November 12, 2008

Dog Behavior And Training

Filed under: Animal Care @ 3:42 pm

Having a dog is one of life’s greatest pleasures and for those of us that have had a dog for quite some time, we realized that the love that we received from them is unconditional. There may be times, however, whenever we have an animal that tends to act up in some way or another. Perhaps it has developed aggressive tendencies or maybe it just has a habit or two that we would like to change. Regardless of what kind of problems your dog is experiencing, there is some form of dog behavior training that can help.

The first step in any type of dog behavior training is taking them in for some basic obedience training. If your dog does not yet know the basic commands, such as sit, stay, come and down, you should enroll them in a basic obedience class. Of course, if your dog is displaying aggressive tendencies, you should discuss this with a teacher before the class begins. More than likely, they will allow the dog to take part in the classroom environment but they may have you muzzle it if it may be a hazard to other dogs that are also taking the class. Taking part in the basic obedience class may be all that is necessary to break your dog out of some of its misbehaving. The reason why this is the case is because behavior problems and dogs often come about as a result of boredom. If you take away the boredom, you take away the problem.

If, after going to the basic obedience classes, you still need to pursue additional dog behavior training, your trainer may be able to help. Most of those that take care of a basic obedience classes are not only good at helping your dog to understand the basic commands, they may also be able to give you specific help with your problems. The fact that you have already taken classes with this particular trainer will help your dog to react better to the dog behavior training, simply because it is comfortable with the trainer.

Finally, you should not overlook the possibility of their behavior being a result of a physical problem. Dogs are unable to tell you what is going wrong with them and they may display a variety of behavioral problems as a result of their illness. If the misbehaving happened suddenly, check with your veterinarian to see if a health problem might not be at the root of it.

Daniel Waser is a dog lover since his childhood. If you’re a dog lover too, visit his blog and get great, helpful information just for dogs and download his free report “The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog”.

Tip: Is your beloved dog driving you crazy? Dog behavior problems can cause stress, anxiety, and even fear… Discover how to eliminate these issues quickly and easily with these dog training tips.

Agility Training For Your Dog

Filed under: Animal Care @ 3:42 pm

Whenever you are training a new puppy, it is normal for you to go through basic obedience classes and teach the dog some of the more simple commands. There may be times, however, whenever you want to take the dogs training to the next level. Although there are more advanced classes that are available which simply expound on the obedience training that your dog already took, it is also possible for you to go into a dog sport, such as dog agility training.

Dog agility training can actually begin at any time in a dog’s life. Most people, however, like to start the dog training whenever it is a young puppy, perhaps six months old. It is important for you to make sure that your dog has taken the basic obedience classes before it goes in for any dog agility training because you’re going to need to rely on the basic commands, such as sit and heel. This type of training, however, goes much further than the basics because your dog is going to be running a course off leash and needs to listen to your every command along the way.

The dog agility course is typically set up outside although at times, it may be contained within a large area, such as a warehouse. The obstacles are laid out in a particular fashion that is not always the same as the other. That is why it is important for you to undergo a lot of dog agility training because your dog needs to be able to recognize the obstacles that it comes to and to listen to your commands, regardless of whether he is used to the particular layout or not. The layout of the course is contained within a 100 foot square area.

Dog agility training will get your dog prepared to handle the various obstacles that are available. These obstacles include contact obstacles, such as the A-frame, tunnels and jumps. There may also be some other types of obstacles that are available on the agility course, such as poles that your dog will need to weave in and out of.

This is considered by many dog owners to be one of the more enjoyable sports that can be shared with your pet. Not only is it enjoyable to have them out on the course but most pet owners also enjoy taking the dog agility training classes as well.

Daniel Waser is a dog lover since his childhood. If you’re a dog lover too, visit his blog and get great, helpful information just for dogs and download his free report “The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog”.

Tip: Is your beloved dog driving you crazy? Dog behavior problems can cause stress, anxiety, and even fear… Discover how to eliminate these issues quickly and easily with these dog training tips.

