‘Animal and Pet Articles’

Dog Behavior Problems: Help! My Dog Is A Nuisance When He Misbehaves!

Fri ,05/03/2010

How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say, “I hate it when he barks non stop… or he utterly embarrassed me when he mounts people’s leg”. Dog owners usually have no problems to fill in tons of their dog behavioral problems into the above statements.

I have to admit that I feel disappointed, even sad whenever I hear dog owners say that statement. Why? Because, these owners have failed to see things from their dog’s prospective! To put it simply, I should say that they don’t understand their dogs at all.

Dogs do not misbehave because they’re spiteful, or are out to annoy or anger you. They just behave in a manner which is expected of a dog!

The fact is that dog behavioral problems that we can’t stand are not problems at all to the dogs. In fact, do you know that dogs “misbehave” for a reason or two? To list a few:

1. Dogs bark because they have something to say, something to tell you.

2. Dogs dig because they smell something underneath the ground.

3. Dogs chew because they are teething and are feeling uncomfortable.

4. Dogs chase after moving objects because they are following its instinct.

5. Dogs turn aggressive because they want to protect you.

For your information, most dogs actually misbehaved (in our eyes) because of the lack of care, concern and training from their very own owners:

1. Health Issue – Many behaviorists & dog trainers believe that at least 20% of all behavior problems are related to the dog’s health in some way or another. For all that you might know. Your dog could be misbehaving because he is sick or in pain. Bring him to the vet for a thorough check-up if he misbehaves suddenly when he has always been a good dog.

2. Imbalance Diet – Feeding your dog the wrong food, with too high in protein, fat or carbohydrates is known to cause hyperactivity. Sugars, starches and many other factors in your dog’s diet can also cause behavioral problems in your dog. Always read the label of the food before you feed him, seek advice if necessary. Remember that dogs need different type of food in different stages of their life.

3. Exercise – Lack of exercise also cause plentiful of problems. A dog that doesn’t get enough exercise is unhealthy and tends to be hyperactive, and display destructive behaviors. Dogs depending on breed type need plentiful of exercises – Do consider this factor before you get a puppy.

4. Lack of Leadership -I can’t stress enough on the importance of the leadership issue. Dogs display TONS of behavioral problems when they lack a leader. Aggressive & destructive behaviors, leg lifting, marking, mounting, barking & etc… It’s very important that you assume the role of the alpha leader!

You must understand that all dog develop behavior problems. These dog behavior problems never develop in a vacuum. They are always the outcome of the interaction between a dog and its environment, including you! Most canine behavioral problems can be controlled if not solved completely. You just got to put in some effort and understand that prevention is better than cure.

Lastly, do try to see and comprehend things from your dog’s prospective the next time your dog misbehaves. You’ll soon find that you love him even more!

Want to find out more about gun dog supply, then visit our site on how to choose the best

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Tips On Treating Dog Allergies

Tue ,02/03/2010

Allergies in dogs cause them to scratch themselves and lick the area of inflammation until sores develop on their skins. Due to the constant itching and scratching these sores become infected and pus formation occurs in them. In severe cases, dogs suffer from loss of hair. There are various options available to you in the form of both symptomatic relief and specific medication.

If you find your dog with allergic symptoms, try bathing it with cool water on a regular basis. You can provide additional relief by using eucalyptus and aloe vera based shampoos. You can also feed your dog a diet rich in minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to help in the healing process.

Several medicines can be used to treat allergic symptoms such as antihistamines or steroids like prednisone. Antibiotics can be used to treat infections. However, prolonged use of this kind of medication can lead to complications such as low immunity or liver related problems. Therefore, check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any of these medicines.

A popular option nowadays is to give your dog shots to prevent allergies from developing. However, these shots are expensive and may take even anything between a week to a year before starting to show results.

There are several other ways in which you can protect your dog from allergies. Atopy, which is caused by mold or pollen, can be kept at bay by vacuuming and cleaning those areas around which your dog stays.

For flea allergies, the best solution is to control the fleas and if possible, get rid of them completely. In order to keep fleas at bay, you need to brush your dog’s coat and groom it regularly. Anti-flea products like sprays, foggers and flea shampoos are also effective in curbing fleas.

If your dog is suffering from food allergies try and make modifications in the diet to make it hypoallergenic. Now start introducing a certain type of food at a time and see if your dog reacts to it. This will help you identify the allergen and you can then completely eliminate it from your dog’s diet.

