For most people, dog obedience training is a difficult process. Well, it could be if you don't know the proper way to do it. Take note that it can also be stressful on the part of your dog and therefore the speed of his learning process will totally depend on how you execute the training.
The human-dog relationship is something that needs to be enhanced. You should have a healthy relationship in the household so that both of you will feel secure. This training covers a lot of techniques and among them are positive reinforcement, clicker training, dog whispering, collar and leash, marker training, reward training, and a lot of others. Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional, the main goals should be achieved.
The main goals that have to be attained during the training include a clear line of communication between you and your pet, strengthen your ties, and spend more quality time with each other. Most behavioral problems such as digging, chewing, excessive barking, jumping up, and many others are likewise resolved through proper training.
The training itself is composed of boundaries or rules which aim to educate your dog to become a responsible member of your household and be in control of his behavior. Basically, he will not be solely confined at home. There will be times when he will be taken out for a walk and it will not help if he will be unruly. Like human beings, dogs should be taught good manners. He should know how to properly behave in certain situations, at any given place, and at any given time.
The Benefits of Obedience Training
Training the dog to be obedient is one prime way to enjoy the company of your dog and one that will surely benefit you in the years to come. Here are a couple of advantages that you will definitely be happy about.
The training will make life simple for your dog. It means his confusions will be eliminated and he will be more aware of his good and bad behavior.
It is a rewarding experience. During the training, your dog will have fun learning. If you will do it by yourself, it is likewise your best chance to spend quality time with him.
A trained dog is a confident and happy dog. He is then a pleasurable creature to have around.
The dog will have more freedom. A trained dog can be left alone unsupervised because you are confident he will not be causing nuisance in your place.
A dog that has gone through obedience training is safer. He will not threaten other people and animals around him.
You will be able to respect your dog just like a true family member and companion.
Overall, the dog obedience training process may take time and it requires you to be really patient at all times. So always be consistent and don't fall short of rewards and praises as well as punishments whenever necessary.
In the middle of rising and fall in the economy, most of the people plan to cut on costs and pay more attention to saving money. For their furry friend, they have to fulfill many of its needs and in the present scenario of busy life; everybody finds it convenient to prefer ready to made pet food for their pets. The expenses that come with this convenience are quite difficult to be borne by many of you out there! To start saving money on their food, the best way is preparing meals for them at home. If you calculate the amount that you spend on your pet’s daily meals, you will be amazed to see that how much money it is taking from your pocket. Commercial pet food providing dry dog food, wet food, calcium and mineral/ vitamin supplements plus the hideous health hazards that come along with these is far more expensive than a home-cooked meal. Cooking for your bowwow buddy has countless benefits that include lesser additives and preservatives, more assorted and potentially superior ingredients along with your buddy’s interest in food.
The technique is simple. While shopping for the meals of your family, shop for your dog from the same store. It saves your time too. Like human beings, pets also require the six basic elements comprising of fats, water, protein, mineral, vitamins and carbohydrates. It is very easy to fix their meal by keeping into consideration the balance of these food items.
Since there nutrient requirements are a little high or different and they are used to the market food, so incorporating some quantity of dog food supplements would also serve the purpose. Further, making high-quality pet food from a variety of recipes is the best way to save on money and at the same time providing high-end food to your pet for maintaining its health.
Psychiatric Service Dog In Training (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some people choose a career in dog training simply because it is a popular choice, however, there are those who are really passionate about canines that their life's direction has led them towards loving dogs even more.
Do you fall in the category of people who pursue a career in dog training just because someone said it is a good thing or you have fallen so in love with dogs that you are left with no option but to fall even deeper?
Back to basic principles…
Dog training is more than a love for dogs; it also requires knowledge and skills in handling and disciplining them and knowing the basics of their behaviors. Dog trainers usually have a long history of experience with dogs and interaction with many dog owners and handlers and their pets.
What is your "dog division"?
There are two types of careers in the dog world- the pet service training and the dog training. Both have relatively high demands in the market but there are a lot more opportunities in pet dog training than service training.
The pet dog training usually involves dogs that function merely as pets and as companions for outdoor activities, therefore, the usual training involved are obedience training, agility training, potty training and training to eliminate unwanted behaviors like barking and biting.
Service training, on the other hand, involves specified training on services required by people with disabilities and those undergoing therapy. Another division of service dogs are involved in chasing criminals, drug and bomb sniffing, search and rescue dogs and hunting dogs.
These are highly intensive training and require the handler to get sufficient preparation to lead the dog in employing its specialized functions.
Understanding canine psychology
What do you really know about dogs- their thinking, their behaviors and their reaction to stimulus? Training adheres to conditioning the thinking of the dog to make specific responses. You should also know well the fundamentals of associative conditioning.
