Sunday, November 30, 2008

Curb Unecessary Dog Jumping

One of the few annoying things in life is visiting a friend or family member only to have their dog jump all over you. This is a familiar puppy habit that should straight away be broken in order to ensure yourself and your guests are not knocked over upon entering your home. Always remember that not all puppy habits are cute, this could sometimes become potentially harmful, especially if young children or old persons are knocked down and injured by your dog, no matter how harmless your dog may be at the time.

 

Jumping is a bad habit that can be broken quite without difficulty, knowing you use the correct training techniques each and every time. Same with all other types of training, the key to dog training is consistency. Inconsistency will only confuse your dog to your techniques. By keeping your training techniques consistent all the time, your dog will know the exact behavior that you expect, and to eliminate dog jumping behavior.

 

It is very unbecoming to abuse your dog physically in an attempt to train him. This is undesirable in all situations and can only make a wider gap between you and your dog. You are presenting yourself to be undependable with your dog when you abuse them, same as human beings, trust must be earned with dogs. Learn by heart to remember that the techniques used in this article are a far cry from abuse, but the line exists and should be cautiously observed. Having said that, there are two main techniques to training your dog not to jump, both methods of teaching your dog not to jump involve a command. Use commands like "no jump," but refrain from those like "down," that are oftentimes associated with the laying down command. This command should be given in a strong firm voice. No matter how frazzled you may be on account of your jumping dog, a strong and firm voice is the most effective way for your dog to understand your emotion. From this point onward, there are different techniques you can use with the command.

 

Few people find that holding the dog's front paws is a way to train a larger dog so that he cannot get down. This will only frustrate the dog and discourage him from jumping again. When your dog jumps inappropriately, use your command in a clear, firm voice. Then, clutch his front two legs and don't to let him down for a period of time, this take a couple seconds. Keep in mind that you are only discouraging him from jumping, and not trying to torture your dog. After a few more times, just use the command and see if the dog responds as it should be.

 

Another technique is to raise your knee as the dog begins his jump. Just raise your knee to lift your foot a couple of inches off the ground and do not thrust or knee your dog. Rather than jumping on your body, your dog will come up touching your raised knee and return to the ground. This technique is not abusive or cruel if done properly and will not physically harm your dog.

Insulated Dog Houses – Keep Your Dog Warm With a Warm Dog House

An insulated dog house keeps your pet warm and nice during the cold winter months. You wouldn´t want your dog to be shivering in the cold during the long winter months.

Most insulated doghouses are made from top quality wood. The most common material used is cedar wood since it can retain heat better and more resistance to word decay. There are several such insulated cedar wood dog houses for sale on the market these days and they aren´t very expensive either.

Another advantage of getting an insulated cedar dog house is that the roof can be easily removed. That way, it is a lot easier to clean the doghouse. You don´t have to crouch or flip the dog house in order to clean it.

Most insulated dog house do not put the door directly in the center. Rather, it is usually built off to one side. This keeps to keep the interior of the doghouse warmer and there are less heat being dissipated.

There are several types of insulated cedar doghouses on the market these days. Most major pet stores and retailers carry a variety of sizes as well from small to large cedar wood dog houses.

However, for extra large dog houses, you may need to custom order in advance since most pet stores don´t carry these. Alternatively, you might want to build a doghouse yourself since it can be cheaper than buying one.

There are also dog air conditioners that can fit into your doghouse for use in the summer months when it is warmer. The latest models have auto climate change monitors that constantly adjust the temperature depending on the climate so you don´t need to constantly change the thermostat.

If you love your dog and don´t want to see it get sick often, it is important to get your dog an insulated doghouse to protect it from the cold and the harsh winters.

Visit my site for more information on wooden dog house. Learn where to buy extra large cedar dog houses online.

Is It Better To Avoid Table Scraps In Your Dogs Diet?

We have all done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically grinning at us from beneath the kitchen table. Their ears are perked and their tail is wagging. We know what our dog wants. Just a small tidbit from dinner would be fabulous, right? What could it hurt? It is just a bite or 2 after all.

Hold Fido's ears he will not wish to hear this. A dogs diet really should not contain table scraps. People food is just that...for people. A dogs nutritionary needs are not the like as a humans. Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet food from the table is one of the worst mistakes for your pet. A dogs diet does not need all the added goodies we add into our meals.

People have often have weight problems like obesity. Well a dog can have this problem as well. If your dogs diet involves mostly table scraps, then the prospects are that your dog will not keep a healthy weight. Even a few pounds over weight can make a great difference in the quality of health and length of your pets life.

When you have a dog who is not a choosey eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in your home, but truly, this is not a good idea. Particular people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dogs diet. Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death. Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog. Allowing significant quantities of chocolate can be dangerous in a dogs diet.

A poor diet even shows up out in the yard. When your dogs diet is not at its best, your pets outputs will be bigger in size, smell, and mess. The benefits of selecting a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pets health, as well as, during those walks round the block.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be fine, but never in excess. Talk to your veterinary about healthy snacks for your dogs diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, numerous veterinaries recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between regular feeding times. Supplying your pet these healthy options to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to select a healthy and nutritious snack for your dogs diet.

So, the next time your beloved pet starts eyeing your grub, redirect his or her attention. Do not reach for your fatty steak or chicken leg. Instead, toss your sidekick a cool, refreshing ice cube to bat around and crunch on.  A couple of baby carrots will keep Fido happy and leave you feeling good about your choices for the nutritional value of your dogs diet. You will know that you are doing your best to maintain a high quality diet for your pet.

For further Free information on Glucosamine In A Dogs Diet be sure to visit Free Dog Diet Tips....

How Treats Affect Your Dogs Diet

Most people just do not know the importance of choosing a healthy dog diet. They do not take the time or make the effort to consult there trusted vet about a healthy and nutritious dog diet. It is important to know, even is you use dried food, canned dog food, or make it yourself, that you are most probably not supplying your dog with a vitamin rich healthy diet.

Most people give there pet a treat to chew, such a rawhide one, these given in moderation are fine. But you also need to consider, that any treat you give your pet, is a part of your dogs diet and therefore will have an effect in your pets health. The question you need to ask yourself is, do you give your pet to many treats?

What type of treats you give your pet makes i big difference to there diet. One of the worst things that can be done, is to give table scraps or junk food to your pet. Junk food that you eat becomes junk food for your pet. Also a mistake that can easily be made is to give your pet what is considered as healthy food for humans. Why? Because being healthy food for humans does not necessarily mean it is healthy food for your dog.

A good example of this is raisins, they are healthy for us, but can be extremely detrimental to the health of your dog. You should always try, when giving treats or it is snack time for your pet to make sure it is a healthy one.

Rawhide treats often spark controversy. Some vets and pet owners feel they are not a healthy treat for your pet. While others feel that rawhide treats are good for the dental health of your dog as well as supplying them with some amusement. As always when in doubt you should consult your vet for there opinion . If you do decide to include rawhides in your dogs diet, do so in moderation. If they are not given in moderation they can cause thin stools.

For the most part, dogs don't care if you give them a baby carrot, rawhide chew, or a milk bone, they are just happy to receive a snack. If you do provide various treats during the course of the day, then you may need to consider altering your dogs diet, this will help avoid obesity in your pet. Giving your pet to many treats may be fun for your dog and you, but the downside of this can be serious health problems.

Such treats as, Ice cubes, small bits of apple, and baby carrots are terrific healthy treat ideas for you to consider when choosing a healthy diet for your dog.  These treats will make little difference overall to your pets diet and this way, you will be able to focus solely on the food that is consumed during there mealtime.  Your dogs diet needs to be healthy one, this will ensure a long and happy life for your pet.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Coupons For Dog Food - Saves You Money

While one may know of people that have only one pup in their care, most have more than one. Several even own five or six. Dogs are amazing companions to their owners, but they can be much more content if they have at least one of the canine family that lives near them. They also seem to keep each other company when their people are away, or when their handlers simply do not have the time to be with them. Having more than one dog may be a good idea and enjoyable, but it could well be that you have to keep an eye out for dog food online coupons so that providing for them all won't leave you broke.

Look for dog food coupons that are quite often found in the inserts that come with your newspaper. It's possible that these coupons will not be for your preferred dog food brands, but there is a very good chance you can save you some money. While you might have a favorite brand of food, you may want to find some others that are just as good for your babies so that you can expand your options when you want to use coupons for dog food therefore saving cash on feeding your four legged friends.