Aggressive Dog Behavior - How To Handle It

Filed under: Animal Care @ 3:41 pm

Owning a dog can be one of the most enjoyable things that a person can do. By taking care of the dog, they will provide you with a lifetime of loyalty and love that is often unmanaged by any human. At times, however, there may be problems with being a pet owner that you need to deal with. A good example of this is aggressive dog behavior. This may be a matter of the particular breed and mishandling in some way or another or it may come up suddenly, and without warning. Here is a little bit about aggressive dog behavior and how to handle it.

First of all, you need to make sure that your dog understands the basic obedience commands. This is typically done by taking them to obedience classes but if your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior, you should make sure that you talk to the teacher before taking your dog into the classroom environment. Depending on the circumstances, the teacher may not allow you to take classes with other animals or your dog may need to be restrained with a harness and muzzle. This is not to be cruel to your dog but it is to be kind to the other dogs and dog owners that are taking the classes.

If your dog begins exhibiting aggressive dog behavior out of the blue, there may be an underlying cause that you are not aware of. Dogs are unable to communicate the fact that they are sick and unfortunately, an illness can sometime show itself in some rather unusual behavior. For example, a dog that is having a problem with tooth decay and a toothache may begin biting as a result. You might think that it is just showing aggressive dog behavior but what is actually doing is giving you a warning sign that something is wrong. Any sudden changes in your dog’s behavior should be discussed with your veterinarian as soon as possible in order to rule out an underlying problem.

Aggressive dog behavior is something that you should never allow to take place for the long term. Even if your dog begins to show aggressive tendencies or if they are showing them from a very young age, it needs to be addressed immediately. Not only is it putting you in danger of being harmed but it is also putting anybody else that the dog may be around in danger as well.

Daniel Waser is a dog lover since his childhood. If you’re a dog lover too, visit his blog and get great, helpful information just for dogs and download his free report “The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog”.

Tip: Is your beloved dog driving you crazy? Dog behavior problems can cause stress, anxiety, and even fear… Discover how to eliminate these issues quickly and easily with these dog training tips.

November 4, 2008

Hunting Dog Training Should Begin At Home

Filed under: Animal Care @ 8:35 pm

Dogs can serve a lot of different purposes for us. For the most part, they are faithful companions that will stay by our side through thick and thin. There may also be times, however, whenever you want to give your dog some specific training. Certain dog breeds are meant for life in the field and although they do make wonderful house pets, many of them are happier if they are able to get out and do what they were bred for. A good example of this are dogs that are bred to hunt. Hunting dog training is a particular type of training all to itself but there are some things that you need to keep in mind before you begin.

Before you undergo any intensive hunting dog training with your pet, it first needs to understand the basics of obedience. Having a dog that is going to listen to you, whether it is in the training class or in the field can make the entire experience very pleasurable. Although your dog is probably going to have a little bit of room to run whenever it is out on the hunt, the last thing that you want to have happen is for it to disobey you whenever you do give it a command. This can put both you and the dog in harm’s way so make sure that they understand the basics of obedience before beginning any hunting dog training.

Hunting dog training should begin at home. Although it is possible to take your dog out in the field immediately and begin training it there, it is often better if they begin this training in an environment which they are used to. My particular favorite type of hunting dog is a bird dog and I enjoy training them regularly. I first start by tying a pigeon wing to the end of a fishing line and casting it out into the yard. This helps to teach the dog to stay on point and even to trail the bird because I will slowly retrieve it with the fishing rod.

Eventually, you will be able to take the hunting dog training out into the field. This is where it really becomes enjoyable and you are even able to hunt during the time that your dog is undergoing the training process. Remember, this type of training is an ongoing thing so the course is never complete. By allowing your dog to do what it has bred for, both you and your pet will enjoy this time together.

Visit justforthedogs.com and get great, helpful information just for dogs and download the free report “The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog” or grab the latest dog training tips.

Are Blueberries Safe for Dogs?

Filed under: Animal Care @ 8:35 pm

Answer: Yes, blueberries are definitely safe for dogs in general.

Blueberries make a great natural treat for dogs. Because they are a good natural source of nutrients, it’s far better to give your dog blueberries than to give him processed treats and other snack food that you can purchase from the grocery store or pet store.

