Dog Training has been taught by many different schools of thought. Teaching your dog new tricks and handling obedience training takes both dedication and patience. It also takes a sense of skill and personal awareness of not only your dog's actions, but your own body language and training practices as well. Below are two tips that any dog trainer can utilize when handling their pets:

1. Signals should be given to your dogs with one hand and arm only. In the earliest stages you may exaggerate the signals to gain the dog's attention, but in the final analysis all signals must be given smoothly and swiftly without any excess body motion. The size of your dog is not a factor here, for you can train any dog to pay attention, and if he is paying attention to you he will see your signals.

The people who would disagree with this theory are those who have yet to learn how to make their dogs pay attention to them. You will have to watch yourself very carefully to avoid giving unintentional body signals to your dog. It is natural for a beginner to nod his head, lean forward, or move his hands when he calls his dog. He is so intent in watching his dog that he is unaware of his own actions. Have someone watch you so he can tell you when he notices you doing this.

2. Be consistent - never scold a dog for a misdemeanor one day and praise him the next for the same act. You cannot expect your dog to understand an exercise if you keep changing your training methods each time you try it. Dogs learn the basic work by repetition, and the entire training program should proceed smoothly and consistently. For instance, the techniques that you will use in puppy training will be repeated in advanced exercises when your dog gets older, and your handling will be just the same.

3. You should study your dog so you can foresee his reaction to any situation. You should become attuned to your dog's sensitivities. If you have a gentle, quiet dog, do not antagonize him by rough treatment. He will become very alert and responsive if you train him in a calm and gentle manner with consideration for his feelings. Aggressive or overly playful dogs need a more forceful approach.

Dealing With Chronic Housebreaking Problems

A dog over six months old who is still having accidents is a problem. Unless he is having accidents because he is ill or neglected, you should come down hard on him and get the job of housebreaking over and done with. This includes the dog who is busy marking his territory off within your home.

You need to get a crate! Put the dog on a schedule, just as if you had a tiny puppy, and crate him in between walks. For the first week, treat him exactly as if he were a puppy, keeping him in the crate much of the time. That will get his attention. Then begin to keep him out when you know he'll be good. Watch him carefully.

Crate him when you are not home. Make sure he does what he's supposed to do on his walks and praise him for doing so. By using the crate, a schedule, the eyes of an eagle, you can housebreak any dog. Keep the crate clean and keep using it until the job is done.

Related posts:

1. Tips For The Aspiring Dog Handler Handling dogs for competition, as well as a living,...
2. Basic Equipment For Your Puppy You do not have to spend a fortune on...
3. 5 Tips when dealing with an injured dog Many traffic accidents involving dogs, both minor and severe,...

The first thing that any successful animal trainer must do is win the confidence and respect of the animal to be trained. This important piece of advice definitely applies to the training of dogs. As social pack animals, dogs have a natural need to follow a strong leader. Setting yourself, the owner or handler, up as this leadership figure is the basis of any successful dog training program.

Until your dog has learned to trust and respect you, it will be difficult for any training program to be successful. Trust and respect are not things that can be forced, they must be earned through positive interaction with your four legged companion. After the dog has learned to trust and respect the owner, he or she may be amazed at how quickly the training sessions progress.

Many new dog owners mistake love and affection for trust and respect. While it is of course good to shower your new dog or puppy with love and affection, it is also improtnat to gain its confidence and respect. It is also important to not allow the puppy or dog to get away with everything it wants to. It is easy to let a dog take advantage of you, particularly when it is so cute and adorable. It is important, however, to set boundaries, and to establish acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Dogs actually appreciate these types of boundaries, since they are similar to the rules that the pack leader establishes in nature. Every dog in the pack knows what is expected of it, and knows its plce in the pecking order. This kind of structured hierarchy allows the pack to function, hunt and survive as a single entity. Your dog is actually seeking this type of leadership. If he or she does not get leadership from you, he or she may be frightened or confused.

In addition, failure to gain the respect of the dog is very important to the well being of both the human and the dog. A dog that lacks respect for its human owner can be dangerous as well as hard to live with. It is important to establish firm boundaries of good and bad behavior, and to consistently, effectively enforce those boundaries.

When dealing with a puppy, it is important to start gaining his respect and trust as soon as possible. Establishing an early bond is the best way to move the treaining and socialization process forward.

It is also important to make the initial training sessions short. Puppies have a notoriously short attention span, and even older untrained dogs may be unable to focus for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. It is best to make the lesson short and positive than to stretch it out and create a negative experience.

It is also a good idea to start and end each session with a period of play. Starting and ending the training sessions on a high note is important. Dogs make quick associations, and creating a positive association with obedience training will help to create a happy, healthy and well adjusted dog. A happy dog will be easier to train, and more willing to please.

It is also important to keep the dog from becoming bored during the training sessions. Many dog owners make the mistake of drilling the dog on things like basic obedience skills, heeling, sitting, etc. While these obedience skills are important, and it is true that they will form the basis of more advanced skills, it is important to mix things up and make things fun for both yourself and your dog. The more variety you provide the better your dog, and you, will enjoy the training sessions.

Related posts:

1. Dog training for desired behaviors Teaching a dog proper behavior while it is young...
2. Training The Intelligent Labrador's Retriever Labrador retriever owners are blessed with a breed that...
3. Teaching Your Labrador To Retrieve Mutual trust and understanding are required between the hunter...

When a dog growls, it is an indication that he is uncomfortable in a specific situation, whatever reasons that may be. As a dog owner, you can observe this behavior and discover what types of things tend to bother your dog or puppy. This makes a great opportunity for you to condition him to better relax during these situations.

Many times it is the advancement of another animal or human being that will make your dog growl. And if this growl is heeded and the person does move away from it, the dog will drop the desire to continue its dramatic behavior because he appeared to have gotten his point across. It really is just another form of communication that canines use.