What about dog training education?
A dog training career requires that you have basic skills in dog training and handling. There are no degrees in dog training yet for there are no colleges and universities offering such. However, there are dog "academies" or "schools" that could provide basic training. However, the best dog trainers are often self-taught and have a natural inclination to dog handling.
Some have apprenticed with excellent dog trainers while others simply have the knack in training dogs. There are also a number of dog training organizations that could supplement the latest information on dog training.
Comparison of working attitude with people and dogs
Dog training involves training the handlers of the dogs as well. Therefore if you are pursuing a career in this field, it is very important that you have good people skills and that you can tolerate all types of people.
There are impatient owners who expect fast learning from their dogs without taking advice openly while there are those who relatively open to suggestions. You need to cater to both types of dog handlers and everyone in between. In short, a career in dog training is not only limited to dog training but also an experience of people training as well.
Miscellaneous
Dog training is not limited to "training" alone; there are also certain aspects that you should be knowledgeable of like maintenance of proper dog hygiene, nutrition and grooming.
You should also have good knowledge of dog competitions, accessories and training aids. You should also be able to distinguish different dog breeds and their fundamental differences.
You don’t have to be a guru in dog training to be an excellent trainer; you only have to develop certain skills necessary in handling dogs and their trainers and to have sufficient knowledge on theories and the capacity to put them into practical application.
Ticks are not insects like fleas, but arachnids like mites, spiders, and scorpions. A tick has a one-piece body, harpoon-like barbs around its mouth to attach to a host for feeding, crablike legs and a sticky secretion to help hold itself to the host. The United States has about 200 tick species whose habitats include woods, beach grass, lawns, forests, and even in some urban areas.
They have a four-stage life cycle, egg, larvae, nymphs, and adult. Depending on its species, a tick may take less than a year or up to several years to go through its four-stage life cycle. Adult females of some species lay about 100 eggs at a time. Others lay 3,000 to 6,000 eggs per batch.
Ticks can carry various infectious organisms that can transmit diseases to cats and dogs as well as humans. The four primary diseases and their symptoms are:
- Babesiosis – lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, pale gums
- Tick paralysis in dogs – gradual paralysis and poor coordination
Of the four diseases, Lyme disease is the worst, as it can also infect humans. Studies indicate that dogs are 50 percent more susceptible to this disease than humans. Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of the deer tick, also called the black-legged tick. Symptoms in humans include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a red circular skin rash. In June 1992 the USDA licensed a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease in dogs. There is no vaccine for cats yet.
If your dog is outside regularly, ask the veterinarian about the Lyme disease vaccine. Watch for the symptoms mentioned earlier, and if you suspect a tick-borne disease get your dog to the vet immediately. With early diagnosis, antibiotics generally work. If possible, dogs should be kept out of tick-infested areas. In areas where ticks are prevalent, yards, where dogs exercise, should be treated with appropriate chemicals to kill adult and immature ticks.
Dogs should be examined frequently for the presence of ticks on their bodies. Ticks prefer sheltered locations, such as inside the ears and between the toes of the host, but a heavily infested dog may have ticks anywhere on its body. When a tick is found it should be removed immediately. The proper way to remove a tick is to use fine-point tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull gently, if the ticks mouth parts remain embedded in the animal's skin, you should try to remove them as you would a splinter. Alcohol or other disinfectants should be used on the bite site, the tweezers, and your hands if you do not wear gloves.
The tick can and will survive after they are removed from the host. You should flush the tick down the toilet or drown them in a small container of alcohol. You should never squeeze a tick as it will release toxins that may contain any of the diseases discussed earlier. Hundreds of pesticides and repellants are available to control ticks on dogs and cats. Products range from oral medications that are available only from your veterinarian to collars, sprays, dips, shampoos, powders, and spot-on.
The chemicals Chlorpyrifos and Amitraz are used in several types of products and are very effective against ticks. Amitraz should not be used on dogs that are sickly, pregnant, or nursing. However, no matter what type of medication you use, always check with your veterinarian first.
Even though many breeds are no longer used just for sporting or hunting, these dogs have become popular favorites among those who need a hypoallergenic dog that has an easy temperament. Sporting dogs are considered intelligent, playful, and obey their owners when given commands.
Hypoallergenic sporting dogs include Poodles, Australian Terriers, and Kerry Blue Terriers. Each of these dogs has been used to hunt small and large game and also to hunt for rodents and other pesky animals that carried disease. Now, these animals are kept in the home as pets. While still playful and easy going, these dogs are now treated more like friends that as sporting partners.
Each of these breeds has a short coat that is more like human hair because it is soft and thin. Unlike other breeds, these dogs do not shed as often and when they do, it is usually not noticeable. People who want to own a medium-sized dog will appreciate any of the breeds mentioned above. Grooming is an essential part of their care as is brushing their coats once or twice a week to prevent matting.
