Archive for » January, 2009 «

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 | Author: admin

Most people have seen the signs of aggressive dogs like bared teeth, growling, and biting, yet often people do not understand the reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs. Getting a good grasp of the underlying reasons for this aggressive behavior is the first step to learning to curb them in your own dog. A well-behaved dog is often a happier dog, so getting the root of aggressive behavior in dogs is important to you as well as your dog.Do you have a dog? If yes, then surely you need help to cope up your problems relating with you canine. click here canine learning theory

The best approach to teaching a puppy or dog bite control is usually adopting the behaviour of one of the dog’s littermates. If the dog gets too mouthy and bites you too hard during play, exaggerate a loud yelp or cry and immediately stop whatever activity you are doing. Turn away and ignore your dog. Sometimes this takes a bunch of lessons, but most dogs will learn it over time. At first the goal should be getting the dog to reduce the force of the bite. Then the goal is to reduce the frequency of biting. Expect that it will take a few days to a week. Hitting a dog after a bite is the worst thing you can do because the dog’s intent was play not harm. A hit from you therefore, confuses the dog and it may even react defensively, this time biting you with intent.

In general teach the dog that playing with dog toys is better than playing with hands directly because the game lasts so much longer. Play with a frisbee, rope, Kong, ball etc. Don’t use your hands as a dog toy. Most puppies bite you accidentally and that’s how you both learn. If you have already received an accidental play bite so you know how hard it is, and you want to deliberately elicit a bite to teach the dog bite inhibition, only then should you play directly with your hands. You will probably get a bite and it probably won’t hurt that much and the puppy might learn faster. Wear long sleeves and protective ace bandages or gloves if you’re afraid.

Remember: All family members must be consistent, a bite equals a cry from you and the end of play and attention.

If your dog is regularly overly mouthy, aggressive or you feel threatened by your dog, then it’s time to seek immediate professional help. Ask your vet to give you some referrals.

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Category: Dog Training  | Leave a Comment
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 | Author: admin

There are few things cuter than a new Labrador retriever puppy, but that little dog quickly loses his cuteness factor when he is brought home with you and promptly makes a mess on your beautiful living room carpet. Unless you want to spend the rest of your dog’s life cleaning up these not so pleasant messes, you will want to get savvy to the finer points of Labrador potty training as quickly as possible. The good news is that there is some fairly simple techniques that will get you on the road to a housebroken dog that will leave your living room carpet for other things besides bathroom duty.

Labrador potty training will first consist of teaching your pup the appropriate place to potty. This might mean your backyard or a papered corner in the bathroom, depending on your needs and lifestyle. Once your dog has mastered where to go, he can begin to let you know that he needs to potty by barking at you, whining at the back door or simply heading to his appointed spot.
Many dog owners find the easiest way to Labrador potty training is through the use of a crate. This shelter becomes a safe haven for your dog when you are away or cannot give him the attention that he requires. Most dogs will not potty in their crates, which means that your pup will learn to hold it until you come get him to put him outside. This is a good first step in Labrador potty training.

Since puppies have small, untrained bladders, you won’t want to leave your dog in his crate for too long in the beginning stages of Labrador potty training. Take your puppy outside every couple of hours when he is very young, and place him immediately in the spot that you want him to potty in. When he goes to the bathroom, praise him and bring him inside for some playtime with you if possible. It is also good to take him out after naps and meals, when he will be most likely to potty.
If you catch your pup in the act of going potty on your carpet or in another inappropriate spot, simply give him a firm no, and immediately take him outside. If you find a spot on the carpet after the fact, clean it up quickly and thoroughly with an enzymatic carpet cleaner that will take the smell out completely. Don’t scold your pup at this point, because he will not remember where the mess came from, even if it is a mere five minutes after the fact! When your puppy potties in the right spot, reward him with plenty of praise, playtime or a biscuit.

With plenty of persistence and patience, your Labrador potty training will be successful. Don’t get frustrated or give up if the process takes longer than you think it should. While some Lab puppies will be completely housebroken in a matter of weeks, others may take months before the accidents are finished. Rest assured that your pup will eventually get the hang of potty training, and you will not have to deal with this issue forever.

Although Labrador training is not necessarily a complicated process, it is one that requires plenty of persistence and patience in order for it to be successful. Information is the key to successful Labrador training, and dog training books and articles like this one are the first step in becoming a savvy Labrador owner.

