect people, including symptoms, preventative measures and treatments. When you choose to share your home and life with a dog, it's your responsibility to be aware of common health issues that could become an issue during your pet's lifetime. This basic understanding will help you recognize the signs of potential health issues when they pop up.

A great way to get a general overview is simply by asking your vet and checking out a library book or two on the subject. If your dog is a pure breed, keep in mind that certain breeds are affected by special problems more so than others. Pure bred pups are often more susceptible to health problems as well due to a more limited gene pool than would be available to mixed breeds.

Knowing and Caring For Your Pet

No one ever wants her dog to get sick. Although dealing with the occasional illness or accident is an inevitable part of being a pet owner, the best way to show your love for your pooch is to take good care of her. A healthy dog's love should be filled with lots of exercise, affection and a carefully controlled diet that's rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fats.

The other side to this coin is attention and vigilance. Since your pup can't very well speak up and let you know if something feels different, it's up to you to notice any changes in your dog's behavior and determine whether a visit to the vet is appropriate.

Just as with human health, prevention is an excellent strategy to keep your pet in great health. By staying well informed about common dog illnesses and issues and administering lots of tender love and care, you and your dog are sure to enjoy a long and happy life together.

About the Author
William Kyle is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and dog medicine.

Dog and monkey friend

2010-04-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

9 Tips For Maintaining Your Dogs Health by Kelly Marshall
in Family / Pets (submitted 2010-04-17)

The saying goes that a dog is man's best friend. While this statement is true, you must also understand that you must also be your dogs best friend. Dogs have a variety of needs that must be met to keep them healthy and strong through out their lives. These needs are going to have to be supplied by you. Luckily most of them can be met by simply interacting with your pet and by following these 9 tips for maintaining your dogs health.

Regular Vet Visits

Your dog needs regular vet visits throughout his life. He not only needs to see the vet for necessary shots and vaccines as well as heart worm tests, but a vet may also spot a potential health problem while it can still be treated early enough to avoid affecting your dogs daily health and activities.

Spaying or Neutering

Spaying or Neutering your dog at the appropriate age will not only prevent unwanted pregnancies but will also help protect your dog from other problems as well. A male dog that is neutered is less likely to become aggressive and a female dog who is spayed is less likely to get breast cancer and other illnesses.

Good Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Do your homework and find the diet that gives your dog the perfect balance to keep him healthy and fit. Keep in mind that his dietary needs may change as he ages and that adjustments may have to be done with his diet. Avoid unhealthy snacks and treats.

Regular Flea Treatments

Making sure your dog is treated regularly for fleas is important. Not only don't you want your house infested with these menaces but flea infestations can make your dog miserable as well as ill.

Proper Socialization

Properly socializing your dog will make him less anxious and more well behaved. It will also help to stem any aggressive tendencies that arise from your dog being introduced to new situations or people that make him nervous or threatened. It also will make traveling with him easier for both you and your pet.

Basic Training

At a minimum your dog should sit, stay, and come on command. He also should be trained to a leash. By training your dog to follow these basic commands you can maintain control which will help keep your dog safe and secure and by your side.

Proper Grooming

Make sure you keep your dog properly groomed. Brushing, bathing, nail clipping and teeth maintenance are all important to keeping your dog comfortable and healthy.

Exercise

Exercise helps your dog keep in shape and helps prevent boredom which can result in negative behaviors. The amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on the breed of dog and its size. Make sure that it has the required amount of daily exercise.

Attention and Affection

Dogs, like people, need attention and affection to be happy and well adjusted. Spending time with your dog and playing with him will help the bond between you grow stronger and will result in a much happier and well behaved dog.

Follow these 9 simple tips and your dog will stay active, happy and healthy for many years to come.

About the Author
Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, check out our selection of large dog beds & unique dog collars & leashes online!

Good Dog

2010-04-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

How to Adopt a Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide by katrina wagner
in Family / Pets (submitted 2010-04-02)

So you've decided to bypass breeders and pet stores and adopt a dog - go you! Some lucky pup out there is going to be thrilled, and the shelter or rescue you take your dog from might be able to accommodate one more pup thanks to your decision. So what's the next step? Fret not; we've got you covered:

Step 1: Do Your Homework! Before you drop by the local rescue or shelter and fall in love with a dog that may outgrow the weight restrictions of your apartment building, invest some time researching breeds that will best fit your situation. Consider the dog's weight (and what he will weigh when fully grown), age and temperament. A puppy will require housebreaking, obedience training, while an older dog may be better adjusted. Some dogs have temperaments best suited to a family, others won't do as well with children, and so on.

Step 2: Hunt for a Dog that Fits Your Criteria Visit the local pound or shelter if it's open to the public. Search online as well-researching breed-specific rescues in driving range and Dog Adoption websites that allow you to search by breed, age and gender within your zip code.

Step 3: Have Your Family Meet the Dog If you come across a dog online that fits the bill, arrange a visit. Some dogs may be in temporary foster homes and will either be transported to the main rescue location or to your house for a home visit. Make sure all the members of your household get to meet the dog. The same goes for shelter or pound dogs.

Step 4: Fill Out The Application/Prepare for Screening Whether you find a dog from a rescue online or a shelter dog, you'll have to fill out an application. This may just be a formality for some places, but others will want a closer investigation - be it a reference check, extensive interview or a home visit to see the conditions in which the rescued animal is to live. Some breeds may require a fenced yard or certain number of square feet to be comfortable, so don't take it personally if the rescue declines your application based on the fact that you live in a studio apartment.

Step 5: Pay An Adoption Fee/Sign An Agreement No shelter or rescue dog is "free to a good home," and you'll be asked for an adoption fee that can range from $50 to $400 depending on the breed, age of the dog (puppies tend to be more expensive as they're in demand more often than older dogs), the kind of organization you adopt from and what part of the country you live in. This fee is usually a pittance compared to the work that's gone into the dog you are adopting - usually it offsets the price of spaying/neutering the dog, feeding and caring for it, as well as ensuring it has all the right vaccinations. Dog adoption fees are also a screening measure used to weed out people who are unwilling or unable to spend money on their pets. Once you've paid the fee, you'll be asked to sign an adoption agreement, guaranteeing that the dog will be looked after and cared for indoors (rather than chained to a tree in the yard).

Step 6: Take Your Dog Home! Congratulations, you've done the research, found the dog and successfully wooed the shelter/rescue folks! You are ready to Adopt A Dog! Be sure to buy a crate your dog will be comfortable in (and a soft blanket or bed to go inside it), as well as a leash and collar and a supply of food and treats before taking him home. Don't forget to get him tagged and microchipped to assure his safety. Then, give him plenty of hugs!

About the Author
Jenny is an online content writer for dozens of animal and pet related blogs and websites. She has always been a proud supporter of Dogs For Adoption programs and urges everyone out there to adopt a dog, cat or other abandoned animals.

Dog Obedience Tips

2010-03-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Dog Obedience Tips: The Basics by Eddie Gillespie
in Family / Pets (submitted 2010-03-13)

It's so important to have a dog that's well behaved. For anyone who has just bought their first puppy or even if they adopted an older dog, there are certain dog obedience tips they must enforce. It's not about being mean or cruel to a dog, it's about teaching them how to act appropriately so they are house-trained and act proper in public places. In fact, if you just want to teach your dog the basics there are a few dog obedience tips that are going to be enough for you.

Good socialization is one of the best dog obedience tips.

One of the most important aspects of dog obedience training is to socialize the dog properly. One of the dog obedience tips is to help socialize the dog properly, which can be done best by getting them around large groups of people and animals to show them that they need to be friendly and well behaved in situations like this. No dog should be kept in home all the time, and rather they need to be outside and get taken for walks to socialize with other people and dogs. To socialize your dog properly, make sure that you bring them out to the largest variety of social events as possible.

Other dog obedience tips for socialization are to expose the dog to a variety of situations to properly socialize them. But socialization activities for the dog should be fun and pressure free, so take them for a jog in the park or to a carnival to walk around and see all the happy faces.

The most important dog obedience tips are about sitting

Every dog should at least know how to sit, and fortunately this is one of the easiest dog obedience tips to teach a dog. While there are certainly more interesting tricks a dog could learn, this is one of the most basic and most important by far.

Find a quiet location where the dog will be able to focus, and you can either use treats or any other form of positive reinforcement which will be rewarded to the dog after they listen and comply to your order. Each time you see that the dog is going to sit on its own you want to tell them to sit. When he does you praise him like a mad person. You may also want to use treats or just a nice pat on the head. This must be done immediately after the dog has sat down, so they know what you are rewarding them for.

Positive dog obedience tips

The most important thing is to make sure that you have some sort of positive reinforcement you are going to be able to use here. Remember, it can be a bit of a challenge especially with the older dogs but using dog obedience tips will be more than worth it in the end. You don't want to own a dog that you are constantly going to have to be yelling at and disciplining. Training your dog with dog obedience tips will give you a well-socialized and house-trained dog that will be enjoyable and pleasant to be around.

About the Author
The author of this article, Eddie Gillespie just loves his dogs, that's why he started Dog Info Point to let other people know about the fun you can have with dogs. So if you want to read about his solutions for canine health problems like ear infection or the advantages of heated dog beds just visit his website doginfopoint com.

Aggressive Dog Training

2010-03-01T02:58:00.000-08:00

Control Dog Aggression | How to Control Aggressive Dog Behavior by Kevin Pederson
in Family / Pets (submitted 2010-02-27)

Nothing can scare unwanted people away from your property and belongings better than a ferocious looking dog that means business. However, if your dog's aggression is unwarranted or worse still, is directed towards you, you know you have a problem. Most people who buy aggressive dogs such as Rottweilers and Dobermans know that training needs to be imparted to these dogs right from their birth so that they are aggressive only when it is required. Controlling the aggression of animals is never easy; but when you have the animal living with you in your house, it becomes all the more important to have some control.

Guard dogs don't have to be vicious at most times. If a dog looks big enough and barks, baring its teeth, it'll serve the purpose. Unfortunately, most people miss this point completely and end up getting a dog they do not know how to control. Guard dogs that are bought after getting trained should never be messed with. They are usually trained enough to be able to handle a hostile situation. However, in order to have some control, it may be worthwhile to teach the dog some training commands like 'leave', 'sit', and 'drop'. When your dog is taught these commands, dealing with it becomes much easier.

If you have multiple pets at home and have a bully on your hands, things can get quite ugly. It is not uncommon to find a dog that is aggressive towards other dogs. If your dog has not been socialized properly from the puppy stage, it may find it difficult to cope with other dogs in the household. There are some dogs that are naturally dominant. They may become even more aggressive at the time of puberty. A friendly dog will always meet other dogs willingly, but if your dog is aggressive, it will meet them face-to-face and will always hold its tail high. This behavior should be controlled as much as possible, especially if you have smaller animals in the house. This behavior can also be problematic when your dog comes across other dogs that belong to other people.

There is no easy way to correct this behavior. If you are able to physically control your dog, one way to correct the aggression is to get the other dog, make it sit, and then walk your aggressive dog in front of the other dog, bringing the two face-to-face. Ask your dog to sit and allow the dog to continue sitting for at least 30 seconds. If your dog is able to do this, praise it and give treats to both the dogs. However, if the dog does not stay put, immediately take the dog away and scold it.

About the Author
Kevin Pederson, authors web content for http://www.diethealthclub.com a complete online resource featuring diet, health and fitness. This article is focused on helping you plan for new year resolutions for healthy diet plans

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Basic Dog Training Tips

2010-01-25T14:54:00.000-08:00

Dog Training

2010-01-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

Formal Dog Training - Informations all you need to know by Janet Marie Davis
in Pets (submitted 2010-01-25)

If you have a young puppy, we recommend that you wait until he's at least 8 weeks old to begin formal training.
Before you begin the formal training lessons with a dog of any age, please plan to follow these keys to success:

1. Be patient. Each dog is unique, and can only learn at his own pace. Some dogs learn quickly; others take more time. Patience is indeed a virtue when it comes to effective dog training!

2. Be kind. This goes hand-in-paw with "Be patient." Don't lose your temper if your dog doesn't "get it" right away, or appears to be ignoring you. Please do not punish your dog for not learning quickly enough. As a matter of fact, don't punish your dog at all. (We'll be teaching you effective ways to stop or prevent inappropriate behavior-without punishment.)

3. Be flexible. If your dog is struggling to learn, be willing to change your training routine. The location may be too distracting. The time of day may be too close (or far from) feeding time. The length of your training session may be too long (or too short). The training exercises may need to be broken down into smaller, simpler steps. Remember, each dog is unique. Be flexible and willing to do whatever you can to help your dog succeed.

4. Be generous. Be generous with your rewards and your time. Always reward your dog's correct responses generously. Don't be stingy with the treats-he's worked hard and deserves a generous reward! And commit ample time to your training lessons. We're all busy these days, but this is "quality time" for you and your dog. You'll both enjoy and benefit from the lessons, so make sure your schedule is adjusted accordingly!

Rewards One of the biggest keys to success with positive reinforcement training is rewarding your dog properly. This means giving him something he loves at exactly the right moment. Your first task is to figure out what kind of reward will best motivate your dog.

Food Treats All dogs are unique individuals. Most dogs are motivated by food that tastes and smells good to them. Food treats can be very small, which is handy for keeping them in your pocket or a pouch to use during training-and important to maintaining your dog's caloric intake to healthy levels. So that's the form of reward we'll be using throughout this training. Be sure what you're giving your dog is good for him. But don't rely on the packing of store-bought treats to tell you "Your dog will love it!" Strong-smelling meat and cheese treats are usually winners, but many store-bought treats are made primarily of other ingredients. Your dog may not appreciate artificial colors, tastes or smells.

Small morsels of cooked chicken are a popular home-made treat. But keep in mind that what motivates other dogs may not motivate yours. Experiment and find out what he loves to eat.

Non-Edible Rewards What if your dog isn't motivated by food (rare, but a possibility)? You'll have to find something else that motivates him. You may think a couple of pats on the head are a great reward, but your dog may not. He might not even like it (most dogs don't)! Try scratching his belly or some other form of petting. Again, experiment to find out what your dog loves.

Another form of reward to consider is play. Tossing a ball, playing tug-of-war, or playfully chasing your dog for a few minutes may be his idea of heaven.

The Best Reward Let your dog show you what he truly loves. He'll do this with his reaction to the reward you offer. You just need to pay attention to how he responds. Just because he accepts a piece of kibble doesn't necessarily mean he loves it. Watch him carefully when you're giving him a treat, petting, or playing with him. If he looks away or walks away, he probably isn't all that thrilled about what you're offering. But if he gets excited, stays close and begs for more, he's showing you that he loves it and will be willing to work for that reward in the future.

For initial training, we highly recommend using a food treat as the reward. It's the easiest to work with and gets the fastest results...just make sure your dog really likes it!

About the Author
With over 40 years of personal experience, and over 14 years as a professional breeder, and extensive research over that time here is my recommendations for all your informations on dog trainings.

http://www.maltesefoundation.com/ http://www.shihtzufoundation.com/ http://www.combsinfo.com/ http://www.bichon-frise-dog.com/ http://www.alaskanmalamutefoundation.com/

Dog Food

2009-09-11T01:51:00.000-07:00

Dog Food

2009-09-11T01:40:00.000-07:00

Homemade Dog Food FAQ's and Tips by Jane Dinunzio

If you are trying to decide if switching you dog to a homemade dog food diet, rather than a store bought commercial brand there are a few basic questions you should ask yourself.
1. Can any dog eat a homemade dog food diet?

Most dogs tend to adjust very well to homemade dog food. This is just another form of the same food that you have been feeding your dog, but much healthier and better for your pet. If your pet is sick, or needs a very specific diet due to disease or illness, I would make sure to talk to your vet before trying this method of diet.

2. My grandparents used to just give the family pets whatever leftovers there were after dinner every day. Is this okay?

No. Leftovers of our food will not be healthy for your dog. There will be unnecessary extras in the food that is not good for your pet such as butter or salt and spices. Also a homemade dog food diet consists of specific amounts of meat, vegetables and fruit, and also carbohydrates. A recipe for this must be followed.

3. Do I need to give my dog extra supplements when he is on a homemade dog food diet?

Yes. Certain necessary supplements are needed such as extra calcium, which can be given in the form of bone meal. This replaces the bones from a raw food diet that our dog's ancestors would get when hunting for food in the wild.

Also a multi vitamin made specifically for your dog's weight can be given every day. By following a prescribed homemade dog food recipe from your vet, or from a book written by an authority on dog nutrition, your dog should get the proper nutrition mostly from the home cooked food. Just don't overdo the supplements.

4. What is a carbohydrate that is considered acceptable for my dog?

Carbohydrates are an important ingredient in a dog's daily diet and you can use cooked pasta, rice, oatmeal, barley, or potatoes. The less refined the carbohydrate, the better, such as brown rice rather than 5 minute quick cooking white rice.

5. Isn't meat the only thing a dog really needs?

No. To balance out a dog's daily diet the meat portion is the largest, but carbohydrates and veggies and fruit must be added. These are also required and important ingredients.

6. Fruit? I've never heard of feeding a dog fruit. What's that all about?

Fruits contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals and vital energy, the same as vegetables. This adds extra variety and of course some sweetness to your dogs meal. Dried fruits such as apricots or dates can be used as special treats between meals in small portions also.

7. How do I know how much to make and feed my dog every day?

Just like a recipe book we use has ingredients and amounts listed for different meals, so do dog food recipes. Your dog is fed according to weight. There are many excellent dog food cook books available through the internet, at your library, or at your local bookstore that are written by specialists such as pet nutritionists or veterinarians.

8. Isn't it a lot of extra work? Some days I don't have enough time to cook for myself.

Yes, at first, until you get a set routine it may take a little extra time out of your regular time. Once you get going though, you can make the food in batches and freeze portions ready to thaw and serve. I usually spend an hour on the weekend making one week of meals, and this fits my schedule. If you really want to feed your dog homemade food, you won't mind the extra time, and you will be satisfied knowing your dog is getting the best nutrition and a healthier life.

9. Is it expensive?

No more than if you buy your dog a premium brand or organic dog food. In the long run, with reduced vet visits due to increased health, you will ultimately save money.

10. So I can feed all the same fruits, vegetables meats and starches to my dog that I eat.

Almost all with a few important exceptions. Grapes and raisins, along with onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs and should never be fed to them. There is also a list of other foods that should never be given to your dog such as chocolate or coffee, but they are not on the list of nutritious foods anyway. Just be aware of which foods are dangerous so you don't have an emergency run to the vet.

About the Author
For more information about homemade dog food, along with dog food recipes, a dog food feeding chart and a list of dangerous dog foods not to feed your pet visit me and my two Labs at: http://recipes4gourmetdogs.com/category/recipes/

Dog Food Recipes

2009-08-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

Natural Dog Foods

2009-08-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

Why natural dog foods? by Brad Port

Organic foods are all the rage now. Most people want to eat healthy foods that are good for them without all the added fillers and preservatives. If we want that for ourselves why don't we want the same thing for our dogs? Well good pet owners do and there are a variety of healthy natural dog foods out there to choose from. Why chose natural dog foods over the bulk commercial kibbles? Here are some excellent reasons given by Kelly Roper quoted from her article. "...we need to consider what else is in commercial dog foods, mainly the additives and fillers. 1 - Corn is often used as filler, but it is difficult to digest. This results in lowered nutrition and larger, looser stools. 2 - Beet pulp is added to most dry kibbles. It has a little nutritional value, but its main function is to firm up the stools. This makes clean up easier for us, but it can sometimes make those stools more difficult for your dog to pass. 3 - The list of chemical preservatives in some commercial kibble includes several known carcinogens. Companies do have the ability to use Vitamins C and E as natural preservatives, but this drives up the production cost and doesn't offer quite as long a shelf life, so few brands take advantage of these natural preservatives. " So we want to feed our dogs healthy holistic natural dog foods. The advantages and benefits for our dogs are numerous and worth the added costs. Often people will chose food for their dog based on price alone. As we can see form the comments above, that method can cause difficulty for our dogs. Natural dog foods offer nutritional value and can aid in isolating allergies. They can increase energy, give shinier coats and better overall health for our dogs. Try some natural dog foods and see if you can tell a difference. I'm positive your dog will.

About the Author
Brad is the president of http://natural-dog-foods.net/dry-dog-food/ where a variety of natural dog foods are available.

Volunteer at Soi Dog Foundation Phuket Thailand

2009-06-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Thailand Dog Rescue

2009-06-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

The Founding of a Thailand Dog Rescue: An Interview with Amandine Lecesne by Nola Lee Kelsey

Founding any animal rescue is not for the faint of heart. Founding a rescue in a foreign country filled with unfamiliar regulations and different cultural perception towards animals is downright intimidating, at least to almost any rational thinking human being. Yet without brave souls willing to take on such a task countless more animals in the world would suffer. Not to mention that serial volunteers, such as myself, would be without opportunities to help, at least without diving head on into founding an organization ourselves.
This summer marks the third anniversary of Care for Dogs in Chiangmai, Thailand, my favorite place to volunteer. Within their shelter walls I have whiled away hours socializing dogs one day, then the next day, I've escaped to spectacular gold-covered, Buddhist temples (wats) to help capture dogs for their spay/neuter program. I am eagerly counting the days until I can return and do much more. As a result of the gifts they have given to both me and to the animals of Northern, Thailand, I wanted to learn more.

Indeed, I wanted to get a peek inside the mind of one of those extraordinary folks who boldly go where even the most foolhardy rescuers have never gone before - establishing a rescue from the ground up. What makes these most intrepid of rescuers tick? Is it a passion for red-tape and astronomical odds, or is there more to it? The following is an interview with Amandine Lecesne. Amandine is one of the co-founders of Care for Dogs.

How did you get your start in animal rescue?

"I grew up in the Alps in France and I remember watching the deer out my window and loving their grace. I learned a profound reverence for nature's families. At thirteen, I stopped eating meat out of respect for animals and at 17, began dreaming of starting a shelter. Though I never set out to complete my dream, years later, when the opportunity presented itself to start Care for Dogs, I jumped on it!"

What brought you to Thailand?

"I moved to Thailand in 2005 to work as a teacher and to do some volunteer work. I hadn't found a passion yet, and I wanted to explore options. I had worked as a counselor and, once in Thailand, started working with immigrants. But once here, I couldn't overlook the hundreds of street dogs limping, scrounging for scraps in trash, being kicked and hit, birthing litters on street corners, starving, walking around with tumors or open wounds, scratching fleas off, losing energy from the bloodsucking ticks riddling their bodies, and dying either from traffic accidents or of diseases. Helping the street dogs became a priority and it has been an incredible joy to see some of these creatures find safety and protection and even start wagging their tails again!"

What made you decide to start an animal rescue in Chiangmai?

"We set up a shelter/animal rescue group in Thailand primarily because there was such a tremendous need for one. Although all countries have a need for shelters/spay campaigns/adoption programs, etc, Thailand is one of the only countries whose overall human population really wanted to help reduce the stray/suffering dog population without resorting to eating dogs, but they just didn't have the funds/knowledge to go about doing so in a kind and loving manner. It was obvious to us that there was both a really desperate need for an animal rescue group/shelter as well as a desire from the community to see such a program be put in place."

When and how did you go about founding Care for Dogs?

"I developed an intimate friendship with Karin Hawelka who was as passionate about caring for the street dogs around our area as I was, and was as hopeful that, if we started a shelter, we could potentially attract enough financial support to really make a difference in the dogs' lives. Though our rescue work started much earlier, our shelter officially opened June 2006. We've been expanding our efforts and impact ever since! "

What is your job like there?

"Unlike Karin who stays and maintains the shelter operations on a daily basis, I go back and forth between Thailand and the states (I go back to the US in part to work, in part to continue my studies). When I'm in Thailand, my job consists of giving vaccinations, bringing dogs to the vet to be spayed, cleaning wounds, administering ivermectin to dogs suffering from mange, putting IV lines in for dogs who need extra hydration, responding to emergency calls, helping with adoptions, deworming street dogs, doing heartworm tests (and giving the appropriate treatment if they test positive), caring for newborns, and often (unfortunately, too often) caring for dying and/or severely ill dogs. . .

What I enjoy doing the most, though, is going around the familiar temples and parking lots on which many dogs roam. I like checking in on the doggies to make sure they're healthy, being looked after by neighboring street vendors, up to date on their vaccinations and deworming, free from ticks and fleas, as well as spayed/neutered. I love calling out when I arrive and having 4-7 dogs who know me come rushing out of bushes, corners, under benches, to say hi and eagerly receive kisses and belly rubs! These dogs are truly the loves of my life."

What does your family think of your Care for Dogs work?

"My family has been extremely supportive of the work we do. They've had the opportunity to come to Thailand and see the issues first hand and therefore understand our inability to turn a blind eye to the animals' suffering."

What is the best rescue story you've seen?

"One of the best rescue stories we've seen started in September of 2007. It was at that time that several concerned children of an old lady that had recently passed away contacted Care for Dogs and explained that their kind elderly mother had been taking street dogs into her home for years. Although she'd had good intentions to provide a safe home for each of the rescues, she had felt pressured by her neighbors to keep them quiet and had resorted to locking them up in covered up cages so as to stop them from seeing anything that would alarm them, including each other.

Unfortunately, she knew, that a sad reality was that if the dogs barked too much, they could be poisoned or taken and sent away to the meat market by annoyed neighbors. When we got to her house, we were shocked and horrified to witness 14 dogs being kept in a constant state of loneliness and boredom. Although some were "fortunate" to be imprisoned with another dog, some were completely isolated in their own small dark space. Some of the dogs were at various stages of blindness, apparent from their white eyes and a couple were quite old and frail. All of them, though, were completely terrified of anything outside of their tiny 2 x 2 cell.

When they first arrived at the Care For Dog shelter, many of the 14 dogs were unable to leave the security of a corner or the darkness under a floor of a hut for quite some time, cowering with their tail between their legs. With our volunteers' help and patient understanding, slowly but surely, they all emerged into the main area of the shelter and started getting some much needed play and socialization. Although the dogs have not all fully recovered from their neglect, we hope that some day, with the love and affection they continue to receive on a daily basis that they will! We're incredibly grateful to have been a part of these dogs' rescue and have enjoyed helping each of them start wagging their tails again."

What are your goals for Care for Dogs?

"Our main priority is on spaying. Sterilizing is the only effective preventative method to reduce the number of unwanted street dogs. We are currently spaying between 400-500 dogs a year, though we hope to increase those numbers even further. We are also striving to see that every dog has a loving and forever home. To date, we have found homes for over 500 animals!

In general, we strive to work with communities so that families adopt stray dogs instead of purchasing purebreds, give them a stable and caring home, pet their dogs instead of hit them, spay/neuter them before reproductive age, and take them to the vet whenever they fall ill. Until that process is achieved, we will continue to work hard with communities, temples, schools, and families, to teach animal compassion, relating, bonding, and understanding."

What volunteer opportunities exist at Care for Dogs?

"Individuals who wish to volunteer with us have the opportunity to come socialize our dogs by playing, grooming, bathing, or walking them. Many street dogs have never had the constant love and support volunteers can provide them! Our dogs, in turn, are always fond of newcomers who have a passion for helpers. They can sense good intentions and will eagerly jump on the occasion to be paid attention to.

People can also help with vet trips and/or temple runs, learn to give injections and treat mange, pick up dogs who need to be spayed or taken to the vet for a physical, do heartworm tests, help with emergency calls, assist with writing articles for the website, aid us in fundraising or other types of administrative work. We also always have loads of opportunities for those wishing to help us with translations!"

What would you like the Thai people to know most about dogs in their country?

"I'd like everyone to realize just how incredibly caring and loving dogs can be. Because of the attachments that they are able to form, they can also be pained by the separation from those they've learned to care about. I'd like all humans to be simply more humane when interacting with animals, and understand that street dogs are frightened, hungry, and often hurting and that they would benefit so much from a kind gesture of food or hug. It's important to remember that, a long time ago, human beings were the ones who brought wolves into their homes in order to protect their territory. We are the ones who transformed wolves into dogs and made them dependent on our care and affection. We therefore have a responsibility to them to hold up our part of the bargain - wolves and dogs have, for many centuries, protected and watched over us. Now it is our turn to protect and watch over them"

What would you like the people of the world to know most about the dogs of Thailand?

"I would be grateful if people around the world would see and realize that many street dogs in Thailand are being at best ignored, but at worst abused, maltreated and harassed. It's important to funnel our energy into programs, like Care for Dogs, which help local communities manage the street dog population with kindness, understanding and patience. I would also like the people of the world to realize that vet services in Thailand are a tenth cheaper than they would be in the West so you can imagine what a difference to our efforts even a small contribution can make!"

Is there anything else you would like to mention about the work of Care for Dogs?

"Our first priority is spaying female street, temple, parking lot and community dogs in order to reduce the number of homeless dogs in a humane way. Our current budget allows us to spay between 400-500 dogs per year. After spaying, we keep the dogs for one week at our shelter for after-care before they are returned to their original areas. We wish we could keep all street dogs with us but due to limitations in space, we just can't! We're convinced, however, that spaying the ones we do find will inevitably reduce the overpopulation and limit the suffering future generations will have to endure.

Additionally, vaccinations are a very important part of our protocol for homeless dogs. Deworming, heartworm prevention, de-flea and de-tick treatments are also a regular part of our health care program. Once the dogs are healthy and spayed, we actively look for new homes for the dogs at our shelter. For every dog that's adopted, we can take a new one to our shelter. Last year we found new homes for 202 dogs and cats, and this year, 180 homes were found!

