Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Proper Methods of Shih Tzu Puppy Care

A shih tzu puppy may be a wonderful addition to your family but you have to be versed in how to care for these delicate puppies.  Shih tzu puppy care is not as complicated as say, beagle puppy care, because shih tzu puppies do not need much exercise or to go outside often.However shih tzu puppies do need a lot of rest during their first few weeks of life and you need to be careful not to play with them too much during this time.It is also essential to keep shih tzus from feeling any stress because this can have detrimental effects.

The Importance of Love and Attention in Shih Tzu Puppy Care

Like any breed, shih tzu puppies need love and attention but this breed is particularly needy.Shih tzu puppy care may be difficult for people who are forced to leave their puppy alone for an extended period.  In order to thrive, shih tzu puppies need constant love and attention.  If you have a busy schedule and don’t think you will be able to spend much time with your puppy, you might want to reconsider getting a shih tzu.

Leave your shih tzu puppy with a big stuffed animal as a companion and leave him raw hide bones to chew on.  Shih tzu puppies need bones and chewing toys during their teething stage because otherwise they tend to chew on wooden furniture.

Shih tzu puppy care and training is made easier by the fact that shih tzu puppies are very good at learning and following commands.Shih tzu puppies respond well to the “ee” sound so you should give them a name that incorporates this sound.  If you do so, you’ll find that when you give commands your shih tzu will respond more quickly.  When your shih tzu does something wrong such as by eliminating in the wrong place, never respond by hitting him. Scolding goes a long way.

Use potty pads for your shih tzu to eliminate on.  Shih tzu puppies are fast learners and will eliminate on potty pads.You will be able to tell when your shih tzu puppy wants to eliminate because he will squat.By taking your puppy immediately to the potty pad when he does this, you will teach him to do it on his own.  Reward your puppy with a special treat if he does it on his own.

Shih tzu puppies between six and twelve weeks of age often suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.  This condition is often caused by stress.  If your dog is listless, wobbly, depressed, or starts vomiting, this may be a sign of hypoglycemia.This is one of the most difficult aspects of shih tzu puppy care because it can come on suddenly and often as a result of the puppy being placed in a new home or being shipped.  If your puppy goes unconscious, put a Nutri-cal tablet on his tongue and hold his mouth shut for one minute.  Wrap him up in a blanket and take him to the vet immediately.

Feeding your shih tzu puppy a high quality kibble diet of lamb or chicken can go a long way in preventing these attacks from occurring.  
While this only describes the beginning of shih tzu puppy care, don’t feel overwhelmed.  Shih tzu puppies make great companions but there’s no denying that the first few weeks of shih tzu puppy care take some getting used to.After you find your rhythm you’ll find that a shih tzu puppy is relatively easy to take care of and makes a wonderful addition to the family.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Certified Dog Trainer

Television can bring to light many different types of careers. One of these is being a certified dog trainer. This is an ideal career for a person who loves to work around animals. It may not be a traditional job in an office but for some, it is a perfect career choice. The trainer is instrumental in teaching both the dog and owner how to bond and interact with each other. It is very satisfying to know that your knowledge and skill is being passed on to other dog lovers.

Becoming a certified dog trainer begins with a love of animals. It requires patience and a desire to interact with the animal. Dog obedience training takes knowledge and a compassionate nature in order for there to be success. Most people do not turn to a certified dog trainer until there is an obvious sign of dog aggression and then the battle begins. Dog training starts when the animal first comes home and continues throughout the life of the canine.

A certified dog trainer understands that the training all begins with understanding the basic nature and structure of a dog. It is important to learn the different breeds in order to understand each dog's particular traits and learning level. Some dog are more hyper than others and require a special sort of handling skills. The same goes for active breed lines that require special diets and more exercise.

Once the basics of dog behavior are understood, then begins the specialized coursework designed to train a dog through a variety of methods. The instruction will teach the human how to use a variety of instructions in order to train the dog. Two methods include the use of a clicker or through the use of positive reinforcement. Other steps include teaching safety to the owners as well as the dog. It is also very important to learn how to deal with aggressive dog behavior, perhaps because of a past history of violence or dog fighting. Once the coursework is complete, the certified dog trainer is ready to begin working. There are a variety of places to work such as pet supply stores, kennels or even opening up a business. One great example of a trainer is Cesar Millan, who works with troubled dogs and their owners on his hit television show 'The Dog Whisperer', which airs on cable.

A certified dog trainer will not punch a clock and you will not find them working day-in and day-out within the confines of an office building. There is the freedom of working outdoors and getting to play with the animals, while being paid. If you decide to work for a company such as Pets Mart then you can get benefits as well. You may never be famous but you will be important to the people you help.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Puppy Training Tips - Dealing With The Shy Pup

train puppy

The shy puppy is truly a problem child, but his problems are at the opposite end of the spectrum from his pack-leader littermate. This puppy seems to react in fear to almost everything - littermates that play too rough, loud noises, strange people, etc. This little guy needs a slight different set of puppy training tips. People who are not aware of what the situation really is are apt to assume that the puppy has been abused, when that is not the case at all.

