Dog collars come in a variety of colors, styles and even functions. Theres the obedience or choke collar, bark control collars, flea collars, and a whole array of just dog collars. So which to choose?
If barking is an issue perhaps a bark control collar will do the trick. Bark control collars use two types of bark detection, either external sound or vibrations from the dogs throat. Neither type is totally infallible; the vibration type can be set off by motion and the sound type by external sounds other than the dog barking. However both have proved to be effective in helping control your dogs barking humanely. The best collars employ both methods at the same time to reduce the false readings and help bring barking under control.
But once your dog has stopped barking what do you need to consider in a dog collar?
One of the essentials of a dog collar is to make sure that its personalized and has the dogs name and your contact details engraved somewhere on the collar or on a tag. This will make it easy for someone to get in touch with you if your dog gets lost. It can also help keep your dog calm in what can be a distressing situation. While your dog may be amongst strangers, they will know his name from his collar and hell feel less threatened if called by name.
Leather makes an excellent dog collar. It is very strong, hard wearing, weather proof and comfortable for your dog. There are flat collars for dogs with shorter hair, and rounded collars for longer haired dogs. This is to stop breaking the hair around your dogs neck. Try and keep the dog collar as thin as you can while maintaining the strength for your dogs comfort.
Finally pick a dog collar that suits your dogs personality and size. After all it is part of your dogs image!
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Sep 03, 2010 | | Dogs
To recommend a good dog breed to someone, you need to know two things:
1. You must have an in-depth and personal experience with many different breeds. And more specifically, you must have multiple experiences with each breed. When you’ve been training dogs professionally for about 10 years, you’ve seen pretty much everything cross your path, at least three or four times. And for the more popular breeds, you’ve had literally hundreds of experiences that can put you in a very good position to analyze the pro’s and con’s of each breed.
2. You need to understand both the wants and needs of the family who is looking to adopt a new dog. A couple who have very dominant personalities and no children will generally be able to handle a dog with more horsepower than would a quiet, submissive couple with a few small children.
That being said, here are the top five breeds I recommend to people I don’t know very well:
1. Golden Retriever: These dogs have a soft, pliable and easily trainable temperament. They are very pain-resistant and very forgiving to the owner who accidentally steps on a toe or clumsily trips on the dog. Purchased from a good breeder, these dogs are a joy to own.
2. Poodle (any variety): These dogs score extremely high on both the trainability scale and on the intelligence scale. I’m always amazed at how quickly these dogs can pick up an new behavior. It’s almost like communicating to a human in dog clothing. If it wasn’t for the sissy factor, I’d probably own one myself. Professional dog trainers see very few dog owners who walk through the door with troubling behavior problems. If everyone owned a Poodle, we’d all be out of business.
3. Australian Shepherd: Not to be confused with the Australian Cattle Dog (also an excellent breed but not for the amateur or weak owner) the Australian Shepherd – if obtained from a quality breeder – is fantastic. I don’t think that there is anything you can’t train this breed to do.
4. Boston Terrier: These dogs are clean and quiet. They make a fantastic house dog and are very easy to get along with. A perfect companion for the elder dog owner, or just somebody who wants a very peaceful dog ownership experience with a breed that is not very demanding.
5. Shetland Sheepdog: Small, easily trainable and possessing a soft temperament, they are intelligent and – with the right training techniques – will learn new behaviors very quickly.
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
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Sep 03, 2010 | | Dogs
Some people get worried and excited when their dog is off-leash and he’s done something that requires you to correct him. Because the owner is both worried and excited, they move fast toward the dog, concerned that the dog might run off before they can correct him. However, if you’ve done your long-line work properly and you’ve laid a solid foundation for your off leash training, there really isn’t any reason for you to worry that your dog will run off. So, what does this have to do with Andy Griffith, you’re probably wondering? Well, if you watch Andy Griffith on television, you’ll notice that the old guy always moves slowly and deliberately. He never rushes and he never looks worried. When you go to correct your dog, this is the same kind of attitude you should have. Be like Andy. Andy never gets angry. He never gets emotional. He just calmly and slowly goes about doing what he has to do, in order to reach his goals. Watch Matlock, or the Andy Griffith Show and you’ll see what I mean. If you model Andy Griffith’s mannerisms when you work with your dog, I can guarantee that your handling skill will increase at a very quick pace.
