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.