They are mans best friend, but what can you do when you have a dog, you love it, but it just wont stop chewing on your best shoes, or polishing its nails on your precious sofa?
Regular training
We train them to become, not only more sociable, but also a reliable company. This can be done by taking your dog to a professional dog-trainer, or simply at home, following instructions from books. Since the first option requires time to take the dog to a trainer, to go check on it, and take it back home, most people choose to house-train their pets. However, the second option has many disadvantages, since you are not a professional, and you do not have experience. Many even think, that after the dog/cat learned where to go out, the training is over. You could not be more wrong.
On-line training
There is a third way, a new one, but as efficient as taking your dog to a trainer, but less time consuming. On-line training. Dont think of putting your dog in front of a PC and let it learn from there. Through on-line training I mean visiting sites specialising on dog training. The following few paragraphs will be a guide to a few of these sites.
www.perfectpaws.com
Gwen Bohnenkamp owns this site. She has been working with pets since1985 and also, she instructed the first course in Animal Behavior. The site itself is easy to navigate, easy to read, but most important it contains valuable information on training your pets, may they be cats, dogs or even guinea pigs. In addition, you can find tips on how to get closer to your companion, and how to become a certified dog-trainer. The subjects are well categorized and easy to get. If you want, you may purchase online books written by Gwen, herself.
www.dogproblems.com
The renowned dog trainer, Adam Katz, publishes this site. It covers almost all aspects of dog training, you can buy Katzs book, which apparently, is the best-sold book of its type on the internet, and join a forum where the topic is no other then DOGS.
www.sitstayfetch.net
This is the easiest to use site I could find about dog training. The mastermind behind this site is Daniel Stevens, a dog trainer, who wrote the book SitStayFetch! On this site you can find testimonials of people who have used his book and the way it helped them.
Conclusion
However, you may choose to train your dog, bear in mind one thing: an untrained dog can be more of a nuisance than a friend. So, please, help your dog help you.
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Feb 03, 2010 | | Dogs
Having a dog at home waiting for you to get back from work is a great thing that a lot of people cherish. But things are not as easy as they seem to be. Once you have a dog you also become a dog problem owner. Crazy barking, biting people, chewing on shoes or slippers are just a few problems that you will have to bare if having a dog in the house. Until you get your dog to learn some discipline and manners you might not enjoy 100% the time spent with your beloved pet.
Dogs can cause all sorts of problems from biting, barking and whining when there is no need for these doggy manifestations. A lot of people have complained that they have been embarrassed by their dogs behavior and they need to do something about their dogs lack of manners. Trying to solve these problems on your own is not a good idea and will not lead to a satisfactory result for sure. Another solution would be hiring a personal dog trainer, but this can be quite expensive and not all of the dog owners agree with the rough methods trainers apply on the dogs.
A solution is now offered by the people working at DogBuyersGuide. After years of studying dog behaviors and dog needs they have come up with a book that helps dog owners understand why their dogs act in certain ways. This book also gives reasonable solutions for teaching the dog on how to behave and stop embarrassing the owner in the society.
DogBuyersGuide will help the dog owners improve their teaching techniques, learn a lot of tricks on how to discipline their dogs and still remain friends with their pets after completing a set of dog behavior lessons. After reading the book DogBuyersGuyde wants to share with all the dog owners, you can forget about chewed slippers, the damage in your neighbors garden, the stress caused by midnight barking, bites on the leg of your boss and many other troubles that a dog can bring in one mans life.
Saving a lot of money by choosing to teach your dog on your own on how to behave and not hiring an expensive dog trainer, spending more time with your pet and getting rid of all the embarrassment your dog could bring you are only a few advantages that come by just reading the book DogBuyersGuide has brought for you!
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Jan 18, 2010 | | Dogs
It’s terrifying how common tales are of dogs savaging young children. You might think that its just Pit Bulls or certain breeds that do this kind of thing but it’s common across all breeds. Children have the uncanny ability to make dogs angry without intending.
Most families will luckily never have to deal with anything remotely as traumatic but if you own a dog and have children; or have children visiting often – then you too must take some responsibility for their actions and behavior.
You want to prepare your children by teaching them a few simple rules about playing with the dog.