The best way to keep your dog free from allergies is to avoid the allergens that cause the disease in the first place. This will automatically reduce the incidence of allergic reactions and help your pet in leading a healthy life. Therefore, the best cure for dog allergies is prevention.

Get more helpful tips and information on dog allergy today.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Training Your Puppy To Be A Dependable Citizen

Tue ,02/03/2010

The most crucial fact about puppies and dogs that owners must recognize is that dogs are pack animals and the person must set up authority. You, the owner, are the “pack leader” and you must act the part.

A new puppy will intuitively spend a big amount of time trying to figure out where they fit in the pecking order of their new home. They do this by trying to establish their own control. A few breeds have more forceful personalities such as the terriers or Chihuahuas. Other breeds are more naturally acquiescent.

As soon as your puppy comes home you need to help him learn his place in the hierarchy. All of the individual members of the family are above him in the “pecking order” and he needs to be aware of that fact. This is not reprimand at all and dogs actually prefer to be subservient to their owners. If your dog is to become content and well-behaved member of your household this hierarchy must be established.

In order to create the dominance you must go along with a few simple rules. Otherwise your puppy will be receiving mixed signals and it will be more demanding for you to train him and he will be confused as to what you really want.

The leader must each time eat first. Do not let your puppy eat before you eat. If you are planning on eating about the same time as you plan to feed your puppy, you need to make your puppy wait until you are done. Or you can have your puppy eat at a entire distinct time than you eat. In the start you may want to call your puppy to you to get his food and make him stay before you give it to him. You can teach him to sit and then give him his food.

Grooming your puppy can send powerful signals about who is in charge. At the start your puppy may whimper and cry when you hold him for basic grooming but you must pay no heed to him and be adamant on finishing. Always follow through on what you begin because puppies discover very rapidly if you really mean something or not.

Most puppies will nip and bite at things when they are very young. You must prohibit this behavior immediately and let your puppy know that it is not acceptable with a clear reaction of a “No” and a tap if needed. Keep in mind that you are the pack leader and the pack leader does not ever get nipped.

Showing your puppy that you are the dominant leader is the most essential thing you can do to have a well-behaved dog later on. Avoid aggressive games like “tug’o'war” where he can show too much dominance. Reward his good behavior with praise and treats and overlook his bad behavior as you commence the process of obedience training. Following these simple rules can help you train your puppy to be well-behaved and well-trained.

Maximum training tips for your favorite dog including training collars for dogs, obedience training for dog and much more at UniversityDog.com.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Dog Training – Most Dogs Need Training And Here’s Why

Sun ,28/02/2010

Your life is going exactly as planned. You have a great family, nice house, a carrier you love, and you have even gotten a dog.

You wake up a 6 am with a smile on your face. You have a whole hour to yourself to get ready for work before you have to wake the kids up. You go about your morning quietly humming to yourself as you make your pot of coffee. The aroma is filling the house and you can’t help but think how lucky you are.

Out of the corner of your eye you spot your neighbor taking their little dog out for a morning stroll. You get to thinking that maybe you should take your dog out also to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. Just then, as if on Que, your dog springs into action and flies over to the window. The hair on his back looks like a porcupines and he lets out a low warning growl. You only have a second to respond before he really lets loose with the barking and you know he is going to wake up the whole house.

As you are making every effort to quite him the baby starts screaming like a banshee and your older children slowly emerge from their rooms. All you can do is stare at your beautiful children because you know that within minutes the house will be in chaos and you didn’t even get to drink your first cup of coffee, let alone get ready for work. Any thoughts on relaxing before the day really began have been dashed.

That’s it you think. That dog needs dog training, barking at all hours of the day has got to go.

The desire to get your dog trained has stayed with you throughout work. You are a bit on the frazzled side all through work. As soon as you pick up your children after work you realize that they are on the verge of becoming very overtired. Well, how can you blame them, they are not used to getting up that early. You make it home with as little fuss as possible and file them all through the door.

As you walk through the door your dog comes flying at you to show you just how much you were missed today. You barely manage to stay upright as he jumps on you. You have a new demand to add to your dog training, jumping has to go as well. You manage to calm your dog down long enough for him to stop jumping and then you see it… right in the middle of your living room carpet your dog has dug a big hole.

You look at your beloved dog as the kids are all crowding around him. They are all pleading with you with their eyes to please not be angry. The dog is after all very, very sorry.