It’s always best to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any kind of fruit. Your vet should be able to tell you how your dog will respond to blueberries or other types of fruit and your vet should be able to give you recommendations tailored for your particular dog. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet if blueberries are safe for your dog.

If you look at some well-marketed all natural dog food products or other dry food sold in pet stores, they may contain blueberries or blueberry by-products. Some of these brands are becoming increasingly more popular. Although no major studies were conducted to determine if the antioxidants present in blueberries benefit dogs like they benefit humans, you can rest assured than blueberries are safe for dogs.

Blueberries are a seasonal fruit and therefore the price of blueberries will fluctuate. You decide how much you want to spend on dog treats. If you opt for blueberries, only feed your dog fresh blueberries and don’t add any sugar or preservatives. Although some preservatives may be all right for human consumption, your dog’s system may not know how to process added preservatives.

You should first feed your dog with its regular meal and then give him blueberries. If you want, you can replace a small portion of his dry food with blueberries but make sure to keep your dog’s meal proportioned without overfeeding him.

This article talks about blueberries, not grapes or raisins. Grapes contain a particular acid that can cause reactions in dogs. Such reactions could include vomiting, diarrhea or upset stomach. Your dog’s body can’t break down these acids the way human bodies can.

If you have some guests over who would like to give your dog blueberries, make sure that they ask you first. After all, you’re the one in charge! Your guests do not know your dog and his particular dietary needs and they don’t know if your dog normally performs a trick in order to receive blueberries.

Basically, blueberries are safe for dogs and your dog should not have adverse reactions to blueberries. However, if your dog is on any kind of dietary restrictions, you should talk to your veterinarian first to see if blueberries are safe for your dog. And please remind your family and friends to ask for your permission before giving any type of food to your dog. Don’t hesitate to call your vet and schedule an appointment to see if your dog can enjoy blueberries!

Visit justforthedogs.com and get great, helpful information just for dogs and download the free report “The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog” or grab the latest dog training tips.

October 21, 2008

Exotic Pet Health Insurance 101

Filed under: Animal Care @ 8:02 am

Maintaining an exotic pet is no joke. It will require an equally exotic owner with exotic capabilities. Pardon the redundancy, but if you are really serious and hell-bent on taking good care of your exotic pet, you will need to have it insured! Yes, even exotic pets have medical needs and like people, they can be high maintenance, depending on type. Given from the very start that you own an exotic pet indicates that its maintenance is equally exotic, and it’s something you must also prepare for as you turn into a good exotic pet owner.

While it is true that only one or two percent of pet owners feel the need to invest in pet insurance, as an exotic pet owner, it is an unwritten, mandatory thing to have proper pet insurance. These exotic pets need as much care as you could possibly give. And unless you are earning pools of money daily, you won’t be particularly enamored to find that your veterinary bills may be bigger than your own medical bills.

For starters, there are a host of available pet insurance plans for ordinary pets. But if you happen to own something more exotic, you would also find that insurance plans for your creature would be hard to come by. But there are available plans, albeit a bit more expensive than others, given that the nature of your pet isn’t generally accepted as pet material. You must have considered this before you buy that exotic pet which caught your attention.

The usual annual fee for pet insurance ranges up to $200-250. This might not be too heavy an investment considering that it will really help the potential financial challenges you might get if in case something happens to and with your pet of choice. Veterinary fees are more expensive for exotic pets. Some veterinarians have to train longer than usual just to be able to accommodate the more exotic and potential dangerous pet.

Just like any insurance policy, read the fine print carefully. Check the scope of the insurance plan before you sign anything. Make sure that you are aware of what rights you are entitled to with that particular insurance policy. These policies can get quite tricky, so make sure that you have gotten exactly what you wanted for your pets health insurance. You wouldn’t want to realize a small but vital detail you overlooked after you have already dutifully paid and invested in the policy.

October 10, 2008

Choosing a Good Obedience School for Your Dog

Filed under: Animal Care @ 6:39 am

Most dog owners want their dog to be well-behaved and well-trained. Even with our best efforts, we don’t always have enough time to spend on properly training our dogs and they can become a little problematic. The good news is that you can get help by signing your dog up for obedience school.