It can also be a good idea to look on the Internet to find dog food coupons. It's possible you might even find offers for free food from different dog food suppliers. They can give away samples - that can at times be very large - so that you get to try them out on your pets for yourself. These dog food companies would be looking that your canines will really go for their brand, and that you will continue to buy from them from then on out. It might be worth your while to take advantage of these offers for free foods, and you may just find a brand that your dogs like more than the dog food that you currently give them. Along with that, they may offer you yet more dry dog food coupons if you join their offers mailing list either in snail mail or email.

Close by you'll find other places for coupons for dog food that you can try out. One can ask the veterinarian for dog food coupons, though it may be worth noting veterinarians usually only stock the more expensive brands of dog food. Keep an eye out for mail flyers from pet food stores, even if they are stores where you commonly do not get your dog food. Be on the lookout for discounts by finding a depot, or a dog food company that has a nearby department store.

Case Study on Dog Whining Behavior

Toby and Josie are two Doberman Pinschers that have grown up in a pleasant suburban home together. The owner, Ms. Vicky, has no objection about the behaviors of the two dogs, with the exception of the fact that they whine incessantly. Seeing as her prince and princess do not have any aggressive tendencies, are not territorial, and do not have any other bad habits, she has overlooked this dog whining issue for years. But, years have passed and the whining progressed into impatiently annoying and Ms. Vicky started to think why the two frequently whine.

In an effort to stop this behavior, she used her time to find the root of the problem. Dogs whine for a lot of reasons, including pain, fear, or boredom. In this phase , she thought that the cause of the whining was probably boredom, but she also felt that the other reasons should not be completely ruled out and so she decided to seek for the expert’s opinion. Toby and Josie’s owner brought the pair to the vet's office to get more information about the situation. The veterinarian believed that the dog whining behavior stemmed from Toby and Josie being left alone for a large portion of the day while Ms. Vicky was at work. Although Toby and Josie were placed outdoors, so they can play, do their business, and exercise at will, the pair was still lonely. Given that this behavior has never been checked, the dogs have acquired the habit as a sympathy ploy to get what they want. The Miss established this thought and the next step of breaking the habit began.

First of all , Toby and Josie were noticeably not okay with their current condition of being left alone during the morning. To make her dearly loved prince and princess happier, Vicky hired a pet sitter who comes in twice a day to walk, pet, and play with Toby and Josie. Despite the fact that the whining was still present, they’ve observed that the two dogs seem to be much happier when their owner returns from work. If Ms. Vicky didn’t allowed this whining problem to continue for such a long period of time and corrected the problem sooner, this new arrangement would have likely ended the whining altogether.

Meanwhile, the owner has started implementing the new training command for Toby and Josie. Every time any of the dog whines, she firmly states "no whine". She gives this command with a quick squirt of water from a spray bottle to get the dog's attention. Once the dog stops whining, the Miss lavishes it with praises and treats. Once the dog stops whining, the Miss lavishes it with praises and treats. Certainly, activities like going outside cannot be punished , since many dogs whine when they need to take a poo.

This training method coupled with the hiring of a pet sitter has drastically changed the whining condition with Toby and Josie. Now, neither dog whines to get what they want! Furthermore, Miss Vicky finds the situation a great deal less stressful on both her and the dogs. If you too are experiencing a similar situation, consider following this case study to help break your dogs from whining. Keep in mind that pain or uneasiness is a viable motive for whining, so visit your veterinarian to guarantee your dog is in top health. Best of Luck! Cheers!

Study of Dog Food Aggression

A roughly year old Great Dane named Biscuit was adopted by the Scott family because the dog’s previous owners are due to relocate. Two Golden Retrievers are to share their home with Biscuit at the Scott’s house. Biscuit did not exhibit any type of aggression problem at his previous owner, however, recent aggressive behavior involving food had been observed by the Scotts. All throughout the day, out of partiality to the owner, the dogs are fed on a no specific schedule. Biscuit habitually stands guard over the food saucers and declines to let the other dogs eat, although each dog has an individual saucer of food and munches the exact same diet.

With any treats that are given to every dog or over the their food saucer, Biscuit’s behavior has progressed to comprise aggressiveness. The retrievers were bullied into giving their treats out of fear by the Dane. The Golden Retrievers developed nervous habits and are quickly becoming scared of Biscuit. For the fear that the Dane might return and become aggressive, the dogs are now hesitant to eat even when Biscuit is separated from them. The Dane has not attacked the Golden Retrievers or its owner but at this point, the condition might escalate into an assault.

Disallowing access to the food throughout the day and accustomed special feedings had the Scotts control and stop aggressive dog behavior. The Scotts have isolated the dogs during these feeding times. In addition, several water dishes have been placed all throughout the house and the patio so that the single water dish cannot be guarded by Biscuit. Moreover, the dogs are uncertain to eat even when Cisco is separated from them for fear the Dane might return and become aggressive. To get rid of the fear in the retrievers, these changes have done little to totally stop aggressive dog behavior.

After several failed changes, to seek help from the veterinary behaviorist would be the best option. This professional provided recommendation on how to stop dog food aggression which started with the Scotts establishing themselves as the "alpha male" of the group. If Biscuit displays improper behavior the Scott family does not provide food for Biscuit during feeding time, until he acts appropriately. The Scotts biggest concern is to put a stop to Biscuit’s aggression with food. The behaviorist suggests the Scotts use a physical barricade to prevent Biscuit from getting the food in order to stop aggressive dog behavior with the other dogs regarding food.

It is more easily said than done to achieve physical barrier method because of Biscuit’s bulky size. Normally, a smaller dog can be absolutely blocked from his saucer by the owner's body. But when Biscuit demonstrates aggression, the vet instructed usage of box to cover the saucer. When these unsuitable behaviors surfaced, the saucer should be covered until the dog ceases. Once the aggression stops, the dog should be given access and the saucer should be uncovered.

Without signs of aggression, Biscuit can now share feeding time with his companion dogs. And without fear of being bitten or attacked, the family can now take treat or food saucer from the dog. Biscuit acquired exceptional development from his food aggression and is once again the cheerful, playful Great Dane he once was.

How To Welcome A Teacup Puppy Into Your Home

In this day and age w

hen things just seems to be getting smaller a teacup puppy may not be such a novel creature after all. Times were when an entire room had to be set apart in order to accommodate the early versions of computers. Now-a-days these same computers can be put on laps and still provide as much computing power as the early large sized computers. Some people have taken such a liking to small objects that their desires have turned into a fetish. From micro-utilities to the teacup puppy there are many options available.

Today, people want to own pets that are very petite and so the market for teacup puppy has gone up while that for bulldogs as well as German Shepherds has come down. Many households in America are now populated by Teacup Chihuahuas even though such miniature sized puppies are not going to scare away any robbers.

A teacup puppy is sure to be very cute, adorable and loving and certainly a whole lot different from other types of puppies. However, there are dangers to bringing home a teacup puppy and in the case of the Teacup Chihuahua there are many health problems to contend with as well. In addition, these miniature sized puppies also require to be taken good care of and you will need to also have them treated by vets (licensed) for presence of liver as well as thyroid problems. Furthermore, small sized dogs might have blood sugar problems and will also suffer from problems with their breathing.

Injuries too can commonly plague a teacup puppy and sometimes there is grave danger that an especially bulky person might accidentally sit or harm such puppies. However, most teacup puppies are resilient though it is still necessary to ensure that the puppies do not break their bones accidentally. The small size of a teacup puppy makes them quite readily accessible to their owners and this is an endearing feature that makes these puppies especially most loved by everyone in the family.

In complete contrast to a teacup puppy the boxer puppy is different kettle of fish altogether. Contrary to popular conception however, raising a boxer is quite easy and not as difficult as people generally think.

Before bringing home a teacup puppy you should ensure having bought all the necessary supplies and this means buying a crate, some chews and plenty of food as well. With these items on hand you can ensure that the entry of your teacup puppy into your home will be friendly and he will also get off to a good start and will get to appreciate his new surroundings.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Dog Training Commands

Having a dog that will come to you when it's called is always nice and comforting. In fact, it is more than nice. It is a basic requirement. To have a dog with you also keep you away from dangerous situations. But is your dog is properly trained? Do you fall into this category?

  • Does your dog embarrass you in public?
  • Does your dog chew, bark, or whine excessively?
  • Is your dog aggressive towards other dogs or people?

Thus this is the time to start his obedience training. Well, if you have not started the dog obedience training process yet there is nothing to worry. It can be started from now on also.