The Poodle comes in a few different varieties that are all hypoallergenic. Poodles have been used sporting dogs, show dogs, and lap dogs for those who wanted a breed that would sit still on command. The Poodle is a friendly dog that does not make a lot of noise. They are very active and enjoy getting their exercise. People who want are thinking about buying a Poodle should conduct more research to see if this is the dog they truly want. Even though the Poodle can live for many years, they may suffer some health problems as they age.
The Australian Terrier was once used to catch mice and rats, but today it is kept at home because of its pleasant disposition and its long hair that does not shed. You can choose to cut the hair closer to the body if you choose. For those looking for a smaller dog, the Australian Terrier is a good choice. These dogs are considered companion dogs, meaning that they enjoy the company of people.
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a relative of the Australian Terrier, but is much larger and has a more pronounced head and chest. Their head is almost square shaped. Their cost is soft and curly. It will not shed and needs to be groomed often to prevent matting. While the dogs are actually gray or black in color, a blue sheen can be found on their coat. This is where they got their name.
Kerry Blue Terriers need daily exercise that can range from long walks to running in the park with other dogs. If you have a backyard, you can let the dog run around and it will tire itself out. People who live in larger homes should consider buying a hypoallergenic dog like this one.
Even though these dogs are no longer used primarily as sporting dogs, this does not mean the dogs prefer to sit around all day long. Exercise is very important for dogs like these because they have been used for generations for sporting parties and long hunts in the woods.
Nearly everything alive becomes ill at some stage in its life, and pets are no exception. I have been very fortunate in that my two cats have been very healthy for most of their lives. Recently the oldest cat becomes ill and had to go to the vet. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a form of cancer. The treatment options were pills or radiation 'therapy'. The radiation therapy was very expensive so that left the pills. Pills are fine for humans, but if you have ever tried to administer pills to your cat then you would know some of the problems I have had.
I usually feed my cats on a dry 'all in one' biscuit diet. This diet and a supplement of fresh food have kept them very healthy for over 14years. But now I need to add pills to her diet every twelve hours. So what do I feed her that will hide the pill well enough for her to eat it without complaining? Well after some experimentation I came to the conclusion that hiding a whole pill was not the answer. Not the answer at all. Whole pills are located and removed from the food with amazing accuracy. The simple answer is to crush the pills before adding them to the food.
(Note: The pill should be added to a small quantity of food - half a normal service or less, and that small quantity should be given to your pet BEFORE the rest of the meal. This helps to ensure your cat is hungry enough to eat the entire pill. Once the pill food is eaten you can give them the rest of the meal.)
Pills are usually quite easy to crush into powder, I use two spoons, one small teaspoon as the crusher, and a larger desert spoon to hold the pill. Place the pill into the larger spoon and using the edge of the small spoon as a blunt knife, carefully break the pill into smaller chunks. Now use the small teaspoon to gently crush the chunks into powder. In less than two minutes you should be ready to sprinkle the powdered pill onto a small serve of food. Crushing the pill gets much easier once you have done two or three.
This is how I prepare chicken or fish for my cat at pill time :
Chicken: Cooked (cold)
Cooked chicken is a favorite food of my cats so it is a good pill food for them. To make the most reliable pill hiding food from cold chicken is really quite easy. First of all, you need to prepare the pill by crushing it into a powder as described above. Then you need a small serve of chicken that you can break up into smallish pieces - use your fingers, it gives the best results. Once you have broken up the chicken add a small quantity of water to the serving plate and roll the chicken in the water until it is wet all over. Now drain the excess water from the plate - too much water will leave the pill on the plate and not on the food where it needs to be.
The next step is optional, but it makes a big difference for my pets. The next step is to place the food in a microwave oven. All you want to do is VERY GENTLY warm up the food, I use about 6 SECONDS on high. What you are looking for is to remove the coldness of the food - which activates the SMELL of the food. Do not make the food hot! ( The heat could damage the pill that you are trying to feed them, and not many cats will eat hot food anyway.) Now that you have a very gently warmed serve of food it is time to add the pill. Just sprinkle the crushed pill over the wet, warm chicken and serve it up!
Note: Always add the Pill LAST!
Fish: Raw
If you want to use raw fish as a pill serving food then it pays to make sure that the cat in question likes the fish that you are going to use. ( Cats are fussy!) I have two cats, one eats fish at every opportunity, and the other will walk right past it and ask for something else...
So get a small piece of fish to test the cat with, and assuming that the fish is accepted it is easy to prepare. I use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the fish into small pieces. A sharp knife is ok but the skin on fish is very tough, so for safety and ease of preparation I use scissors. Once you have the fish cut up all you need to do is sprinkle the powdered pill over the fish and serve it up. Raw fish is usually wet and quite smelly, so it doesn't require water to be added or the microwave to warm it up.