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Monday, January 19th, 2009 | Author: admin

Let’s face it, dogs are in no way stupid, if they were then no one would want them as pets. Sometimes though, dog owners do not give their pet enough credit because just as we can teach them to learn voiced commands, they can also learn body language. When you use body language along with spoken commands, training a dog is made much simpler.

One example is that of an overly excited dog who often jumps on any visitor that enters your home. All puppies go through this phase and while most do get rig of it, some others will continue these actions well into adulthood. Every time that a guest makes their way into your home, the puppy will become easily excited regardless of whether they are there to play with the puppy or not. You may also want to pick up some pet carriers or pet strollers to help control your dog.

The puppy wants to know what the guest has to offer them, they want to know if the guest has any treats or even if the person wants to play with them and the easiest way for them to determine this is to simply jump all over anyone who enters the house.

As a result, you start giving the dog a series of commands, even ones that you have never taught the puppy. Every time as your tone becomes firmer and firmer and harsher, so too does the dog become ever more excited. This becomes a vicious and chaotic circle that never ceases until either you throw the dog outside, or the guest leaves.

When you grab the dog and raise your voice, the dog takes this as playing and the more that you do it, the more that he or she becomes excited. Their are many different dog supplies that you can pick up to help train your dog as well.

In order to better communicate with your dogs, here are some simple tips.

Instead of joining in on the game and making the puppy more excited, you need to take a moment and look at how you approach the situation. How you approach the dog is body language and the dog interpret’s it much differently than you or I would.

1) When your puppy is doing something that you are not liking, refrain yourself from chasing the puppy around the house and yelling at him or her. While you may interpret this as anger, the dog will see it as you wanting to play right along with them and join in on the game.

2) It is important to remember that you always need to show dominance over the dog, instead of yelling, stand upright and puff out your chest in order to give yourself a larger silhouette and in a very firm voice, reprimand the puppy. The goal is to intimidate, but not to scare the puppy.

3) Remember that while the dog is excited, virtually anything you do can be interpreted as play. Never move quickly and using a smooth toned voice, talk to the dog. The ultimate goal is to show the puppy the behavior you would like him or her to have and make it a game for them; see who can stay the most relaxed.

Category: Dog Training  | Leave a Comment
Monday, January 19th, 2009 | Author: admin

Dogs age at approximately 7x the rate humans do. So it’s not surprising that your dog should have a physical examination at least every seven “dog years”–that’s every year in human terms. And as your pet becomes middle-aged–that’s over 40 in people years or over 6 in dog years–physicals are recommended twice a year.

“Not only do dogs get older faster than people do, but their diseases progress more quickly, too,” according to veterinary doctors.

A once-a-year physical gives your dog doctor a chance to sit down and chat with your pet about what’s changing in his/her life. More importantly, yearly physicals let your pet’s doctor establish what is normal in your dog, so he or she will know when something is abnormal.

A yearly physical is good preventive medicine. According to the veterinaians, “Finding and treating diseases in the early stages gives your pet a much better prognosis than discovering a disease already in full swing,”. Your veterinarian may identify changes in your pet that you haven’t noticed.

During the physical examination, your veterinarian will look for systemic abnormalities. During physicals the veterinarian will move from the front to the back of your dog observing any abnormalities, starting with the eyes, ears, nose, and throat and moving to the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. Always checking for new lumps or bumps as he/she moves along.”

Heartworm tests should also be done at the time of the annual physical. Heartworm is a serious disease, common everywhere mosquitoes live. The physical exam is a good time to keep up to date on vaccines. Our veterinarian also suggests checking whether your pet has worms or other parasites once a year. A simple fecal test can determine whether your de-worming protocol is working.

Between annual examinations, be on the lookout for signs that your pet is having trouble: not eating, changes in weight, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, elimination problems, or other changes in patterns. Any of these may indicate the need for an extra visit to your veterinarian.

If your dog is healthy, you will find that he/she becomes more active.Engaging your healthy dog in activities is a sure way to keep him happy and healthy. The Dog toys you have packed away will once again become useful, once your dog feel better.

It is very vital to take care of your Dog health in order to keep your dog healthier and happier.

A yearly physical is good preventive medicine. According to the veterinaians, “Finding and treating diseases in the early stages gives your pet a much better prognosis than discovering a disease already in full swing,”. Your veterinarian may identify changes in your pet that you haven’t noticed.

Also learn how to house train dog.

Category: Health  | Leave a Comment
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 | Author: admin

Parasites – The blight of ticks

Ticks can be considered by many as the worst external parasite which can be found on your dog. These bloodsucking parasites bury their head under the dog’s skin and lives from his blood while in return exposes your pet to dangerous diseases and viruses. These ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well as Ehrlichiosis.