The first step to understand the aggression. So, what causes dogs to become aggressive? There are a few different kinds of aggression that dogs experience. If they are scared they become aggressive, if something threatens their territory or family and as an act of dominance assertion.
An aggressive dog’s ears will pin back; their tail might stand up and they will growl. The growl is a warning.
Whats the best way to deal with an aggressive dog?
If you have the luxury of realizing before something happens that the dog is upset and about to hurt your child or you there are some things you can do:
- It’s most important to try to keep as calm as possible; the dog will sense your fear
- Speak in a soft voice – remove the disturbance if possible.
What can you do to prevent an aggressive dog?
- Teach your children that the dogs have feeling too and are to be treated with care. This means no rough playing with the dog. Some breeds of dog become agitated and roughhousing can greatly upset them. Enough to bite your child!
- If your children are very small you will need to take care to supervise them at all times. You cannot leave a toddler with a dog without risking something going wrong. Very young children do not understand how to treat animals yet.
- The importance of having a well trained dog cannot be stated enough. When you get a puppy take them to obedience classes straight away. Even if you don’t have children it’s important to have a well trained dog. You don’t want your beloved pooch to harm someone else’s children.
If you have children and are considering buying a dog; there are some considerations that can make it far less likely for an aggressive dog. Choose carefully – some breeds are known to have a low tolerance and others are known to be child friendly.
Dogs have a long standing relationship with humans – dogs love people and visa versa. By following these pointers you should be assured of a happy calm dog that won’t harm anyone. A carefully trained dog will give you peace of mind and most importantly – become an important part of your family life.
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Jan 13, 2010 | | Dogs
Does My Pit Bull Look Fat To You?: Dog Health Information
Lets face it, we love our pets. Sometimes that love can lead pet owners to pamper their pets just a little too much when it comes to food and treats. This over indulgence has the same effects on our pets as it does on us when we over eat or snack a little too often, we get fat. If you add in not getting enough exercise, then it is a problem compounded.
Yes, pets too can suffer from being obese. Statistics show that one in four pets weigh in the overweight or obese category. It is a problem which carries a lot of health risks to our four legged loved ones, and it is a problem that we as owners must handle.
As a Pit Bull owner, I know first hand how good it makes your pet feel to get those special treats, and how hard it is to not give them when it results in getting the loving look that only your Pit Bull can give. I also know as a Pit Bull owner that this particular breed needs a lot of regular exercise. Pit Bulls are very athletic and energetic by their very nature, and if they do not get enough exercise they are not happy. The dog also runs the risk of being overweight, which puts him at risk.
I realize that some Pit Bull owners would ask, Whats the worst that a little weight could do? Well the answer is that a little weight would do no harm, but if left unchecked the weight gain could quickly put your Pit Bull into the obese category. Some of the common ailments brought on by canine obesity are heart problems, arthritis and even diabetes. An overweight pet is also more susceptible to a hip condition known as dysplasia, as well as problems with the back and joints.
By now youre probably glancing over to your Pit Bull trying to quickly gauge if your pet is within acceptable weight limits. Glancing isnt going to give you an accurate answer, but if youd like to do a quick home pet obesity test, then heres how to do it.
First, get your Pit Bull to stand in front of you, and look at him from above. Your Pit Bull should have the shape more of an hour glass than say, an ocean liner. A dog with rounded out sides is certainly getting into the obese range. You should also be able to feel your dogs ribs easily. Dont press hard on your beloved pet; we dont want to hurt him.
Keep regular vet appointments for your Pit Bull, as your veterinarian will also be checking your pets weight. Your veterinarian can also advise you on how you can get your pet back into optimum shape should he weigh in a bit too much.
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Jan 09, 2010 | | Dogs
Discover How To Train Your Dog and Help Her Become a Better Pet
Training your dog will help him to be a more obedient animal. It will also help him to be a better pet. The time that you spend investing in this training will reward you for many years. Your pet will be closer to you and will respect you even more. And, it doesnt take away for his or her personality. But, what is does is sets the rules, the boundaries which help an animal to feel secure.
