Archive for January, 2009


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How To Pick The Best Dog

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If you are thinking about buying a small dog as a pet, remember that for the most part, they aren’t much different to a larger version. Having said that, there are certain points they need to be made aware of when looking after a small dog. Illustrated below are some points you will need to consider for the daily requirements for a tiny breed of dog.

Picking a Dog

Feeding:

Naturally you’re going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your dog to eat comfortably. Make sure that your dog gets a kibble which suits his tiny mouth and you could get these along with the premium brand of dog foods. Although if you feed you dog with canned food this should not present a problem.

Good Dogs as Pets

Methods of containing them:

Every dog needs the following: regular exercise, an outdoor place for his potty needs, and an enclosed area which provides the animal with security. You need to be careful here as the large fencing used to protect a larger dog may just be too big for a small dog, since there are convenient gaps below and in between making it easy for the smaller dog to kneel down and escape through it. It may seem bizarre but it has been know for very large birds to actually take tiny dogs from their gardens. A simple answer to this problem is to construct an enclosed play area which should stop this from happening.

Dog Care

How to train the dog:

While tiny dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, the consensus of many pet experts is that many of them end up spoiled. Be it a pocket or purse-fitting dog, remember that the small dog still belong to that species of animals which follow pack behavior, and incidentally the dog and not the owner leads the pack. It’s a wise idea to make sure your pet is thoroughly house trained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. Dog experts also suggest you make your dog work for you, to keep him responsive to your rules. Never reward a dog with goodies or a meal till he has perfected your command for doing tricks or even simple jobs like sitting or fetching.

Grooming:

Keep in mind that grooming a small dog is slightly different to larger ones and cater for this. Firstly, as they do not get the same type of outdoor exercise that a larger dog does whereby their nails are trimmed automatically, tiny dogs require their nails trimmed on a more regular basTiny canines do not get the same sort of regular outdoor exercise on rough surfaces that controls their nail growth like a larger dog so they will need to be trimmed more often. As they are eating more canned food, their teeth will need to be brushed more regularly (at least twice per week) to eliminate unwanted and harmful deposits. The above makes it clear that it does not matter whether you are taking care of a small dog or a large dog the methods are pretty much the same. These may seem like inconsequential points but they can and will make a big difference to your pets health and happiness.

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Labrador Problems: Car Sickness


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The Labrador retriever is essentially a creature that does not suffer from any specific behavioral problems, though as with all breeds there are always certain animals that will show some abnormalities including those related to their health and also behavior. Sometimes, these rather large animals will have problems related to their size including being too aggressive and often diagnosing the exact nature of such Labrador problems can be both confusing as well as difficult. Another common Labrador problem is that of chasing cats and smaller dogs, and this is an instinctive problem that should be addressed through providing adequate Labrador training to your pet at an early stage in his life.

To overcome such problems you may want to check out an expert behaviorist who can suggest possible methods to solve the problem, though if you choose to train your pet on your own be prepared to spend a lot of time in the training him and also exercise patience as well as be determined to teach your pet how he must behave in an appropriate and acceptable manner.
There are certain Labradors that can prove to be a handful and these pets will not easily learn to behave properly unless sent to a behaviorist. This and other Labrador problems such as having a pet that always seems to be dreaming can be reason for you to become worried, though in reality these can be overcome through proper Labrador training. A typical Labrador problem that many pet owners will have to deal with has to do with a pet that chews up everything he can sink his teeth into. Such a problem can arise when the Labrador is too energetic and it also occurs when having someone or something invade his territory frustrates the Labrador.

To overcome these Labrador problems, it would pay to talk to a veterinary behaviorist or provide strict Labrador training and also ensuring that you spend a lot of time with your dog in helping him release his energy in a more productive manner.
Typical of Labrador problems is that of chasing cats and since this is more of an instinctive driven behavioral problem it can best be changed through giving your pet proper Labrador training which may require spending a lot of time and being patient so that he is taught how to stop this instinctive reaction on his part. Another common behavioral problem that your Labrador can show is that of becoming destructive and this in turn is generally due to his becoming anxious about something. Because dogs have advanced hearing capabilities, they can become aware of things even before humans get wind of these things and thus your Labrador may behave in a manner that is incomprehensible to human beings and so, this is another common Labrador problem that pet owners will have to contend with.

