Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Teaching Dog Obedience The Easy Way

The easy way to teach dog obedience using kind, positive dog training methods.

Training a new puppy can be overwhelming. However, dog obedience training is crucial for the safety of your pet, your home, your property and other people. It is essential to you and your puppy that you use positive dog training methods. Consistency and patience are key elements in dog training. Set aside time each day to spend training your pet, usually 20 to 30 minutes in length is best, because that is the amount of time that they are most receptive. Any longer and they become bored.

When training your dog, you should always give your dog only one order at a time. If you give your dog more than one command at the same time, your dog will be confused about what order it should follow. This will frustrate both of you. By giving your dog only one order at a time, it will better understand your commands which will lead to a higher success rate.

As you begin working with your dog on their training program, make sure to pay close attention to their diet (dog nutrition guide). Much like humans, a dog gets their fuel from what they eat each day. Having a diet that is not nutritionally sound can affect a dog's behavior and make training more difficult.

When your canine has misbehaved, do not give it too much attention. In doing so continually, your dog will equate bad behavior with receiving attention from its owner(it does not matter to your pet that it is negative attention) and this will only reinforce bad habits which are difficult to break in the long term.

Make sure you and your family are consistent with your commands. If one person uses "down" to tell the dog to get off the couch while another says "off" and a third is letting him lay there, the dog is going to get mixed signals. It makes it much more difficult for him to learn the commands.

Train your dog by reinforcing positive behavior. This does not mean to punish your pet when he does something bad; instead, simply do not reinforce negative behavior. Negative enforcement might just make your dog scared of you. Positive reinforcement will ensure that your dog will want to do good things more often in order to receive treats and praise.

Give your dog plenty of positive reinforcement. Discipline isn't only about punishment for bad behavior. You should make sure to reward good behavior with lots of affection and praise. It will ensure that your dog understands when it is doing the right thing, and it will help it develop trust in its trainers.

When doing early leash training, select a nylon leash about six feet longer. A leash made of leather or other heavy material will drag on the dog's collar even when you aren't attempting to give a reinforcement, and can be extremely distracting for the dog. Once your dog is fully leash trained, however, leather leashes may look better and last longer than nylon ones.

If you are travelling with dogs, make sure to pack everything that your dog needs to eat, sleep and use the bathroom. Items like water and food bowls, paper towels and bathroom bags are essential to having a relaxing ride. Do not worry about taking a bag of their dog food with you; it is much easier to pick some up when you get to your destination.

When training a dog it is important to reward good behavior while redirecting bad behavior. Careful effort to maintain a clear distinction between good and bad behavior will go a long way towards overall training of the dog. This will guarantee that the dog knows why it is being rewarded or why it is being punished.

When you are training your dog, do not repeat commands over and over to get the dog to obey. Rather than teaching your dog to do what you say, repeating the same command when your dog doesn't listen gives them an attitude of indifference. Give your commands firmly, once, and insist the dog do what you say.

If your dog seems depressed or gets anxious when you are about to leave the house, your dog might suffer from separation anxiety. To help your dog go through the day, leave something that has your smell on it, such as an old piece of clothing. This could mean that your dog will not miss you so much.

Never yell at a barking dog. While a barking dog is sure to raise your frustration level, resist the urge to yell at them. Dogs do not understand that you are yelling at them, and often associate your raised voice as you joining in the fun of barking. If your dog is barking, calmly distract them with a toy or treat, and when the barking stops, give them their prize.

Dog Advice & Resources:

Teaching Dog Obedience The Easy Way

The easy way to teach dog obedience using kind, positive dog training methods.

Training a new puppy can be overwhelming. However, dog obedience training is crucial for the safety of your pet, your home, your property and other people. It is essential to you and your puppy that you use positive dog training methods. Consistency and patience are key elements in dog training. Set aside time each day to spend training your pet, usually 20 to 30 minutes in length is best, because that is the amount of time that they are most receptive. Any longer and they become bored.

When training your dog, you should always give your dog only one order at a time. If you give your dog more than one command at the same time, your dog will be confused about what order it should follow. This will frustrate both of you. By giving your dog only one order at a time, it will better understand your commands which will lead to a higher success rate.

As you begin working with your dog on their training program, make sure to pay close attention to their diet (dog nutrition guide). Much like humans, a dog gets their fuel from what they eat each day. Having a diet that is not nutritionally sound can affect a dog's behavior and make training more difficult.

When your canine has misbehaved, do not give it too much attention. In doing so continually, your dog will equate bad behavior with receiving attention from its owner(it does not matter to your pet that it is negative attention) and this will only reinforce bad habits which are difficult to break in the long term.

Make sure you and your family are consistent with your commands. If one person uses "down" to tell the dog to get off the couch while another says "off" and a third is letting him lay there, the dog is going to get mixed signals. It makes it much more difficult for him to learn the commands.

Train your dog by reinforcing positive behavior. This does not mean to punish your pet when he does something bad; instead, simply do not reinforce negative behavior. Negative enforcement might just make your dog scared of you. Positive reinforcement will ensure that your dog will want to do good things more often in order to receive treats and praise.

Give your dog plenty of positive reinforcement. Discipline isn't only about punishment for bad behavior. You should make sure to reward good behavior with lots of affection and praise. It will ensure that your dog understands when it is doing the right thing, and it will help it develop trust in its trainers.

When doing early leash training, select a nylon leash about six feet longer. A leash made of leather or other heavy material will drag on the dog's collar even when you aren't attempting to give a reinforcement, and can be extremely distracting for the dog. Once your dog is fully leash trained, however, leather leashes may look better and last longer than nylon ones.

If you are travelling with dogs, make sure to pack everything that your dog needs to eat, sleep and use the bathroom. Items like water and food bowls, paper towels and bathroom bags are essential to having a relaxing ride. Do not worry about taking a bag of their dog food with you; it is much easier to pick some up when you get to your destination.

When training a dog it is important to reward good behavior while redirecting bad behavior. Careful effort to maintain a clear distinction between good and bad behavior will go a long way towards overall training of the dog. This will guarantee that the dog knows why it is being rewarded or why it is being punished.

When you are training your dog, do not repeat commands over and over to get the dog to obey. Rather than teaching your dog to do what you say, repeating the same command when your dog doesn't listen gives them an attitude of indifference. Give your commands firmly, once, and insist the dog do what you say.

If your dog seems depressed or gets anxious when you are about to leave the house, your dog might suffer from separation anxiety. To help your dog go through the day, leave something that has your smell on it, such as an old piece of clothing. This could mean that your dog will not miss you so much.

Never yell at a barking dog. While a barking dog is sure to raise your frustration level, resist the urge to yell at them. Dogs do not understand that you are yelling at them, and often associate your raised voice as you joining in the fun of barking. If your dog is barking, calmly distract them with a toy or treat, and when the barking stops, give them their prize.

Dog Advice & Resources:

How To Have A Well Behaved, Happy Dog

As a new dog owner, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to make sure your dog is both healthy and well behaved. This article will go into detail regarding tips specific to your situation, a new dog owner, and ways that you can successfully train your dog.

http://i.imgur.com/PaIRI.jpg

It is fun teaching your dog how to do tricks. Pick a time when he is fed, relaxed and calm. First, extend your hand to your dog's paw. You may have to pick his paw up when you first start. Regardless of how he acts, give him a treat. Pretty soon he will learn that if he extends his paw he will get a treat. In no time, he will simply give you his paw on his own.

Practice walking your dog over to a rug and asking him to sit whenever a doorbell rings. To do this, have a friend or family member ring the doorbell. Guide your dog by his leash to a rug or spot and have him sit. Praise him and offer a treat. Repeating this exercise will help him to remain calm and appear more polite when guests come over.

Do not respond to demands for attention from your dog. Training a dog to be docile and controlled, means that you control when attention is given. In the pack, Alphas will ignore these behaviors until the dog is calm and relaxed. Then and only then, should you build excitement through play with the animal.

Establish a calm environment when you enter a room that your dog is in. Play time is good to have with your pet, however, your dog should remain calm when you enter the room. Do not acknowledge the animal when you enter and by doing so you create a controlled atmosphere in which you decide how and when play time begins.