I can remember one occasion in particular in which I had a shy puppy born to a litter in which all the other puppies had absolutely delightful temperaments. He evidenced this behavior right from the time his eyes first opened and he began walking around the whelping box. His treatment and experiences were no different than those of the other puppies. Try as I might, I was never really able to conquer the puppy's unfounded fears.

Fortunately, I was able to come across kind and sympathetic owners for the pup. They were mature people with no children who understood the temperament difficulties and yet were happy to provide a home for him. They had experience with training puppies and so the puppy was placed with the family under the provision that, in the event a problem arose that the new owner was not able to cope with, the puppy would be returned to us. In this particular case, however, the puppy grew to adulthood as a quiet, devoted pet While he did improve in his shyness, new situations, strange people, or sudden loud noises were a problem throughout his entire life.

Puppy Temperaments

There are a few puppy training tips or techniques that can tell you a great deal about an individual puppy as well. Cradling a puppy in your arms and holding him on his back can tell you how willing the youngster is to comply with what you want him to do. Checking ears and feet can bring a number of different reactions. Some pups will easily comply; others will offer mild resistance.

The puppy to avoid is the one that becomes terrified at the occurrence of something strange or the one that snaps at being intruded upon. No puppy should be anything less than happy, friendly, and reasonably able to cope with your little experiments.

There are more formal tests that behaviorists can give puppies that can reveal significant details in regard to their potential temperament as adults. These tests begin as early as three weeks and continue on up to three months.

Stopping Dog Aggression

There is always a reason for aggressive behavior in dogs. If you can discover the reason for the aggression, you can usually correct or at least control a dog's aggression. Some breeds of dogs have gotten a really bad reputation of late; pit bulls, rottweilers, and chows, for example. Some breeds are even forbidden in certain communities. This is just sad. Aggressive dogs are MADE and not born. All puppies come into this world completely innocent. They are like blank slates that have yet to be written upon, and they become products of their environment and training, or lack thereof.

There are many breeds of dogs. There are large breed dogs and small breed dogs; long hair dog breeds and short hair dog breeds; but there are simply not aggressive breeds and nonaggressive breeds.

Dog aggression is caused by health issues, environment issues, or training issues. There are, of course, several subheadings under all of these causes for dog aggression.

If you see that your dog is aggressive or is becoming aggressive, the very first thing to do is to take him to see his veterinarian. The vet will examine the dog to see if he has any health issues that are causing him pain or discomfort.

If the dog doesn't have any underlying health issues that are causing his aggressiveness, the next thing to consider is his environment. Is the dog being walked with a gentle lead? Does the dog have a crate that he calls home? An environment that the dog considers unsafe or uncomfortable will often be the cause of his aggressive behavior.

If the dog is healthy and if his environment is good, the next thing to consider is the structure of his pack. You see, dogs are pack animals. They need and expect order. You may have inadvertently put the dog in charge. He thinks that he is the alpha dog and as such is responsible for the pack (the family). Aggression caused by a dog's belief that he is the alpha dog can be easily changed by simply providing obedience training and convincing him that he is NOT the responsible party.

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Innotek Extra Receiver Collar for Item# 37790 (Misc.) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Dog Aggression Training

Aggression in a dog is something, which an owner should not tolerate and should be dealt with as soon as the problem arises.  However, in order for an owner to find the right kind of dog aggression training they should be using to control this problem they need to understand the kinds of aggression that dogs suffer from. 

In this article, we take a look at just what these are.  It is important to remember that a dog may not only show just one type of aggression in fact they could show several.

1.  Dominance – This is where the dog you own thinks that they are in fact the alpha member of the group and will assert themselves more, especially against those they consider to be predators.  This type of aggression is often found in male dogs and certain breeds.  In order for you as the owner to bring this particular problem under control you will need to quickly establish who is pack leader (you).

2.  Fear – This is type of aggression occurs when a dog feels insecure or frightened.  They will often react to a disturbance or when being approached by either barking, growling, they may bare their teeth, snap or bite.  In some cases, if they feel cornered or threatened they may actually bite.  It is important that you do not think that your dog will grow out of this problem, as they will not.

3.  Territorial or Over Protective – This type of aggression in a dog could cause them to be a danger to anyone (not just strangers).  They will not only feel territorial about the things in your home, but will also feel territorial when they are out walking with you. 

4.  Possessive – This can make a real Jekyll and Hyde out of your dog, one minute they can loving and playful the next they are baring their teeth or snapping at you.  This will normally occur when you approach something that they consider to be theirs.  In many cases, a major trigger for this type of aggression is when you approach them when they are eating.  If you want to stop this problem, you need to react as soon as you notice it occurring.

5.  Punishment – This type of aggression normally occurs in a dog where they have been incorrectly punished or their owner is trying to exert their dominance of the animal.  Although they may not respond aggressively, in the beginning to such treatment over any period of time, things will change and sooner or later, they are going to turn and become aggressive.

