A Few Tips For Fixing Dog Behavior Problems

Owner's need to work with their pets so dog behavior problems won't develop. Training puppies early will help prevent behavior problems later. There is still plenty of time if you haven't started from day one. It's well worth the time and energy to get your dog trained. Every person that has a dog wants a well behaved companion.

-Method For Training

The best method in training a dog is using positive training. Rewarding a dog for good behavior is part of positive training. This is a good way for the dog to know everything is okay. Start training your dog in short sessions. One step at a time for slow consistent progress. Learning takes time, it's a gradual progress. Owners need to be aware of some solutions for unwanted behavior; prevent it, ignore it, or teach an alternative behavior. Starting the dog out with positive behaviors' will allow for better results. Once a dog has learned an incorrect behavior, it's up to the owners to retrain for the correct response. Always reward any good behavior and correct bad responses.

-Behavior Problems

Behavior problems can only be fixed by first understanding the reason behind the behavior. Owners are always wondering why their dog is acting this way? Most of the reasons are that the dog is either timid, bored, or possessive. You can solve these behavior problems by being more aware of the reason your dog is responding to certain situations. Behavioral problems can be corrected with a little patience from the owner. Remember, some problems can be challenging to solve.

-Who's the Leader?

Dog are known for their pack animal instincts. There is always a leader in the pack. The owner has to establish himself as the leader. Establishing the leadership control over your dog will allow for easier training down the road. Building a partnership with your dogs can help solve problems later on. You want your dog to please you and not be afraid.

A lot of dogs behavioral problems can be solved with training. Positive training can improve the relationship between dog and owner. A dog will listen better and be easier to be around when fixing behavioral problems. The result that positive training focuses on is getting your dog to do what you want. A dog not realizing his role can cause bad behavior. Obedience training is the best way for a dog to understand his role in life.

How to Stop Your Dog's Excessive Barking in 3 Easy Steps

All dogs bark, it’s their way to communicate a message. Dog barks for various reasons: To acknowledge, to alert, out of boredom, to attract attention or when they are excited.

Although some barking is acceptable, too much barking is certainly frustrating, especially for your neighbors and eventually leading to complaints. The easiest way to halt a problematic barker is to control his barking while you are at home:

1. Set up a condition where your dog will always bark. For instance, you can ask someone to ring your doorbell or knock on your door.

2. After your dog charges to the door and start to bark boisterously, move toward your dog, grab his collar and give the command “quiet” â€" no shouting please, it doesn’t help.

3. If he stops barking, praise and reward. He’s a genius and deserves it.

4. When he continues barking, close his mouth with your hand, wrap your fingers around his muzzle â€" use both hands if needed, and give the command for him to keep quiet. Praise if he stops.

Most dogs would be able to learn the “quiet” command with frequent training like this. Set up similar situations to "lure" your dog to bark and repeat training whenever possible.

If you happen to own a hard-core persistent barker, use this method:

1. Vinegar-Water solution â€" mix a proportion of 7/8 water & 1/8 vinegar together. Pour the mixture into a water pistol or what kids call “super soaker” for longer distance shooting.

2. Aim and direct at his chest whenever he can’t stop barking even on your command. Dogs hate the smell of vinegar and would usually back off and stop barking. He’ll even sneeze a few times. It’s harmless so you need not worry.

3. As always, praise him when he stops barking.

For your information, your dog might still be barking noisily and disrupting your locality when you are not at home. In this case, you’ll need a training equipment known as “bark collars” to help train him.

There are several types of bark collars on the market. Some of these collars send an electric shock to your dog when he barks, some make a high pitch sound or emits a squirt of citronella which is annoying but safe for your dog. Usually, these collars can help you solve a problematic barker.

Nuheart Heartworm Medicine

Preventative heartworm medicine is becoming more commonly used, as the America Heartworm Society and veterinarians now recommend a heartworm preventative for all our dogs. It is great that there is a straightforward way to prevent our dogs becoming infected with the heartworm parasite. The only drawback is that they must be used continually for the lifetime of our pet to guarantee their health remains in tip-top condition. That means years of buying a product and using it every month.

With finances being more closely scrutinised than ever, it pays to save wherever possible. Choosing Nuheart heartworm medicine is a simple way to save money. But, most importantly it will make no difference to your dog's well-being. Vet's often recommend Heartgard for dogs. It is the 'original' brand of ivermectin based heartworm pill. Used for decades it has proven a safe and effective method of ensuring our dog's do not develop heartworm disease.

Now that the makers of Heartgard no longer have a monopoly on producing ivermectin heartworm pills other pet medicines manufacturers are legally entitled to produce exactly the same medicine. This is where Nuheart comes in. This is an Australian brand of generic heartworm medication. They have literally copied the winning forumula of Heartgard and produced their own pill to destroy heartworms.

Because the makers did not need to spend a fortune developing the drug, researching the correct dosage or marketing its use to vets and pet health-care professionals, the price for Nuheart can be significantly lower than that for Heartgard.

Thankfully the FDA regulates generic pet medicines in the same way it does the brands, so we can be assured the medicinal value of any generic product is identical to the brand. In fact the FDA require that generic pet medicines be identical with regards to dosage and quality of active ingredients. They stipulate that the generic product must be interchangeable with the brand.

This means, for the pet owner that it does not matter one iota to the health of the animal, whether a brand or generic is used. So, if you use Heartgard why not consider a switch to Nuheart Heartworm Medicine? The active components are the same, but the tablets are around 40% of the price. Over the lifetime of your pet that saving really adds up.

Early Sheltie Training

If you are all set for the coming of your sheltie, then it may mean that you are also ready to conquer and become successful in shetland sheepdog training. But if that is not the case, no need to worry much. You can always find a way to become the best and responsible dog owner you want to be. The moment you decided to take home a new pup, do your assignment by researching everything about the breed - from basic information to sheltie training advice and even diseases and health issues that are more likely to occur among shelties.

