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Every dog and every dog owner has his or her own unique dog training challenges. Each breed of dog has a different temperament as does each individual dog. And dog owners are no different. Despite the differences, there are some basic things in common for training all dogs.
No matter why you have a dog, he should at least have some very elementary dog training. No one wants a dog who isn’t housebroken, who runs away or into the street, who won’t sit, come or stay when you want him to. Both you and your dog will be happier with a little common ground on obedience training.
One of the first things to take into account when dog training is that dogs are programmed for a world of leaders and followers. You have to be the leader in your relationship. Signs of a leader are absolute consistency. Know what you want your dog to do and keep that constant from day to day and training session to training session. Don’t shout. That is a sign that you have lost control. And keep your dogs attention focused on you during the entire training session.
Attention is the second important thing to keep in mind for dog training and one of the hardest to maintain. It has been said that ninety percent of dog training is getting and keeping his attention. Dogs are very much like small children and have short attention spans. Keep training sessions short - 20 minutes is fine, or even a couple of 10 minute sessions. Work with your dog in a quiet environment that is free of distractions. Talk to your dog in a quiet voice. Use his name and explain what you want him to do. He may understand no more than, “Blah blah blah, Toby”, but your voice will keep him focused in your direction.
Experts have found that positive dog training is more effective that a system of rewards and punishment. A dog who looks forward to training sessions as fun and full of rewards is a dog who will learn faster and better. Reward accomplishments with treats or words of praise or pats. As your dog learns new skills, you can reward him for each step along the way. If he doesn’t respond the way you want, rethink what you are asking him to do and how you are asking him to do it.
What worked as a dog training method for one dog may not work as well for the next. Your dog may need to review some more basic dog training lessons before going on to new lessons. Rather than punishment, a stern NO, blocking a movement with your hands, or withholding rewards when he doesn’t perform, and remaining consistent are the best ways to encourage your dog to exhibit the behavior you want. Remember that it is in his nature (as well as yours) to want to test limits and see how much he can get away with. Consistency in dog training and rewards are what get positive results, not punishments.
Dogs are very much like us. They want to follow a leader they respect. And dog training is just like school. They like to do things that are fun and make them feel good, where they get rewards for accomplishing what is asked of them. And they want the same thing their owners want, a happy and safe relationship with the ones they are love. A little dog obedience training will go a long way in making this happen.
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[tags]stop barking dogs, dog training barking, how to stop a dog from barking[/tags]
Separation anxiety, also known in the dog training world as owner absent misbehavior, is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the world of dog training. Separation anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways, including chewing, destroying the owners property, excessive barking, self destructive behavior and inappropriate urination and defecation.
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often whine, bark, cry, howl, dig, chew and scratch at the door the entire time their family members are away. Well meaning owners often unwittingly encourage this misbehavior by rushing home to reassure the dog, but it is important for the well being of both dog and owner that the dog learn to deal with extended periods of separation.
How the owner leaves the house can often contribute to separation anxiety issues. A long and drawn out period of farewell can make matters worse by making the dog feel even more isolated when the owner finally leaves. These long types of farewells can get the dog excited, and then leave him with lots of excess energy and no way to work it off. These excited, isolated dogs often work off their excess energy in the most destructive of ways, such as chewing up a favorite rug or piece of furniture.
Excess energy is often mistaken for separation anxiety, since results are often the same. If you think that excess amounts of energy may be the problem, try giving your dog more exercise to see if that eliminates the problem.
If separation anxiety is truly the problem, it is important to address the root causes of that anxiety. In order to prevent separation anxiety from occurring, it is important for the dog to feel happy, safe, secure and comfortable while the owner is away for the day. It is important, for instance, to give the dog plenty of things to keep it busy while you are away. This means providing it with lots of toys, such as balls or chew toys. A pet companion is often effective at relieving separation anxiety as well. Giving the dog a playmate, such as another dog or a cat, is a great way for busy pet parents and pets alike to cope with the stress of being left alone.
Setting aside scheduled play times, during which the pet is given your undivided attention, is another great way to alleviate boredom and separation anxiety. Playing with the dog, and providing it with sufficient attention and exercise, is a proven way to avoid a stressed and anxious dog. A happy dog that has been well exercised and well conditioned will generally sleep the day away happily and patiently wait for the return of its owner.
