What Have You Done For Your Dog’s Health lately?
September 5, 2009 | 1 Comment
Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily life that we forget to think about ways to make sure we maintain or increase the health of our dog(s). We should spend more time trying to find ways to look at preventive ways to accomplish this goal rather then dealing with it AFTER something happens that is detrimental to your dog’s health. If you are not sure how to go about this then make sure you have a conversation with your vet and ask specific questions regarding this. Once you have gotten the information you need then make sure you implement them.
How To Train A Dog To Sit
July 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
Learning how to train a dog to sit is an important task for any new dog owner. Training can begin as soon as the puppy is in his new home. While it may not seem important to teach this to your puppy right off the bat, it is a cornerstone to developing a relationship with your dog. Here are some steps on how to train a dog to sit.
1. The first step is to get your puppy to sit on his own. Be observant and whenever you see him about to sit, say the word ’sit’; eventually he will come to associate the word with his action. This method is also useful in other areas of training.
2. Now comes the training part. Take his favorite treat and hold it in your hand. Make sure that it is small enough that the puppy can swallow it fast.
3. Get down to your puppies level. You will appear less threatening to the dog if you are on his level. More importantly, you can reward him faster if you’re sitting on the floor.
4. Get your dog to sit on his own by moving the treat over the puppy’s head in a very slow movement. He will get him to follow its movement with he’s nose because of the smell it emits. By doing so, he’ll have two choices: He could back up, or he could just sit down. Considering that sitting down is the easiest thing to do, he will do just that.
5. The instant the dog sits, say “sit” and offer the treat. The timing of the reward is the most important part of training. It must be given exactly when the dog does the behavior you want.
6. Sometimes rewards can be more than just treats so the next step is to praise him. Show joy with your voice and your body language.
7. These steps can be repeated about three to five times. Don’t do more than that because they you will take the fun out of it. Although, those same steps can be repeated at different intervals throughout the day.
8. Now try the same thing but standing up. See if you can get the dog to sit without the aid of a treat. When he does, heap on the praise. Be sure that you never punish him if he does not sit, but wait patiently for him to sit and then praise him.
Next, you should strengthen the word so that the dog sits regardless of any distractions. This is a never ending process and you should not cease training. Every new situation should be used to train him. Use new people, new dogs, and new surroundings as training opportunities.
Learning how to train a dog to sit on command is not that difficult. Start when your dog is a puppy and, not only will you teach it to sit, but you will find that they love to do other tricks with you as well. By training your dog as a puppy, you will get the dog used to hearing its own name, acting on your command, and being an active participant for other activities. This will get your dog use to having you in charge and make the dog more secure in being part of your family!
How To Choose The Best Dog Names
July 13, 2008 | 1 Comment
Tired of searching high and low for the perfect dog names? Why do we put so much effort into choosing what we name our dog anyway? Well, it actually is quite important. I mean, if you are going to be calling your dog by that name day in and day out for the next several years it should be something good right?
Some owners choose people names such as Abbey or Charles. While others want to go with dog names that are attributed to movie stars such as Lassie or The Beast from The Sand Lot.
The great thing about dog names is that they are not held to the strict standards that human names are. You have much more creative freedom for coming up with something truly unique. So make sure you take advantage of this and choose a dog name that people will be talking about.
You can go with a dog name that describes your dog, such as Fur Ball, Tiny, Giant, Beast. You can also go with one of the more common dog names such as Fido, Rover, Spot and so on.
I have also always loved dog names that were the opposite of the dog. For example, naming a tiny dog Killer and a huge dog something like Mighty Mouse. That is what makes dog naming so fun, no rules or restrictions to hold you back. You are only limited by your own imagination.
A friend of mine had quite a creative name for her dog. He was black and white and was named Oreo, which fit him perfectly. On the other hand, my mother has a Black Lab that she named Sadie so you really do have many options.
You can literally name your dog after anyone or anything. Ranging from disliked relatives to childhood friends to even super heroes, foods, cities or anything else you can think of.
Just be sure you are comfortable calling your dog when your mother is around or when you are out in public. Swear words or other profanities would probably not make the best dog names.
Dog Training Uncovered
July 10, 2008 | 2 Comments
Training your dog is no easy task; any pet owner can tell you that. While many dogs are very eager to please their owners, the bottom line is that they really don’t always understand what it is that you are saying and they have very, very short attention spans. These factors can make things difficult for even the most patient of owners, but before you are tempted to throw in the towel, let us consider some simple and basic dog training aids that you can use to help you along the way.
One of the best dog training aids that you can employ is to emphasize rewarding your dog for what he or she does right rather than simply punishing your dog when he or she does something wrong. Dogs crave attention and approval from their owners and will do just about anything to get it. If you want your dog to learn potty training, reward her when she goes in the right spot in the yard just as much as you scold her for going anywhere else. Many people neglect to include this positive reinforcement as part of their dog training aids arsenal, but that approval and affection can go a long way toward getting your dog to do what you want her to do!