Furthermore we operate a rescue-service. We regularly take in sick or injured dogs for treatment. On average, we have approx. 20 - 30 dogs staying at the shelter for medical treatment.

Last, but not least, we have organized an educational program named "Professor Paws". We work with local schools to enable school classes to visit our shelter, sensitizeing the kids and teachers to the homeless dog situation. Last year, we also started a school project in a temple where we introduced a group of students to basic dog care and organized spayings, vaccinations and feeding. The students even organized various fundraising events (e.g. movie nights or bake sales) to help raise funds for this project.

We are also currently developing future school-temple projects as well as dog-care workshops for dog owners in surrounding villages."

As you see Amandine and fellow co-founder Karin Hawelka are as irrepressible as they are inspirational. Perhaps to some people establishing an animal rescue simply feels like the most natural thing on Earth. Brave souls!

About the Author
Nola Lee Kelsey (www.NolaKelsey.com) is the author of a myriad of books from 'Dogs: Funny Side!' up to 'Let's Go Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary'. She is also the creator/contented editor of 'The Voluntary Traveler: Adventures from the Road Best Traveled' (Aug 2009). You can learn more about Care for Dogs, volunteering, donations or register for the CFD Newsletter at http://www.CareForDogs.org

Dog likes watching TV

2009-06-05T03:06:00.001-07:00

Tips for Training Dogs

2009-06-05T03:03:00.000-07:00

Tips For Training Your Golden by Uchenna Ani-Okoye

Although there are many coaching tips for Golden Retrievers, teeth are the most common. Golden puppies love to chew, and will chew anything they can get. Whilst chew toys are preferred, there is a way that you can assistance your Golden fulfils his natural instinct to chew, and aid him to ease the pain of teething as well.
To start, simply fill an old sock you have with various ice cubes. Next, put a knot in the sock and place the sock with the cubes in the freezer. If your puppy starts to chew on things, simply give him the sock. You can keep several socks with ice in it in your freezer if you want, so your puppy will always have a chew toy. Although this is great to use, you should never leave your dog alone with the sock. He could end up chewing the sock and swallowing pieces of it, which could lead to very serious health problems.

Leashes

During leash training, a lot of people prefer to attach the leash to the Golden then drag him in the direction they want him to go. This isn't the best way to train, as it often sends the incorrect signal to the puppy. Instead, you should first get your Golden puppy used to the collar and the leash. You can do this through putting his collar and leash on inside the house or outside in a fenced in area, so that he can walk approximately and move about freely with the leash on, dragging it alongside him.

Once you have given him some time, pick the leash up, and then start calling him to you. Once he comes over to you, start praising him for it, so he knows that he is on the correctly track. Always be patient if leash training, as it will take some time for him to get used to it. If you continue to praise him when he is doing it right and continue giving him time to get used to the leash, you shouldn't have any problems.

Digging around

Digging is something that Golden Retrievers love, as it is essential to their nature. Digging can be somewhat crucifying if you don't give your Golden an area to himself, as he will dig holes in your yard. if you keep your Golden indoors, he may try to dig in the floor, on the couch, or on the bed. Digging is part of their nature, and you should never punish a Golden for digging.

To help him fill this need, you should give him an area to dig in. You can get him a kiddie pool or sandbox, filling it with either soil or sand. Then, try burying a treat or toy in inside, so your Golden will dig to get it out. Once he learns this is where he should dig, he will more than plausibly head to that area when he has the need to dig. More recent on, when he becomes a bit older, you should invest in obedience coaching classes that will assistance him to get his digging habits under control.

The above tips can assistance a great deal when coaching your Golden Retriever puppy. Golden are great dogs, although you'll want to have a bit of patience with them. Even although they are very smart dogs, it may take them time to learn, once they start learning however - they will become an integral part of your family that you couldn't begin to live without.

About the Author
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is an internet marketing advisor

For further reading please check out: Golden Retriever Pictures

2009-05-22T18:18:00.001-07:00

2009-05-22T18:17:00.001-07:00

Dog Crates are Man's Second Best Friend by Chris Robertson

As more and more dog owners are realizing the benefits of crate training, the use of dog crates has exploded over the past few years. I remember thinking it was cruel and inhuman to put a dog in any type of dog crate until a trainer outlined all of positive reasons to use dog crates. Cutting dog training time in half is one of the most beneficial reasons to use dog crates. If you have ever trained a puppy, then you know this is invaluable. Crating a dog is the best way to protect both your home and your dog.

The use of a dog crate, especially for new puppies or even older dogs coming to live in your home, will save you both time and money. The time you will save not having to clean up unwanted messes and the money you save not having to replace the table leg that got chewed up while you were away from the house will be advantageous for both you and your canine pal. Raising my yellow lab from puppyhood to adulthood would never have happened had I not crate trained him from the first night he came to live with me. The dog crate allowed me to rest easier knowing he was protected from getting in to trouble and it afforded both of us time out when puppy time got to be too much.

There are many kinds of dog crates available, from soft-sided crates to airline regulation crates. There are dog crates that fold flat, allowing for easy transport in the car and easy set up when you arrive at your destination. Sky kennels are made to meet airline requirements and are recommended by trainers worldwide. Made with a strong plastic shell, sturdy door, side ventilation grills, and water bowls that clip to the door, these kennels are the only way to fly your pooch. Lightweight budget crates, which come in six sizes, are cost effective and perfect for dogs with calm dispositions. There are even dog crates designed to specifically fit behind the seats of most cars.

Shopping for dog crates at the large pet stores can be confusing and expensive, which is why I turned to shopping online for all of my pet's needs. I found a great site that offered everything I needed: a puppy pen for containment while in the yard, dog toys for fun, training collars, and dog crates - all at discount prices. I was even able to order cat products, including some great new cat toys I had not seen at the pet store. Mr. Kitty was happy, and with the money I saved, I was able to buy a cute little outfit for the pug that lives next door!

Before you decide to bring your four-legged friend into your home, make sure you have everything you need to ensure a great relationship for both you and the dog. Take some time to peruse the websites where dog crates and other pet supplies are offered at reduced prices. Expert customer service representatives are available and willing to help you purchase all of your pet supplies, allowing you more time to think about the perfect name for your new dog!

About the Author
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: Dog Crates
Visit Majon's pets-pet-supplies-pet-products directory.

2009-04-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

2009-04-08T16:05:00.001-07:00

My LIfe With My Dogs. by Debbie Tatum

Well you have come to the right website to talk about dogs. I love my dogs. I guess I just should have had a zoo with all of the dogs that I have had all my life. The first dog we ever had was Cheri. He was a French poodle that was born on Pearl Harbor day. Our family got him when I was about 5 years old and we had him unil someone left the gate open and he was killed on the highway. He was old and could not see that he has wondered out into the road.
Later on we found a dog that just wondered into the yard one day. She was a young female black Labrador Retriever. We kept her for a while until my dad said that we had to find a home for her. We did just that in a neighboring town about 30 miles away. They had her for 3 days until Mom and I just had to go and get her. We cried the entire time she was gone because we had missed her so much. We named her Duchess. She was the smartest dog. She would do anything for a treat. I can remember in one afternoon I had taught her so many tricks. I taught her how to roll over,play dead,sit and to shake hands. She also learned how to go out every morning to get the paper. If we did not get a paper one morning because maybe the paperboy forgot us that was not a problem. Duchess would find us a paper nearby and bring it to us. She was the best dog ever.

We found another dog named Brandy. He was a beautiful part irish setter and part something else. He was also another stray dog that had previously been hit by a car and his leg healed in a mangled position. We did not have him very long until he died with a heart condition. Here Mom and I go again.

I had a bunch more dogs in between. Actually with the German Shepherd Sandy my new husband and I had 6 other dogs. They ranged from a Dauchsand to Golden Labs. The animals always seemed to find their ways to our house. They must had had ads up in places that if they needed a home where they were loved, out place was the one to come too.

The Doberman Lady wondered up one day with sores all over her. It looked as if she was not getting the nourishment that she was needing or either she was mistreated somehow . She was not with us long when her coat was pretty again. She was a most loving dog and she loved everyone.

And that brings us up to the current date. All I had for many years was Lady or that was the case until my son Chris brought home Gage, a mistreated Pitt Bull at 6 weeks old. His lip was swollen because of abuse. One look at him and he did not go back to where he was taken from. He was the cutest dog and it is not true about what they say about Pitt Bulls. They are the way that you treat them. Shortly thereafter my son found Ami, a female dog, in the middle of rush hour traffic. She became another pet and before long we had puppies. That is how we have seven dogs now. They are not inside dogs though at least not all of them are. We have three inside and four outside which they are not really outside because they have the sunroom. The females have all been spayed and we are now working on the males. One of the males Buddy has a posession problem. He adores my boyfriend and me and won't let his dad Gage near us. One day Buddy beat up his dad Gage real bad. We had to take Gage to the Vet's office and get staples. That is how Gage is now an inside dog because we can't have that happen again. The little family was all in the sunroom and backyard too but we had to separate them because of Buddy. They have a nice new fenced in yard that they hang out in all day. They won't even go inside their sunroom because it is so nice for them in the backyard. Now we need to get them a very large doghouse to stay in since they love it in the backyard all day.

I have created a blog and soon I will have pictures of all the dogs on my blog. Please come and check it out. I also have many products that are for sale on the blog that just might interest you. Come and talk about your dogs and experiences. We would love to hear from you all. Thanks Debbie.

About the Author
I have lived and loved dogs my whole life. Here ia a preview of our lives together.

Search and Rescue Dog Training

2009-03-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

2009-03-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

Tips For Training A Rescued Dog by Stefan Hyross

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Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. As a result of this there are just not enough homes for all of the puppies that are born. And if you combine this with dogs that are lost or have runaway, the animal shelters are spilling over. The sad truth is that a large number of these dogs end up euthanized.

Some of the lucky ones will get a second chance. They are either found on the street or adopted from a shelter and brought home to compassionate and caring family willing to give them a better life. The new owners, however, are often not quite sure how best to deal with the rescued dog.

Rescued dogs are often in poor shape when they are brought in to a shelter. They often have a history of abuse or neglect and sometimes lived in horrendous conditions. Other times, for a number of different reasons, these dogs were released into the wild to fend for themselves.

In nature a dog is a pack animal. Because of this dogs that are in the wild usually do not do well in isolation. Released domesticated dogs do very poorly in the wild, without any animal or human interaction. Dogs such as these can still learn to be less fearful with proper training.

A rescued dog will need a full examination by a vet as the first step in the rehabilitation process. A dog will not be able to respond positively to any training if it is in pain or sick. Take the time to restore the dog's health and bring it back to a healthy weight.

If possible try to get any information regarding the dog's history. Knowledge of past abuse, general temperament, or medical history will help you as your train the dog.

It is important to establish trust with a rescued dog slowly. Do not force yourself on the dog. They will need to learn that they can trust you before they seek you out. The use of treats is a good way to build trust. Place a treat on the floor and back away a few steps. Avoid direct eye contact. It is important to praise them once they take the treat.

A few dogs that are rescued look for physical interaction from the beginning. Some can take weeks or more. But once you have established it, try to roll the dog over onto his back and place your hand on their chest. Dogs that tend to be aggressive may resist but a passive, fearful dog may accept . Neither aggression nor fear is good. An aggressive dog would be forced into submission under normal training. This will not work with a rescued dog. Take your time and establish trust. Make sure that a fearful dog understands that being on its back is not a punishment by given it a belly rub and talking in a calm voice.

Be patient as it is often difficult and slow to train a rescued dog. They are often older dogs, mixed, and with difficult temperaments which makes training more challenging. Don't give up. The dog will reward you for your perseverance.

Avoid at all cost feeling sorry for the dog. This is counter-productive and will only hinder the training. Be patient, loving and understanding but don't let the dog have the run of the house. By letting the dog know that you are in charge you are establishing yourself as the pack leader.

It's a lot of sweet and hard work but you will have a companion for life.

About the Author
Stefan Hyross writes and provides information about dogs and puppies. Learn about dog behavior problems and how to solve them. Also visit the site for tips on puppy potty training and other lessons for dogs.

2009-03-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

What to Feed Your Puppy or Dog by Pat Turman
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Yes, it does matter what you feed your puppy and adult dog as they age. To determine if you are feeding your puppy or dog correctly you must know what ingredients are in the puppy food and what type of puppy food is best for your dog.
The typical dog food that most dog owners use is commercial dog food. It is the easiest least expensive way to feed a dog and is more accessible. However is it the best dog food for your pet?
Let us look at the different types of commercial dog foods first. There are basically three commercial dog foods, dry, semi-moist, or moist (canned).
The dry dog food is the least expensive. Does this mean this is not considered healthy for your dog to eat? No it doesn't mean that. Many dry puppy and dog foods have the needed nutrients that your puppy, adult, or senior dog need to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. One advantage of dry dog food for puppies and dogs is the dogs normally have cleaner teeth due to the dry hard bits that scrape against their teeth basically cleaning them.
Semi-moist puppy and dog food come generally in little packets and are the next least expensive food. This food is semi-moist and is essentially soft little chunks. The disadvantage to this type of food is that this food tends to stick to your dog's teeth and gums harboring bacteria and promotes gum disease. Should you avoid this type of food for you dog? Absolutely not, this food is very tasteful to the puppy and dog and it too contains many vitamins and nutrients that are essential to a puppy and dog's development. A regular tooth cleaning is recommended to help the dog maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Moist puppy and dog food otherwise known as canned dog food is the third commercial dog food. Canned dog food is the most expensive of the three types of dog food. Canned dog food can be a supplement to your puppy or dog's dry dog food to add flavor or as a treat for the dog. Moist dog food is ideal for dog's that are elderly, have dental problems, or whose appetite is minimal due to an illness. Remember once you open canned dog food you must refrigerate for freshness and to avoid spoiling. A disadvantage that people mention when feeding their dog moist dog food is their stool tends to be loose. This is the opposite when a dog eats dry food where their stool is more solid. It all is personal preference in selecting the appropriate food for your pet.
When deciding on the type of commercial dog food for you pet ensure you read the label for ingredients. Some commercial dog foods are geared toward the needs of the dogs based on their age or physical activity. You may not want to feed your puppy dog food that is designed for an elderly dog it may not have the nutrients your puppy will need. Then again you will not feed your elderly dog puppy food unless recommended by your veterinarian.
Check to see if the food you are feeding your puppy contains real meat or meat-by-products. There is a difference. It is recommended you buy only food with real meat ingredients.
The last item recommended is to check the preservatives in the food for possible health problems your pet may experience. Some pets may experience allergic reactions to the ingredients in the food that causes anything from itching, a rash, to a severe and fatal health condition. Make sure you do your research into the ingredients and consult with your veterinarian for a recommendation on the best food for your puppy or dog based on your dogs breed, age, and overall health.
About the Author
Pat Turman is a successful internet business owner and who also co-owned and created a succesful e-retail ladies golf store. She has written articles on starting an online business and also participates in business forums, blogs, and internet discussions on internet business. She holds a BBA from an accredited University. Visit SitSpotSit.com for complete puppy training videos, articles, and products for training a puppy.

2009-03-20T21:20:00.001-07:00

2009-03-20T21:15:00.001-07:00

Dog Training And Tricks Made Easier With Us by Jason Creation

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Dogs just love to please their owners, and providing you start training them at a young age it's surprising what a dog can do. Once you have trained your dog to be obedient to your commands then you can use the rewards system to teach him or her the kind of tricks that you see dogs doing on television.
If you want to go about training your dog the right way then it is a good idea to go online where you will find plenty of websites that are aimed at helping owners to train their dogs. One of the things you have to learn when you are training a dog is that it takes time to begin with. You need to follow a regular training routine because dogs work much better and behave better when they know what to expect. When you train a dog you should be prepared, at least in the early stages, to have a regular, daily training routine.

Dogs are very like young children and function much better with a fixed daily routine. When you start training your dog you will use simple commands such as heel, sit, stay and come. You have to teach these commands one at a time and not go onto the next level until your dog has mastered the first one. You need to know that when you are out with your dog and you want it to come to heel or to sit, that it will do so. The best place to start this basic training is in your own yard. If you don't have a yard then you need to be able to use an enclosed space on a regular basis where you can train your dog without interruption.

Dogs are much easier to train when you remove all other distractions from the training area. Once your dog has learned your commands then you can take him out where there are other dogs or other interesting things and know that when you call him you will get his attention and know that he will do as you tell him. Your aim is to be the center of your dog's world; this is not a hard thing to attain. If you are firm, but loving with your dog and reward good behavior, your dog will love you unconditionally. It is not necessary to hit your dog, most dogs respond better to a firm "no" and a pat and a "good dog" when they obey. During training sessions you should always have a ready supply of treats to give as a reward when your dog behaves in the expected manner.

If you want your dog to greet you and be obviously happy to see you whenever you come home you need to establish some ground rules. Never treat a dog in the same way that you would a child, dogs are pack animals, and they need to recognize that their place in the family is at the bottom of the pack. This may sound a bit harsh to some dog owners but unless you recognize that your dog has a pack mentality it will be a lot harder to get him or her to do the things that you want them to do.

About the Author
Jason Creation has provided The Best Place to get the Dog Training and Tricks you need.

2009-03-17T17:24:00.001-07:00

2009-03-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

Dog Behavior Training - How to get your dog to do what you want! by Jonny Rae

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pluggedIt is generally acknowledged amongst the majority of dog training experts that the most effective and kindest way to carry out dog behavior training is to use an old established method called Positive Reinforcement Training. What this basically means is that when your dog behaves correctly he is rewarded, and when he behaves badly he is ignored.
Positive reinforcement training is the complete opposite of the old dog behavior training methods that were widely used in the past. It is where good behavior is rewarded by a treat or with affection and bad behavior is simply ignored. Ignoring the bad behavior actually means not hitting or harming the dog in any way. Every dog's natural instinct is to please their owner and when you hit a dog it actually interprets the bad energy coming from you as an acknowledgement of what he has done is ok.

When the dog is ignored no energy is being omitted and this makes him sad so he soon understands that he has done wrong and will learn very quickly to do the things you want because that's when he will get a positive reaction.

Positive reinforcement works with your dog by using their natural instinct to please. The logic behind this type of dog training recognises that by giving dogs repeated lessons they tend to retain what is being asked of them as opposed to training them by force.

So for example when you are training your dog to lie down instead of physically forcing him into the down position try giving him a firm "DOWN" command and rewarding him when done correctly. When you use positive reinforcement training, you do two things. 1) You are allowing him to use his own brain and 2) by repeating the exercise over and over again you are giving him the time to learn.

Here are some tips that you could use to help with your dog behavior training: Meaningful Rewards Use rewards that are meaningful. Dogs are very intelligent and will get bored very quickly with just a pat on the head and "good boy". Did you know that dogs actually don't like being patted on the head! If you watch their reaction when the hand moves down they will often pull back or shy away. It's much better to use food treats (special canine ones are best) and physical affection to reward good behavior.

Most dogs love treats, but you may have to try a few to get to the right one and some dogs are very fussy eaters and will not want whatever you give them. So in this case you could try giving them physical affection, or maybe play a game with their favourite toy, but remember every dog is different and they all have their limits as to what they will do and when. Just like us really!

When you initially start your dog behavior training you should always give your dog a treat when he has performed correctly, but when he is actually performing the task consistently you should then start to be sporadic with the treats and let them do the required command using just your voice. This sporadic giving of treats keeps the dog interested and alert and stops them getting bored.

Dogs loved to be petted and one area that gives them the most pleasure is to scratch them gently with your finger at the base of their spine right where their tail starts. Watch them melt when you do this. They also love their chests rubbed or scratched and they adore their ears being played with.

Timing Timing is also important as any reward must be given immediately after your dog has obeyed your command so that he understands what the treat was for. With repeated lessons he will learn very quickly that what he has done was good because he always gets a treat.

Clicker Method Dog behavior training can be helped by using the clicker method. This is a simple gadget that makes a metallic click sound when pressed. How you use it is to click the device at the precise moment that your dog correctly does what is asked of him. So say you want your dog to sit, you give the "SIT" command and click the device at the precise moment that his backside hits the floor. If you don't have a clicker you can also use your voice in exactly the same way. So for example you could say "YES" or whatever word you want, but make sure it is said in a positive tone and also don't forget to give him a treat afterwards.

Use Consistent Commands Also remember to be consistent both in your commands and when you give them. When you want your dog to stop jumping up, he will not learn if every time he does it you give him a different command like "GET DOWN" or "GET OFF" this will just confuse him and he will not learn. A better option is to have the same command like "DOWN" or "NO" and stick with that command. Dogs are very clever but they do not understand human language. They actually learn through consistent repetition and they associate the different commands with specific actions requested of them.

About the Author
My name is Jonny Rae and I hope you have found this article interesting and informative. An outstanding resource is SitStayFetch - The ultimate training and behavior database that will guarantee a well behaved dog. You can check out SitStayFetch by clicking on the following link: http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/index.php?aff=jonniee&type=nohop

2009-03-16T18:43:00.001-07:00

2009-03-16T18:40:00.001-07:00

Dog with injured Paw Pads will suffer from pain by Derrick Mcgee

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Injured Paw Pads Cause Pain to your dog

Often pain killer is not given for dogs with injured paw pads, whether treatment is by the vet or the dog owner. This is horrible because paw pad injuries are very painful to dogs.

Just think how painful it is for you if you get injury in your foot. Feet and paws hold the entire body weight and that press down on the injury and cause pain. If you got a cut in your foot, this cut will cause severe pain to you when you walk likewise dog also have severe pain when they have injury in their pad.

Doctor always focuses on your dog injury and not on the pain caused by the injury. They clean the injured place and if necessary he gives the dog antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Doctor prescribe special collar to prevent the dog from licking or biting the injured paw pad. Just think why your dog lick the injured area it's because of pain. Give pain killer to your dog, if you don't want your dog to suffer from pain.

Dogs paw pad injury in many situations. In cities broken glass is a main problem and even if you try to watch for any glass pieces, you may not see tiny glass splinters that can injure your dog's paw pad. During winter season Ice on road are sharp enough and they may cut your dog's paw pads. And also the urban street and roads can also damage dog paw pads. Now pet stores also started to sell snow boots for dog to prevent dog paw injuries. But may not see lot of dog wearing boots for walking because it the boots are expensive and also every time you have to put them on dog.

Dogs in rural areas also get the paw pad injuries. In addition to the possibility of injury caused by ice, snow, and glass, running on rocky terrain can cause injury to the dog's paw pads. Owners of hunting dogs in rocky areas should be cautious about injuries to paw pads. It's a good idea to give some training to dog with short runs at first on the rocky areas to toughen up the dog's paw pads.

For hunting and working dogs paw pads are very important. This paw pads give good grip when these dogs run in the fields. There is some doubt in the mind of dog owner whether the long nail in the leg give good traction to dog as they ran. But the long nail may cause injury to bones and ligaments. . Thus, owners of hunting dogs need to take care of their paw pads by not running them too long on rocky areas.

When dogs' paw pads are injured, they need the care of a vet as soon as possible or things will inevitably get worse. There is a great chance for infection of injured paws. Dog owners should insist that their doctor to provide pain relief for dogs with injured paws.

To know more about paw pad pain killer for you dog click here

About the Author
Derrick Mcgee is a vet who specialized in dogs knee problem and pain

2009-03-15T00:08:00.001-07:00

2009-02-28T01:39:00.001-08:00

Food in Dog Names by Dennis Estrada

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pluggedWe all have to eat. And, we love to eat delicious, colorful, delightful, and appetizing food. It is easy to name the dog from the name of the food. There are many cute and pretty food names for dogs. Here are some popular food names as dog names.

The color in food increases the appetite for food. After you added the ingredients and presented the food, you can see the vibrant of color from the food. It is no wonder that we sometimes base the dog names from the color of the food.

The common colors between food and dog are orange, black, brown, white, and light brown. The popular foods with orange color are almond, apple, caramel, honey, and marmalade. Thus, the dog owners like to use the above food for dog names.

Almonds are nuts with woody orange surface. And, apple comes in green, yellow, orange, red or mix. With an apple a day, the fruit lowers many health problems. By heating sugar, the sugar melts to form the caramel. The color ranges between light orange and dark brown. Next, the honey is sweet flower nectar from honey bees. Finally, the marmalade is preserved food from citrus fruits. That is why most marmalade is orange in color.

Most dog breeds can come in various colors, but some pure dog breed just come in specific colors. For example, Doberman, German Shepherd, and Pit Bull are usually black. Cinnamon Bun is baked bread with white sugar glazed. The bread may turn to orange and black. Therefore, Cinnamon is a cute dog names for German Shepherd and Pit Bull.

An alternative name is coffee. It is a beverage from Arabica beans. When you mix coffee and frothy milk with cinnamon sprinkles, the coffee turns to beige or light brown. It is more commonly known as Cappuccino. Now, we can apply Cappuccino to another breed. Let us say Labrador and Golden Retriever.

The Border Collie and Dalmatians are usually black and white fur. Dalmatians are tall and slender white dog with black spots, while Border Collie is breed to herd with black and white fur. Naturally, Oreo can be pretty dog names for the breed. Oreo are two black crispy cookies with white cream in the middle.

Brown is the next popular color for dogs. Brown foods are Brownie, Biscuit, Muffin, Cupcake, and Chocolate. Apparently, it is just an adorable name. Brownie is chocolate cake which is top with chocolate glazed and crushed nuts. Muffin and Cupcake is also dog names meaning cake. It is in smaller portions in a small and thin paper cups. Chocolate which is one of favorite comfort food and snacks are confections from cacao.

White is another popular color for dogs. Many dogs are just plain white. The suggestions are sugar and marshmallow. Sugar is a sweetener which is derived from sugar cane. On the other hand, the marshmallow is a soft and spongy confection. It is usually white. Marshmallow is perfect for white Poodle, and Pomeranian

The attribute of food may resemble the dog. For example, the wrinkle of ginger skin may resemble the face of a Mastiff or Shar Pei. Hence, some dogs are called Ginger. The drumstick may look similar of a short fur dog. For example, the back legs of a puppy are small and cute. The leg is almost the size of a chicken drumstick.

Dogs may have favorite food. For example, dog may like biscuits, cookie, and muffin. Since the dog likes the food so much, we may call the dog Biscuits, Cookie, or Muffin.

Food is one of the great places to find inspiration for dog names. Food may have cute attribute that reminds us of our dog. It may be the taste, smell, color, texture, history, and origin. It is all fun.

About the Author
Dennis Estrada owns and operate the dog names, origin of dog names, and dog names article websites.

2008-11-09T05:35:00.001-08:00

Dog Ear Infections - A Look at Ear Infections in Dogs by D Swain

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pluggedDog ear infections are relatively common. The infection can affect just the external ear canal, or progress into the middle ear. Dogs with hairy or pendulous ears have an increased risk when compared to dogs with neither of these features. So, what exactly causes this condition?
Causes

Ear infections in dogs can be caused by various things. Some of the most common culprits include excessive hair growth in the canal, ear mites, and foreign objects. Some dogs also have allergies are experience ear infections because of other medical conditions. Too much wax leads to more moisture which helps bacteria grow in the ears. You can also cause an infection in your dog's ear when you pluck hairs out. Doing this causes serum to come out of the pores which helps bacteria grow. So, what are some of the signs that you should look out for?

Symptoms

Dog ear infections cause your dog a lot of discomfort. You will notice him rubbing or scratching his ears on various objects or shaking his head. As mentioned earlier, the infection can reach the middle ear. If it does, your dog will experience a lack of balance and unusual eye movements. You will also notice him tilting his head a lot.

Diagnosis

The veterinarian will examine your dog's ear to try to determine the cause of the problem. He will need to use a special instrument to take a close look in the ears. This can be painful to your dog, so your veterinarian may have to sedate him. This allows him to ensure that the eardrum hasn't been damaged. A sample of the substance will also be removed to determine what it is under a microscope.

Treatment

If dog ear infections are caused by a foreign object, they will have to be removed. Heavy accumulation of wax will have to be cleansed thoroughly. If the infection is caused by bacteria, your dog will have to take antibiotics for a few weeks. You will also need to clean his ears on a daily basis. Since they will likely be painful, you will need to be careful not to upset your dog too much while doing this.

Prevention

As an owner, there are certain things you can do to prevent ear infections in dogs. You can clean your dog's ear with a special cleansing solution. This will need to be done on a weekly basis. This is especially important for dogs that have hairy or pendulous ears.

About the Author
Dog ear infections may cause pain, but they're rarely very serious. Now that you know some of the things to look out for with this condition, come learn about various other canine illnesses that can affect your pet. So, stop by dog-illesses.com today to learn about some of these conditions including canine lung cancer.

2008-07-15T05:01:00.001-07:00

Is Your Dog Getting the Proper Nutrition? by Danielle Niesz

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As many people know having a proper diet can greatly improve the quality of life for both people and dogs. Just like you your dog's health is tied directly to the nutrition he gets from the food he eats. Poor nutrition has been linked to dozens of health problems in both humans and dogs. With so many different foods on the market and so much different advice it is difficult to know what to feed your pet. Here are some things to think about when choosing food for your dog.

For thousands of years during their evolution dogs have had substantially the same diet as people. This is because we have lived in such close quarters with dogs, and even hunted with them. Dogs, like humans are omnivores and need both meat and vegetables to be healthy. Now we have dog food to take care of all of your dog's nutrition needs. But will it take care of All your dog's needs? Depends on what kind of food you feed him.