Shelties are intelligent and highly trainable dogs, known for their eagerness to obey and please their humans. But regardless of these characteristics, it is always recommended that this breed, and other breeds in general, be trained at an early age. Socialization period should start at around three weeks of age. During this period, puppies should be given opportunity for social investigation, playful fighting as well as playful sexual behavior. Interaction with other animals as well as exposure to people is important during this stage of life. They should also be gradually taken to different locations and introduced to cars, buildings and other things in the human world. This period aims to help them develop social relationship at the same time lay down a foundation that will make sheltie training easier.

At eight weeks of age, they can start learning basic commands and tricks such as sit, down and come. Commands such as these are not impossible to train since there are many techniques proven effective in training a dog. Determine which method works best for your dog and start your way from there. If your dog responds well to a certain method, be consistent in using it. If you notice that it is doing your pet no good, leave that method and try something else. Just remember that physical punishment is not advisable for it will only do more harm than good. You probably wouldn't want a timid puppy, would you?

Cancer Diet For Dogs - Are There Certain Foods That Can Slow Cancer in Dogs?

Wouldn't it be great if there were certain foods or food groups that could actually help extend your dog's life expectancy after a cancer diagnosis? The fact is that exciting new research may be on the verge of proving this information. In this informational article titled "Cancer Diet for Dogs" we will talk a little about cancer and then look into this new and exciting cancer diet for dogs.

While all dogs are vulnerable to cancer statistic shows that it is the most common in canines over 10 years of age. The common characteristic of all cancer cells is the absence of any growth control mechanism. Normal, healthy cells grow and reproduce only to replace cells that have died or, in young animals, to support growth and development. Cancer cells have no such restraints; they keep growing and reproducing even when there is no need for new cells. They also tend to be aggressive in their quest to invade, destroy or damage nearby healthy cells.

*Common types of cancer in dogs: bladder cancer, brain tumor, lipoma, lymphoma, malignant histiocytosis, mammary carcinoma, mast cell tumor, melanoma, osteosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

*Common signs of cancer in dogs: unusual swelling that continues to grow, sores that don't heal, bleeding from the mouth or nose, bad odor, difficulty eating, appetite loss, difficulty breathing, difficulty urinating, loss of energy, unexplained weight loss, persistent stiffness or lameness, lumps in the breast area, and difference in the size of testicles.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and diet

This type of malignant tumor accounts for approximately 2% of all dog cancers, but it is the number one type of cancer involving the urinary bladder in dogs. The disease can also materialize in the kidney, ureters, prostate, and urethra, and can spread to other areas of the dog's body. Conventional diagnosis and treatment options include surgery and/or chemotherapy. Breeds at high risk for this disease are Scottish Terriers, White Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Beagles.

*Cancer diet tip: If you feel your dog is at risk for developing TCC a recent case controlled study showed that the risk of bladder cancer was reduced in canines that ate vegetables at least three day a week.

General cancer fighting diet

Research seems to support the claim that a diet containing high quality protein and cancer fighting vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, radishes, tomatoes, red peppers, and carrots can be helpful for dogs with cancer.

A recent research study conducted at Colorado State University has come up with a diet that seems to be supportive for dogs with lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow). The diet contains moderate amounts of fat and protein with a low level of carbohydrates. It is available commercially and can be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Other notable foods and supplements: fish oils, vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10.

In summary, you should work with your vet to formulate the right diet for the particular type of cancer you are targeting but it seem as if a diet high in cancer fighting vegetables combined with high quality proteins seems to produce the most favorable results overall.

Additionally, many pet parents whose beloved dog is fighting cancer are implementing herbal supplemental formulas containing ingredients such as Astragalus, Echinacea, and Indian Ginseng which have shown promising results in clinical trials. Herbal remedies for cancer should be used as a supportive therapy to support immune function and promote overall health and vitality.

Chain Dog Collars - A How To

Chain collars are an effective way to prevent your dog from pulling on its leash. They are known by a variety of names, including the choke chain.

The online market, along with just about all pet supply shops, are where a bewildering array of dog collars can be found; this includes the chain collar. Your choice really depends on preference but there are very few other collars that have the same effect on a pulling dog.

A pulling dog is a dog that lacks training. Regardless of the size or the breed, they can all be taught and trained not to pull. If you don't want to put in the effort and a pulling dog doesn't bother you, then by no means should you purchase a chain collar.

Training a dog takes patience, constant repetition and some knowledge. The knowledge can come from any number of sources: your vet, a dog trainer, the Internet, books, just to name a few. While most dog collars slip easily over a dog's head, chain collars takes some getting used to. The key is in how you loop one end of the chain into the other (with the use of the closed loops at either end) - if done incorrectly, your dog will be in constant choke chain mode instead of the choke and release the collar was designed for. If you have a dog that will stand the fiddling to get it right, you can practice on him/her. If this method is not feasible, you can always practice on yourself by wrapping the chain around your arm or wrist. As long as one part of the chain hangs loosely at one end and tightens and loosens easily, you have put it on correctly.

Once you have mastered how to put the chain collar on your dog, you are ready to begin the all important training and practice [with your dog] to prevent him/her from pulling while on a leash. As both you and your dog become accustomed to how the chain collar works, you will be pleased to see the pulling diminish and/or stop altogether.

For quality products at cheap prices, try pets-direct.net for dog collars and chain dog collars.

Dog Training - Old Dogs

There comes a time when your dog will no longer be as young as they used to be and more care and attention might be needed. Everyone and every living thing gets old at some point and there’s nothing anyone can do.

There are however, things that can help dramatically in keeping your dog young and healthy and to set them up for a much better and happier aging. Don’t wait till your dog is old before thinking of the care he will need, you need to constantly look after your dog’s health to stop any unnecessary suffering later on.

The main things that affect your dog’s later life are the diet he/she is on and the exercise they get, along with other less important needs such as grooming and others, feeding and exercise are the main factors in determining your dog’s health later in life.

So what can happen to your dog in later life I hear you ask? Well there are plenty of illnesses and situations that may occur with age because of things not working as well as they used to much the same as human illnesses. Middle age for a dog is around the seven years mark although it depends on dog size and this is when the dog’s body will gradually start to deteriate.