But this communication must be understood by people, especially children. If a child is approaching this same dog and the barking is ignored, the dog may then escalate its behavior and snap, or even bite the child.

What Would You Do?

Suppose for a minute that your child approaches your dog while it is laying down and it turns his head slowly away while growling at a low tone. Do you know this means? What should you do?

Of course not all growling is considered bad, and in such a situation it would appear that your dog is simply trying to communicate that it is uncomfortable with you approaching and would like to be left alone.

Don't Take It Personal

Many dog owners take this behavior personally. They tend to punish their dog or puppy whenever it growls at them. This is a big mistake and could lead to potentially greater behavior problems down the road.

All you are doing in this situation is blocking the dog's most important way of communication. If you continue this practice then sometime in the near future, the dog may not be courteous enough to give such a warning growl and may result in immediate snapping or biting.

Children should always be taught this form of communication. They must know that whenever these warning growls are given, it is always best to respect your dog and to move away from it.

Teach your kids to stop doing whatever it is they are doing when a dog growls at them. Running away is not advised. They should calmly retreat to a distance that is safe, but do it SLOWLY. And advise your kids to let you know exactly what happened so that you can use this information to continue training your dog the obedience skills it needs.

Related posts:

1. Mixing Poodles With Young Children Poodles make wonderful family pets and they absolutely love...
2. How to introduce a Pit Bull to your children Another common misconception about Pit Bulls is that they...
3. Choosing A New Puppy: What Tasks Can Your Child Handle With The New Puppy? Once your new puppy is safe and sound at...

Many traffic accidents involving dogs, both minor and severe, could have been prevented with proper obedience training. Be sure that your dog is well trained and always under the control of a reasonable person when he is being walked outside, especially when being walked near a busy road.

If for some reason an accident does occur and your dog gets hit by a car, do not panic. Keep your emotions in check and use common sense. Your dog is still very much at risk for further injury, so be extremely careful when moving him out of further danger.

Warning: A dog that is badly injured may bite you if he is in shock or severe pain. This holds true even if he belongs to you and knows you. So before assessing the dog's injuries, use a scarf or other piece of clothing to muzzle him. A rope or a tie will do just fine here as well. Examine the dog's face and body for injury and get immediate medical attention.

Moving An Injured Dog

Regardless if the dog is conscience or unconscious, it must be moved to a safe place. Have someone watch out and block further traffic while you adhere to the following six tips:

1. Before attempting to move the dog out of the risk of traffic, check over the his body for obvious wounds, cuts, and distorted limbs,

2. With the help of another person, carefully drag and then lift the dog's body onto a blanket or a coat if you have one. Pull the blanket or coat out of harms way. Avoid rubbing any obvious injuries.

3. It is important to keep the dog muzzled if he is experiencing obvious shock or pain. Be sure to securely tie the muzzle so as to prevent an accidental bite.

4. Gently feel every limb for broken or dislocated bones. And if you suspect a fractured limb, then move it as little as possible. Also, a dog with potential spinal injuries should be lifted on a flat board.

5. Some dogs whom have been injured in car accidents appear to be normal. But beware, he may have damage to internal organs. He will need immediate medical attention. Once the dog has been removed for further risk in traffic, examine it thoroughly and take him to the nearest vet.

Related posts:

1. Front leg lameness Dogs carry over 60 percent of their weight on...
2. Dealing With Dogs That Hate Either Men or Women Hating men or women is the most peculiar form...

Dogs who must face long periods of time alone should be greeted and left calmly. The owner should not make good-byes dramatic or prolonged, pleading with the dog not to chew or bark. When the owner returns, the dog should be greeted simply but affectionately. Over-dramatic hellos and good-byes often keep dogs on edge. After the owner leaves, the dog is still excited from being petted and cuddled, and possibly pleaded with to "be good." The owner may leave feeling better, but the dog may be on the edge of emotional collapse. Greeting and leaving scenes must not be the high points of the dog-owner relationship.

When it comes to entering your home after being gone, to burst into the house or apartment laden with special treats and then effusively greet the dog may be alleviating some of your own guilt over leaving the animal isolated, but it's a disservice to the dog. The dog's psychological alarm clock tells it when to expect the owner home. The dog gears itself up for the happy moment, the treats, the play session. If, by chance, the owner is late, as is often the case because of subway, bus, or traffic delays, the dog's anticipation can turn into frustration, and its frustration into destructiveness, whining, or barking.

Related posts:

1. Bringing Home Your New Puppy The fun of bringing a new puppy home and...
2. How to Treat Your Dog's Dandruff: 7 Tips Dandruff mostly occurs when the dog's skin cells naturally...

Having a new puppy in the house is a very exciting and memorable experience, especially when you have children in the family. However, every interaction between your child and your new puppy must be closely supervised, especially for the first few days after your puppy's arrival.

When meeting the puppy for the first time, have your child sit on the floor with her legs crossed. Slowly bring the new puppy up to her. Tell your child to lay out her "gentle hands" as she reaches over to the puppy with palms down and knuckles up so the pup can sniff them.

Give the puppy some time to sniff, but don't force him to do it. When he's done smelling her scent, pick him up and put him on your child's lap while she is sitting on the floor. Let your child pet the puppy, always using her "gentle hands".

Your new puppy will do one of two things. First, he may stay on your child's lap while enjoying every second of being pampered. He may even fall asleep after a few minutes. Second, he will leave to walk around and explore his new environment. If he decides to explore, let him do it while you are watching to make sure that he doesn't get himself into any kind of danger.

If the puppy decides to walk around, tell your child not to chase or pull at him. Your child will likely be very fascinated with the new member of the family that she will want to grab him and put him back on her lap. Remind her about using "gentle hands" when petting.

Be sure to tell your child not to pull, grab, squeeze, drag, or poke the puppy. Doing so can hurt the little dog or result in him reacting aggressively to the child, which could injure or cause the child to fear the puppy.