Dog Freaked Out Over Pinch Collar
Dear Adam:
I tried the pinch collar on my Westie a few days ago and he freaked out. He hated it, would not move and let out a little cry like he was in pain. Now I am afraid to try it again. Could he be too sensitive for this collar? It was not too tight. After his initial reaction, he then began to skulk around next to me. At the time, I was with 2 trainers who teach in a dog training club I joined. They recommended the collar to me. They said he would get used to it. Any advice? Is there a way to ease him into it?
Buster
Dear Buster:
Yes… if you’ve got it sized correctly, what’s happening here is that your dog is manipulating you. He throws a tantrum and YOU RESPONDED TO IT AND STOPPED.
He’s training you.
Next time, glue the leash to your belt buckle and just keep walking. Don’t jerk it. Don’t say anything. Don’t coax or baby him. As soon as he learns that you aren’t going to stop (may be a bit now that you’ve already showed him you’ll stop) he’ll realize that the tantrum doesn’t get rewarded and he’ll start walking. As soon as he does, PRAISE HIM… BUT CONTINUE WALKING WHILE YOU DO!
That’s all for now, folks!
Adam
Dogproblems.com
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Sep 02, 2010 | | Dogs
What a Professional Dog Trainer Can Do For You and Your Dog
If you are wondering what exactly a professional dog trainer can do for you and your dog, you will want to continue to read. A professional dog trainer can make the life of living with your not so pleasant dog better. Of course all dogs are pleasant, but their bad habits may sometimes be atrocious. Hiring a professional to train your dog may be the answer to your problems. People hire professionals to do this on a daily basis. Every day of the year, someone is looking for a trainer for their dog. Most dogs have annoying bad habits that they just cannot help.
A professional dog trainer will break your loving pet of those bad habits. No matter how bad those habits might be, a professional trainer can make it possible to live with your pet in peace, once again. When you hire a professional to do the job of training your pet, you should get professional service. Once you have located your professional trainer, be honest with him and let him know all about the naughty acts that your dog performs. Letting him know the problems up front, so that he can work on each and every one of them, will make you a happy customer, and your dog a happier pet.
Finding a professional dog trainer is very simple. Do you take your dog to the local dog park? If so, try talking to some of the owners there that have dogs that behave. Ask them who their trainer was and get as much information as possible from them. You will feel better after knowing that the well-behaved dog in the park had bad habits also at one time. Rest assured that your dogs habits will be broken as well, and before you know it, dog owners will be asking you who your trainer was.
Choosing a professional dog trainer can sometimes be tricky. Try talking to all of the trainers you are interested in. Maybe even let them meet your dog, and see how he reacts to each trainer. After all, you will want to get a trainer your dog will be comfortable with, because they will be spending a lot of time together.
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Sep 01, 2010 | | Dogs
Loyal, friendly, protective, affectionate, fun. Those qualities have earned dogs a special place in the lives and hearts of humans. Most dogs now are owned as pets mainly because they are THE ideal pets. A dog will always try to keep you pleased and smiling. It will never hold grudges against you, and will never judge you for your looks or mistakes. It isn’t called man’s best friend for nothing.
Dogs have a basic need for shelter, good nutrition, exercise and companionship. A dog will rely on its owner for all of these needs, in addition to training and protection. These are all basic needs, but really, what a dog needs the most is veterinary care. If a person has a dog for a pet, it is a good idea to ensure that it is seen by a vet regularly. Dogs are prone to a wide array of illnesses and diseases and it is best that he gets vaccinated against these diseases. Some of the most fatal diseases that a dog should be administered with a vaccine against are listed below.
1. Canine Adenovirus – or Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH). ICH is an extremely contagious disease that only dogs could be transmitted with and other canine-type animals. This disease is transmitted in urine and eye or nasal secretions of animals with this disease and affects the liver, kidneys and lining of the blood vessels. Dogs of all ages are prone to acquire this disease, although puppies and younger dogs are at a higher risk.
2. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) – It is transmitted through contact with infected dogs and affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems. This disease is often fatal to puppies and adult dogs.
3. Para Influenza – Also known as tracheobronchitis, it is a contagious infection of dogs seriously affecting young puppies’ upper respiratory. Its symptoms are gagging and coughing. Dogs in stressful and crowded conditions are at the highest risk for this disease.
4. Parvovirus – This is an extremely contagious viral disease that affects white blood cells, the intestines, and heart. It is characterized by vomiting, severe diarrhea and fever. It is often fatal in puppies. At the highest risk for this disease are dogs in crowded places such as dog shows and kennels.
5. Rabies – Rabies can affect all warm-blooded animals that are unvaccinated against the disease, including humans. It affects the brain and is always deadly. Pets get exposed to rabies from the bites of wild animals which include bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks.
The bottom line is to keep a dog disease-free. Have it vaccinated. After all, what a dog really needs is. . .good health!
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Sep 01, 2010 | | Dogs
People may not be aware of this, but obesity is one of the greatest problems dogs are dealing with these days. Obesity, like humans, is also caused by excessive eating and unhealthy binges. Mostly, this situation is triggered by some environmental factors that when not controlled may just lead to more problems.
Like humans, dogs develop certain diseases too when they are overweight. These diseases will lead to more serious complications including death. So for people who wish to know the repercussions of obesity in dogs, here are some of the known consequences:
1. Arthritis
Obesity in dogs tends to put extra weight on their bones. In turn, the joints and other parts of the dogs bones develop arthritis.
Excess weight in dogs may also initiate the development of other muscle and joint problems like spinal disc disease, hip dysplasia, and cracks on the joint ligaments.
2. Diabetes
Like humans, dogs can get diabetes too. We all know for a fact that overweight cause diabetes in humans, this can also happen in dogs. This is because the more fat is stored in the dogs body, the greater its system will generate insulin in order to cope up with its growing mass. Hence, dogs have the tendency to resist too much insulin in the body. The end result is diabetes.
3. Skin problems
Obesity in dogs can cause some skin problems. This is because excess fat deposits are being stored in their skin; hence, their owners are having a hard time grooming them. When dogs lack proper grooming, there is a tendency to accumulate bacteria, dirt, or other elements that could cause harm to your dogs skin. In the end, they develop rashes, skin ruptures, and infections.
4. Capacity to tolerate heat
With too much fat deposits accumulated in their skin, dogs are more inclined to problems concerning heat tolerance. This is because dogs find it hard to tolerate heat due to the build-up of fats in their skin. That is why most obese dogs are prone to heat stroke especially during summer time.
5. Respiratory problems and other heart diseases
Like humans, obese dogs have also the tendency to develop respiratory problems and heart diseases. This is because the chest cavity is already covered with thick fat deposits. Hence, whenever the dog breathes, the lungs are having a hard time to expand, so does the heart. The problem starts when the heart and the lungs can no longer produce the right amount of oxygen and circulate it within the dogs body.
6. Gastrointestinal problems
Obesity in dogs causes some problems in their intestines and pancreas. This problem results to inflamed pancreas, which, in reality, is very painful to the dogs and can also cause death among them.
7. Liver problems
Fats are harder to strain and this can pose a great problem to the dogs liver. Hence, when the liver can no longer function well because of the fat deposits that accumulated in the area, liver problems may occur and may even cause the death of your dogs.
These health problems are indeed life threatening. And so, it depends upon the owner how to combat these problems in order to keep their dogs healthy.
One of the greatest ways in solving weight problems is a strict exercise schedule. So, it is a must that owners should create a healthy exercise schedule for their dogs. This can be done by tagging them for a walk every afternoon or letting him run through a field.
The best thing about this program is that not only the dogs get the chance to exercise but their owners as well. So, its a double result with just one purpose.
Next is to create a healthy diet for your dogs. Diet meals are extremely important for dogs so that they can still obtain the necessary nutrients they need in order to stay healthy. This should include the right combination of fiber, meat, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals.
However, dog owners should always keep in mind that when their dogs are taking fiber, more water should be employed so as to prevent constipation.