Like humans dog's need different nutrients to promote health. There are certain things you need to make sure your dog is getting in his or her diet. First and foremost, especially for puppies, is ... you guessed it, protein! Protein is essential for promoting bone and muscle growth. Fat is also important to a dog. Protein and fat combined are where your dog is getting his energy from. Another important ingredient, which is often overlooked, is fiber. Fiber is important for you dog's digestion and can help keep him regular. Lastly, just like you do, your dog needs vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.

It is important to keep all of these nutrients in mind when choosing a food, but it is not all that is important. The first thing you should do is to consult your veterinarian and / or your breeder. Ask what food they use, and what ingredients are most important for your particular breed. Next you should visit your local pet store and look at some of the different foods available. Be sure to check the ingredient list to see what is in the food. Just like in human food the ingredients are listed in order by weight in the package, so the first ingredient is the most prevalent. It is also important to note the difference in using all natural food. Although all natural food is a little more expensive it is a significantly superior diet. Natural foods are easily digested and vitamins and minerals are easily absorbed. A synthetic vitamin could be listed as a much higher amount on the package, but the majority of it will not be absorbed and used by your dog. Natural foods promote health far better than brands that use synthetic supplements and large amounts of preservatives.

The single most important factor in creating a healthy environment for your pet is diet. So take care in choosing the food you give your dog. He is counting on you to do whats best for him. Make sure you don't let him down.

About the Author

For more information on creating a healthy environment for your dog Click Here! Or visit my blog Man's Best Friend

2008-06-02T08:18:00.001-07:00

How to Keep Dogs Happy, and Happy with Dog
By: Rupert Bowling

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When it comes to pets, I am really a dog lover time and time again. Talking about animals, it is already a cliché to even say that dogs are a class all their own. Their intelligence, cuteness, versatility, the way they treat their owners like their life support: these and more factors make the dog an important life companion. It has even been said that dogs have a lot to teach humans around them, since for one, they do not remember the ill-feelings they felt or showed the previous day.

My family has owned a few dogs over the years, and what sets them apart from the usual dog crowd is that they are all mutts! First of them is a German Shepherd mix (named a terse “Doggy”) which I cannot quite recall; the second is a shih tzu mix (“Chippy”); and the latest one at home is a half shih tzu, half maltese mongrel, Bruce. And now, just a small digression. I think Bruce will do well, and live longer than his precedessors, thanks largely to pet wormers which are available on the Web from Ivet.

The root of it all started when we allowed Bruce to roam more area in the yard. Little did we imagine that it would put his unique body chemistry on the line; obviously, he's really got a ton of a difference compared to his free-range wild cousins! The next visit to the vet confirmed that he needed pet wormers due to those backyard adventures. And a Google Search which led us to Ivet confirmed the same thing.

Aside from dogs, no pet was able to stay with us for years , let alone a few months (the chickens in the yard are not considered pets at home). Water animals? We've taken care of the transitory fish; the few-inch length beauties weeks after started eating each other's tails. One boring weekend, we even put some live freshwater shrimp destined for lunch in a tub of water for a few minutes of fun. Birds? We were able to only assign names to a bunch of field sparrows in a small cage before they managed to fly away.

So back to the mutts. The bottom line is that mutts are really good friends (or should I rather thank the agreeable breeds from which they came from?) to be with. I've also heard people debating which of these two could be smarter: purebred or mixed breeds? While I have yet to observe and know well a pure German Sheperd, or Shih Tzu, or Maltese, our 2 dogs before--and this new one now--are impressive animals that are very fun to be with. And we really look forward to having more fun mutts in the future, thanks partly to the help of these useful pet wormers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

2008-03-10T03:17:00.001-07:00

Dog Training Online - Getting The Best Advice by Mr. G.

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Can I find dog training online? The answer is yes, you can. There are some things you should know before throwing your money at a website that claims to know dog training. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Dog Training Online Question #1 ï¿½ï¿½" How long has the site been in business? Many websites are new and their products have been untested. Your best bet is to go with established programs. How do you tell which sites are old and which are new? Use the major search engines to see how many results are out there. Newer sites will most likely have very few search results related to them.

Dog Training Online Question #2 ï¿½ï¿½" Has anybody used their advice successfully? It is easy to claim that your program enables a person to train a dog in 24 hours. Can you back that claim up? Most reputable companies have user forums. Checking the forum posts will help you determine if their customers are happy and successful in their dog training efforts.

Dog Training Online Question #3 ï¿½ï¿½" Is there a money back guarantee? If you are dealing with a reputable company they will have a reasonable money back guarantee. Most companies are comfortable with giving you your money back because they are confident that you will like their product. A high quality product always has few refund requests.

How else can you find dog training online information? Another great resource is dog training forums. Simply go to your favorite search engine and type in "dog training forums" and you'll get a nice list. Pick a forum and go to their search box and type in the name of the program or website that you are considering. There will certainly be many results if the program is especially good or bad! These forums will also have many threads devoted to the very topic you may be searching for and the information there is free. Remember, when doing a search for dog training online, it is best if you have all the information at your fingertips before you get a dog. You should research the dog breeds as well as reputable places to get your dog before you step into a pet store. Buying a dog is a tremendous responsibility so please do your homework before you actually get a dog. Long ago, I made the mistake of getting a dog before I had my facts straight. The experience taught me how unscrupulous some merchants can be and I will always remember how much it hurt not doing my research first. If you enjoyed the tips we have here, please take a moment to visit our website which has many more tips and articles on dog training.

About the Author

Mr. G. has trained more dogs than he can count. For more information on dog training topics go to his fun and informative website: Training Your Dog. For advice and articles on dog training online, visit: Dog Training Online.

2008-03-09T22:27:00.001-07:00

Dog Health - Why It's Crucial That Your Dog's Diet Changes Throughout The Years by Douglas Hanna

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A well balanced diet can add years to your dog's life

Feeding a dog the same diet for years on end can lead to malnutrition and liver or kidney problems. Dog food that is purchased on the market today is not always the best food for your dog. These foods sometimes do not contain the right type of nutrient levels for dogs, and sometimes over the counter pet foods have been found to contain hazardous materials. Even a healthy dog food should not be the only diet that a dog eats all of its life; processing the same type of food for a lifetime can lead to health problems and an overall poor health condition.

The best type of diet for your dog that will add to the longevity of your dog's life should include reliable pet foods and home cooked foods. Veterinarian recommended pet foods combined with home cooked foods such as rice, meat dishes, and vegetables will give your dog all of the necessary nutrients needed to maintain a healthy diet. Never feed your dog pork products, but instead give meats such as chicken, lamb, turkey, and fish. Try to keep in mind that while dogs need plenty of protein, they also benefit from nutritious and fresh fruits and vegetables.

A Dog's Diet Should Change Throughout Its Life

In order for your dog to stay healthy, it is important that you feed your dog a diet suited to the age of your dog. There are specific diets created for puppies, just as there are senior diets for elderly dogs. Protein rich diets which help puppies to grow can harm an elderly dog's kidneys, and diets rich in carbohydrates but low in proteins can lead to health problems in puppies. Feed your dog a puppy diet until he or she is 6 months old, and then gradually switch to a diet suited for young dogs. As your dog grows older you will need to make small adjustments to the diet periodically; these little diet changes will help your dog to stay healthy, and will add years to your dog's life.

Change how much you feed your dog

You will also need to change the amount of food that you feed your dog over the course of the dog's life. High-energy puppies and young adults require larger amounts of food then older dogs, which are taking it a bit easy in their later years. If you notice that your aging dog is gaining weight even though you are feeding the same amount of food have a blood test performed to ensure that the dog's thyroid function is normal; then try placing the dog on a light diet food and slowly reduce the amount of food the dog eats.

The Dangers Of Obesity

Loving pet owners sometimes spoil their dogs with food. Chubby dogs may look cute, but the health problems that these dogs can suffer from are serious and sometimes lethal. Dogs that are even slightly obese are at higher risks of developing heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems. Overweight dogs may also suffer from arthritis and muscle injuries. In severe cases a dog may become so overweight that the muscles around the knees actually tear and the dog is unable to walk without drastic surgical intervention; sometimes even surgery is not enough to help the dog recover and euthanization is necessary.

It is easier to keep a dog slim and healthy then to try to change an obese dog's eating and lifestyle habits. Overweight dogs, and their frustrated owners, often struggle through diets; if your dog is overweight, have patience and stick to a diet and exercise plan for your dog. A nutritious diet plan, balanced meals that are given in the right amount, and plenty of play and exercise time will ensure that your dog remains at the right weight.

There is nothing wrong with a spoiled dog, but spoil your dog with love, affection, and plenty of toys instead of food.

About the Author

Douglas Hanna and his wife have owned many dogs over the years. They currently share their home with Jake, a Cairn Terrier, and Emma Lou, a Wheaton Terrier.

Hanna lives in a suburb of Denver and is the publisher of the popular web site, http://www.doghouseplans360.com which includes information about dog houses as well as a number of other important topics related to dogs.

2008-03-09T22:26:00.001-07:00

Dog Health and the Cost of Pet Care by Douglas Hanna

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Health care for dogs is not inexpensive. Yearly physical exams, blood tests, vaccines, antiparasitics, and good food can cost a lot of money. However, preventative medicine is always cheaper than treating a disease; overall the health care costs for your dog will be reduced if you invest in preventative health measures.

For example, a year of heartworm preventative for a small dog can cost on average $72 dollars, but treatments for heartworm can cost up to $600 dollars. It is always cheaper to avoid a disease than to treat it, and of course your dog will have the best chance for a long life if he or she leads a healthy lifestyle.

While the cost of health care for dogs has increased, there are now many different types of health insurance plans available to dog owners.

Talk with your veterinarian about insurance plans, and check Internet websites for health plans that may work for you and your dog. Health insurance for animals is becoming a more popular choice for pet owners as these plans are becoming more comprehensive and cost effective. Take the time to research these plans, and you may find a plan that will save you money and help you to care for your dog.

Prevention And Early Diagnosis

Prevention and early diagnosis are the two keys that will give your dog the best chance for a healthy long life. Always pay attention to your dog's behavior, and never take a 'wait and see' approach; if you feel that something may be wrong with your dog, have a veterinarian look at the dog immediately.

Take precautions to keep your dog safe in and around your home as well. Owning a dog is a lot like having small children about your home; they like to explore, taste, touch, and smell whatever they can get their paws on. 'Doggy proof' your home by keeping poisonous products out of reach and always store medications far out of reach, (pay particular attention to pills that are left on a counter, in a purse, or in an accessible drawer, these are some of the more frequently reported incidences of dog overdoses).

The Dangers Of Poor Health

While many of the dangers to your dog's health discussed in this article are not always lethal at the time they occur, they can cause damage to your dog's body that will harm your dog's chances of living a long life. One infection may not harm your dog, but repeated infections combined with such things as parasitic infections or poor nutrition can add up to damage overtime.

Try to take all measures possible to keep your dog healthy from the very start. If you are adopting a dog, which has not been treated well in the past, this is particularly important. Good nutrition, owner vigilance, and parasite control will help to keep your dog strong and healthy for years to come.

A Long And Healthy Life

As a dog ages, it is important to provide care to support the problems that come with increased age. It is not enough for most owners to have a dog that lives a long life; they want their dog to be healthy and happy as well. In order for your dog to lead a long and healthy life, you will need to increase your dog's veterinary care and yearly screenings; pay particular attention to the diet needs of your senior dog and be aware of any changes in behavior.

Support your aging dog with pain control medications in the event of any illness or disease, and adjust the surroundings of your senior dog so that he or she is more comfortable. For example, extra padding on the bed, a higher doggy dish to avoid neck pain in cases of arthritis, and a movable sturdy ramp that will help your senior dog get up short flights of stairs or climb into the car.

About the Author

Douglas Hanna and his wife have owned many dogs over the years. They currently share their home with a Wheaton Terrier named Emma Lou, and Jake, a Cairn Terrier. Hanna is the publisher of the popular web site, http://www.doghouseplans360.com which includes information about dog houses and many other subjects relating to dogs.

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2008-03-09T05:48:00.001-07:00

Dog Training in Vancouver - Train Your Dog in Vancouver by Dr Ruff

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Dog Training in Vancouver - how to train your dog

Barking dogs - Understanding it and dealing with it

Some owners seem to want their dogs to stop barking, period: a good dog is a quiet dog, and the only time that barking's permitted is when there's a strange man in a black mask clambering in through your bedroom window.

Dogs don't see barking in quite the same way. Your dog has a voice, just like you, and she uses it for the same reason: to communicate something to the people she cares about.

Unfortunately, the language barrier between dogs and humans is pretty well impermeable, which means it's up to us to use the context, the body language of our dogs, and the circumstances of the vocalization to extract meaning from a volley of barks.

So why do dogs bark? It's not easy to say . Let's start off by saying that dogs bark for a lot of reasons.

A lot of it depends on the breed: some dogs were bred to bark only when a threat is perceived (like Rottweilers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds); some were bred to use their voices as a tool of sorts, to assist their owners in pursuit of a common goal (sporting breeds like Beagles and Bloodhounds), and some dogs just like to hear themselves talk (take just about any of the toy breeds as an example of a readily-articulate dog!).

However, all breed specificities cast aside, there are some circumstances where just about any dog will give voice:

She's bored, lonely, hungry, or knows it's time for a meal, or that something is wrong/someone is near the house, or she's inviting you to play, etc, etc.

If your dog is barking for any of these reasons, it's not really realistic for you to try to stop her: after all, she's a dog, and it's the nature of all dogs to bark at certain times and in certain situations.

Of course, there are times when barking isn't only unwarranted, it's downright undesirable. Some dogs can use their voices as a means of manipulation. For example, when your dog continually barks at you to take her outside and you at first ignore her, but then give in just to make her quiet.

Respect is an essential part of your relationship with your dog. You respect her, which you show by taking good care of her regardless of the convenience of doing so, feeding her, and showing your affection for her in ways that she understands and enjoys.

But in order for her to be worthy of your respect, she has to respect you, too. Something that many people struggle to come to terms with is that dog ownership is not about equality: it's about you being the boss, and her being the pet. A dog has to respect your leadership to be a happy, well-adjusted, and well-behaved pet.

Affection and play-times are obviously necessary aspects of life with a dog, but they have to be doled out on your own terms. If she learns that she can get what she wants by barking, then your house is going to become a Noise Pollution Zone (and this is not going to endear you to your neighbors, either).

To prevent this bullying behavior in your dog from assuming a familiar role in her repertoire of communications, you have to prove to her that you're not the kind of person that can be manipulated so easily. It's simple to do this: all you have to do is ignore her. Not passive ignorance, where you pay her no attention and simply continue with whatever it was you were doing - you need to take more of an active role. This means conveying to her through your body language that she is not worthy of your attention when she acts in such an undesirable manner.

The absolute best and most effective thing for you to do in this case is to turn your back on her. When she starts trying to 'bark you' into doing something for her, turn your back on her straight away. Get up, avert your eyes and face, and turn around so your back is towards her. Don't look at her, and don't talk to her - not even a "no".

She'll probably be confused by this, and will likely bark harder. This is particularly true if you've given in to her bully-barking in the past - the more times you've reinforced the behavior, the more persistent she's going to be. In fact, the barking will almost certainly get a lot worse before it gets better.

As in all aspects of dog training, consistency is very important. You must ensure that you don't change your mind halfway through and give in to what she wants - because by doing so, you're teaching her to be really, really persistent ("OK, so I just need to bark for ten minutes instead of five to get a walk," is the message she'll get).

But what can you do in other situations where bullying isn't an issue and you just want her to stop the racket? If you want to get the message across that you'd like her to cease fire and be quiet, the most effective thing you can do is to use your hands.

Here's what you do: when she's barking, give her a second to 'get it out of her system' (it's a lot kinder, and a lot more effective, to give her a chance - however brief - to express herself before asking her to be quiet). If she doesn't calm down after a few moments, reach out and clasp her muzzle gently, but firmly, in your hand. She'll try to shake you off, or back away, so you can place your other hand on her collar to give you greater control.

This method is useful for two reasons: firstly, it effectively silences the barking (since no dog, no matter how loud, can bark with her mouth shut!). Secondly, it reinforces your authority: you're showing her through direct physical action that you're a benevolent but firm leader who will take no nonsense, and who won't balk when it comes to enforcing your guidance.

Hold onto her muzzle and collar until she's stopped trying to break free: only when she calms down and stops wriggling does it mean that she's accepted your authority. When she's still, hold on for one or two more seconds, then let her go and praise her.

Just remember: Dogs are social animals: they need lots of attention, lots of interaction, and lots of communication. Without these things, they become anxious and on edge. If you're at home with your dog, you're not paying attention to her, and she's spending a lot of time barking at what appears to be nothing, she's probably bored and lonely and would benefit from a healthy dose of affection and attention.

Recommended reading

If you'd like more information on unwanted behaviors that your dog's exhibiting, you'll probably be interested in taking a look at SitStayFetch. It's a complete, A-Z manual for the responsible dog owner, and deals with recognizing, preventing, and dealing with just about every problem dog behavior under the sun. Perfect for all the dog lovers in Vancouver!

You can check out more about SitStayFetch by clicking on the link!

About the Author

Dr Ruff is a world renowned expert in dog training. For more information on how to train your dog, click here.

2008-03-08T01:40:00.001-08:00

Stopping Dog Behavior Problems: Be Careful What You Reward by Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., "Dr. Dog"

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By: Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., "Dr. Dog" Visit Here: http://tinyurl.com/ytegrx

Since your dog doesn't know what you intend to accomplish, it will take your training message literally. You enjoy far greater success if you give some thought to exactly what it is you want the dog to learn. Rewarding compliance maintains behavior. When you reinforce your dog for obeying your SIT command, it is likely to continue to sit when you tell it to do so. That's the definition of reinforcement; it strengthens the preceding act and makes it more likely to recur. But your dog often gets a very different message than the one you intend to teach. If he jumps up onto you and you wish to stop that, a common approach is to punish his jump and say "Good OFF!" as you get him off you. But that method teaches many dogs that they are rewarded for getting off of you, and he can't get off of you until he's on you. I've worked thousands of dogs that have been handled this way, and years later they still jump onto people. When you reward him for getting off you, you reward his compliance or tolerance of your force. But many dogs learn that they cannot earn the "Good OFF!" praise until they jump, so it continues. They willingly tolerate a one-second reprimand to get 5 second of praise. Using a harsher reprimand is not the answer. A dog cannot jump on you until he's approached you. Harsh reprimands discourage his approach, not his jump. Always first decide what you want. Do you want him to get off of you (or your visitor, sofa, bed, counter) when you tell him to, or do you want him to not jump on you or it in the first place? If you don't want him to jump on you, don't teach him that getting off after he jumps up gets him rewarded.

About the Author

The author, Dr. Dennis Fetko, "Dr. Dog" is a world-renowned animal behaviorist who has appeared on the 20/20 television show, managed the reintroduction of captive-bred Arabian Oryx into the Saudi Arabian National Wildlife Research Center, and made a presentation at the South American Veterinary Congress. His ebook, Dr. Dog's FAST, EASY FUN Behavior Solutions, reveals his proven methods for eliminating barking, jumping, chewing, digging,

2008-03-08T01:38:00.001-08:00

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author's information and copyright must be included.
STOP Dog Behavior Problems!!! by sum10new

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Are you sick of your dog biting, jumping, barking, and whining?

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About the Author

THERE IS NO BIO FOR THIS AUTHOR.

2008-03-08T01:37:00.001-08:00

How To Stop Your Dog From Digging by Obinna Heche

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There are a lot of reasons a dog will dig holes, it may be instinct, during the winter the wolf will eat all of the food that he kills, this is because he is unsure of the next time he will eat. During the summer, he will dig a hole and bury part of the kill and return later to finish it off, this is a lot like your dog burying a bone in the backyard. A dog that is outside in the summer may dig a hole to get out of the heat, in the winter he may dig a hole to get out of the cold.

They may also dig because they do not get enough exercise, it is a great way to relieve that extra energy. Have you ever watched how much energy a dog puts out when he digs a hole? This is usually because the owner does not realize how much energy a dog has, and does not give him the amount of exercise he needs. Yelling and screaming only reinforces the activity with negative attention, any attention is better than no attention, just ask your dog.

Boredom. Bored dogs need a job to do, something rewarding and interesting, to help the time pass by. Digging is often the ideal solution for a bored dog. It gives him a sense of purpose, and distracts him from an otherwise empty day. The need for broader horizons. Some dogs are just escape artists by nature no matter how much exercise and attention they get, it is nearly impossible to confine them. For a four legged Houdini, it is not the digging in itself that is the reward, it is the glorious unknown that exists beyond the fenceline.

When you give negative support, you only make the problem worse, more holes are a real problem. If you are one of the lucky few and your dog digs in front of you, just telling him no, may solve the problem. However, most holes are not dug in our presence, especially if the dog digs from boredom, because when you are there, he isnt bored. One way of stopping this habit is to put a wooden stake in the center of the hole he has dug, tie him to the stake with his leash and leave him there for about 20 minutes.

Separation anxiety. To a dog that is seriously pining for your company, digging under those confining walls represents the most direct path to you. Separation anxiety is an unpleasant psychological issue relatively common among dogs but because it is so complex, we will not be dealing with it in details now. It will take a few more holes, but after you have several holes with stakes in the middle, he will relate the stake to the hole and being tied to the stake and the hole digging will stop.

About the Author

Obinna Heche: Los Angeles- California

To find excellent information about Dog Training, Dog Behaviour, Dog Food, Dog Health, Grooming and Dog Care. Everything that concerns Dog Owners and their Dogs.. Visit.. http://puppy-dog-obedience.blogspot.com

2008-03-06T04:35:00.001-08:00

Dog Behaviour Problems - Getting A Dog To Behave by Andrew Braithwaite

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Your dog may be your best friend, but just like your human friends he or she can embarrass you in public - you can actually train your dog to behave, you might not be so lucky with your human friends. A well trained dog usually means a happy owner and a contented animal.

Does your dog refuse to sit or stay at your command and does it bother other people by jumping up and barking? This may be your dog's natural exuberance getting the better of him but when you are out in public, not only is it embarrassing for you, it can be frightening for people who are unsure of themselves around dogs. If you want to avoid these situations then you need to start getting your dog to change his behavior now.

In some respects dogs are like children and this means that they have to be taught how to be social beings without indulging in anti-social habits. If you are trying to get your dog to respond to your commands and behave in an acceptable manner, then you need to instigate regular training sessions. Training a dog to display acceptable behaviour is not easy if you are a first time owner. Some people take their dog to professional trainers once or twice a week but if your budget won't run to that then you have to fall back on your own resources.

Not quite, there are training books and manuals out there; some of which come as a complete package, that will take you through the training sessions one step at a time. Always remember with dogs that the way to instil the behaviour that you want is by repetition and reward - losing your temper is counterproductive. If you get the right package and apply the right amounts of praise, patience and time you will soon have a well behaved and probably happier dog.

Sit Stay Fetch is the No. 1 dog training and behavior product on the net and has been for over 2 years. The 186 page book is broken down into different sections, each one dealing with a different aspect of dog ownership. Each section is broken down into 5 or 6 subsections and a review of that particular section. The review is particularly nice as it condenses the important aspects of each section onto one page for easy reference. That's not to say that skipping to the end of each section is the best way to utilize this book. There is a wealth of information contained in each section as well as case studies for particular doggy problems (aggression, barking, chewing, leaping on furniture, leaping on people, etc.)

The initial chapters are mainly for people considering a dog or who have recently obtained a puppy. These chapters focus on aspects such as choosing a breed, responsible ownership, canine growth stages, and choosing your vet. The third chapter is where the dog training begins. The types of training are outlined as well as some secrets to training a dog. Crate training is also discussed in this area as well. For people who already have dogs, the first three chapters don't really provide a lot of pertinent information; however, for someone looking to get a dog, these chapters are invaluable.

The fourth chapter gives insight into how dogs use their senses and how their body language gives an insight into their feelings and attitudes. I found it interesting that you can dog's are very expressive and their moods are often overlooked by their owners. This chapter also covers how dogs communicate with one another as well as the similarities between wolves and dogs.

Of the remaining chapters, two are devoted to dog problems, two are devoted to teaching commands, and one deals with the positives and negatives of dog whispering. The two chapters dealing with problems are two of the longest chapters in the book. The first chapter on dog problems deals with behaviors such as aggression, biting, chewing, digging, and barking. Case studies are provided with many of the issues to show why a dog may be exhibiting these problems. The second chapter on dog problems deals with allergies, fleas, chasing cars, and jumping on people. Again, relevant examples are provided with each section to further illustrate the issue at hand.

The chapters dealing with dog commands are divided into basic or starting commands and advanced commands. Some of the basic commands include "Come", "Sit", "Down", "Heel", and "Stand." These commands are provided in an easy to follow method and can be implemented fairly quickly with some practice. What I liked is that there's a training schedule provided to assist with training the dog. The advanced commands section covers "Catch," "Fetch", "Shake", and "Rollover." Based on my experience, some of these commands are more difficult than others to train a dog on and it's not recommended that teaching these commands begins until the dog is over 6 months old and has mastered the basic commands from the earlier chapter.

Sit Stay Fetch is a good product that touches on a lot of overlooked aspects of owning a dog. Even some less than common problems are discussed and recommendations are given on how to address these problems. I found this book to be laid out in a logical manner with the training aspects occupying a majority of the pages, but with other areas such as body language and sense getting a good deal of coverage as well. The author also does a good job of supporting the product by providing a free newsletter that contains more tips for solving dog problems. Granted, you do not need to read every chapter in order to address a particular problem, but it is nice to see that a just about every common dog problem is addressed.

About the Author

For more details visit: Sit Stay Fetch

2008-03-04T01:00:00.001-08:00

thai dog "Bang Kaew" is a great dog by Kingdavil13

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The suffic tragic about ^Bangkaew bike the kid around the world ^ news. This panicstory happened one more time .this news everytime 0.....but quiet so it took place again .No one is not want happened like that but it took place in everytime so protect it . According to this someone ark to the thai dog species in the name of ^Bangkaew^ if we say to the cruelty of it that be well know symbol we can control it can not ? we give it treat or not ? so many. We look for data of cruelty to explaine . In the past it evaluated by natural envirovment , climate , etc .Many people known how was ^Bangkaew^ in the past ? . No one unknown we can approximately explaine to you . From origin of ^Bangkaew^ at tumbon ^Ta-ngam^ so break off the land traffic .you can use the board only . the native home is houseboat . Make it love owner and will have gene into the fox variety so the most wild animal be grudge a abode and private area so evaluate to be the cruel DNA . In the past land and house close up , do not have fence in present cause it be divided the other own area by common sense . We think the natural envirovment is factor so the professor has seen it alredy. The former native Phissanulok have ^Bangkaew^ dog each home so it has not invade to the other side , no one did not dare to go near the other if have like this , it is drived out by the other side immediately The present writer misundersatand , the other are taugh by each owner .from the interview is not such as. The almost owner tell ^^this behavior come from the natural or common sense and instinct itself . I do not belive it at the first cause impossible , so I prove with the other dog village . Oh my god it is not different . I assure and understand in behaviour and specific of it , why do fierce so !!!! The fierce itself come from the natural, do not practice , breeding to generation next , up to the natural factor So that it is fierce different from the other dog , extream fierce no explaine , little fierce . In ^Bangkaew^ dog ,the fierce for protect the owner and own area .As thought slave be loyal to royalty, do not give up the enemy if I die so important it is not too fierce to control. that stand by me .we just look after it in a correct way .you train baby dog at the first .i am sure , you have to see the lovely ^Bangkaew^ dog really.

About the Author

www.sanroo.info

2008-03-01T01:36:00.001-08:00

Top Small Dog Breeds by Joshua McNiel

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There are many different small dog breeds out there today, and it seems like they are only getting more popular as the years pass. However, if you are thinking about owning one you should know that they are all different with their own unique characteristics. In this article I will discuss some of my favorite small dog breeds and how they behave.

Chihuahuas have been a top choice for many pet owners. Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, which means they are perfect for someone looking for a small dog to accompany them in their house or apartment. Chihuahuas also make good watchdogs, as they will more than likely bark at anyone or anything that comes near. Chihuahuas enjoy playing, being around their owners, and just being lazy. Potty-training can sometimes be difficult for Chihuahuas to learn, but this shouldn't keep you from getting one. With the proper training and dedication, your Chihuahua shouldn't have a problem.

Yorkies are another one of my top picks. They are an amazingly beautiful animal, with an intelligence level that matches them. Despite their long hair, Yorkies actually don't shed their hair as much many other breeds of dogs. This makes them the ideal choice for people who are looking for a pet hair free house, or someone who suffers from pet allergies. Yorkies are also very smart, often learning commands in just a few sessions. Yorkies love to be with their owners, however they also enjoy spending time by themselves also, so don't worry if your Yorkie acts this way.

The Poodle is another beautiful dog, often known for being well-groomed and elegant-looking. Poodles are smart dogs, with a medium energy level. They can not only win contests for their looks, but also their ability to perform tricks and tasks. If you decide you want to own a Poodle, be prepared to take them to get groomed frequently, their coat requires it in order to keep their trimmed look.

These are my top choices for small dog breeds. There are many others out there and I encourage you to research them all before deciding on one. I hope this helps!

About the Author

For more information on Yorkies and Yorkie clothes, visit http://yorkiedogclothes.net

2008-02-26T02:35:00.001-08:00

Dog Cough: Understanding the Causes by Catrina Dogurton

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As you would expect from humans, dogs tend to cough for many different reasons. In fact, the underlying causes of dog cough are too diverse to describe comprehensively but some of the more common factors known to cause dog cough include internal parasites, heartworm, distemper, fungal infections, allergies, tuberculosis, and even second hand cigarette or cigar smoke. In addition to the causes for cough, there are also several types of dog coughs. A dog's cough may be phlemgy or dry, may sound like gagging, or may be more like wheezing. Moreover, depending on the cause of the cough you can expect a dog cough to vary in frequency from chronic to intermittent. Typically speaking, a dog's cough will get progressively worse if left untreated as the cough itself causes dryness in the respiratory tract and therefore more coughing.