Although a well trained dog can be taught to put up with just about anything, there will be times and situations where they are truly uncomfortable with a person, another animal, or a place. Don't force your dog to suffer through more of this discomfort than is absolutely necessary. There is a reason that they are uncomfortable and you need to determine that reason.

If your dog barks and growls at strangers in your home, do this: leash your dog, make him sit, wait until his attention is on you, and hand the leash, in full view of the dog, to your guest. Then wait until the dog is calm again, with the guest giving commands as needed. This teaches the dog that your guest ranks above him in "the pack" and he must accept them. When the dog starts to react again, repeat the exercise.

Put yourself in your dog's proverbial shoes - or paws, rather. It is easy to get frustrated with your dog if they are not learning very basic things quickly or at all. Instead of giving up entirely, you might consider trying to put yourself in your dog's mindset. Imagining the world as they see it might give you a new perspective on training them.

Young puppies are prone to chewing on their owners belongings. You can address this problem by immediately stopping your puppy if he chews an inappropriate item. You should then, instead, give him the toys that he is allowed to chew. Praise your dog anytime you finding him chewing a permitted toy. Remaining consistent with this training method can save your favorite furniture or pair of shoes.

If you are undergoing chemotherapy it is common for certain foods to leave a metallic taste in your mouth. The most common foods that give this type of reaction are water and meats. You can try adding fruit to water to lighten the taste and you can substitute fish, eggs, beans, or some other type of protein to your diet instead of meat.

Don't give treats to your dog for no reason, and never feed your dog at the table (learn to stop dog begging). Feed your dog his dog food in the same place, at the same time, every day. Give treats as rewards for good work done during training time. Otherwise, praise and petting are ample indications that you are friends with your dog. Too many treats at the wrong times will produce a spoiled, overweight dog.

Many puppies like to use their mouths to play because that is how they played with their litter mates. This should be discouraged as soon as possible after your puppy comes home. It may be cute when a seven pound puppy pulls on your arm or shirt sleeve, but I assure you, it isn't as cute when a fifty pound dog does it.

Dog Health

Your dog will need a diet high in nutrition to maintain his vitality and health. This means that you should be picky about what you feed your dog. Making your own dog food can help to reduce fillers that do nothing for your pet, while increasing the crude protein to a healthy and more beneficial level.

In many cases, a dog's diet can be contributing to the behavior and health problems that he is having. Be sure that you are feeding your dog a balanced diet and he is going to thank you by adapting his behavior to be accepted, more important than that, he will be healthier for many more years.

When you are training your dog, you should make sure that your dog is not sick when it is not following your commands that it normally will follow. They also need regular visits to the vet so that he or she can inform you of your dog's health. If your dog is sick, you shouldn't push your dog for not following commands.

If you are training a high-energy dog, it may be beneficial to exercise your dog just before the training session. A dog that is overly energetic will have difficulty focusing on what you are trying to teach. (Useful: can dogs have ocd?) The exercise session can be beneficial for the human owner's health as well!

A great dog training tip is to make sure your dog gets a little bit of exercise every day. Exercise is not only good for your dog's health, it also keeps them social with other people and other dogs. Taking your dog for a daily walk is key for socialization.

Keep your dog up-to-date on his check-ups. If you are finding your dog is having difficulty with some aspects of training, or has regressed in his training, make sure he is in good health. Dogs are very adept at hiding pain and discomfort. So many times behavioral changes are the only clue that there is a health issue. For example, aggression can be a sign of pain, and sudden regression in-house training can signal a urinary tract infection.

A good dog training tip is to make sure you regularly take your dog to the veterinarian for check-ups. You never know what sudden health issue could pop up. By regularly taking your dog to the veterinarian for check-ups, you can insure that your dog stays happy and healthy.

Be sure that your canine is consuming a healthy diet. A bad diet is unhealthy for dogs for many reasons. Poor nutrition adversely affects your dog's health and can cause uncharacteristic behavior. By simply improving the diet that the dog gets, you may notice a great improvement in how receptive they will be when it comes to training.

When a behavioral problem suddenly occurs you should take the dog to the vet to eliminate health problems. There are painful medical issues which cause aggressive or obnoxious behavior in dogs. This behavior is an indicator to humans that there is something wrong.

Ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise and stimulation. Almost all dogs have short attention spans. When a dog is bored, he will be hard to train. Your dogs will obey more quickly if you keep them well exercised. Get out for some long walks and runs with your dog.

Because you are a new dog owner, you are faced with many challenges. Hopefully if you follow the steps presented in this article, you will be much closer to being able to successfully train your new dog and will have a better understanding of what goes into dog ownership and training.

How To Have A Well Behaved, Happy Dog

As a new dog owner, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to make sure your dog is both healthy and well behaved. This article will go into detail regarding tips specific to your situation, a new dog owner, and ways that you can successfully train your dog.

http://i.imgur.com/PaIRI.jpg

It is fun teaching your dog how to do tricks. Pick a time when he is fed, relaxed and calm. First, extend your hand to your dog's paw. You may have to pick his paw up when you first start. Regardless of how he acts, give him a treat. Pretty soon he will learn that if he extends his paw he will get a treat. In no time, he will simply give you his paw on his own.

Practice walking your dog over to a rug and asking him to sit whenever a doorbell rings. To do this, have a friend or family member ring the doorbell. Guide your dog by his leash to a rug or spot and have him sit. Praise him and offer a treat. Repeating this exercise will help him to remain calm and appear more polite when guests come over.

Do not respond to demands for attention from your dog. Training a dog to be docile and controlled, means that you control when attention is given. In the pack, Alphas will ignore these behaviors until the dog is calm and relaxed. Then and only then, should you build excitement through play with the animal.

Establish a calm environment when you enter a room that your dog is in. Play time is good to have with your pet, however, your dog should remain calm when you enter the room. Do not acknowledge the animal when you enter and by doing so you create a controlled atmosphere in which you decide how and when play time begins.

Although a well trained dog can be taught to put up with just about anything, there will be times and situations where they are truly uncomfortable with a person, another animal, or a place. Don't force your dog to suffer through more of this discomfort than is absolutely necessary. There is a reason that they are uncomfortable and you need to determine that reason.

If your dog barks and growls at strangers in your home, do this: leash your dog, make him sit, wait until his attention is on you, and hand the leash, in full view of the dog, to your guest. Then wait until the dog is calm again, with the guest giving commands as needed. This teaches the dog that your guest ranks above him in "the pack" and he must accept them. When the dog starts to react again, repeat the exercise.

Put yourself in your dog's proverbial shoes - or paws, rather. It is easy to get frustrated with your dog if they are not learning very basic things quickly or at all. Instead of giving up entirely, you might consider trying to put yourself in your dog's mindset. Imagining the world as they see it might give you a new perspective on training them.

Young puppies are prone to chewing on their owners belongings. You can address this problem by immediately stopping your puppy if he chews an inappropriate item. You should then, instead, give him the toys that he is allowed to chew. Praise your dog anytime you finding him chewing a permitted toy. Remaining consistent with this training method can save your favorite furniture or pair of shoes.

If you are undergoing chemotherapy it is common for certain foods to leave a metallic taste in your mouth. The most common foods that give this type of reaction are water and meats. You can try adding fruit to water to lighten the taste and you can substitute fish, eggs, beans, or some other type of protein to your diet instead of meat.

Don't give treats to your dog for no reason, and never feed your dog at the table (learn to stop dog begging). Feed your dog his dog food in the same place, at the same time, every day. Give treats as rewards for good work done during training time. Otherwise, praise and petting are ample indications that you are friends with your dog. Too many treats at the wrong times will produce a spoiled, overweight dog.

Many puppies like to use their mouths to play because that is how they played with their litter mates. This should be discouraged as soon as possible after your puppy comes home. It may be cute when a seven pound puppy pulls on your arm or shirt sleeve, but I assure you, it isn't as cute when a fifty pound dog does it.

Dog Health

Your dog will need a diet high in nutrition to maintain his vitality and health. This means that you should be picky about what you feed your dog. Making your own dog food can help to reduce fillers that do nothing for your pet, while increasing the crude protein to a healthy and more beneficial level.

In many cases, a dog's diet can be contributing to the behavior and health problems that he is having. Be sure that you are feeding your dog a balanced diet and he is going to thank you by adapting his behavior to be accepted, more important than that, he will be healthier for many more years.