Above we have looked at just a few of the types of aggression, which a dog may suffer from.  Only once you are able to identify just what type of aggressive behaviour it is your dog suffers from, can you then find the right kind of dog aggression training for them.  A quick search of the internet and you are going to be able to quite easily find the right kind of training for both you and your dog.

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Dog Backpack Saddle Gear Bag Easy Fit for Dogs New (colors vary) (Misc.) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Steps to Toilet Train Your Dog

The last thing any dog owner wants is a lot of nasty messes to clean up all over the place. If you take the time to toilet train your dog, you'll not only avoid stepping in an unpleasant surprise as you head to the bathroom at night, you will confine all mess to a specific area. However, it does take some time and patience to teach your dog, particularly if you are starting with an older canine.

How to Toilet Train Your Dog

Your dog instinctively prefers to stay clean. If you watch a puppy that has been tied up or left in a kennel, he will automatically defecate away from where he eats and sleeps. You will be able to use this to your advantage when training your dog to use one particular spot for his or her physical needs.

Step One: Creating a Bathroom Area

It's a good idea to choose one specific spot where your dog will be eliminating before you even bring the puppy home. The best way to do this is to pick a spot, perhaps in the corner of the yard where your dog will be comfortable defecating. Some dogs prefer to do their business on grass, while others will actively seek out dirt. If you know ahead of time which type of area your dog prefers, this will help you prepare a nice spot.

Step Two: Establish Living Areas

Your dog will instinctively avoid defecating or urinating within living areas, so you'll need to make sure he understands that the entire house is considered a living area. If you are crate training, you can simply move the crate from room to room, while keeping the dog inside. Otherwise, establish one spot as a sleeping and playing area and then begin to move the dog's bed and toys from room to room until he has accepted that the house is his home. Be sure to progress slowly so the dog has a chance to get used to each area.

Step Three: Be Regular

Dogs do very well on a schedule and this goes for a feeding schedule, as well. If you are starting with a small puppy, you'll notice that he needs to eliminate after each feeding. So, once he has eaten, simply take him to the assigned toilet area and let him do his thing. Your dog will catch on very quickly that this is where he should be defecating.

Step Four: Rewards and Consistency

It will take some time to toilet train your dog. Be sure to allow him frequent access to the toilet area and never leave your dog too long in his crate or alone in the house, since this will result in training issues as your dog won't be able to hold it.

Rewards every time your puppy uses the assigned elimination area will help increase his interest in the toilet training. You don't necessarily need to use edible treats, simply responding with a fun toy or verbal praise is often more than enough to let your dog know that you are pleased with him.

By staying patient, not getting upset when your dog slips up and being sure to let him know that you are happy when he uses the toilet area, you'll find that most dogs pick up the idea of house training rather rapidly. Confusion or being shut up indoors can cause delays in the learning process, so be sure to be consistent and calm about the whole thing. Your dog wants to please you and by using his natural instincts, you are encouraging traits that will come naturally to your pet.

About the Author:
Dog obedience school provides in-home dog obedience training to improve your relationship between you and your dog. When looking to train your new puppy not to jump up, deal with separation anxiety in dogs or excessive barking, consider Bark Busters. http://www.barkbusters.ca

Keyword tags: bark busters, dog training, puppy training, dog obedience, dog obedience school

Tips On How To Come Up With An Appropriate Puppy Name

Having done everything possible to bring home a pet that suits your lifestyle and who is a breed that has all the desirable characteristics it is then up to you as a pet owner to find a suitable puppy name for your new acquisition. You should expect that during the course of his life you would be calling your puppy by his name more than thirty thousand times. Not only that, but many times pet owners would like to change their puppy name during the course of the first year of pet ownership.

No Common Commands Please

It therefore stand to reason that you give as much care to choosing the right puppy name as you did in choosing the right puppy. There are several factors that you will need to look at before picking your puppy name. for one, don’t pick a name that is a typical command such as Stay, Go, and Sit as this will only cause confusion in the minds of the pets at the time that you start training them.

Another aspect to picking the right puppy name is to pick something that will be relevant to your pet throughout his lifetime and at the same time you should avoid choosing names that your pet will soon outgrow. Next, you should try and ensure that you pick a puppy name that contains one or even two syllables as these kinds of names are easy for the dog to understand and so training he will prove to be that much easier.

You should also not pick a puppy name that is trendy for the present but which will soon become passé. In addition, in case you are adopting an adult dog it makes no sense in renaming him and it is much better to stick with his original name. After all, you don’t want to confuse your pet by changing his name after he has become accustomed to a particular name.

It is also not a good idea to choose a puppy name to be something that is named after certain people as this can, under certain circumstances, prove to be offensive to those who have similar names. Other aspects to choosing the right puppy name include not choosing a name that can cause you embarrassment; rather, you should pick a name that matches your pet’s personality or unique appearance.