One of the most common of old age symptoms for dogs is hearing and sight deteriation, this can cause the dog to be much more frightened and feeling more vulnerable than they used to. Old Dog personalities may begin to change in affect to this making some more friendly and other more grumpy and snappy. Other old age side effects include putting on weight, weaker muscles and bones, memory loss and being less able to fight off infections and diseases.

Weight gain is a big issue in old dogs and needs to be monitored and acted upon often to make sure your dog doesn’t get unwanted problems through obesity.

In general, if you pet is getting old and you can see he/she is feeling the pain, then take them to the local vet to get advice on any questions you have and have them checked over by an expert.

What Will It Take To Fix Your Dog Behavior Problems

Owner's need to work with their dogs so behavior problems won't develop. Behavior problems can be prevented if you train puppies early. Don't worry if your dog is older or if you just haven't gotten around to it, you still have time. Determination is the key in training your dog. Every person that has a dog wants a well behaved companion.

**The Training Method

Positive training is the best method in training puppies or dogs. Positive training gives positive reinforcement for good behavior. This is a good way for the dog to know everything is okay. Short sessions is best to begin with when training your dog. One step at a time for slow consistant progress. Learning takes time for all animals, a dog is no exception. There are a few things you as a dog owner can learn about unwanted behavior; prevent it, ignore it, or teach an alternative behavior. Starting the dog out with positive behavior training will allow for better results. Once a dog has learned an incorrect behavior, it's up to the owners to retrain for the correct response. Owners need to reward the good behavior and correct the bad ones.

**Behavior Problems

Stopping bad behavior is first solved by understanding the cause of it. Owners ask themselves a lot of, why is my dog doing these things? Most of the reasons are that the dog is either timid, bored, or possessive. Most problems can be solved by understanding your dogs behavior. Behavioral problems can be corrected with a little patience from the owner. Remember, some problems can be challenging to solve.

**Who is the Leader?

Dogs have a very strong pack animal mentality. There can only be one leader. Owners need to be the leader in their dogs life. Establishing the leadership control over your dog will allow for easier training down the road. But, a partnership needs to be established between owner and dog to solve a lot of problems. Using scare tactics on your dog won't get the desired results, it's best to have him wanting to please you.

Training can fix many dogs with behavioral problems. Positive training can improve the relationship between dog and owner. Having a more responsive dog will help solve behavior problems. The result that positive training focuses on is getting your dog to do what you want. A dog not realizing his role can cause bad behavior and be a huge headache.. Obedience training helps the dog understand what expected of him.

Essential Pet Supplies Required for Pets

Pets bring joy to us & drive away our dullness & troubles. You can have a dog, a cat or any other animal as your pet. But the most important thing is the manner in which you treat your pet. It helps bring a huge difference in your relationship with them. Raising a pet is definitely an uphill task. It is considered as hard as bringing up your own children.

Your pets must be provided all the comforts needed & their needs should be attended to & fulfilled. Pets are supplied with many kinds of items required for their healthy growth by the wholesale pet suppliers.

Pet owners should see to it that their pets are made to feel good & given comfort in aspects such as health, entertainment, discipline, grooming etc. If your pet happens to be a dog, you must regularly give it a bath to keep it clean & hygienic, take him out for long walks as it will help it in getting proper exercise, make sure that you take it to the veterinarian for regular check-ups, provide it with a good & balanced diet. It is a prolonged list of tasks.

Whichever animal your pet may be, it is a must that you give them proper attention, entertainment, health care & much more. You can make these duties more convenient for you with the help of wholesale pet supplies where you can get nutritional & healthy food, bones & chews, grooming items such as shampoo, brushes, combs, dryers etc.

Another must for cats & dogs are training equipments. You can find them here at the pet supplies store. Flea & tick control products are considered to be a must, in case your dog or cat is too furry. You can find a wide range of pet's necessities for your pet at these stores.

Pets usually like to sleep a lot. And while doing so, they like to snuggle under their beds & have a peaceful sleep. Suitable, cozy & comfortable beds can be found for your pet at these stores. After visiting the wholesale pet supplies store, you will have definitely pushed the urge within your heart, of owning a pet, even if you don't have one now.

Most people consider their pets to be a part of their family. They even sometimes treat them like children too. But, taking care of a pet can sometimes get very expensive, if it gets sick or is need of medical attention.

However many methods can be applied to save money on these supplies. Coupons are generally considered in such cases. Online coupon websites & newspapers are considered for coupons for pet food, treats, & medication. Pet supply stores send coupons to attract customers to their stores. Another effective method of buying using coupons is buying in bulk. Large quantities of dog food are generally less expensive than small quantities.

You can also look up for free samples of treats in pet stores & pet supply discount shops. You will be informed about the coupons on websites that will available for discounts. You can take your pets to local pet fairs & pet events in the community. Booths are set up by suppliers through which they will pitch their products & will have samples.

Pet supplies such as crates, dog beds, leashes & many more can be found on Craigslist or Ebay. People can advertise their things which they can give away in a free section that can be found in Craigslist. These people occasionally give away their pet's belongings instead of throwing them into the trash, as they no longer have a pet. Local Goodwill Stores is another place where you can look for discounted pet supplies

Dog Training - Treats

There are many choices when it comes to rewarding your dog with a treat for obeying your commands, and these treats make a big difference in your dog’s attitude towards you in learning new tricks, and why wouldn’t they? To get anything in life you have to give something back and dogs are no different, you help them and they’ll help you. Simple.

But what are the best rewards and treats to give your dog in times of good behavior? Well for starters you won’t be short of treats to try, the markets as it is now is full to the brim of all the fancy rewards and treats you could ever think of.

One of the favourite for dog owners is to treat their dog to homemade treats from recipes that can be found across the internet in many places, some of my favourites and personal recommendations are listed in the products page of www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk along with other tips on dog training there.

Consumer products are also a good choice when rewarding your dog; these include chewing toys which can be very rewarding for puppies and dogs alike. Saving one of their favourite toys for when they behave well makes everything more exciting for your dog and causes them to want to perform more for this reward.

If a chew toy is not to your dogs liking then they may instead enjoy a tug toy, tug toys are good for your dog’s teeth the same as chew toys are and it enhances the relationship between you and your dog as you play with them. Be careful while using these toys as some dogs may think of this game as good behaviour and will start tugging on trousers or other annoying or destructive things.