When you are training your dog, you should make sure that your dog is not sick when it is not following your commands that it normally will follow. They also need regular visits to the vet so that he or she can inform you of your dog's health. If your dog is sick, you shouldn't push your dog for not following commands.

If you are training a high-energy dog, it may be beneficial to exercise your dog just before the training session. A dog that is overly energetic will have difficulty focusing on what you are trying to teach. (Useful: can dogs have ocd?) The exercise session can be beneficial for the human owner's health as well!

A great dog training tip is to make sure your dog gets a little bit of exercise every day. Exercise is not only good for your dog's health, it also keeps them social with other people and other dogs. Taking your dog for a daily walk is key for socialization.

Keep your dog up-to-date on his check-ups. If you are finding your dog is having difficulty with some aspects of training, or has regressed in his training, make sure he is in good health. Dogs are very adept at hiding pain and discomfort. So many times behavioral changes are the only clue that there is a health issue. For example, aggression can be a sign of pain, and sudden regression in-house training can signal a urinary tract infection.

A good dog training tip is to make sure you regularly take your dog to the veterinarian for check-ups. You never know what sudden health issue could pop up. By regularly taking your dog to the veterinarian for check-ups, you can insure that your dog stays happy and healthy.

Be sure that your canine is consuming a healthy diet. A bad diet is unhealthy for dogs for many reasons. Poor nutrition adversely affects your dog's health and can cause uncharacteristic behavior. By simply improving the diet that the dog gets, you may notice a great improvement in how receptive they will be when it comes to training.

When a behavioral problem suddenly occurs you should take the dog to the vet to eliminate health problems. There are painful medical issues which cause aggressive or obnoxious behavior in dogs. This behavior is an indicator to humans that there is something wrong.

Ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise and stimulation. Almost all dogs have short attention spans. When a dog is bored, he will be hard to train. Your dogs will obey more quickly if you keep them well exercised. Get out for some long walks and runs with your dog.

Because you are a new dog owner, you are faced with many challenges. Hopefully if you follow the steps presented in this article, you will be much closer to being able to successfully train your new dog and will have a better understanding of what goes into dog ownership and training.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

How To Take Your Dog's Pulse & Temperature

There may be times when you need to check your dog's temperature or pulse. The most reliable way of taking your dog’s pulse is to locate the femoral artery. Your dog can either be standing or can be lying on his back for this. Put your fingers inside your dog’s groin, where the leg joins the trunk. Feel around until you detect a pulse.

Another method is to press against the rib cage over the heart while your dog is standing. You should be able to detect a pulse just below the elbow joint.

Read more: http://www.dogadvice.co.uk/normal-temperature-for-dogs/feed

Bonus: 5 Life Saving Tips For Dog Owners

How To Take Your Dog's Pulse & Temperature

There may be times when you need to check your dog's temperature or pulse. The most reliable way of taking your dog’s pulse is to locate the femoral artery. Your dog can either be standing or can be lying on his back for this. Put your fingers inside your dog’s groin, where the leg joins the trunk. Feel around until you detect a pulse.

Another method is to press against the rib cage over the heart while your dog is standing. You should be able to detect a pulse just below the elbow joint.

Read more: http://www.dogadvice.co.uk/normal-temperature-for-dogs/feed

Bonus: 5 Life Saving Tips For Dog Owners

Thursday, December 15, 2011

How Easy Is It To Adopt A Shelter Dog?

A great piece on MyDogMagazine.com called I want to adopt a dog, outlines 7 top tips for anyone considering dog adoption.

In the article:

Visit your local shelter and spend some time with the dogs. Donating some of your time to simply hang out and play with these canine residents can make a huge difference to their lives. Most of the time, shelter staff are very busy with their work and they do not have the extra time to interact with the dogs.

Shelter employees can always use the help of others to come and play and socialize with their residence. They are more than happy to show you around and figure out what you can do to help out.

Read in full: http://mydogmagazine.com/blog/adopt-a-dog/

How Easy Is It To Adopt A Shelter Dog?

A great piece on MyDogMagazine.com called I want to adopt a dog, outlines 7 top tips for anyone considering dog adoption.

In the article:

Visit your local shelter and spend some time with the dogs. Donating some of your time to simply hang out and play with these canine residents can make a huge difference to their lives. Most of the time, shelter staff are very busy with their work and they do not have the extra time to interact with the dogs.

Shelter employees can always use the help of others to come and play and socialize with their residence. They are more than happy to show you around and figure out what you can do to help out.

Read in full: http://mydogmagazine.com/blog/adopt-a-dog/

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Amazing Rewards of Dog Training

Training a dog is an endeavor which requires a plethora of patience, but if done correctly is also immensely rewarding. In all my life I have known no feeling like companionship greater than that feeling I have with my two dogs. If you're interested in learning more, read this article.

Not showering your dog with enough positive reinforcement when he does good, will reduce the power you have over him in training. Since dogs love attention, giving them plenty of it, provides him with incentive to listen to you. If all he ever hears from you is what not to do, he is not getting any encouragement, only discouragement, so be sure to reward him with praise often.

When giving commands to your dog, never come down to their level. Maintaining eye contact and a fully erect, dominant stance imparts control to the dog. Your dog will be receptive to commands given from this posture much easier than a crouching owner who is seen as an equal or playmate.

Worth a read: Why does my dog ignore me?

Watch your demeanour when you are training your dog. You need to remain calm, but assertive at all times. Do not show anger or raise your voice. If you do this, your dog will require you to shout commands in order to follow them, if this is how he is trained.

Paper train your dog. If your dog is left home for long periods of time, he will need a place to go to the bathroom. With this housebreaking method, accidents do not occur in other areas of the house, and the dog learns the proper place to do his business.

Sometimes a dog trainer must punish their dog. Punishment does not eliminate the behaviour the trainer wants to discourage, though; it merely suppresses it. Canny trainers know that punishing a dog only encourages them to hide the behaviour for which they are being punished. It is better to entirely replace an undesirable behavior than to punish a pet for engaging in it.

If your dog is a fearful dog, you should address her confidence issues sooner rather than later. The fact is that fearful dogs can be very reactive, which spells trouble when you and your dog are out and about. Make positive associations with stimuli that make her nervous, and desensitize her to the spontaneous nature of the world around her. She will be thankful you did!

Affection makes a great reward, however, be careful not to turn it into play. During training sessions, physical rewards such as belly rubs or scratching the ears can easily be overdone and lead the dog to think you are entering a play cycle. Keep the rewards quick and allow your dog to maintain focus for more training.

If you're tired of the commands your dog already knows, try spicing up an old behaviour. A fun trick is teaching your dog to give either paw when asked. You can teach this a few ways, but try picking up the corresponding paw to your hand and treating and praising. When your dog gets the idea, treat and praise for successful raising of the right paw!

Some dogs are so scared of thunderstorms that they are literally a danger to themselves. If your dog has an extreme fear of thunder, speak to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend and prescribe a mild sedative to give your dog before a storm rolls in. This is often a last-ditch effort when behavior modification cannot handle the problem alone, but it is often beneficial to a dog's quality of life if the problem is severe enough.

Don't let your dog 'own' the furniture. To a bossy dog, the furniture is his fortress, giving him much more status than sitting on the floor. If your dog becomes possessive about the furniture, deny him access until he is ready to move for any human being, including a child or stranger. Stand with an erect posture and use a firm voice. Don't use food to entice your dog off the furniture if he has already growled, as he will think he has been rewarded. Wait until he gets off the furniture on his own, and don't allow him back up.

This article hopefully gave you some tips and ideas on how to train your dog. As they are still animals at heart it does take a little work, and a little technique. However, there is a lot of useful information from this article that can get you started on training your dog.

Consider protecting your pet for life, investigate lifetime pet insurance cover.

Health related article worth a look: cataracts in dogs - what you need to know.

Article syndicated by petbuzz

The Amazing Rewards of Dog Training

Training a dog is an endeavor which requires a plethora of patience, but if done correctly is also immensely rewarding. In all my life I have known no feeling like companionship greater than that feeling I have with my two dogs. If you're interested in learning more, read this article.

Not showering your dog with enough positive reinforcement when he does good, will reduce the power you have over him in training. Since dogs love attention, giving them plenty of it, provides him with incentive to listen to you. If all he ever hears from you is what not to do, he is not getting any encouragement, only discouragement, so be sure to reward him with praise often.