It is also always possible to condition your Labrador to not become skittish when he hears various kinds of sounds and a simple Labrador training step you can use is to play recordings of certain sounds at low volumes and then increasing the volume gradually to make your Labrador get accustomed to these sounds. In fact, this is an especially useful way to becalm your Labrador who could otherwise become so nervous that you may even be forced into giving him anti-anxiety medicines to overcome his fears.

Labrador problems are generally not a major concern for pet owners and with timely Labrador training you can easily ensure that your pet behaves in an appropriate manner at all times. Besides consulting dog training books you could also read this article to learn more about common Labrador problems.

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Types Of Shock Collars


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Where do you begin in your search of an electronic dog collar? If you do a little research, you’ll learn that an electronic dog collar is not only effective, but safe and humane in training your dog. If you’re looking to find an electronic collar for your dog, this guide can help you make the right choice and help you learn the different choices out there on the market.

Containment Systems (“Invisible Fence”)
There are two types of these perimeter-sensing collars for teaching your dog the boundaries of your yard: electric and wireless. Electric systems work with a buried line that you install to establish the perimeter of your yard. PetSafe is a good model for this application with an easy-to-use setup for both the fence and the collar receiver. PetSafe comes just about right to fit any standard-sized yard. To fit a larger area than PetSafe can handle, we recommend Innotek’s containment system.

The Innotek system has several advantages that might be right for you, including expandability up to 25 acres and the ability to use multiple collars with the same fence, so if you have more than one dog, you’re covered. Both the PetSafe and the Innotek are great system for hidden wire fencing.

For wireless fencing, we look to PetSafe once again. This innovative and fairly new technology works similarly to the wired systems, but requires no burial of a wire. Instead, it works by setting up a transmitter at the center of the area you want to “fence off.” The transmitter then sends out a signal to a radius that you can pre-set, allowing for simple and quick setup and even portability.

BARK COLLARS
These collars are popular for dog owners who have pets that like to make a lot of noise. The most popular and widely-respected brand is the Innotek collar. It’s reasonably priced and very advanced, having sophisticated sensors to tell if it’s your dog barking or another dog. In addition, the collar can intelligently increase the intensity of the static charge to curtail continual barking. When the dog stops barking, the collar stops correcting the behavior and resets to its original setting. These collars are totally waterproof and very lightweight, suitable for any dog and almost any climate.

BEEPER COLLARS
Known as more of a safety collar than a training collar, the beeping collar is controlled by the pet owner. The owner can send a beep to the collar so that the dog can be located. A brand called Dogtra is very well designed, with its ability to beep steadily or at intervals, allowing the owner to easily find his dog. The beeping collar works to about a mile away, and there are types available to owners of multiple pets or dogs. More advanced ones have a lot more features, like trackers that tell you when your dog is pointing, which means stopped, and flushing, which means moving quickly.

ELECTRONIC COLLARS
This device is very popular among hunters who have their dogs in large open areas. TriTronics offers t he best system allowing for the best outdoor training of your dog. With a range of up to one mile on most models, this unit offers twenty levels of stimulation. In addition, these units contain a long life battery, they are lightweight and they are waterproof. Other advantages include a holder for the transmitter, charges for both the battery pack and the collar and also a collar that you can put on your dog when you’re not in the training process. SportDog also offers a comparable unit which has a shorter range and is less expensive.

If you are hunting for a good electronic training collar for your dog, this guide has hopefully helped you understand the options and manufacturers you should be considering. Whatever you do, be sure your veterinarian and trainer are aware of your options and choices so that you can receive advice tailored to your particular dogs’ needs.

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Labrador Training: The Best Way


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Labrador training starts early, at twelve weeks your dog should already be learning simple things like how to associate with people, other dogs and getting into a car. Labradors are loving dogs and don’t do well with harsh training. The best way to go about Labrador training is to use lots of praise and positive reinforcement. The earlier you start the easier your job will be.

The longer you leave training the longer you are allowing bad behavior to set in and remain a habit. One of the first things you can teach a puppy is how to answer to its name or to calls. This is a very basic command but it’s an important one. Without it you will have unruly dogs that will not obey you. Make training fun and keep it short but consistent. Repeat training every day and this is the best way to make progress.
Practice the same commands everyday with your dog and make sure to have plenty of rewards with you. As Labradors are very loving dogs it’s important to keep up the praise and constant patting every time something is done right. Teaching your dog to walk to heel is important, as Labrador training should work to break the bad habit of straining on the lead. Labradors are very enthusiastic and it can be tough to stop them straining ahead of you to check out everything.