Fish: Cooked (cold)
To prepare a cooked cold fish you basically follow the steps outlined for cooked chicken. Prepare the pill, get a small bit of cooked fish and cut or break it up into small pieces. Make it wet, drain off the excess water and zap it in the microwave for a few seconds - do not make the food hot! Add the crushed pill to the warm wet fish and serve it up.
Note: Always add the Pill LAST!
The purpose of warming up the food is to make it smellier. Most food has a much stronger scent or smells when it is at room temperature than it does straight from the fridge.
If you need a small quantity of fresh raw fish it can usually be purchased from your local take away food shop. If you want to use cooked fish from a takeaway shop bear in mind that the batter or breadcrumbs should be removed before it is served to the cat. (Well, it should be removed if your cat won't eat the fish with it still on there...) Also, remember to cool the fish down to about room temperature before you add the pill - otherwise the heat may damage the pill.
Never microwave any pill - it could damage the active ingredients or even make them toxic to your pet.
For those that are interested, my cats' name is "Eff-Gee" ( "F"+"G" ) and she can tell the time as well if not better than I can. Every 12 hours (+ or - 30mins) she is asking me for her pill food :-)
My other cat - that doesn't like fish, is called "Sox". He doesn't really like chicken either. Actually, he prefers the biscuits over most other foods - unless it is meat with chili on it. He is a nice cat :-)
Legend says when God was fashioning different breeds of dog out of clay, he came to his final task and decided to create the most beautiful dog ever and call it a ‘Boxer’. But this new breed of dog was vain and rushed to see himself in the mirror before the clay was properly set and bumped headlong into his own reflection. That accounts for the flat nose characteristic of the Boxer, and also proves that God really did accomplish his design for the world’s most beautiful dog! Here are another ten things you may not already know about Boxer dogs.
The Boxer Dog Who Cheated Death and Became a Television Star Instead
In 1985, a white boxer dog called Bomber was snatched from a vet’s surgery by an animal nurse and later appeared in the UK television series, Oliver Twist. It appears the dog’s previous owners, Tony and Elaine Chapell, decided to put the dog to sleep when they learned he didn’t quite fit new Kennel Club standards for his breed! In filming, he was made to look flea-bitten, dirty and covered in sores. Bomber even had a dressing room all to himself and was congratulated on giving a superb performance. Well done Bomber, and shame on those who gave up on him!
A Boxer Dog With His Own Fan Club
A boxer dog called George was used in media advertisements in the early 1990s and became so well known that he eventually had a fan club all to himself. George’s strange expressions appeared in ads. for Coleman’s Mustard and eventually, the dog became a household name and even made guest appearances at public functions and schools.
The Boxer Dog With The Longest T-o-n-g-u-e!
A boxer dog called Brandy featured on Ripley’s Believe It Or Not due to her incredible 17-inch long tongue! Brandy, from Michigan, USA, was bought from a local breeder in 1995 and her new owner was assured the dog would eventually grow into her l-o-n-g t-o-n-g-u-e! She didn’t and on television, she was shown performing antics such as eating from a bowl 13 inches away. Her owner, John Scheid, says brandy likes sunbathing and even gets tan lines on her tongue, but says the beautiful boxer is fit, happy and healthy, so her unique feature isn’t a problem at all.
Zoe, The Boxer Dog Who Came Back to Life!
Zoe’s owner, Cathy Walker, from Manuden, near Bishop’s Stortford in the UK, has been told by a medium that she is surrounded by all the pets she has lost. That certainly seems true of Zoe, a tan and white boxer bitch who died several years ago, aged eleven. The Daily Mail (November 6th, 2001) printed an amazing photograph of the bark of a tree under which Zoe spent her last day, showing what can only be described as the image of a boxer dog in the bark. Cathy tells how she is a great believer in life after death and claims the image of Zoe has strengthened that belief.
The White Boxer Dog Who Received Hate Mail
To anyone who loves dogs in general, and oxer dogs in particular, Solo was as beautiful as any other of her breed. To her owner, Joyce Lang, she was more than just beautiful, she was a constant friend, a much loved family member. But not everyone thought the same way and, surprisingly, in 1982, in Burgess Hill in the UK, an anonymous letter arrived addressed to Solo, saying: “I think you are the ugliest dog I have ever seen.” What sort of human could write such nonsense is beyond most people’s comprehension, and probably the letter was intended mainly to upset Joyce, an objective the hateful writer most definitely achieved. Letters continued to come saying: “Why don’t you get your master or mistress to take you for a face lift?”. One even contained a paper bag which the sender said should be placed over Solo’s head! When local newspapers heard the story the headlines proclaimed that beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and in Joyce’s and other dog lover’s eyes, Solo was beautiful.