Dogs are very popular additions in movies and part of the reason for this popularity is that they are stars in their own right. In case you want your puppy to also star in a movie you will need to take puppy pictures of your pet and then use the picture to apply for a role for your puppy in an upcoming movie. It therefore makes sense to shoot pictures of your puppy in the most attractive poses so that the agency will be impressed enough to give your puppy a role.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Dog Behavior

dog behavior: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Brake-Fast Dog Food Bowls - Small Red (Misc.) newly tagged "dog behavior"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20behavior/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Dieting Doesn't Burn Fat

By Jason King

Any successful weight loss/fat burning program relies on a healthy diet. Without a carefully planned diet you won't be able to burn fat even with a good exercise program. If you have a burger at lunchtime, 10 minutes extra cardio later on in the day doesn't work, and you will end up getting fatter.

Exercise is important when you're burning fat, and you must eat the right foods to give you the energy to exercise. A diet that has gotten a lot of media attention over the last few years is the low carb diet. And these fad diets have been backed by famous celebrities because of the rate in which they help you lose weight.

Low carb diets burn muscle as well as help you to lose fat from your body, and your metabolism will slow down when you lose muscle. While you're on the diet you'll be happy at the weight you're losing, but when you start eating a normal diet again the pounds will pile back on with extra weight as well.

You need to exercise to speed up your metabolism, and you need to eat carbs to have the energy to exercise. Carbohydrates are also a feel good food. Depression soon sets in when you cut carbs from your diet. And a diet is suppose to make you feel good.

Low fat diets are another fad diet. You only need to start cutting down on your fat intake is if you're suffering from an illness such as heart disease. Fat is as important as any other macro nutrient if your goal is to lose weight.

People aren't fat because they've consumed too much fat. Healthy, unsaturated fats play an important part in helping your body burn the fat it has stored already. Healthy fats are also important for the regeneration of your body's cells. Your brain is largely made of fat, and these fats are food for the brain as well. Vitamins and minerals also rely on fat so they can be transported around your body.

Protein is food for your muscles so this a very important for your weight loss program. When you feed your muscles they get bigger, and then your metabolism increases. Your metabolic rate needs to be increased in order for you to burn fat. With a higher metabolic rate your body will burn more calories even while you're resting.

On top of your food combining you need to introduce a good exercise program into your fat burning regime. Your muscles will start to grow when you exercise, and you also burn extra calories. When your muscles grow you increase your metabolism, and your body burns fat faster then you could have imagined.

About the Author:

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Your Baby and Bowser (Paperback) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Friday, December 26, 2008

How to Train an Australian Shepherd Dog

The Australian Shepherds can provide good companionship. You should lead an active lifestyle to appreciate this kind of breed. These animals are full of zest and very athletic and therefore can be a handful if one is not properly armed with a good dose of knowledge on how to train the Australian Shepherd. Find out the basic information about this breed.

 

Quick Facts

The Australian Shepherd or Aussie as it is commonly called from the US was used to herding in ranches. This robust, medium sized built dog has a triangular shaped ears slightly rounded at the tip. Aussie can be described by its short bobtail. Aussie has a strong deep chest and stands squarely on all fours. Masculinity and femininity is evident in Australian Shepherds.

Height: Male 20-23 inches.) Bitches 18-21 inches (46-53cm)

Weight: Dogs 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg) Bitches 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.)

Personality

Aussies are intelligent animals, hardworking and has an innate herding and guarding instincts. They are easily trained and perform tasks with enthusiasm. They do not like sitting around for a long time. Aggressive and attentive, they can be a good guard dog. The animated quality of this animal makes them popular to kids. Though friendly and affectionate with their human family they are usually cautious around strangers. Constant activities will keep Aussies happy. Schedule a lot of activities like walking, running, jumping and playing around to keep their general well being in a balance.

Training

The great qualities that make these animals so endearing can also be damaging if they are not properly trained since this could result to undesirable behavior like nipping, chewing and digging. Obedience training for Australian Shepherds is highly recommended since they are quick learners and this will make them realize what are expected of them early on. It is best to develop their social skills by exposing them to people and other animals for them to discern between a friend and foe. Very loyal and affectionate with their masters, they suffer from separation anxieties so it is not advisable to leave them alone for a long period of time. Poorly socialized Aussies may become aggressive if not properly trained.

{Aussies can live up to more than 12 years}. Higly active Aussies results to big appetite so be sure to sypply a big amount of quality food to supplement their energy level. If you have the time and sense of commitment for this breed, you will not be disappointed as your well spent effort will be amply reciprocated. With proper care and training of Australian Shepherds, a life with them will be enjoyable and rewarding.

 

Required Training for All Dogs

It is always so exciting to bring home your new puppy. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with owning a dog especially if you want to be considered a responsible dog owner. You have to feed her, groom her, provide her with proper health care, and give her a safe place to call home.

One of the most important things you can do for your new dog is to make sure that they at least have basic training.

Discipline and Behavior

Having a dog that is alway misbehaving is not something that you want. Your dog can embarrass you, but even worse they can be dangerous.