Your pet is communicating with you. They want attention and will do whatever it takes to get it. Believe it or not, you may actually be unconsciously telling your dog to behave badly if you do not provide them with the attention that they are in need of. If you yell at your pet for doing something wrong, for example, having an accident on the rug, you are providing attention to it and therefore, they may keep doing it to get that attention. You are excited which makes them excited. Instead, try ignoring your pet when they do something wrong like this.
On the flip side, then, positive reinforcement works well on many pets. Reward your dog for good behavior. What can you do? Things like giving them a treat or just verbally praising them works well. Or, take some time to pay extra attention to them. This does several things for your pet. The pet will realize that good behavior, whatever it is, will get them this type of reward. And, it will help to promote you as the leader. You need to remain the leader of the pack, even if your dog tries to challenge this. For those who need to learn this, and even those animals that are less assertive, obedience training can be quite beneficial. When the dog uses his or her instincts to follow a leader, the pet will feel more secure and behave properly as well.
Positive reinforcement type training can work in a number of different ways. For example, the capture reward process where the pet is rewarded when the good behavior is displayed is commonly used to gently coax the animal into giving you the desired reaction. The professionals will likely tell you that it is best to use several senses for training. The use of verbal communication and the use of hand signals are necessary. Things like sit, come, go, stay are all verbal signals. You need a release signal as well which will inform the animal that she has done a good job. You would give the release signal and then her reward right afterwards. This links the signal with the fact that the animal has done something good.
Now, who is going to teach your pet and how will they do it? First of all, you can do most of the training yourself. You can tap into the resources that you find at the library and bookstores on training the dog in how to type books. You can get quite a bit of the information you need to do it right on the web as well. If you do want to find additional help, seek that of a professional in your area. You can find them through pet supply chains or your local humane societies. Classes can be a great way to help your dog to socialize and to educate yourself. You can find local personal trainers for your dog as well. These individuals will come to you and work with your animal in a custom way to give them the support that they need.
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Jan 08, 2010 | | Dogs
Dogs were traditionally working animals. They would have expected to be active all day, every day. However, in these modern days a dog’s life can often be confined to indoors and with very few physical activities.
Dogs are animals that need exercise on a regular basis; in fact it should be daily. There are many reasons for this. For example, it can help to control the dogs weight its appetite. It can also help to insure good quality mental health as well. If you do not provide for the dogs daily exercise, she will likely find it in her own way, which may be a destructive manner. A dog that is bored is one the can become destructive digging up the yard and chewing on shoes. But, when you take this energy that the dog has and apply it correctly through various toys and exercise, great things can happen.
One game of catch a day is not enough exercise for your pet. Quantity and quality are quite important. For example, you can provide your pet with a daily walk. If you do so at the same time of the day each day, the pet will begin to look forward to it. And, take them to someplace different as often as possible. This will help your pet to explore with his senses. It is also a special time of bonding between you and your pet. Take your pet to a dog park where the leash can come off and he or she can do some socializing with other animals.
Sports for dogs?
Did you know that dogs can do sports as well? There are many things that you can teach your dog to do that will be fun to play and provide them with the exercise that they need. For example, Frisbees are a great choice as is flyball and agility. There are Frisbee competitions that your dogs can participate in. In this case, youll see pets flying into the air to catch the Frisbee that an adult is throwing. You may see the dog twist and jump at the same time. In fact, some of them are choreographed routines that are nothing short of amazing but they are fun and exercising for the pet.
Flyball is another choice. Here, there is team play. Four dogs per team take turns running through a course. They may have hurdles in them as well. When the dog completes the course, he will trigger a box to will force a tennis ball into the air. The dog catches it and races back through the course again. Then, once the dog gets through, the next team mate goes. A team will win based on time and the fewest errors.
Agility is another sport for dogs. Here, the dog is to run through an obstacle course. The goal is to be done in the fastest amount of time. In this sport, though, the owner will run alongside the dog encouraging it over the hurdles and other obstacles. The goal is for the dog to obey the owners commands and directions. A good doggie workout will include things like tunnels, see-saws and a wide variety of jumps. All of these sports allow for the exercise of the dog as well as the mental fitness he needs as well.
Alternatives to sports?
Not sure if the sport is right for you? You can keep your dog going by giving him toys that will help to stimulate not only exercise but also mental challenges. For example a dog puzzle places a treat for the dog into a hollow container that he will have to work off to get to the treat. Through nosing it around and rolling it, the dog gets the treat and the reward.