When giving commands to your dog, never come down to their level. Maintaining eye contact and a fully erect, dominant stance imparts control to the dog. Your dog will be receptive to commands given from this posture much easier than a crouching owner who is seen as an equal or playmate.

Worth a read: Why does my dog ignore me?

Watch your demeanour when you are training your dog. You need to remain calm, but assertive at all times. Do not show anger or raise your voice. If you do this, your dog will require you to shout commands in order to follow them, if this is how he is trained.

Paper train your dog. If your dog is left home for long periods of time, he will need a place to go to the bathroom. With this housebreaking method, accidents do not occur in other areas of the house, and the dog learns the proper place to do his business.

Sometimes a dog trainer must punish their dog. Punishment does not eliminate the behaviour the trainer wants to discourage, though; it merely suppresses it. Canny trainers know that punishing a dog only encourages them to hide the behaviour for which they are being punished. It is better to entirely replace an undesirable behavior than to punish a pet for engaging in it.

If your dog is a fearful dog, you should address her confidence issues sooner rather than later. The fact is that fearful dogs can be very reactive, which spells trouble when you and your dog are out and about. Make positive associations with stimuli that make her nervous, and desensitize her to the spontaneous nature of the world around her. She will be thankful you did!

Affection makes a great reward, however, be careful not to turn it into play. During training sessions, physical rewards such as belly rubs or scratching the ears can easily be overdone and lead the dog to think you are entering a play cycle. Keep the rewards quick and allow your dog to maintain focus for more training.

If you're tired of the commands your dog already knows, try spicing up an old behaviour. A fun trick is teaching your dog to give either paw when asked. You can teach this a few ways, but try picking up the corresponding paw to your hand and treating and praising. When your dog gets the idea, treat and praise for successful raising of the right paw!

Some dogs are so scared of thunderstorms that they are literally a danger to themselves. If your dog has an extreme fear of thunder, speak to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend and prescribe a mild sedative to give your dog before a storm rolls in. This is often a last-ditch effort when behavior modification cannot handle the problem alone, but it is often beneficial to a dog's quality of life if the problem is severe enough.

Don't let your dog 'own' the furniture. To a bossy dog, the furniture is his fortress, giving him much more status than sitting on the floor. If your dog becomes possessive about the furniture, deny him access until he is ready to move for any human being, including a child or stranger. Stand with an erect posture and use a firm voice. Don't use food to entice your dog off the furniture if he has already growled, as he will think he has been rewarded. Wait until he gets off the furniture on his own, and don't allow him back up.

This article hopefully gave you some tips and ideas on how to train your dog. As they are still animals at heart it does take a little work, and a little technique. However, there is a lot of useful information from this article that can get you started on training your dog.

Consider protecting your pet for life, investigate lifetime pet insurance cover.

Health related article worth a look: cataracts in dogs - what you need to know.

Article syndicated by petbuzz

Monday, November 14, 2011

Breed Profile American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog has been a member of the AKC since 1994. With its spitz-like features, this white bundle of love makes an outstanding family companion. They have the physical makeup of your classic spitz, but come in all-white and maintains a double coat. The ears are adorably short and thick, which makes them cold resistant. This breed can be seen in the toy version, miniature, and standard.

Tip, insure your dog breed.

A Brief History Of The American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog (also known as the Eskie) is often mistaken as a spitz breed. This common mistake is not without merit, however, as the breed descended from one of the spitz varieties that was created in Germany. Other influences that went into the making of the American Eskimo Dog was the Pomeranian, Volpino Italiano, and the Keeshond.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/American_Eskimo_Dog_portrait.jpg/240px-American_Eskimo_Dog_portrait.jpg

All of the other breeds mentioned above quickly became popular, leaving the Eskie to grow slowly in popularity. Essentially what happened was that the Keeshond dog came in a variety of colors but only the gray variety was accepted, excluding the white Keeshond. Then the Pomeranian standard excluded any dogs over 8 lbs.

So by the 1900s, there were these white spitz-like dogs, all white, and larger than the Keeshond breed, that had no home. It is said that European workers brought these dogs with them to the United States. In 1913, they began registering with the UKC. By the 1920s, the Americans called the dog the American Spitz, which could regularly be seen in circus shows. After World War I the American Spits had its name changed to the American Eskimo Dog, which did not gain AKC recognition until 1994.

Upkeep Requirements For The American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog needs plenty of daily exercise, but the amount of physical activity also depends on the type of Eskie. The standard versions need a good workout in addition to several walks on the leash each day. The miniature and toy versions can get by with just a few walks and a romp around the living room. All Eskies love to run and play, especially in the cold.

As its name suggests, the American Eskimo Dog is no stranger to cool temperatures and thrive in such conditions. These dogs are definitely not meant for warm climates. Eskies should also be considered house dogs, spending the majority of its time indoors with the family, where they make excellent watchdogs. Grooming requirements for the breed consists of a thorough brushing of its double coat twice weekly.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the American Eskimo Dog is between twelve and fourteen years. There are no major health concerns in the breed. Minor health issues include PRA, CHD, and patellar luxation. Rarely seen is diabetes. Veterinarians suggest that the American Eskimo Dog get specifically tested for eye, hip, and knee problems.

This article has been distributed by petbuzz :: social media for pet brands.

Breed Profile American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog has been a member of the AKC since 1994. With its spitz-like features, this white bundle of love makes an outstanding family companion. They have the physical makeup of your classic spitz, but come in all-white and maintains a double coat. The ears are adorably short and thick, which makes them cold resistant. This breed can be seen in the toy version, miniature, and standard.

Tip, insure your dog breed.

A Brief History Of The American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog (also known as the Eskie) is often mistaken as a spitz breed. This common mistake is not without merit, however, as the breed descended from one of the spitz varieties that was created in Germany. Other influences that went into the making of the American Eskimo Dog was the Pomeranian, Volpino Italiano, and the Keeshond.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/American_Eskimo_Dog_portrait.jpg/240px-American_Eskimo_Dog_portrait.jpg

All of the other breeds mentioned above quickly became popular, leaving the Eskie to grow slowly in popularity. Essentially what happened was that the Keeshond dog came in a variety of colors but only the gray variety was accepted, excluding the white Keeshond. Then the Pomeranian standard excluded any dogs over 8 lbs.

So by the 1900s, there were these white spitz-like dogs, all white, and larger than the Keeshond breed, that had no home. It is said that European workers brought these dogs with them to the United States. In 1913, they began registering with the UKC. By the 1920s, the Americans called the dog the American Spitz, which could regularly be seen in circus shows. After World War I the American Spits had its name changed to the American Eskimo Dog, which did not gain AKC recognition until 1994.

Upkeep Requirements For The American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog needs plenty of daily exercise, but the amount of physical activity also depends on the type of Eskie. The standard versions need a good workout in addition to several walks on the leash each day. The miniature and toy versions can get by with just a few walks and a romp around the living room. All Eskies love to run and play, especially in the cold.

As its name suggests, the American Eskimo Dog is no stranger to cool temperatures and thrive in such conditions. These dogs are definitely not meant for warm climates. Eskies should also be considered house dogs, spending the majority of its time indoors with the family, where they make excellent watchdogs. Grooming requirements for the breed consists of a thorough brushing of its double coat twice weekly.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the American Eskimo Dog is between twelve and fourteen years. There are no major health concerns in the breed. Minor health issues include PRA, CHD, and patellar luxation. Rarely seen is diabetes. Veterinarians suggest that the American Eskimo Dog get specifically tested for eye, hip, and knee problems.

This article has been distributed by petbuzz :: social media for pet brands.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Outdated Puppy House Training Methods be Gone!

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When it comes to puppy house training old fashioned, outdated methods are not the way to go. They can in fact make the house training process harder and, worse, can have a negative impact on your dog's trust in you.

Puppies are no more prepared to be instantly house trained than human babies are. A period of development needs to be reached before the puppy is ready to follow your requests and commands.

The puppy desperately wants to please you and doesn't understand why they're being punished. The old views of punishment as a means of potty training are as outdated for dogs as they are for children. It simply doesn't work.

Tip: If you're having puppy house training problems, consider crate training your dog.