Training requires lots of time and patience, but in the end you will have a well behaved dog that you can be proud of. The bond between you and your pet can be strengthened through training. Take the time to train your dog and set the rules for appropriate behavior. For the best results you should start early.

Dog Obedience Training

Obedience training is also an important part of your dog's overall training program. There are different levels of obedience training - from very basic training to advanced training.

At a minimum you should make sure that your puppy goes through basic training. Commands like sit, stay, and come, are all part of basic training. So are house training and leash training.

Of course, you can always progress to a more advanced level. Provide additional training for your dog and you will have a well behaved pet. Destructive behaviors like barking, chewing, and digging can usually be prevented just by including the proper training. Just find a program that meets your needs and provides a results such as Sit, Stay, Fetch.

Puppy Training

Start puppy training from an early age. Some people wait too long to start training their puppies and it makes it a little more difficult and frustrating. It is a myth that a puppy younger than six months cannot be trained.

Of course there are some skills that are beyond a puppy, teaching many of the commands and appropriate behaviors can start right away. Just do some research to make sure you follow the proper techniques.

There are many different sources of information available - dog training books, ebooks, websites, and even complete training programs. Another alternative would be to enroll in group training classes. You may want to consider hiring an experience dog traininer if you can afford it.

Group Training for your DogDog

Most of the larger pet stores offer training classes. Because they are in a group setting they are also usually cheaper as well. You can also ask around as your local area animal shelter or other animal groups may offer free or discounted group training classes.

Group training provides your dog with the added benfit of socializing with other dogs and their owners.

Professional Trainers

The benefit of a professional trainer is the one on one training that they will provide. Just be sure to ask around for recommendations so that you can find a trainer who is know to provide results.

You should hire an experienced dog trainer for big problems such as aggression in your dog. Do not attempt to try and handle this on your own.

Conclusion

Being a dog owner is a huge responsibility. But is also our responsibility to make sure we have a well behaved dog that is pleasant and fun to be around. Just be sure that you go into any training program with an open mind and the right attitude and you will find that it is a rewarding experience.

And remember, you can always search for more information about dogs.

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Super Bark Free (Misc.) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Train Your Dog Before Your Dog Trains You (VHS Tape) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Training Your Dog - The "Lay Down" Command

Training your dog to obey commands is an important part of pet ownership. When your dog is properly trained, it is much easier for you to communicate with him and this enhances your relationship. This can also help save your pet from harm.

Dogs want your praise, so using positive reinforcement when training your dog or puppy is the best approach. Your dog will not respond positively to hitting or yelling and that's no fun anyway?

The “down” or “lie down” command is one of the basic commands and should be one of the first things you teach your dog once he learns to sit on command. It is not hard to train a dog to obey commands and once you have done one command, it gets even easier as the process is basically the same for each. Here’s some steps you can use to teach your dog to lie down on command:

1. Get the dog to sit (you should have already trained him in this command)

2. Firmly give the “down” command while gently forcing his legs out in front (this will cause him to lie down).

3. Give your dog praise. Show him you are really happy with your voice and body language.

4. At first the dog will get right back up, but as time goes on you can lengthen the time the dog stays in the down position by waiting to give him praise.

5. Repeat three to five times at each session. Repetition is important but you don’t want to do too much at one time. If you really want to drill it in, you can have several sessions spaced out throughout the day.

There’s more rewards than meets the eye with training your dog. For one the dog gets used to listening to his name. He also will get used to doing things on your command. Taking the time to traing your dog cements your position as pack leader and helps your dog feel secure in his role. Spend a couple of minutes each day training your dog. This will help cement your friendship.

Great Ideas For Teaching Your Lovable Dog On How To Behave

A dog that is well trained and knows its place in the family is every dog owner’s goal but this isn’t always the case. Some dogs show aggression around people they don’t know or around animals but some will just jump on anyone nearby. Albeit those inclinations might be appropriate sometimes, most owners would prefer their dog was sociable with everyone they meet.
 
Do we absolutely have to train our dogs? Most dog owners would share my opinion that it is very important. It is clear that a well-mannered dog is ideal, but a lot of owners feel strapped for time to do the training and the money to hire it out. Some owners don’t want to worry about the problem of dog training, whether they hire a professional or train the dog themselves. What happens is that the dog sometimes appears out of control and may frighten strangers or even members of the family. The safety of the dog and others is most important; therefore, training your dog is vital.
 
You can purchase fairly inexpensive equipment that can make training your dog much easier.  
 
Lunging ahead on its leash is one way a dog signals that he is in charge and you need to obey it. These types of dogs will do whatever they wish while being walked: chase other animals, smell the flowers, and basically ignore its owner altogether. A dog like this may drag around its owner while it looks at anything catching its eye. 
 
Today you can find walking harnesses, which will help because they are uncomfortable when a dog pulls on them. Without choking the dog, the harness puts pressure on the dog’s armpits when it pulls on its lead. The minute the dog quits pulling, the pressure ceases. The upside is that a dog will want to stay very close to its owner. The dog-walking experience immediately becomes more pleasant and the best part is these leashes require very little skill from the owner. 
 