Alternatively, dog owners should also remember that before incorporating all of these things to your dog, its best to consult the veterinarians first. In this way, only the proper methods of dieting for dogs shall be employed.
So, for healthier and happier dogs, give them the best love and care you can give plus a great dietary regimen. As they say, a healthy do is a happy dog.
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Aug 31, 2010 | | Dogs
Weave Poles: Which method should I use for my dog?
Weave Poles can be the most challenging obstacle for you to teach and for your dog to learn. Many agility obstacles resemble natural obstacles that dogs could find out on a hike out in the woods, jumps, frames, and tunnels. Going over, under, or through things and places are natural for dogs,however, weaving the poles is not.
How do you teach an unnatural skill……..with lots of patience, the right motivators for your dog, and a plan. There are many great methods to teach the weave poles. If you’ve gone to agility camps with several top instructors, you know that most have their own method . So, there is not one method that is the best or one method that produces the best weaving dog.
There are many methods of teaching weave poles. Some of these include, the Push-Pull method, the Angled Weave Approach, Chute Training, Two-Pole Method, Gate method, and more……….
How do you decide on which method to choose? Research each method and find out what you like about it and what you don’t. What method are they teaching at your agility school? Most handlers just starting agility will teach the method being presented at their facility. If you attend a large agility school, sit in on some of the advanced classes and watch the skilled dogs weave. Ask those individuals how they taught their dog to weave. Most instructors have a preference of weave training, it may be the method they are teaching or it may not be.
Once you decide on a method, get the poles you want and then, outline a plan to train 5 minutes a day on weaves. Five minutes a day will take your dog much further than once a week in class. If you are into agility and want to progress, the weave poles are an absolute must to have at home.
Get your dog, grab his motivators, take a deep breath and go have fun for five minutes a day.
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Aug 31, 2010 | | Dogs
All of us remember our first puppy when we were kids. Bringing them home as they are
crawling all over your lap. Licking your face with their cute little pink tongues. Of course
what we remember as kids with our first dog is a lot different from what our parents remember about that time. As a lot of us have found out since we grew up and brought a puppy home for our family.
We soon realize there is much work that goes along with the cute little guy. Its not long
before he is chewing everything in site. You find yourself moving everything in your house as if you had a toddler around. Then there is the house training, lots of fun there.
With some dogs it could take weeks before your dog has mastered going to the door.
Which is why some people give up and just spend their time cleaning up after him.
But thankfully here are some great products out there to aid in house training your dog.
The biggest thing I have found though, is you need to be consistent with your puppy. Just like a child, puppies can easily learn to have a routine. The first thing every morning you take him outside, just before bed you take him out. You need to keep the puppy around you, if you spend most of your day on the lower level of your house, then thats where the puppy should be too. You need to keep an eye on him. If he has a drink, you give him about 10 minutes than take him out and see if he will go. An hour after he eats, do the same thing. Not only will he eventually learn to do his business outside, but also it will happen quicker because you are being consistent.
The same with the chewing, you must catch him in the act and change his mind. Whether you do this by giving him a chew toy and luring him away from whatever it is he is chewing. Just tell him NO, and then give him something else to do.
The biggest problem today with people training their pets is that they dont have time. You both work all day and are tired when you get home, the last thing you want to do is work on training your puppy. This is a terrible situation for the puppy though, because they are in a new environment. They were removed from their mother and siblings. Then people bring them home and leave them by themselves for 8 to 10 hours a day.
If there can be no one home for the first few months you have your pet then you should probably wait until the situation changes. This kind of set up will never work for you or the puppy. Therefore if this is your household, dont get a pet at this time.
To everyone with a dog or cat, just take care of them and love them and you will get much love back.
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Aug 31, 2010 | | Dogs
The lights, the ring, the glamour! Ever think you might like to become involved with showing dogs? If so, then starting with “toy” or small dogs can offer a great way to enter into this hobby with fewer demands on your time and space than a larger breed might involve.
The purpose of a dog show is to compare all entered dogs of a specific breed against a pre-established, written breed standard of perfection. The winners, or Best of Breed dogs, then compete against each other for Best in Group within one of the seven basic groups to which their breed has been assigned (the Herding Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Sporting Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group or Working Group). The winner of each group then goes on to compete for the coveted Best In Show title and hopefully, earn more points toward a Championship.