The last toys I am going to talk about are the throwing toys; these are good to calm your dog down when they are over active or if you just want to reward your dog with quality playing time for their good behavior. These toys range from a simple tennis ball to special durable dog Frisbees and help you to react with your dog wile also training playing the ‘fetch’ game.

There are lots more dog toys available, probably at your local pet shop. It is a good idea to keep in mind what textures and current toys your dog likes to play with or chew before making your choice but as long as your dog enjoys it, it can be used as a good reward and training method.

Dog Training - Dog No Command

The ‘no’ command is a widely used command throughout dog training and is used to tell your dog not to do something or to stop them in their tracks to avoid dangerous situations or general bad behavior.

I think of the no command as more of a training technique rather than a command and to perfect the technique you will need to be consistent for most of your time with your pet dog. The no command isn’t like other commands and is taught over several years rather than a ‘learn it and forget it’ dog training technique.

You can start to teach your dog the no command as soon as you see your cute little puppy doing something wrong for the first time, to most people the command will come naturally when they see their dog causing terror in the house and it will not be too hard for them to remember how to execute the technique.

The no command should come part and parcel with punishing your dog, the idea behind the no command is to teach your dog that ‘no’ means bad behavior and punishment, after teaching this command the end result will be that your dog should stop whatever they are doing when you say ‘no’.

So to make this command work you will need to enforce and recite ‘no’ in a very assertive way whenever you are punishing your dog or see your dog behaving badly that will result in punishment. By doing this your dog will associate ‘no!’ with being punished and making you the owner, unhappy.

If you do this consistently through your dogs earlier years, especially when your dog is a puppy and very impressionable you will gain respect from your dog and just saying ‘no’ alone will be enough to stop your dog in its tracks and save you punishing your dog.

Leash Training – Dog Training

Leash training or lead training is the discussion of many dog trainers in this modern age and discussions of how to train your dog in the nicest possible way are aplenty. These discussions are brought about by people and dog trainers believing that pulling on the leash to correct a dog’s behavior is causing injury to the dog.

I’m not here to discus this also, but I certainly don’t believe there is anything wrong with leash training if it is done in the correct way and care is taken not to hurt the dog or give any sudden forceful pulls on the leash.

Leash dog training is equally as popular as any other form of dog training within the expert dog training community because when done properly it gets results quickly and effectively.

Leash training is used by correcting your dog’s movements and gently tugging on the leash to force the dog to go in a way they would not have originally gone and to direct them in the favoured way for the training exercise in hand. Often the problems of leash training are with getting your dog comfortable with the leash and collar so I will briefly discus the key aspects of getting your dog to behave when going for walks on a leash and the problems you might face.

Some dogs are excited to get their collar on and other are not so fond of it, train your dog to sit and stay first before learning to take your dog on a leash, many dogs like to wriggle around and run about wile you try to put a collar or lead on them so the sit stay commands will be essential.

While doing any pre-leash exercises or walks if your dog misbehaves by being too excited you should simply remain calm and not go for walks until they are acting appropriately, this should calm your dog down and act as a light punishment for them.

When starting leash training, begin in your own home and then work your way up to more populated and new and interesting places, if your dog misbehaves or is pulling on the leash constantly when they are out then discipline accordingly, and as always practice will be the deciding factor to how quickly your dog will accomplish good behavior.

which dog can i have? i have asthma

Which dog can I have? I have asthma!

I have been wanting a dog for over two years but unfortunately my husband suffers with asthma badly, and can tell if an animal has lived in a house as soon as he enters even if they are no longer there!!

So, after a lot of research into dogs I have found one that will not affect his asthma. Meet sherbet our 15 week old puppy, he is a Bishon Frise and they have very tight curls so that their hair does not shed. The hair only comes out when you brush it. This in effect is what reduces the asthma or allergies.

Allergies actually comes from the pet dander which is actually the skin, and where we get the name dandruff from, all pets have it obviously and when hair comes out it will have a bit of dander or skin on it, which is what causes the allergies.

By having to take the hair out yourself you are obviously eliminating the ability for the dander to get everywhere carpets cushions furniture clothes etc.... and we are all well aware of how difficult hair can be to remove from furnishings so it stays there causing a reaction for the asthma or allergy suffer, every time they go near it. The only way to take away the reaction is to get rid of the dander or neutralise it somehow.

And the big question has it worked? Well yes is the answer it has, at first he was still getting some problem and could feel him asthma flaring up but sometimes I feel that this can be brought on by the thought of an animal rather than the animal its self. I also as a precaution bath Sherbet every couple of weeks and have bought a product called pet cleanse which goes on each week very easy to use and this neutralises the dander. I have had no problems at all since and having got him at 8 weeks we are 7 weeks on and have the beginnings of a happy family.

The last note that I would like to add is the importance of training your puppy, as although asthma and allergies are predominantly brought on by dander they can also be brought on by saliva and urine, by training your dog properly to wee outside and to not jump up etc.... you can eliminate any further problems, this for us is on going at the moment but we did get this online book which has helped us immensely, as I had no idea of how to train a dog. It teaches you very quickly how they do not know what you are saying but will read your body language and it is amazing how we can be saying one thing and our body language is telling something altogether different!!

How To Use A Check Cord

A check cord is a valuable tool that can be used to train your dog for simple commands as well as hunting abilities. A check cord slips around the D ring in the leather collar on your dog. It is made of strong nylon that is easy to handle and will not bend like a rope. When you tug on the check cord, you are letting your dog know that he is doing something wrong.

When you are training a hunting dog, you want him to close to you. There is a point when you are working with your dog when he will have to be away from you. This is where the check cord comes in handy. You should use several drills to use the check cord to train your dog on basic commands.

The check cord should be used in quartering drills. The dog should not tug on the cord to try to take off running. He should quarter in front of you. You can use the check cord to get him to turn when you want as well as to sit and come to you. The check cord should ideally be about 20 to 25 feet in length. The purpose of the cord is to tug at the collar, giving your dog a reminder that he is doing the wrong thing. When the cord does not pull, he knows that he is behaving accordingly.