A tick’s life

In general, the average tick which makes its way to your dog falls under a 3-host category. In basic form, this means that the larvae, the nymphs as well as the full grown adults live their life attached to your dog; all the while they feed from your dog’s blood. Once bitten, the tick causes the dog’s skin to become irritated and while this occurs with just a single tick, imagine an entire family calling your pet their new home.

Throughout their life, the tick starts off as a larvae and has six legs. As a larvae, the tick will feed from the dog’s blood for about 3 days before letting go of the dog. Once it lets go, the tick turns into a nymph and has eight legs. As a nymph, it can now lay eggs and will feed for another 7 to 10days before molting into a full-grown adult tick.

With eggs attached, if the tick turns into a female, it will then fertilize the eggs while at the same time consume vast amounts of your dog’s blood which allows it to grow in size rather quickly. These female ticks are usually easy to spot at this stage but hopefully you have spotted them and removed them long before they reach the adult stage. You will probably want to pick up a double dog feeder or a double dog diner to keep your dogs food off the nasty floor.

Tick Removal

It is important that you remove the tick as soon as possible because they will burrow themselves in deeper under the skin. The deeper they burrow themselves the harder t will be to remove them. When it comes to removing the tick though, do not try pulling it off or scraping it off with your finger because their head is burrowed under your dog’s skin. Using a pair of fine tweezers, grab a hold of the base of the tick’s head to remove them. Sometimes this is not easy depending on how deeply the tick has burrowed under the skin. Their are many different dog supplies that can help with your dog parasite problems.

It is important to make sure that all of the tick’s head is removed because any part that is left will also leave the dog’s skin irritated. Just remember that the sooner the better when it comes to the removal of ticks. Do not try to burn them off because you may catch your pet’s fur on fire and do not use alcohol, just use a simple pair of fine tweezers.

Category: Health  | Leave a Comment
Friday, January 16th, 2009 | Author: admin

If you’re a hunter, a barking dog at home is more than just a mild annoyance because if he’s barking while you’re hunting, it can ruin your hunting trip. It can be very inconvenient for the hunter when his dog is unable to control is barking.

Although there are a few ways of training your dog not to bark, a good choice is to get a dog bark collar. It’s a negative reinforcement method that can teach your dog that it is not okay to bark.

You have a choice of two types of dog bark collars to teach your dog not to bark, or not to bark when it is not appropriate. They are safe to use and are effective for dogs, whether it is for your hunting dog or a pet at home.

Bear in mind that not all dogs respond to every collar out there. Do some research to ensure that the training collar will be effective for your dog before investing in a purchase.

Electronic Bark Collars

The electronic bark collars will send a jolt to your dog if he is barking. Although you may think this is cruel, be assured that the jolt is actually very gentle and will not cause injury to your dog in any way, shape or form. work by emitting a jolt into your dog when he barks.

The idea behind these collars is that the “jolt” when he barks surprises him out of the behavior. Repeated enforcement of this pattern (bark, then jolt) ties the activity (barking) in with the result (jolt) and the dog soon learns not to do the activity that causes the result.

Usually, electronic dog collars are made with ranges of very mild to higher jolts, which you can adjust to suit the size of your dog. To determine the best setting for your dog, begin at the very lowest velocity and work your way up to the right level.

Citronella Bark Collar

A spray bark collar is the choice for many dog owners who simply cannot bear the idea of ‘jolting’ their dog with an electronic collar. Regardless of how humane the electronic collars are touted to be, many people still cannot get over the entire notion of jolting their dog with electricity. In that case, spray collars which contain citronella are often the collar of choice for dog owners seeking to control their dogs barking.

Like the electronic dog collar, the spray collar will produce unpleasant sensations to the barking dog. Because it is not a good feeling for the dog to be sprayed in the face, the unpleasantness of the experience will train your dog not to bark when inappropriate, at the risk of being sprayed again. The spray collar will work on small and big dogs, up to 160 pounds.

Summary

As a hunter, you probably enjoy taking your dog when you go hunting, and your dog probably enjoys it as well. However, it’s very hard when your dog barks at every small movement or sound when you’re hunting. A dog bark collar may be helpful to you when you’re out hunting. When you invest in a bark collar, you don’t have to be concerned about incessant or untimely barking and actually have a good time out with your dog. Dog bark collars, whether citronella or electric, are great hunting dog supplies that are humane and effective so be assured that you’re doing the right thing.

