Posts Tagged ‘pet supplies’

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.

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Dog Harness Benefits

Fri ,12/02/2010

Dog harnesses are a simple, but effective, tool to use with dogs. They are used to secure a dog in a similar fashion that a dog collar would. The difference is collars are meant to be used around the neck, but a harness goes underneath your dog’s chest for even distribution.

Dog harnesses are good for dogs that are hyper-active and tend to choke themselves when on a collar. Choking can lead to serious problems, such as gagging, vomiting, damaging their neck, and breathing problems. Switching to a harness will eliminate the choking problem because the harness isn’t around their neck but their torso.

Dogs can sometimes get free of their collar, but they usually can’t slip out of a harness. Since the harness is snapped around your dogs chest and torso it is hard for dogs to wiggle out of it. You also don’t have to worry about the dog being hurt as much if he struggles with the harness as you would if he struggled with his collar.

Harnesses are helpful for walking, but also for other functions such as dog sledding. A harness allows the dog to run and pull the sled at the same time, all with out any discomfort. Harnesses can be used successfully in a variety of ways.

A dog harness can help your dog recover from an injury. Harnesses allows you to support your dog while they are walking, standing, climbing stairs, etc. Some dog harnesses allow you to lift your dog up from both the front and the back at the same time for pets that are handicapped.

Dog harnesses can be used in place of a dog collar. You can still connect them to leads in your yard if you would like to leave them outside. They also can be used with a leash for walking, etc.

Harnesses work well when traveling with your dog. Harnesses can be used as a dog seat belt. Adjustable nylon harnesses can attach to seat belt clips to keep your dog secure during your drives.

You have a lot of different options with dog harnesses. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, and types. They are all different with the way they are used, placed, and styled so you have a good chance of finding one that works for your dog.

Teaching a dog will help them avoid bad habits. An excellent way to teach a dog is to use a dog harness. Jim Witt is and an accomplished designerof heavy duty dog harnesses and suggestsvisiting Country Brook Design.

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Finding a Large Dog Bed for Your Canine Companion

Wed ,30/12/2009

Shopping for a large dog bed for your canine companion can be difficult. Sure, it sounds easy enough, but walk into the pet store and you’ll quickly see that it isnt as simple of a task as you first thought. Dog beds come in many different shapes and sizes, and choosing the best bed for your dog can be confusing.

All dog beds come in some basic styles and types. Pillow-type beds are the most common type of large dog beds, and most often are shaped either circular or rectangular. Pillow beds often come with a removable cover that can be washed, with the inside “fluff” of the bed consisting of standard stuffing, foam, or cedar. While all of these types of padding provide excellent comfort, cedar is especially useful for use outdoors, as it is a natural flea repellent, and gives off a pleasant, natural scent. Dogs that like to sleep stretched out tend to like these types of bed, as they allow them to spread out fully while sleeping and resting.

Doughnut dog beds are a very common type of bed for small dogs, but some large dog beds also come in this style. These beds can come in two pieces, such as a low-sided wicker basket with a flat bed inside, or an-all fabric design where the outer portion is padded and built up and the inner circle, or “hole” of the doughnut is padded less, giving the dog a nest to cuddle into. Some dogs prefer these types of beds to all others, especially dogs who tend to like to nest into their beds to feel secure. Many a large dog has tried unsuccessfully to fit into doughnut beds for their much smaller animal siblings, with comical results as the big dog spills out over the sides of the small bed. If your dog is a “nester” he or she will appreciate getting a doughnut bed in the right size!

Elevated dog beds are a newer type, with many variations of construction and design, from miniature couches to suspended hammock-type beds. The idea of these types of beds are to keep dogs above the cold ground and drafty floor level, also allowing older dogs to get up from laying down more easily. Your dog may take some convincing at first that its a safe place to sleep, but after an introduction, most dogs decide that the strange look is worth the added comfort!

Orthopedic dog beds are another type of large dog bed that can be especially useful for big dogs. All dogs, but especially big dogs tend to develop arthritis as they get older, and often experience stiffness or even difficulty getting up after laying down for a long time. Orthopedic dog beds can help to alleviate that stiffness and make it easier for an older dog to get up and moving after resting. Orthopedic dog beds come in many of the common styles of beds that are already available, but utilize more modern types of padding for increased comfort, such as orthopedic mattress foam, gel-foam and even built in heating devices to increase comfort and circulation within the joints.