There is a bowline knot at the end of the check cord that will keep the cord from getting tangled. The D ring should be at the back of the collar of the dog. When you are using the check cord, you should be careful not to tug on it too hard. You should give a brief tug when the dog steps out of line. Using a check cord is similar to using an electronic dog collar in that you want to give gentle reminders to the dog when you are going through drills. If the dog takes off running, you can then pull firmly on the check cord.

Your dog should walk in front of you at about ten and two, as if comparing to a clock. When you first put a dog on a lead, his instinct will be to pull at the lead and try to move further away from you. One of the first things that you need to teach a dog is how to quarter. This is imperative for a hunting dog and also for any dog.

Sitting is another drill that you can practice with your dog using the check cord. You can also teach him to retrieve in this way. Instead of using voice commands, however, you are better off to start using voice commands to sit and come after he has gotten used to the check cord. This will make it easier for him to make the connection to the verbal command and will also make training easier.

Training a dog with a check cord is not difficult and should be a practice for all dog owners. A check cord is easy to use and will help you train your dog in basic command drills.

3 Basic Dog Training Tips Every Pet Owner Should Train Their Puppies

An excellent dog training requires both time and the right attitude. After all, this is how you establish a relationship with your pet. Since you have no means to verbal language, you need to properly utilize all other forms of communication so your dog can understand what you are trying to teach them.

There are three basic dog training tips that you need to teach your pet. And they are easy to do since all you need is a traction belt and your pet's favorite snack to motivate them to listen and obey.

"Come Here" Training

This is a basic obedience training that every pet dog must learn. This particular training method must be executed before meals or when they're hungry such that you can utilize the food reward to your advantage and get them to follow your orders.

Begin by rolling up the belt into a ring and place it on your left thumb. Then, send out a voice command saying "Come!". Make sure that only your mouth is moving as you do this, and avoid bending over - allow the dog to come to you. If you fail at the first try, use the food to attract his attention. If the dog comes over to your side, you can allow them to relax and give the food reward. Never bend over or show sympathy to them. This is an important rule in personal dog training that every pet owner must learn.

"Sit Down" Training

Once they have learned to obey the "come here" command, this is the next dog training skill you need to teach them. Still using the traction belt, grip it with one hand as the other controls the dog. When you call the dog's name, show them the food in your hand. Try shaking the food above its head as it will cause them to take a natural sitting position while gazing upwards at the food. When the dog bends its legs, this is the time to send out a "sit" voice command.

When it refuses to sit down, you can pull its collar upward. As soon as it sits down, make sure you loosen the traction belt. Always reward your pet for every aspect of dog training commands it obeys.

"Sit Down and Don't Move" Training

This particular command expresses ownership of the dog. This is an important skill to teach your dog when you go outside. However, you must practice this particular training skill somewhere inside your house for at least 15 minutes per session.

As with the other two above, always prepare your dog's favorite snack. As soon as the dog looks at the food, order them to "sit down". Once they are seated, try to move forward and tell your to stay put by commanding "don't move". If you have moved but your dog has remained in its place, walk them slowly around and avoid repeating the command.

However, repeat the entire process if they did not obey your command during the first instance and do not stop until you succeed in this part of your dog training. Seize the collar using your left hand as this will force them to sit down.

Dog Training Puppies - Tips

If you are thinking about introducing a puppy to your family, or perhaps you are the proud owner of a new puppy, you might be thinking about when and how you can begin dog training puppies. The best age to start training puppies for general training is around six months when they are more receptive and have had chance to settle into their surroundings and get used to people. When they are quite young, you should try to avoid introducing too many new faces to them because it could make them confused and anxious which leads to bad behaviour.

When it comes to dog training puppies, the first issue you need to confront is potty training. This is one of the most important aspects of dog training that you need to implement on your dog at a young age. Invest in puppy training mats which act in the same way as a cat little tray does. Place at least two around the house where the puppy can access them easily and make sure that you allow your puppy to investigate on his own. If you catch him doing his business where he shouldn't, don't raise your voice or hit your puppy, instead tell him firmly 'no' and then pick him up and place him on the training mat. This encourages your dog where the correct place to 'go' is. When you see your puppy using the training mat make sure you give him plenty of praise and a treat so he will want to do it again.

Another aspect of dog training puppies is to train them to get along well with other animals, this is especially important if you have cats or other dogs. Puppies usually get along will with animals when they are introduced for the first time, but some puppies will chase and bark and sometimes even bite other pets. If this happens then you need to let him know that this is not acceptable behaviour. Tell him 'no' firmly, and then place him in a room on his own for around ten minutes so that he knows this is a punishment and that he has done wrong, it is a little bit like the naughty step with young children!

You can get plenty of advice on dog puppy training from your local vet and pet store and also from reference books and the internet. Never be afraid to ask for help and always make sure you keep calm and cool and give your puppy respect and he will give it back.

Dog Training Tips - How to Train a Puppy - the 10 Most Important Principles

Training Your Puppy
How to train a puppy is one of the most common questions raised by new dog owners. You have just brought this new creature into your lives and before too long you realise that unless you do something about it, his boisterous, carefree puppy ways are going to turn into a real headache when he is five times his current size and weight.

With that in mind, the following are what I consider the ten most important principles to take into account when training a puppy.

The Ten Principles of Puppy Training
Beginning Training
1. Utilise the first three months of the puppy's life to shape the puppy's behaviour. This time should be spent teaching the puppy where it can and can't go in your house, getting the puppy into a routine so that it knows its boundaries and potty training the puppy.

2. Don't start formal obedience training with your puppy until it has reached at least three months of age. Your puppy goes through drastic change during his first three months where the central nervous system is developing. A puppy will not be able to understand or cope with formal obedience training before then.

3. When you do start formal obedience sessions at three months of age do not make the sessions any longer than four to five minutes long. Break the sessions up so that your puppy never becomes bored and ensure that you make the sessions happy so that your puppy is left wanting more. This is crucial.