There are some actual items you can purchase that can be used as dog training aids and some are more effective than others. Choke collars and chains are being discarded by dog training experts as not only abusive but downright ineffective. However, a good leash and a sturdy collar can be counted as dog training aids because dogs will respond to their owner when he gives them a slight tug. This shouldn’t be anything that would hurt the dog, just a gentle reminder of how she needs to respect a stranger’s boundary, when she needs to stop barking, and so on. Some may also want to add a muzzle to their list of dog training aids, but these should be used sparingly and only in certain situations. Some dogs just will not stop barking no matter what you do, and keeping in mind that barking is just a part of their instinct the way humans have an instinct to talk to one another, an owner may not be able to do anything other than muzzle their dog when she’s out in the yard or if the dog is kept in an apartment where the neighbors may be bothered.
Another weapon in your arsenal of dog traing aids is the good old fashioned grooming brush. Most dogs just love the time when they are groomed, and they also love having a toy to play with. Give them a chewy top and you will keep them happy for hours, and they won’t be looking to chew the furniture or get up to mischief. Another basic aid is you, yes, your playing with your dog is not only great fun for both of you, but it will make sure that he or she has little energy left to get into trouble. It does not cost anything to play, so make sure you do.
Let me say in conclusion a few words about the bathing of your dog which although at first sight might seem rather an onerous task, can actually be quite enjoyable for both of you. Treat it as a training excercise, and in time you both will come to look forward to it. Number one priority is to make sure you use only shampoo designed for dogs,do not be tempted to use your own shampoo, and then complete the excercise by useing a conditioner which again must be designed for dogs. Have fun, and your dog will enjoy it too.
Potty Training Your New Dog
July 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
It’s a joy to have a puppy around. A puppy is cute, furry and squiggly all at the same time. However, taking in a new puppy would mean more responsibility for you as its care taker. That alright anyway a lot of people say that potty training a pet is easiest when they are young. Unlike if you are training an adult, there are some behaviors that need to be unlearned. So how exactly do you train your puppy? First, timing and routine are important. You need to setup a regular schedule for your little dog. How do you do that? Read more for you to know how to potty train your puppy.
I shall start by explaining the basics to you. You should first consider the age of your puppy. A puupy which is at least three months old is ready for potty training and learn about cleanup.
First rule: Regular meals. Why? By having regular meals, you can take your pet out after he/ she has finished eating the meals. By having these specific times, you can make you dog more disciplined. Say no to irregular meals and late night whimpers!
Second Rule: Do not overfeed your pet while taking him for a walk. Only feed and give your puppy a little water. As much as possible, do not give water to your puppy two hours before sleeping. Trust me, it will save you the trouble of having to wake up in the middle of the night to clean up unnecessary mess.
Third Rule: After playing with your puppy, you can now bring him outdoors with you on a leash. This would give your puppy a hint that it’s time to relieve himself.
Fourth Rule: When you bring your puppy out to relieve itself, always bring it to the same spot so that is is able to recognize the spot where it should relieve itself.
Fifth Rule: You can use a word that would cue your puppy to relieve himself on your command. They will recognize that specific word as a command soon enough.
Last: I am sure you like rewards. Well, same goes for you puppy too. You should reward or praise your puppy if he relieves himself outside or followed your instructions on potty training.
With potty training, sometimes accidents happen. In case these accidents occur, here are some suggestions on how you can best deal with them.
If you catch your pet relieving itself at a place it is not supposed to, firstly, you should not scream or yell. Gently nudge your pet to go outside and after this continue the reward thing by praising your puppy.
I am sure it is frustrating seeng the mess left behind by your pet but you need to stay calm and clean up the mess. After that you should continue the potty training routine that you have made up. After cleaning put the soiled cleaning materials outdoors or where your puppy usually relieves himself, making it easier for your pet to recognize where he should go in the future.
So, there you have it. All you need to do now is to stick to the routine that you have drawn out for your puppy. Trust me, with some patience you puppy will be very well discipline. Good luck!
Certified Dog Trainer Qualities
July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
dogs are very special pets that have such unique and unusual personalities. They can comfort us when we feel sad and make us feel better when we are lonely. They can also provide a lot of entertainment and excitement. Many of them are easy to train and can prove to be quite smart. So with all these great qualities why would you ever need the help of a certified dog trainer? This is a good question and the answer is simple. Certified dog trainer qualities can help to make a good trained dog even more obedient.
Some of their qualities include being able to read your dogs behavior. They will know which techniques will be the best for your individual dog’s personality. Other reasons why you should use a certified dog trainer is because they will put the health and well-being of your pet before all else. They will know exactly how to be firm and gentle at the same time, which is a unique quality that dogs respect. Only a certified dog trainer will have the confidence needed to help your pet learn how to get past the stubborn spells and follow your commends.
A good dog trainer is one who appears like he is in control and lets the dog progress at its own pace.
Certified dog trainer qualities also include learning all the newest information that is made available. As technology changes new ways to teach and train your dogs are being found all the time. A certified dog trainer has access to all the latest technology and understands exactly how this technology works. They always provide honest and accurate information and perform in a professional manner. You know you can depend on them to take good care of your pet and only use techniques that will improve their behavior. The experience that comes with being certified makes a big difference in the way your dog will be trained.
Finding a certified dog trainer may take a little time but it will be well worth the effort. You will find that your dog will be a whole lot happier and follow your commands so much better. Their social behavior will improve when out in the company of other dogs. You won’t have to worry about them struggling to run after someone else’s pet when you tell them to stay. It can also improve the way your pet interacts with other people as well. You both will be much happier and the bond between the two of you will grow even stronger.