The perfect age to start any training from is usually eight months. That is when puppies are mature enough to get the hang of everything. All you need is the right kind of approach that you should have to nail anything that you start with. One reason for doing the basic dog obedience training is to build a framework from which the owner and the dog can learn to effectively rehearse with each other. First, you can start the obedience training by establishing a general language for both of you. In return, this will train your dog to understand the exact response manner that you await instead of his maladaptive traits.

Hand signals on obedience dog training

Hand signals on dog obedience training we practice commonly used basic commands. Obedience training ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as "sit", "come", and "stay". Some other dog commands are: fetch, lie down, roll over, bark, beg, come, sniff, wag, bark, scratch etc. Dog obedience training starts first with sit and come training. Make sure that it pays attention to your commands and not get distracted.

It is advisable to combine verbal command with hand signals to enhance your pet’s knowledge about it. They will soon respond to either verbal or hand signal once they learn to relate your hand signal with the desired action.

One of the basic commands is the sit command. There are several methods of teaching your dog to sit. The best way to train a dog in this command is perhaps to say sit to the dog and then push it down a little bit. As dogs do not know what you are talking about and they can get your language the best way to go about it is to show it to him exactly what you mean. After a little while the dog will finally understand that by saying the word sit you actually mean sit.

Once your dog learns to sit the next command will be the stay command. Put your dog in the sit position at your left side. Move your right foot a quarter of a turn and tell him STAY in a firm voice. Do not use his name in this lesson. Move back where you were after a couple of seconds and praise. Gradually repeat this exercises turning with more steps until you can stand right in front of him while he stays. Always praise him after you return to your original position. Repeat this every day for a week until he is reliable

Come command is another command that people like to teach their dog. This command is another easy one to teach. Just hold a treat in your hand and run away from the dog. He will start chasing you which is when you let him catch up and give him a treat. Make sure to praise him with a head pat too! The come command is handy when your dog is off a leash in a park or on the beach.

Fetch is a simple command and is taught easily to puppies but is not beyond the grasp of older dogs as well. One of the basic methods of training the fetch command is using two toys in a bait and switch routine. The toys must be identical and something the dog enjoys playing with. Starting with the dog on a leash or a halter, hide one of the toys on your person and throw the other a short distance after showing it to your pet. Release the dog from the leash and say “fetch” or whatever cue word you choose. The dog will chase after the toy and, most likely, will pick it up.

Other than these there are other basic dog training command like heel, down, roll, no, drop, leave which can be taught to the dog to make you proud of him. You can easily teach your dog all the basic commands but most Important Is that you have fun with your dog. A happy dog will always be the dog that responds to your every command. Have a fun day with your dog!

 

Friday, November 28, 2008

Your Dogs Diet Should It Contain More Fatty Acid?

All of us have done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from below the kitchen table. Their ears are perked and their tail is waggling. We know what our dog wants. Just a wee tidbit from dinner would be delicious, right? What could it hurt? It is just a snack or two after all.

Hold Fido's ears he will not want to hear this. A dogs diet actually should not contain table scraps. Our food is just that...for people. A dogs nutritional demands are not the same as a humans. For certain, we eat some of the identical things, but feeding your pet food from the table is one of the worst mistakes for your pet. A dogs diet does not want all the added goodies we put into our meals.

Individuals have often have weight problems like obesity. Well a dog can have this problem also. If your dogs diet involves for the most part table scraps, then the chances are that your dog will not keep a healthy weight. Even a a couple of pounds over weight can make a large difference in the quality of health and length of your pets life.

When you have a dog that is not to choosey what it eats, it can be very easy to let your pet become your garbage disposal at home, but actually, this is a really bad idea. Certain foods we eat can harm your dog and thus should never be considered to be part of your dogs diet. Grapes are one example, grapes have been known to cause serious problems for dogs. Chicken bones can also be a problem for your dog. Large quantities of chocolate can be very dangerous if permitted in a dogs diet.

When your dogs diet is not the best you can give it, then your pets outputs will be larger in size, smell, and mess. You will see the benefits of selecting a healthy diet for your dog, as you will notice that your pet is healthier and happier.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be ok, but never in excess. Talk to your vet about healthy snacks for your dogs diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, numerous veterinarians recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between scheduled feeding times. Providing your pet these healthy options to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to select a healthy and nutritious snack for your dogs diet.

The next time your pet starts eyeing your food, what you need to do is redirect their attention. Do not use your table scraps. Instead give your dog a refreshing ice cube to munch on. A baby carrot will keep your dog happy and make you feel good about the right selections you have made for the nutritional value of your dogs diet. If you follow these steps, you will know that you are doing your best to give pet a high quality diet.

For more Free information on Calcium In Your Dogs Diet be sure to visit Free Dog Diet Tips..

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Going For The Free Puppy Adoption

While the best place to pick up a new puppy is always the pound because those pups are facing being put down, it is certainly not a free puppy adoption. There are fees involved with getting a puppy from the pound so you need to be prepared to have anywhere from fifty to one hundred dollars to take a puppy home from the pound. Whether it is a free pug puppy you are looking for or any other free puppy would work for you, you are going to have to look elsewhere besides the pound if you are looking for a truly free puppy adoption.

There are a lot of ways to get a new pet through a free puppy adoption but if you are wanting to go the free route because you do not have a penny to your name then adopting a dog may not be the best thing for you or the dog at this point in time. This is because puppies and dogs cost a lot of money and they will need a lot of care which means keeping up on their shots and having them groomed on a regular basis. If you are going for the free puppy adoption because you do not have the money to buy a dog, then you really cannot afford to raise one.

Where To Look For That Special Dog

If you can truly afford to care for the pet properly but you just prefer the free puppy adoption as opposed to paying for a dog, then by all means, go for the free puppy. Once you know that you are for sure ready to bring a new pet into your home, then you can start searching out the places that offer free puppy adoption. The classifieds are generally the best way to go about finding free puppy adoption. A lot of people are willing to share their puppies with the world with no cost involved. Check the online classifieds, as well as there are many people who only post on the web instead of going through the paper.

There are also a lot of flyers or advertisements placed on bulletin boards of grocery stores, department stores, and especially pet stores where there are pups up for free puppy adoption. Once you find the puppy that you want you will want to act ask as adorable puppies always go fast. And they go even faster when it is a free puppy adoption being offered as so many people are looking for the same thing as you.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Looking For The Perfect Free Puppy

There are so many reasons to bring a new puppy into the home that the list could go on and on forever. The thing is though, while the decision to pick up a free puppy may be an easy one, picking just the right one is much harder. Whether it is a free yorkie puppy or a mutt that has no real idea what blood is in it, there are many reasons to pick certain dogs. The free puppy is the puppy that more and more people should concentrate on getting instead of paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for dogs. There are so many animals out there that are in need of good homes and people will pass them right up because they would rather spend money then take home a loving, well-mannered, free puppy.

The great thing about the free puppy is that these animals are normally mixed breeds, which mean your dog may be very close to being one of a kind. While you would think that being unique would be worth money, it is not. But the love and compassion that comes from the free puppy is just as good as any other puppy that you would buy from the pet store or from a breeder. Before you think about spending all of your hard earned money on a dog, you should consider taking advantage of all of the little puppies that are in need of a good and safe home.

Where To Find The Free One

While the pound is an excellent place to get puppies, you will have to pay a small fee. This is not a purchase price for the puppy as the puppy itself is free but they usually make you pay to make sure that the puppy is up to date on its shots and the pounds do usually require that the puppy be spayed or neutered. So while there would be a little bit of out of pocket money for picking up a puppy from the pound, it is better to get one of those then the regular free puppy because those are facing their death.

If you really want to get a free puppy that absolutely is not going to cost you anything upfront, then you need to start searching through your local paper as there are always a free puppy or two in there that people are wanting to find good and decent homes for. The free puppy can also be found by searching online classified ads under the pet or animal sections. When it comes down to it, the free puppy is something easy to find and easy to fall in love with.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Train your Dog to Stop from Jumping

While puppyhood would be the best time to start training, educating your dog to stop jumping can be taught to all ages of dogs. Start in on by training your dog not to jump on people, also consider buying instructional books, enrolling them in a dog obedience class, or get aid from a professional. The most vital aspect is to be tolerant when it comes to controlling the jumping manners amongst dogs. Just like people, dogs too become skilled at at their own speed.

 

With no a professional help, the best thing to do is to look for Dog Training books or instructional videos if you are considering training your dog to stop from jumping on people, which has expert chapters for obedience or a specific topic. You can even check online websites for the said things.

 

Need more help? Then hire a professional dog trainer. Although more expensive than doing it on-your-own, for sure, you can get valuable advices about your concerns, along with any other behavioral issues.