Rubbing a puppy's nose in the faeces isn't a good approach. The dog only sees you as a tormentor and doesn't understand what you do want instead. There is a very real risk of serious illness to the puppy after getting a nose full of E-coli bacteria. If you're unhappy with the cost of having your rug cleaned, wait until you see the vet bill from an illness you caused!

Another type of fear-based potty training is to swat the dog with a rolled up newspaper after rubbing his nose in the faeces. If the puppy could speak, he would say, What makes you think Im going to potty on newspaper in the kitchen after you hit me with it? I don't want anything to do with newspaper! Hitting a puppy with rolled up newspaper merely teaches him to fear newspaper.

You simply have to accept that a puppy will make mistakes. Sometimes, you're responsible for those mistakes. When you arrive home late or sleep in rather than taking the puppy outside, what you do expect him to do?

Read more and learn the correct way to potty train your puppy....

Sponsored: When grooming your own dog, make sure your equipment is up to the job (clipper blade sharpening)

Outdated Puppy House Training Methods be Gone!

Aa031892

When it comes to puppy house training old fashioned, outdated methods are not the way to go. They can in fact make the house training process harder and, worse, can have a negative impact on your dog's trust in you.

Puppies are no more prepared to be instantly house trained than human babies are. A period of development needs to be reached before the puppy is ready to follow your requests and commands.

The puppy desperately wants to please you and doesn't understand why they're being punished. The old views of punishment as a means of potty training are as outdated for dogs as they are for children. It simply doesn't work.

Tip: If you're having puppy house training problems, consider crate training your dog.

Rubbing a puppy's nose in the faeces isn't a good approach. The dog only sees you as a tormentor and doesn't understand what you do want instead. There is a very real risk of serious illness to the puppy after getting a nose full of E-coli bacteria. If you're unhappy with the cost of having your rug cleaned, wait until you see the vet bill from an illness you caused!

Another type of fear-based potty training is to swat the dog with a rolled up newspaper after rubbing his nose in the faeces. If the puppy could speak, he would say, What makes you think Im going to potty on newspaper in the kitchen after you hit me with it? I don't want anything to do with newspaper! Hitting a puppy with rolled up newspaper merely teaches him to fear newspaper.

You simply have to accept that a puppy will make mistakes. Sometimes, you're responsible for those mistakes. When you arrive home late or sleep in rather than taking the puppy outside, what you do expect him to do?

Read more and learn the correct way to potty train your puppy....

Sponsored: When grooming your own dog, make sure your equipment is up to the job (clipper blade sharpening)

Monday, November 7, 2011

Easy Dog Grooming Tips (What is The Best Dog Grooming Brush?)

Brushes & Combs: What Is The Best Dog Grooming Brush?

There are specific brushes and combs to use on dogs, all based according to what you need to accomplish. It's not too different than when people need a round brush for curling with a blow dryer versus a natural bristle brush for normal dry brushing, etc.

Top tip: If you clip your own dog's coat - ensure your equipment is full up to scratch. Find out more about clipper blade sharpening...

If you do not plan on showing your dog then there is no need to get lost in too many details on the perfect brush. For example you might use: a pin brush or slicker brush for the same purpose – or - a curry comb instead of a hound glove.

To better help you make the best choice as to what brush or comb you need to get your dog properly groomed and looking nice, below is a quick-starter guide on all types of brushes and what hair type is best to use them with. All you have to do is choose the right tools that match the individual breed type and hair texture of your dog.

Bristle Brush

This brush has soft and gentle bristles, and are usually made of all-natural material. It is a lot like natural bristled brushes that are sold for people. They result in less electricity in your dog's hair, whereas nylon will let the static electricity build up within the coat. These brushes distribute natural oil though the hair and smooth out the hair. They are an all purpose type of brush, perfect for any dog, especially the long-haired types.

Slicker Brush

This brush is made up of “teeth” type bristles that can be very harsh, but they are very close together and are essential for some dog's coats. The brush readily removes all dead hair from the fur and can remove mats when used properly. These brushes are best for curly haired dogs and long-haired dogs.

Conversely, this is great for a dog that sheds a lot in the house as you can remove lots of hair with the very little effort.

Curry Brush Rubber Types

This is usually an oval-type of brush. It simply puts a polish on the dog's coat and gets rid of dead hair which will result in far less shedding. At the same time, it does not harm the skin since it has rounded rubber type bristles. This brush is perfect for sensitive skin and smooth-coated dog breeds.

Pin Brush

These brushes are best used on really long and fine-haired breeds, or heavy-coated dogs that have double coats. The purpose of the brush is to remove tangles in the long-haired dog and with wiry coats that are tough, as it helps to give them a good brush out before stripping the hair by hand.

Combs: Fine, Medium & Wide-Toothed

Dogs with silky, soft hair or with fine-to-medium texture needs a fine-to-medium comb. The comb will remove the final remains of tangles and can often help remove flea dirt as well as the fleas themselves. You should use a wide-toothed comb on a coat that is dense and very thick. The purpose is the same - to finally remove all the tangles.

Coat Rake, Mat Comb, or Mat splitter

When you are dealing with mats and tangles use a spray detangler along with one of these tools. This is best used on curly and long-coated dogs.

Hound Glove

As the name suggests, this is a glove that you slip on and use the side covered with natural bristles to brush your dog. Smooth-coated dogs benefit from this as it helps to remove dead hair in an efficient manner, while adding a shine to the coat.

Remember, all dog breeds require grooming. However, each breed has particular coat care needs. Some individual dogs may have skin allergies or coat problems periodocially through their life, whilst others will always seem to maintain a healthy coat regardless. (Tip: dog shampoo for itchy skin)

Get more top dog grooming tips

Easy Dog Grooming Tips (What is The Best Dog Grooming Brush?)

Brushes & Combs: What Is The Best Dog Grooming Brush?

There are specific brushes and combs to use on dogs, all based according to what you need to accomplish. It's not too different than when people need a round brush for curling with a blow dryer versus a natural bristle brush for normal dry brushing, etc.

Top tip: If you clip your own dog's coat - ensure your equipment is full up to scratch. Find out more about clipper blade sharpening...

If you do not plan on showing your dog then there is no need to get lost in too many details on the perfect brush. For example you might use: a pin brush or slicker brush for the same purpose – or - a curry comb instead of a hound glove.

To better help you make the best choice as to what brush or comb you need to get your dog properly groomed and looking nice, below is a quick-starter guide on all types of brushes and what hair type is best to use them with. All you have to do is choose the right tools that match the individual breed type and hair texture of your dog.

Bristle Brush

This brush has soft and gentle bristles, and are usually made of all-natural material. It is a lot like natural bristled brushes that are sold for people. They result in less electricity in your dog's hair, whereas nylon will let the static electricity build up within the coat. These brushes distribute natural oil though the hair and smooth out the hair. They are an all purpose type of brush, perfect for any dog, especially the long-haired types.

Slicker Brush

This brush is made up of “teeth” type bristles that can be very harsh, but they are very close together and are essential for some dog's coats. The brush readily removes all dead hair from the fur and can remove mats when used properly. These brushes are best for curly haired dogs and long-haired dogs.

Conversely, this is great for a dog that sheds a lot in the house as you can remove lots of hair with the very little effort.

Curry Brush Rubber Types

This is usually an oval-type of brush. It simply puts a polish on the dog's coat and gets rid of dead hair which will result in far less shedding. At the same time, it does not harm the skin since it has rounded rubber type bristles. This brush is perfect for sensitive skin and smooth-coated dog breeds.

Pin Brush

These brushes are best used on really long and fine-haired breeds, or heavy-coated dogs that have double coats. The purpose of the brush is to remove tangles in the long-haired dog and with wiry coats that are tough, as it helps to give them a good brush out before stripping the hair by hand.

Combs: Fine, Medium & Wide-Toothed

Dogs with silky, soft hair or with fine-to-medium texture needs a fine-to-medium comb. The comb will remove the final remains of tangles and can often help remove flea dirt as well as the fleas themselves. You should use a wide-toothed comb on a coat that is dense and very thick. The purpose is the same - to finally remove all the tangles.

Coat Rake, Mat Comb, or Mat splitter

When you are dealing with mats and tangles use a spray detangler along with one of these tools. This is best used on curly and long-coated dogs.