It is important to schedule one of these daily play sessions before you leave the house each day. It is important to give the dog a few minutes to settle down after playtime before you leave.
For dogs that are already experiencing separation anxiety and associated misbehaviors, it is important to get him accustomed to your leaving gradually. Be sure to practice leaving and returning at irregular intervals, several times during the day. Doing so will get your dog accustomed to your deparartures and help him realize that you are not leaving him forever. Dogs that have been previously lost, or those that have been surrendered to shelters and readopted, often have the worst problems with separation anxiety. Part of treating this problem is teaching the dog that your leaving is not permanent.
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[tags]boxer dog training, puppy obedience training, dog training coruses, stop barking dogs[/tags]
Every dog should be groomed on a regular basis, regardless from whether they have a long hair coat, a medium hair coat or a short hair coat. Every dog breed has their own particular needs that you have to tend to. This article will explain more to you about the grooming process of your dog.
As a dog owner you should know that all dogs have basic grooming needs such as brushing, bathing, ear and teeth cleaning and to have their nails trimmed. Dogs with long hair have different grooming needs that are more time consuming. It is very important to begin grooming your puppy as early as possible as they will then get used to this quicker. If your puppy learns to enjoy this at a younger age, it will lead to a very serene and enjoyable environment for both you and you dog.
In order to produce a positive experience for your dog, you should slowly introduce them to the whole grooming process. Introduce your dog to each part of the grooming supplies by presenting it to your puppy, and also to let them smell it for a few second, one by one. After this you can give your puppy a small treat.
For example, while you are showing them the brush, you can softly touch the puppy with the brush, and at the same time give them a treat. As soon as your puppy accepts the brush, you can then softly brush them a little and then offer them a treat. After the third brush stroke or so your puppy will begin to relax, and also understand that the brushing feels good. If you split the process down into little steps, your puppy will have the chance to accept the positive experience you have produced inside each of the steps.
Get your puppy used to the grooming station so that they can become familiar with the area prior to you beginning with the grooming process. For example, you can put your puppy inside of the bathtub a few days before you bath them. Let your puppy play with a toy, and then give them a treat afterwards. You can then repeat this process the following day, but then add some water and a wet sponge. Let your puppy get used to a little amount of water gradually before you fill their tub with water for bathing.
The same method can be followed when introducing other grooming tools to your puppy such as a toothbrush or nail clippers. Take your time in introducing your puppy to the grooming process, as this will make certain that this is an enjoyable experience for both your and your dog.
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[tags]dog grooming[/tags]
Your puppy’s teeth will start coming in when he is about 3 or 4 weeks old and when he is eight weeks old, he’ll have 28 teeth. All of these teeth breaking through his gums is painful and he’ll want to chew something to ease his pain.
One of the best toys for puppies is a teething toy. When they are teething puppies definitely chew a lot and a puppy teething toy helps to ease your puppy and you through this stage of his development. Some puppy teething toys are very good for easing the pain your puppy feels while teething. One that works well is the wet and freeze type teething toy. An example of these toys is the rope toy, though it is a good teething toy, never leave the puppy alone when playing with the rope toy. The rawhide chews that crumble are good chew toys for puppies. Any buttons, eyes, ribbons or strings should be removed from soft toys before giving them to puppies or dogs.
Some other teething toy choices to get your puppy are: rubber teething keys, tiny rubber teethers that look like cartoon characters, and the nylon bones that have lumps on them that help sooth away the teething pain. Your puppy will enjoy chewing Bully Sticks, which are digestible. There are Kong toys that are made just for puppies and are a real aid for teething puppies.
Choose several different kinds of teething toys for your puppy and don’t give all of them to him at once. Changing his toys out so he doesn’t get bored with them is recommended. Always choose toys that are safe for your puppy to play with.
Once you have some good teething toys for your puppy encouraging him to play with his toys and not your belongings like shoes, remote controls, and other small items or even chewing furniture legs is the next step. He needs to be taught which are his toys and what he can’t play with - your things.