Gently grab the puppy again and place him back on your child's lap. If he tries to bolt, let him walk around for a few minutes. Keep in mind that he may still be in shock from being separated from his mother and the newness of his surroundings, or he may just want to explore his new home.

If your child seems discouraged about the puppy continually escaping from her lap, make sure she understands that it is not because the puppy doesn't like her.

After a few minute of letting your new pup run around, pick him up again and place him on your child's lap. To make sure that he won't try to escape, bring a few of his favorite treats along with you.

When he starts to show signs of escaping, show him the treat and have your child gently feed it to him. Your child should place the treat on her palm for the puppy to lick, not on her fingertips where the puppy can accidentally nip her while he grabs for the food.

Remember to stay calm and positive and keep your voice low. This is an exciting time for everyone, an experience that will set the stage toward a happy and healthy friendship between your child and your puppy.

Related posts:

1. Children & Puppies: Getting Your Child & New Puppy Off To A Great Start Nothing is more adorable than seeing a small child...
2. Mixing Poodles With Young Children Poodles make wonderful family pets and they absolutely love...
3. How to introduce a Pit Bull to your children Another common misconception about Pit Bulls is that they...

Biting is one of those things that every puppy seems to do, and every puppy must be taught not to do. Like many behaviors, such as jumping up on people, biting and nipping can seem cute when the puppy is small, but much less so as he gets older, larger and stronger.

Left to their own devices, most puppies learn to control their biting reflex from their mothers and from their littermates. When the puppy becomes overenthusiastic, whether when nursing or playing, the mother dog, or the other puppies, will quickly issue a correction.

Unfortunately, this type of natural correction often does not occur, since many puppies are removed from their mothers when they are still quite young. It is therefore up to puppy's owner to take over this important process.

Socializing the puppy with other dogs and puppies is one of the best and most effective ways to teach the puppy the appropriate, and non appropriate way to bite, and to curb the biting response.

Many communities and pet stores sponsor puppy playtime and puppy kindergarten classes, and these classes can be great places for puppies to socialize with each other, and with other humans and animals as well. As the puppies play with each other, they will natural bite and nip each other. When one puppy becomes too rough or bites too hard, the other puppies will quickly respond by correcting it.

The best time for this socialization of the puppy to occur is when it is still young. It is vital that every dog be properly socialized, since a poorly socialized dog, or worse, one that is not socialized at all, can become dangerous and even neurotic. Most experts recommend that puppies be socialized before they have reached the age of 12 weeks, or three months.

Another reason for socializing the puppy early is that mothers of young children may be understandably reluctant to allow their young children to play with older or larger dogs. Since socializing the dog with other people is just as important as socializing it with other dogs, it is best to do it when the puppy is still young enough to be non threatening to everyone.

It is important for the puppy to be exposed to a wide variety of different stimuli during the socialization process. The socialization process should include exposing the puppy to a wide variety of other animals, including other puppies, adult dogs, cats and other domestic animals. In addition, the puppy should be introduced to as wide a cross section of people as possible, including young children, older people, men, women and people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

While socialization is very important to providing the puppy with life lessons and preventing him from biting, it is not the only method of preventing unwanted biting and mouthing. Giving the puppy appropriate things to play with and bite is another good way to control inappropriate biting. Providing a variety of chew toys, ropes and other things the puppy can chew is important to preventing boredom, keeping his teeth polished and keeping him from chewing things he should not.

As with any training, it is important to be consistent when teaching the puppy not to bite. Every member of the family, as well as close friends who may visit, should all be told that the puppy is to be discouraged from biting. If one person allows the puppy to chew on them while everyone else does not, the puppy will quickly become confused, and that can make the training process much more difficult than it has to be.

Related posts:

1. Training your puppy - eliminating biting behaviors Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting...
2. Chewing & Nipping: How To Curb Your Puppy From These 2 Annoying Behaviors We all love our puppies, especially when they are...
3. When To Start Training And Socializing Your Dalmatian Puppy Socialization and training your Dalmatian puppy need to start...

Ever wondered how your neighbor can maintain such a clean and healthy yard, even though he's got two German Shepherds and one Yorkie that loves to urinate and dig all over the place?

The key to maintaining a successful yard and garden without your dogs interfering is to invest into outdoor solutions to keep your yard dog-friendly. Check out some of following product ideas that may be perfectly suited to your needs:

Dog Repair Kit by ENCAP

Keep your natural grass free and clear of damage with the convenient help of the Dog Repair Kit, created by ENCAP. With technology designed to improve the performance of your lawn soil and prevention of wear and tear, the Dog Repair Kit is the perfect solution.

Weighing 1 1/4 pounds, each Dog Repair Kit bag contains everything you need to repair your grass including mulch, seed, and soil conditioner. All you have to do is loosen up a few edges of soil and sprinkle a handful of granules from your Dog Repair Kit on top of the area.

Simply rake over the location and water the lawn as indicated by the seed watering guide that is included with your purchase. This tutorial will let you know when the seeds have received enough water.

ProGreen Synthetic Grass by ProGreen

This synthetic grass product is a perfect alternative to a yard that has patches of real grass scattered from your dog's digging habit. It is also much safer and visually appealing than filling the area with concrete.

ProGreen synthetic grass allows for plenty of drainage through tiny holes when it comes to rainy weather or dog urine. All liquids drain perfectly through the turf-backing and into a special base leading into the ground. And to help break down pet odors and organic matter created by your dogs, a simple topical solution which fights bacteria can be sprayed over the synthetic grass.

Lawn Rescue For Dogs by Pet Naturals

One major issue that many dog owners have is discoloration of the grass when their dog urinates. It is a common problem and one that can be easily solved with Lawn Rescue For Dogs, by Pet Naturals.