A Little Boy’s Tribute to His Pet Boxer, Lance
This story appeared in The Faithful Friend (Writings About Owning and Loving Pets) and concerned dog owners in the United States who often loaned their pets to the military in World War Two. Lance, a Boxer, worked with Dogs for Defence which eventually became the noted K09 Corps, and belonged to a family with young children, one a boy who wrote this letter to Dogs for Defence: ‘My Boxer, Lance, was in the army since last June. I have not heard anything about him since I received a certificate from the Quartermaster General. The number on it was 11281. I love Lance very much and want to know if he is doing anything brave. Can you please tell me where he is and what kind of a job he does? Please answer soon because I can’t wait much longer to know what has become of him’.
Origins of the Boxer Dog
What we know about the origins of most breeds, including the Boxer, is largely owed to early sculptures, painting and drawings. In the Boxer’s case, a carving of a dog looking much like a boxer can be seen on a tomb in Arnstadt where lies Elizabeth of Hohenstein who died in 1368. Flemish tapestries from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries show dogs resembling the Boxer engaged in stag- and boar-hunting.
German Origins
Boxer dogs became very popular in Munich where the breed is thought to have originated. But the history of the breed has not been without controversy. In fact the first Boxer Club in the UK was closed because of disagreements over almost everything pertaining to Boxers. By 1905, however, the most enthusiastic followers of the German Boxer met to develop a standard for the Boxer which would be accepted by all. The Munich Boxer Club drew up the standard which exists largely unchanged even today.
Boxer Dogs in America
The first Boxer dog in America was imported in 1903 from Switzerland. The new owner of the dog was New York Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, Irving Lehman who imported many other Boxer dogs. The first Boxer dog registered with the American Kennel Club was in 1904. The dog was Arnulf Grandenz, bred in America by James Welch of Illinois.
Boxer Dogs in Warring Nations
The boxer dog gained rapid popularity soon after the Second World War ended, ironically more prominently in countries formerly opposed in a war with the Boxer’s most likely native home, Germany. Listen to what Rowland Johns says in Our Friend The Boxer: ‘The re-emergence of the Boxer breed has added proof that warring nations do not carry their antagonisms for long into the relations between them and other nations’ dogs. Both with the Alsatian and the Boxer their popularity derives directly from the contacts made during a state of war. In those two wars, the adoption of both breeds by members of the British forces provided some personal satisfaction and uplift of the spirit in long periods of exile from home, family, and friends.’
Chihuahuas are not a type of rodent bred to look like a dog. This is an urban legend that has been thoroughly debunked.
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world and the oldest breed in North America with its origins shrouded in mystery. The dog came into prominence about 100 years ago in Mexico but many believe the dog originally came from Egypt while others insist that the Chinese first bred the dog.
Chihuahuas can live up to 15 years old and make great apartment dogs due to their small size. They typically do not like the outdoors and hate the cold which accounts for their tendency to shiver. A sweater is usually a welcome gift and is well tolerated on cooler days.
Many people carry them but it is a good idea to let them walk to keep fit with several 15-20 minutes walks a day enough to maintain general fitness. It is generally better to use a harness instead of a collar when walking to prevent choking and throat injuries because of their delicate bone structure.
An affectionate dog, they love to snuggle, make good watchdogs and are safe around children provided they are not teased. They are also relatively cheap to own because they obviously don't eat as much food as a larger dog.
Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot on the top of their head similar to a human that doesn’t always close so care must be taken to avoid serious bumps and repeated jumping down from a chair, bed or couch can cause stress injuries on leg joints so you might want to consider buying a pet ramp if you get a Chihuahua.
There are two types of Chihuahuas that are identical except for coat length, the short-haired and the long-haired with the short-haired being the more popular as evidenced by all of the appearances in television and movies.
People let me tell you ‘bout my best friend, he’s a warm boy, cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride, and joy. People let me tell you ‘bout him he’s so much fun………….
If you’re old enough to remember that theme song – let’s get together for lunch and commiserate. If you’re not, it’s from an old TV show called “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” and you should seek it out on DVD. The point here isn’t nostalgia, though. It’s a cute theme, but it’s not good parenting – of children or dogs.
Dogs are pack animals and need leadership clearly defined. If you don’t take the lead, Muffy thinks she’s in charge. And Muffy has absolutely no clue how your household should be run. You can be absolutely certain that if Muffy rules the roost, everyone’s going to be miserable. You won’t be able to eat, sleep, or live in peace.
On the other hand, if you’re in charge, Brutus is going to be a happy camper. Teach him the rules and insist that he lives by them. It works.