So give your puppy one of his chew toys and tell him - This is your toy. Good boy or good girl. Playing with your puppy with his toys helps to reinforce that these are his toys. When he gets your shoe or chews on the furniture - take the shoe away or remove him from the furniture and say - in a strong voice. Then give him one of his chew toys. If you stay steady and persistent in training him, your puppy will learn, which toys are his toys.
While your puppy is teething, he’ll try to place his mouth on your hand or arm and teaching him this action isn’t allowed is the best course of action. Take his mouth off of your arm or hand and tell him “no.” Then give him one of his chew toys.
The right training and the correct teething toys will get you and your puppy through the teething stage with less upsetting moments and less gum pain for your puppy.
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about Puppies and other Puppies for Sale.
[tags]puppies,dogs,dog,puppy[/tags]
There are many puppies in rescue centers. You may want to get your pet from a rescue center. You will find mixed breeds and pure bred pets that need adoption. The reason so many puppies and dogs are at rescue centers is that a lot of people take them there after the newness and cuteness wears off or they move and decide not to take the pet with them, especially if they are moving out of town.
Just where are many of these puppies rescued from when someone doesn’t bring them in when they are tired of them? Well, puppies are found along the roadside, in garbage bags and boxes, in parks, and some are taken from puppy mills. Some people take them to the woods and dump them in which case they don’t usually make it to a rescue center.
Many times people tell someone at the rescue center about a puppy mill or that a bunch of puppies were dumped in a park or somewhere else and the volunteers at the rescue center go get them. The veterinarian examines the pet when it is brought in; he will treat the puppies wounds and treat him for parasites. When the vet is finished one of the rescue team members bathes the pet. After the puppy is treated and bathed, he’ll be placed in a clean kennel until someone adopts him and he is their pet.
When you want to adopt a pet from a rescue center, you’ll have to follow their rules of adoption. These rules are enforced so that puppies go to good homes. The rules may vary some from one pet rescue center to another, but will be similar and be for the welfare of the pet.
The rules at your local pet rescue center may include these stipulations: They may ask for the name of a vet, which you’ll use. This is so that they can check with the vet about your pet. They may require an interview before letting you adopt the puppy. They might require a home visit. They might have a testing period, which is temporary, to confirm the pet has a good home, good living conditions, and is happy there.
If you adopt a pet from a rescue center or a shelter you are helping to stop the puppy mill business. You will benefit too by getting a puppy that is healthier, happier, and groomed well. If you are adopting a pure bred puppy, you’ll know what size it will be when full grown. Determine the size of pet you want. If it is a mixed breed try to determine how big it will be later.
If you have a small house and yard, you may prefer a puppy that will be a smaller grown dog. Do you want a dog with a short coat or a long coat? Would you like a dog that likes to swim and catch freebies? Consider your activities and lifestyle, when choosing your pet.
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about Puppies and other Puppies for Sale.
[tags]puppies,dogs,dog,puppy[/tags]
The main thing people train a puppy for is potty training. This training isn’t neglected, if they let the puppy in the house, which many people do. Puppies at the least need to be kept in a closed back porch to be protected from the weather.
When your new puppy is exploring his home, he’ll stop and relieve himself on the spot and keep investigating afterward. You don’t want to find these deposits all over the house. The solution is puppy potty training. He has to be taught where it is proper to relieve himself.
One method is to train him to go do his business outside, When training take your puppy outside and to the same spot. He’ll learn to associate that spot with going potty. While potty training your puppy don’t play with him outdoors. Let him think of the outdoors as the place to potty and nothing else during the training period. Keep him outside around ten minutes.
Getting a crate for your puppy will come in handy when you can’t oversee what your puppy is doing. When you put your puppy in the crate you use a command, consistently use the same one. Give him a treat. Dogs like to keep their den unsoiled and your puppy won’t want to soil his den. Your puppy may whine when you put him in his crate. But he will adjust to his crate and this stops pottying in the living room while you’re cooking dinner. Don’t leave your puppy in his crate for a long time. Take him out of the crate often to go potty.
Since you don’t want to leave your puppy in his crate too much and you need to do various chores and activities around the house - you need another way to keep watch over your puppy. Try securing his leash to your waist, while you work around the house. This is a way to keep an eye on your pet, which is essential to potty training.