Kennel Cough Inflammation of the trachea and bronchus leads to a high, dry cough in dogs most often known as kennel cough. Dogs suffering from kennel cough will usually have few other symptoms in addition to the cough and the illness will usually pass within a couple of weeks. Fortunately, the major problem with kennel cough is the annoyance it causes to other family members who have to listen to a dry and persistent cough. Usually, veterinarians will take a very conservative approach to treating kennel cough as it is not life threatening. Nonetheless, your veterinarian will probably recommend that you isolate sick pets from healthy ones in order to prevent the spread of the infection. It is also important to maintain a comfortable temperature for a dog with kennel cough and to ensure that your dog is able to get plenty of rest. In very severe cases you may want to try administering children's cough syrup to alleviate your dog's cough.

In puppies and certain toy breeds, kennel cough can cause more serious problems and even lead to pneumonia. For this reason, it is always advisable to have your dog tended to by a veterinarian if it is suffering from a cough. There are vaccines for certain strains of kennel cough that should be considered especially if your dog will be in frequent contact with other dogs.

Distemper While most dogs are vaccinated against distemper when they are puppies this disease can still pose a significant risk for dogs that are not vaccinated or for puppies that are too young to have been vaccinated. Ideally, you should limit your puppy's contact with strange dogs for at least the first 14-16 weeks of life to ensure that your puppy is properly vaccinated.

For dog's that have developed distemper there are several key indicators. First of all, for most healthy dogs that are properly cared for the symptoms of distemper can be quite mild. On the contrary, unhealthy or immune-compromised dogs will likely show more severe symptoms. On the extreme, distemper can be fatal and secondary infections are not uncommon. Usually, distemper is associated with a distinct and dry cough at the beginning of the disease. Your dog will also usually suffer from a fever and will probably have a yellow discharge from the nose and tear ducts. If you notice these symptoms it is important for you to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Because distemper can be treated by vaccination it is not a major concern of most dog owners. Only puppy owners really need to be concerned about protecting their dogs from distemper. Also, if your dog has not been vaccinated it is important to do so as soon as possible.

Parasites Many internal parasites, like heartworms and roundworms, can cause a dog cough. Roundworms, for example, take up residence in your dog's intestinal tract. From here, eggs develop and hatch and the worms can infiltrate other internal organs like the lungs thereby causing coughing. Puppies of infected mothers can be born with roundworms and is therefore a common concern for puppies with a cough.

In the case of heartworm, a dog cough signifies a much more serious problem. Dogs get infected with heartworms through mosquito bites and eventually these heartworms travel through the blood to infest the lungs. This process usually takes about 6 months and one of the first symptoms of adult heartworms in the lungs is a dog cough. Unfortunately, the coughing symptoms of heartworm can be particularly debilitating for dogs as they become completely incapable of engaging in light exercise without coughing. Medical treatment is always indicated for heartworms.

Conclusions The diverse array of causes for dog coughs can make it difficult to decide whether the cough is a serious problem or not. Tuberculosis is a particularly deadly infection that causes coughing in dogs and that can be passed between dogs and humans. As such, it is always important to address your dog's cough by a visit to the veterinarian.

About the Author

Catrina Dogurton is online leading specialist in cat and dog health supplies. Find more information and pet health products to prevent and treat pet diseases such as Dog Cough, Dog Kidney Disease, Dog Pinkeye, and other.

2008-02-24T04:05:00.000-08:00

Can an old dog be taught new tricks? by sas_liz

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Have you ever seen a well trained dog and thought, "I wish my dog could do tricks like that"?

It is probably the dream of most dog owners to be able to teach their pet to do some of the tricks they see other dogs doing, but there is one thing they must remember above all others before starting down the path of teaching tricks. The dog must have at least some basic obedience. There is not much chance of teaching it to do tricks if it is a badly behaved dog in the first place.

The basic commands such as sit, down, heel etc, should be known by your dog before trick training starts, as this will make life so much easier later on. Once these have been mastered you can begin to build on them and your dog will soon be amazing your friends with the following three simple tricks.

Begging

To start teaching this trick it is best to have your dog sit in a corner of the room with his back to the wall and you standing in front of him. The walls will support your dog and give him the confidence that he won't fall over if he raises his front legs off the floor.

Take some small pieces of food and hold it above your dog whilst enticing him to reach up for it. Each time he takes the food, praise him and repeat the procedure slowly encouraging him to reach higher each time.

Whilst encouraging the dog to reach up for the food, you must make sure that he is keeping his haunches on the ground. This is achieved by moving the food back over his head slightly making the dog shift his weight back over his haunches and teaching him to keep his balance.

Once the begging trick has bee mastered in the corner of the room you can gradually begin to move away from the wall and practise the trick where the dog has no back support. You must expect at this stage that the dog will seem to go backwards in his learning, but this is to be expected until he can perfect it just using his own body weight.

Shaking hands

There are two parts of this trick for your dog to learn. A verbal part and a non-verbal part which both work together to give the dog a cue that you want him to perform the trick.

Firstly the dog should start off in a sitting position. Give him a single word verbal command such as 'shake', whilst at the same time reaching out with your right hand until it is just a few inches from your dogs' right leg. Your outstretched hand is the non-verbal cue.

Initially your dog will probably just sit motionless unsure of what to do, so with your left hand, gently push or prod his right leg forwards until it rests in your right hand. When he has done this, praise him so that he knows he has done what you wanted him to do.

Practice this trick several times; praising after each successful result and gradually reducing the amount of left hand prompting until only the verbal and non-verbal cues are all that are needed.

Shaking the head: 'No'

Before you can begin to teach this trick to your dog, you will need to find something which will make him shake his head naturally. Some things which may help are blowing gently on the ear, tickling the ear with a feather or even lightly attaching a paperclip to the ear - remembering that you should not cause the dog any pain.

Once you have found the method which makes him shake his head you will then have to decide on which verbal and non-verbal cue you want to use. A single word such as 'head' along with shrugging of your shoulders is just one idea.

Again your dog should start in a sitting position when first teaching him this trick. As in the shaking hands trick, use both cues together, along with the prod (tickling his ear, etc) in an effort to stimulate your dog to shake his head. Once he does, reward him, even if it is just a small movement.

This trick is best learned in short sessions with momentary breaks in between, so don't try to repeat the exercise more that five times in one session or the dog will become confused and not learn.

Gradually reduce the amount of prodding so that all that are needed are the verbal and non-verbal cues. Once your dog has mastered the trick, he can be progressed to learn it in standing position and laying positions as well.

The main thing with training dogs to perform tricks is for the owner to learn that patience is a virtue and that the dog will learn in his own time. Do not scold the dog if he does not seem to be learning, it is always better to be patient and encourage him more.

About the Author

Written by Liz for Rentaccomspain.com. Rent or buy your perfect Spanish retreat direct from the owner.
Find other articles at Selectivearticles.com
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2008-02-22T03:12:00.001-08:00

5 Top Training Tips for You and Your Dog by Terry Stephens

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5 Top Training Tips for You and Your Dog

1. Do Not Assume Your Dog Understands You. Dogs are not humans and they learn in different ways, they do not have an understanding of right and wrong, they are totally guided in this respect by you. If you praise after a positive action, your dog understands that that is good. A negative responds lets your dog know that whatever action he just took was bad. Your dog will now want to carry out the actions that result in praise whilst avoiding the bad that result in a negative response from you.

2. Make Positive Reinforcement Your Favoured Training Tool. Concentrate on positives to train your dog, favour the positive training method. That is spending more time praising and awarding treats than you do with negative reactions to bad behaviour. You can do this even if your dog is not cooperating, for instance if your dog is not working well and being it is naughty you can ignore them, turn away from them and just plain ignore the bad behaviour, when they stop the bad behaviour you can reward with treats and praise.

3. Use Negative Reinforcement When Necessary. If your dog is doing something naughty and you are there to catch them in the act then a firm NO, or whatever your chosen negative is, will let them know you are displeased and they will stop. It may take time but eventually they will understand that that particular behaviour makes you upset and they will stop.

4. Be Consistent & Be Timely. Award praise consistently and timely, if your dog is doing good things then praise him immediately as if you wait until they stop they may associate the praise with stopping giving them the wrong message. Equally do not chastise your dog for something they had done previously, they may associate the negative with something positive and stop doing the good. If they have done bad things whilst you were not there then you must ignore that incident and be on the alert to try and catch them at it.

5. Patience Pays Off. You must be patient with your dog, some dogs like retrievers, collies, spaniels and many more respond quickly to training and will surprise you at how quickly they grasp what you are telling them, but even these can be stubborn on various issues and you must be Patient, Consistent and use the positive and negative reinforcement techniques to help your dog understand you. Regardless of dog breed and your dog training experience these techniques, applied diligently will work. Even the most stubborn of terriers will become compliant with patience.

One thing that it is important to understand when attempting to train your dog or puppy and that is the understanding that its not just dog training but also owner training. As much as you need your dog to understand you must also invest time in understanding your dog. A dogs body language will let you really get to know hen or her but that is a subject for another article or see my website http://www.TheDogTrainingFiles.com for more on this. For now it is enough to be aware that you need training too and view it as a joint learning experience.

Terry Stephens

About the Author

Im Terry Stephens, Dog Training Expert and Dog Lover. I would Like to give you free dog training advice at my Dog Training website www.TheDogTrainingFiles.com

Yours Terry

2008-02-19T05:34:00.001-08:00

Dog Training: Tame Your Pets at Ease by David Hensley

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If you have a new puppy or dog, then you need to provide some sort of basic training for your pet. You can train your dog yourself or can get it trained through an obedience instructor. As dogs are like kids, they need proper training to mould them into obedient pets. With the required training, your dog can learn how to behave. You can be a happy owner if you have a trained dog. Dog training involves learning to communicate with a dog properly. You can train young pups within 2 to 3 weeks while for an older dog it can take about 7 to 8 weeks for training. Basic training can be started for pups when they are about 8 -12 weeks old for teaching commands and tricks. From about 3 to 6 months, formal classes can begin.

With understanding and patience, the trainer can impart efficient training to resolve the behavioral problems of dogs. For adequate training of your dog, you do not require any strong language or physical discipline. There are a number of methods for making training enjoyable for both your dog and yourself. Certain specific trainings are also available for dogs for doing tasks such as rescue dogs, guiding for the blind, hunting dogs etc.

When providing training for your dog, ensure that the place is open and quiet without any distractions. You can make the training experience an enjoyable one for both of you for ensuring that your dog stays happy, gains confidence and behaves well. The way and tone of speech is important in dog training. You need to use a friendly and happy tone for commands like 'come' and â€˜heelâ€™. Your voice can be firm and low for commands such as ' stay' and â€˜Sit down'. You need to appreciate your puppy or dog by offering some toy or food when it obeys the command. After the training class, you can take a little time to play with your pup or dog and this can develop a bond between both of you during the training. You should have good endurance to train and always should avoid harsh punishment.

Remember that food is important in dog training, as most dogs will love to eat. Some foods are tasty for dogs and it is also convenient for the trainer as bits of food can be kept in bag or pockets. Also note that giving food brings positive associations while training. You need to just know which food your dog likes. Never use food for behavior control; instead food should support a behavior. Never train the dog on a full stomach.

Keep the leash a bit loose when you walk with your dog because a tight leash could teach the dog to pull. Do not punish the dog after calling to you. Only one command should be given at any one time. Dogs cannot differentiate the good and bad deeds, as they know specific behavior to certain situations; therefore name a behavior to reinforce some control. Behavior will increase with reward.

You can also choose online dog training if a dog trainer or dog training school is not accessible. You can enroll for some online dog training classes and know all the secrets and techniques used by professional dog trainers for activity training, behavior training and obedience training.

About the Author

http://www.petsmixonline.com and http://www.petsmanners.info have exhaustive resources for pets' health and training and essential accessories for them.

2008-02-19T05:32:00.001-08:00

The basics of training your dog by Faizal

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As a new dog owner cum trainer, you will be a bit overwhelmed at first. Do not be discouraged by this. It is quite common and shows a healthy concern for your pets well being. There are a few very simple rules to remember when training your pet. It entails three basic rules. Just remember to remain consistent. Keep a level head and reward your pet appropriately then you have won a large part of the battle.

Dogs are creatures of habit. Every part of their daily life revolves around an internal schedule and routine. They anticipate the return of their owners at a certain time of day and know that meal times occur regularly thus when trained, they will exhibit certain behaviours to mark these times of day, such as bringing their empty food dish to their master or waiting near the door for their owners return. To us humans, this may seem a dull existence but our canine companions thrive on consistent routines. This fact is very useful to a new trainer as it can make your job much easier if you use this knowledge. Why? Because the fact is that canine obedience training revolves around repetition of certain actions.

The ultimatum behind obedience training is that a dog will respond with a certain reaction every time a certain command is given. So every time you tell your dog to sit, this will be exactly what will happen. To use the animal's instinctive behaviour in this regard, consistent training must be given. Routines should be done exactly the same way every time with no variation until they are well in hand. If you tell your dog to sit, make certain it does so before moving on to the next point, even pushing their hindquarters down if necessary to accomplish this end. This rigid consistency will go a long way towards achieving a well-trained pet.

After a long day work, you are tired, the dog just doesn't seem to be responding and tempers can flare quite easily. You may decide this dog is just one of the few who can't be trained or that you just don't have the skills. You might be feeling completely discouraged by a seeming lack of interest on the dogs part to learn even the simplest of behaviours. You will most likely encounter this scenario more than once in your venture at dog training. Just take this moment as a queue that the lesson is done for the time being and retire to some less strenuous amusement such as a hot cup of tea. Dogs are like children and will find the ways to irritate you for amusement it seems. Just like children, they take time and patience in teaching anything worth training them for. Rome wasn't built in a day and your dog won't become a well trained champion over night either.

Now let's move on to the third major point in being a successful trainer. The reward for doing a behaviour or trick correctly. This is a very important part of the training process as it builds your relationship with your pet and shows them your appreciation for their good behaviours. Again consistent treatment is important in training and a reward should be given every time a performance of a given command is executed properly.

This is not saying to give your dog a food treat every time. While an occasional titbits of food is a great reward doing so consistently is not. This would result in an unhealthy pet and be counterproductive to your training efforts. Rather than doing this, offer other forms of reward such as rich verbal praise, play with a favourite toy or petting your dog to show affection. These rewards will enhance your relationship with your pet and make future training sessions even easier as your pet will anticipate these rewards and want to please you.

If these simple steps are kept in mind, your pets training should be an easy task with many rich rewards. Enjoy your pet and make your bond stronger while training with these three principles

About the Author

Author is an Internet Marketer. A member of www.business2grab.com He loves pets and own a website about pets at www.2searchengine.com

2008-02-19T05:29:00.001-08:00

Sit Stay Fetch Dog Training Success Stories by Ness Dorig

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Sit Stay Fetch Dog Training Success Stories

Sit Stay Fetch is the top selling dog training system on the web. Over 54,156 dog owners worldwide are elated to have used this unique course to fast-track their dog's learning. The system is easy to follow and is jam-packed with information, including: How to solve over 25 dog behavior problems, real-life case studies, best dog training techniques, step-by-step instructions and much more. Below are just a few success stories Set Stay Fetch users have to say:

Success Story #1: "Jack has made great progress. He has become confident, less anxious and likes to practice commands every day". "My husband and I adopted Jack (a one year old male Pug/Chihuahua mix) three months ago from a shelter (we are his third home in a year) and to put it mildly he was 20 pounds of terror-- dominate, nipping, chewing and also had separation anxiety issues. He quickly earned the name 'Jack The Nipper'. I read a couple of books about dogs behaving badly, but felt that I needed a step-by-step approach to correct Jack's unpleasant behavior.

I researched the internet and came across SitStayFetch, which I quickly downloaded, printed and read in one evening.I immediately started with the Alpha Dog lessons and got across to Jack that I am the Alpha Mommy. I had no idea that doing something as simple as making him sit before I put his bowl of food down would make a difference in how Jack viewed me. Jack has made great progress. He has become confident, less anxious and likes to practice commands every day. We still need to work on a few areas, but it's only been less than three months! Jack is much happier knowing that we are the pack leaders who protect, feed and love him. I recommend SitStayFetch to everyone who has a dog as a companion. I have learned so much about dog behaviors and how to respond accordingly without yelling or intimidating. Thanks Dan for writing such a great learning tool!" -- Susan Caruso (USA)

Success Story #2: "SitStayFetch's training methods are positive and very proactive. Sumo, our pup, is doing great!" "Hi Daniel, It is with great pleasure that I am writing this for SitStayFetch.net. SitStayFetch Training was great! We have a crossed breed Poodle/Terrier and training him is extremely important to us since we live in high rise apartment. SitStayFetch's training methods are positive and very proactive. Sumo, our pup, is doing great! At only 5 months old he sits, lies down, heals, stays, and even comes most of the time. We can not expect too much at his age but he is getting better everyday. SitStayFetch continues to provide support through email which we feel is a priceless resource." -- Wayne (USA)

Success Story #3: "Hi Daniel, Our Bichon, Jasmine, is a very friendly little dog who loves everyone she meets and shows it by jumping up on them. By following the instructions in your sitstayfetch book, we were able to control her jumping." -- Dr.Stanley Hyman (Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada)

Success Story #4: "I love SitStayFetch. I rescued two German Shepherds and I did not know anything about dog obedience. One of my dogs was quite aggressive with other dogs, and crazy about chasing cats and squirrels. What I like about your book is that you give insights into what the dog is thinking, why they behave the way they do, and tips on what to do to correct the problem. I have learned so much from your instructions, and my dogs are now following my commands and I am able to control them. Thanks for the great book." -- Carla J. Johnson (Long Beach, California, USA)

Success Story #5: "The SitStayFetch books have been a tremendous help to me in gaining more control over my two dogs Neo & Molly especially as they were rather defiant at times. Both dogs are very loving, fun and loyal but I've had to get a dog behaviourist out in the past as Molly's a rescue dog, has a nervous disposition and a habit of going bonkers through fear by barking, growling and trying to nip/bite. I think she was abused before I got her as she is extremely scared of children and doesn't particularly like strangers and other dogs. She loves the family and those she knows but it was/is really worrying so the fear biting section has been great for tips on dealing with that. They know now who's the alpha and don't try nearly as much nonsense as they used to. Obviously I'm not expecting them to change overnight, I realise I have to be rigorous in the re-training but so far they're coming along great! I really wish I'd heard/got the SitStayFetch books years ago, in my opinion no dog owner should be without a copy. They're brilliant, very easy to understand/follow and they results are amazing! Please find attatched my photo of myself and the dogs." -- Kirsty Halleran (UK)

If you're serious about solving your dog's behavior problems, Sit Stay Fetch dog training will teach you how to train your dog like a professional trainer. You can have your dog obey you no matter what the situation is and solve any specific problems that you may have with your dog.

Read more success stories.

About the Author

Ness Dorig has written many articles about pets and is a webmaster of a website offering news and information regarding dog training. If you're interested in learning more about training your dogs be sure to check it out.

2008-02-19T05:25:00.001-08:00

Dog Obedience Training by Dan Sewell

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Dog training skills are from professionals who as a rule accent the magnitude of a solid relationship between the dog and the trainer. Dog Training skills Many people feel that dog training is a challenge and they are desperate for dog training skills. Dog training skills as a rule doesn't work without treats. Dog Training skills ought to always be done in moderation. Dog training skills are based on learning theories. This category comprises skills that use positive underpinning, negative underpinning and punishment as main means to train dogs. Dog training skills based on canine ethology take into account those behaviors that are natural in dogs, but as a rule pay no attention to the principles of learning theories. Dog training skills illustrate to him that humans are the head of your house and not him. Dogs are more at ease in their own setting and they are not agitated by other dogs, so they are able to focus and learn. Dogs, in particular bigger ones, ought to be obedient, or keeping them becomes trouble. Dogs that are handled and petted by humans in the first eight weeks of life are by and large much more open to being trained and live in human households.Dogs can suffer strongly from separation anxiety. In general, dogs do not have as much respect for children as they do for adults.

Active dog training skills are simply putting yourself in a position to control dog behavior. If you control your dog's behavior you are the one in charge of whether or not the dog does naughty actions or very good behavior. So how do you actively control actions? There are lots of ways. What it boils down to is keeping the dog with you, in a crate or kennel, or in a position such that if he decides to do something wrong you can always do something about it. Each and every time your dog does something bad and you aren't able to address it, you are training your dog. You are passively training him to do something bad. Continue to do again and again and now you've got a dog who jumps on people, pees in the house, chews your sofa, and performs other bad behaviors. Be an active dog trainer and both you and your dog will be a lot happier.

About the Author

For free puppy behavior training and dog training reports, check out Dog Training Behavior Eliminate Almost All Bad Dog Behavior Overnight With These Free Tips!

2008-02-19T05:24:00.001-08:00

Good Dog Training Collars Can Make Difference by Jim Kesel

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Dog training collars are obviously necessary and very effective tools in dog training. The dog's collar is the point of physical control that the trainer uses to make contact with the dog. There are many different training methods and styles used by professional trainers and as a result there are many different types of training collars. A quick check of on line pet supply retailers will find even more collars available in the market. You will find that each one has its own unique set of features that makes them ideal for specific types of training.

The standard variety, like leather or strong nylon is most advisable when simply training a dog to do basic stuff such as sit, jump, or stay. This is dependent of course on the size of the dog. Nylon collars are ideal for smaller dogs. Leather collars are ideal for bigger dog breeds. Nowadays, those who want to train their pet dogs for simple everyday commands even have the option to choose embellished collars. But for dog training, high quality collars should be given more preference.

Basic choke collars are one of the best dog training collars around. Choke collars give the trainer instant correction and control by tightening the collar around the dog's neck. During the training session when the dog is behaving in the proper manner, or obedient in following commands, the collar stays loose and comfortable around the dog's neck. In the event however that the dog starts misbehaving or commits a training mistake, the trainer can easily tighten the collar as a way of correction. This technique communicates to the dog the proper response to a command.

Prong collars, or pinch collars are another widely used dog training collars by professional trainers. This kind of collar has dulled tips on the collar surface touching the dog's neck. Like the choke collar, the trainer can control the tightening and loosening of the collar. As a way of correction, the trainer will pull the collar and the blunted tips will tighten around the dog's neck, without piercing his skin. It is important however to maintain caution in using these collars. There is a thin line between constructive correction and animal abuse. This type of collar should really be left to the professional trainer or handler.

Electronic and citronella training collars are very popular with many dog trainers. They are especially useful in correcting dog behavior when the dog is not on a lead. It is also very effective in aversion training like that used to train hunting dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and porcupines. The remote controls on this type of collar has the ability to make corrections from as far away as one mile. Correction is accomplished through either electronic stimulation or a spray of citronella once the command is given via the remote control. These collars also have a tone feature where the handler can communicate with the dog by sending a set of tone commands to either approve of a behavior or to warn the dog to correct its behavior prior to receiving stimulation.

No matter what training methods are employed by the trainer a quality dog training collar will be required to achieve the training goals. Wisdom and discernment should always be used when using any training collar. Failure to do so may result in unwanted behaviors or even physical damage to the dog's health.

About the Author

James Kesel, MS is the publisher of Career in Dog Training website. Providing information on dog training, dog training career opportunities and training accessories such as dog training collars.

2008-02-18T03:09:00.001-08:00

Good Food and Good Exercise Make for a Healthy Dog by Patricia Reed

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Owning a dog provides many benefits, but you only get out of them as much as you put into them. Good training, good shelter, good food, fresh water and regular exercise and a happy home are all that a dog needs to be content.

Just as the wrong foods can hurt the health of humans, the same goes for the health of dogs. There are some things that are quite dangerous to feed a dog. Make sure you know what those are to avoid harming them.

Feed your dog premium pet food and fresh meat and make sure you get out and take them for a walk or a run. This gives us a good excuse to get out ourselves and exercise as well. You could say that owning a dog actually keeps humans healthier. Certainly a well-trained and healthy dog keeps us a lot happier.

Many people are unaware that some foods that we eat on a regualr basis can be deadly to your dog.

For example: a piece of chocolate can cause seizures, coma and death. Even a small piece of chocolate is dangerous. Anything containing caffeine can have a similar effect and be as dangerous as chocolate, and that includes coffee grounds, tea and tea bags.

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure and even a single serving of raisins can kill your dog.

Excessive salt intake can also cause kidney problems.

Onions can cause anemia by destroying red blood cells while tomatoes can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias.

Tomato plants are particularly toxic to dogs.

Avacadoes are also highly toxic and can cause breathing difficulty and fluid accumulation around the abdomen, chest and heart.

When giving your dog bones ensure that they are raw as cooked bones can splinter and damage their internal organs.

Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis, so it is not wise to feed your dog a diet of fatty foods.

Fried foods also fall into this category and are not good to retain maximum health in your dog.

Certain nuts, such as Macadamia nuts and walnuts can cause weakness and muscle tremors.

Peanut butter however is generally okay provided you use the salt and sugar free peanut butter as sugar can encourage cancer growth.

The core and pits of fruits such as Apple's cherries and peaches contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs and can kill them within 24-hours without warning.

If in doubt, always refrain from feeding your dog foods that we are eating assuming that they will be okay.

What is safe for humans can kill your dog within hours.

So, do yourself and your dog a favor and don't feed them human food. As they always say, it is better to be safe than sorry and if you love your dog like I do, you do not want to lose them very soon. I have just recently experienced the unexpected loss of two pets and I am hopeful that it was nothing that I did that may have caused it. The loss of those two pets will stay with me for a very long time. They were my friends.

About the Author

Patricia Reed is a successful Webmaster and publisher of many articles and newsletters involving dogs and other pets which you can browse on her website http://www.dogs.netbizconnection.com

2008-02-18T03:07:00.001-08:00

The Best Dog Food For Your friend by Thomas Henricks

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Walking the isles, you will find a wide choice of dog food available in supermarkets and pet supplies today. This can make it difficult to decide which is the best dog food for your best friend. This may be one of the most commonly asked questions by pet owners when they take their dogs to their veterinarian. The answer really is not definitive.

There really is not one "best" that is suitable for all gogs across the board. The answer can be narrowed down by looking at each dog. Dogs are very much like people. Some dogs are extremely active to the point that they are often labelled hyper. Some dogs are built big and tough and some small and delicate. Each will need a diet tailored specifally to that dog's physical needs. However, understanding what determines those needs will help you to determine what the best dog food is for your pet.

The First Component

The first primary difference in dog food relates to the raw materials that are used to provide the nutritional value. You will notice that commercial dog foods are either grain-based or meat-based. Most experts will agree that the best dog food to maintain healthy dogs (who don't have heart or kidney problems) is a meat-based food.

Meat-based dog foods are considered the option due to the fact that their digestive system more easily extracts the nutrient value from the food source. It is common knowledge that protein is a necessary component in the diet of all dogs. Meat based dog foods typically are very high in protein. While meat based dog foods are produced from lamb, turkey, fish, beef and venison, many professionals in the field feel that chicken-based dog foods are the best choice.

Basic Guide

As notednpreviously, no single dog food can be rated the best for all dogs. There are a few things to specifically look for when selecting your dog's food. These components found in the appropriate ratio will ensure that your pet is getting the required source of nutrition from their food. As with people food, dog food will display nutrition labels that provide information about the nutrient value that can be expected from that product. These labels will provide the information you need to dtermine which is the best dog food for your pet.

When reading the nutritional value analysis, pay attention to the amount of protein contained in the dog food. For most dogs this value should be at least 30 per cent. In addition be sure to look at the fat percentage as well. The food should contain at least 18 per cent fat. This number may vary according to several factors. Older dogs or overweight dogs may require food that provides lower fat levels. These issues can be manged simply by selecting a product with lower fat in the source. Other components you should look for would include Vitamin E, the presence of Vitamin C, and the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Food for Health and Happiness

The best dog food for your dog ultimately rests on the evaluation of your particular dog's needs. The key thing to consider is that you ensure that your dog is getting the appropriate amount of nutrients. You may want to consult with your veterinarian for more professional advice about a healthy choice for your dog. That will help you determine what is the best dog food to meet your needs.

About the Author

Tom Henricks is a retired utility worker and charter fisherman from The Canadian of Shore of Lake Erie. For more information about Petfood please visit Petfood Tips and Info

2008-02-18T03:00:00.001-08:00

Dog Information On All Natural Dog Food by Brigitte Smith

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Not unlike their owners, dogs in America are becoming heavier and heavier. Although they may be happy, many dogs are not getting the exercise they need and their diets are not as healthy as they were 10-20 years ago. This results in a higher number of illnesses, more expensive visits to the veterinarian, and a shorter life span for many beloved family dogs.

Some people have begun putting their dogs on special diets. First they do the research to find out what their dog should be eating in the way of regular meals and dog treats. Once they know their dog information, they can make sure they are giving their dogs what they need.

Some dog owners have started to use their own dog information to help them make their own food and treats for their dog. This has to be done very carefully, since learning how to make your own dog food can actually hurt your dog if you do not make it correctly. Your dog may not be able to digest certain meats or fats, for instance. There are also some foods that can harm your dog, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, bread dough and anything that contains mold.