Choosing the right type of dog bed for a large dog can be confusing at first, but if you carefully match the needs of your dog with his or her preferences and your needs, finding the selecting the right bed for your home can be done easily.

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Dog Training Basics – Teaching your Dog to be Social

Sat ,12/12/2009

Dogs and puppies enjoy social interaction, much as humans do. Dogs are generally friendly and do enjoy interacting with other types of animals from canines to reptiles. Of course, dogs are different just like people are different. Some dogs can be hostile with other animals including other dogs.

If you are an animal lover, then you know the value of having several dogs, regardless of their species. This makes it very difficult to keep your house in order, and then you have the fact that your dogs will want to defend their territory. If you have ever seen a canine territorial conflict, then you know what a headache can be. We’ve all had the experience of walking the dog in the middle of the night, and watching a rival dog wander into the yard. Have you ever managed to make it back inside without the entire front of your body covered in wet grass?

There are ways to remedy this. Your dog needs to be taught social behavior as soon as humanly possible. They’re like children, and as children, their minds are more susceptible to learning. You remember how easily you accepted things when you were a child, right? They have not established the line between a friend and an enemy; they’re just trying to learn, and you need to take advantage of that.

If you have decided to have just one dog, then in it’s young years you need to introduce it to other dogs. This way it will understand that not all dogs are enemies. It also needs to become used to being touched. This will make it friendlier around other people, and of course will keep it from biting every hand it happens to see.

While introducing your puppy to other dogs, keep a tight grip on the leash, until you are sure they are not going to fight. Sure, this is controlling, however, your puppy needs to learn between what is right, and what is not.

Puppies and dogs love to play, which includes biting, jumping and shoving one another. However, you can teach them not to do such things. They do these things while playing with one another; it is part of their nature. You just want to be sure that they are not really, hurting one another while playing together. Another distraction is having your dog or puppy jump on you continually, whether or not it is a lap dog.

Dogs bark, it is just part of their nature; however, it can get on your nerves when they bark continually. You can teach them not to bark all the time or you may want to distract them with a dog treat. It may not work to begin with, however you should keep trying. Teach the dog that you will give it a treat if it will stop barking. The dog will learn only to bark when necessary, when you use this method repeatedly.

Train a puppy or dog to be quiet by placing the animal on its back and then yell into his or her face. It does not look so pleasing to others; however, it is a good working method many professional dog trainers use to train a puppy or dog to be quiet. This method works well with rescue animals as well to help teach him or her to be quiet.

When you train a puppy as early as possible, he or she will make a wonderful friend and companion for many years. Remember this when you are raising puppies or a dog.

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Training A Puppy Can Be Entertaining For The Whole Household

Thu ,10/12/2009

There is nothing more exciting than bringing a new puppy home. There is just something about puppies that makes them adorable to everyone. Nobody can resist their charm. That is, nobody can resist their charm until they have a little accident on your living room carpet. Then you have to think about training a puppy!

Many people find toilet training a puppy to be a frustrating and maddening experience, but it needn’t be. If you educate yourself about dogs and their behavior, you can learn how to train your dog without causing either the puppy or yourself too much anxiety.

All dogs have certain instincts that they are born with. One of these instincts is to not soil their sleeping den. In their natural environment they will know to immediately head outdoors if they feel an urge to urinate or defecate. But they may not have that option in the confines of your house. Your puppy will show signs of anxiety before it “does its duty” in your home.

Your puppy will be instinctively hesitant to relieve itself inside the house, but will not be able to control itself. It will sniff around the house, trying to find the place where others relieve themselves before it finally gives up and does it on the floor. It is important not to punish it for this, because it hasn’t done anything wrong. It is just as important to teach it that the place it chose is not the right place and to show it where the right place is.

Do not loudly scold your puppy, hit it or rub its face in its mess. Immediately clean up the area and take the waste matter outside and put it where it belongs. Take the puppy with you and let it see and smell where its waste belongs. Then go back and clean up thoroughly. Take special care to use a cleaning solution that completely eliminates the odor, remembering that your dog has a keener sense of smell than you do.