 

Exasperating would be the exact word to describe training your dog to stop jumping, but remember that your dog is only trying to get close to you and is agitated for your arrival. Thus, dog behavior like this would need to be discouraged as it can be risky for kids or elderly people. But always check first the status of your dog’s behavior just before you enroll your dog in an obedience class.

 

Sit. Stay. Without a doubt, these commands will work just fine for training dogs to stop jumping. Once accomplished, the idea of initially seeing them jump excitedly will be eliminated. Order "stay" when you first enter the room, and gesture them it’s okay for them to approach you. After that, their excitement will have mellowed down a little. But you also need to have patience and acknowledge that every dog responses differently to training.

 

Try grabbing their paws and let go of them gently on the ground when your dog jumps up on you. While doing this, command "No" or "No jump," any of the two would work perfectly with your dog training strategy. Keep in mind to constantly reiterate the same phrase when it comes to curbing the jumping so that your pet will acknowledge and recognize its importance.

 

Reward is vital in dog training, so compensate your beloved dog if they don't jump on you when you arrive home and give kind praise on them. Not only they will feel good but they will be more apt to learn by heart the deeds you taught them.

How to Keep Chickens

With many people reverting back to the good old days of growing your own veg and keeping your own chickens for eggs, some folks are asking me "what types of chickens can I keep that my children will be safe with and will make good pets"

It is a sure fact that some breeds of hen are not suitable for keeping as both pets and for eggs however, there is one breed that is both full of charater and will keep you in eggs throughout the year.

The Rhode Island Red:

Rhode Island Reds are a good breed to choose if you want to keep a small flock of dual-purpose chickens. They are great for both egg production and also as pets.

The average hen lays large brown eggs and is also very freiendly so long as they are given teh chance to get to know you. Once you have them used to you they will let you stroke them, pick them up and generally fuss over them - in fact they love to have their feathers stroked.

The hens lay an average of about 260 eggs per year which is an ample amount to keep you in a small business if you have more than a couple of them. The Cock is NOT suitable - only hens as the Cock will be aggressive and noisy (and obviously does not lay eggs).

The Rhode Island Red is one of the most popular breeds but it is also one of the more recently developed breeds as well. It got its name from being bred and developed in Rhode Island in the 1830s but it was also developed in Massachusetts. It’s breeding is a combination of Brown Leghorns, Cochins and Malays. It gets it’s deep rich red color from the Malay influence in its breeding.

You can get more information about keeping chickens from www.chickenkeepers.co.uk

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Where to go to Buy a Puppy

There is really no animal cuter than a puppy. They are just so little and small, with their tiny noses and little wagging tails. They are especially great if you have younger children in the home, because they will play with them and you can take the puppy to the park and play Frisbee with him.

If you have decided that you want to buy a puppy, of course you are going to need to know where you can go to buy a puppy, the best ideas which will be discussed here in more detail for you where to buy a puppy.

Pound

Of course you can go to a breeder if you are particular, but a much better idea is to go to a pound if you want to buy a puppy. This is for a couple of important reasons, one being that when you go to a breeder they are simply adding to the overpopulation of dogs around the world, whereas if you go and get one from the pound, you are helping a poor dog that has nowhere else to go.

There are just as cute puppies at a pound as you would get from a breeder, only you know you are doing good, especially since most dogs at a pound will be put to sleep after a certain period of time if no one takes them.

Internet

Although going to a pound or shelter to buy a puppy is typically the best idea, there are other options available as well. For instance you can actually use the Internet and buy a puppy online. This would be very useful if you wanted to get a puppy from the other side of the world for instance, or even just if there were no puppies available in your town and so you wanted to look for puppies in another city or state.

Just make sure that you are careful with the breeders you are dealing with when you try to buy a puppy on the Internet, because there are a lot of scam artists out there. You are also going to want to make sure that the puppy is healthy and in good condition, otherwise they may end up having behavioral problems that can be difficult to almost impossible to deal with and fix.

No matter where you decide to get your puppy from, the most important thing is that you take care of him and show him how much you love him.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Know Which Kind Of Puppy For Sale Ads To Respond To

With many hundreds of different dog breeds to choose from and thousands of different personalities as well to have to deal with, you will have your hands full locating an ideal puppy and your efforts will require doing more than simply browsing dog breeders that offer puppy for sale. To get the best deal in regard to your puppy you need to do a lot of research and you should also look beyond appearances when checking out a puppy for sale advertisement.

Looks Are Great, But Not Everything

Looks are great but they are not everything because you will also need to ascertain the prospective puppy’s behavior and other breed characteristics. So, before you start your hunt for a puppy and before responding to puppy for sale ads you need to find a reliable source where the complete breed profile facts will be given. Next, you need to be sure that the breed that you chose is compatible with your personality and lifestyle.

Having done this preparatory work you can then begin your search for puppy for sale breeders or ads and you should also use the keyword “puppy for sale” when making online searches. In addition, you will need to check out local sources within your city where puppies are being sold or given away. It also pays to compile a complete list of dog breeders that sell the type of dog breed that you wish to own. In addition, you must also check how passionate the breeder is in caring for the breed and a breeder that puts up more than a few different dog breed puppy for sale is to be avoided. Passionate breeders generally are known to only deal in one or two different dog breeds.

Having found a suitable puppy for sale advertisement you then need to check things such as the puppy’s health and his temperament. Also, you need to get a health guarantee in writing from the breeder and finally, you must also check the parentage of the puppy. It pays to avoid dealing with puppy mills as well as puppy brokers as too backyard breeders who put up puppy for sale advertisements with the sole objective of earning a profit and so will generally not pay too much attention to safeguarding the breed’s standard.

If you have decided on buying or bringing home a teacup puppy you should then also learn a few things that will ensure that this breed thrives in your home. By ensuring that you only respond to puppy for sale advertisements from reputable breeders you will be assured of getting the best puppy and you will also find that the puppy you bring home is trusting, confident as well as easy to train.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Puppy Training: The Earlier, The Better

In the good old days, puppy training began only after one’s pet had reached six months of age and it was also not uncommon for trainers to suggest that the training not begin before the pet had reached one year of age. Now-a-days, people that bring home a puppy will get started with training them soon after a couple of months have passed and they feel that these first few months are in fact critical to imparting proper puppy training.

Natural Curiosity

Today, puppies are starting to be taught new things at a very young age and their natural curiosity and willingness to learn means that puppy training can be begun at an early age. Another factor working in favor of early puppy training is that with no other experiences to distract him the puppy will be able to learn faster when his training is begun at an early age.

Young puppies are more amenable to learning and accepting new ways of behaving and so will profit from early training. The most important thing however is ensuring that you impart puppy training in a humane manner and foreswear use of force unless absolutely necessary.

It is not necessary that you impart puppy training only when the puppy is aware of being trained because at every possible opportunity you should try and teach him acceptable behavior. However, it is a desired idea to ensure that you have the puppy’s undivided attention before imparting this kind of training.

You could begin the puppy training by first of all teaching your puppy how to sit and a simple method that you can employ in this regard would be to first get your pet’s attention and then by gently placing your hands above the puppy’s head coax him into sitting. Repeat the command “Sit” over and over again till your pup understands what is being taught.

Other facets of puppy training include teaching your puppy to lie down when commanded to do so and to also get him to understand the meaning of the “come” command. Repetition is the key to success with puppy training and this is something you should never forget.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that puppies will learn at an early age and so you can forget the traditional way of thinking and get started with proper and early puppy training to ensure that you puppy learns to obey from a very early age.

Unlike when teaching young children how to eliminate in the toilet, using a potty is not necessary when imparting puppy potty training to your newly acquired pet dog. It is sufficient that you start building up a bond with him and the main purpose of puppy training should be to help build confidence between pet and his owner. The training must be fun for you as well as for your pet and it should be given in settings that promote relaxation rather than in tense and charged up situations.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

How to Curb Dog Digging

If walking through your yard has already become treacherous due to the number of holes your dogs have put in your yard, then you need to learn to eliminate dog digging. Dogs dig for a lot of reasons like anxiety, a desire to escape, or it can also be their way to defend themselves from other elements. You should understand why your dog is digging and learn effective versus ineffective techniques on how to stop dog digging.

 

First, it is important that in order to get your dogs to stop digging, you must AVOID punishments during the trainings. Things might only get worse! Dogs do not have good reasoning. If anybody tells you that punishment is the right way to stop dogs from digging, they do not comprehend that your dogs might rebel and just dig when his all alone. Learning to get to the root of the behavior will do more in keeping your dogs from digging, because you will be able to change the circumstances to fit your needs while maintaining the respect and love of your dog.