Thursday, January 15th, 2009 | Author: admin

Having a dog as part of your family is an awesome experience! You have a forever friend that your family will grow with and the bond you will share with your dog will stand the test of time. One of the not so wonderful things about dog ownership is what happens in the yard! Have you ever seen or lived next door to someone who may have a large breed dog or small dogs that deficate everywhere or dig holes yet the yard looks immaculate? You might assume that the owner is meticulous in lawn care but I assure you that he or she probably isn’t. The answer to having a dog-friendly yard that is both healthy and appealing and safe is really simple…outdoor dog supplies!

ENCAP is a company that has prided and dedicated itself to environmentally-friendly products that are advanced in soil technology. The Dog Repair Kit by ENCAP is a great product that has a special formulation to enhance the treatment of excess nitrogen. This technology works with your grass to become more beautiful and stronger because it’s free from damage. The Dog Repair Kit will come in a 1.25lb bag and includes seed, mulch, and soil conditioner. It is so very simple to use all it takes is for you to loosen up some edges of soil and sprinkle some of the granules and rake followed by a good watering and that is it! What is also great is that ENCAP has included an easy to view tutorial that will give you all the information plus will show you how to tell when your repaired patch has had enough water! ENCAP’s The Dog Repair Kit is a must have for a great yard! You will also want to pick up some dog beds for your dog right away. Your dog needs you.

ProGreen Synthetic Grass by ProGreen is a wonderful product for dogs that love to dig but have owners that don’t like the holes! This synthetic grass looks exactly like the real thing and is mess free! When your dog relieves himself, the waste can be removed using your current process, only it tends to be less messy with the synthetic grass.There are tiny holes within the turf that makes it easy for rain and wastes that sink through to a drainage layer that exits to the ground. So if you have a yard that is patchy or you want to install a dog run, then ProGreen Synthetic Grass by ProGreen may be the right choice for you and your dog! You will definitely want to check out these dog crates for your canine friend right now.

Nothing is more troubling or unattractive than a yard that has been discolored from your dog’s urination. Have no fear, Lawn Rescue For Dogs by Pet Naturals will come to your rescue! Lawn Rescue for Dogs by Pet Naturals isa supplement that is delicious, chewy, and tasty treat that you give your pet and it actually lowers the pH in your dog’s urine. The end result is a beutiful lawn that does not have unsightly yellow or bare patches from your dog relieving themselves. The ingredients for the Lawn Rescue For Dogs by Pet Naturals are safe and natural! The Lawn Rescue For Dogs by Pet Naturals contain yucca, cranberry, brewer’s yeast, and DL-methionine.

Category: Dog Supplies  | Leave a Comment
Monday, January 12th, 2009 | Author: admin

Dog Parks have been around for quite some time and are wonderful places of beauty and enjoyment for you and your dog. These places are equipped with large areas and even come with some ammenities for both relaxation and physical activity that appeals for all breeds and sizes of dogs. There are atleast one Dog Park in most major cities across the nation. However, this trend is branching out to even smaller communities to acommidate local dog lovers. Below are listed the very best Dog Parks voted for their excellent layouts and wonderful advantages for all dogs! Before you go to the dog park you will want to check out some bargain dog clothes that you can pick up before you go to the park, so your styling. You can view a nice dog polo sweater and maybe even some thermal long johns for dogs for a great nights sleep.

For your small dog, The Bear Dog Park located in Roseville,California was voted the best Dog Park for small breed dogs. This unique Dog Park has a special enclosed area that is just for small dogs. The entire space measures almost 1 acre of land that has a walking trail around the perimeter. There is even lighting fixtures and doggie showers for nighttime fun. The address for Bear Dog Park is 1575 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA. This dog park definately caters to your small little guy or gal!

From just outside Columbus, Ohio, Alum Creek Dog Park has the best man made beach for dogs! You and your dog do not have to get in the car and travel to the seaside to enjoy the beach at Alum Creek Dog Park! This beach covers 4 acres of land that is adjacent to Alum Creek State Park’s resevoir. The beach was designed for dogs who love the water but is great for any dog with it’s calm, relaxing, and serene atmosphere. Alum Creek Dog Park features rolling hills and a beautiful forest that is going to provide many activities for your dog! The real attraction is the beach with it’s rock bed edge and cool inviting water that is a hit with dogs everywhere! The address for Alum Creek Dog Park is 3615 S. Old State Road, Lewis Center, Ohio.