All you can think is that dog is a nuisance but there is nothing you can do. The children are head over heals in love with their dog and in truth, so are you. Regardless, you have to stop your dog digging holes especially in the middle the living room floor. That is when dog obedience training comes into play. The best way to get your dog to behave is to train him to do so.

When dog training barking is most times high on the priority of behaviors that must go. Visit SafeDogObedienceAdvice.com to learn how to safely and positively get your dog trained. Dog Obedience Training

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Starting Puppy Housebreaking – Potty Training A Puppy In 4 Easy Methods

Sat ,27/02/2010

If there exists something that most pet owners could possibly relate to it is usually the experience connected with wanting to potty train a puppy which has hardly any concept in regards to the suitable spot to make use of the bathroom and also coaching the pup to become a responsible puppy to make use of the bathroom within the correct place and at the right times.

Potty training a puppy can be one of the most common areas in which lots of puppy owners start the wrong types of training practices. It is this condition where people can use just some common sense tips to get their pets rapidly introduced to the right way to use the bathroom.

The very first thing you will need to be aware of is that most dogs possess a normal instinct to avoid messing the area where they sleep and also eat. Obviously brand new puppies may not get it right away, but it really isn’t going to require much time for them to understand that they do not need to pee or produce stools where they live and play.

Let us discuss a handful of housebreaking hints that anyone can utilize right now that can help get your puppy on his way to being effectively taught as soon as your dog has got to use the bathroom:

1. Whenever you rise each day, refrain from praising or greeting your puppy before he has used the bathroom. This will develop into a new habit for him as soon as your dog realizes that he will get lots of nurturing attention and also praise following using the bathroom every day, this routine should remain in his brain and he is going to recognize what to do in order to get precisely what he needs, and that is your praise!

2. When you start to bring your dog outdoors or wherever it is you need your pet to utilize the bathroom, stay with utilizing just one command each time you guide him towards the potty spot. For example, I utilize the phrase “Go pee pee”.

3. Whichever path you take after you lead the pup from the house to his potty spot, use this exact course each time you are taking your pet to use the bathroom. This helps develop a pattern so your dog comprehends that it is time to go to the bathroom while you are walking him through the same path.

4. Of course, it should go without stating you’ll want to make use of a great deal of encouragement along with supportive caresses any time your puppy properly makes use of the bathroom within the designated area. You must assist him to associate potty training with a constructive experience and also showering your pet with love and affection is the perfect method to do it.

If you keep to the preceeding methods, potty training a labrador retrievers puppy ought to always be a constructive experience for both you and your dog.

Looking for advice on Potty Training A Puppy, then visit www.nesslakeretrievers.com/html/crate-training-your-puppy.htm to find the best information on Puppy Training Advice for you.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

What Pet Owners Need To Understand About Crate Training Dogs

Sat ,27/02/2010

Proper crate training dogs teaches them that a crate is a good place to go for sleep or when frightened. If the dog simply wants some alone time he can retreat to the crate. It also provides a safe place for the pet if he travels by car or by plane. It can also be used to assist in potty training.

The crate serves as an indoor dog house for the dog. It may be the place that he sleeps as well as eats. It becomes his den, a safe place that he can enjoy spending time no matter what is going on.

It is important that you do not force your pet into a crate. The more your force the pet into the crate, the more they will hate the crate and you will both be miserable.

The crate should be in a room where you spend a lot of time with he pet. Let him explore naturally and then add a few treats. In time he will start to go inside on his own. Then you will want to place his food inside, so he will start to associate the crate as a happy place. He should be very comfortable in the crate and sleeping there before you think abut closing the door to the safe place.

When you do close the door, make sure to stay in a nearby room so the puppy does not feel like he has done something wrong. Allow plenty of time for adjustment for a happy dog that loves his crate.

A crate can be very valuable in house training a pet. The dog’s crate needs to be small enough that he cannot go potty in one end and then sleep in the other but should also be large enough that he can stand and turn around.

As soon as the pet is taken out of his crate, you must take him to where he is to use the bathroom every time. Soon he will get the idea that this is his bathroom spot. This will be a major battle conquered in house training the dog. You will have fewer messes to clean up in your home.

Very young puppies lace bowel and bladder control, so do not leave them in their crate so long that they have accidents. Be very patient with them so that as they gain control, they will want to go outside to the bathroom. Over time, you will have a pet that becomes an even more special friend.

Crate training dogs is one tool that can be used in house training and makes your pet much happier.