Lawn Rescue For Dogs is a tasty chewable supplement that is designed to balance out the pH of your pet's urine. The result will be urine that will not create those unsightly discoloration patches on your lawn. The ingredients contain yucca, cranberry, brewer's yeast, and DL-methionine.

Related posts:

1. 10 Tips To Prevent Your Dog From Giving Your Garden Trouble Your plants, whether indoors or out, may have a...
2. How To Feed The "Outdoor Dog" The dog that is kept outdoors all of the...

Roaming dogs regularly cause traffic accidents when they run into the street. What if someone is killed or becomes paralyzed as a result? Dogs are not handed lawsuits or given court judgments to pay for damages - their owners are!

Do not rationalize this situation by claiming that your dog needs the exercise. It is your job as a responsible dog owner to provide your dog with supervised exercise. It is also your responsibility to treat your dog as a family member and to protect him from harm.

If you do not have a fenced yard to keep your pet safe and sound, put your dog on a leash twice a day and take him for a walk. If you are away from home all day, ask a neighbor to walk your dog, or hire a pet-sitting service to do it. Build a secure dog run, or look into electric canine fences, which are often less costly than traditional fencing.

There are many alternatives to letting your dog roam. Pick any one of the options. By keeping your dog under supervision, you will enhance his response to your training efforts. You will also have peace of mind, and your dog will have a much better chance of living a long and healthy life.

Related posts:

1. 3 Types Of Shock-Training Aids Remote Shock Collars Remote shock collars have been around...
2. Free Resources to Acquire Potty Training Information Dogs can be quite cute and lovable pets. But,...

A neurosis may be defined as a functional nervous disorder with no sign of disease of the central nervous system. Psychoneurosis is described as an "emotional maladaptation" due to unresolved unconscious conflicts, and may also be used to describe the condition of many so-called neurotic dogs. This means, to recognize a neurotic dog, we must identify some defective nervous behavioral functions, while ruling out physical injury or disease, such as hydrocephalus, brain tumors, etc.

This can be done in some cases through neurological examinations. Urine and blood analysis can often indicate internal chemical imbalances which are of an organic cause. On the other hand, they may also indicate the presence of severe environmental stressors. Combined with behavioral information, physiologic examinations might indicate a neuroses or the basis for a psychosis. For practical purposes, a dog may be considered neurotic if he shows signs of a functional nervous disorder combined with behavior that is both abnormal and maladaptive for dogs in general.

But how is a functional nervous disorder described in behavioral terms? The following descriptions are helpful:

* The dog that fails to inhibit the orienting (alerting) response to stimuli that occurs repeatedly and are known to the animal to be neither harmful nor rewarding. These dogs are almost always in a state of anxiety.

* The dog that responds to novel objects, sounds, touches, movements and even odors with exaggerated active or passive defensive responses. These dogs often lack adequate early social experience.

* The dog that fails to retain (in some cases, even to develop) voluntary or involuntary conditioned reflexes. This cannot be applied to the dog's total behavior, but usually is pertinent to a failure to form and/or retain learned associations involving defense and social behaviorisms.

* The dog that displays hyperkinesis. Signs include excessive salivation, elevated pulse and respiration, abnormally low urine output, and increased energy metabolism revealed through excessive, sometimes stereotyped activity, especially in close confinement.

* Displays fixations on objects, exhibiting ritualized behavior, usually repetitive and with no apparent objective. "Obsessive-compulsive" is the current diagnostic label of choice. While it is often treated with drugs, careful diagnosis shows that these dogs are suffering from frustration due to a lack of function in their lives. They are "making work," and receiving internal neurochemical rewards.

Related posts:

1. Pavlov's Research On A Dog's Nervous System As It Influences Behavior Pavlov, the great Russian researcher, struggled with a theory...
2. Risks Associated With Dog Hormone Treatments It is generally recognized that proper endocrine balance is...
3. Hyperkinesis In Dogs Anyone who has worked extensively with dogs has occasionally...

Melody Dalmatians have been in existence since 1964, during which time their owners, Jack and Beth White, have produced several Best in Show dogs, five Top Ten Dogs, one Dalmatian Club of America National Specialty Best in Specialty Show winner, two National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex winners, and too many Specialty winners to count. They won Best in Futurity the first year it was held in Chicago, and also still hold the title of All-Time Top Producing Bitch of the breed: Champion Melody Sweet, C.D., who is responsible for 16 champions, including two multiple Group winners. The Whites have also bred two other Top Producing bitches, Champion Melody Up-Up and Away, who is the dam of 15 champions; and her sister, Champion Melody Crimson and Clover, C.D. with eight, including two Group winners.

Melody Dalmatians are house-raised on the Whites' Rim Rock Ranch, just outside of Fort Collins, Colorado. The Whites raise the dogs on the ranch in the Foothills, where they grow up with Appaloosa race horses, cattle, and even a few coyotes. They show on a limited basis, mostly within Colorado, yet are usually well represented at the National Specialty. Among their Dalmatians are two International, Mexican, and American Champions, including Champion Melody Ring of Fire of BB, C.D., who won the Mexican National Specialty and also a Group 1st at the International Shows at the ripe old age of ten years. His daughter, Champion Melody Penny Lane, secured her foreign titles when seven and-a-half years old.

The Whites like to get in some obedience work with the dogs, too, although the pressures of other interests have unfortunately kept their obedience titles to a minimum. They do hope to become more active in the obedience rings soon. A fact in which the Whites take special pleasure is that their home-breds have won both the Dalmatian Club of America Specialty and the Canadian National Specialty. The latter win was gained by Melody Moonlight Gambler who won Best of Breed from the classes and was also High Scoring Dog in Trial at the same show.

Needless to say, they were quite proud of him and of his owners. This was in 1984. It is very impressive to look at pedigrees and note the consistency with which the Melody influence has been felt in the breed. This kennel has certainly made a major contribution to the Dalmatian world, and deserves tremendous credit for the success attained with their dogs and the descendants of these dogs.