Is your dog disobedient? Have you given up on trying to make your dog obey your commands? Do you often find chewed up items when you return from work? Do you avoid walking your dog in broad daylight because you don’t want the neighbors to see how poorly behaved he is when around other dogs and people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to realize that you don’t have to give up transforming your dog into a controllable and well-behaved dog. By properly training your dog, your life will become a lot easier. Your dog will always come to you when you call him. You won’t get into legal problems because of your dog aggressing the neighbor’s kid and you won’t get complaints from the neighbors because your dog doesn’t stop barking or howling.

An obedience school trainer will be able to give you an idea about how you can make your pet pay attention to you. These trainers will train your dog on how to act with other dogs and people around. They will also teach your dog fundamental instructions (sit, stay, heel and come). Your dog will also enjoy training as he gets to spend time with you, which is what he wants first and foremost.

Selecting a dog obedience school is a little like picking a school for your kids. You want to make the right decision so you should look at all your options before making a decision. Fortunately, you will be attending along with your dog, so you’ll know for sure if you made the right decision. Talk to friends, coworkers and family members who have used obedience schools and see if they would recommend a school to you.

You can also contact the obedience school and ask for the contact information of one of their previous customers. Be ready with a list of questions before you call this person out of the blue! If you hear positive things about the school you are considering, then it’s a good sign. If you don’t, you should look elsewhere.

You should also include a visit to the obedience schools that you are considering. After all, you want to train your dog in a nice atmosphere, don’t you? Check to see if the buildings appear structurally sound and well kept and if the instructors are well trained. You want to find a school where you and your dog will be comfortable.

Take the time to get to know the trainers at the dog obedience school you are considering. Ask them which techniques they use and you can even bring your dog to visit to make sure he would enjoy this particular training school. If both you and your dog are comfortable with a trainer, obedience training will be a lot smoother.

Visit the website for more information about Dog Health Care and download the free report “The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog” or grab his latest Dog Training Tips.

October 7, 2008

Dog Tricks: How To Teach Your Dog Go Find Anything You Ask For

Filed under: Animal Care @ 6:46 pm

One of the best ways to bond with your dog, while at the same time stimulating his mind, is to teach him new tricks as often as possible. Training a dog to learn new things not only gets his mind working, but also teaches the brain to analyze and process information, thus producing a more intelligent and responsive dog.

Another interesting aspect of teaching your dog new tricks everyday is that he will start to understand specific words within the human language. For instance, below we are going to show you how to teach your dog to “Find It”. After persistent training and practice of this trick, your dog will eventually be able to find a specific toy within a pile of dozens of other objects. Not only is this entertaining for you, but it activates the animal’s thinking process by expanding his understanding of your vocabulary.

The Trick: Find It!
To begin training, line up about six or seven objects on the floor. Then ask your dog to locate a specific one. It is much easier if you start by sending your dog to retrieve something that he is familiar with.

For example, his favorite toy or food dish would be perfect starter objects. Now place the specific object you want him to find right next to a group of other, unfamiliar objects. The other items should be made up of boring, non-attractive things, such as a book, or a glass, etc. The reason for this is to make it easier for him to make the obvious choice when first being introduced to this trick.

Now point your finger to all of the objects that are lying on the floor and tell your dog to “Find The Toy”. Without much hesitation he should put the right object in his mouth, and when he does, shower him with praise and offer a treat.

If your dog already knows how to fetch then have him bring the toy back to you. And if he does not know how to fetch then this is a great time to get him started!

Important: If you give your dog a treat for his good work at finding the right object, do not feed it to him while that particular object is lying close by. Dogs are quick to associate positive feelings with many experiences, and he might only go for the toy simply because he thinks he will get a treat each time, thus preventing him from learning new objects later on.

The next step is to place a different item amongst the pile of objects. Perhaps this time choose his food dish or a small ball. Run the sequence over again by pointing to the object and telling him to “Find The Dish”.

If he picks the wrong item, say “Nope”, and repeat “Find The Dish” over and over until he makes the right choice. Eventually he will be able to associate the name of each object and fetch it for you without fail.