Learn how crate training dogs can help you train your animal. Helping with dog training behavior and more. Jump online and check out more information about it today.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Pick Out A Pedigree Puppy For Your Family

Thu ,25/02/2010

Deciding to bring a puppy into your family unit is a commitment that should not be taken frivolously. Most dog breeds live between 10 to 15 years. Your puppy will be with you for a long time to come and getting a puppy is not a decision that should be taken frivolously.

Locating a highly regarded and well-respected dog breeder should be one of the first steps to take when you decide to get a new pet. The top breeders are committed to their breeds and they do everything they can to avoid health and behavior troubles. A good breeder will never intentionally sell you a unhealthy dog.

Since your puppy will grow up you should spend time with some adult dogs from the preferred breed before even looking at the puppies. Talk to breeders, other owners and local dog obedience trainers to get more information.

Distinctive breeds have diverse individuality that you will need to take into consideration. Some dog’s shed and some dogs make a big noise called “baying”. Make sure that the breed you choose has behavior that you can live with. If you cannot stand dog hair on your furniture or you or a family member is allergic you will want to consider a dog that will not shed. If your family is laid back and easy going you may not want to get a dynamic and rambunctious little terrier.

Those who work with animal’s day in and day out like veterinarians and the people who work in their office can usually give you quite a bit of advantageous information on the breed that you are taking into consideration. If there are possible health troubles that tend to show up in the breed it is nice to know that before you see the puppies.

Dog obedience trainers often see many different breeds and they can be a good source of balanced information. They can also usually give you some tips on what to look for in a puppy.

If you want some really helpful and fair-minded information talk with one or more dog obedience instructors. They usually have a variety of great information that they can give you on the diverse breeds and what to look for when choosing a puppy.

For many years to come your new puppy will with a bit of luck be a much-loved member of your family. You need to amass some sound information and use that to choose your puppy and not just the “puppy love” that we all have a propensity to encounter around charming little puppies. Every puppy will grow out of that really cute condition and the adult dog is the one who will be your pet for years to come.

The important secrets for training your favorite dog including crate training for puppies, house train a dog and much more at UniversityDog.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

A Well Behaved Dog

Thu ,25/02/2010

It is very difficult to say no to your dog when they look at you so lovingly. Dogs don’t miss curfews or talk disrespectfully to their owners, so why not give them a bite of your dinner? One table scrap will turn them into perpetual table side beggars. Successful dog training relies on consistency.

Do you envy the dog owner whose dog follows the instruction manual? Loyally walks on their left side and stops walking when their owner stops? Sits on command?

Training requires a disciplined and patient dog owner. It is easy to cave in when your dog just wants your attention and doesn’t want to listen to your commands. Reward your dog for good behavior. Positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment. Physical punishment will make your dog afraid of you and break down the trust you are trying to establish.

Housebreaking is one of the first aspects involved in dog training. With a 95% success rate Poochie-Bells are recommended by professional trainers. No more whining, barking or waiting by the door, your pooch can be trained to ring the bells when they need to go outside. The bells are strategically placed on a heavy duty designer durable grosgrain ribbon to accommodate small and large breeds. Poochie Bells are portable, there are no batteries or wires so dog owners can remain consistent with housebreaking wherever you and your pooch happen to be.

Using a dog leash and either a choke collar or martingale collar, command the dog to sit/stay and slackening the leash. Then command the dog to come. If the dog doesn’t come then give the lead a gentle tug while at the same time issuing the command again.

Barking is an instinctive behavior for dogs. When a dog hears an unfamiliar noise, sees a stranger, or hears a knock or doorbell they tend to begin barking. It is their way of communicating what they hear. Some hunting breeds like a Beagle or Terrier tend to bark more than other docile dogs.

Sometimes hand gestures or visual commands are used in the early stages of dog training. When you are in a dog park and there is a lot of noise and distractions, a visual command is extremely effective. For example the universal hand signal for the come command is to fully outstretch your arms horizontally on each side then bring, them to meet in front of your stomach.

Patience and persistence are needed with dog training. Dogs don’t immediately understand the usefulness of what their owner is trying to accomplish, they just want your attention. A dog wants to please their owner and responds to positive reinforcement when they behave appropriately.

Owning a happy and well socialized dog involves teaching and guidance from the owner. Joanne Gallagher is an expert in dog training and suggests visiting Jake’s Dog Housefor delicious dog treats to reinforce your dogs excellent behavior.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Is There A Dog Training Book Right For you?