When you are potty training your puppy give him praise when he relieves himself outdoors and sometimes give him a treat. These rewards will encourage your puppy to behave the way you want him to behave. They will make him happy and easier to train.
Potty training for your puppy takes diligence on your part and he needs the persistent training. The essential times to take your puppy outside to relieve himself are after he eats, wakes up from sleeping, when he drinks, and when you let him out of his crate. Another time to take him outside to potty is after you play with him for awhile. The exercise may stimulate his bowels.
Puppy potty training is important for puppies that will be house dogs or in the house a lot. Even if your puppy will be mostly an outside dog, it is best to have him inside when he is small so potty training is necessary. Your puppy will want to please you. Train him well with rewards and you’ll both be happier.
Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about Puppies and other Puppies for Sale.
[tags]puppies,dogs,dog,puppy[/tags]
When it comes to bathing your dog, it is important that you do this in a safe and comfortable environment. If your dog is being bathed in a tub, take precautions so that they will not slip. By placing a rubber mat in the tub will provide your dog a sense of safety. This article will tell you more about the process of bathing your dog.
You should also take precautions that you will not slip should your dog splash some water on the floor. If bathing your dog outside, make sure that you do this in an area that they feel safe in. Should they free themselves from your grip, they should not be able to run away and hurt themselves.
A good and mild dog shampoo should be used for washing your dog. Human shampoo is too harsh on the skins of dogs, and will strip the dogs from their natural oil layer. Perfumed shampoos should also be avoided, as this can lead to their skins becoming dry. Prior to bathing your dog, you should give them a nice brush. Doing this has a dual purpose, as it will calm down your dog and also get rid of any dead and loose hair.
Lukewarm water should be used when bathing your dog, as hot water can cause the skin of a dog to itch. If you bathe your dog in a bathtub, you should not make it too full as too much water will make your dog nervous. It will also make it easier for your dog to splash water on the floor. Therefore use the least amount of water possible.
Also teak great care when spraying water over your so that no water gets into their ears. This can ultimately lead to ear infections, which can cause lots of discomfort. When washing your dog, start with their head and then work your way down to the tail area. Work the shampoo into the coat by using circular motions. Check that all the shampoo is washed from the coat of your dog, as any residue soap can lead to their skin itching.
Make sure that you have enough towels to place around the bath tub, and to dry them off with. When you are finished with the whole process, spend some quality time like playing fetch or cuddling them. By doing this they will be reassured of your love for them. It will also make them thing of bath times as a more pleasant experience.
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[tags]dog bath[/tags]
If you groom your dog properly you will be able to keep them clean, but also in a healthy state. The best way to get your dog used to grooming is to introduce them to this process at a very young age, so that they will not have problems with this. This article will provide you with 6 steps that you can follow with the grooming of your dog.
1. Brush the coat of your dog on a regular basis. When you do this, make use of a soft bristle brush, and brush the coat of your dog in the direction of the hair of your dog. Make sure that you brush the hair in all areas, especially the parts behind the ears of your dog and on their tummy, their tail and rear legs.
2. Give your dog a bath every week to keep them clean. If you bathe your dog too often, it may result in your dog to suffer from dry skin. By giving your dog a bath once every week you dog will be kept clean and their coat will be clean and shiny. The frequency of the bath depends on the breed of dog you have.
While you are bathing your dog, you should give your dog a lot of support and admiration. If they become restless, keep the head of your dog dry and shampoo the rest of their body. The majority of dogs tend to panic if their heads are soaked. Try to introduce your dog to bathing slowly, as it might take some time for them to get used to it.
3. Seek advice from a professional groomer if necessary. If you do not have enough time on your hands, or if you do not know how to bath your dog, you can always let a professional dog groomer do it. You can then observe what they are doing and even ask them for some tips while you are doing this. They will be able to give you some helpful advice on how to groom your dog.
4. Trim the toenails of your dog on a regular basis. Long toenails will cause your dog to have some difficulty when walking, as it will be a painful process. If you struggle to cut the nails of your dog, you can always ask your vet to help you with this task.
5. Brush the teeth of your dog as part of the grooming process. It is vital that you keep the mouth of your dog clean and their teeth in a healthy state. This can be achieved by brushing the teeth of your dog often.
