Showing posts with label dog training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog training. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2009

Important Dog Training Tips

A good dog-training session can actually establish a good owner-dog relationship that is based on mutual trust and respect. A happy, well-trained dog is a dog that a responsible dog owner is confident of and has control of in any circumstances.

The most important of puppy dog training tips involves training your little new friend to be housebroken. It is essential that you do not use violence or scold a puppy during housebreaking. You should only scold the young dog with a loud, firm "No!" when you catch him about to soil the rug. Warning signs include sniffing and circling a certain area, as well as actually squatting in preparation of the dirty deed. The puppy must be brought to the designated toilet spot and praised each time he uses it correctly. Clean up any toilet accidents so that the puppy isn't drawn to its scent at a subsequent time.

Maybe you're not feeding him enough, or maybe your dog just likes the taste of your furniture. Getting your dog to stop chewing up the sofa isn't mission impossible. There are plenty of dog training tips that can help you. Your dog's chewing habits may be indicative of emotional problems. Teething puppies can also have chewing problems. You can provide specific chew toys to alleviate discomfort or boredom. If you need to leave your dog unattended, confine it to an enclosed but safe space. You can further dog- or puppy-proof items at home by coating objects with a foul-tasting but non-toxic (of course) substance. Aversion therapy is usually successful.

For obedience training, keep training sessions short and simple. Don't issue long or complicated commands because these can only confuse the dog. Remember to use positive reinforcement and repetition to enforce the learning process. Never use force to reprimand a dog.

So, yes, it's possible to get your puppy to stop pooping on your rug. With the right training, you can also stop your dog from destroying your furniture!

Friday, August 21, 2009

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.

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.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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 Trick - Take A Bow

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