Find a quiet place to start your walking at heel Labrador training. This minimizes distractions and will make training go a lot smoother. Put the lead on and keep it close to you, don’t let the lead out too much. You should make sure that you start walking ahead of your dog. Either pull the dog back when it goes past you or walk faster so it is harder to keep up. Repeat heel the whole time and walk in zigzags and figure of eights to make it interesting.
How do you feel about a full-grown Labrador sharing your bed? Remember that Labradors shed quite a bit. If this is not an inviting prospect then don’t let your puppy sleep with you. This will only encourage your dog to sleep on your bed and cause all sorts of problems once it’s too old to be doing that. Avoiding Labrador problem behaviors means anticipating what your dog will be like, as it grows older. Keep this in mind as you decide what your dog can and cannot do in your home.

If you would not be pleased with your dog breaking the rules then don’t break the rules yourself. Allowing one thing one day and then not allowing it another will confuse your dog. It will not know how to behave or what it should do. Dogs love routine and you can provide that by being consistent and doing the same things at the same time. Remember these basics when you start Labrador training.

Once you are clear and firm, Labrador training is easy. This article summarizes dog training books in an easy to read article.

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Dog Food Feeding Tips


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Do you consider it time consuming to prepare food for your pet? Or you just don’t have the luxury of time for it? How about if you find out that your pup’s life will be extended for a little longer? Wouldn’t you change your mind? Preparing homemade dog food has a lot of benefits.

The only trouble with it is the time to be spent in preparing it which should not be a major issue. Think of it this way, every time you spent adds to your pup’s life span. Just consider the time you have to spend as investment for your pets health. If you enough knowledge about healthy homemade dog food then its sure that your dogs live healthy for a life.

Here are some other tips to help you feed a raw diet safely.

1. Start with small amounts and increase gradually as you would when switching your dogs diet from any other food to another. Plus a pet transitioning from all-commercial food may have a weak digestive system.

2. Start with cooked meat and then transition to raw. Chop the meat up and serve in small chunks.

3. Always make sure your source of meat and veggies is fresh and preferably organic. Try normal game range, if possible: turkey, chicken, rabbit.

4. Freeze the meat in small chunks and then thaw out only the meat you will need. Keep your veggies in the crisper.

5. Don’t feed raw meat if it has an odor or questionable color. Give your dog a healthy life, get some readings from dog treat recipes directory

Taken the time to prepare your dog’s food is a great way to show you care, but know that your dog does not necessarily need you to do this for them. The foods that are on the market for your dog are acceptable. Most vets recommend that you continue to feed your dog what they are used to eating as long as what they are used to eating is not harmful.

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Obedience Dog Training Benefits Everyone


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Obedience training is one of the most important aspects of raising a dog. In fact, a well trained dog is by far a happier dog! Why? Because a trained dog requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog, the more freedom he is given. Isn’t it looking great, it can be happen with Sit Stay Fetch: A Review

Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for you and your dog. It can enrich your relationship and make living together more enjoyable. A well-trained dog is more confident and can more safely be allowed a greater amount of freedom than an untrained one. A trained dog will come when called.

Some people debate whether or not it is possible to train puppies, and others ask whether it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. The answer to both questions is an unequivocal YES. Whatever the age of your dog, the right time to begin training is right now! The most important time in your dog’s life is right now. Your dog’s behavior is constantly changing. A dog that is well-behaved today will not necessarily remain that way forever. New problems can always develop. Existing problems can always get worse.

Enroll in a local dog obedience training class to learn the basics. Then most teaching and training can and should be done in your home. It is best to begin training in an area that is familiar to your dog and with the least amount of distractions as possible. When you feel both you and your dog are skilled at several obedience commands, then take these commands to different areas. Introducing distractions may seem like starting all over again, but it’s worth the effort. In reality, who cares if your dog will sit stay when no one is around? What you need is a dog who will sit-stay when company is at the door. Who cares if your dog heels beautifully in your own back yard? But you need to start there if you eventually want a dog who will heel beautifully when walking down Union Street.

A well-behaved, obedience trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere without being a risk or nuisance to others.

And don’t we all want a dog who exhibits appropriate behavior in a crowd, good manners when we have guests in our home, is reliable around children, and who doesn’t threaten other dogs or passers-by? If you agree with this article then train your dog with the help of dog training directory

The bottom line is that dog obedience training truly benefits everyone.