The most important commands
4. At 3 months of age concentrate on the three most important commands, 'down', 'stay' and the command that I consider is by far the most important-'come'. (The come command is crucial, it can save your dogs life). The way to introduce these commands is as follows: "When ever your dog sits or goes into the down position on its own free will, simply state the command 'sit' or 'down' to coincide with the action". Likewise, when ever you walk away from your puppy and want the puppy to remain where it is, simply state the command 'stay'.

You can even do this before the puppy is 3 months old because you are not putting any pressure on the puppy. When the puppy is 3 months old it will then be ready to associate the command with the action in formal obedience sessions.

Praising and Rewarding the Puppy
5. Never yell at, hit, punish or scold your puppy during obedience sessions, this will only hinder your puppy's learning by having a negative effect on his confidence. Instead concentrate on positive reinforcement i.e. giving praise and/or a reward for completing the command. If the puppy does not do as you wish, simply withhold the praise and/or reward and move on.

6. Use food rewards 100% of the time when you start formal obedience sessions with your puppy. However, slowly withdraw them to around one reward for every twenty commands over the coming six months. That way your puppy will always be motivated because he will never know when the next reward is coming and he will be looking for it.

The two steps forward-one step back Principle
7. Do not make each training session progressively longer and harder for your puppy. Concentrate on the 'two steps forward -one step back' principle. This means, progress over two training sessions, then regress and make it easier on the third session. For example, you are teaching your puppy the 'stay' command. On Monday you have your pup stay for twenty seconds, five metres away from you, Tuesday thirty seconds seven metres from you and Wednesday forty seconds ten metres from you and so on. When you consistently progress like this you are de-motivating your puppy by making it harder for him every time that you teach the command. The correct way to go about this would be as above for Monday and Tuesday, however on Wednesday take the exercise back to fifteen seconds at three metres. Then progress again on the following day.

The Retrieve
8. When ever your puppy brings an item such as a ball, stick or any toy to you, do not immediately reach for the item. Instead pat the puppy on any part of his body except his head and ignore the item at first. If you immediately reach for items that your puppy brings to you, he will always feel threatened when ever he has an item in his mouth. This will hinder progress with retrieve exercises and even with games such as retrieve with a ball or stick.

The Collar and Lead
9. During the first three months familiarise your puppy with the lead and collar. Do this by introducing the collar first. Show the puppy the collar and let him smell and investigate it before you place it on him. Do this in a positive environment, for instance when you are outside playing with the puppy. After he has investigated it, simply place the collar on the puppy with minimal fuss, give a food reward so that the puppy has a positive association with the collar and continue playing with the puppy as if nothing has happened. If the puppy becomes distracted and starts pawing at the collar etc. distract the puppy with a toy or food item to take his mind off the collar. Very soon, your puppy will have forgotten that the collar is there. After two to three days of wearing the collar, introduce the lead. Again, do this under positive circumstances. Allow the puppy to investigate it and then clip it onto the collar then give a food reward. Allow the puppy to run around an area where he cannot get tangled, with the lead dragging behind him on the ground for around five to ten minutes. Extend this to around thirty minutes over the following week and then start picking up the lead for short periods while slowly walking around with the puppy following you.

Enjoy your Puppy
10. Lastly remember to enjoy your puppy. Make learning as stress free as possible. Accept that when you are training a puppy that things will go wrong and when they do move on with minimal fuss. Obedience Training is your responsibility as a dog owner. It is well worth the time and effort because the result is a companion that is always under your control and a pleasure to be around.

Dog Training Techniques - Does Offering Food Treats Work?

Many years ago the idea of using food treats in conjunction with training was looked down upon. It was considered spoiling the dog. Nowadays offering food treats is one of the most popular dog training techniques.

I use dog treats because they get the dog's attention faster than any other single training tool available. With some good dog treats you can teach a dog to focus on you and ignore distractions in just a few moments. After he's learned to focus on you, you can expand his learning and teach him other things. Without the food treats the training takes much longer.

You can use food treats in several ways:
1. Rewards - When your dog does something correctly, he will be given a piece of the treat as a reward.
2. Lure - A treat used to lead the dog through a movement or motion is called lure. After the dog follows the lure, he is given it as a reward.
3. Target - A treat is placed on an object or in a place to show the dog he needs to move to that spot or touch that object. When he gets there, he gets the treat.
4. Jackpot - When the dog does something extraordinary, or has a training breakthrough, he should be given a handful of treats or some special treats. This super-size reward is called jackpot.

In order for this dog training technique to work, the food treats must be something your dog likes. Some dogs will be happy with their dry food, while some others need something a little more special, like freeze-dried liver or homemade cookies.

You need to remember to always use your voice when using food treats. For example if your dog does something correctly, praise him as he does so, and then give him the treat. Your voice marks the good behavior, the treat rewards it.

Understanding Basic Dog Training

Dogs make wonderful pets and give loyalty and companionship to the whole family. Unfortunately some people make the very basic mistake of underestimating the importance of properly training their dog. It is unfair on both the owners and the dog to neglect a proper training schedule, which gives the dog boundaries and allows good communication between dog and owner. In many cases a dog that is seen as misbehaving or unruly simply doesn't understand what is being asked of it and has no structure in it's life to adhere to. Dogs need to have a role within the family unit even if it is something simple like fetching the post in the mornings, this will help them feel part of the unit.

One common mistake is to delay training puppies on their arrival in the home. No matter how young a dog is, you need to start training it from the day it sets foot in your house. Puppies are so adorable that everything they do is seen as cute or playful and as such they can get away with almost anything. This is where problems start to set in, as puppies are learning constantly. If they get away with things they remember this and will continue to behave in an undesirable fashion - both puppies and dogs think nothing of pushing their luck, and so long as they are getting away with things they will push further and further. Suddenly your adorable puppy is a fully grown dog that likes to steal your food or muscle you off the sofa and it isn't so cute and playful anymore.

Dogs don't speak human, so until they are taught what a word means, they will have no idea and this is really important to remember as you are training your dog. Associations between words and actions will form very quickly in your dogs mind, they will know when a word equals a treat or a telling off and this is why in the early stages of training it is very important to use positive association. A dog will not respond to "sit" or "here" if it thinks bad things are going to happen.