Thu ,25/02/2010

If you’re trying to find the right dog training book, you might feel as though the options are limitless and it is difficult to find just the perfect one. Unfortunately, many books on the market are simply rehashed information that someone has quickly thrown together while others are quality information that can really help you.

The best place to find the right dog training book is online. Not only can you purchase regular physical books online, but you can also look at e-books. E-books have more up-to-date information because they can be updated quickly. These are often more current than books you would find at a store or library.

Before choosing a dog training method, it is important to consider the type of breed you are trying to train. Dog breeds have specific characteristics that are ingrained in them due to their genetic heritage. Therefore, it is advisable to find a dog training book that is specific to the breed you are working with.

For instance, Jack Russell terriers were trained and bred to chase foxes which means that their noses often overpower their brains. The same can be said for beagles. For these reasons, training these kinds of dogs can be particularly frustrating if you don’t have a set game plan.

Before you buy a dog training book, you want to make sure to read the summary to see if you will be comfortable with the training methods being used. There is no need to invest in a training program that you don’t feel comfortable with.

You also want to know that the author of the book has specific experience in training dogs. You don’t want someone who simply put a bunch of material together but doesn’t really know what they’re doing.
If possible, look into the background of the person who wrote the book to make sure that they have the right kind of training.

In conclusion, you want to make sure that any dog training method you use does not involve punishment. Disciplining a dog is fine, but physical punishment should never be used as it breaks down the relationship between the dog and their owner. Plus, it simply doesn’t work. By doing some research, it is possible to find the right dog training book for your needs

Want to find out more about dog training courses, then visit Brad Davenport’s site on how to choose the best dog trainer for your needs.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

How to Stop Aggressive Dog Behavior: Learn Before Its Too Late

Sun ,21/02/2010

Is your dog behaving badly and do you want to know how to stop aggressive dog behavior? Most dog owners do not find this an easy feat to perform. Before anything else, you need to know some important facts about dog behavior and dog aggression training.

1. Dogs are not irrational creatures.

Dogs are not as irrational as we think them to be. They do not just turn against people, animals or their owners for no reason at all. Just like humans, there are a couple of things that could get on a dog’s nerves. Some of the causes of dog aggression include fear of being hurt, the dog’s tendency to protect its own and an incorrect perception of its superiority over all others. Knowing these reasons will help you see your dog in a new light that will permit an appropriate response.

2. You can contribute to the promotion of aggressive behavior.

You may be part of the problem. You may not want to accept it at first but it is possible that some of your own actions could lead to dog aggression. Taking away a dog’s toy or dish for example could make your dog think that you are trying to steal from it. Raising a stick in your hand to play fetch could be perceived too by a traumatized dog as a position of attack and will try to defend itself. The simple act of reaching over to pat your dog may also be mistaken as a challenge to its dominance.

3. Aggressive behavior can be corrected.

Your dog is not beyond help even if some claim that you have a particular breed that is aggressive in nature. There are experts that are trained on dog psychology who can help your dog and teach you how to stop aggressive dog behavior. Take the time to read on dog training approaches and pick a trainer who uses techniques that you are comfortable with. Appropriate obedience training may be the only way to straighten out your dog’s behavior.

4. You can correct dog aggression yourself.

Of course, there are option other than hiring expensive dog trainers. You can teach your dog yourself to stop being aggressive. To be on the safe side though, you should follow a reliable manual or guide book for training. Inappropriate techniques could make your dog’s behavior worse. You could also be endangering yourself.

5. Physical punishment is never a good idea.

New methods for training dogs never include punishment. One old technique is the use of physical force and punishment. Many experts however now acknowledge that this is not an advisable technique. Using sticks, leashes, collars and shock equipment are not only cruel. They might also reinforce violent behavior among dogs.

6. Non-aggressive behavior is the key to a happy relationship.

Your relationship with your dog rests solely on its temperament. If you give up on correcting aggression in your dog, you could be signing the death warrant on your relationship with your pet. The only key to having a happy and affectionate companion is to stop its aggressive ways.

Although it is easy to dismiss and give up your dog if you don’t know how to stop aggressive dog behavior, is still not an excuse. There are ways and means for you to learn how. You just need to be patient and persevering. If you love your dog, you will not stop at nothing to find a solution.

Does your dog have a growing aggressive dog behavior? Find out how to stop aggressive dog behavior now before it’s too late for you and your canine companion.

VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.3_1094]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)