The most difficult dog we’ve ever had is a Boston Terrier. She’s a sweet dog, but her wiring is tangled. A friend of mine who works in a social service agency likened her to a child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. We have developed a strict schedule for her and we stick to it. Given the opportunity, she would play constantly, whine when we didn’t indulge her, and generally make life difficult.
She does get to play fetch – when we decide it’s time and for as long as we choose. We have a special timer for play sessions and when she sees us reach for it, she sits and cries for her special ball. We get the ball from her special shelf and throw that ball, without interruption, for as long as that timer is going, sometimes just five minutes, or as long as 15 minutes. When the timer beeps – that’s it. The ball goes back on the shelf. Playtime is over. It took a while for her to adjust, but now she hears the beep, drops the ball, goes to get a drink of water and then finds a place to lie down.
Our dog is an extreme example – but a valid illustration of the concept. When guests come over, she is allowed to greet them, but not jump on them, harass them, or drown them with licking (unless they invite it). After she’s given the opportunity to say hello, she is confined to a crate in the same room, with chew toys to occupy her, where she can see and hear everything.
We’re able to have a nice evening with our company and without worrying about the dog ruining the gathering.
It may be easier to “give in” to your dog’s whining, begging or bad behavior. It’s also a recipe for disaster – most dogs who are given up or abandoned lose their homes because of behavior problems. It’s never too late to train a dog – they can always learn new tricks – and the most valuable trick of all may be learning to sit quietly.
That’s a good place to start. Put on your dog’s leash and collar. Grab a handful of treats. Go sit down at the dining room table. Tell your dog to sit next to you sit on the leash. Read a magazine for five minutes. Have someone join you for a conversation. Drink a cup of tea.
When Zeus is good, say “good quiet” and pop a treat. Ignore him if he whines. Try it for five minutes today. Maybe six or seven tomorrow. Don’t push it too far – you want him to succeed. Reward like crazy when he’s good. It’s a first step in taking control of your dog and your life.
When you have a dog, you have a best buddy. Millions of dog owners around the globe know this to be true. Nevertheless, you are tasked with caring for a dog if you should opt to bring one into your home. That's why you have to have some tips about how to do this. Keep reading for some great dog tips.
Consider teaching your dog hand signals along with oral commands. Consistency and practice are key to teaching a dog these non-verbal commands. Many owners get annoyed and resort back to oral commands, but a professionally trained dog should understand both. Try utilizing only oral commands when the dog is out of the way range, but when close up, only use the hand signals.
Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas give rise to infection in your dog, if you are swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms also. Speak to your vet about the best prevention system, but remember that this is not a single shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.
If you have got an interest in providing your dog with the healthiest of diets and making positive contributions to the earth's environment, make his food from scratch. You can buy locally grown organic ingredients and provide him with all of the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats he wants with no preservatives while reducing the waste from packaging too.
Pup
In order to make sure your dog is healthy, be absolutely certain to permit it to have access to clean water at all times throughout the day. Just like with all living beings, water is one of the most vital elements. The sole exception would be that you would want to keep water from a pup for 3 hours before bedtime.
Dogs need frequent check-ups, as well. At regular intervals, your dog desires indications of dog worms testing, vaccinations, and general check-ups. With a puppy, you're going to need to visit your vet a little more frequently. If your dog becomes unwell or is hurt, don't delay in getting him to the vet.
Owning a new young dog is very similar to having a new baby. Puppies need lots of attention and need to be looked after continually. They are not prepared to be left alone for lengthy amounts of time and need to have a fair degree of attention devoted to them.
Treatment
When taking your senior dog to the vet for a yearly visit, be sure to request senior blood work. A blood panel can help your vet to identify any kidney, heart or vascular concerns. If caught early, treatment is often minimally aggressive and less expensive. This is the best way to keep your pet healthy for several years to come.
Your coaching methodologies should only use positive reinforcement. The promise of reward or praise will incentivize your dog faster and agreeably than domination or force. This form of training will give you numerous benefits in the future for your dog. Therefore, be kind when coaching your dog and revel in the great end result!
Don't bathe your dog once you have applied for a flea or tick medicine. Some medications out that they are waterproof, but they only mean against rain or swimming. They will mostly wash away with a dog shampoo, rendering the treatment ineffective. If you've got to wash the dog after a treatment, employ a soap free shampoo.
Not only do you have a chum when you have a dog, but you've also got a responsibility. It's important that you do your utmost to ensure that your dog is well-fed, healthy and happy. You need to make certain that you use the tips here to help so you and your dog both enjoy a good life.
The Alaskan malamute breed is a rather large dog that can weigh up to 90 pounds, and measure up to 25 inches in height. They have a thick gray, black or white coat, and are best known as working dogs, pulling sleds in Alaska. Their ideal habitat consists of cool climates where they can keep them cool, even in the heat of summer.