There are a few basic commands that all dogs should be taught. No, sit, stay, come or here are the most important as they allow you to have control over your dogs movements. Reward based training is one of the fastest ways to get a dog to learn, and doggy treats are always going to be a winner. Sit is probably the best place to start, as once you have taught your dog to sit, you have it's full attention and you can teach it other things from there such as lie-down, stay etc. First you need to get your dog or puppies attention, then you need to tell them to sit, now we know they don't understand us so this is where using firm but gentle pressure to push your dogs bum to the floor gives the dog the association between the word "sit" and it's bum being on the floor. Repeat the word sit as they are sitting, then reward the dog. You will have to repeat this a few times, depending on the willingness and ability of the dog to learn, be patient. The correlation between "sit", bum being on floor and treats being giving will set in pretty quickly and your dog will sit perfectly for you every time.

This reward-based training can be used across all the commands, of course when your dog has mastered a technique the rewards are no longer needed, but with each new command there will be rewards and this can make a dog very keen to learn! Remember, training doesn't have to be a boring chore, make it a fun activity and it will be much easier to help your dog learn and a well trained dog is a happy dog.

Dogs Can Get Too Hot - 6 Simple Things to Remember in the Summer

We love our dog friends as if they are really people. We dress them up, and take them every where we go. But sometimes we forget about their comfort when it's hot outside.

Here are some steps to help keep them comfortable during the summer.

1. Make sure your dogs water bowl is clean and cool. Keep it in the shade as much as possible.

2. Keep their food bowls clean from stinky old food. Flies and bees can be attracted to this in a hurry. Flies can just be a nuisance, but bees can actually sting your dog.

3. Be aware of the hot sidewalks and pavement. The temperature outside may be so hot it could burn the pads of your dogs feet.

4. Do not ever leave your dog in a hot car during the summer time. Even if the window is cracked. Temperatures raise fast and could be harmful to your pet.

5. If your dog loves water, And you don't have time to take them to the river or lake, you can always get them a little hard plastic swimming pool to cool off in. Just throw in their favorite fetch toy and watch them splash around in delight.

6. And finally make sure your dogs vaccination records are up to date. You don't want your pet to catch something bad like parvo. Parvo is extremely contagious and deadly. Contact your vet for more information on how to prevent your dog from catching this disease.

Lets do every thing we can to keep our dog friends safe, happy, healthy, and cool. And to enjoy every day in the summer.

How to Potty Train an Adult Rescue Dog

Attempting to potty train an adult rescue dog yourself can be a challenging task. Imagine the nightmare of coming home to find one or more messes on the floor. Perhaps on your new carpet. The last thing you feel like doing after coming home from a day at work or night out is getting the cleaning materials out and having to clean the mess up and make everywhere smell nice again.

The problem is carpets don't easily recover from this kind of soiling too easily.

We had this problem with our rescue dog, a great Dane. The difficulty we had is that this dog was used to being outside. Well after a bit of head scratching we came up with a solution of our own.

Crate training. The basics are that you buy a crate bigger in size than your dog, bring it home and let your dog get used to it for a few days. You want the dog to get used to being in the crate, and there are a variety of ways you can go about doing this. It is a stage by stage process of acclimatising your dog to her new home so you need to be patient at all times.

When the dog is in the crate you need to learn to spot the signs that the dog needs the toilet. You take her out of the crate at regular intervals for a potty break. The goal is to help the dog hold it for longer when out of the crate.

Rewards are important in teaching her this behavior, and always be patient with your dog.

Dog Potty Training Problems

What if you seem to be getting nowhere after three months of potty training your dog? You have tried all the right things, crate training, putting your dog outside after a nap, teaching her only potty business outside, and so on, but still your dog does it inside.

What do you do now? The problem is, he is only a small dog, and very young at only three months old. Even though you know he needs to go every few hours, it is still not working for you.

How to do you get through to him that he needs to go outside to do his business. This can be very frustrating, and it is at these times you wish your dog could talk. But he cannot, so you just have to stick with it.

The key to solving this problem is following the correct procedures to ensure you have success. Later in this article I introduce you to a method I found which will have your dog potty trained in just seven days.

If your dog still does not change to the desired behavior, here are a few things to try.

1. If you have been bringing him in straight after he has done his business, leave him outside for a while to have a sniff around. That way he will know that being outside is for fun and not just to go to the loo.

2. Do not play with your dog until he has emptied himself. That way he will want to relieve himself quicker so that he can play with you.

To Stop A Dog From Digging Requires Patience

So, your dog behaves well inside and then when he gets outside the destructive habit of digging rears its ugly head. Some dogs are just attempting to tunnel there way under the fence, while others leave the yard scattered with potholes, all the results from the fruits of their labor. A couple of other reasons why your dog is digging besides the one where he is trying to get out would be, he saw something go into a hole and he is determined to get it out or he is looking for a place to bury a toy or a bone. Some dogs dig because they think that it is a hole lot of fun. Even though this behavior goes back many generations, there are ways to stop dog from digging.

*Punishment?

How to stop your dog from this bad behavior should not involve punishment. The tool of punishment to correct any dog behavioral problems is usually not the most effective tool. Remember he is not digging because he knows that it will get on your last nerve, it is part of his instinct and up to this point he does not understand that it is unacceptable behavior. Instead of punishing your dog,(he won't no why you're punishing him anyway) try to figure out WHY he is digging and then begin looking for a way to address it.

*Exercise Should Help

Some dogs will begin to dig out of boredom. Digging is a form of activity so to stop a dog from digging you need to find some other forms of exercise. One thing you could do is take him for a walk around the neighborhood, find a local dog park or go out into the yard and play ball with him for 25-minutes or so. You really need to try and release some of the boredom so just go out and do something with him.

*Small Animals

If the cause of your dogs digging is because he is in hot pursuit of a snake, gofer, mouse or something like that then in order to stop the digging in this type of situation would be to somehow get rid of these animals. Cunsult an expert if you don't think that you can get rid of the small animal problem but at least try to eliminate this temptation.