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Control Dog Biting Problem Now


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Most people have seen the signs of aggressive dogs like bared teeth, growling, and biting, yet often people do not understand the reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs. Getting a good grasp of the underlying reasons for this aggressive behavior is the first step to learning to curb them in your own dog. A well-behaved dog is often a happier dog, so getting the root of aggressive behavior in dogs is important to you as well as your dog.Do you have a dog? If yes, then surely you need help to cope up your problems relating with you canine. click here review Ray Coleiro’s dog taining mastery

The best approach to teaching a puppy or dog bite control is usually adopting the behaviour of one of the dog’s littermates. If the dog gets too mouthy and bites you too hard during play, exaggerate a loud yelp or cry and immediately stop whatever activity you are doing. Turn away and ignore your dog. Sometimes this takes a bunch of lessons, but most dogs will learn it over time. At first the goal should be getting the dog to reduce the force of the bite. Then the goal is to reduce the frequency of biting. Expect that it will take a few days to a week. Hitting a dog after a bite is the worst thing you can do because the dog’s intent was play not harm. A hit from you therefore, confuses the dog and it may even react defensively, this time biting you with intent.

In general teach the dog that playing with dog toys is better than playing with hands directly because the game lasts so much longer. Play with a frisbee, rope, Kong, ball etc. Don’t use your hands as a dog toy. Most puppies bite you accidentally and that’s how you both learn. If you have already received an accidental play bite so you know how hard it is, and you want to deliberately elicit a bite to teach the dog bite inhibition, only then should you play directly with your hands. You will probably get a bite and it probably won’t hurt that much and the puppy might learn faster. Wear long sleeves and protective ace bandages or gloves if you’re afraid.

Remember: All family members must be consistent, a bite equals a cry from you and the end of play and attention.

If your dog is regularly overly mouthy, aggressive or you feel threatened by your dog, then it’s time to seek immediate professional help. Ask your vet to give you some referrals.

For more information on dog training, click here top dog directory

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Labrador Potty Training


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There are few things cuter than a new Labrador retriever puppy, but that little dog quickly loses his cuteness factor when he is brought home with you and promptly makes a mess on your beautiful living room carpet. Unless you want to spend the rest of your dog’s life cleaning up these not so pleasant messes, you will want to get savvy to the finer points of Labrador potty training as quickly as possible. The good news is that there is some fairly simple techniques that will get you on the road to a housebroken dog that will leave your living room carpet for other things besides bathroom duty.

Labrador potty training will first consist of teaching your pup the appropriate place to potty. This might mean your backyard or a papered corner in the bathroom, depending on your needs and lifestyle. Once your dog has mastered where to go, he can begin to let you know that he needs to potty by barking at you, whining at the back door or simply heading to his appointed spot.
Many dog owners find the easiest way to Labrador potty training is through the use of a crate. This shelter becomes a safe haven for your dog when you are away or cannot give him the attention that he requires. Most dogs will not potty in their crates, which means that your pup will learn to hold it until you come get him to put him outside. This is a good first step in Labrador potty training.

Since puppies have small, untrained bladders, you won’t want to leave your dog in his crate for too long in the beginning stages of Labrador potty training. Take your puppy outside every couple of hours when he is very young, and place him immediately in the spot that you want him to potty in. When he goes to the bathroom, praise him and bring him inside for some playtime with you if possible. It is also good to take him out after naps and meals, when he will be most likely to potty.
If you catch your pup in the act of going potty on your carpet or in another inappropriate spot, simply give him a firm no, and immediately take him outside. If you find a spot on the carpet after the fact, clean it up quickly and thoroughly with an enzymatic carpet cleaner that will take the smell out completely. Don’t scold your pup at this point, because he will not remember where the mess came from, even if it is a mere five minutes after the fact! When your puppy potties in the right spot, reward him with plenty of praise, playtime or a biscuit.

With plenty of persistence and patience, your Labrador potty training will be successful. Don’t get frustrated or give up if the process takes longer than you think it should. While some Lab puppies will be completely housebroken in a matter of weeks, others may take months before the accidents are finished. Rest assured that your pup will eventually get the hang of potty training, and you will not have to deal with this issue forever.

Although Labrador training is not necessarily a complicated process, it is one that requires plenty of persistence and patience in order for it to be successful. Information is the key to successful Labrador training, and dog training books and articles like this one are the first step in becoming a savvy Labrador owner.

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