Hound Glove

As the name suggests, this is a glove that you slip on and use the side covered with natural bristles to brush your dog. Smooth-coated dogs benefit from this as it helps to remove dead hair in an efficient manner, while adding a shine to the coat.

Remember, all dog breeds require grooming. However, each breed has particular coat care needs. Some individual dogs may have skin allergies or coat problems periodocially through their life, whilst others will always seem to maintain a healthy coat regardless. (Tip: dog shampoo for itchy skin)

Get more top dog grooming tips

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

OMG! Dog Walks on Water

You have to see this, from Ryan O'Meara's blog

So dogs really can walk on water!

I knew it.

We all knew it.

Now there's proof!!

OMG! Dog Walks on Water

You have to see this, from Ryan O'Meara's blog

So dogs really can walk on water!

I knew it.

We all knew it.

Now there's proof!!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Dog Breed Insurance Help

(petbuzz, London, October 2011) - Dedicated information for dog owners seeking individual dog breed insurance information now has a new home thanks to pet insurance lifetime cover experts VetsMediCover.

In partnership with leading pet marketing provider, petbuzz, VetsMediCover has set up a dedicated website to cover dog breed specific insurance information.

The information contained on the website is designed to make it easier for caring dog owners to research and get fast access to dog breed insurance specifically related to their own type of dog.

Speaking about the initiative, Ryan O'Meara says:

"This service has been needed for a long time. Dog owners now are much more aware of the positive aspects of pet insurance. They have a greater understanding of the various elements of policy cover, claims issues, restrictions and the different types of pet insurance cover that different policies contain. 

http://www.dogbreedinsurance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Pet-Insurance-for-Miniature-Schnauzer.jpg

By launching this site with VetsMediCover, we hope we'll be able to help dog owners by providing the most comprehensive, dog breed specific pet insurance resource."

According to a recent study carried out by K9 Magazine, 90% of dog owners questioned were completely satisfied with the quality of service provided by their vet, whilst the same proportion of owners, 90%, felt their vet was overcharging them for the services provided. 31% said they would be prepared to change their vet on account of the high fees being charged rather than the quality of service their dogs received.

As vet fees look set to continue to rise as pet health treatment becomes more sophisticated, dog insurance has never been so crucial for owners looking to minimise their exposure to unexpected costs.

Find out more: www.DogBreedInsurance.co.uk

Distributed by Taylor Guerney on behalf of petbuzz.

Dog Breed Insurance Help

(petbuzz, London, October 2011) - Dedicated information for dog owners seeking individual dog breed insurance information now has a new home thanks to pet insurance lifetime cover experts VetsMediCover.

In partnership with leading pet marketing provider, petbuzz, VetsMediCover has set up a dedicated website to cover dog breed specific insurance information.

The information contained on the website is designed to make it easier for caring dog owners to research and get fast access to dog breed insurance specifically related to their own type of dog.

Speaking about the initiative, Ryan O'Meara says:

"This service has been needed for a long time. Dog owners now are much more aware of the positive aspects of pet insurance. They have a greater understanding of the various elements of policy cover, claims issues, restrictions and the different types of pet insurance cover that different policies contain. 

http://www.dogbreedinsurance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Pet-Insurance-for-Miniature-Schnauzer.jpg

By launching this site with VetsMediCover, we hope we'll be able to help dog owners by providing the most comprehensive, dog breed specific pet insurance resource."

According to a recent study carried out by K9 Magazine, 90% of dog owners questioned were completely satisfied with the quality of service provided by their vet, whilst the same proportion of owners, 90%, felt their vet was overcharging them for the services provided. 31% said they would be prepared to change their vet on account of the high fees being charged rather than the quality of service their dogs received.

As vet fees look set to continue to rise as pet health treatment becomes more sophisticated, dog insurance has never been so crucial for owners looking to minimise their exposure to unexpected costs.

Find out more: www.DogBreedInsurance.co.uk

Distributed by Taylor Guerney on behalf of petbuzz.

Clicker Training to Stop Puppy Chewing

Use the clicker method for training your dog. Clicker training is a form of conditioning that can help a dog to identify behaviour that produces praise or a reward. After your dog has successfully obeyed a command, use the clicker to indicate that he will get a treat. Your dog will soon learn if he isn't following commands or behaving correctly! Certain studies have shown that using a clicker reduces training time by one third.

When you are training your dog out of chewing inappropriately, remember to set him up for success. Furthermore, a dog that chews inappropriately needs to be kept away from danger. Hairbrushes, nylons, and other common household items pose a danger to dogs and can lead to choking and obstructions.

Clicker Training to Stop Puppy Chewing

Use the clicker method for training your dog. Clicker training is a form of conditioning that can help a dog to identify behaviour that produces praise or a reward. After your dog has successfully obeyed a command, use the clicker to indicate that he will get a treat. Your dog will soon learn if he isn't following commands or behaving correctly! Certain studies have shown that using a clicker reduces training time by one third.

When you are training your dog out of chewing inappropriately, remember to set him up for success. Furthermore, a dog that chews inappropriately needs to be kept away from danger. Hairbrushes, nylons, and other common household items pose a danger to dogs and can lead to choking and obstructions.

Dog Training Made Fun

Owning a dog can be one of the greatest joys in life. Pet owners are routinely found to have higher qualities of life than their pet less counterparts, however, an untrained dog will certainly provide you with many unhappy moments. This article serves to provide you with the tips necessary to start training your dog on your own.

Run away from your dog if he gets loose. It is easy to panic when a dog breaks loose from his leash or escapes the house or yard. Resist your instinct to chase the dog. Dogs love to play chase, and going after him will only encourage him to go further away. Instead, get your dog's attention, and then run AWAY from him. This uses the same instinctual love of the chase game to your advantage. Instead of you chasing your dog, the game becomes to chase you. Be sure to praise him thoroughly when he "catches" you!

The way to train a dog is to be consistent with your training. It is important to pick one style of training and stick with it. Consistency in the method of training is just one step.  You must also consistently train your dog. Taking long breaks between training confuses your dog and training will take longer.

If there is a behaviour you'd like your dog to be able to do on command, make sure you praise him whenever he offers this behaviour. This works well for tricks that you are actively teaching, as well as actions that he does naturally. For instance, if you think it'd be fun to teach your dog to sneeze whenever you ask, simply say, "Sneeze" and treat him whenever he does sneeze. Sooner or later, he will learn the association between the word "sneeze," the action of sneezing, and the reward.

It takes the entire family to train a dog. When you have a family dog it is important that all members participate in the training. This ensures that the message of what is right and wrong is consistent. Involving children in the training ensures that the family pet sees them as alpha members of the family.

When training your dog, make sure to enforce all commands you give. Do not repeat them over and over, but issue them once firmly, and make sure your pet follows through. Do not let your dog ignore a command, or else he will think you are not serious and will disregard most of the training session.

For a happy pup, it is important to start socialisation from an early age. During the first few weeks of life, a puppy should be exposed to new situations, people, and animals. This will help him to be better adjusted and friendlier later in life. This will also ensure that he will feel less stressed when encountering unfamiliar situations and things.

Never punish your pet for coming when called. According to Ryan O'Meara (K9 Magazine) a good recall command is essential, not only for obedience, but for your dog's safety as well. It may seem obvious that calling your pet to you for punishment is bad, however when you are angry at a dog who has darted out of the yard or refuses to come for a bath, it is easy to forget. By keeping their "come" command associated with positive experiences, you can be assured that next time they get away from you, they will reliably return when called.

All pets, and certainly all dogs, can be wonderful companions. For many people, the time and patience it requires to train you dog properly may discourage them from attempting it on their own. But by applying the tips in this article to training your dog, not only will you have an obedient companion, you will save yourself many headaches and provide yourself great joy in the long run.

Article distributed by Emily Sutton on behalf of petbuzz.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Super Quick Dog Training Tips

You thought you were bringing home the dog of your dreams but quickly you find yourself wondering if you're the new owner of the hound of the Baskervilles. Never fear, we've got some super quick dog training tips to set you on your way to the perfect pooch!

When you first bring your puppy home, those first few days are the most important. You should be patient, consistent, and persistent form day one with your new puppy. Be sure not to let your puppy get away with behaviours you are not going to allow and positively reinforce the behaviours you are wanting to see.

To reduce the barking of your dog, try getting them used to what causes the barking in the first place. It can be a sound, or being face to face with other people or other animals. Your dog will understand that there is no need to bark in these situations.