Alongside the beautiful waters of Lake Washington lies the Warren G. Magnuson Dog Park. Located in Seattle,Washington this dog park is really a specially thought out place. Seattle is known for it’s rainy and wet weather and the Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park was designed to accomidate Seattle’s wet weather! Plenty of free open areas dot the landscape but what makes it adaptable for the weather is the winding trails and awesome footpaths that are constructed with highly compact gravel that keeps trails from becoming muddy in rainy weather.An added bonus is that all the trails are wheelchair accessible! The Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park is absolutely a wonderful day trip for your canine and offers a natural setting for them to exercise and to further bond with your pet! The Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park is located at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA.

These are just a few of the great places to enjoy with your beloved 4 legged friend and hopefully will inspire you to visit either of these or visit the one nearest to you!

Saturday, January 10th, 2009 | Author: admin

Once you and your dog have mastered the sit command, the stay command often comes next on the list? Why? To begin, a well-behaved dog understands the sit command. But, they do not understand how long to sit. Teaching the stay command will further train your dog and make them a pleasure to be around in all situations.

To begin, and as stated earlier, make sure your dog understands and has mastered the sit command. Once this is firmly established, you may move on. The proper way to begin is to find a quiet place for you and dog to practice. There needn’t be any distractions. Quick Note: You should always think about how you can get your dog his or her Small Dog Supplies every day. Also if you are looking for your dog his or her own stylish Large Dog Clothes and Small Dog Coats then you should check out Doggy Dog Supplies. Next, with your dog in the sitting position, let her know you have a treat. While she remains sitting, say “stay” while putting your open palm near her nose. Next, take one step backward. Continue to firmly repeat the word “stay.”

When you train, keep the sessions short and the rewards coming. You don’t have to offer a treat each and every time; you can trade off between praise and food. Also, you need to decide on a word that will let your dog know the stay position may be released. Some people say “free” or “okay.” Regardless, choose one word and use it consistently. For example, your dog is in the sit position, you tell her to stay by saying the word and placing your hand palm to nose, and then you back away one slow step at a time. When she holds he stay for a few seconds, say “free” and reward her for her good work. Continue this several times a day. But, make sure both you and your dog are interested in learning. Don’t allow yourself to get frustrated and, simultaneously, don’t force an uninterested dog to continue repeated practices.

As you continue to work with your dog, you can move further and further away. Abstain from leaving the room or bounding upstairs until she can retain the stay command while you walk in circles around her, clap your hands, or sit on the floor. Eventually, though, you should be able to leave your dog in a stay position, go outside, and return to find her holding the stay position. Further practice can include rolling a ball by her or holding out a treat. Remember to practice often and reward her when she performs. The stay command truly is a hallmark of a well behaved dog. Once mastered, both you and the dog should feel proud.

Category: Dog Training  | Leave a Comment
Wednesday, January 07th, 2009 | Author: admin

Just as humans eat breakfast lunch and dinner at relatively the same times each day, so do dogs expect to eat at similar times. Sure, they may not receive three meals, but setting and sticking to meal times can be very beneficial for both the pet and the owner.

Give your dog the best Dog Supplies that they deserve. You can find all the top of the line Dog Purses and designer Dog Beds which are shipped fast and easy to the USA each and every day.

To begin, dedicate an eating spot for your dog. This can be in or near his create or somewhere else. The idea is to give him time and privacy to eat his food. If you or members of your family stand around and watch him eat, this will establish a pack-like mentality teaching your dog that others are waiting for a scrap. He doesn’t need the extra attention while eating.

Next, know both yours and your dog’s schedule. If you can be home to feed him in the afternoon, that’s fine. If he doesn’t like to eat first thing in the morning, that’s ok too. Finally, find a food that suits his size, breed, and any special requirements. Check the food bag or with your vet to decide the right amount of food to dole out daily. If have a finicky eater on your hands, study the situation. Is it the bowl, the feeding place, the kibble? With some teamwork, you should be able to work out a solution.

Once these things have been sorted out, you’re half way there. It has been suggested that a twice-a-day feeding is the best option. So, if you have a dog that requires two cups of food a day, designate a scooper for the kibble to properly measure out one cup.

You can feed him one cup in the morning and one cup at night. Another important aspect of setting a dog’s meal times is to make sure they eat all their food within a certain time. For all dogs aside from small breeds, you can set a timer for 20 minutes. If the dog does not eat all his kibble by the time the timer goes off, gather up the uneaten kibble and replace it in the bad. When dinner time comes around, give him his one cup. This will let him know he doesn’t have all day to eat, and it will also work to give him an appetite. Furthermore, set feeding times and places will help to cut down on begging as the dog will learn when and where to expect his own food.

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