You will have to keep your eyes open for a few days or weeks if you want to successfully toilet train your puppy. Look for those behavioral signs that tell you it needs to go. Take it outside and wait for it to finish and then offer it a reward for good behavior. You will not only have shown your puppy the appropriate place to go, but have established yourself as the leader of the “pack.”

Teaching the puppy who is boss is as important as toilet training itself. Dogs are pack animals, which means that they either follow the pack or lead the pack. Your puppy must know from the beginning that it is living in your home and that you are the leader of the pack. You need not be a harsh leader. In fact, benevolent leadership is a far better way to lead.

Training a puppy from an early age is best for everyone. You will have a happy, well-adjusted pet and your life together will be satisfying for both of you.

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Swimming Is Great Exercise For Your Dog

Sun ,06/12/2009

Finding cool activities is natural in the summer months. Water activities are a perfect solution for you as well as your dog. Dogs that don’t normally take pleasure in getting wet will have a swim if they are encouraged to get wet on a hot day!

There are canines that enjoy swimming with people, retrieving toys or simply just running around in the water. Certain dog breeds have been bred to be around water. Some of these breeds are: Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundland, Golden Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Some Poodles and Spaniel breeds also enjoy the water. Don’t rule out many mixed breeds that are always ready to dive in!

Pets need daily exercise. Your pet will not only be healthier, but calmer when indoors. Including your dog in your day at a nearby lake can be a fun adventure for all. Taking a swim with your dog and playing ball in the water is a lot of fun.

Another great idea for your water outing is a floating dog toy. Many floating dog toys come attached to rope handles that make it easy to play toss and tug games in or out of the water.

To prevent your dog from an accidental drowning, canine life preservers are available to purchase and come in various sizes and styles. This will help dog owners enjoy the outing, knowing their dog is safe. Your dog may not realize that they are getting fatigued and requires a short break away from the water.

If you don’t want to travel outside of your own backyard, your dog can take a dip in your pool. This is really a personal preference since some pool filters can’t handle dog hair. Even if your dog doesn’t shed, pool owners have differing opinions about pets in the pool. Sometimes dogs can rip the liner or damage the pool equipment.

An easy resolution is to acquire a pool made specifically for your dog. Most dog pools are very durable, transportable, easy to fill and empty and made of tough PVC. These pools are easy to setup in the backyard, on deck or patio. These dog pools fold up making them easy to take on a summer trip and easy to store during the cold winter season.

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Dog Training – Pet Tricks Training

Tue ,10/11/2009

For the most part dogs are enthusiastic to do what their owners want and try their best to please when it comes to receiving a reward for doing so. These are dog tendencies that need to be used when it comes time to teach them tricks. It makes sense to use their natural predilections. By building on these natural ‘dog’ tendencies and behaviors in association with rewards to develop pet tricks, the procedure becomes easier than trying to teach a trick from square one.

Have a look at your dog and try to determine what he or she does for fun. Does he chase butterflies? Does he crawl on his belly? If you think you see him doing something that would make a marvelous trick, then you’re already halfway there. You’ll want to use the same hand motion every time the dog does it, and then you’ll want to provide a treat. By using this method the dog will know a treat is coming and be more than happy to do the trick whenever you display the hand motion.

Numerous dogs have weight or diet considerations so don’t over do it with the food treats. Utilizing treats may be an acceptable way to get started and to stimulate your dog’s attention and focus but after a while you want your dog reacting and performing tricks as a result of voice instructions, hand signs, and praise for a correct response. Once the proper signal-command/reaction-trick interrelations are ingrained and automatic the use of treats can be minimized or altogether terminated.

Most dogs don’t take very long to get the hang of it because they recognize quickly that when they do the trick they get the treat. This makes the training pretty simple, and you can use simple commands as a gateway to other tricks. One example might be using the command ‘down’ instead of ‘play dead’. This will be a good starting point, and eventually you can move on to ‘play dead’. ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘sit’ will also come naturally to the dog once a little bit of practice is done.