These dogs have a shiny and coarse outer coat, and a soft inner coat, which almost feels like wool, specially designed for living in cold weather. In the event that you are caring for an Alaskan Malamute in warmer climates, you should make sure to provide a place in the shade with plenty of water available at all times.
The coats on an Alaskan malamute come in various shades of grey, black, white, and even red. Specimens, who show mixed colors, will predominantly be white on the extremities. The American Kennel Commission only accepts white as a solid color.
These dogs show a high degree of independence and loyalty. They show a lot of energy as puppies and mellow down a little as years go by. They will chew on anything they can find, dig a hole wherever they please and play dog games all day. If you don’t want it destroyed, better hide it from them. They make a bad choice for an apartment dog or even the pet for a small home. In houses with limited space, the owner will need to take precautions with the fence in order to prevent him from escaping.
This breed loves the outdoors and playing games, they would be especially good for older children until they mellow down a little bit. Malamutes which are trained, and given some sort social behavior classes will handle themselves well among other animals, and even work together with them. However, if left up to their own instincts, they can turn aggressive towards other animals and consider small ones as prey to be devoured and eaten.
This breed of dog is native to Alaska and dates back over two thousand years. Originally, these dogs were trained to work, pulling sleds in the Alaskan Malamute Eskimo tribe. Besides being a great companion to any family, these dogs are still used for pulling sleds in racing events and assisting families who live in arctic regions...
For families living in cold and snowy weather conditions, such as the Eskimo tribes in Alaska, these dogs are of crucial importance for their survival. It is important for aspiring pet owners to consider the design of this dog before opting for him as a pet. The two different coats in the dog’s fur are not made for aesthetic purposes, but rather to provide a lot of warmth in an otherwise inhospitable environment. Getting this dog as a pet, and condemning him to live in the warmer regions near the equator, would only become a permanent form of torture to a dog not equipped to live in such conditions. In other words, it would be like leaving a fish in the sands of the dessert.
The Beauceron is a large dog that weighs between 75-110 lbs. Their height ranges between 24" to 27 ½". Loyal, protective and territorial, the Beauceron makes an excellent watchdog that will ward off any intruders or those that they perceive as a threat to their family and home.
Although the Beauceron is not currently recognized by the AKC, an application for recognition has been filed. Acceptable colors for Beaucerons include black and tan or tri-color (black, tan and grey). They are double coated with a medium length, dense, coarse and straight outer coat, and a dense undercoat. Their coat is easy to care for and requires minimal grooming.
This large, energetic dog is extremely protective of family and territory. They can be aggressive with animals they don't know or strangers. However, when raised with other dogs, pets and children from puppyhood they can do well. Because of their size, they are recommended for older, well-behaved children. When outside, they should be in a secured yard. They can be calm with their family but are an overall energetic breed that requires plenty of exercises, play and time to run. Early training is recommended as they can have a stubborn streak. Once trained, they will follow their master's commands. With a strong herding instinct, they have a tendency to herd family and other pets. They like to be with family.
Dating back to 16th century France, the Beauceron was bred to herd sheep. They are also known as Berger de Beauce and Bas Rouge (Red Stocking) for the markings on their legs. They were used during WWI and WWII to detect landmines and find the wounded. Their high trainability makes them excellent at this job as well as in police work. The Beauceron has a natural guarding instinct and has also traditionally been used as a guard dog and watchdog.
With such a high instinct to protect their home and family, the Beauceron makes an excellent guard dog. Homes that can appreciate their loyalty and protective drive are essential. They are also very energetic and work well with families that enjoy outside activity.
The German shepherd dog is known to be one of the most beautiful and devoted dogs around today. With its toughness and nobility, the breed can sometimes, unfortunately, get judged unfairly; though, despite that, it still remains one of the most popular breeds of dog around today.
The History of the Breed
The German shepherd has not actually been around for a long period of time. It was developed in the late 1880’s when a man named Captain Max von Stephanitz decided to standardize the breed.
He saw a wolf-like dog at a show in Western Germany and he noticed just how energetic, tough, steady and intelligent the dog actually was. It was medium in size and the dog was also a natural sheepherder which knew exactly what to do. So Captain Max von Stephanitz bought the dog and named him “Horand von Grafrath”.
That was the first ever registered German shepherd dog.
So the main purpose of the breed was to herd cattle and sheep. The main priority was to develop a dog which was intelligent and stable. The looks of the dog were not as important; just as long as the breed could herd really well that was all that mattered. If a dog was born that was not intelligent and which would not obey its owner then it was automatically classed as being useless.