There are also companies that will make all natural dog food for you. These companies have done all the research and know your dog information including what vitamins and minerals your dog needs to survive and thrive. They also know what foods can make your dog sick. Some companies, like the one that makes flint river ranch dog food, make their food to be human grade. This means that a person could eat it without fear of illness.

An array of "human safe" canine treats can be found on store shelves. There are specific shops which will create these delicacies in an oven, in much the same way baked goods are made for humans. Some of these shops even invite you to bring your animal in to determine which of the items they prefer.

Deciding what to feed your dog is only part of the responsibility assigned to you; you also have an obligation to do your research to give your dog the best life possible. In addition to appropriate food, keeping your dog healthy will require plenty of exercise, water, and rest. Remember that your dog needs you to make the wise decisions for him in order to keep him healthy and fit.

About the Author

Many people feed their dogs special diets after they determine what foods their dogs need to eat, both for regular meals and for special treats. This dog information allows them to be sure that they are feeding their dogs the food that they need to stay healthy and strong for a long time to come.

2008-02-18T02:59:00.001-08:00

The World's Best Dog Food by Ty Brown

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We are now many months removed from the dog food recall. For those that don't remember or just weren't checking the news, the dog food recall was where several different brands of dog food were recalled due to impurities in the food that were causing dogs and cats to get sick and/or die. These foods were coming from some of the biggest names in dog food. Dog owners around the world were running scared as they realized that they had been taken by large corporations who weren't held to high food processing standards. To this day I often get asked by my clients what type of dog food I recommend. Many of my clients have dogs who suffer from allergies, eat their own stool, shed excessively, poop excessively, and have all sorts of other issues related to poor quality pet foods.

It was around that time that I started searching for the right pet food so that I would have an answer when my client asks, "What should I feed my dog." My criteria for choosing the right food was the following in no particular order:

1. Quality- I love my dogs. They deserve good food. Not only that, a quality food is going to save me money at the vet. The pet food industry has a very wide berth to do what they want. It is not illegal for them to put rotting carcasses into your dog's food or use the ground up euthanized animals from shelters as filler. Disgusting, I know, but these are standard practices for some of the largest pet food manufacturers.

2. Cost- I'm a dog trainer. What that means is that I enjoy my job but I'm not a rich man. It has to be a good quality but at a fair price.

3. Taste- My dogs have to like it. I have been through tons of dog foods that my dogs just can't stand.

4. Simplicity- There are a lot of premium dog foods that are great but you can't find them anywhere. If you are able to get them to special ship the food to your door it costs an arm and a leg.

5. Corporate responsibility- I wanted to make sure that if was recommending a dog food company that they would take care of my clients and that they were constantly innovating to make sure that the food remains quality.

So after an exhaustive search I was finally able to come by a food that I can recommend without hesitation. I recommend it so much that it is the only food I feed my own dogs and I even started selling it on this website. It hit every one of the check marks with no problems at all:

1. This company uses only human grade ingredients. They don't use chemical preservatives, no fillers, high quality proteins, and the list goes on. Basically, you could eat this food. You probably wouldn't want to but you could.

2. This food costs more than the commercial dog food I used to feed. It is much more nutritionally dense, however, so I end up feeding my own dogs less than what I would of a commercial food. As a result, I end up paying about $5-$10 more per month to feed this food than I used to with a commercial food. I can live with that.

3. I have recommended this food to the most picky of eaters. So far I've got a perfect record, every dog likes the taste of this stuff.

4. This dog food is delivered to your door, provided you live in the lower 48 states. Whenever I order I usually get the food the next day or the day after, provided I didn't order over the weekend.

5. This company was not involved in the dog food recall. Not only that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their food. You can get a full refund if you aren't satisfied. Who does that anymore? Heard enough? I recommend you check it out.

Click here to find Flint River Ranch dog food for sale.

About the Author

Click here for more information on dog training and health issues.

2008-02-18T02:58:00.001-08:00

Heavy duty plastic dog food bowl by jeya

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The patented design keeps ants and other small, crawling pests out of your pet's food and water--without the use of chemicals or pesticides making it safe for you, your pets, and the environment! Innovative design prevents pests from scaling the side of the bowl. Dog bowls feature a striped bone shape in the center. Heavy-duty bowls are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

Having durable dog food bowls and placemats and feeding them when the family eats will make your dogs feel more like members of the family. The Little Wind up Pup offers a good verity of dog food bowls for your small dog. It's important to provide your dog with their own dog food bowls and water bowls. The more designs of dog food bowl and water bowl is available in our Katiewong site in Newyork city.

The brightly colored bowl, which comes in pink and white, green and white, or blue and white is attractive enough, with a cute bone motif on the sides. The ceramic food bowl are gorgeous and really show how special your dog is! Stoneware dog bowls feature FDA approved glazing and are dishwasher safe.

We all know that dogs love to eat and drink wherever they are and it is crucial to their good health. You and your best friend will be very satisfied with one of our high quality dog dishes that are made to last. Pets have access to food or water from this lightweight plastic bowl that folds flat for easy transport and storage. Please purchase online www.katiewongnyc.com in Newyork.

About the Author

Representing the ceramic food bowl in the website www.katiewongnyc.com

2008-02-18T02:57:00.001-08:00

5 Shocking Facts About Commercial Dog Food by John Deeprose

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After publishing an article online about my dog Joe and his battle with Canine Liver Disease, I was inundated with e-mails from dog owners worldwide whose pets were suffering from diseases of the heart, kidneys and various chronic digestive problems.

In many cases, after simply changing their pets diet I was fascinated to note there were major marked improvements in the health of their dogs across a wide range of canine diseases.

After many hours of research I made a series of shocking discoveries about the commercial dog food that many people feed their much-loved pet......here is just a sample of the information that I was amazed to find

· Meat or Poultry by-products are very common in wet pet foods. The better brands of pet food, such as many "super-premium," "natural," and "organic" varieties, do not use by-products. On the label, you'll see one or more named meats among the first few ingredients, such as "turkey" or "lamb." These meats are still mainly leftover scraps; in the case of poultry, bones are allowed, so "chicken" consists mainly of backs and frames--the spine and ribs, minus their expensive breast meat. The small amount of meat left on the bones is the meat in the pet food. Even with this less-attractive source, pet food marketers are very tricky when talking about meat

· So-called "4D" animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled) were only recently banned for human consumption and are still legitimate ingredients for pet food.

· Contrary to the myth propagated by pet food companies, dry food is not good for teeth. Given that the vast majority of pets eat dry food, yet the most common health problem in pets is dental disease, this should be obvious. Humans do not floss with crackers, and dry food does not clean the teeth.

· A claim that a named meat (chicken, lamb, etc.) is the #1 ingredient is generally seen for dry food. Ingredients are listed on the label by weight, and raw chicken weighs a lot, since contains a lot of water. If you look further down the list, you're likely to see ingredients such as chicken or poultry by-product meal, meat-and-bone meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, or other high-protein meal. Meals have had the fat and water removed, and basically consist of a dry, lightweight protein powder. It doesn't take much raw chicken to weigh more than a great big pile of this powder, so in reality the food is based on the protein meal, with very little "chicken" to be found. This has become a very popular marketing gimmick, even in premium and "health food" type brands

· Feeding recommendations or instructions on the packaging are sometimes inflated so that the consumer will end up feeding -- and purchasing -- more food. One of the most common health problems in pets, obesity, may also be related to high-carb, high-calorie dry foods. Both dogs and cats respond to low-carb wet food diets. Overweight pets are more prone to arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.

I find it a little sad to see people spend a fortune on the right foods for themselves and their family whilst perhaps neglecting mans best friend.

I hope that this article has been of benefit to you.After writing an article about my dog joe, and his battle with canine liver disease, many dog owners worldwide mailed me concerned about their pets diet and i compiled this article to encourage dog owners to examine what they could, on a practical level do to promote better health in their pets.

About the Author

To find out more about what YOUR dog is REALLY eating and what YOU can do about it please visit: http://www.moredogfoodfacts.com

2008-02-04T02:28:00.001-08:00

Training Dogs to Be Obedient by scott williams

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Ah yes, dog obedience training . All the while you thought, when the children were old enough, that you were free of teaching the young ones. Then you went out and got a dog. And then you learn, to your horror, that the furry little bundle of joy that crashed into the TV set, chewed up your slippers and destroyed your neighbors prized orchids needs to be trained. Otherwise, Fido could turn out to be your worst nightmare.

Dog obedience training is basically communicating with the dog in such a way that he understands what the master wants him to do. But this is easier said than done. Dog obedience training entails a lot of patience and commitment. It is communicating to the animal and teaching them what is right and wrong. The most essential ability required in dog obedience training is to have effective communication between you and the dog. In having effective communication with your dog the trainer or handler can now make the dog obey commands like "sit", "come", "stay" or "heel".

There are a lot of reasons why we want obedience training for our dogs. One of the main reasons is for the dog's own welfare. We would want our dog to act accordingly when we are out with our dog and surrounded by a lot of people and other dogs as well. This scenario could present some curiosity and, sometimes, stress for an unaccustomed or untrained dog. By simply giving the proper commands we can prevent our dog from biting someone or simply running away when frightened. Dog obedience training will give you an obedient dog that is going to be able to interact with people and other dogs minus the usual dog problems.

Before starting dog obedience training it is always helpful to look at the qualities of the dog that we can relate to. Dogs are pack animals that, like humans, thrive as part of a group. And as such, they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. So in a sense you, the trainer/owner, are the leader of the pack. And so must establish early on that we are the dominant animal in the relationship. Misunderstanding this concept could lead to a lot of dog behavior problems.

For dog obedience training there are two popular and effective styles that you can use: the collar/leash method and the reward method. The reward method is not as intense as the collar/leash method. The reward method is a motivating style as it rewards the dog after it was encouraged and has done some of the commands. While the collar/leash method is a corrective method that gives your dog some discomfort for an improper action that was done; like pulling at the leash or jumping on a stranger.

The collar/leash and treats, which are used as rewards, are also the tools used to help in dog obedience training. There are numerous kinds of collars that can be used; some examples are the choke collar and electronic collar. The same is true with treats. There are numerous treats that you can purchase or make yourself to choose from.

There are also some basic commands used in dog obedience training. These are:

â€¢ Heel â€¢ Sit â€¢ Stay â€¢ Down â€¢ No

These basic commands must be mastered by your dog to be considered truly trained. Another thing to remember in training your dog is to keep it consistent and to make it fun for your dog.

Giving dog obedience training to your dog will make your dog a better and fun family companion in your household, more so in homes with small children. It also helps in cutting down incidents of dog bites and dog behavior problems encountered by dog owners. Dog obedience training gives the owner more than just an obedient and willing pet. Training your dog the correct way will further strengthen the bond between the dog and his master. Now that, is really man's best friend.

About the Author

Scott Williams is a freelance copywriter with a special interest in pets and an expert in dog training . For effective and easy dog training please visit http://dogpottytraining.blogspot.com. He has also been a frequent traveler and expert in finding cheap vacation packages and plane tickets at http://military-plane-tickets.blogspot.com

2008-02-01T01:12:00.001-08:00

Fearful Behavior In Dogs by David Beart

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Just like humans, some dogs are naturally shyer than others. Shyness can be a devastating trait for dog and owner, making both nervous about daily walks, trips to the dog park, and even inviting others into the home. If your dog is scared of strangers, do not be disheartened. With proper socialization, obedience training, and leadership (from you, considered to be the alpha dog), your pooch can overcome his fear of strangers, and become your calm, self-assured and happy companion. Although many dog owners assume that a fearful, cautious dog has endured some type of abuse during his life, this is not always the case, but it doesn't hurt to look into. Fearful behavior can be caused by many things such as genetics, physical ailments, or lack of socialization as a puppy. It can be learned from the mother's behavior, and dog breeders see that boldness runs in certain bloodlines, while timidity and nervousness run in others. Deafness, ear infections, epilepsy, and thyroid problems can cause a more nervous dog, so be sure to have your dog checked by a veterinarian if he suddenly exhibits fearful behavior, when he didn't before.

The problem with fear in dogs is that the fear may lead to aggression when your dog's fight or flight response kicks in. A scared dog will often run away from strangers, cower to look small, or even hide behind its owner for safety. If the dog ever feels trapped, which may only be imagined, but is quite real for the dog, he may lash out by growling, charging, or biting at whomever he feels is trapping him. If this person backs away, the dog will learn that this behavior is effective at getting what he wants (for the stranger to go away), and a new habit of fear aggression will be formed. To avoid this potentially dangerous habit, you must prevent your dog from becoming scared, and also prevent positive rewards for aggressive behavior. Early socialization is vital to prevent fear in dogs. Socialization allows your dog to develop interactive skills with other dogs, other kinds of animals, and people of all sizes and ages. Puppies, like children or other baby animals, will form memories and associations to what they learn at a young age. If they learn to trust and interact with different people, they will be comfortable with humans later on in life. On the other hand, isolated puppies that have little interaction with people tend to become attached to one person only, the owner. Unfortunately for the dog, he will inevitable have to interact with other people all the way through his life, like the vet or groomer. However, one great characteristic of dogs is their ability to learn new behavior at any age. If your dog is scared of strangers, it is time to socialize.

A major part of overcoming your dog's fear is overcoming your own anxiety and fear about your dog's actions toward others. Pay attention to your own actions while walking your dog; do you shorten the leash and tense up when a stranger approaches in anticipation of your dog's behavior? Do you get nervous before company comes to your home because you are fearful of how your dog will interact with them? Just as your dog will grow more fearful by sensing your anxiety and stress, he will find confidence in your strong, assertive leadership. You must show that your dog can relax knowing that he is safe under your care. Ascertain your dominance through walks and obedience training, and be aware of your own mental state during interactions with strangers. During personal interactions, instruct others on how to behave with your dog. On the first meeting, there should be no eye contact or touching; the stranger should act impartial in your dog. This allows your dog to have his own personal space, and not to be threatened by what he perceives to be a dominant stranger. Remember, you know your dog better than anyone else, so be aware of his mental state at all times. If your dog is afraid of children, hats, or loud noises, begin to expose him to just those things, in very small doses at first. Increase exposure only as your dog becomes more comfortable. Take your dog for a walk past a school while children are outside. To keep his mind from focusing on the children, ask him to sit, or lay down; as long as he is focusing on you and the rewards for his good behavior, his mind cannot be consumed with fear. It is enormously important to remain upbeat and positive during these training sessions, as your dog will feed off of your mood. You can correct your dog for not obeying a command, but do not punish for fearful behavior, as this will only increase anxiety. Socialization is a life long process; the learning never ends for your dog, and as long as you can help alleviate his fear, he can continue living his life to the fullest.

About the Author

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

2008-01-29T01:18:00.000-08:00

Nutritious Dog Food Or Junk Food? by Lori Matthews

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As a dog-owner, have you ever thought twice about the actual nutritional value of the food and treats you are feeding your dog? If you are concerned about the health of your pet and loyal companion, you should be more aware of what the ingredients are in the dog food and products that you buy. Sadly, the labels of most commercial dog foods don't tell the whole truth about what they contain and unfortunately some can contain what I like to call useless fillers. Yes, many people feed their dog not so healthy food and they don't even realize it.

Dog food production has 'developed' in the past few decades but the life-span of these beloved animals have gotten shorter in contrast. The reason: because these 'developments' actually benefit commercial dog food manufacturers more than they do the dogs. It means using poor-quality and even toxic ingredients to ensure cheaper costs of production and longer shelf life. It means very poor nutrition for your pet so that these companies can make higher profits.

The truth about most available dog products is that they are made from low-grade grains, unthinkable meat by-products and artificial preservatives that are not fit for humans and pets to eat. For instance, substitution for meat protein and good carbohydrates are often done with poor-quality grain meals using soybean, corn, gluten, and wheat. These ingredients in fact commonly cause allergies in pets. Meanwhile, the meat ingredients typically used can include unwanted body parts of animals like the neck, head, guts, feet, lungs, and bones. Even harder to the stomach is that these can come from animals that are diseased, dying or already dead and decaying. All of these are mercilessly dumped, ground and mixed into a more acceptable form called 'meal' and made into dog food.

To add to this already unhealthy mix, chemical ingredients used by dog food manufacturers have been found to cause early dog deaths due to heart disease, kidney failure and certain cancers. So why pay for junk that will eventually kill your dog?

Dogs age much faster than humans and they require the same quality of nutrition as ours. Naturally, like any other kind of animal, a dog needs fresh and healthy food too. The ideal diet for your pet should consist of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, natural fats, fiber, and even antioxidants. Chicken and fish are good sources of protein that you can look for in dog food. Eggs also provide protein, amino acids, biotin, sulfur, as well as vitamins A, B, E, and K. For carbohydrates, brown rice is an easily digestible carb-source that is now being used as a dog food ingredient.

A new advancement in health food for dogs now includes antioxidants in the ingredients, specifically from whole foods like apples, carrots, celery, spinach, alfalfa leaf, and garlic. Grape seed extract is also being used for its antioxidants that may help slow down your dog's aging and to keep its immune system strong. This new kind of dog food likewise has beet pulp, which is a source of fiber and the short chain fatty acids needed by good bacteria in the digestive tract. Lactobacillus acidophilus in this dog food similarly aids digestion by encouraging the growth of helpful bacteria.

By providing this kind of nutritious dog food, you can ensure that your pet will live healthier and stay by your side longer.

About the Author

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please click here if you would like more information healthy dog food, please visit http://www.premium4pets.net

2008-01-28T02:37:00.001-08:00

Why Choose To Make Homemade Organic Dog Food by Allison Thompson

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Are you someone who is worried about the quality of the foods that you eat and have chosen to now eat those which have been organically grown instead. There is plenty of evidence available which clearly shows that not only do these foods improve your health, but also your energy and strength as well. So this is why you consider buying such food is a worthwhile investment. But even so have you ever given any thought with regard to kinds of foods that you are providing your pets with? Just like us there are many benefits that your pets can get from eating organic pet food as well. If you want then why not start preparing homemade organic dog food for yours also.

In fact, making organic dog food at home could be one of the best things you can do for your pet. Although it is possible to purchase organic dog food commercially, it can often be expensive. Buying pre-made organic dog food can place a strain on your wallet. This why many consumers prefer to purchase non-organic food instead. Yet there are other ways in which you can provide organic food for your pet.

Making homemade organic dog food is the ideal way to cut down the costs, but still ensuring that your dog gets high quality food. These foods will be free of chemicals and pesticides. If you want why not save the scraps and leftovers from your own organic meals. So take the vegetables, meats, and grains, and blend them together in order to make a great tasting homemade organic dog food for yours.

However, before you start preparing any kind of organic dog food you need to discuss the matter with your vet first. They will be able to provide you with a set of guidelines to ensure that your dog's particular nutritional requirements will be met. Remember each breed of dog will have a specific set of nutritional requirements that will need to be met. By having these guidelines to hand you will then be able to select and prepare organic dog food recipes that meet your dog's particular needs the best.

After speaking with your vet you can now get on to making the food for your dog. When it comes to selecting recipes the best place to start searching for ones to try is online. It is important to remember as you search that the food you prepare will not only keep your dog healthy but they will also be a lot happier as well.

There are many benefits to be gained from preparing organic food for your dog and one of these is that you actually have more control over the kinds of foods your dog eats. Through cooking the food yourself you are able to control the number of calories they consume as well as how much fat is contained within each meal. This will further help to ensure that they do not actually gain too much weight also.

Another advantage to be had from preparing your pet's food is that you can prepare meals that suit the different seasons. So in summer the meals you prepare for your dog will be much lighter and cooler, compared to those in winter which will be much warmer and heartier. By doing this you will ensure that their bodies and energy levels are such that they are better able to cope with the weather and other conditions during the various seasons.

Also after a while you will start to see some changes in your pet where you have been making them homemade organic dog food. Not only will they look healthier, their energy levels will be improved and they will look happier as well. So if you are someone who is at all concerned about what goes into your dog's food then it is about time you starting considering change their diet to organic foods instead. If you are finding the cost of buying commercially produced organic dog food somewhat prohibitive then why not start making it for yourself.

About the Author

Above we have shown you some reasons as to why making homemade organic dog food is perfect for your pet. If you would like to find out more about all aspects of pet food then why not visit Healthy Pets Are Happy Pets by clicking on this link.

2008-01-26T01:31:00.001-08:00

Dog Skin Problems - How To Ease The Itch by Ron King

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Dogs do not have the same reaction symptoms individuals do. A dog's reaction to an allergy often comes in the form of dog skin irritations, such as excessive itching and biting as well as making a poor quality coat of fur. Anal itching and chronic ear infections can also be symptoms and are something most pet owners don't think of as being allergy related.

While dog skin problems and sensitivity can be caused by many things, allergic reactions to food are very common. Food sensitivity may take years for indicators to develop, even if you have been feeding your dog the same food.

Once dog skin problems or other allergy symptoms do begin appearing, it's a good idea to check your pet's diet first. You do this by simply taking away their customary food for several days and giving them a diet that consists of protein and starch. A good diet to try is lamb or rabbit mixed with rice. Do not give them anything else during this test phase.

When the signs improve, go back to giving your dog its regular nourishment and take notes. If the dog skin problems or other signs return, you know it's something in their food.

Next you return to the test diet above, but commence adding one new ingredient each week. For example try chicken one week, beef the next, wheat, then corn. If symptoms get better, for example with beef, you know that beef is not the source of the allergies. If they get worse, then there is a good chance that you've revealed the culprit.

Even if you find that your pet is allergic to one ingredient, it's important to continue this process with all elements because your dog could be allergic to more than one thing.

Once you uncover what your dog is allergic to, you can start to look for commercial foods that do not contain those elements. Some of the best alternatives with brand name dog food are foods that are made with lamb and rice. Both lamb and rice are considered hypoallergenic (as long as it does not have wheat or corn.).

Do not ration yourself to just commercial pet food. Many pet owners have used a raw food diet with enormous success for treating dog allergies. This natural type of diet consists of raw meat, raw bones and raw vegetables. You can find out more material about the raw food diet for dogs by doing a quick search on the internet. (If your dog is already on a raw food diet, you should still use the test diet outlined above and vary ingredients.).

Dog skin problems, sensitivity and food all boil down to one basic fact. Your dog's diet is the basis of a long, comfortable and joyous life. You need to get the best dog diet substance available and take a proactive stance so your pet does not have to needlessly suffer.

About the Author

For more about dogs, visit Dog Skin Problem. Also check out Dog Skin Problems. For Ron's website, visit Dogs Skin Care.

2008-01-24T02:15:00.000-08:00

Dog Training Tips and Tricks: Recall Training Your Dog by Daniel Bell

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Recall training has two basic concepts. The first is to treat your dog well each time he comes to you. Be it a kind word, a pat on the head, or a scratch behind the ears, Buddy will relish the affection you show him.

The second concept takes much more effort. Purchase a line that measures ten to twenty feet. Clip it onto Buddy's collar and take him to the park or into the yard. Then, start training.

The line allows Buddy to put some distance between you. When Buddy has ventured almost to the end of his line, call him. A simple, "Buddy come," will suffice. Be sure to have lots of treats in your pocket just in case he shocks you and comes immediately. If he does come, give him a treat. The worst scenario is that you will have to reel in the line to make him come. With this method, Buddy is responsible for his own behavior, but you still have control over the situation if he doesn't obey.

If Buddy sits perfectly still when you give the "come" command, or watches birds and squirrels playing in a nearby tree, he hasn't obeyed. Either reel him in, or go and get him and bring him to the spot where you gave the command. If this is the case, Buddy gets no reward, but no punishment either. Down play the incident and try again later.

The next time you try recall training, follow the same agenda. Never repeat the "come" command. Buddy should come the first time he's called. If not, reel him in or go and get him and take him to where you gave the command. Down play the incident and try again later. Do this again and again and... well, you get the picture. Repetition is the name of the game. The process is long. It may take a week, a month, a year or more of constant recall training before Buddy gets it right and comes on your first command every time. But...diligence pays off and in time when you say, "come," Buddy will obey.

In the meantime recall training will have its ups and downs. There will be times when Buddy will come. When this happens, give him a treat, rub his head, and scratch his ears and say, "good boy," or some thing similar. Whatever else you do, reward his obedience immediately. He'll soon get the message that obedience reaps rewards and affection.

Above all, never scream, yell, or hit Buddy if he doesn't obey. If you do, it will set your training efforts back to day one. Buddy will fear you and instead of coming on command, he will put more distance between the two of you. When he doesn't obey simply go to him, grasp his collar and gently take him to where you gave the command. This lets him know you are ready to enforce your commands and that he has no choice but to obey.

If you run into problems and Buddy just won't obey, seek the services of a professional dog trainer. It may cost a bit, but a professional will be able to point out where you're going wrong. It's well worth the expense to know that Buddy will respond to your commands. This ensures that he will always be safe, so you can enjoy each others company for many years to come.

About the Author

Please take the time to visit my blog http://dog-training-behavior-1.blogspot.com to learn more dog training tips .

2008-01-22T02:47:00.001-08:00

Dog Obedience Training Secrets by Petter Rogstad

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Discover how to bond with and train your dog the right way using dog obedience training commands. I highly recommend setting aside at least 15-20 minutes each day for a "Dog Obedience Training" session. You and your dog won't have to leave the house to go to obedience class or call in an expensive professional trainer, you will find directions for FREE dog obedience training below that are easy to follow on everything from HEEL to STAY. Dog Obedience Training & Dog Health Illness SymptomsWelcome to Dog Obedience Training web site that's dedicated to help obedient train your dog and offer you the knowledge of dog health illness symptoms to give your dog a happier and healthier life.

Problems

Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solvingjust about any problem. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is learning to teach thedog to redirect his natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting.

Puppies

Get my puppies off to the best possible start in life. Puppies are like sponges when they're young -- it's important to start their training right away. Learn the best training methods to quickly and easily train any dog or puppy, fix your dog or puppies problems, such has pottying all over the house, chewing on shoes, and jumping on people.

Methods

Clicker training uses behavioral science methods to communicate effectively with our dogs. Clicker training uses behavioral science methods to communicate effectively with our dogs.

Aggression

Aggression related dog behavior problems are ones that should be stopped from the moment a puppy is born. Aggression related dog behavior problems include biting, jumping, barking uncontrollably and not obeying commands. By spaying or neutering your pet, you eliminate a lot of dog behavior problems associated with dogs in heat; these can include fighting, barking, whining and aggression related problems.

Conclusion

Apply basic and advanced dog obedience training. Discover how to bond with and train your dog the right way using dog obedience training commands. Enroll in a local dog obedience training class to learn the basics.

About the Author

Get my FREE SitStayFetch 6 Day Course!

2008-01-21T01:44:00.001-08:00

Healthy Dog Food - Make it Yourself Easily! by stephen

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Making your own healthy dog food is one of the best things you can do for your dog. Especially today more than ever. What with the dog food recalls that has been going on and not to mention the poor dogs that have died as a result from badly made commercial dog food!

You can make your own healthy dog food and save your dog from ingesting unknown chemicals and fillers that are present in commercial dog food. When you decide to put your dog on your homemade healthy dog food you know exactly what is going into it and you know for sure that it is good and healthy for your dog and your dog will thank you for it!

Getting to know what ingredients your dog likes and what it does not like will take a little trial and error at first, but to get off on the right foot to making your own healthy dog food you might want to consult your local vet and find out what they think will be the best types of ingredients for your particular breed of dog.

Once you have the go ahead from your local vet to make your own healthy dog food you can get started. You will quickly realise that it is really easy to make up your own batch of healthy dog food, it does not take as much work as you might think once you have a plan on how to do it.

Once you are making your own healthy dog food you are in total control of what your dog eats in terms of the amount of calories,protien vitamins and nutrients! Your dog will be the healthiest it's probably ever been with new found boundless energy and vigour!

There are some foods that can be dangerous to a dog thatâ€™s why i always recommend that you speak with your vet first they are in the best position to advise you on what foods to avoid for your dog and what foods will be the best for him or her.

About the Author

Check out my Blog www.dog-food-reviews.com

2008-01-21T01:42:00.001-08:00

Train Your Dog to be a Happy Member of the Family by GCC

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I am sure that many of you are like my family, we get a dog and it immediately becomes part of the family. Our pet (baby) female Chihuahua was given to us for free, she was only 6 months old and her name was Diva. My wife was not to thrilled with the name but we found out in a very short period of time that the name suited her. It was only a matter of 2 days and we fell endlessly in love with her.

As you can see from the photo it was very easy to for us to fall in love with Diva and make her the newest member of our family, which already includes 5 childern, a 12 year old cat and goldfish. However, Diva has taken over as number 1 and she knows it. Of course, being a Chihuahua, a female and having Diva as her name she at times can be unruly and at times tries to dominate everyone in the family and assume an Alpha role.

It was because of this we started looking for ways to train her.

We bought several books on dog training and found that we needed a step by step approach to help bring Diva's behavior under control. My wife found Daniel Stevens "SitStayFetch" Dog Training program on the internet and we immediately downloaded the program and immediately started using the Alpha Dog Lessons and finally got Diva to understand and accept that she is not the Alpha member of the family.

I highly recommend SitStayFetch to everyone who has a dog as a companion. Just click on the link below or copy and paste to download your copy today and bring your dog's behavior under control.

http://weazer013.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/

The successful implementation of the training requires consitency and persistence because your furry companion will take advantage of any inconsitencies in your training methods. We found this out the hard way, we had a hard time sticking to our guns and following Danile's methods. Whenever we would look at Diva and she has the knack for looking at us with an expression that makes us melt we would bend the rules and let Diva have her way. However, we also realized that we needed to stop her dominant behavior because her begging at the dining room table would make meal time unbearable. Not only was she annoying the family it was more embarrassing whenever we would have guest over for dinner, plus she was starting to gain weight which could affect her own well being. During a recent vet visit we were warned that she was starting to get a little over weight. With this warning we realized that we needed to get our little Diva under control and stated follwoing the program with no deviations and Boy did it work, in as little as 3 months we have seen a great improvement in her behavior. In addition, we just had Diva at the vet and were informed that she had lost 2 pound and is back down to a healther 9 pounds.