Related posts:

1. The Paisley Breed Of Dalmatian Paisley Dalmatians are owned by Dave and Sue MacMillan...
2. Physical Traits Of A Standard Dalmatian The Dalmatian's spotted coat makes him instantly recognizable. He...
3. What Makes A Champion? To "make a Champion," or, more correctly, become a...

Walking on a collar and lead is an important skill that every dog must learn. Even the best trained dog should never be taken outside the home or yard without a sturdy collar and leash. Even if your dog is trained perfectly to go off lead, accidents and distractions do happen, and a collar, with proper identification attached, is the best way to be sure you will get your beloved companion back.

Of course before you can teach your new puppy to accept a leash, he or she must first learn to accept wearing a collar. The first step is to choose a collar that fits the dog properly. It is important to measure the puppy's neck, and to choose a collar size accordingly. After the collar has been put on the puppy, simply let him or her get used to it. It is not unusual for a puppy to try to pull on the collar, whine, roll or squirm when first introduced to a collar.

The best strategy is to simply ignore the puppy and let him or her get used to the collar. It is a mistake to either punish the dog for playing with the collar or to encourage the behavior. Distracting the puppy often helps, and playing with a favorite toy, or eating some favorite treats, can help the puppy quickly forget that he or she is wearing this strange piece of equipment.

After the dog has learned to accept the collar, try adding the leash. Hook the leash to the collar and simply sit and watch the puppy. Obviously, this should only be done either in the house or in a confined outdoor area. The puppy should be allowed to drag the leash around on its own, but of course the owner should keep a close eye on the puppy to ensure that the leash does not become snagged or hung up on anything.

At first, the leash should only be left on for a few minutes at a time. It is a good idea to attach the leash at mealtimes, playtime and other positive times in the life of the puppy. That way the puppy will begin to associate the leash with good things and look forward to it. If the puppy shows a high degree of fear of the leash, it is a good idea to place it next to the food bowl for awhile to let him get used to it slowly. Eventually, he will come to understand that the leash is nothing to be afraid of.

After the puppy is comfortable with walking around the house wearing the leash, it is time for you to pick up the end of the leash for a few minutes. You should not try to walk the puppy on the leash; simply hold the end of the leash and follow the puppy around as he or she walks around. You should try to avoid situations where the leash becomes taut, and any pulling or straining on the leash should be avoided. It is fine for the puppy to sit down. Try a few games with the collar and lead. For instance, back up and encourage the puppy to walk toward you. Don't drag the puppy forward, simply encourage him to come to you. If he does, praise him profusely and reward him with a food treat or toy. You should always strive to make all the time spent on the leash as pleasant as possible.

It is important to give the puppy plenty of practice in getting used to walking on the leash in the home. It is best to do plenty of work in the home, since it is a safe environment with few distractions. After the puppy is comfortable walking indoors on a leash, it is time to start going outside, beginning of course in a small, enclosed area like a fenced yard. After the puppy has mastered walking calmly outdoors on a leash, it is time to visit some places where there are more distractions. You may want to start with a place like a neighbor's yard. Walking your new puppy around the neighborhood is a good way to introduce your neighbors to the new puppy, while giving the puppy valuable experience in avoiding distractions and focusing on his leash training.

Puppies sometimes develop bad habits with their leashes, such as biting or chewing on the leash. To discourage this type of behavior, try applying a little bit of bitter apple, Tabasco sauce or similar substance (just make sure the substance you use is not toxic to dogs). This strategy usually convinces puppies that chewing the leash is a bad idea.

Related posts:

1. Dog training with a head collar The head collar has become an increasingly popular dog...
2. Training Your Puppy To Become Lead-Broken As someone who wants to raise their puppy to...
3. Training your dog with a head collar There are many devices used in the world of...

To determine the amount of food to begin with when you start feeding a growing puppy, apply the following steps:

Step 1: Find a puppy feeding chart and determine the number of calories per pound of body weight your puppy should have for his age. For example, a 7-week-old pup weighing five pounds needs 400 calories every day.

Step 2: Divide the number of calories contained in a pound of the food you are feeding into the number of calories your puppy needs every day to find out how much food you should offer to begin with. For instance, if the 7-week-old pup is being fed a food containing 600 calories per pound, he needs about 400/600 cal per Ib. or.66 pounds of food each day.

Step 3: Divide the amount of food needed each day into the appropriate number of daily feedings, according to the following rule: If the puppy is from six weeks to four months of age, feed him four times per day. If the pup is from four months to 12 months, feed it three times daily. When the pup is over 12 months, feed him twice daily for the rest of his life, 1/3 in the morning and 2/3 in the evening.

Puppies do not need to be fed six to eight times daily. Although such frequent feedings may improve slightly the efficiency with which the puppy uses the food, it is to such a small degree that the extra time spent in preparing and feeding so many meals is not worth the effort. Puppies have been raised successfully with only two or three daily feedings immediately from weaning, but four seems to be the number that provides the best growth for the least effort by the dog owner. If a puppy cleans up every bit of food offered for three days in a row, add five% more food to the daily feeding. If he continues to eat everything he is offered for three more days, add five% more food.

Continue to add food at this rate until the puppy leaves a tiny bit at each meal. It is entirely possible in a growing puppy, that you may never reach a point at which he will leave any food, until he is almost grown. There is no need to worry as long as the puppy gains about the same amount of weight each week as he did the week before. Between 10 and 12 months of age, the rate at which a puppy grows starts to slow down. At the same time the dog's food consumption also begins to drop. This is a normal occurrence, brought about by the reduction in the dog's need for extra nutrients and energy required for growth. The reduction is simply an indication that the puppy is reaching maturity.