When your dog is showing good behavior, a little extra attention is the best reward. But with bad behavior, what is the solution? 
 
What makes curbing bad behavior tough is the inability to communicate with your dog when it is misbehaving. Most owners say “No!” when their dog is caught in the act and it can work for some situations. 
 
There is a terrific training device that gives the essentials to dogs when they are misbehaving. All you need is a collection of Dog Training Discs. 
 
When a dog misbehaves, say an emphatic “No!” as you hurl the disc to the ground. The disturbance of the discs clanking together will surprise your dog and at the same time the discs bang around on the ground, getting your dog’s undivided attention. As time goes by, the dog will associate the discs and the word “No!” Before you know it, your dog will respond to a simple “No!” the same way it would if the discs had accompanied it. 

Easy portable dog kennels .com offers portable dog and puppy kennels as well as dog and puppy kennel beds.

Without spending a lot of money, your dog training just became a lot easier with these two devices. If you have a dog, see if you can find some time for training. Read a couple of books on the subject or find a course in your area.

How to Train the Australian Shepherd

Having an Australian Shepherd for a pet can be a source of pride and joy. This breed is meant for an active lifestyle so be prepared to live one yourself. To be able to maximize the breed’s potential, it is essential to learn some vital facts about training Australian Shepherds. Quick Facts Commonly known as Aussie Shepherd, this breed originated from the U.S. working as a herding dog in ranches. A medium sized, stout, well-balanced country dog characterized by its triangular shaped ears set high on the side of the head and slightly rounded at the tip. These animals have a strong, deep chest and squarely stand on all fours. Its docked bobtail is one identifying character. Masculinity and femininity is evident in Australian Shepherds. Height: Male 20-23 inches.Female 18-21 inches. Weight: Male 50-65 lbs Female 40-55 lbs.Personality Aussies are high spirited and sociable animals. Playing around is one of the things they love to do. They enjoy rough playing. They may be playful but they are also quiet and reserved around people. Loyal, affectionate and are eager to please their masters. In fact, this animal is said to possess a sixth sense about what their master wants. They love doing tasks expected of them and they do it with so much enthusiasm. Children would love this kind of breed due to their playful and energetic nature but at the same time they are wary around strangers. it is essential to get them exposed to people and other dogs at an early stage to hone their social skills and learn to discern between a friend and foe. Because herding is inherent with this breed, it is important for them to undergo obedience training to have control over their exuberance around children. Australian Shepherd dog training should involve plenty of brisk activities to enhance their well being. An obedience training school is highly recommended for them to learn how to properly channel and control their energy. The energetic nature of Australian Shepherd needs to be channeled to productive tasks, lots of play and active training otherwise their pent up energy will result to destructive chewing and digging. Aussies are happier when they are busy and active instead of just lazing around. Rough housing, playing around, jumping and running are characteristics of a normal Aussie. Life span of Australian Shepherds is 12 years and up. Aussie's have generally bigger appetite compared with other dogs of similar size so it is important to give them hefty quality meal. Owning this kind of breed requires a lot of preparation and commitment to get the best out of them. Known to be loyal and hardworking, life with a well-trained Australian Shepherd dogs can be enjoyable and rewarding.

Training the Australian Shepherd Dog

 

Having an Australian Shepherd dog for a companion can be a source of pride and joy. You have to keep in mind that an active lifestyle is best suited to this kind of breed. An active lifestyle is best suited for an Australian Shepherd. To get the most out of living with an Australian Shepherd you have to take into account some relevant information about the breed.

Quick Facts

Aussies as they are commonly known comes from the native California use for herding other animals. Typical appearance of an Aussie is having a docked bobtail, medium built, strong deep chest and squarely stands on all fours. Maleness and femaleness is evident in Aussies.

Height: Dogs 20-23 inches (52-58cm.) Bitches 18-21 inches (46-53cm)

Weight: Dogs 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg) Bitches 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.)

Living with an Aussie

Being a fun loving and easy going animals, Aussies love to play around. They love to play rough. They are eager to please their masters and form a deep affection with their human family. Their sixth sense works best for their master who expects a lot from their pet dog. Children love having them around due to their playful nature though they appear shy around strangers. Having an open or large space is recommended if you plan of getting an Australian Shepherd because of their energetic and athletic personality. This breed usually form a strong bond with their masters and suffers from separation anxiety therefore it is not advisable to leave them alone for a long period of time.

Training the Australian Shepherd

Since herding is second nature to Aussies, it is highly recommended to have them undergo training at an early age for them to learn how to control their high energy and be able to obey basic commands. This will make them aware of their master's expectations. It is advisable to have their exuberance under control especially around children. Australian Shepherd training should include exposure to a lot of people and other dogs and is best to start early on to hone their social skills and discernment between friend and foe.

An obedience training school is best suited for this energetic breed to properly channel their high spirits into productive results. They need to be involved in active workouts otherwise their energy will result to destructive behavior. They are happier being useful doing tasks rather than being a couch potato.