 

In trying to keep your dogs, you may want to start off simply by taking your dogs for regular walks. A lot of digging behavior comes out of boredom or a need to get rid of extra energy. Taking your dogs for walks or taking time to actively play with your dog can be effective to learn how to stop dog digging .

 

That same release of energy your dog needs bring about the next piece of advice on how to stop dog digging. Keeping your dog active when you are not around is imperative to stopping the digging behavior. Get toys that can keep them busy all throughout the day. There are a number of active toys on the market that can help stimulate your dogs physically and mentally so that digging is no longer needed as an activity.

 

The next thing you can do to stop dog digging is to put up a barrier to inhibit digging in specific areas. If your dog is always digging up your flowerbed or vegetable garden, but does not bother to dig anywhere else, then you may want to put up a small fence in that area. You can also use a sprinkler. Who says that cats are the only pets who avoid getting wet? Astonishingly, dogs usually do not like to get wet too, so when you see your dog heading for your tomatoes, turn on the sprinkler.

 

Allowing your pet to have alternatives is another way to control your dog from digging in other areas of your backyard. Giving your dog alternatives is another way to stop him from digging in other areas of your yard. You can also offer your beloved pet a sandbox or a corner of the yard where he can just dig away, well, which is if none of these methods work. Build the area that will be exclusively his then hide several treats under, HE WILL LOVE IT!! Through this method your dog will then learn the specific area with such treats is only the place where digging is okay.

 

Finally, a not so pleasant way to stop dogs from digging is to put a little of his solid dog waste in each digging hole. Surprising as it may seem, the waste will deter your dog from continuing to dig holes in the yard. It may not sound like the most uncomfortable way to stop dogs from digging, but it truly does work!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Chihuahua Puppy Care: How to Prepare

Chihuahua puppy care, like any new puppy care, can be a hassle if you don’t make the right preparations and learn about what to do prior to bringing your puppy home.  Chihuahuas are a particularly tricky breed to take care of since they are hard to house train and are so small and fragile.

What to Buy for Your Chihuahua Prior to His Homecoming

In Chihuahua puppy care it is important to buy an exercise pen or crate where you can leave your Chihuahua when you can’t supervise him.  Also have a stash of newspapers ready as well as a litter box or potty pads.House training a Chihuahua can get messy.  Purchase a collar and leash, food and water bowls, a Chihuahua care and training book, and chewing toys.  Furthermore, make sure to puppy-proof your home by not leaving any electrical cords exposed. 

The Most Difficult Part of Chihuahua Puppy Care: House Training

Small puppies frequently eliminate.They are like babies and cannot hold it in and they will often do it without warning.  In Chihuahua puppy care, it is important to constantly supervise your puppy so he is not running around the house alone.That is what the exercise pen or crate is for. 
In Chihuahua puppy care, the more you let your dog have accidents, the more difficulty you will have housetraining your puppy.Chihuahua puppies have the desire to eliminate after a nap, after they eat, and after playing.  Chihuahuas show that they need to eliminate when they circle and sniff the ground so if you notice that kind of behavior or know it’s around time for your puppy to eliminate, take him to the potty pad or litter box.If you see your puppy squatting, make sure to take him to the right place. 
It is important in Chihuahua puppy care not to punish your puppy for eliminating in the wrong place because it is your responsibility to constantly supervise him.  If you can’t supervise him, put him in his playpen with his food and bed on one end and the potty bad or litter box on the other.Chihuahua puppies naturally have the desire not to eliminate where they sleep and eat so they will go to the litter box or potty pad to eliminate.When your puppy eliminates in the right place, reward him for doing so in the correct spot!

Feeding in Chihuahua Puppy Care

Chihuahuas have higher metabolisms than other breeds so it’s important to feed only premium dog foods.Don’t worry that you’ll have to spend a lot of money on food because Chihuahuas eat very little.  Young puppies need a free supply of dry food available to prevent hypoglycemia but when they become adults, feeding twice a day is sufficient.Always provide water in a sturdy container but not large enough so that the puppy can fall in.Avoid feeding your Chihuahua human foods because many of them can be toxic and dangerous.  It is important to buy a tube of Nutri-cal before you puppy comes home to prevent hypoglycemia. 
As you can probably gather, Chihuahua puppy care is a lot of work.  If you have the kind of schedule that would force you to leave your Chihuahua alone for long periods, it is better for you not to get one.Chihuahuas need constant supervision and to be carefully taken care of to prevent health problems and other issues.  However, if you have the time and patience for Chihuahua puppy care and you like small dogs, a Chihuahua may be your perfect companion!

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Discover Fun Personalized Leather Dog Collars

A great way to keep your pet safe and appearing handsome is to get a personalized leather dog collar for him or her to wear. Leather collars are tough and can take aggressive usage. By having your dogs name and your phone number to the leather collar you could help keep your pet safe if their tags were to get lost.

Ways to Customize A Leather Dog Collar

The most familiar type of personalization you will likely see on a leather dog collar is the pets name. By personalizing a leather dog collar with your pets name you help to identify your dog while giving your pet a fashionable collar to strut about in at the same time. The embossing of a name onto a leather collar is pretty standard. For a little more detail you might consider having the outline of the embossing painted to make it stand out more or to add a little extra panache.

Spikes can had a touch of personality to your animals leather collar.There are a lot of sizes of spikes to fit your animals leather collar.Just make sure you select a size that will not disrupt your animal's day to day routine.There are also a varsity of studs to attach to a leather collar. Flat studs, star studs, round gemstone studs.

If you plan to put studs or spikes on yourdogs leather dog collar make sure tocheck the back side of the collar. You'll want to be sure there is nothing sharp that might do damage to your dog’s neck. Look for the backside of the collar to have a another layer over it that hides where the studs and spikes were attached to the leather collar.

Try embossing your animals name onto a leather collar and then adding a few star studs. Design a personalized rhinestone dog collar by adding a few rhinestone studs to the collar.You can even create a custom theme for your dogs collar. Have a cowboy theme embossed on your pets collar or a selection of flowers. Try embossing the logo of your favorite sports team onto the collar, or create a crazy pattern of your own for your pets collar.

Many options are out there to design just the right personalized leather dog collar to help show your dog’s attitude.

Dog Obedience Training

Three Principles on Dog Obedience Training

Even dogs with some of the best well breeding or dogs that are well adapted to humans still need some basic obedience training, because these skills are not something they pick up on their own. To be successful in obedience training you need to understand the differences between effective and non-effective training techniques. Principles to Learn:

First Principle: CONSISTANCY

Consistency is the first basic rule in effective dog training. This covers the use of words, tone, and the actions that accompany the word or command. During the beginning of the training, the trainer or the dog owner must decide what should be the parameters of training, such as what and how you are going to teach the dog.

For example saying the word "come", does not make any sense to a dog. It is only reasonable to conclude if he does not understand the way humans are, then he does not understand our language. So to make the training understandable, you should use the command in a very consistent manner so that the dog will learn to associate the word with the meaning you attach with it.

Another example would be, if you are using the command "come", make sure that everyone in the household use it in a same type of manner. When using the word command, "Come", you should work with the dog to understand this means to approach the giver of the command. So if you are using this command make it a point not to do actions that would make the command confusing for the dog.

If he does not come to you, do not force the dog to come to you and then punish him for doing so. Otherwise, this would make him attribute the command with the punishment. He will not follow the same command since in his mind, he remembers it will lead to punishment.

Consistency also covers the use of the same dog commands by all people. For example, if you are using the command "come", other people in the household should not replace it with words like "here" or, "come here boy".

Principle Two: KEEP IT SHORT

The hours devoted to training and the words used as command should be kept short. Keep in mind that the attention span of dogs is very short and that getting them engrossed with a specific activity can be very hard, if not impossible. Puppies usually react to a specific stimulus, but not for a very long time, they may begin to chase a moving toy, and quickly lose interest, then move on to the next thing.

They simply don’t possess the same amount of interest they had when they started the activity and they become easily bored. They also often become board during training and that is why it’s best to limit the time to 10 - 15 minutes a day.

Principle Three: DO NOT USE FORCE and PUNISHMENT

Never hurt the dog if you want him to be acceptable to being trained. You should absolutely never punish a dog just because he did not do something he wasn’t prepared for, nor force a dog to do something he does not understand.

Don’t push the animal too hard while dog training. The dog does not understand that he should learn things "instantly" and he does not realize that you are becoming impatient with the speed he is picking up the training. If you are angry the dogs can sense it but does not know why.