At first, mistakes were made with inbreeding. Captain Max von Stephanitz would breed the pups with their half-sisters and the daughters of dog’s sons. This created a lot of problems with the breed and eventually, dogs were brought in that were not related by blood.
Another problem also occurred which needed to be addressed and that was the fact that the pastoral era had started to decline. As the main purpose of the German shepherd was to herd, the fact that the pastoral era was declining meant that it was likely that the breed would no longer be needed.
German Shepherds were then introduced into police dog roles as well as for tracking and guarding purposes.
Throughout the war, the breed was even used as a Red Cross dog and they were also used partially as messenger dogs, too. So they certainly had a wide range of purposes throughout the war period. As time went on, various breeders started to experiment with the German shepherd and a newer version of the breed was developed.
However, it had a faulty temperament and Captain Max von Stephanitz was horrified. The breed may not have been around for a large amount of time, but for the time it has been developed, it has changed quite a lot.
Its popularity after World War II meant that Americans became interested in the German Shepherd and they were developed completely differently to the German standard.
These days the German shepherd is mainly a companion dog but it is also widely used as a police dog and a guarding dog, too. Its temperament has changed over the years, though it still has a fantastic working instinct.
Submitted by: John E Adams
About the Author: copyright John Adams. Dog Breeds Explained. Choose the right dog for you. Compare the German Shepherd to every other dog breedGerman Shepherd explained
This is a real seal point ragdoll cat. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The ragdoll cat is a large breed of cat, best known for its easygoing and mellow nature. They have long, thick fur coats and markings that resemble a Siamese. Caring for your ragdoll cat should involve a regular feeding and grooming schedule, along with regular visits to the veterinarian for checkups and vaccinations. If you take good care of your ragdoll cat, they will be healthy, happy, and a better active pet for you to enjoy.
Feeding
Fresh food and water is an absolute necessity for your ragdoll. It is recommended that you always have a bowl full of dry food available for your cat, as well as a bowl of clean water. Wet food is probably not necessary on a daily basis, but it is really up to you, and what your ragdoll prefers. You may need to experiment with different brands and flavors of wet food. It can provide extra nutrients and add variety to your ragdoll's diet. We recommend feeding your ragdoll one of the premium brands of food, as the quality is usually better. Usually, kittens should have a special formula for food, so check with your veterinarian or local pet store if you're not sure.
You should try to clean the water bowl daily, and the food bowl as much as possible to prevent germs and bacteria from building up.
Grooming
Ragdoll coats can vary in thickness and hair type. The average ragdoll hair is fairly thick and very soft to the touch. The length of the fur can be medium to long.
They usually do a good job of grooming themselves and don't require excessive brushing. It is a good idea to brush them strenuously a couple of times a week to prevent matting of the fur. The other reason for brushing on a regular schedule is if you happen to find a knot forming, you can easily brush it out before it gets out of control.
Ragdolls tend to enjoy grooming and make it easy for you to brush away!
Bathing
Bathing is not really necessary if regular grooming is done. It may be beneficial to give your ragdoll a bath a couple of times a year, to clean the coat if really dirty or if they have gotten into something that can not be brushed out.
Make sure that you use a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated especially for cats, as regular human products may be harmful to your ragdoll.
Claws
Declawing a cat is a controversial subject and one that brings many different opinions. We generally don't recommend declawing a ragdoll unless it will help with the safety within a household, specifically with children. Clipping the claws can be done on a regular basis to avoid damage to your furniture or other items in the house, so if that is your only reason for declawing the cat, your decision should be weighed carefully because it is not reversible.
Keep in mind that if a ragdoll cat is declawed, it should be limited in it's exposure to the outside world. Without front claws, a ragdoll doesn't have much of a defense against other animals or threats that it might encounter.
The litterbox should be kept in a fairly secluded area to allow for privacy, but not so out of the way that it is difficult to access for cleaning. Usually, a laundry room or other spare room serves as a good location.
We recommend scooping out the inside of the box at least once a day and actually replacing the litter weekly. If you have more than one cat, then it may be necessary to clean the box twice daily, morning and night for example.
There are many different brands and types of litter out there, it is just a matter of preference. The main thing is to find something that your cat will use, is easy to keep clean and affordable for your budget.
Veterinarian
You should take your ragdoll to a veterinarian on a regular basis according to what they recommend. You will want to get vaccination shots and any other treatments that will keep your cat healthy and safe.
There may be special considerations if your ragdoll spends more time outside, such as pest control and a higher susceptibility to disease. Make sure you discuss this with your vet and work out a plan that makes sense.
g is known to be one of the most beautiful and devoted dogs around today. With its toughness and nobility, the breed can sometimes, unfortunately, get judged unfairly; though, despite that, it still remains one of the most popular breeds of dog around today.