6. Look for sores on your dog and see if they are healthy. While at this, also see if there are any stones caught between the toes, mouth, ears and skin of your dog.
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[tags]dog grooming[/tags]
Hairless cats, such as the Sphynx breed, do have a small amount of hair similar to the fuzz on a peach, but lack the usual massive quantities of hair, and appear bald from a distance.
Many owners have found that they are affectionate, love to snuggle and stay close. And the reduced quantity of hair does reduce the number of overall pollutants in the air.
But if you are thinking this breed of cat will relieve cat allergy symptoms, here are 5 things you should consider before adopting a hairless cat as a feline allergy solution.
1. Hair is not generally an allergen. While airborne cat hair can be a real nuisance, and constantly breathing large amounts is certainly not recommended, the allergen that cats produce is a protein called Feline d1.
This is produced by glands in the skin and is found in your cat’s dander, urine, and saliva. Cat hair is often only one means of transporting this allergen rather than the source of it.
The Fel d1 allergen is hardy and remains active for long periods of time. It can and does also attach to common airborne household pollutants found in the cleanest of homes such as household dust, dander (which is produced by all warm blooded pets-even hairless ones), bacteria, and viruses to name a few.
2. The lack of hair brings you closer to the allergen. Since the protein is secreted from the skin (the sebaceous gland), cat hair usually serves as a barrier. This is not true with a hairless cat. So you actually closer to the problem than you would be with a cat that has hair.
3. They require more maintenance which will properly amounts to more physical contact unless you delegate this to someone else. Normal oil production is readily apparent on the surface of their skin and can easily rub off on furniture, bedding, floors and other surfaces that they frequent.
Proper maintenance should include regularly scheduled baths to keep these oils from becoming a problem.
4. There is no guarantee that a particular hairless cat will solve your allergy problem. Each cat, regardless of breed, is individual in the amount of this protein it produces. The only way to find out if the cat you’re interested in will help is to live with it for a while.
It can be a painful discovery for both you and the cat to make a space for it in your life only to find that your allergies will not allow you to keep it.
5. Because they are so affectionate and enjoy cuddling, you are likely to receive more licks, and kisses. When the saliva dries, it can easily flake off and become airborne causing problems for those who suffer with allergies and allergic asthma.
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Debbie Davis, President, PurerAir.com
[tags]hairless cat,feline allergies,cat allergies,hairless cat and allergies,Sphynx Cat and allergies[/tags]
If you want to keep the nails of your dog in an excellent condition, you should make sure that they are trimmed frequently. Should your dog get the chance to get lots of exercise on a cement area, they will get the opportunity to wear their nails down naturally. But as dogs become older and les active they will require special care when it comes to their nails.
Usually, the nails of your dog should be trimmed once every two weeks, and especially when they start to touch the floor. When you hear a clicking sound when your dog walks, you will know that their nails are too long and require a trimming. In addition to having big nail clippers, you should also have some styptic powder on hand when cutting the nails of your dog.
If you cut the nail of your dog too short, styptic powder is just what you need. There runs a blood vessel into the nail bed of your dog, and it is known as the quick, and acts as the blood supply to the nail of your dog. Should you cut the tip of the quick, it will start to bleed immediately.
To stay on the safe side you should only cut the hook of the nail until you become more confident in doing this. In most cases a small cut to the quick of the nail will stop bleeding by itself. Styptic powder will also help to stop any bleeding that might occur, but if it does not apply some pressure with powder.
If you are afraid of cutting the nails of your dog, you can always take your dog to you local vet or to a professional dog groomer. They will cut the nails of your dog for a minimal fee. Whenever you cut the nails of your dog, make sure that you do not cut it to much or into the quick. This will be a very painful experience for your dog.
By trimming the nails of your dog on a regular basis will help to maintain good health and hygiene in your dog. If their nails are short, it will also not get caught on your carpets or on any furniture in your home. Your dog will also be more comfortable with short nails.
You should also be glad to know that there are wide variety of nail clippers and trimmers on the market that you can help to keep the nails of your dog short and neat.
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[tags]dog grooming[/tags]