As a new entrant to the world of dog shows, you’ll find there are advantages to showing small dogs over larger dogs.
Sitting Pretty
First, small show dogs generally take less time and effort to bathe and blow dry before a show. You may think this detail almost inconsequential, but after you attend a number of shows it becomes more important. Small show dogs are also easier to lift in and out of a tub, and require less water, soap and conditioner. With the exception of long-coated breeds, less dog equals less hair, which equals less drying time. As a result, it’s possible to thoroughly bathe and groom six toy-sized show dogs, like Chihuahuas, in the time it takes to groom one large Standard Poodle show dog!
Git Along, Little Doggies
Secondly, showing small or toy dogs means you can show more dogs because they take up far less space. Each small show dog requires a small traveling crate, but crates of that size are light to transport and simple to store. Small show dogs also require the use of grooming tables, but as long as they get along, two small show dogs can share one table.
Easy Does It
The third factor is, showing small dogs requires less physicality on the part of the person handling them. You’ll seldom see small show dog handlers huffing and puffing as they race around the ring. Instead, small show dogs work harder to cover ground and keep up with the handler, whereas large show dogs cover ground in great strides, requiring the handler to work to keep up. In addition, “setting up” a small dog for viewing is a simple physical task, whereas a larger dog can involve much more effort.
As you can see, showing small dogs enjoys a bit of an advantage over showing large dogs. As a result, you may find that showing small dogs makes a very rewarding start to a downright addictive hobby that you and your mini champ can enjoy together for years.
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Aug 30, 2010 | | Dogs
Cats that have been abused can appear severely maimed and damaged all over their exterior. Some may appear to be in perfect shape on the outside, although all of the damage they sustained may be internal or emotional. Even though physical damage is bad, emotional damage is much tougher to fix. Cats who have physical abuse will still answer to a soft touch and soft voice, as long as they know that the abuse has come to an end.
When you have a cat that has been emotionally abused, youll need to wait until the cat comes to you. Youll need to use patience, as the cat will be confused and not know if you plan to hurt him or not. If you take your time and let him know that you are nothing to fear, he will eventually come to you. When he starts to come to you, you can let him sniff you and pet him. After a while, he will learn that he can trust you and he will come to you when you call him.
Yelling, raising your voice, or using disciplinary tools such as flyswatters or water guns the wrong way can lead to emotional damage. If you continue to use the wrong means of discipline on an emotionally damaged cat, the cat can become mean or lethargic. When a cat turns mean, its not always a bad thing. Meaner cats are easier to reach, as they still care a bit about what happens to them while lethargic cats could really care less.
Cats that have become lethargic wont play, take treats, or respond to anything you say to them. With a lethargic cat, the ideal way to get him to respond is to bring in a companion cat. Over time, a lethargic cat will eventually look for attention, normally a scratch or a pat. When this happens, you should always use a soft voice and snuggle with him. Never raise your voice at this point, and make sure you let the cat know that his behavior is a lot better.
You should make slow movements around a lethargic cat, as he is still quite traumatic. Once he is coming around and letting you touch him again, he is getting back to his normal self. Keep in mind that it may take some time, which is to be expected with this type of situation. If your cat starts to get upset again or if you raise your voice, he will hide again. If you continue to use a soft voice and have patience, your cat will eventually get past this. If you get a cat that is lethargic, you should prepare yourself for a long and very intensive healing period.
Angry or mean cats on the other hand, will either fight and scratch with you, or simply run away from you. With mean cats, the best thing to do is use gentle treatment with a soft voice. You can never try to raise your voice or use strict discipline, as it will only make the cat meaner. Never attempt to trap the cat either, as trapping it will only make the cat react. If you take your time and let the cat know that you are there for him, he will eventually calm down.
Abused cats are truly a sad thing, although they are out there. Abused cats can be a sad thing to see indeed, especially those that were physically abused. Abused cats need a loving home and a loving owner who will give them the type of lifestyle they deserve. Always remember that if you are dealing with an abused cat you should always be as gentle as you possibly can.
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Aug 30, 2010 | | Cats