You must avoid negative experiences related to training so you should not force your dog to obey your commands. By praising a dog for good behavior and obeying commands he will learn exactly what pleases you and what is expected from him.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Signing Up For Free Puppy Training Classes

Once you have found that perfect pet through free puppy adoption, you will want to begin right away with training it so that the transition into your home and lifestyle is an easy one. The best thing to do is to start grabbing up all of the books and magazines you can on free puppy training tips and hints so that you can begin to put certain rules and techniques into place at home. In the meantime, while you work on that, you will also want to look around for some free puppy training classes in your area.

It is extremely important that you find some free puppy training classes and get your puppy signed up for them before they rip apart your home. Dealing with a puppy that bites, chews, and goes to the bathroom all over your carpets is not the best way to start the bonding process. Puppies and dogs that are left untrained may find that their owners have a hard time connecting with them and therefore they be not get as much love and attention from the owner. Do not let this happen between you and your puppy so go out and get your pup signed up for a free puppy training course.

Where To Find The Classes

The best place to look is your local pet store to see if they offer any free puppy training classes there. If they do you are going to want to sign up as quickly as possible so you do not miss your chance at getting the training that your puppy needs so badly. If there are not any classes offered there at the store, they may have information on where puppy owners can go for some free puppy training courses. It is worth a shot to go and see what you can find out because the sooner you get started the better off your puppy will be.

If your local pet store cannot offer you any suggestions on where you can go for free puppy training then there are still other options so you do not want to give up. Start calling around to the other pet shops in your area and do not forget to call the different groomers or kennels in your area. These places may have some information for you on free puppy training as people may have posted information on their bulletin board or such. Just keep looking and you will eventually find the free puppy training class that you have been waiting for.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Stop Dog Chewing

Do you have a problem with dog chewing? A dog that loves to chew on anything he sees interesting and you can’t seem to figure out why he has this kind of passion? Have you ever come home from work only to find your most favorite pair of shoes being chewed upon—or worse, almost halfway around the throat of your, cute, sweet and innocent, little pet ? If this is a familiar scenario to you, I suggest that you continue to read on.

 

One of the worst habits that any dog can pick up is chewing. Besides it being destructive to your property, a a dog chewing might end up injuring itself by breaking its teeth or swallowing harmful material. Worse, some dogs chew on themselves! This kind of bad behavior may cause hair loss and even serious infections to areas of their bodies like their tails, legs, and feet. If you have a dog chewing problem , work to immediately correct the situation instead of dismissing the act as a typical dog behavior.

 

It is a fact that puppies chew a lot. However, their choices of what to chew on will be depend on you and how you train your dog. If you are welcoming a new puppy into your home, be sure to supply it with adequate toys to prevent your pooch from destroying your home, car, or wardrobe. Furthermore , keep in mind to pick toys that are not mistaken for those “out of bound” objects. Many dog owners prefer to grant their pups with cast off shoes to somehow redirect its attention from the new pair they have just bought, but to their surprise the puppy would still chew up on their brand new pair instead. Look for chewing toys and bones that will not splinter, break, or split and potentially cause a choking hazard. Also, provide your puppy with several different toys in various areas so that he does not become bored and opt to gnaw on your beloved items and furniture as an alternative.

 

Yes, there are simple steps that can help you prevent your dog from chewing up your possessions! For starters, the easiest way to stop this routine is to keep an eye on your dog. Dogs cannot chew up your house and home while you sit watching them. A huge part of dog ownership is VIGILANCE. Besides, think about keeping your dog to a room or area of your home until you can trust him to have free rein of your abode. In addition to vigilance, cleanliness is a large factor in what a dog has access to chew. Simply put, your dog cannot chew your shoes unless they were left accessible. If you find your dog chewing something, if possible, place it out of his reach. In all fairness, the dog will continue chewing the same item until it is either removed or completely destroyed.

 

“But what about the larger things like furniture, doors, or appliances that will be hard to move”, you say? For these structures, apply a thin film of Bitter Apple. Like its name suggests, this solution is quite bitter and very unsavory for dogs. Available in a spray or cream, Bitter Apple will not damage the finish of your furniture and can easily be wiped away once the dog learns not the chew. Don’t be alarmed if your dog does ingest the material, it will not make him sick, as the contents of it are non-toxic.

 

Lastly, be the protector of your own items . Teach your dog commands like "leave it" and instruct him to cease and desist the gnawing of your items. Use a spray bottle or a shaker device rather than physical punishment, which can sometime cause dogs to become more destructive in protest. If your dog is chewing on himself more than your home, immediately visit your veterinarian. There are a lot of skin conditions, including parasitic infections that can cause a dog to chew on his own skin in order to find relief. Turn to a cooling spray that will provide relief as the area begins to heal. Also, use an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.

Some Basics About Your New Best Friend

The Dog Whisperer,Cesar Milan, says, "There are no bad dogs. Only bad dog
owners." So You need to ask am I ready for the responsibility of owning a dog?
No matter what breed you bring into your home, in the end, you are the one
responsible for your dog's behavior. Learn all you can about the dog you hope to own.
Even the feared Pit Bull is a sweet loving dog in the right hands.

Most people like cuddly puppies and grown-up dogs. But before you welcome a new dog into
your home, there are some things you need to think through to be sure both you and your new best friend are happy and healthy.

Remember that dogs, no matter what they are today, were predators in the past. Wolves,
hyenas, dingoes, and foxes are carnivorous creatures who hunt to survive. Dogs were most
likely domesticated from their canine ancestors from 20,000-30,000  years ago. In fact, the many dog breeds have only proliferated in the last 200 to 300 years. Before that, a few breeds existed to meet their masters' needs for work.

When you own a dog, remember that the wolf is somewhere in there hiding. Depending on its
breed and the way you treat it, that wolf could surprise you with a quick snip or a more vicious attack. Careful selection and training of your dog will assure that your best friend remains a best friend.

Before you select a dog, do your homework. Become familiar with dog breeds and personality
traits, and compare these to your personal reasons for having a dog. Do you want a cute,
cuddly friend to dress up and carry around? Do you want a champion at dog agility competitions or a champion show dog? Do you want a companion for your children? Or do you want a body guard and home protector? Do you need support to cope with a disability?

Each breed has characteristics that indicate what your life with your new friend will be like. If you aren't very patient or don't like a lot of noise, you probably shouldn't adopt a small, energetic dog with lots of demands for attention. If you want an affectionate loyal companion, you might want to consider a Golden or Labrador Retriever or a Collie. If you want to protect your property, you might take a look at a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler, or a Doberman Pincher.

If your household includes young children, your choice should be a careful one. Your new dog
will have to be patient and tolerate with kindness having its tail pulled, being jumped on, and
engaged in wrestling for hours on end. Bulldogs, American Eskimo dogs, Beagles, Retrievers,
Setters, Sheepdogs, and many Terriers are among the many breeds good with children.

Want a dog you can dress up and put in cute clothes? Then look for a dog that has plenty of
hair (for those fancy hair-dos) and is small enough to carry around. "Designer dogs" like
Poodles, Yorkies and Westies, Bichon Frises, Pomeranians, and the more exotic Shih Tzu are
excellent candidates for this.

If you're looking for protection, be sure to look at breeds that aren't too friendly to strangers. Great Danes are huge and intimidating, but they will likely to fall in love with the first burglar they meet! Bulldogs are another breed that look fierce but come out kissing. German Shepherds are probably the most familiar and trainable guard dogs. Other breeds also protect your home and family: Rottweilers, Boxers, Doberman Pinchers, and Giant Schnauzers are among them. There are a few breeds that were created for their ferociousness. Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers are notorious for vicious attacks. So if you are considering these breeds, you must be very clear about what to expect and very careful in training a well-behaved dog.

When you decide to bring a dog into your home, you need to be educated about what you need, what you want, and what breed will most likely fulfill your goals. When you adopt a dog, you are adding a member to your family - one for which you will be responsible for a lifetime. You should be committed to working through all the behavioral and training kinks and providing a stable, loving home. You'll not only have to train your dog, but you'll have to be trained in how to handle that dog.

No matter what breed you think you want, you should know about the specific dog's parentage, personal history, and temperament before making the commitment to be his lifetime caretaker and friend.

Dan Lund -- The Yellow Ads.com

Case Study on Biting Dog

Three-year-old Terrier mix, Sam has a problem with biting. Other than biting the other dog at home, an 8 year old Spaniel, Sam has the habit of a dog biting and surprisingly snapping at his owners, Ted and Shelly. Both of them is concerned that Sam's biting behavior will cause problems and because of this they constantly make sure that Sam won’t get near their grandkids for fear of their safety. However, keeping Sam in a separate area of their home has only caused an increase in their problems; he has started to chew and bark out of frustration, he gets easily agitated and always get a little out of hand. Lastly, Ted and Shelly both decided that it is time to put a stop on Sam out of his biting habit.