Aussies lifespan is12 years or more and their appetite is bigger that most dogs their size so be sure to feed them sufficient amount of quality food. Having an Aussie as a companion can be rewarding with adequate knowledge of this breed and ample training is provided. A well-trained Australian Shepherd can be the best dog companion one could ever have.

 

Advice On Dog Training Hand Commands

Along with teaching your dog to respond to verbal commands, one can also teach them to respond by using hand signals.  When it comes to learning, the different types of dog training hand commands these in the beginning will need to be taught in conjunction with the verbal ones as well.  In this article, we take a look at the way in which such commands can be taught to your dog.

Certainly, teaching your dog hand signals is very simple and most dogs will find them very easy to understand.  But in order to get started on training them you will need a few treats, which you can provide to your dog as a reward for getting what, you have asked (signalled) of them right. 

It is important that in the beginning when you are teaching your dog to react to hand commands is that you use the words as well.  Therefore, you will need to decide which hand signals relate to which commands you will be giving to your dog.  Only once you have made a decision on which verbal commands go with which hand signals can you then start your dogs training. 

In the beginning as you, say each command to your dog you should also very slowly and deliberately show the hand signal as well.  You will need to repeat the verbal command and the hand signal several times in order for your dog to understand what it is you would like them to do.  Then once they react the first time to you saying the word and doing the hand signal then you can reward them.

As you continually repeat the commands and signals you should very slowly you should start to eliminate the verbal commands.  However, you should still use the rewards of food and praise for your dog when they respond to your hand signals only.  For a while as you begin to slowly eliminate the verbal commands you should when carrying out the training, use them half of the time, and the other half of the time just hand signals. 

Then when you start to notice that your dog is reacting purely to your hand commands only then this is the stage when you start to stop giving them food as a reward.  However, you should never eliminate the rewards immediately from the training and if you want praise, them slightly for doing as commanded instead of offering them food.

When teaching your dog to react to hand signals it is best to start of with the most basic commands that you would normally teach them.  So it is best to start with sit, down and stay.  Then when you feel able to and when you feel that your dog is capable you can move on to much more elaborate ones if you wish.

Actually getting advice on the right way dog training hand commands should be done is easy.  There are plenty of sites on the internet today that can offer lots of practical advice and tips.  Plus there are plenty of books and videos, which can help you with training your dog to respond to such hand signals.

Stop Fear-Based Dog Aggression

Does your dog bite or overly growl at people (and even small children) that they do not know very well?  This form of dog aggression is relatively a common occurrence and has been assessed to be usually born out of fear.Although dogs are by nature territorial, it becomes a cause for concern, however, if they become overly aggressive to strangers.

 

Fear-based dog aggression mostly traces its roots to the lack of confidence in the development of canines. Dogs that have been in the bottom of the pack with its litter mates, physically or verbally punished at an early age, kept outside the home, tethered on a short chain, and frustrated or taunted by people usually become aggressive. 

 

On the other hand, genetics can also play a role in this kind of behavior as some dogs that have not been abused will still react to a frightening stimulus.   Some breeds, like the terrier and bull breeds have a higher likelihood of developing dog aggression upon reaching maturity than other breeds.

 

Dog owners can stop fear-based dog aggression to avoid potentially dangerous situations for both humans and other animals.  In general, proper instruction is best done through positive reinforcement as it produces better results.  For instance, you should train your dog in an atmosphere where he feels comfortable and not threatened.

 

Experts recommend to have a veterinarian check your dog if he suddenly becomes aggressive.  You also have the option of using a muzzle if you are concerned that he will be aggressive towards other dogs or people.Your dog may need more time though to get used to the feel of the muzzle.

 

It's also important to socialize your dog by taking him to public places and providing opportunities to meet other dogs and people as well.Keeping your pet in isolation only heightens his fear of straners as it deprives him of the chance to interact with other people and dogs.  Remember that aggression could also stem from pent-up energy which can escalate to anxiety and frustration over time.  Continuously neglecting his basic need to get out there and exercise will only compound the problem further.

 

As a whole, we advise to regularly train your dog under a variety of conditions and in progression.  Consistency is the key to changing any undesirable behavior since dogs don’t learn new concepts overnight.It will take time for him to unlearn the aggression caused by a number of factors. 

 

As such, owners must exercise a great deal of patience because training is a gradual process that cannot be forced or rushed.  This means that you have to enforce discipline through a humane approach.  Under no circumstances should you physically punish your dog – in fact, hurting him will just undo whatever progress you’ve made.

 

Therefore, getting rid of dog aggression in general requires a lot on your part.Investing enough time, knowledge and persistence will eventually see your hard work paying off in the end.

The Basics of Beagle Puppy Care: What You Need to Know

Beagles are a popular breed because of their cuteness and friendly disposition.It is important to learn more about beagle puppy care and puppy health care in general prior to taking your little bundle of joy home.Overall, beagles are a low-maintenance breed but they are pretty energetic and require a lot of attention.  Make sure someone in your family is willing and able to spend 30 minutes to an hour per day playing with your beagle puppy or taking him out to exercise.