Some dog owners may mistake this reduction in food consumption as an indication of illness. This fear becomes even more pronounced when the maturing process makes the dog less active, as well. Novice dog owners usually forget that human adolescents go through the same steps on their way to becoming adults. Other dog owners may forget the fact that the maturing process in the dog requires only about 12 months to complete, while in humans it usually takes 20 years!

Related posts:

1. Determining The Amount Of Dog Food Needed For Your Dog The pet dog has the same nutritional needs as...
2. Obesity In Dogs Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in American...
3. It's Not A Good Idea To Give Someone A Puppy As A Surprise Gift Despite what you may think, it is never a...

A very early discovery about canine learning is the dog's tendency to generalize responses to strong stimuli. Therefore, the first stranger who must create stress and discomfort for a puppy, even if it is mild, can do a big favor for other strangers if the experience has a happy ending.

Most dogs tolerate veterinary treatment well; these dogs generally have an inhibitable type of nervous system and/or passive defense reflexes. However, the excitable and/or active defense reflex types may not tolerate treatment well can be a threat to the personal safety of those who must handle them. How can a veterinarian and staff members spot potential problem dogs and avoid the behavioral consequences of stimulus generalization? The solution lies in the practitioner's handling of the pet, and the client's behavior relative to treatment.

That dogs, and even people, can learn to tolerate painful stimuli is well known. If a painful stimulus is reinforced quickly with one that is strongly pleasant, the expected defense reactions are replaced by responses appropriate to the pleasant stimulus. Several veterinarians have put this principle into practice by sticking a doggy treat into their patient's mouth immediately after inoculations or treatment. This helps immediately replace a noxious stimulus (pain) with a positive stimulus (pleasant taste). Though not 100% effective, it has proved helpful.

However, the strongest forces acting on the pup or older dog commence well before treatment, and continue to affect the animal long afterward. These forces are social, emotional, and they are controlled for the most part by the pet's owner. For this reason, the owner's overall attitude toward the pup, its health, and veterinary care must be considered the primary determination in how a dog responds to veterinary treatment.

When an owner goes to a veterinary hospital with a dog that has just been hit by a car, the emotional prelude to treatment is usually steeped in concern, if not outright hysteria. Few clients have the insight to control their emotions in these situations - adopting the calm approach of a trained technician. In these cases it is generally wisest for the veterinarian to treat the injured pet without the owner present, thereby avoiding further emotional stimuli and their influence on the dog.

On the other hand, a dog or puppy experiencing its first visit for routine veterinary care can be conditioned to perceive the entire procedure as one of pleasure when properly handled by the owner. If, during the trip to and arrival at the hospital, waiting in the reception area, meeting the staff and veterinarian, during and (especially) following treatment, the owner is careful to display only happy behavior toward the pet and the external circumstances, the experience will be positive and socially rewarding for the dog. This behavioral routine is not easy for owners predisposed to overly sympathetic reactions toward the pet. However, when the importance of their behavioral example is explained, they usually comply.

Related posts:

1. Dog flea treatment: Dog flea treatment Before you begin with dog flea treatment on your...
2. The importance of giving your dog first aid treatment It is our job as dog owners to make...
3. What You May Find When Visiting A Clinical Veterinarian Every veterinary practice has a distinct "personality" that influences...

Teaching your dog or puppy to "wait" is an invaluable training command that will not only improve his behavior, but can also save his life.

One of the most common problems that many dog owners have is preventing their pets from darting through the door at any given chance they get. As you can probably guess, this behavior can cause your dog to run from the house and face injury or even death from oncoming traffic.

The "Wait At The Door" Training Procedure

Step 1: Have your dog sit by your side as you face the door (inside of the house). Be sure that the door opens away from you. The idea is to show your dog that an open door does not mean it is okay for him to leave.

Step 2: Now give him the "wait" command as you reach for the door. If your dog does not move, say "Good Boy" and give him a treat. However, if he starts to move towards the door, give a cheerful "No No", and get him to sit down again. Do not scold him, keep it positive. It's supposed to be fun and productive.

Step 3: Repeat the process, but the next time do not reach very far for the door, a few inches with your arm will do. If your dog remains sitting then continue with the procedure while each time adding more length as you reach for the door. Your dog should be sitting until you actually touch the handle and jiggle it. Again, reward him with a treat for sitting still.

Step 4: Next, reach for the door and slowly opened it just an inch or two. Reward your dog if he sits still. And again, if he starts to move towards the door then say "No No" and sit him back down again. Repeat the process while you continue to open the door more and more each time.

Step 5: Your dog should be doing quite well by now. When you are able to open the door all the way while your dog remains sitting, the next step is to walk through it, turn around and face him. Wait about 15 seconds and then walk back to the dog and give him a treat. Every now and again you should walk through the door and call your dog to come to you as you stand on the outside porch. Give him the "sit" command along with a treat.

The End Result

Eventually, with enough practice and repetition of the above five steps, your dog will automatically sit every time the door opens up. Because of the training procedure he learned, his instincts will tell him to sit patiently and await for permission to walk through.

Related posts:

1. Is Your Puppy Charging After The Door When Someone Knocks? One very annoying habit of many dogs is that...
2. Teaching your Pit Bull to sit and stay Now that your Pit Bull has learned to follow...
3. Dog Training Classes - Hiring The Wrong Person To Train Your Dog It was a breezy summer evening when approximately 12...

What do minerals do?
Minerals, in addition to vitamins, only make up less than two percent of any formulated diet for dogs. However, they are the most critical of nutrients. Although minerals are without any calories or energy, their main function is to assist the body in energy production. A dog's body can make vitamins, but it cannot make minerals. All minerals come from the food that your dog eats, but the availability of the minerals is quite complex.

Lost Minerals
Between 50% and 85% of minerals are lost during food processing. This can cause deficiencies within your dog's body. There are a lot of minerals that are not destroyed by heat, but many of them are water soluble and are lost during the cooking process and before packaging.