 

Since the dog has clearly outgrown the puppy stage that has the most amounts of biting and gumming and the biting habit has been going on for a while , and Shelly sought the help of a professional. Obtaining a referral from their family vet to an excellent veterinarian behaviorist, Ted and Shelly made an appointment to bring Sam and meet with the professional vet behaviorist. During the first meeting, Sam made an attempt to bite Shelly when she pulled him out of his cage and snapped at the behaviorist when he tried to hold him.

 

The behaviorist felt the first step was to have a medical checkup done on Sam, since a medical problem may be the cause of the biting. They considered that a medical reason may be the case because since Sam snapped at Shelly and the professional when he attempted to touch the small dog. Often, dogs that are in pain or discomfort use biting as a form of protection to stop the pain from occurring. However, after a full medical examination on Zoe, he was found to have a full bill of health.

 

The next thought was that Sam might be responding to a certain trigger. But since Shelly and Ted adopted Sam when he was still a puppy, they can’t figure any possible abusive background on their pet. To see how Sam interacts with them and their older dog, the behaviorist regularly makes a visit to Shelly and Ted's home. The visits proved to be quite educational and the behaviorist was able to determine that Sam used biting to showcase his jealousy. Especially since he was kept in a different part of the home and avoided when the grandchildren come to visit, Sam is increasingly jealous and uses biting to show his annoyance .

 

After the regular visits and examinations on the younger pet dog, a training plan is implemented where Sam is instructed "no bite" and then sprayed with a water bottle. This command enforces the training and the spritz gets the dog's attention. Once Sam shuts his mouth, he is remarkably praised. Additionally, more steps were made to include Sam back into the home. Whenever the grandchildren come to visit, Sam is present, but he’ll be securely muzzled until he became fully trained to stop biting. Once this training was complete, Sam could be commanded and immediately close his mouth in order to abort the biting attempt. However, Sam wore a muzzle whenever Shelly and Ted left the two dogs alone and unsubstantiated , to prevent any injuries to the older dog.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Wood Dog House – What Type Of Materials To Use For Your Doghouse?

Although wood dog houses are common among many families who own dogs, not many people know there are many different types of wood available for your dog house.

The most common type of wood used is cedar. It is one of the most popular choices for wooden dog houses because of its resistance to decay and as well as insect and rot resistance.

Cedar is easy to work with and it is durable and reliable and can be work for long periods of time without any maintenance.

Other types of wood that are used in building dog houses include pine and hemlock though they are less common. One reason is because they lack the insect and decay resistance compared to cedar wood. That is also why they are seldom used as the base structure of your dog house as they decay and rot faster especially when they come into contact with the ground.

If you are building your own dog house, beware of using pressure-treated wood. This is because although they are resistant to decay and insects, they contain harmful chemicals that could pose a danger to your dog.

Most older pressure treated wood uses chromated copper arsenate which can be deadly to animals. Nevertheless, over the past few years, other chemicals have been used to create pressure treated wood and it is safer.

Wood is also better than plastic in building dog houses because they stay much warmer during the winter. Wood also helps to dissipate heat naturally during the summer months.

Wood is also easier to work with compared to plastic. You only need a saw and a hammer to build your own dog house. If you are eco-conscious, then building wooden dog houses is also more environmentally friendly and can easily be recycled for other purposes. It is also cheaper than plastic.

Learn how to build wood dog house. Visit my site and learn more about wooden dog houses.

Getting a Pet Insurance Comparison Gives The Right Choices For Your Needs

Do's and donts of pet health insurance

For those whose family pets are an important part of their home and lives, it is a stressful situation to feel that you are unable to provide the proper veterinary pet care for them. If this is the case, then it might be time to purchase pet health insurance for your pets. A pet insurance comparison can be a very helpful endeavor to learn about the options in coverage and the associated costs.

In recent years, having pet insurance to provide for the four-legged members of the family has almost become a must-have item, especially for households that have several pets. As the vet bill increase, it makes good sense to invest in pet health insurance, similar to as you would do for the human people within your home. Such pet health insurance can make very good economic sense, but it is important to conduct a comparison before purchasing animal care insurance.

These days, there are a number of different companies that provide pet health insurance and a pet insurance comparison will help you to decide what the best coverage is for your pets and what is the best pricing that you can secure. One of the best ways to do a comparison of available insurance coverage plans is to check out the online pet insurance companies.

There are even some websites on the internet that will assist you to complete your comparison, doing this through a side-by-side listing of the various of pet insurance so that you can rapidly compare the various policies as well as the companies. This is a great time saver and can help you quickly eliminate pet insurance company offerings or a pet plan that does not offer what you need most. Once you have identified the plan that will provide the type of coverage you want, then it is easier to make the comparisons.

When doing an insurance comparison, some of the things you will want to consider and perhaps even seek out additional information about are: whether the plan includes coverage for kennel fees; whether you can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian or if you must choose from a list of approved animal care professionals; if the plan covers wellness or preventative care benefits; whether the plan covers boarding fees in the event that you become ill and cannot care for your pet yourself and if you need to find a plan that will also extend coverage to related events such as being reimbursed for cancellation fees associated with travel. These are simply some of the numerous things to consider that need to be taken into consideration when coming to a conclusion on veterinary pet insurance plans to meet your particular needs.

In addition to these concerns, there are also a number of things that should be looked at with regard to each pet insurance company. When doing a comparison for insurance, you need to know the answers to, at the very least, these types of questions when it comes to the different companies; what length of time have they been in the pet insurance industry? Is the pet insurance company stable and does it have a good reputation? Has your veterinarian had any dealings with the company and have those dealings been positive? Does the pet insurance company only employ certified or licensed professionals for key positions?

Even though it can often be very tempting to look for the cheapest pet insurance, a complete pet insurance comparison can help you to make the best decision and find the balance between cost and coverage. In addition, part of the comparison should take into account the track record and reliability of the different pet insurance companies that you are considering. In general, it is better to be sure you have the right coverage, versus saving a few dollars on the monthly premium.

To find out additional information head on over to Pet Care Insurance also click here Pet Care Insurance with more helpful material at Pet Insurance For Pre Existing Conditions

Cheap Pet Insurance Provides Low Cost Solutions for Your Pets Care

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

There are many households in the United States where the pets in the family are considered to be of equal importance just as any other member. Just as the family is concerned about the health care needs of loved ones, they are equally concerned about the well-being of their beloved pets. Purchasing cheap pet insurance can help the family to have the security that their family pets will be able to get the health care they deserve, without the stress of figuring out how to pay for the veterinary pet bills.

Pet insurance is a fairly new insurance product on the market. It has become a great way for average families to be able to have the sense of peace and security that the pet will be properly cared for in case they encounter some type of illness.

When pet health insurance was first introduced, some people ridiculed the idea as being just another way for insurance companies to extract monthly premiums from a new group of consumers. Others scoffed at it as being something only the rich and famous would bother with. However, the reality is that cheap pet insurance has become a real benefit to thousands of families who would otherwise be put in difficult financial situations if their pet was to became sick or injured.

The best news is that with the advent of more affordable and cheaper pet insurance, people are able to relax knowing that their pet will be taken care of in times of need. This takes away the worry and concern that is often in the back of people's minds. When a family budget is already stretched thin to take care of necessities for the children in the household, adding concern about an illness or accident with the family pet can place additional stress on the parents.

Now that pet health insurance has been out on the open market for at least a few years, thare a additional providers getting into the field and making in competition. This has the beneficial effect for the consumer of lower prices and making cheaper pet insurance available. There are not alternatives for veterinary pet care insurance that can be acquired for simply a few dollars a month as the premium.

However, it should be noted that cheaper pet insurance is not always the best pet insurance for your particular needs and for your specific situation. One of the things that you need to watch out for when doing any type of comparison pet insurance is to uncover how reliable the company that is backing the insurance policy is. It can be very frustrating as well as costly to make a decision to go forward with a procedure for your pet which is based on the anticipated coverage and then run into excuses and the usual run-around's from the insurer trying to keep from paying the veterinarian.

If you do your research then that is one method on steering clear of this problem. Ask questions about how long the company has been in business. Search the internet forums for people who have had experience with the pet insurance company you are considering. Check with your veterinarian and ask if they know the company and if they have ever had problems with being paid promptly.