Another way to get your dog to pay close attention while you are trying to perfect tricks is to use their favorite toy. You can dangle this close to your dog’s nose and say ‘jump’. It may take a few minutes, but the dog will soon realize that the word ‘jump’ means…well…jump. After a while you won’t even need the toy.

Take advantage of your dog’s acute sense of smell… his ability to detect smells close up and at long range is astonishing. This incredible ability can be used in training many types of “hide-and-seek” tricks and games. Again, using a favorite chew toy or chew ball, conceal it under a box or other object. Start-off close up and gradually lengthen the distance or raise the difficulty in stages, for instance positioning the box in another room or up on a counter.

What about giving you five? That’s a great trick for a dog, and it’s actually pretty easy. Most dogs have a tendency to give you their paw immediately, and you can show them your hand or “paw”, and then say ‘high five’ as they give you theirs. After a while this will become second nature to them, but at first you will need to reinforce this behavior using a treat.

The dog will usually have no hesitation to hand you their paw, and because of this you will sometimes be able to do the trick without saying anything. Sometimes you might actually have to lift their paw up for them, and even if this is the case then you’ll still need to give the dog some praise so that they’ll be willing to do it on their own next time.

After a trick has been learned it’s not difficult to extend it. “Give me five” can smoothly be extended into “sit up” by slowly raising the paw so that the other one will naturally raise up. By then haging on to both feet so that the dog is in a “sit up” position, vocalizing the command and supporting the proper reaction with praise or a treat, he will, with repetition, make the connection.

Without a doubt there are many different types of training. A lot of it is for behavior modification, safety, appropriate social behavior, and so forth. Working on tricks is for you and your dog’s pleasure, recreation, and to help fortify the bond between you.

Learn how to select the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t allow Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or tedious experience. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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How Do I Teach My Dog to Come?

Mon ,09/11/2009

Dogs do not come in the naturally stubborn category. However, it takes them some time to understand what needs to be done. That is why it is necessary that the owner manages to establish his status of “alpha wolf”, really quickly. To make sure that the dog understands the necessary behavior and commands, you need to be patient, and firm. This challenge is going to include the training of the important “come” command.

A dog is going to explore his environment by sniffing, digging, moving things and taking things away from one place to another. That is why one has to make sure that he does not get distracted with other objects during a training session. Other people and voices are also going to distract him so you need to do your training session in a quiet and clear backyard.

The moment the dog comes spontaneously towards you, act quickly, and reinforce the command with a hand gesture. If he moves towards you, spontaneously, reinforce “Come” with the hand movement. Make sure that the gesture and/or the word is unique and not one which is used during regular training sessions.

To begin, face the dog and place it in the sit position. Execute the “stay” command as you move back a couple of steps. Use the voice and hand gesture command. Give the dog bountiful praise for appropriate behavior, but don’t give praise for uncompleted or incorrect action.

Repeat this as you continue moving back several more steps. If the dog runs to you before he should, vocalize the “sit-stay” command and try it again. If the dog doesn’t want to come at all you may have to use a toy or a snack to prompt him a little bit.

Some dogs may be reluctant or slow to learn. This is where you might need to do some leash training. The dog should be put in the sit position with the reinforcement of the ‘stay’ command. Start backing up, while letting the leash go loose and slack. A firm tug is needed upon the leash along with the appropriate voice and hand gestures, if the dog does not move.

If the dog is too eager to come to you, use either a long leash or a rope which should be wrapped around a tree or fence rail. If the dog tries to move, the leash should be tugged as you say ‘stay’. This training can be done with the help of another person, but the dog is going to get confused about whom to obey. That is why it is sensible to have the dog’s focus on just one trainer.

Consistence as well as patience is necessary during training sessions. Human induced commands like sit, stay and come are not naturally understood by dogs. Yelling at the dog when it makes errors or does not obey your orders is quite a counterproductive exercise. You have to establish your alpha status by your body posture, a firm voice, and your patience while you wait for it to obey you. Physical leading and restraint is not such a helpful technique.

Many dog breeds are quite willing to be trained, and respond very positively to quick praise, for proper and correct behavior. If necessary, you have to show that you are the stubborn one waiting for them to ‘come’, instead of your going to them.

Learn to select the correct Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t allow Puppy Potty Training become a prolonged or frustrating affair. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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