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Dec 29, 2009 | | Dogs
Choosing The Right Dog Bed For Your Pit Bull Terrier
When you bring your Pit Bull puppy home, it is important that you provide him with the things he needs. You will probably purchase a kennel, food and accessories, toys, etc. To ensure he is comfortable and help give him a sense of security, you should also purchase or provide him with a bed. Your Pit Bull will probably prefer sleeping with you, but that is not always a good idea. You shouldnt give a new pet free reign of the house, for both obvious reasons, and for your pets safety. Most puppies are not fully housebroken for quite some time, and no one wants to wake up in a wet or smelly bed. It is much better to provide your Pit Bull with a bed, maybe even in your room if that makes you both happier.
Before purchasing your Pit Bulls new bed, you should think about the best type of bed for him. One big thing to take into consideration is how big you think he will be when he is full grown. You will want to try to get a bed that will be big enough for him when he is an adult, so you dont have to spend money on a new one every time he hits a growth spurt. Your veterinarian can help with trying to figure out how large your Pit Bull may be. A bed that isnt big enough wont be comfortable for him, and he will most likely not sleep in it, choosing to sleep somewhere else in the house, probably your bed. Purchasing a bed that is considerably too large will likely make your Pit Bull feel insecure, and again, he will probably find another place to sleep in.
The bed should consist of materials that are able to hold up to your dog. It should also be hard for your Pit Bull to chew and shred into pieces, as eating the bedding material will likely cause him digestion problems. You should try to train him not to chew his bed, and provide him toys instead. The cover should be easy to remove, because you will likely want to launder it every couple of weeks.
If your Pit Bull is a puppy, you will likely have to teach him where he is supposed to sleep. It is important to develop a routine and stick to it. One thing that will help is keeping the bed in the same place all the time, your room may be the best place as Pit Bulls tend to crave a lot of attention from their owners. Much the same with children, putting your Pit Bull to bed each night at around the same time will help him adjust.
Try not to place your Pit Bulls bed in a noisy, high traffic area. Keep in mind, that like you, your Pit Bull will most likely sleep better in a quiet room with little light. Puppies more so than adults, tend to have security issues, so placing the bed in your room may help him accept it better.
Do some research and shop around so you can buy the best bed for your Pit Bull that you can afford. It should be considered an investment, as any other furniture purchase. You should consider your Pit Bulls own individual needs and try to accommodate him.
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Dec 22, 2009 | | Dogs
It was recently reported that over 700,000 pets in the United States have had birthday parties thrown for them by their owners. This pet party trend has also taken off in other nations such as China, Japan and England. If you were thinking of throwing a party for your pet (specifically your dog), here is a list of party safety guidelines to ensure that all of the party animals in attendance have a fun and safe time. This list is by no means fully comprehensive, but it gives you a good starting point for your pet party safety. You should always use your best judgment to determine if something is appropriate for your pet, and the other pets in attendance at the party. Without further adieu, here are the dog party safety tips:
- All dogs attending the party should have at least one person who the dog feels comfortable around present at the party. If a guardian for the dog is not able to attend your party, the dog should not attend either. Unless you feel comfortable enough with watching the dog yourself, you do not one to be held liable if something happens to the dog.
- In case any of the dogs guardians do not bring waste bags for their dogs, make sure to have plenty on hand. This is especially true if the party is at a dog park or other public facility. Be sure to leave the location in the same condition that it was in prior to the party.
- To avoid any potential scuffles between the party animals, only invite dogs that your dog already knows and feels comfortable with. If your best friends dog is sweet, but just doesnt get along with your dog for some reason, it may be best to leave them off of the guest list. If you want to invite a dog who your dog has never met, set up a meeting between your dog and the other dog so that they can become acquainted before the party. Definitely leave canine bullies off of the guest list.
- If you plan to have an outdoor party at a dog park or in your backyard, make sure that you have a contingency plan in the event of bad weather.
- In regards to the length of the party, you can plan the party for as long as you see fit, just keep in mind that dogs can become restless very easy. If you notice that many of the guests are getting cranky, dont be afraid to end the party early.