Feeding and Beagle Puppy Care

One of the most important points to remember in beagle puppy care is to feed your beagle puppy high quality dry food because it is best for his digestion and teeth.  Avoid feeding your beagle table scraps and when you do give treats as rewards, break them up into small pieces.Beagles love to eat and you have to be careful about how much food you give them since they do tend to overeat.  Overweight beagles can have many health problems like heart disease and arthritis.

Grooming and Beagle Puppy Care

Grooming in beagle puppy care is pretty simple.  Just brush your beagle puppy’s coat a few times a week and use a hound glove to keep his coat shiny.Also use a fine tooth flea comb to remove dirt, fleas, and loose hairs.  Beagles shed moderately.  They do not require any special grooming and don’t need to be bathed frequently.  

Training Your Beagle Puppy

Beagles are naturally chasers so it is important to keep them confined in a fenced yard so they don’t escape.  Anytime you take your beagle puppy for a walk, make sure to keep him on a leash so he doesn’t run off.Beagles are very social and love to play with other dogs and people so an important aspect of beagle puppy care is frequently giving your beagle puppy love and attention.  
House training your beagle puppy will be relatively easy.  In beagle puppy care and training your best bet is to make your puppy sleep in a crate in order to develop bladder control.  It is also important to train your puppy by rewarding him rather than punishing him.Many veterinarians and breeders recommend obedience classes in order to teach your new puppy to behave properly and obediently.

Beagle puppies are playful companions that are an incredibly cute addition to any household.  Beagle puppy care is not high maintenance but you do have to do a little homework before taking your beagle puppy home.  Make sure to find a good veterinarian to stay in touch with if any problems arise and above all, make sure to give your beagle all the love and attention he needs.  

Dog Behavior

dog behavior: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Is My Dog a Wolf?: How Your Pet Compares to Its Wild Cousin (Hardcover) newly tagged "dog behavior"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20behavior/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Key To Successful Weight Loss

By Jennifer King

Many people need to lose some weight, that's a fact. You only have to look at an average bunch of people and you will see someone who is overweight. You'll know there's a problem if you look in the mirror and someone who falls into this category is staring back at you. If you've made fast weight loss your goal, keep a few simple things in mind to take off the pounds quickly and safely.

Skipping meals is one of the first things people often try when they want to lose weight. They feel it makes sense to start skipping meals to cut down on their calorie intake. Weight loss comes with eating less calories, right? That's correct but skipping meals isn't the right way to reduce calories. When you skip meals your body goes into starvation mode.

It starts to retain fat to counteract what it perceives as a food shortage. Another problem with skipping meals is that when you finally eat you'll be a lot more hungry. The result is binge eating. Binge eating plus skipping meals is a sure fire way to put on weight instead of losing. It's the worst of both worlds. Don't do it.

Know how much to eat. Portion control is just as important as eating the right food. Too much of even a healthy food still results in weight gain. It's hard to do when large portions are so common. Large portions even happen in the home kitchen so you have to watch how much you're putting on your plate. If you're eating out ( which is not a good thing to do when you're trying to lose weight ) keep your portion sizes in mind. It's difficult, but try and not eat the full portion when you're at a restaurant, or eat a salad instead of a heavy meal.

Eat more whole grain foods, skip the white grains such as white bread, sugar and white rice. Whole grain alternatives are higher in nutrition and lower in fat. The fiber in whole grains will make you feel fuller faster and longer. Also whole grains contain many nutrients that are often lacking in people's diets.

Juices and sodas add about 90,000 calories to the average persons diet every year. So replacing these with water is a much healthier option Drink it between meals too. The goal is 8 glasses of water each day. It's easily possible. Drinking water will also promote health in general by keeping you well hydrated and helping to avoid overheating.

Your body needs food every 3 hours to maintain proper blood sugar levels. You don't have to eat a big meal every 3 hours, you can snack on something healthy like fruit. Quick, healthy weight loss can be yours with some proper planning. Keep these things in mind and pretty soon you'll see a slimmer you when you look into a mirror.

About the Author:

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Housebreaking in a Hurry (VHS Tape) newly tagged "dog training"
Is My Dog a Wolf?: How Your Pet Compares to Its Wild Cousin (Hardcover) newly tagged "dog training"
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (Oprah Book Club #62) (Hardcover) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Dog Behavior

dog behavior: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Beginning Manual. A Workbook of Dog Obedience Lesson Plans for Novice Train ing. (Paperback) newly tagged "dog behavior"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20behavior/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.

Dog Training

dog training: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com

Rat Terriers 2009 Square Wall Calendar (Multilingual Edition) (Calendar) newly tagged "dog training"

Copyright 2008, Amazon.com

RSS URL: http://www.amazon.com/rss/tag/dog%20training/new/ref=tag_rsh_hl_ersn?tag=do...


This email is a service of QuickThreads.com. To manage your subscriptions, login here.