If you have a companion with behavior problems that either embassass the family our puts her our any of your family members in harms way, Daniel Stevens "SitStayFetch" Dog Training program is for you and can be quikly downloaded, simply click on the link below or copy and paste to download your copy today and bring your dog's behavior under control.

http://weazer013.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/

Good luck and remember persistence and consitency are the keys to training your dog. Good luck and hope you have many more enjoyable years with your dog.

About the Author

I am an MBA graduate that has over 27 years of management experience in various facits of manufacturing, from plastics, paper, optical coatings to CD/DVD replication. I have managed both union and non-union facilities. I am married with 5 children, a cat, a dog and goldfish.

2008-01-19T01:02:00.001-08:00

Dog Diseases: Brain Cancer by Ashley Peach

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Your dog is very important to you and I bet you have treated your dog carefully, making sure they have the proper nutrition, exercise, and of course love. Even owners who spend all their time trying to prevent cancer in their dog will be shocked to find out that their dog has cancer. In some cases you just canâ€™t prevent cancer no matter how careful you are. In these cases you just have to learn how to care for your sick dog and understand the progression of the disease to help treat it. With brain cancer you will find there really is no cause science has been able to find. They believe that brain cancer is usually a result of a genetic disorder in the cells that allow them to mutate and form.

Brain cancer or meningioma is a tumor cell that can form in several areas of the brain. The cancer can form at the base of the spine, or any part of the brain. The cells will mutate and the cancer will grow if left untreated. You should know that this type of cancer is malignant. This means that the cancer will continue to grow in the brain until the dog either dies from the cancer or from the pressure on the brain causing an aneurism. It is important that you know and recognize the early symptoms to prevent suffering and of course death of your loved one.

Symptoms of brain cancer include personality changes, stress, aggression, shyness, or depression. They are also appetite changes, lethargy, lameness, muscle twitches, eye and facial issues, coordination problems, bleeding in the nasal cavity, respiratory issues, and heart problems. The early symptoms are usually related to the appetite, weight loss, and personality changes. As the brain cancer progresses you will see more changes and of course extremely muscle weakness. The brain is the center for all things in the body. If a small section is affected it can through off the other functions of the body such as the liver, heart, lungs, and immune system. Sometimes brain cancer is a result of another cancer forming somewhere in the body and moving through the blood cells until it creates a second mass on the brain. Some of the symptoms will be determined by the location fo the actual brain cancer.

As I mentioned above there really is no known prevention making the treatment for your dog extremely important. You will have a few choices in treatment and therefore care. Surgery is often very difficult on dogs with brain cancer as they have to go in to remove the actual mass. This can cause lasting effects, so most often an owner will decide care and medication are the best choices. There are medications that have been created to prevent the actual mutation of cells. Keep in mind that the medication usually does not reduce the cells already formed; therefore you may need to try radiation or chemotherapy with your dog to reduce the cells that have already formed and prevent the cells from re- growing. If you choose medication and radiation you will need to make adjustments for care. The dog will need a different diet, more care from you while you are home, and less exercise. Exercise is important, but when they are feeling ill they tend to want to lie around. So allowing for more rest is as important as short five minute walks. You also need to realize that they can be sick from the treatment so they need you to be there to help them get over the vomiting and other issues of the treatment.

About the Author

Ashley Peach is a writer for the websites dog supplies and dog information.

2008-01-17T02:02:00.001-08:00

6 Basic Dog Training Tips by Jeffery Rush

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How you go about basic dog training depends on several things. You want to take into consideration what kind of dog it is, what dog behavior training you are trying to accomplish, and how old the dog is. But it is important to note that it is never too late to teach a dog a new trick. Here are 6 basic dog training tips to keep in mind.

1) Positive

The key thing to remember is that this is a fun process to teach your dog something new. Therefore, make sure to constantly offer positive affirmations in the form of verbal praise and treats. Whenever the dog does something correctly make sure they know it.

2) Patience

It can be difficult being patient but it is a process that is not going to happen in one session. You have to be willing to give it time and over a period of training sessions your dog will learn. Your dog will pick up on your emotions so hide those feelings of anxiety and anger and keep it positive.

3) Consistency

Consistency is vital with dog behavior training. Training your dog one day and then skipping a few will not get the job done. The more consistent you are the quicker your dog will pick up the trick you are teaching. However, it is not a bad thing to take one day off here and there to give them a break.

4) Short and sweet

The last thing you or your dog wants is a two hour training session each day. Around fifteen minutes is the perfect time for dogs to learn simple commands. Always make sure to stick with one command or trick per session and do not overlap the tricks within each fifteen minutes. And remember, praise is essential when your dog does something correctly.

5) No distractions

To get the most out of your basic dog training, try to pick a spot that eliminates any kinds of distractions. While this may be difficult to find, try to pick a quiet spot free of people or other dogs. Going in the backyard or an inside room typically are the best locations.

6) Above All Else - FUN! FUN! FUN!

Although this is quite repetitive, it is essential that you keep each session fun and lighthearted. Your dog will feed off of your emotions and if you are having a good time they will enjoy it as well. If your dog makes a mistake, you can be firm but friendly at the same time. And after each fifteen minute session, play with your dog for a while.

Over time you will begin to build an even greater bond with your dog as you both learn to trust in each other through these lessons. This will help you on the path to a long and loving relationship with your best friend. It will also provide the foundations for a well mannered and behaved dog who will be a joy to have around the family, and in the company of others.

About the Author

For Further Dog Training Tips, And To Sign Up To Our 10 Part Dog Training Lesson Course, Please Visit:- Dog Training Lessons

2008-01-01T05:11:00.001-08:00

Dog Obedience Training - The Basic Commands by Sandra Hanson

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Dog Obedience Training - The Basic Commands

There are many reasons why dog owners want to have a calm, obedient and faithful dog. Dogs that have been trained to be obedient, tend to be happier dogs and are less likely to get into tussles with other dogs or people. In many communities, dogs are required to be well trained in order to live in those neighborhoods. This holds true for certain breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers.

Also, training your dog properly will help him or her to be a much better family companion especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have confirmed that proper dog training has a huge impact in terms of cutting down on the number of dog bites and other behavioral problems encountered by households with dogs.

If you are going to train your dog or have someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for dog to be considered truly trained. The basic commands are:

*Heel - it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

*Respond to the word No - the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

*Sit - Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

*Stay - A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so stay is a very important command in dog training. *Down - Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Training your dog properly will strength the bond that already exists between the dog and the handler. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as the pack leader.

In every pack of dogs, there is only one leader, so the owner must establish himself or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do this, will result in many behavioral problems. So establishing yourself as the pack leader is a very important concept that must be understood by the potential dog trainer.

A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors. As a result, a dog that has been trained properly will respond appropriately to all its owner's commands, and will not exhibit anxiety or confusion.

Dog obedience training will also fulfill some of the dog's own needs like the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Dogs were originally bred by humans to do work for them such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can unfortunately lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Make sure you incorporate playtime into your dog training sessions as this is a great way to prevent you and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you - the pack leader - and your dog.

Visit here for immediate access to even more dog training tips:

http://www.dogtrainingdiscovery.com/cbae/?a=LBjRLBZvsl

About the Author

Sandra enjoys writing about a wide variety of topics.

2007-12-30T01:06:00.001-08:00

Dog Training Guides for Dog Behavior Problems by S. Tanna

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Many dog owners experience behavioral problems with their dogs. These range from toilet training issues, to aggression, to dogs running away and not coming back. If you've ever experienced these kinds of problems, you'll know just how difficult they can make like with your dog - and would surely welcome some expert input on how to address these issues.

If you're looking online for help with your dog, it's true that there are some truly excellent dog training courses and web sites, however you may prefer to find a course or web site which specifically focuses on dog behaviour problems. Here are three of the best:

1. Dog Recall: Dog Recall is a downloadable eBook (PDF) format that focused on how to train your dog to come back right away when called. It is fairly short report which focuses on just this specific issue and doesn't delve into other aspects of dog training - and thus is just 18 pages long. If you are having problems with your dog running off, then this product might be a good choice for you. Since this guide is easily affordable, you could always purchase another guide as well if you also want a more general dog training manual.

2. Dog Training Mastery: Dog Training Mastery is a home-study course delivered over the Internet that focuses on quickly solving dog behavior problems. In addition to the main course itself, the site offers 9 bonuses to customers, and even non-customers can get a free 10-part mini-course just for visiting the website.

3. Sit Stay Fetch: Sit Stay Fetch is one of the most popular downloadable dog-training guides on the Internet. The materials are principally focused on dog obedience training, and how to put a stop to dog behavior problems, but also cover other topics such as how to train your dog to learn commands. The main guide offered from from the website is downloadable uide backed by a money-back guarantee. This comes with a whole host of different bonsues including an audio version of the guide which you can listen to on your MP3 player, and email consultation on dog behavior problems.

About the Author

By S. Tanna. First published at http://www.guide2dogtraining.com/p1_behavior_problems.php - Visit this link for more dog training courses, videos and free articles.

Train your dog to come back right away when called http://www.dogrecall.com

2007-12-30T01:04:00.001-08:00

Dog Training Guides by S. Tanna

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While it's certainly true that some people have a much better "feel" for dogs than others, nobody is born with an innate knowledge of dog training methods. Some folks have of course been lucky enough to grow-up with dogs around them, or regularly observed others training dogs, but while this kind of informal learning is valuable, it's certainly no substitute for professional guidance. It is for this reason that dog training courses are so valuable to be would-be dog trainers. Even if you've taken a course before, taking another course can have benefits: reminding you or forgotten techniques, helping you brush up on your skills, or simply offering a new perspective.

Most people today of course have busy lives, so going on a residential dog training course in, or have dog training lessons, can be difficult. Many people have found that modern technology offers a solution: there are many excellent dog training courses on the Internet.

Here are three of the best:

1. DIY Dog Training: A home course that is designed to teach how to quickly and easily train your dog to be well-behaved at all times. The website features some impressive success stories, and the course covers both how to address some dog behavior problems, as well as more general dog-training topics such from potty training to walking your dog on a leash to advanced commands such as "wait", "leave it", "crawl" and many more. At the time of writing, the package also includes 8 valuable bonuses, all relating to dog topics, including audio downloads, ebooklets (to read on your computer) and email consultation with the author of the course. Additionally, the course is backed by an 8 week guarantee: the author offers a refund if you are "not totally happy with the complete Dog Training Package for any reason".

2. Dog Training Mastery: Dog Training Mastery is a home-study course delivered over the Internet that focuses on quickly solving dog behavior problems. In addition to the main course itself, the site offers 9 bonuses to customers, and even non-customers can get a free 10-part mini-course just for visiting the web site.

3. Dove Cresswell's Puppy Training and Dog Training Online: Dove Creswell is a professional dog trainer from Hollywood North who trains dogs films, TV and commercials. Her course, "Dove Cresswell's Puppy Training amp; Dog Training Online" is an audio-visual course delivered over the Internet. You can get a flavor for how this works by visiting her web site and viewing the free sample lesson. The course proper is divided into seven lessons each focusing on a different aspect of training your dog. As well as the 7 audio/visual lessons, customers of this course also receive a whole host (8 at the time of writing) of different bonuses. Most of these audio recordings containing information about various dog and dog training topics, including how to teach your dog to play fetch, play soccer and play hide and seek. Additionally, customers can email Dove Cresswell directly to get advice on their biggest dog training challenge.

About the Author

By S. Tanna. First published at http://www.guide2dogtraining.com/p1_general_training.php - Visit this link for more dog training courses, videos and free articles.

Train your dog to come back right away when called http://www.dogrecall.com

2007-12-30T01:03:00.001-08:00

How Do I Stop My Dog Digging? by Alison Dean

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There are two extremes of opinion when it comes to dogs and their digging habits: one, that a dog is a dog, and we should permit him to express his true canine nature by allowing him free reign over the yard and flowerbeds; and two, that a flowerbed is a flowerbed, and no dog should even think about expression his dogginess if such an expression comes at the price of a season's worth of rosebuds.

My own viewpoint tends to favor the middle ground. Although plenty of dogs do love to dig, and it's healthy for them to be permitted to indulge in this habit from time to time, there's a difference between permitting your dog to express his inner puppy, and allowing him to run rampant in the yard. I don't see why a dog should have to come at the price of a garden, and vice versa: flowers and dogs can coexist peacefully. If your dog's developed a taste for digging, it'll just take a bit of time (and some crafty ingenuity) on your part to resolve the issue satisfactorily.

First of all, if you have yet to adopt a dog and your concern for the fate of your flower-beds is purely hypothetical, consider the breed of dog that you'd like. If you've got your eye on a specific mixed-breed dog, what seems to be the most prominent?

The reason that I ask is simply because breed often plays a significant role in any given dog's personal valuation of digging as a rewarding pastime - terriers and Nordic breeds in particular (Huskies, Malamutes, some members of the Spitz family) seem to particularly enjoy digging.

Of course, when you get right down to the sum and substance, each dog is first and foremost an individual, and there's no guaranteed way to predict whether or not your chosen familial addition is going to be a burrower or not. But if you're trying to reduce the likelihood of an involuntarily-landscaped garden as much as possible, I suggest you stay away from all breeds of terrier (the name means "go to earth", after all!) and the Nordic breeds.

Why do dogs dig?

In no particular order, here are some of the more common reasons that a dog will dig:

Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way for a hyped-up, under-exercised dog to burn off some of that nervous energy. Boredom. Bored dogs need a "job" to do, something rewarding and interesting, to help the time pass by.

Digging is often the ideal solution for a bored dog: it gives him a sense of purpose, and distracts him from an otherwise-empty day. The need for broader horizons. Some dogs are just escape artists by nature - no matter how much exercise and attention they get, it's nearly impossible to confine them. For a four-legged Houdini, it's not the digging in itself that's the reward, it's the glorious unknown that exists beyond the fenceline.

Separation anxiety. To a dog that's seriously pining for your company, digging under those confining walls represents the most direct path to you. Separation anxiety is an unpleasant psychological issue relatively common among dogs - but because it's so complex, we won't be dealing with it in this newsletter. Instead, you can find excellent resources for both preventing and coping with the condition at the link at the bottom of the page. Curbing the habit

Many of the reasons contributing to your dog's desire to dig suggest their own solutions: if your dog's not getting enough exercise (generally speaking, at least forty-five minutes' worth of vigorous walking per day), take him for more walks. If he's bored, give him some toys and chews to play with during your absence, and wear him out before you leave so he spends most of the day snoozing. An escape-artist dog might need to be crated, or at least kept inside the house where he's less likely to be able to break free.

For those dogs who just like to dig as a pastime in itself, though, here are a few basic tips for controlling inappropriate digging as much as is reasonably possible:

Restrict your dog's access. This is the most effective thing you can do: if he's never in the yard without active supervision, there's no opportunity for digging.

Use natural deterrent. 99.9% of dogs will shy back, horrified, from the prospect of digging anywhere that there's dog poop. Even the ones who like to eat poop (a condition known as coprophagia) generally won't dig anywhere near it - it offends their basic, fastidious dislike of soiling their coat and paws.

Use nature's own wiles. If the digging is bothering you because it's upsetting the more delicate blooms in your garden, plant hardier blossoms: preferably, those with deep roots and thorny defenses. Roses are ideal.

A more time-consuming, but super-effective way of handling the issue: roll up the first inch or two of turf in your yard, and lay down chicken-wire underneath it. Your dog won't know it's there until he's had a few tries at digging, but once he's convinced himself that it's pointless (which won't take long), he'll never dig in that yard again.

Accept your dog's need for an outlet: give him a place to dig If your dog is set on tunneling your yard into a grassless, crater-studded lunar landscape, but you're equally determined to prevent this from happening at all costs, please take a moment to consider before embarking on a grueling and time-consuming preventative strategy.

Setting yourself the goal of eradicating all digging behavior, period, is pretty unrealistic: it's not fair on you (since, really, you're setting yourself up for failure), and it's not really fair on your poor dog either - if he's a true-blue digger, it's just part of his personality, and he needs at least some opportunity to express that.

But a lawn and a dog don't have to be mutually exclusive: the most humane and understanding thing for you to do in this case is simply to redirect his digging energy.

You do this by allocating him an area where he's allowed to dig as much as he pleases. Once this zone's been established, you can make it crystal-clear that there's to be absolutely no digging in the rest of the yard - and you can enforce your rules with a clear conscience, since you know your dog now has his own little corner of the world to turn upside down and inside out as he chooses.

But what if you don't have a "spare corner" of the yard? What if the whole thing, grass, flowerbeds, and gravel path, is just too dear to your heart? That's OK too - invest in a sandbox, which you can place anywhere in the garden.

You can even make one yourself (the deeper, the better, obviously). Fill it with a mixture of sand and earth, and put some leaves or grass on top if you like - get your dog interested in it by having a scratch around yourself, until he gets the idea.

Make sure the boundaries are clear To make it clear to him that the sandbox is OK but that everywhere else is a no-dig zone, spend a little time supervising him. When he starts to dig in the box (you can encourage this by shallowly burying a few choice marrowbones in there), praise him energetically - and if he starts digging anywhere else, correct him straight away with an "Ah-ah-aaaah!" or "No!".

Then, redirect him immediately to the sandbox, and dole out vociferous praise when digging recommences. To really clarify the lesson, give him a treat when digging gets underway in the sandbox - the close proximity between the correction (for digging out of the sandbox) and praise/reward (for digging in the sandbox) will ensure that your point strikes home.

Further reading For more information on recognizing and dealing with problematic behaviors like digging, chewing, barking, and aggression, check out SitStayFetch. It's a detailed how-to manual for the responsible owner, and is packed with all the information you'll need for raising a healthy, happy, well-adjusted pooch: from problem behaviors to dog psychology to obedience work, SitStayFetch has it covered.

You can check out SitStayFetch by clicking on the link below:

http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/index.php?aff=eden2003&type=digging

About the Author

Alison Dean Helps You to Sort Out All Your Dog's Behaviour Problems Today at: www.kingdomofpets.com

2007-12-29T00:54:00.001-08:00

The Best Dog Food by webby

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The Best Dog Food to Feed Your Pooch

The wide selection of dog food available in stores today can make it difficult to choose the best dog food for your pet. This question is one of the most frequent ones asked by pet owners when they take their dogs to the vet. The short answer is this: there is no one "best" dog food for each and every dog. However, using a set of criteria and knowing what your dog's needs are will help you to determine what the best dog food is for your pet.

The Easy Decision

The first choice you need to make when it comes to selecting the best dog food is a fairly simple one, if you know what choice to make. These days, commercial dog foods are either grain-based or meat-based. The best choice for healthy dogs (who don't have heart or kidney problems) is a meat-based food.

Meat-based dog foods are the best because they provide better nutrients than grain-based foods. It is now a standard fact that protein is a necessary staple for a dog's diet. Meat-based dog foods to a great job in providing this protein. While meat-based dog foods can include lamb, turkey, fish, beef and venison, many experts feel that chicken-based dog foods are the best choice.

About the Author

webby webmaster of pet food

2007-12-29T00:51:00.001-08:00

How to Choose the Right Dog Breed for You by Randy Hemsley

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After making the decision to bring a dog into the home, many soon-to-be dog owners must then choose a breed. A dog's breed defines not only its appearance, but also many of its behavioral characteristics. So, choosing the right breed or breed mix can be very important to your home dynamics. This article will cover some breed basics along with great tips on how you can choose the best breed for you and your family.

The American Kennel Club recognizes over 150 different pure breeds; from that vast starting point, there are literally millions of breed combinations. This can make your decision all the more difficult.

To make things easier, dog breeds are typically broken down into eight broad categories: sporting, hound, terrier, working, toy, non-sporting, herding, and miscellaneous.

Before selecting a breed, consider these factors first:

1. The needs of your family and children

A family with small children should choose a dog with a steady, gentle nature and patient temperament. This means that Chihuahuas may be as inappropriate as Pit Bull terriers. On the other hand, Collies, Retrievers, Mountain Dogs and many other types of terriers make great family companions.

2. The square footage of your home

The size of your home should be a consideration in your decision to bring home an animal. A large and active German shepherd is going to be unhappy and uncomfortable cooped up in a studio-sized condominium. Of course, if you have the space, then go for it.

3. Your time availability

There are two major time considerations when selecting a breed. The first is exercise and the second is grooming.

Exercising an active dog is extremely important. If you're unable to commit to the 30-45 minutes of daily exercise that a dog like an Irish setter would require, then it would be cruel to take one home and leave it cooped up inside the house. For prospective owners looking for a dog that requires little exercise, the Pekingese, Bassett hound, Chow Chow, and English toy spaniel are all easy choices.

For a dog that requires a low-maintenance grooming schedule, choose a canine that has short, but mostly non-shedding hair, like many terriers. Long hair will require a lot of brushing and washing to keep out tangles and debris.

In short, the type of dog you choose, whether it's a purebred Poodle or a mutt from the Humane Society, should fit your lifestyle and your home.

About the Author

For information on practical dog necessities, please visit http://www.dog-necessities.com/, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, and much more.

2007-12-28T00:13:00.001-08:00

Tips on Choosing the Best Dog Tracking System by Randy Hemsley

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After the dog itself, dog tracking systems can be one of a hunter's most essential tools. A good tracking system takes the guesswork out of locating a faithful hunting dog and lets a hunter pinpoint the dog's exact location.

If you're unfamiliar with dog tracking systems, they are devices used by hunters to track the location of their dogs while hunting. Some systems provide a general idea of location, while others also let you know if your dog is walking, running, or on point.

A dog tracking system can prove invaluable when dealing with long distances, thick foliage, or waterways like rivers or swamps. They're also particularly useful when tracking more than one dog.

If you're considering the purchase of a dog tracking system, there are a few traits and features you should think about before making your decision. Keep reading for a list of questions you should ask before selecting a dog tracking system.

1. Can you switch radio frequencies?

Particularly in busy hunting areas, you're going to want the option to change the radio frequency on which your dog tracking system runs. One of the last things a hunter wants is to follow his signal to someone else's dog.

2. Does the system support multiple dogs?

If you have more than one dog you need to track, you'll want a tracking system that either comes with extra collars or allows you to purchase additional collars for additional dogs. Some systems can support up to one hundred canines simultaneously.

3. What's the expected battery life?

Look for a dog tracking system that gives you at least 100 hours of use from each fresh battery. And remember to check your batteries frequently because you don't want to be out in the woods with a dead tracking system and a lost dog.

4. How far is the range?

Most dog tracking systems operate at a maximum of a 10-14 mile range; and usually the more expensive the system, the further its range. Remember, your range will change depending on the line of sight. This means, for example, that in the mountains your range will typically be extremely limited while flat land allows tracking at longer distances.

5. Is it comfortable for the dog?

Some systems are overly cumbersome or ill-fitting. Think about your canine's comfort and opt for a system that's sleek and unobtrusive. Watch out for exposed wires or antenna that could catch on branches or injure your dog while running.

About the Author

For information on practical dog necessities, please visit http://www.dog-necessities.com/, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, and much more.

2007-12-26T01:37:00.000-08:00

Top Tips on How to Train Your Dog by Randy Hemsley

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Dogs are sociable, lovable and excitable and it's why we love them. However, these sweet traits can also be the root of major behavioral issues like chewing furniture, biting, not coming when called, barking or running away.

So, it's important to start training your dog from a very early age. As an instinctive pack animal and follower, your dog will become subdued and more comfortable in a variety of social situations. To learn some of the best tips on how to train your dog, keep reading for suggestions from some of the top trainers in the country. Use Positive Reinforcement

Starting a dog training program is not as simple as it sounds. You need to begin with positive reinforcement. That means instead of yelling at or scolding your dog when he does something wrong, you reward him when he does something right. It's a good idea to mix up treat awards with praise and petting, unless you want an overweight, but well-behaved pet.

The dog will learn that good behavior is rewarded. Just like humans, dogs respond best to praise and encouragement. Your dog will learn faster and equate good behavior with a tasty treat.

Avoid Bad Habits

One of the most common mistakes amongst dog owners is to yell at their pets when they're barking incessantly. Why doesn't this work, and why does it make the problem even worse? It worsens the problem because your dog's barking at something, whether it's a squirrel in the yard or a car driving past. When you start yelling at your dog, it thinks that you're "barking" too, therefore reinforcing the behavior that barking is okay.

Remember, your dog can't understand your words. He can learn a few commands and understand your tone. To solve an incessant barking problem, try using a spray bottle of water. When your dog begins barking uncontrollably, say the command "quiet" softly and give him a small spray of water. Eventually, your dog will learn that "quiet" means he should stop barking or he'll get sprayed with water. Another method involves ignoring your dog completely when he's barking. Sometimes dogs bark because they're bored or want attention, so it's best to ignore this behavior. Once the dog stops, reward him with a treat. Because your dog may be barking out of boredom, sometimes a simple distraction, like turning on the radio or throwing a toy, will work.

Normally though, dog training is most effective when you use rewards and positive reinforcements, not scolding or yelling. Remember, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

About the Author

For information on practical dog necessities, please visit http://www.dog-necessities.com/, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, and much more.

2007-12-24T01:07:00.000-08:00

Introduction to Dog Diseases by Ashley Peach

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Taking care of your dogs is extremely important. You will find that dogs need to be taken care of to avoid certain diseases and that some of the other diseases are genetic. With genetic diseases you will find that they are difficult to prevent, which means that if your dog is susceptible you will be unable to prevent the disease, but there is much that you can do to help your dog through such diseases. When you are talking about prevention of dog diseases you do need to understand the inner workings of some of the more popular ailments of dogs. We will look at a brief overview of some of the dog diseases that you can prevent.

First it may be a surprise to you, but there are many dogs that have issues with the ears and eyes. Most of the dog breeds that suffer from ear or eye infections tend to have long hair that gets in the way of these two areas. Dogs that have long fur tend to have hair that will grow around the eyes and fall into the eyes. While the hair is part of their body it can cause infections based on the oils as well as the dirt that may be on the hair. You will want to make sure that when you groom your dog you remove any hairs that are near the dog's eyes. Poodles, some terriers, and English Sheepdogs tend to be a few of the breeds that suffer from eye infections. To prevent these eye infections grooming around the eyes should be done once a month. In other words that means that you should check their eyes daily for infection and remove any hairs that have grown in the way, and once a month you should trim around the area. For ear infections you will find that ticks and other small insects can get into the ears. This means that you have to keep the ears clean on a daily basis. You should check to make sure there are no insects in the canals and that any dirt is removed. Hair can also cause ear infections in certain breeds like the Mexican Chihuahua that tends to grow hair in the ears and cause infections. When you are worried about eye and ear infections for your dog breed you should make sure to use a soft wet cloth around the areas each day to prevent any such infection from occurring.

Another dog disease that can be a difficult is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common ailments you will find in large dogs. Hip dysplasia is caused when the hip bones do not form properly. There really is no reason for the bones not to form, but most believe it has something to do with a calcium deficiency during the puppy stages. Hip dysplasia can be treated in a variety of ways. In English Sheepdogs they tend to cut the tail short to prevent the issues. In some cases they offer nutrition and calcium supplements to help your dog grow the bones as a puppy that they need.

Diabetes is another common ailment in dogs that has been seeing an increase like it has in people. You see with most diabetes cases there is a direct link to an improper diet as well as improper exercise. Diabetes is luckily treated with medication as well as changing the diet of your dog so it can be prevented. In some cases after a dog has suffered diabetes and the nutrition and exercise has been fixed the dog may not need to have medication for life. You will find that most dog breeds can suffer from this disease.

About the Author

Ashley Peach is a writer for the websites dog information, dog training and dog breeders.

2007-12-21T01:44:00.001-08:00

Dog Micro Chip - Dog Training by John Williams

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You'd be surprised how many dogs go missing each year around the world when their perfectly good owner has a brief laps in concentration and the dog ends up running away after a squirrel or other animal never to be seen again.

You might think that it will never happen to you because you're too careful and never take your eyes of the dog, but believe me it will happen a lot quicker than expected and could have devastating consequences.

Although your dog might have run off and disobeyed your commands when they went this doesn't mean that you're a bad trainer or have no control over your dog, but these things do happen and unless your dog is an extremely well behaved and trained dog not much can stop them from chasing something when they're in the mood.

This is where the micro chip comes in; the dog micro chip is a small soda limed glass tube that gets inserted into your dog containing a chip, antenna, and capacitor. These are used together to hold vital information about your dog or the dog in hand so that people all over the world can trace the ownership of this dog back to you at your home.

The chip does not hold a complete profile of your dog but only a I.D. number that then gives access to the information via a database which can be reached from the majority of pet and dog specialists, kennels and shelters all over the world.

It takes just a few seconds to insert the chip and it hurts your dog no more than a regular vaccination procedure and for this your get the security and ease of mind knowing that your dog can be reached and found anywhere in the world, and for me that's worth it.

About the Author

For more information on dog training and health, or web link exchanges visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.

2007-12-20T00:58:00.001-08:00

What to Do When Your Dog is Lost: Tips on How to Find Your Dog by Randy Hemsley

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Everyone knows that a dog is man's best friend, so what happens when your pet dog is lost? Keep reading to learn how to mount a search, effectively track down a missing pet and also deal with the stress of losing a loving and loyal companion.