Find more information about Dog Health Care or get the latest Dog Training Tips.

October 6, 2008

First Aid For Dogs with Respiratory Problems

Filed under: Animal Care @ 6:46 pm

One of the most dangerous things that could happen is when someone stops breathing. The truth to this is undisputable and even rather obvious for anyone reading it, but interestingly this is something that dog owners rarely think about in relation to their dog. What would you do if your dog stopped breathing? Or, even began choking? No, panic is not the answer I was looking for!

The most common reason for respiratory problems in dogs is some type of blockage in the airways. For instance, there is a good chance that a dog will swallow his tongue if he somehow knocks himself unconscious. Should this happen, you must clear the airway with first aid for dogs and attempt to get him breathing again.

First aid for dogs pertaining to the respiratory system is, actually, fairly similar to first aid used with humans. Listen to the heartbeat, feel for a pulse and look for any respiration signs. In fact, artificial respiration is something to consider in first aid for dogs. Applying a combination of both a heart massage and the kiss of life can be equally effective in saving a dog’s life as it can on a human. For respiratory problems, first aid is fairly similar.

However, you should not attempt artificial respiration when giving first aid for dogs if you suspect poison has been used. Trying to resuscitate your dog when poison has been used puts you in danger. Always take your dog to the vet after you have given first aid for respiratory difficulties. But, when poison could be involved, always take him or her to the vest before administering first aid. Go ahead and try the heart massage technique but stay away from the mouth area.

First aid for dogs has saved many dogs’ lives and will continue to. Unfortunately, though, the odds are not great once he or she begins experiencing breathing problems. Performing artificial respiration may not save your dog’s life, but you must try as it has saved dogs’ lives in the past.

Find more information about Dog Health Care or get the latest Dog Training Tips.

August 29, 2008

Barking While Driving: 3 Simple Solutions To Keep Your Dog Quiet

Filed under: Animal Care @ 8:23 am

If you own a dog that loves nothing more than to bark incessantly while riding with you in the car, then you probably understand just how frustrating and annoying this habit can be.

Dogs become very territorial when they are inside of a moving vehicle and all of the thousands of moving objects outside of the window can pose a threat to your dog’s mind. As soon as he spots somebody walking on the street, he barks! Then his head turns, and he sees a bunch of tree branches moving from the wind, he barks! As soon as those objects are passed, every car he spots, he barks at them all. This goes on and on, and… you guessed it, on forever!

The first reaction dog owners typically have at their barking dog is to yell at the animal to stop barking. In order to quiet your dog down, the only thing you can think of shouting is “SPARKY, STOP THAT BARKING!!!”

Unfortunately, yelling at your dog will only add to his excitement and anxiety of whatever it is he is barking at. By yelling with a loud voice, your dog will interpret that as you reinforcing his behavior. The louder you shout at him to stop yapping, the louder his barking gets.

The Proper Way Of Handling The Situation
The good news is that you can almost eradicate your dogs barking behavior completely with a little time and training. Here are some tips to get you going:

1. The first thing you should do is be the role model of the behavior you wish your dog to have. In other words, if you would like your pet to chill out and stop barking so much inside of the car, keep calm yourself and maintain a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. This is especially important when your dog starts to get excited and begins barking. Trust me, you’ll be surprised at just how well this works.

2. To better enforce the rules of barking, do not be afraid of using the old trusty water squirt gun. Most animals cannot stand the feeling of being spritzed in the face with water. In fact, this is a great training tool for many situations. When your dog starts barking like crazy, a few shots of water right in between the eyes is enough to make even the largest of dogs to completely stop whatever it is they are doing and eventually associate that behavior with the unwanted feeling of being sprayed in the face.

3.A third solution that works well is to place your dog inside of a crate within the car whenever you need to drive somewhere. A crate will allow your dog to sit comfortably inside of your vehicle, yet it sets limitations of what he can see and smell from the outside. This may be difficult for larger dogs, but for small and medium-sized dogs, a crate can do wonders when it comes to barking incessantly while driving.

Get more information about dog health problems or about stop dog barking.