Investing a bit of time to do research can help you to avoid some of the possible negative outcomes of choosing cheap pet insurance. It is a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to find where the pet insurance company you are considering is located and how they resolve complaints. This extra investigative work will pay off because you will know that you have secured the right pet health insurance, and you can rest assured the coverage is legitimate, if it is needed.

To find out Pet Medical Insurance and Exotic Pet Insurance with more helpful material at Petplan Breeder Insurance

Dog Obedience Training

Simple Principles in Dog Obedience Training

Even dogs with some of the best well breeding or dogs that are well adapted to humans still need some basic obedience training, because these skills are not something they pick up on their own. Obedience training requires the use of some principles which differentiate effective training, from training without results. They are the following:

First Principle: CONSISTANCY

Consistency is the first basic rule in effective dog training. You need to be consistent in the words you use, the tone they are spoken in and the actions that accompany them. Before you begin training you will need to come to an agreement with the dog owner on what it is they are wanting the dog to learn and how to accomplish it.

For example saying the word "come", does not make any sense to a dog. It is only reasonable to conclude if he does not understand the way humans are, then he does not understand our language. So to make the training understandable, you should use the command in a very consistent manner so that the dog will learn to associate the word with the meaning you attach with it.

An example would be if you use the word, "come", then you need to make sure everyone else in the household using the same word. The command "Come" specifically means that the dog should approach the giver of the command. So if you are using this command make it a point not to do actions that would make the command confusing for the dog.

Don’t be deterred in your training efforts if the dog does not come to your right away, be patient and don’t force or scold him. If you punish the dog over and over after giving the command they will begin to associate the word with the punishment. He will not follow the same command since in his mind, he remembers it will lead to punishment.

Being consistent in your dog commands is to be followed by anyone who works with the dog. For example, if you are using the command "come", other people in the household should not replace it with words like "here" or, "come here boy".

Second Principle: Keep It Short

Both the amount of time you spend training and the words you use as commands should be kept short. Keep in mind that the attention span of dogs is very short and that getting them engrossed with a specific activity can be very hard, if not impossible. Puppies usually react to a specific stimulus, but not for a very long time, they may begin to chase a moving toy, and quickly lose interest, then move on to the next thing.

They can quickly loose interest in an activity sometimes within just moments after beginning, and will need something else to stimulate their senses. They also often become board during training and that is why it’s best to limit the time to 10 - 15 minutes a day.

Third Principle: No Punishment or Force Allowed

A trainer should never hurt the dog in any way, you should make it a goal to have the training be a positive experience for all involved. Also, never force the dog to follow the command if he is not prepared for, or punish a dog for something he did during training that he did not understand.

Make sure not to over do it when training your dog. The dog does not understand that he should learn things "instantly" and he does not realize that you are becoming impatient with the speed he is picking up the training. If you are angry the dogs can sense it but does not know why.

You must avoid negative experiences related to training so you should not force your dog to obey your commands. By praising a dog for good behavior and obeying commands he will learn exactly what pleases you and what is expected from him.

Pet Insurance Online Helps You Save Money And Makes Comparison Much Simpler

There is no controversy about the United States being a nation that loves their pets. For many people, the family pets are as important as any other member of the household and are often considered to be the best friend of their owners. In recent years, one of the best innovations in pet health care has been the introduction of pet insurance online.

When the time comes to reassure and safeguard your pets health, it is very helpful to have pet health insurance coverage in place. Such insurance plans can help to offset the high costs of pet surgery and other veterinary pet procedures that may come up because of serious illness or accident. Before health insurance for animal welfare was available, often people would have to choose between the health of their beloved pet and other family financial needs. Now that pet insurance is widely available online, people can take care of their pets in a convenient and affordable way.

The availability of pet insurance online has had an added benefit of helping to lower the general cost of pet health insurance. This has occurred because of a variety of factors that impact the cost of coverage, such as making it less expensive to advertise and market the pet health coverage and inexpensively creating a larger demand. In addition, this has brought more companies into the industry, including some companies that tout cheap pet insurance. In turn, this has increased the competition which benefits consumers by keeping prices down.

Many pet lovers appreciate the convenience of being able to shop online for their pet plan. For those who are frequent and avid internet users, it is a significant time-saver to be able to research options, coverage packages, the background of the pet insurance company and different pricing comparisons.

When choosing to purchase pet insurance on the internet, there are a wide variety of factors that will impact the premium and effect the monthly cost to your family. You can choose how extensive you want your pet health insurance coverage to be. You can opt to go with a plan that covers just about every pet health contingency from routine veterinary visits to emergency care. You can conversely go with a less expensive plan that is designed to cover the major and most expensive types of events such as cancer treatments, surgical procedures and care for any type of accident.

Another way to adjust the cost of pet insurance is to check what options you have for the deductible. The less that the deductable will be, the greater your pet health insurance premium will end up being. If you are comfortable with a higher deductible, then you will be able to save some money on your monthly premiums.

In addition, you can also check with the animal care insurance provider to see if they offer a range of co-pays. This is the amount that you pay for any veterinary visit regardless of other coverage and the reason for the vet visit. Choosing a higher co-pay amount will also help to reduce your monthly premium. Having a good feel for how many veterinary pet visits you expect to make on a monthly basis will help you to know what makes the best sense for your budget, with regard to the co-pay options you have.

Some companies that offer online pet insurance will allow you to choose how often you make your premium payments. While many people like the convenience and the ability to work the amount into their monthly budget, sometimes it is worthwhile to see if you can save money by making other payment arrangements. Some pet insurance companies offer discounts if you pay your premium quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

One of the greatest advantages of acquiring pet insurance online is that you can easily check out and compare these various factors that impact the cost of your veterinary pet health insurance. Knowing what kinds of options you have available, in addition to selecting the type of coverage, will help you in your research. With very little time and effort, you will be able to design a plan for pet insurance for your family pets that will bring you and your family peace of mind.

For a lot more informational value go to this online destination: Shelter Care Pet Insurance also head on over to Older Pet Insurance with more helpful material at Pet Insurance Review

Friday, November 21, 2008

Dog Obedience Training

Simple Principles in Dog Obedience Training

Dogs, even when their breeding is maximized and well-adapted to human needs, will always need some basic obedience training as they would never figure this out on their own. Obedience training requires the use of some principles which differentiate effective training, from training without results. They are the following:

First Principle: CONSISTANCY

Consistency is the first basic rule in effective dog training. You need to be consistent in the words you use, the tone they are spoken in and the actions that accompany them. Before you begin training you will need to come to an agreement with the dog owner on what it is they are wanting the dog to learn and how to accomplish it.

At first the word commands, such as "come", does not make sense to a dog. He does not understand things the way humans think and he does not understand the language we use. It is important to make the training effective, by being very consistent in attaching the same voice tone, body movement or hand jester with every command that is given to your dog.

An example would be if you use the word, "come", then you need to make sure everyone else in the household using the same word. When using the word command, "Come", you should work with the dog to understand this means to approach the giver of the command. So if you are using this command make it a point not to do actions that would make the command confusing for the dog.

If he does not come to you, do not force the dog to come to you and then punish him for doing so. If you punish the dog over and over after giving the command they will begin to associate the word with the punishment. The dog will not want to follow the same command because in his mind it leads to punishment.

Consistency also covers the use of the same dog commands by all people. For instance if you are teaching the word "come", others should not use the words, ’come here boy’ or ’here’, because this will only confuse the dog.

Principle Two: KEEP IT SHORT

The hours devoted to training and the words used as command should be kept short. Dogs tend to have a short attention span, it is best to limit the training so they keep the interest level to it’s peak during the days lesson. Puppies usually react to a specific stimulus, but not for a very long time, they may begin to chase a moving toy, and quickly lose interest, then move on to the next thing.

They can quickly loose interest in an activity sometimes within just moments after beginning, and will need something else to stimulate their senses. The same thing happens in training therefore, it should be limited only to 10 minutes to 15 minutes of regular training.

Principle Three: DO NOT USE FORCE and PUNISHMENT

A trainer should never hurt the dog in any way, you should make it a goal to have the training be a positive experience for all involved. Also, never force the dog to follow the command if he is not prepared for, or punish a dog for something he did during training that he did not understand.

Make sure not to over do it when training your dog. A good trainer realizes dogs do not learn things instantly and so they are very patient and show understanding towards the animal they are working with. If you are angry the dogs can sense it but does not know why.

So do not use force as this does not communicate your meaning properly, instead gives a negative reinforcement. By praising a dog for good behavior and obeying commands he will learn exactly what pleases you and what is expected from him.