- Wherever you choose to have the party, make sure that it is safely enclosed and that there are no cracks that any of the party guests may be able to slip through. This is especially true for the smaller guests at the party. If your Rottweiler has started digging a whole under your fence in the backyard, make sure that the hole isnt big enough for your friends Shih Tzu to crawl through. If you think that the whole may become problematic, fill the whole before you host your party.
- At treat time, make sure that every puppy has his or her own treat. Also, allow each dogs guardian to give the treat to their respective dog.
- If you invite dogs that have not yet been spayed or neutered, make sure that you alert the parents of the other dogs at the party. Also, if you think that it is necessary, make sure that the parents of these dogs keep an especially close eye on their pet.
- Make sure to only provide treats that are deemed safe for dogs. If you are unsure about the dog toxicity of any of the treats that you want to give out at your party, consult your veterinarian. Also, it is a good idea to talk with the owners of the dog party guests beforehand to check if their dog is allergic to a particular food or ingredient.
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Dec 17, 2009 | | Dogs
Chew treats. You’ve probably given dozens of them to your dog and they love them. They clean their teeth and keep them occupied for hours. Its a perfectly harmless canine treat right? Wrong. Chew treats can harm or even kill your dog. If you are concerned about your dogs health read on.
Why are chew treats dangerous?
The two most popular kind of edible chew treats are those made of rawhide and those made from compressed vegetable protein. When your dog chews these treats, they may swallow large pieces of them. These pieces of chew treat cannot be digested by your pet and they can become lodged in their intestines. Intestinal blockages can kill your dog in hours. They can cause a condition called intestinal strangulation which is when blood flow is cut off to the intestines. The intestinal tissue then begins to die and rot.
How do I know if my dog has a blockage?
If your dog has a blockage, you may see some of the following symptoms. They may vomit, refuse to eat, regurgitate food, have diarrhea or abdominal pain. If your dog has any of these symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. If they get a blockage, it will not clear itself. They will require surgery.
Should I stop giving my dog chew treats?
You do not have to stop giving your dog chew treats altogether. You should however monitor the use of these treats. When you can not be around your pet, take the treats away. When your dog has worn the treats down into small pieces, replace them.
Remember, as a pet owner it is your responsibility to look after your dog’s health. We all love out pets and it would be a shame to lose them over something as simple as a chew treat. So keep a watchful eye on your pet and help them live a long and happy life.
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Dec 11, 2009 | | Dogs
Being well prepared before traveling with your Pit Bull is crucial to having a good trip, especially if he will be going on an airplane with you. There are several things you will need so that your Pit Bull is allowed to board the plane, and many things you should take care of before leaving.
When you call the airline to arrange your flight, you should go ahead and let them know then that your Pit Bull will be traveling with you. Different countries have different guidelines for pets, so your airline should be able to give you specific instructions depending on where you are planning to go. At this time, you should also find out what the airlines rules and regulations are, so that you can be prepared in advance. It is a good idea to call back around two weeks before your scheduled flight to make sure you have everything taken care of. Surprises at the last minute can delay your plans, or stop you from going altogether.
It is not required usually that your pet have a medical exam before flying with you, but it is a good idea, so that any potential problems can be taken care of by your own veterinarian. You will also need to get a certificate from your veterinarian regarding the health of your Pit Bull. There are different guidelines for these depending on where you are traveling to and what the airline mandates. Most require the certificate be dated no more than ten days before the flight. You shouldnt pack this paperwork, but rather keep it with you while on the plane.
To make sure you dont lose your Pit Bull, make sure he wears a collar and tag. The tag should have all of your contact information, the date of his last rabies vaccine, and his license. It is a good idea to also have a tag with the contact information for a friend that can be reached, just in case. Purchase a kennel that meets the airlines requirements, and make sure that you have identification on both the inside and outside of it, just as an extra precaution.
Anything that you put inside your Pit Bulls crate should be firmly attached to it. You should check with your airline to find out exactly what is allowed. Feed your Pit Bull around four hours before your estimated departure time, and take extra food and water with you, just in case you are late leaving the terminal.
If you take all the necessary precautions, and follow your airlines recommendations, traveling by airplane with your Pit Bull should be easy and enjoyable for you both.
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Nov 23, 2009 | | Dogs