Your Dog's Minimum Daily Requirements
All dog food must be made within the guidelines of the Minimum Daily Requirement of known figures to use in the recipes they use for food. This minimum is set by the National Research Council. However, the NRC tells us that the research information that is presented to them has been limited, is not complete with many nutrients and life stages, and that much of this information is over thirty years old. The sum total of minerals, together with the cereal grains contained in all of a food's ingredients, determine the acid/alkaline balance of the body. Most minerals are moderately absorbed even when your dog's digestive system is functioning at optimum health.

Let's talk about how much your dog needs. It's hard to tell. You see, the way that dog food is made, the source of the ingredients, the breed and the dog's age, as well as the climate that he lives in, all have an effect on his mineral needs. Also, the need for minerals for differing life stages has yet to be calculated. However, the NRC (National Research Council) states that more are needed during growth, gestation, lactation, old age, and when your dog is physically exerting himself.

Types of Minerals For Your Dog
All minerals are either elemental or chelated. Elemental means that they come from the earth and are composed of chemical molecules. These chemical molecules cannot be reduced to simpler substances. They are basic constituents of all living matter. They exist in an inorganic state.

Chelated minerals are suspended in an amino acid or other organic substance, for example tates or arginates, which make them easier for the body to absorb. There are approximately 17 types of minerals that your dog needs. They are considered "essential" and are grouped as trace or macro. There are eight macrominerals which are: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfur, magnesium, and silicon. The nine trace minerals are: iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, iodine, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and selenium.

Related posts:

1. Vitamin & Mineral Sources: Part 2 (The Magic of Liver) Milk and cheese are probably the only important sources...
2. Vitamin & Mineral Sources: Part 1 Vegetables: While a few vegetables may serve as natural...

Pavlov, the great Russian researcher, struggled with a theory that inhibited dogs had a "weaker" nervous system than normal animals, a concept largely discarded due to later findings that a combined structural chemical interaction determines the balance of the nervous system. Both excitability and inhibition can be heightened or abated by many herbs and synthetic drugs, as well as those extracted from living tissues. The fact that such drugs do not affect all individuals (dogs or people) in the same way supports the belief that the balance among internal neuro-chemicals may be the primary factor influencing the behavioral expression of excitability or inhibition.

The individual body chemistry of animals develops and fluctuates throughout life. Hormonal imbalances produce not only structural and physiologic, but behavioral changes as well. Among the body's hormone-producing glands and controlling organs, the emotional centers of the brain's limbic system appear to exert considerable influence. It may be that excitability and inhibition depend to a large degree on what has been called the "brain, pituitary, adrenal, gonadal axis." Further, not only can drugs influence the balance among these factors, but mild or extreme psychological stress can produce subtle and gross neuro-chemical imbalances.

The fact that seemingly mildly stressful experiences induce these reactions may help explain a good deal of what is generally described as "spontaneous aggression" if we consider yet another nervous system process called facilitation. In this, the nervous processes responsible for defensive behavior, such as a dog's biting, can be sensitized but not fully activated by mildly threatening stimuli. However, depending on the particular dog's nervous system makeup, repeated stimulation can push the dog over the brink and into a full-blown "rage avalanche," wherein up to several minutes of furious behavior are necessary to exhaust the imbalance and restore equilibrium. The dog then often resumes its usual gregarious personality or appear contrite and confused.

In investigating the histories of many aggressive cases, you will find most of the dogs to be excitable or highly excitable types exhibiting a behavior problem for which the owners have applied various degrees and types of punishment. These included finger-in-the-face scolding (a stimulus that can facilitate a snapping response), muzzle-clamping with the hands, shaking by the scruff or jowls, physical take-downs, and mild to severe hitting with the hands or objects such as rolled up newspapers.

Related posts:

1. Over-excitability And Inhibition Behavior In Dogs Over excitability is the term used to describe most...
2. Behavior Problems That Arise From A Dog's Sense Of Touch The sense of touch probably leads to more serious...
3. Dog Behavior: When Dogs Display Overprotective Behavior Most dog owners who complain about their pet's over-protective...

A lot of people get turned-off with their dogs, even give up on them permanently, because of destructive behavior, such as chewing, digging, shredding, and scratching. These behaviors caused some owners to have their dogs euthanized by the local vet or the humane society.

Which do you think is more cruel, the use of a dog crate as a temporary training tool or putting your dear pet to sleep? If you raise your dog with a crate, you will never have to worry about coming home to find a shredded couch. When you cannot watch the dog, crate him. As he matures and excels in training, as he proves himself capable of being left loose in your home, give him the privileges he deserves. Never give him responsibility he cannot handle. That would be like giving a five-year-old your car keys!

Besides the crate, understanding is an important tool in stopping destructive behavior. Dogs chew for a variety of reasons and these must be reviewed along with companion remedies. Your dog will chew to release pent up energy, so make sure he gets enough exercise. Your dog will chew because he is anxious. He may be left alone too long and too often.

Give him a little more consideration when making plans. Train him so that you can take him with you more often. Train him to allay his anxiety, his feeling of looseness and lack of connection. Hire someone to walk him when you are out to work.

Dogs chew when they are bored. Leave your dog something acceptable to chew. That way, he'll be less likely to chew your stuff. Dogs chew because they don't know they are not
supposed to. Be clear when you correct your dog. Do not give him socks to play with and then get mad when he chews your clothes. Female dogs shred just before coming into heat. Keep your female's cycle on a calendar and watch for signs that she is coming into heat. These include: Increased appetite, increased displays of affection, increased activity level, and generally hyper behavior. You may have to crate her just before the onset of her heat cycle or provide her with a supply of shreddables to practice her nest making on.