1. Do a Full Sweep of Your Neighborhood

Walk around your neighborhood with a photo of your pet and a few of your dog's favorite treats. Call his name and check carefully. Ask any neighbors you see if they've seen your dog. The sooner you start looking, the easier it is to find your pet.

2. Call the Animal Shelters

Call your local animal shelters to see if your dog has been brought in by someone or picked up by authorities. They will ask you for a description of your dog, so the more detail you have, the better. Have a file on hand with a recent picture of your animal and a list of any defining characteristics like a scar or special color marking. If you've purchased a dog serial chip, keep a copy of the tracking number.

3. Check with Pet Shops and Veterinarian Offices

Ask if anyone has brought in or reported a lost dog that matches your dog's description. Also ask if they'd be willing to put up a poster (have a pre-made poster ready) and email their company mailing list with a notice about your lost pet.

4. Advertise

Make a poster with a picture of your dog and your contact information. Hang it at local businesses and community areas like the post office and library. Also try using online resources such as community message boards and popular social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook.

An ad in the local newspaper can also be a great way to connect with local residents who may have seen or taken in your furry friend. Be as descriptive as possible and if you can afford it, include a photograph of your pet.

Finally, let's talk about prevention. First, always license your animal. Licensing your pet lets shelters and authorities reunite you quickly and painlessly with your animal.

To avoid losing your dog in the first place, always keep your animal in sight. Unless your dog is well trained and responsive to voice commands, don't let it off the leash and keep your property fence well-maintained. Remember, even well trained animals can sometimes wander off and get lost, so be especially wary in new environments.

About the Author

For information on practical dog necessities, please visit http://www.dog-necessities.com/, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you with dog care, such as dog training products, dog medical supplies, and much more.

2007-12-17T01:51:00.001-08:00

Dog Training Tips by Jonathan Rosenfeld

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Training Dogs is a wonderful way to further develop the natural bond between humans and dogs. A trained dog is a content, balanced and happy dog. Without any basic obedience training, a dog may well still be a wonderful companion and friend for you, but how do you know that your dog is safe, and reliable in all situations? The answer is that you don't.

By simply doing some fun dog training at least every few days, you are giving yourself and your dog the chance to flourish together. To know that your dog will lay down instantly at any time is a great comfort and a must if you want to know your dog is under control, as all dogs should be. You don't need to be a professional dog trainer to achieve this either. Just some basic knowledge of canine psychology and effective dog obedience training methods is all you need.

Dog obedience training is not about giving commands and pushing a dog to work hard instead of enjoy life, it's quite the opposite. The fact is that a dog working for a human is the most natural and fulfilled dog you could meet, canine instincts have developed over thousands of years to do just that, to work for us instinctively.

This doesn't have to be in a strict vocational way, it could just be the game where your dog brings that tennis ball back to your hand instead of your feet, or fetching the morning paper from the door for you. Dog training should be fun, enriching and bond-building for both of you, if it isn't, then you need to learn more about training for the benefit of both of you.

About the Author

Jonathan uses the Sit Stay Fetch method of training. Undoubtably the best

2007-12-11T01:23:00.001-08:00

op Reasons For Dog Crate Training by Jeremy C.W

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Often, many pet owners misunderstand the concept and the importance of crate training. Believing that crating an animal for any length of time is a cruel thing to do. Infact, dog crate training is actually one of the best things you can do for your pet. It gives him his own personal place that no one else invades. If you think about it, you probably like having your own space, so why wouldn't your dog?

One thing you need to remember about your pet. He is going to want to be with you so it's best to either make sure his crate is where he can see and hear other people. If it is going to be an extra load on you to move his cage all over the house purchase an extra cage. This will allow him to have one in the bedroom and one in another part of the house.

Another advantage to crate training your dog is that if you have somewhere he can be confined when you are away, you do not have to worry about coming home and finding a mess. Older dogs normally will hold their bathroom trips for a longer period of time. However, puppies will pretty much go anywhere until they get accustomed to going out or using puppy pads.

Dog crate training can be great if you are planning on taking your pet with you somewhere that you have to fly. This can keep them from being so nervous if they are already accustomed to being in a crate. Traveling in their own crate that is familiar to them will not be as upsetting either. Taking along a favorite blanket or toy helps too.

A great advantage to crate training if you have a larger breed dog such as a boxer is that he can go to his crate when company is visiting. Some people are afraid of big dogs and it makes them uncomfortable to know the dog can get to them. If he is in a crate, it will ease the feelings of your guest and your dog.

Some dogs are just natural born chew machines. They will chew anything and everything they can get their teeth into. So crate training is a blessing if you have a job or places you need to go. Then you won't have to come home to all of your belongings chewed to pieces.

Just take into consideration when you do put your dog in his crate that you don't make him stay inside for hours upon hours. He needs to be able to get out and stretch his legs and go to the bathroom. The crates can be comfortable but your dog needs to be able to get out and stroll around to keep his muscles from getting cramped.

We love our dogs, once you've successfully house-trained your dog, remember to reward your dog for using his crate in the correct manner! You have just taken the long rewarding road towards creating a positive bond with your dog!

About the Author

Jeremy C.W is a Pet Fanatic and Write Information Articles for Websites like DogNpuppies.com =>Visit DogCrateTraining.net for More Insider Dog Crate Training Secrets!

2007-12-11T01:20:00.001-08:00

My Tips About Training My Dog! by Maria Sturza

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Do you have a dog? I do. My dog is the best dog in the world, for one simple reason it is mine. I had him since he was 2 mouths old and I was so scared that I would never be able to raise him in a proper manner because I never had one before and he was so tinny and helpless.

The first thing I did of course after I get over the initial enthusiasm was to look for information that will help me know more about him, his needs and the way I should training him so I can make the most of my "having a dog experience".

One of the things that I discover is that you should start training your puppy as soon you bring it home. You can do the training yourself or you can hire a professional to do that for you. You can always ask your veterinarian to recommend a trainer or you can look in your local newspaper for training classes. I chose to do it my self, so I will bond even more with my dog.

Second I have learn about the types of training: behavioural and obedience. Behavioural training is about correcting the bad habits that your dog may have developed. Here I give you an example of habits that you might want to chance: jumping, car chasing, begging, climbing on furniture and chewing.

If you want to correct the bad habits of you dog you should be consistent during the training process. For example, do not let your puppy on the sofa, unless you are planning to always let him. This will make him confused and will cause lot problems for you.

Obedience training sessions should be frequent and short, to prevent your dog from becoming bored: ten to fifteen minutes, two or three times a day will be more that enough. It is very good to train your dog right before meals so it associates his meal with a reward for the training. Speak your dog name to get his attention before you give him any word command like: stay, sit, come or heel. You will probably have to repeat the command a few times so do not get impatient.

Be sure to keep any frustrations from your tone of voice. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated take a few minutes brake. Your dog will feel all this in the tone of your voice and he will start to associate training with your unhappiness. Never use negative reinforcement.

Do not call your dog to come to you for punishment because this will teach your dog to not come to you on command. Never forget to praise your dog when it reacts correctly. This will always encourage your dog to perform correctly the next time you give him a command. The reward can be a verbal phase or food or you can use both. Dogs are man's best friend. Despite that, sometimes they can grate on your nerves; barking, chewing, and the occasional nip can sour a relationship very quickly. That's why it's important to establish boundaries and make sure your dog is well trained!

There are always plenty of guides to training dogs, both in print and online. But the trick is to find the best ones! That's why we've exhaustively checked out dozens - hundreds! - Of guides on the Web: to find the best guides and sites out there!

If you want to know more about dog training visit http://obrter.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/

About the Author

Maria Sturza young female, Romanian online and offline entrepreneur with considerable experience in the wine and real estate industries.

2007-12-10T02:16:00.001-08:00

hree Things to Never Do When Training Your Dog or Puppy by Barry Mcgee

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Let's be honest. There are literally volumes of don't s to keep in mind when it comes to training a dog or puppy. However, some mistakes seem to be made repeatedly, even by those with the best of intentions. Listed here are three common training mistakes that will not only have a negative effect on training, but could have a negative effect on your dog's life

Striking, spanking, or other negative physical contact

This infraction is at the top of the list because not only is it an ineffective training tool, it's completely pointless and downright cruel to the animal. Striking a dog sets a very poor example for children and serves no other purpose than making the dog fear you enough to develop a host of behavioral issues such as lashing out in self-defense, urinating when approached, or shying away from human contact altogether. The ideas of smacking a puppy with a rolled up newspaper for chewing on a shoe, belt-whipping a dog who performs poorly in the hunting field, or rubbing a dog's nose in his own urine or feces as punishment for defecating on the living room floor are archaic, barbaric notions that, sadly are commonly employed today. The only (and this cannot be stressed enough) instance where a dog should ever be dealt with in a negative physical manner is if the dog is attacking you or another person or animal. Of course, this is not so much a training measure as it is a defensive measure, but it bears mentioning because it truly is the only occasion physical violence should ever be exercised against a dog.

Repeatedly shouting out the same command over and over

This training mistake isn't cruel, just completely ineffective. If your dog didn't listen to you shouting "Hilda Come" the first time, she's not going to listen to you the 10th, 20th, or 100th time. The only thing that's going to happen if your dog isn't listening (or simply doesn't know the command ) is that you're going to get extremely frustrated and/or hoarse and end up making a total fool of yourself. Also, the continued repetition of an unrecognized command could desensitize your dog to that particular command should you decide to actually teach/enforce the command later down the road. If your dog doesn't obey your command the first time, stop yelling and start thinking about what you can do to remedy the problem.

Speaking to your dog like a human being

We've said it before and we'll say it again: dogs do not speak English (or any other human language), nor do they understand the meanings of obedience commands. This does not mean that your dog shouldn't be expected to sit once you've taught it to sit. This means that if there were some way for you to ask your dog, he would not be able to provide you with the dictionary definition of sit. All he would know is that when he hears a word that sounds like "sit", he follows that word with the action he's always associated with "sit". In day to day life, there's really nothing wrong with speaking to your dog. Much good comes to those who tell their dogs secrets or spill their problems to them. Dogs are fantastic listeners, and for good reason, they don't understand what you're saying, so they can't answer back Again, there's absolutely nothing wrong with chatting away to your dog as you get ready for work or putter around the house, but there is something wrong with addressing your dog in human sentences when you really want it to listen to you and understand what you want from it. There's nothing more frustrating than listening to someone chastising their dog by saying: Cassie, How many times do I have to tell you not to pull on the leash You bad, bad dog, I just can't take you anywhere Now come on, stop pulling. Cassie If you want your treat later, you'd better behave. Let's face it, out of that entire tirade, the only thing Cassie probably understood was her name. Everything else literally went in one ear and out the other. Not only did Cassie only understand her name, she was probably made all the more excited by the fact that her excited owner was calling her name over and over again. Time to play Time to pull on the leash some more Most people only address their dogs this way if they're in public, because they want people to think they're really making an effort to keep their misbehaving pet under control. Yes, your dog might understand from your tone of voice that you're angry, but again, they'll have absolutely no clue what you're saying or why you're angry. All addressing your dog in human terms really does is make you look like an utter fool and an unsuccessful dog owner. Save the conversations for moments when you're not needing to get your dog under control, and just cut to the chase if you really want to save face

Now that you've familiarized yourself with the top three don't of dog training, check out the corresponding dos in the follow-up article: Three Things to Do When Training Your Dog or Puppy.

About the Author

About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining covers all areas of dog training.

For answers to all your puppy and dog training questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/puppyanddogtraining

2007-12-10T02:15:00.001-08:00

Dog training technique to control a barking dog! by M Porteous

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Dog owners all know the frustration, embarrassment and lack of peace and quiet a constantly barking dog can cause. While we love our pets when a dog is out of control and barking constantly you can be at your wits end and end up yelling back at your dog or doing things you may not be proud of. So how do you control a barking dog? What dog training technique can you utilize?

First of all we must understand the root cause of your dogs barking. Usually a dog barks because it is excited, bored or scared. All of these things have one common thread, they all stem from a lack of confidence in a dog to deal with its situation. Excited dogs often go out of control barking because they are encouraged to do so by owners who get over-excited themselves or are loud and animated very often, your dog will think it is ok to do such things and may not understand how to control this once they start. Bored dogs bark because they do not know how to handle being alone and frustrated; they bark because they want attention and a relief to the boredom. Dogs who are scared also bark to sound more threatening and feel they need to be very vocal about it. If your dog is also aggressive when scared you may need to be more careful with its training however so watch out for signs of baring teeth and snarling also.

IF your dog barks in some or all of these situations then what you need to do is teach them how to deal with this by positive reinforcement and being a good role model. Your relationship with your dog is the most important part of the training, as the master your dog sees you as the pack leader and will take cues from you good or bad. You must behave in a way that makes them comfortable with the situations by not making a big deal out of any of their fears. So letâ€™s break down some examples for the different reasons for excessive barking we have discussed.

Excited When your dog gets overexcited you must learn to not give it attention, too much praise and attention can send it into overdrive and reinforces that it is ok to be hyperactive and loud. You must learn to be calm and ignore the dog while they are in this state until they calm down, only once they are calm and not barking should you show any praise. When you do show praise make sure it is calm and soft to keep the situation settled. Also when you arrive home do not get too excited to see your pet, if you immediately start lavishing attention on it they will start associating barking and people arriving.

Bored When you leave your pet at home and go to work do they bark? Or do they bark at night when they are outside? Again reinforcing the wrong behavior is something we do too often by letting the dog back inside at night or by making a big deal of coming home or leaving the house. The dog must know it is normal to be alone sometimes, when it gets too much attention it panics when it is deprived of this. To train the dog to realize being alone is normal you must make sure when you leave or return to the house or even from room to room you must not greet the dog but ignore them, only praise them if they do not bark and do not yell at them. Only when they realize as the pack leader this is all normal will they calm down.

Scared Dogs usually become scared if the owner shows signs of panic or fear try not to be panicky or agitated around the dog. Make sure you are in control of your emotions and actions when around your dog and they will feel comfortable with their master and with themselves enough to keep calm.

If you become the dogs pack leader and show that everything is ok, there is nothing to fear and that you are the master who does not have to give attention to them they will gradually learn to be more comfortable in whatever situation they find themselves in. I hope you can use this dog training technique to control a barking dog. Good luck!

About the Author

Did you find this article helpful? Do you need more advice on barking? Does your dog chew on this they shouldnâ€™t? Does your dog jump on people when they arrive? Does training your dog feel like a mammoth task? If so click here to learn how to transform your dogâ€™s behavior in just one week!

2007-12-09T01:44:00.001-08:00

Choosing A Dog In Your Senior Years by Andrew Kasch

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As a person reaches their golden years they may want to have some companionship. Many of them look to owning a dog as a way to have a constant companion. This is a great idea, as a dog will give them unconditional and unrestricted love. Many people find that as they get older and they start to lose their friends that they need something such as this to fill a void in their life. If you are faced with the decision of choosing a dog to be by your side and to grow old with you then here are some things to keep in mind.

The first thing that you should consider when choosing a dog to have in your older years is how active you need that dog to be. There are seniors that are extremely active, sometimes more active than people that are 20 years younger than them. These seniors would benefit from having a dog that can be active for things such as walks but also would be happy just to lie around at their feet when necessary. Other seniors will benefit from having a dog that will just be a companion but does not need a lot of activity to keep it healthy.

Another thing that you would want to keep in mind when choosing a dog is if it will be around a lot of children. If you have an active family life and your grandchildren, or great grandchildren are around frequently the you would not want to choose a breed that has a reputation of not liking little children. Some smaller breeds that are perfect for many seniors also are very protective of their owners. While this can be beneficial, as the dog will no doubt be able to hear things that the owner can't, you also need to keep in mind that this kind of dog might not warm up easily to others.

All things considered, here are a few all around good dog breeds for you to choose from. These dogs make good companions that require little exercise and will give you many years of happiness.

The Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a great choice for seniors. It not only requires little exercise but it is very faithful and will be a loyal companion that will stick by your side through thick and thin.

The Poodle

The poodle is one of the most intelligent dogs that there is. They make a fantastic pet, are very loyal to their owners and warm up to people easily. If you have family members visiting on a regular basis then a poodle would be a good choice for a senior dog.

The Papillion

The Papillion is a fantastic breed, although they do have a little bit more energy than other breeds. They will not only make an enjoyable pet but they will also be very faithful and are good around other people. At times they can be a little bit standoffish but all in all they make a fantastic companion.

These are just a few of the many breeds that are well suited for those who are reaching their golden years. It is a personal decision that you will have to make but by owning a dog at this point in your life you will have a constant companion for years to come.

About the Author

To keep your dog healthy please visit the homemade dog food recipes at http://www.barkbarkimhungry.com/dogdinners.html

2007-12-07T01:50:00.001-08:00

How To Prevent Your Dog From Biting Children by Ronny Sikes

Does your pet dog have a tendency to bite? It's an issue that if left alone, can become a critical one. Here are a few facts that may help you understand why your dog is biting, and a few tips on how you can help your dog overcome their habit.

First of all, it is important to understand why your dog bites. The main reason is the canine instinct that all dogs have. Long ago, before dogs became domestic animals, they were wild and ran around in packs. The reason they bite is because of their instinct to dominate. Biting is a way dogs are able to show their authority and dominance over other dogs in the pack. Because of this instinct, your dog is biting in order to establish dominance and control.

Here are a few tips on stopping biting if your dog is still a puppy. When puppies bite, there may be several reasons for this. The first is that your puppy may simply be teething, and wants something to chew on. Also puppies bite when they are unsure of their rank in the "family" pack, and start biting to try to show dominance. If this is the case, you will want to show your new puppy that you are the leader and the one in control. Obedience training is a must, and it will also set a solid foundation for other doggie behavior issues and will also start your relationship with your puppy off on the right foot.

If your dog is no longer a puppy, but is considered a "teenager" (this is usually dogs from 1 to 2 years old) the training becomes a little more difficult, but it is still possible to rid your dog of this habit. Once your puppy becomes an older puppy, their cute chewing and gnawing becomes "play biting," which is rougher than before. Though the nips may not break the skin or even hurt, it must be stopped because your dog is forming bad and possibly dangerous habits. By changing various aspects of the pup's life (such as where they sleep, what toys they may play with, what time they are fed), you are able to remind your dog that you are the one in charge, and this also shows them that you will not allow them to become the dominant figure in the household. Again, formal obedience training with a professional dog trainer will do wonders; it is definitely worth the time and cost you put into it.

Once a dog reaches adulthood, the biting routine is very difficult to crack. By that time, a dog has already established its domain as the leader of the pack, and assumes authority for everything in and on your property. If the dog feels a family member is out of line, they will bite. This can be corrected, but the only reliable way is to hire a professional dog trainer that can work with you and your dog to break this biting habit.

Breaking a dog of biting is difficult and time consuming, but it is necessary; otherwise, your dog will grow up biting more and more until it becomes a serious problem. It is best if you nip it in the bud and start teaching your dog not to bite from the soonest time possible. Good luck beating the biting!

About the Author

Please visit Pet Super Store for the guaranteed lowest prices on bird cages, dog doors and dog agility equipment.

2007-12-07T01:49:00.001-08:00

Safeguard Your Dog With Value Low Cost Dog Insurance Cover Online by Jason Hulott

They say the dog is mans best friend and for millions of pet owners this is true and if your beloved dog were to suffer an accident or needed treated at the vets it could run into hundreds of pounds.

While of course you would not hesitate when it came to getting your dog treatment, you can make life quicker by taking out dog insurance.

Sainsbury's has advised pet cover customers to assess whether the duration of their pet insurance cover product matches their needs. According to the pet insurance cover provider, many such deals are only valid for short periods of time, possibly leaving owners without policy after 12 months.

Their research found that 37% of dog insurance deals and 35 per cent of cat cover policies did not provide product for health conditions lasting longer than a year.

The report pointed out that as 30 per cent of claims may last longer than one year, a sizable proportion of pet owners could be facing financial difficulty if their insurance cover product is unsuitable

While dog insurance would cover any treated for illness and accident it also covers a lot more, for instance if your dog were to be the cause of an accident, for instance if a car swerved to avoid hitting your dog and the car was damaged the cover would product the cost of repairs. Dog insurance cover would also product any legal costs and liability for damage caused by your dog.

What is actually covered in the cover can vary and so it is necessary to not only research online for the cheapest premiums for the insurance cover but also for the best possible deal. Using a specialist website will allow you to get several different quotes from some of the top UK Insurers and all quotes should come with the key facts of the cover attached.

There are many extras which you should look out for that can be included in a product and some of the best quotes for dog cover will payout for such as boarding fees, rewards to get your pet back if they are lost or stolen and even death benefit.

When looking for dog insurance the quickest way to get access to the marketplace and so find low cost deal is to go online with a specialist website. A specialist website will be able to find you some of the most competitive quotes which you can then look over at your leisure and they should include the key facts.
About the Author

Jason Hulott is Editor of Protection Insurance, please drop by for Cheap Pet Insurance and Dog Insurance. Visit http://www.protection-insurance.com

2007-12-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Persistent Housetraining Accidents--Doesn't My Dog Know Better? by Veronica Sanchez M.Ed. CABC

"My dog is doing this on purpose!" is a complaint dog trainers often hear. House soiling is a common, frustrating dog behavior problem. However, it is important to understand that dogs do not eliminate indoors out of "spite," "anger," or otherwise "on purpose."

Consider that dogs will urinate to mark territory and investigate animal waste. They clearly do not find the odor offensive the way we do! Owners often misinterpret the dog to be showing "guilty" body language when in actuality the dog is simply reacting with fearful body language towards the owner's anger.

There are many reasons dog owners may have difficulty house training their dogs and puppies. Many of them are listed below.

Medical Conditions:

Various medical conditions may make house training difficult, if not impossible. It is important to work with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is healthy before assuming that the dog's accidents are due to a behavior problem.

Insufficient Supervision:

Insufficient or inadequate supervision can result in behavior problems. Dogs that are not completely house trained need to be in the owner's line of sight at all times when not crated or confined to a dog-proofed location.

Inadequate Clean Up:

Inadequate clean up is another culprit. Dogs will continue to soil areas that have been previously soiled. You need to clean the soiled area thoroughly with a product specifically made for pet urine. Since pet urine glows under a black light, it can be helpful to purchase one. A black light can be purchased at many pet stores in order to ensure that no accidents are missed during clean up.

Unrealistic Expectations:

Don't harbor unrealistic expectations. Young puppies need to be let out frequently. Some toy breed dogs may take longer to house train than other breeds. Adult or adolescent dogs adopted from shelters may have never been house trained and need to be treated as though they were young puppies in terms of supervision and crating.

Previous Bad Experiences:

A "bad start" can create long-lasting challenges. Dogs and puppies that were caged in situations where there was inadequate clean up may lose their tendency not to soil in a crate. These dogs can be particularly challenging to house train.

Anxiety or Fear:

Anxiety or fear related behavior problems also contribute to house-training accidents. Dogs that are extremely stressed may lose control of their bowels or bladder. Some dogs will urinate when they are extremely excited. A qualified dog behavior consultant can be helpful in addressing these more serious issues.

Solving a house training problem may involve revisiting basic puppy house training techniques or it may require in depth behavior changes and sometimes even medical intervention. Neutering may reduce marking behavior in some intact male dogs.

Under no circumstance should you yell at or punish your dog for house soiling. The only thing your dog will learn is to be afraid of you. Make sure you reward your dog with praise and a treat when your dog eliminates in a location that is acceptable to you. And most of all, be patient and do not hesitate to hire a professional dog trainer quickly. Dog training and behavior problems take longer to change if they are allowed to continue for a long period of time.

About the Author

Veronica Sanchez, M.Ed., CABC specializes in Dog Behavior Training. For more information on how to stop persistent house-training accidents, please visit http://www.cooperativepaws.com

2007-12-03T19:16:00.001-08:00

Dog health insurance can save the life of your precious pet by Robert Scott

I started my day yesterday with the unpleasant news of the death of a friend's dog. A beloved pet of the family and friends, Robbie the Alsatian, had succumbed to old age. But perhaps old age was not the only responsible factor as Robbie was also suffering from paralysis of his hind legs since the last month. We had advised Jonathan, Robbie's owner to get a dog health insurance for quite sometime now, but like most pet owners Jonathan felt his beloved dog could not fall prey to any serious medical ailment. Robbie and his illness proved him wrong, but it was too late to repair the damage already caused. If earlier I had been sure about getting insurance for my pets, now I am determined and have already put out a word amongst friends for any reputable and reliable pet insurance company that they know about.

A dog health insurance is necessary in more ways than we can imagine. Not only would a good insurance plan cover all medical expenses in case the dog is seriously ill, but the costs of a regular check by the vet or annual vaccinations are also covered under most insurance plans. Many online sites offer the convenience of applying for or buying I started my day yesterday with the unpleasant news of the death of a friend's dog. A beloved pet of the family and friends, Robbie the Alsatian, had succumbed to old age. But perhaps old age was not the only responsible factor as Robbie was also suffering from paralysis of his hind legs since the last month. We had advised Jonathan, Robbie's owner to get a dog health insurance for quite sometime now, but like most pet owners Jonathan felt his beloved dog could not fall prey to any serious medical ailment. Robbie and his illness proved him wrong, but it was too late to repair the damage already caused. If earlier I had been sure about getting insurance for my pets, now I am determined and have already put out a word amongst friends for any reputable and reliable pet insurance company that they know about.

A dog health insurance is necessary in more ways than we can imagine. Not only would a good insurance plan cover all medical expenses in case the dog is seriously ill, but the costs of a regular check by the vet or annual vaccinations are also covered under most insurance plans. Many online sites offer the convenience of applying for or buying dog health insurance, or even insurance for any other kind of pet that you may own. When considering an insurance plan for your pet, it is imperative that you carefully go over every facility that the insurance company provides and every term and condition of the plan. Every breed of pet can have separate requirements and the insurance plan should be tailor made to suit the requirements of your precious pet. Some particular breeds of dogs are more prone to a certain kind of disease than others like a large breed dog would be more inclined towards bone related diseases rather than ear mites which would more commonly trouble a small and hairy breed.

Dog health insurance is therefore selected and designed keeping the age, breed and perhaps even the gender of the dog in mind. Once you are purchasing an insurance you must ensure that it covers all the conditions that your pet suffers from or is prone to have. The online sites offering are also quite reliable once you have verified their credentials. Better still if you can get a friend to refer some company that offers various plans and schemes for your dog's health insurance.

All you need to do while applying online for a dog health insurance is fill up an online insurance form with the details of your pet. Once you send the form, let the company revert back to you with a number of free quotes which do not place you under kind of obligation. Once you are satisfied with the quotes, you can go ahead and apply for and purchase insurance for your pet without having to move out from the comfort of your home or office. The love and devotion that your pets show for you, no doubt deserve to be repaid with something as essential as a dog health insurance. , or even insurance for any other kind of pet that you may own. When considering an insurance plan for your pet, it is imperative that you carefully go over every facility that the insurance company provides and every term and condition of the plan. Every breed of pet can have separate requirements and the insurance plan should be tailor made to suit the requirements of your precious pet. Some particular breeds of dogs are more prone to a certain kind of disease than others like a large breed dog would be more inclined towards bone related diseases rather than ear mites which would more commonly trouble a small and hairy breed.

About the Author

Robert Scott is a veterinary doctor and through ages having been dealing in pet insurance. If you want to know more about pet insurance,Pet insurance Online, Dog health insurance ,Cat insurance you can visit www.insuranceforpets.net

2007-11-29T02:24:00.001-08:00

Evolution Of Dog Food. How Much Has Dog Food Evolved And At What Cost? by John E Adams

Dog Food Evolution. The secret of dog food and the evolution of dog food ingredients!

Most dog-owners today probably put down the dog dish without giving much thought to what we are actually feeding our pets. Pet food experts call it dog food as opposed to human food, touted as the only complete and nutritious way we can feed our dogs.

We don't think twice after reading the Nutritional Information on the label, not imagining what harmful dog food secrets could be packed within.

There used to be a time when dogs ate real food. This is a short account of the evolution of what dogs ate, from real food to so-called dog food.

Until processed dog food was introduced, dogs have lived well and long on a natural diet of table scraps or leftovers from their owners. Owners who were more particular would even make specially prepared meals for their beloved pets, just as they would take the time to feed their own children.

That was before the 1940s, before commercial dog food became widely popular for reasons of cost and convenience. Prior to that, in the year 1860, an electrician named James Spratt introduced the first processed dog food or dog cakes made from beetroot, wheat, vegetables and beef blood.

Other companies followed suit, coming up with canine food that was mostly baked. There were not too many secret ingredients back then in those early stages of dog food manufacturing, unlike the amount of untold items now being put in processed dog food.

During the Depression, the traditional practice of feeding dogs human food began to change as dog owners sought more economical options.

Meat was increasingly substituted with more grains, which were introduced with canned processed meat and dehydrated dog food in the 1940s. After World War II, the production and consumption of commercial dog food rose.

Manufacturers took advantage of the availability of inexpensive ingredients like grain hulls and discarded meat from slaughterhouses--basically discarded waste not fit for us humans to eat but apparently good enough for our pets.

From being a mere economical option, manufacturers were then set on marketing dog food as the sole nourishment fit for dogs, rationalizing that table scraps were not adequate for a dog's complex nutritional needs.

Labeling became more elaborate and attractive, and different kinds of diets were introduced for special health conditions and different stages in a dog's life.

Throughout the years, the evolution of dog food has gone further in so-called development as to include more and more preservatives and other secret ingredients.