Correct bad behaviour immediately. The common mistake many people make in the care for their dog is allowing bad behaviour to go unchecked until it becomes a problem. Proper training of a dog involves recognizing bad behaviour right away and correcting it. It is harder to correct a problem once it has grown out of proportion.

When training a dog to a leash it is important to keep the leash loose. Dogs are often eager to explore new territory when they get the opportunity to go for a walk. Because of their eagerness they will tend to strain on the limits of leash. The savvy owner will discourage this behaviour, instead encouraging his or her pet to walk with some slack in the leash.

Most owners are amazed at how easy it is to incorporate basic dog training into their life, and how quickly they start to notice results. So if your relationship with your pooch is feeling a bit strained, try out some of these tips. We think you'll be impressed with the results!

Quick Links:

Article distributed by Elandro Viara on behalf of petbuzz.

Super Quick Dog Training Tips

You thought you were bringing home the dog of your dreams but quickly you find yourself wondering if you're the new owner of the hound of the Baskervilles. Never fear, we've got some super quick dog training tips to set you on your way to the perfect pooch!

When you first bring your puppy home, those first few days are the most important. You should be patient, consistent, and persistent form day one with your new puppy. Be sure not to let your puppy get away with behaviours you are not going to allow and positively reinforce the behaviours you are wanting to see.

To reduce the barking of your dog, try getting them used to what causes the barking in the first place. It can be a sound, or being face to face with other people or other animals. Your dog will understand that there is no need to bark in these situations.

Correct bad behaviour immediately. The common mistake many people make in the care for their dog is allowing bad behaviour to go unchecked until it becomes a problem. Proper training of a dog involves recognizing bad behaviour right away and correcting it. It is harder to correct a problem once it has grown out of proportion.

When training a dog to a leash it is important to keep the leash loose. Dogs are often eager to explore new territory when they get the opportunity to go for a walk. Because of their eagerness they will tend to strain on the limits of leash. The savvy owner will discourage this behaviour, instead encouraging his or her pet to walk with some slack in the leash.

Most owners are amazed at how easy it is to incorporate basic dog training into their life, and how quickly they start to notice results. So if your relationship with your pooch is feeling a bit strained, try out some of these tips. We think you'll be impressed with the results!

Quick Links:

Article distributed by Elandro Viara on behalf of petbuzz.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Training a Working Livestock Dog

You are training your dog to work with live stock on your farm and want to be sure that your dog is useful, safe, and treats your live stock well.  This is important to the productivity of your farm.  This article will provide specific ways that you can train your working livestock dog accordingly.

Learning to listen to your dog will make you a better trainer of him. Animals are not robots that can be programmed and your dog has a personality with preferences and quirks, just like you. Understanding the nuances of your dogs expressions will help you decipher more in training and therefore, expand your ability to teach him.

If you are trying to prevent your dog from begging, the best thing to do is ignore the begging completely. Don't respond either positively, with a treat or petting, or negatively, by shouting. Your dog will learn quickly and remember for a long time that the begging ended up with you paying attention to the dog.

Teaching your dog a fun trick, such as "play dead" can be a fun way of distracting him.  When your dogs behaviour is bad, simply use the command you have established for his trick instead of using negative punishment.  This provides for a fun activity for your dog and creates a positive environment for you as well.

Tip: K9 Magazine's Ryan O'Meara says: "Dogs all have individual motivating factors. For some it's food, for others it's play. Before you begin to train, try to learn exactly what your dog's main motivating factors are."

Find out what motivates your dog as a training reward, and save it for training sessions to get maximum results. Some dogs love a chance to chew on a special squeaky toy or ball, while others adore a certain brand of treats or tiny chunks of fresh baked chicken. It never hurts if the dog is a little hungry so the treats seem even tastier.

Dog Nutrition Guide

Your dog will need a diet high in proper nutrition and the right type of calories to maintain his vitality and health. This means that you should be picky about what you feed your dog. Making your own dog food can help to reduce fillers that do nothing for your pet, while increasing the crude protein to a healthy and more beneficial level.

Remember how many treats you reward your dog with during the course of the day to avoid fattening him up. Many people overlook treats when considering the animals diet but they will certainly add up, especially during active training. Carefully choose which treats to give him based on quality and nutrition and if you're finding the dog gets a lot of treats you may want to consider praise as an alternative reward.

In conclusion, it is important that you train your dog well in order to be able to work with your live stock.  As long as you follow the tips and tricks included in this article you should be able to train your dog to more efficiently and safely work with your live stock.

Training a Working Livestock Dog

You are training your dog to work with live stock on your farm and want to be sure that your dog is useful, safe, and treats your live stock well.  This is important to the productivity of your farm.  This article will provide specific ways that you can train your working livestock dog accordingly.

Learning to listen to your dog will make you a better trainer of him. Animals are not robots that can be programmed and your dog has a personality with preferences and quirks, just like you. Understanding the nuances of your dogs expressions will help you decipher more in training and therefore, expand your ability to teach him.

If you are trying to prevent your dog from begging, the best thing to do is ignore the begging completely. Don't respond either positively, with a treat or petting, or negatively, by shouting. Your dog will learn quickly and remember for a long time that the begging ended up with you paying attention to the dog.

Teaching your dog a fun trick, such as "play dead" can be a fun way of distracting him.  When your dogs behaviour is bad, simply use the command you have established for his trick instead of using negative punishment.  This provides for a fun activity for your dog and creates a positive environment for you as well.

Tip: K9 Magazine's Ryan O'Meara says: "Dogs all have individual motivating factors. For some it's food, for others it's play. Before you begin to train, try to learn exactly what your dog's main motivating factors are."

Find out what motivates your dog as a training reward, and save it for training sessions to get maximum results. Some dogs love a chance to chew on a special squeaky toy or ball, while others adore a certain brand of treats or tiny chunks of fresh baked chicken. It never hurts if the dog is a little hungry so the treats seem even tastier.

Dog Nutrition Guide

Your dog will need a diet high in proper nutrition and the right type of calories to maintain his vitality and health. This means that you should be picky about what you feed your dog. Making your own dog food can help to reduce fillers that do nothing for your pet, while increasing the crude protein to a healthy and more beneficial level.

Remember how many treats you reward your dog with during the course of the day to avoid fattening him up. Many people overlook treats when considering the animals diet but they will certainly add up, especially during active training. Carefully choose which treats to give him based on quality and nutrition and if you're finding the dog gets a lot of treats you may want to consider praise as an alternative reward.

In conclusion, it is important that you train your dog well in order to be able to work with your live stock.  As long as you follow the tips and tricks included in this article you should be able to train your dog to more efficiently and safely work with your live stock.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Having Trouble Training Your Dog? Try These Great Tips!

Getting a new dog is a very exciting time, however, it is pretty much like having a newborn baby at home.  There is a lot involved when you first get a dog.  Sometimes it could feel a little bit overwhelming.  However, the tips you will find in this article will help get you on your way to an obedient little dog.

For your dog to understand what you are punishing them for, you need to catch them misbehaving. If you reprimand a dog for something that happened hours ago, chances are your dog will not make the connection. And if you choose to ignore your dog to show that you are mad, do not ignore it for more than a few minutes.

One of the most important things to remember when training your dog is that it is a lifelong process. Many owners think that once their pet has the basics down, the training process is over. Dogs, much like people, learn throughout their lives, and consistent training will help them to be well-behaved and friendly.

To help train your dog, you must assert yourself as the dominant one in your relationship by refusing to give the dog undeserved attention or food. When you convince your dog you run the show and, in addition, let the dog recognize you can use that power to give it something it wants, your dog will obey your commands more effectively.

Listening to your dog is one of the most important steps of training your dog.  If your dog is uncomfortable or scared then you aren't going to get the result that you are looking for.  Respect their needs and the process will go a lot smoother.

After reading this article you can see that it is possible to have a dog that is both adorable and obedient.  With just a little bit of persistence and the suggestions given in this article, you will have a dog that you can be proud of before you know it.

Article distributed by Alexis Dougan on behalf of petbuzz.

Having Trouble Training Your Dog? Try These Great Tips!

Getting a new dog is a very exciting time, however, it is pretty much like having a newborn baby at home.  There is a lot involved when you first get a dog.  Sometimes it could feel a little bit overwhelming.  However, the tips you will find in this article will help get you on your way to an obedient little dog.