*It Is Too Hot Outside

When the temperature begins to rise your dog is going to look for a cool place to go and if he does not have one he will try to dig one. Your best chance to stop a dog from digging would be to give him a way to get out of the heat, get him a doghouse or try and put up some shade.

Digging just makes a mess of your yard and, worse case scenario, should your dog dig himself out he could get hurt. Try to find the cause of your dogs digging and use some of the suggestions above and see if they will help stop this behavior.

Golden Retriever Health - Tips For Quality Golden Retriever Care

Excellent Golden Retriever health starts with providing excellent Golden Retriever care. Here are some common ailments you should watch for, and tips for bringing up a healthy Golden Retriever.

For animals in the prime of life, without pre-existing health conditions, the best step towards great health is prevention. Provide a good home environment to your pet, watch for signs of common ailments, and keep paying attention to your dog's physical and emotional state.

· Make sure you've provided basic elements that your dog will need, so he can have a happy environment at home in which he can thrive. Your dog needs good food, clean water, snug sleeping arrangements, quality toys for chewing and playing, and plenty of time and attention from you. In addition, to take care of him properly, you need to properly groom and bathe your dog, take care of his teeth and gums, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise. These steps will maintain good Golden Retriever's health as your dog grows and matures.

· As with all pets, don't skip your vet visits. Make sure your dog has all shots necessary and recommended for good health. Ask your vet about vaccinations against distemper, rabies, and other vaccinations or booster shots your dog may need. Preventative medication can be given against heartworm, too. Your vet can also keep an eye on the overall health of your dog from year to year, can give you advice for good care, and can catch signs of common ailments that your pet could be susceptible to.

· Finally, pay enough attention to your dog's wellbeing. In many cases, you will be able to tell if your pet is not feeling well. Watch for any symptoms or signs that your pet is in pain, and take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect he is sick. Symptoms to watch for include: loss of weight, vomiting, fever, coughing, diarrhea, biting or scratching himself, or any other unusual mood or behavior issues.

By following these simple steps, you will be able to provide quality Golden Retriever care throughout your dog's life. Remember, for most Golden Retriever's health issues, the earlier you catch the problem, the more effective the treatment can be.

Concerned about your Golden Retrtiever's health? Don't know what to expect? Get the info today and visit http://www.trainingagoldenretriever.com

About Golden Retriever Types - Appearance and Varieties

Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs that were originally bred to be excellent hunters. Read on to learn about Golden Retriever variations in appearance, and the difference between the American, Canadian, and British types of Golden Retriever.

Originally bred in Scotland during the 1800s, with the goal of creating an excellent hunting dog. Their mouths were bred to be soft, and they were bred to love water, making them well-suited to their original careers retrieving downed waterfowl for their masters. In addition to their hunting suitability and their excellent, happy-go-lucky personalities, Golden Retrievers are also fairly large, beautiful dogs, with fur that may be any light or dark shade of lustrous gold. Feathering on the fur may be slightly lighter in color. Read on to learn more about dog types and variations in appearance.

The British Type: British Golden Retrievers may be any shade of cream or gold, but their coats may not show any mahogany or red. They have shorter, wider snouts, blockier foreheads, deeper chests, and slightly shorter legs and tail than the American type. Their eyes are rounder and darker than those of American Golden Retrievers. British Goldens are known for exceptionally good temperament (although excellent disposition is a characteristic of the breed as a whole) and good health, with lower cancer rates than found among American types.

The American Type: American Golden Retrievers tend to be slightly lankier than the British type. Their thick coats repel water, and can be any shade of gold, but tend to be darker than British Golden Retrievers. They exhibit a powerful but smooth and free gait, and good agility.

The Canadian Type: Canadian Golden Retrievers are a newer variation, and they are fairly close in appearance and measurements to their American cousins. The gold of their coats usually falls somewhere between the lighter British coats and the darker American ones.

Golden Retriever puppies are usually lighter in color than adults. Adult dogs fur may be either wavy or straight, but not overly long. To learn more about Golden Retriever types, research Kennel Club standards for the country of interest. These organizations keep careful records about Golden Retriever variations in color and form, and what is or is not allowable.

Obviously, infinite variations will occur among dogs that are not purebred, and while they may not be perfect breed examples, most retriever mixes can still make excellent family pets.

Dog Skin Cancer Advice

Skin cancer is not only a danger in humans, it is also a big danger for dogs as well. It has been estimated that approximately 1 on every 200 dogs (or about 0.5%) will develop some type of cancer or have a tumor each year. The article below discusses what you should look out for and some precautions to reduce the chances of your dog getting skin cancer.

Common skin cancer in dogs is the result of DNA damage caused by excessive exposure to UV rays (sunlight). Animals with light pigment, bare patches of skin and certain breeds like bull terriers are more at risk to skin cancer than other dogs.

How can you check a dog for signs of skin cancer? The first thing to do is regularly run your fingers around your dogs skin to feel for any lumps or changes in the skin. Any changes could indicate a growth or tumor. Other signs of possible cancer are if your dog is tired, lethargic, stops eating or starts vomiting. If your dog shows these symptoms for more than a day it is advisable to get a vet checkup.

Below are 4 ways to minimize the chance of your dog getting skin cancer:

1) Apply Sunscreen - Sunscreen should be applied to the belly, underarms and nose as well as any other areas that have fair skin or are light in pigment.

2) Choose Appropriate Dog - When selecting a puppy or dog, if you live in a hot area choose breeds with dark pigmented skin and a longer coat.

3) Keep Out Of Direct Sun - Working all day means your dog is often kept outside all day. Consider leaving your dog indoors whilst you are at work. Also, try not to walk your dog between 9am-4pm in the daytime where the sun is at it's strongest.

4) Dog Vests - Clothes such as jackets and vests can minimize the effects of the sun, but often slip up, get torn or are played with by the dog. You should also not walk your dog in the middle of the day (between 9am-4pm) as this is when the sun is at it's most strongest.

If you follow these tips as well as regularly examine your dogs skin, you will reduce the chances of your dog getting cancer.

Dan Fletcher is the owner of PuppiesSale.org, featuring puppy dogs for sale and lots of puppy articles.