Along with these advances in manufacturing that ensures longer shelf-life for the products is the rise in the number of early dog deaths due to diseases caused by these substances. Chemicals used in the processing of dog food have been found to cause various cancers, kidney failure and heart disease.

These days, people are becoming more and more aware of the nutritional requirements of their pets, but are still often deceived by tricky dog food labels. It is a fact that back in those simpler times when dogs ate natural food, their average lifespan was much longer that what it is today.

A good number of dog owners now go by a more enlightened way of feeding their pets, and have seen positive effects in the health of their dogs.

These owners share the idea of turning back to traditional ways of feeding and other beneficial dog food secrets. The result should be longer and happier lives for our favorite companions.

About the Author

Copyright John Adams Dog Breeds Explained. Learn more about the evolution of dog food and get more info on commercial dog food here: Dog Food Secret. The evolution of dog food.

2007-11-29T02:23:00.003-08:00

The Importance Of Exercising With Your Dog This Holiday Season by Melanie McVarney

As the holidays approach, a level of apprehension continually grows in each person's mind: "how can I not gain weight this holiday season?" people ask. "How can I quickly lose weight after the holidays?"is another question that health-conscientious people have asked themselves each year.

Weight gain is not only a problem for people during the holidays. Dogs get new bones or new tasty treats and biscuits. Sometimes, dogs are even allowed table scraps so they can be a part of the family festivities. Because it is most likely cold outside, there may be a warm fire in the fireplace, or maybe the family has decided to sit down and watch TV for the day, so the family pet joins in the relaxation and leisure of the holidays.

So, what should you do? Enlist your doggie to be your exercise partner! For many people, having an exercise buddy helps them stay on track and get the exercise they know they need. This is a win-win situation. Your dog can get the exercise he wants, and you will have a companion, an accountability partner, and you may even lose a pant size or two!

Dogs are born with an inherent desire to run, play, and get exercise. Though they are often happy to sit on your lap as you relax and watch TV, if it is beautiful outside, they want to be outside as well, romping around in the fresh air and chasing after squirrels.

Before you formulate your workout plan with your dog, be sure you check with your veterinarian first. They will be able to help you decide on a program that fits your dog's current level of fitness, and you then will be able to formulate a plan that works well for both you and your dog.

So, don't wait...get started! Begin by taking your dog on two walks a day. Slowly increase the length of walking of time, as well as the pace. This way, you will be able to work up your goal fitness level. Be sure to switch up the routine some days take your dog to a park (where pets are allowed, of course) and play chase or fetch with a tennis ball or flying Frisbee. This will allow your dog to run around without a leash and they will be able to romp around freely.

Once your dog becomes accustomed to taking daily walks outdoors, they will hold you to your commitment. It is just like mealtime; you dog lets you know when it is time to eat (in this case, when it is time to exercise!). How will you be able to resist those big brown pleading puppy eyes? The whimpering that begs,"please walk with me!"is also hard to ignore. Listen to your dog; you will most likely find that taking a walk two times a day is relaxing and fun. You will get to spend time with your pet, you will probably meet other people in your neighborhood who have pets, so it is a great opportunity to get some fresh air and clear your mind.

After the holidays, choose to lose the few extra pounds you may have gained and formulate and exercise plan for you and your dog. Your pet will hold you to the routine, and you won't regret it! So, get started, and good luck!

About the Author

Melanie McVarney writes article for many pet related sites. Her articles have been seen on sites such as: Dog-Training-Collars.org and Hunting Dog News.

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2007-11-29T02:21:00.001-08:00

Dog Park Terrorists by By Jeff Bourbeau

How many of us have been to a dog park with our dogs and watched this one dog wreaking havoc on all the other dogs in the park. Usually this dog is a smaller breed like a Chihuahua or Pomeranian. These dogs incessantly chase every dog that approaches them, creating a very bad situation throughout the park were every dog is on edge. These â€œdog park terroristsâ€ are displaying the worst kind of dominant aggressive behavior that a dog can display. All the while the dogsâ€™ owner is talking about how cute it is that the little Pomeranian is chasing away all the larger dogs. This behavior is neither cute nor safe. Why is it cute for a 12 pound Pomeranian to be displaying this dominant aggressive behavior but when a 120 pound Rottweiler is displaying this behavior everyone thinks the dog should be put down. Dominance aggression needs to be dealt with no matter the size of the dog displaying it.

The trip to the dog park should be a treat for a dog which follows its pack leader and shows calm submission to everyone including other dogs. The dog park should not be the place where you take your dog to release its excess energy, because it sits at home all day with nothing to do but wait for you to come home and unleash it upon the dog park. Walking or your dog, the proper way, before you allow it to enter the dog park will not only help to establish yourself as the leader of your dog, but will also make for a better experience while you are there. The dog will be much calmer and relaxed displaying the calm and submissive attitude that may just be contagious throughout the dog park. Making for a better experience for all involved. The walk should last a minimum of 20 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the size and energy level of your dog. In these busy times I know that we all have a hard time allotting time for the dog in our lives. However, the time spent walking youâ€™re dog the proper way (as the dogs pack leader) will greatly help the relationship between you and your dog. For time allocation reasons you could shorten the amount of time you and your dog are actually in the dog park so that you may properly prepare your dog for this experience. By following these general guidelines the experience for your dog and yourself will be extremely fulfilling. As well as making the dog park a better place for all involved.

If you have a dog that is displaying signs of dominance aggression. This problem should be dealt with under the guidance of a professional dog behaviorist or trainer. You can however help the situation greatly by exercising your dog regularly and establishing yourself as the dogs pack leader. A tired and well exercised dog is generally a calmer dog.

About the Author

For more information on becoming the pack leader for your dog and dog training resources visit my blog at http://packleadership.blogspot.com/

2007-11-28T03:16:00.001-08:00

Guard Dogs Scare The Bad People. The History Of The Guard Dog by John E Adams

Guard dogs have been protecting people and property for as long as we can remember.

Guard dogs have the job of guarding or watching someone or something in order to protect the object from unwanted circumstances such as intruders, a thieve or even other animals.

Their history of the guarding dog is long and well documented. Originally bred to protect people carrying gold and precious materials, the dogs quickly grew in status.

Some communities have dogs that protect them as well as the live stock. They are as valuable and important as every member of the community

Guard dogs are now mainly used on personal property guarding his or her owner and their private property. They have also been placed in businesses to help protect ones investments and you may also see guard dogs or sentry dogs in place to guard livestock from predators such as coyotes.

Guard dogs, as well as watch dogs use their voices to warn their owners of intruders.

They will bark loudly to make people aware that someone is intruding or something is wrong and also to try and scare away the- would be thief. Generally a watch dog is trained to only alert the owner where as a guard dog is usually trained to attack and sustain the intruder.

Owners will train the guard dogs to keep their attack in the area of the intruder's arms and legs. This can allow the dog to incapacitate the intruder but not to kill them.

If the intruder is an animal, the guard dog may be trained to fight off the animal in defence and to protect the property and its owner. The extent of the attack depends on how the guard dog is trained.

In most cases it is illegal to allow the guard dog to attack rather then restrain.

Certain breeds make better guard dogs and other make better watch dogs. The breed of Keeshonden have been said to make great watchdogs as they can easily be trained to bark loudly, warning their masters of an intruder but they lack the attack behaviour that guard dogs have.

Best Guard Dogs. Chose the right breed

Here are a few of the more commonly used breeds with the top of the pick for the best guard dogs.

Doberman, German shepherd, Saint Bernard, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, Bullmastiff and American Bulldog

You see you have a wide choice in breeds to choose from if you are looking for a guard dog.

One key thing to keep in mind when choosing a guard dog is that the female dogs usually make better guard dogs for you and your personal property. Many say this is due to their maternal instincts.

The male guard dogs are better used for guarding property as they are usually more territorial like the German shepherd.

When making a choice of what guard dog breed to go with, it might be good to decide exactly what and how you want the dog to protect then go with what breed matches that style the best.

For instance, you will not want a dog for your family that is not good with children. A dog like this would be better suited for property protection.

About the Author

Copyright John Adams. Guard dogs are bred to protect. Some breeds of dog are excellent family pets as well as good guard dogs. It is vital you choose the right type of dog. Expert advice Here: Guard Dog Breeds Explained.

2007-11-27T03:04:00.001-08:00

Dog Bite Injuries: Frequently Asked Questions by Christopher Davis

Question. How many people die every year as a result of dog bites?

Answer. Ten to 20 people die every year as a result of dog bites in the U.S. By far, the majority of the victims are children. In a three-year period between 1999 and 2001, 33 people died after being bitten by a dog. A vast majority of these victims (24 of 33) were under 12 years of age.

Question. Why do some dogs bite?

Answer. There are many reasons why a dog bites. Dogs bite out of fear or to protect their territory or to establish their dominance over the person bitten. Some owners mistakenly teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable form of play behavior. And every year a number of newborn infants die when they are bitten by dogs who see them as "prey." Because dog bites occur for a variety of reasons, many components of responsible dog ownership—including proper socialization, supervision, humane training, sterilization, and safe confinement—are necessary to prevent biting.

Question. Which dogs most commonly bite? Are some breeds more likely to bite than others?

Answer. The breeds most commonly involved in both bite injuries and fatalities changes from year to year and from one area of the country to another, depending on the popularity of the breed. Although genetics do play some part in determining whether a dog will bite, other factors such as whether the animal is spayed or neutered, properly socialized, supervised, humanely trained, and safely confined play significantly greater roles. Responsible dog ownership of all breeds is the key to dog bite prevention.

Question. How can local laws prevent dog bites?

Answer. The most effective dangerous dog laws are those that place the legal responsibility for a dog's actions on the owner rather than on the dog. The best laws hold the owner accountable for the bite victim's pain and suffering, and mandate certain corrective actions such as spay/neuter and proper confinement of the dog. For more information on legislation that will effectively reduce dog bites in your community, contact The HSUS. For guidance on developing a dog bite prevention plan in your community, read the American Veterinary Medical Association's A Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention.

Question. What should I do if I am bitten by a dog?

Answer. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to panic. ► Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water. ► Contact your physician for additional care and advice. ► Report the bite to your local animal care and control agency. Tell the animal control official everything you know about the dog, including his owner's name and the address where he lives. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control official what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether you've seen him before, and in which direction he went.

Question. Can children be taught to avoid being bitten by a dog?

Answer. Yes, just as we teach our children to practice safety in other situations, we can teach them to be safe around dogs. The most important lessons for children to learn are not to chase or tease dogs they know and to avoid dogs they don't know.

Question. Is there any way I can "bite-proof" my dog?

Answer. There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never bite someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk. Here's how: ► Spay or neuter your dog. This important procedure will reduce your dog's desire to roam and fight with other dogs, making safe confinement an easier task. Spayed or neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite. ► Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many different types of people and situations so that he or she is not nervous or frightened under normal social circumstances. ► Train your dog. Accompanying your dog to a training class is an excellent way to socialize him and to learn proper training techniques. Training your dog is a family matter. Every member of your household should learn the training techniques and participate in your dog's education. ► Never send your dog away to be trained; only you can teach your dog how to behave in your home. ► Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't play aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling, tug-of-war, or "siccing" your dog on another person. Set appropriate limits for your dog's behavior. Don't wait for an accident. The first time he exhibits dangerous behavior toward any person, particularly toward children, seek professional help from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a qualified dog trainer. Your community animal care and control agency or humane society may also offer helpful services. Dangerous behavior toward other animals may eventually lead to dangerous behavior toward people, and is also a reason to seek professional help. ► Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog as required by law, and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations. For everyone's safety, don't allow your dog to roam. Make your dog a member of your family: Dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in the backyard or tied on a chain often become dangerous. Dogs who are well-socialized and supervised rarely bite. ► Err on the safe side. If you don't know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If your dog may panic in crowds, leave him at home. If your dog overreacts to visitors or delivery or service personnel, keep him in another room. Work with professionals to help your dog become accustomed to these and other situations. Until you are confident of his behavior, however, avoid stressful settings.

Question. What should I do if my dog bites someone?

Answer. If your dog bites someone, act responsibly by taking these steps: ► Confine your dog immediately and check on the victim's condition. If necessary, seek medical help. ► Provide the victim with important information, such as the date of your dog's last rabies vaccination. ► Cooperate with the animal control official responsible for acquiring information about your dog. If your dog must be quarantined for any length of time, ask whether he may be confined within your home or at your veterinarian's hospital. Strictly follow quarantine requirements for your dog. ► Seek professional help to prevent your dog from biting again. Consult with your veterinarian, who may refer you to an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer. Your community animal care and control agency or humane society may also offer helpful services. ► If your dog's dangerous behavior cannot be controlled, do not give him to someone else without carefully evaluating that person's ability to protect him and prevent him from biting. a Because you know your dog is dangerous, you may be held liable for any damage he does even when he is given to someone else. ► Don't give your dog to someone who wants a dangerous dog. "Mean" dogs are often forced to live miserable, isolated lives, and become even more likely to attack someone in the future. If you must give up your dog due to dangerous behavior, consult with your veterinarian and with your local animal care and control agency or humane society about your options.

About the Author

Christopher M. Davis is the managing partner of Davis Law Group. He brings over 15 years of practical yet innovative experience to personal injury cases. He practices law in Seattle, WA. You can learn more about Mr. Davis at http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com or http://www.seattleaccidentnews.com . Copyright 2007 Christopher M. Davis.

2007-11-26T01:50:00.001-08:00

How to Begin Obedience Training for Your Dog by Jimmy Cox

Simple commands such as "Come," "Sit," and "Lie down" should be taught at three to four months of age. Your puppy will learn very quickly to come when he is called if every time he answers the call, he receives a pleasant reward such as a piece of meat, dog candy, or a word of praise.

He will quickly learn the command "Sit" if his head is held high and a little pressure is applied to his hindquarters. He will learn the meaning of "Lie Down" if you press on his shoulders and pull down on his collar. When you do these things, keep telling the puppy that he is a "Good Boy."

The young puppy should learn not to pull on the leash. Use an ordinary leather collar for this training and tug gently on the leash until the puppy learns not to pull ahead.

When you train your dog obedience at six months, you need a chain slip collar for the big strong dog. A chain leather one or a nylon slip collar is needed for the small dog or the puppy.

You need a leash a foot longer than you are tall. Get one with strong leather. A round one or a chain leash will hurt your hands.

How to Hold the Leash

Take the leash in BOTH hands. Hold your hands close to your body and keep your left elbow straight. Know Your Dog's Temperament

Handle the shy dog gently. Gain his confidence through encouragement and praise. Pep up the lazy worker. Move quickly yourself and your dog will move quickly. If your dog is a clown, speak more sharply and correct with firmness. If he is stubborn, make each correction more severe.

While training, keep your dog's attention. When he looks away, nudge him with your knee. When he sniffs the ground, give the leash a tug. For all corrections, snap the leash! Never drag on it.

For best results, praise your dog when you give him a command. Praise him when you use the leash. Heeling

Heeling means to walk at your side without pulling. Every time your dog passes your knee, say "Heel," jerk the leash backward, and pat your side to encourage him to stay close.

If he passes your knee a second time, stand still and jerk the leash harder! If your dog holds back instead, don't jerk the leash. Pull on it gently and keep saying "Good Boy! Good Boy!" After he takes a few steps, slacken the leash and pat your side. While training, stand up straight and don't slow up when you turn!

Don't let your dog play with the leash. Don't let him climb on you.

Before long your dog will understand that if he runs ahead or darts off to the side, he will hear the word "Heel!" and feel a sharp tug on his collar. If he stays close to your knee, praise him and pat him.

Sitting

To make your dog sit, shorten the leash in your right hand and pull up. Say "Sit!" and push on his hindquarters with your left hand. Dogs like to be praised, so while you make him sit, tell him he is a good boy.

If he braces himself, spank him once on his rear and tell him more firmly "SIT!" Now pat him with the same hand you spanked him with so he will think you spanked him in play. At the same time, push his hips over. Make him sit straight!!

In time and with patience, your dog will become accustomed to all of these commands, and will obey.

About the Author

Attention Dog Owners: Get The Inside Truth On What You Must Do, To Have A Well Behaved, Obedient Pooch... And How To Stay Light-Years Ahead Of The Dog Training Crowd!

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2007-11-26T01:47:00.001-08:00

What Every Dog Owner Should Know About An Ir Dog Door by Natalie Williams

Once a homeowner has decided to give the freedom of a pet door for their pet, the journey of picking just the right model begins. A variety of considerations often arises when approaching the purchase of a dog door, as one starts to mull over security issues and wondering if a stray animal will find its way into their home. With the purchase of an IR (infrared) dog door, various models offer coded locks that keep children in the house and other animals on the outside.

The shielding barrier associated with an IR dog door is important to not only enclosing dogs, but also safeguarding the safety of a home. Many pet owners have delay the installation of a dog door because they are not completely sure on the idea of having an unrestricted entrance to their house. While dogs can easily come and go as they please, wild rodents like raccoons, curious cats and stray animals are kept outside. Preventing these kinds of situations, an infrared locking dog door with barriers becomes an effective solution.

An IR dog door is comprised of a self-closing magnetic cover that allows only a dog wearing a collar with an attached digitally coded infrared key to gain access to a home. Since the door only communicates with this key, entry to the home is restricted to appointed pets. The collar key is powered by a CR2 lithium battery. The pet door also requires four AA 1.5V alkaline batteries in order to work.

The collar key sends out a digitally coded infrared signal so that when dogs come near of the door (about 24 inches), they are able to pass through with the door locking behind them. Consumers are also able to customize the length of time that the door will automatically latch. Depending on the IR pet door you pick, a consumer may encounter a variety of locking systems, including In Only, In and Out, Out Only or Locked.

Depending on the model and brand, the typical IR dog door may come with a door (interior, exterior with flap, and sometimes a tunnel), locking barrier; one key, one key ring, CR2 lithium battery for collar key, mounting materials, 2 four-way locking handles, warranty card and instructions.

Benefits of Using an IR Dog Door

Pet owners like pet doors because they allow their dogs the freedom of coming and leaving as they please. They also don't have to worry about letting the dog in and out of the home or forgetting to let them in from the cold. When pet owners and dogs are not on the premises, a consumer may place a barrier (offered with most models) to prevent any entrance into the home.

Since the opening to the home is magnetic - rain, loss of heat, and drafts do not become a problem when compared to the traditional dog flaps. The magnetic locks effectively keep meandering cats and wild creatures out of the home.

Possible Disadvantage of IR Dog Doors

Some pet owners are worried that the cost of an IR dog door will cost an arm and a leg. However, most units are priced around $185 to $300. Pet owners are also worried about the size of an IR dog door, as most models work well with dogs between 30 and 100 pounds. Smaller breeds may work best with a cat door with infrared lock.

Since most IR pet doors require AA batteries, some consumers do not want the hassle of constantly changing these items. Luckily, there are some models that work with an A/C adapter, which uses the batteries as backup. Some consumers have also reported about the noisiness of an IR dog door, which has a knack of creating a banging sound when the magnets and plastic come together. When installing, it is recommended to avoid attaching to doors located close to bedrooms.

About the Author

Natalie Williams is the creator of PetDoors101.com. Visit her site to get more free tips on selecting the right pet door for your pet.

2007-11-25T01:34:00.001-08:00

Dog Feeders - A Great Option For Making Sure Your Pooch Gets Fed by Jesse Akre

If you go to work every day, it's likely you have your pet on a schedule that matches your work day. You feed and water the pooch in the morning, then go to work, and your dog doesn't get its next meal until you return home. Is this really fair?

Think about your meal schedule. You get a meal break in the middle of the day, but your poor pup is sitting home waiting until you get back, through traffic and whatever delays may come, before he gets to eat again. What if you were told you couldn't eat anything from the time you left the house, until you made your travel all the way back home from work. You may end up being a very cranky person. No surprise your pup looks desperate when you get home.

On the other side of the coin, you don't want to leave dog feeders overflowing for your dog, who is lacking self control, to gorge himself on as much food as he can get. That just leaves you with a fat dog with an upset stomach at the end of the day, which could mean quite a mess to clean up when you get home. But there is another solution.

For those who are often on the run and feel a little guilt about not feeding Fido as frequently as they would like, what about automatic dog feeders and waterers? These are feeding and watering stations that will give your pet more to eat or drink while you are away, on a time schedule you can adjust.

While automatic waterers all work generally the same, offering more water as the dog drinks up what he has. Some even have a constantly running stream of water that is run through a filter, keeping it fresher for your dog, instead of making him drink the same bowl of stagnant water.

Automatic Dog Feeders understand you want to give you dog an extra meal while you are gone, but don't want him to have an endless supply of food at his disposable, thanks to his lack of doggy self-control. Many of them have special compartments that open on a timer, to pour more food into their bowl. You will have measured out the food you want your dog to get from these automatic dog feeders, so he isn't eating too much and putting on pounds. Others are set up as a pair of individual bowls with lids that will pop open when the timer is triggered, showing your dog a new tray of food.

If you have a dog that is not a food-a-holic, you may even be able to use constant dog feeders. These dog feeders have a reservoir you can fill with food so it will always offer a little more to eat when your dog gets to the bottom of the bowl. This is a much better option than him having to stare at the empty bowl and then at the door waiting for your to return to fill it.

About the Author

Jesse Akre offers valuable advice to consumers when purchasing luxurious dog beds, sturdy dog houses, and comfortable dog furniture.

2007-11-25T01:32:00.001-08:00

How Much Do You Know About Your Dogs Diet? by Londiwe Mhlanga

The type of treats you give your dog also makes a difference in your dog's diet. Do you pass out cookies and scraps from dinner, or maybe a piece of popcorn or two? Junk food for you becomes junk food for your pet. In fact, some healthy foods for you are not good for your dog. Raisins are a healthy snack for humans to munch on between meals, but they can be detrimental to the health of your dog. Keep your dog's diet healthy even during snack time with treats.

Rawhides are an area of controversy. Some pet owners and vets feel they do not make a good treat for your pet. Others feel that rawhides provide entertainment and good dental health for your dog. Find out what your vet recommends. If you decide to allow rawhides in your dog's diet, avoid them in excess. They can create thin stools and provide many empty calories.

Your dog's diet outputs

As any responsible pet owner knows, cleaning up after your pet is not the most pleasant job, but it is a necessary one. Being choosy and selective about your dog's diet will make cleaning up after your pet much easier.

Even treats such as rawhide bones can change your dog's stool. Your dog's diet consists of everything your pet eats from treats to mealtime. Monitor how treats affect your dog's outputs to determine how healthy the snack really is for your pet.

Feeding your pet on a schedule is important. When looking at your dog's diet, do not simply focus on what you are feeding your pet, but also focus on when you feed your dog. If your dog's diet includes consistent mealtimes, you will be better able to predict your dog's potty schedule. This can play a major role in effective housebreaking technique.

The importance of a feeding schedule in your dog's diet

Just as important as what your dog eats, is when you feed your dog. Similar to humans, your dog needs to eat regularly. Nutritious meals and snacks should be monitored as part of your dog's diet. Spacing out mealtimes and snacks or treats on a feeding schedule is a good idea.

Your dog's diet should be presented to your pet at regular times during the day. The specific time to present your dog's diet is solely up to you, but be certain to establish a schedule. Avoid dramatically varying your pet's feeding times. For example, if you feed your adult dog before work at about 6:00 AM and then again at 6:00 PM, try to stick with this schedule throughout the week.

Probably when you think of your dog's diet, you consider what food he consumes, but remember when you present your dog's diet is just as important. A dog will come to expect his daily feeding schedule and routine.

About the Author

If you want more information and reviews you can visit the following link: Home Improvement Information.

2007-11-23T01:01:00.001-08:00

Giving your Dog or Puppy Obedience Training by Steven Roberts

Learning how to provide training obedience to your puppy or beloved dog is crucial to successfully integrate your pet's integration into your home life. Our dog often becomes our best friend so we want to make the training experience both fun and mutually productive.

We all love our dogs. However, dissuading our canine pals from disruptive or destruction behavior can be frustrating when we don't what we're doing. Improper training techniques can be equally confusing to our pet because they may become confused and uncertain about what we are trying to achieve.

Equally important is to remember that you have to learn and understand the psychology of the particular breed of dog. Different dogs like to do different things and for different reasons. So, when you decide on what type of dog you want, the first important step is to get a book about your breed so you can gain a thorough understanding of any behavior that might be peculiar to that particular breed.

The second most important step is to appreciate the fact that your dog will go through several crucial developmental stages. Dog training techniques should be age appropriate and is best done is stages. Don't try and teach your puppy too much because you'll both end up frustrated. Teach your puppy what is appropriate to their age because they are just a ball of energy and have a very limited attention span. The two main issues to address at this stage of development are potty training, and excessive chewing. Patience and appropriate awards for good behavior is essential.

As your dog get older you can use more age appropriate training techniques to tackle such issues as barking, jumping up on people, running, heeling, and chasing which can be addressed along the way as your dog matures. Again, when your dog does something, they do so for a reason. It is vital that you, as a dog owner, learn their language and the reasons for their behavior. They are communicating something. Even older pets can receive beneficial behavior training modification.

Dogs are social creatures. They learn a lot from interacting both with other people and especially with other dogs. Puppies for example learn much of their social activity from their mother and siblings. If a puppy nips another pup, it will get nipped back. This teaches the puppy about inappropriate biting behavior for example. So, it is essential you realise that when you get your puppy, you are the one who has to take the place of the dog's mother and other siblings and train your puppy accordingly.

As a dog owner, you must also learn to accept that certain behaviors such as stubbornness or other traits might be inherent to that particular breed. You can still achieve some degree of behavior modification but it's important to accept that a compromise may be required at some point.

If you plan to train your dog yourself, then you must do so regularly and with consistency. Don't try to train your dog in a foul mood. Shouting tends to frighten a dog. They trust and love us unconditionally so you must not betray that trust. Your pet needs to know who is in charge, but be a stern friend and not a dictator. Let your dog have fun and enjoy what they like doing as dogs because you have to also have to consider their mental well being as well as their physical health. Dogs suffer from as many hang-ups as we do.

There are many wonderful expert books, videos and online course that can help you through this process. Take the time to scope these dog training materials and choose the ones that you feel not only best suits your needs but the needs of your dog as well.

If you find you can't give the time to teach your pet obedience you should give serious consideration to taking your dog to a professional obedience school. Even so, this does not let you off the hook as you must make a commitment to become involved as much as possible. You want your dog to derive the best benefit from this expense and the trainer's expertise so you should try to learn as much about of what the trainer is doing and why.

Dogs need to be trained, just like children, so pet owners have to do it right. The better we can train out dogs the more we spend time with them as friends and beloved family members. Please free to click on the following link or the one in the resource box for information on this topic.

http://www.squidoo.com/dogtrainingobediencetechniques

About the Author

Freelance writer.

2007-11-23T01:00:00.001-08:00

Make Your Own Dog Food With Only All Natural Ingredients by Darren Lintern

The demand for a entirely natural no preservatives and no additives dog food has developed over time as it was discovered that some brand name dog foods can be hazardous to our dog's health - resulting in the onset of several causes of diseases. Now the choice to make your own dog food is seen as preferable to forever being mistrustful about what your loving Pug, Boots, is putting into her stomach.

It is a wise move to make your own dog food considering all the benefits you might get from switching to a more healthy-wise and personalized dog food. It may not be trouble-free at first as your dog is already accustomed to her preferred chow mix. But offering the new health grub in small amounts to begin with, then gradually increasing the portions can do the job. Your dog will be eating your healthy new mixture in a short time and with much delight.

Putting your loving dog on a healthy diet is really straightforward - all it really needs is desire and some basic cookery skills. With all the home made dog food recipes that use natural ingredients, you will never be without new meals that your pet can actually drool over. All you need to do now is come up with a dietary plan for your pooch as discussed with your veterinarian.

One of the more usual recipes for home made dog food combines vegetables, grains, and meat into one delicious meal. One typical meal specially from home made dog food recipes, asks for such natural elements as: 2 lbs hamburger, 10 oz shrimp or lobster, 1 cup raw liver, 1 boiled potato, 2 cups of rolled oats, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup brown rice, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1/4 cup brewer's yeast and a tad of cinnamon.

Combine beef, boiled potato and shrimp or lobster and situate all in a food processor. Mash the blueberries into a mushy fruit paste. Bring together the full assortment of ingredients and rotate into a ball. This is intended to be fed fresh and raw.

A different one of those healthy, yet delectable recipes for home made dog food is an all-natural pet food which comprises of the following ingredients: 1/2 bunch parsley (chopped), 6 zucchini (grated), 3-4 bunches of broccoli (stems grated and flowerettes chopped), 2 lbs carrots (grated), 6 cups barley, 2 cups brown rice, and 8 cups oats.

This treat is trouble-free to make. With 2 eight quart stock pots cook the oats, while in a different pot brown rice and barley. Then allow to cool, preferably over night. Chop the vegetables and puree by using a food processor. Merge all the ingredient and shape into balls. Now freeze for later consumption. This home made dog treat recipe will have your pooch begging for more and disregarding the previous dry tasteless dog food in seconds.

As soon as make your own dog food from steps like these hold in mind that when you're using natural ingredients, the food spoils easily so you must simple make enough food to last for a duration of several days - dependent on the life of all the natural ingredients.

All-natural ingredients in pet foods are extremely beneficial to provide your dogs with the ideal minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that she needs. If you make your own dog food you are in control of your dog's diet, so you're certain that your doggy is getting all that she needs.

About the Author

If you're interested in getting a more detailed look at dog ownership (like how to make your own dog food), including a huge variety of detailed information on canine problem behaviors, dog psychology, and the most effective ways to train your dog, take a look at http://www.dogs-for-all.com/