For your dog to understand what you are punishing them for, you need to catch them misbehaving. If you reprimand a dog for something that happened hours ago, chances are your dog will not make the connection. And if you choose to ignore your dog to show that you are mad, do not ignore it for more than a few minutes.

One of the most important things to remember when training your dog is that it is a lifelong process. Many owners think that once their pet has the basics down, the training process is over. Dogs, much like people, learn throughout their lives, and consistent training will help them to be well-behaved and friendly.

To help train your dog, you must assert yourself as the dominant one in your relationship by refusing to give the dog undeserved attention or food. When you convince your dog you run the show and, in addition, let the dog recognize you can use that power to give it something it wants, your dog will obey your commands more effectively.

Listening to your dog is one of the most important steps of training your dog.  If your dog is uncomfortable or scared then you aren't going to get the result that you are looking for.  Respect their needs and the process will go a lot smoother.

After reading this article you can see that it is possible to have a dog that is both adorable and obedient.  With just a little bit of persistence and the suggestions given in this article, you will have a dog that you can be proud of before you know it.

Article distributed by Alexis Dougan on behalf of petbuzz.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

K9 Magazine Editor Ryan O'Meara on Dog Attacks

Ryan O'Meara, editor and publisher of K9 Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for dog lovers, has issued a warning to dog owners about the importance of understanding canine body language to spot the warning signs of a potential dog attack.

O'Meara, who is a former professional dog trainer, has previously spoken at the National Dog Warden Association on the topic of canine aggression.

He says:

"Understanding certain aspects of dog body language, what motivates them, what scares them and gaining more knowledge about things such as territory aggression, resource guarding and nervous aggression is the key for dog owners to recognise situations where their dog may be more likely to respond to certain situations with a bite."

O'Meara explains in his much talked about article "The Anatomy of a Dog Attack" how misreading the warning signs and failing to recognise tell-tale dog body language signals is one of the key reasons why people get attacked 'out of the blue'.

He explains:

"Dogs rarely bite people. However, if you examine some of the most serious dog attacks there is very often a correlating pattern."

O'Meara's remarks ring true in the cases of fatal dog attacks in Britain.

His article "What Causes Fatal Dog Attacks" details consistent patterns in all cases:

read more from Ryan O'Meara on dog attack patters.

K9 Magazine Editor Ryan O'Meara on Dog Attacks

Ryan O'Meara, editor and publisher of K9 Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for dog lovers, has issued a warning to dog owners about the importance of understanding canine body language to spot the warning signs of a potential dog attack.

O'Meara, who is a former professional dog trainer, has previously spoken at the National Dog Warden Association on the topic of canine aggression.

He says:

"Understanding certain aspects of dog body language, what motivates them, what scares them and gaining more knowledge about things such as territory aggression, resource guarding and nervous aggression is the key for dog owners to recognise situations where their dog may be more likely to respond to certain situations with a bite."

O'Meara explains in his much talked about article "The Anatomy of a Dog Attack" how misreading the warning signs and failing to recognise tell-tale dog body language signals is one of the key reasons why people get attacked 'out of the blue'.

He explains:

"Dogs rarely bite people. However, if you examine some of the most serious dog attacks there is very often a correlating pattern."

O'Meara's remarks ring true in the cases of fatal dog attacks in Britain.

His article "What Causes Fatal Dog Attacks" details consistent patterns in all cases:

read more from Ryan O'Meara on dog attack patters.

Monday, October 3, 2011

How to Give Pills to Your Dog

Urgh. This is one of those tasks that, depending on your dog, can be a real nightmare.

K9 Magazine's quick tip sheet: How to give tablets to dogs is a must read!

You can learn how to deal with those dogs who just refuse to eat tablets as well as get an insight in to the best methods to administer pills to dogs who wriggle and squirm.

Read it here: http://www.k9magazine.com/how-to-give-tablets-to-a-dog/

How to Give Pills to Your Dog

Urgh. This is one of those tasks that, depending on your dog, can be a real nightmare.

K9 Magazine's quick tip sheet: How to give tablets to dogs is a must read!

You can learn how to deal with those dogs who just refuse to eat tablets as well as get an insight in to the best methods to administer pills to dogs who wriggle and squirm.

Read it here: http://www.k9magazine.com/how-to-give-tablets-to-a-dog/

Friday, September 30, 2011

PetScreen Announces Advanced Canine Lymphoma Test

Advanced canine cymphoma blood test helps you make a more timely diagnoses.

Canine cancer screening experts, PetScreen would like to say a big thank you to all the vets that have provided PetScreen with follow up on their patients after using the LBT. With your help, we have been able to further develop and improve the test.

http://i.imgur.com/VYh8B.png

The company says:

"Many clinicians have asked about the identity of the biomarkers detected in the LBT. Therefore, we have been busy characterising and identifying the biomarkers used in the original LBT and found that two of them are acute phase proteins (APPs). Although APPs have been investigated individually in veterinary medicine for some time, we have continued our unique multi-marker approach to develop specific analytical algorithms which combine the relative levels of both haptoglobin and C-Reactive Protein in serum. This has enabled us to develop the Advanced Lymphoma Blood Test (ALBT), which has numerous benefits over the original LBT."

"We have tested the ALBT with 194 rigorously followed up diagnostic samples consisting of lymphoma samples, samples from healthy dogs and dogs with benign lymphoid hyperplasia and other diseases with similar presentations to lymphoma."

"By measuring the APPs using immunoassay, we are able to achieve excellent levels of performance, reproducibility and objectivity typical of such tests."

What the ALBT offers:

Differentiation between patients with lymphadenopathy due to lymphoma and lymphadenopathy due to other conditions such as benign lymphoid hyperplasia.

Same day results – lymphoma can develop very rapidly, and time is of the essence.

A simple blood test, taken as part of routine blood work. If results come back as positive for lymphoma, you might want to consider more invasive tests such as FNA or biopsy.

Reduced cost. The new same day turnaround test costs less than the original 5 day turnaround LBT.

You can request the new ALBT straight away. The submission form can be downloaded from our website, please follow this link:

http://www.pet-screen.com/web/PETSCR/index.cfm?s=2&dir=5110.

If you have any questions, please contact us at vets@pet-screen.com or you can call the Freephone number 0800 028 4811

PetScreen Announces Advanced Canine Lymphoma Test

Advanced canine cymphoma blood test helps you make a more timely diagnoses.

Canine cancer screening experts, PetScreen would like to say a big thank you to all the vets that have provided PetScreen with follow up on their patients after using the LBT. With your help, we have been able to further develop and improve the test.

http://i.imgur.com/VYh8B.png

The company says:

"Many clinicians have asked about the identity of the biomarkers detected in the LBT. Therefore, we have been busy characterising and identifying the biomarkers used in the original LBT and found that two of them are acute phase proteins (APPs). Although APPs have been investigated individually in veterinary medicine for some time, we have continued our unique multi-marker approach to develop specific analytical algorithms which combine the relative levels of both haptoglobin and C-Reactive Protein in serum. This has enabled us to develop the Advanced Lymphoma Blood Test (ALBT), which has numerous benefits over the original LBT."

"We have tested the ALBT with 194 rigorously followed up diagnostic samples consisting of lymphoma samples, samples from healthy dogs and dogs with benign lymphoid hyperplasia and other diseases with similar presentations to lymphoma."

"By measuring the APPs using immunoassay, we are able to achieve excellent levels of performance, reproducibility and objectivity typical of such tests."

What the ALBT offers:

Differentiation between patients with lymphadenopathy due to lymphoma and lymphadenopathy due to other conditions such as benign lymphoid hyperplasia.

Same day results – lymphoma can develop very rapidly, and time is of the essence.

A simple blood test, taken as part of routine blood work. If results come back as positive for lymphoma, you might want to consider more invasive tests such as FNA or biopsy.

Reduced cost. The new same day turnaround test costs less than the original 5 day turnaround LBT.

You can request the new ALBT straight away. The submission form can be downloaded from our website, please follow this link:

http://www.pet-screen.com/web/PETSCR/index.cfm?s=2&dir=5110.

If you have any questions, please contact us at vets@pet-screen.com or you can call the Freephone number 0800 028 4811