To summarize the above statement: Use a crate when necessary. Your dog should be reliable sometime between one and two years of age. Give him plenty of exercise. Leave him some rawhide or other safe chew toys. Monitor his behavior when you are with him, correcting him with a "No" for starting to work on the fringe of the carpet or the arm of the sofa. Then present him with one of his toys and tell him "Ok." But if he goes right back to your stuff, correct him again and put him in the crate for one hour. Tighten your obedience work. This reinforces you as the pack leader, someone not to be trifled with. And, if you are gone for long hours, hire a reliable person to come and walk your dog and play with him.

What about hole digging in the yard? Digging is both natural and pleasurable for dogs. Let your dog have his pleasure. Give him a small corner of your yard in which he may dig to his heart's delight. You may fence the corner, making it a pen or run. Once a week, fill in the holes and tamp them down. When the dog is in your part of the yard, correct him if he tries to dig up the lawn, eat your plant, or dash through the flower beds.

Related posts:

1. Dog Behavior: How Your Dog's Hunger May Result In Problematic Behavior Many dogs switch themselves to once-a-day feedings between 6...
2. Using A Crate When Attending A Dog Show: Part 2 If you get a crate with a door with...
3. Using A Crate When Attending A Dog Show: Part 1 Talking of equipment quite naturally leads to a discussion...

There are too many puppies being born and sold by amateur breeders and not enough homeless dogs being adopted and raised in a good homes with loving families. If you are a true dog lover and have a passion for these animals, consider visiting your local animal shelter instead of purchasing a new puppy from the newspaper or pet store.

I realize that most families prefer to have a puppy raised from birth, but there are thousands upon thousands of well mannered, healthy dogs that need a home like yours. Most of these dogs and puppies that are living in animal shelters are there for various reasons that do not include acts of violence or sickness.

In fact, it seems to be a common thought that dogs from animal shelters are tainted. Yes, there are many of them that have had problems in the past with abuse or have developed survival instincts from living on the streets, but these animals can all be trained to perfection in most cases.

How To Interview The Animal Shelter

Like any service or product, animal shelters are there to provide a specific function that you, as a consumer, should investigate before making your decision. There should be specific questions asked which are directed straight to the animal shelter that you are considering adopting a dog from.

Very important questions that should always be asked are about how they take care of the dogs. Do they get more than just food and water? Does the animal shelter place emphasis on socialization? Do they allow the animals to move around and interact with the other dogs?

Dogs To Avoid

The last thing you want to do is adopt a puppy who has been crammed up in a small cage during its entire stay at the shelter. This kind of treatment can certainly induce traumatic anxiety disorders, stress, and fear of the outside world.

If the shelter does indeed allow their animals to socialize and spend time outside of their cage, ask the staff how long they are allowed to enjoy this free time and how much human contact is received.

Another addition to your bag of questions when considering dog adoption from an animal shelter is to find out about any types of services that are offered after you bring home a new dog.

Do they provide pamphlets or brochures that explain the best way to handle an adopted dog or puppy? Are there tips in the form of a newsletter or website information that can help your adopted dog adjust easier? What about training, can they refer you to a qualified dog trainer that specializes in shelter animals?

Related posts:

1. Adopting A Shelter Dog: Be Prepared To Ask A Lot Of Questions Do you think you have what it takes to...
2. Shelter Adoption - Why You Should Choose An Animal Shelter With Strict Adoption Policies Be aware that some of the dogs that are...
3. Shelter Adoption - Adopting A Dog From The Shelter Is Like Buying A New Car, You Never Know What You Are Going To Get Unfortunately, many dogs, who are otherwise healthy and happy...

Through the concept of iridology (finding health and character information by studying the eyes), you can get an inside scoop of what your dog is going through and what is happening physiologically that contributes to his behaviors.

Once you have a better understanding of your dog's inner nature, his weaknesses and his personality, you'll be able to determine the root of the problem and provide him with the proper care needed to help him overcome any health problems or personality disorders. It will then be easier for you to customize caring and training that best supports your dog's individual needs.

Overly Emotional Dogs

For emotional body dogs, a healthy, well-balanced meal that includes detoxification, as well as extra support for the digestive system is essential. This is acquired by adding liquid chlorophyll, pure aloe vera juice, and digestive enzymes to the diet.

When training these dogs, special considerations should be taken for their condition. Normal dog training may not work, because of the difficulty for them to process both external and internal stimuli due to the high awareness of the energies all around him.

Nervous, Sensitive Dogs

For nervous, sensitive dogs, diet should be an utmost consideration. Low quality processed foods drain the nervous system since these foods do not contain the necessary nutrients to provide optimum health and wellness. Dogs in general, but particularly those with this constitution, should have a diet that contains the right amount of nutrients without any additives or preservatives.

Training is crucial for these dogs. They should be given a job to do in order for them to feel secure. Clear guidelines and firm discipline are required or these dogs will establish dominance. It is important for these canines to learn, early on in life, that you are the leader and they are the follower. Once you have established leadership, however, these dogs respond very well to positive training.

Immune Reactive Dogs

For immune reactive dogs, a healthy diet is especially important to support and nourish their nervous system. Poor diet runs down the nervous system and creates the feeling of being unsafe and in danger. This unsafe feeling is a big factor in these dogs' mental and physical state of being.

Training will be difficult until you control the over-stimulation, both internal and external, that is continually occurring.

Related posts:

1. Nutrition For Active Dogs - Proper Nutrition For Your Working Dog Dogs that lead a very active lifestyle demand a...
2. Holistic Dog Health Q & A (1) Controlling Seizures Caused By Distemper I have a four-year-old...
3. Feeding your Pit Bull Your Pit Bull is a genetically healthy dog with...

What They Learn at Dog Training Schools

Good dog training schools should have a variety of programs to suit different skill levels, and should be aimed more at giving owners the skills they need to train their pets rather than the school doing the training for them.

There are some basic 'good manners' that dogs will learn at schools. They will be taught the self-control needed for them to not jump over visitors to your home, to settle at your feet or in a chosen spot, to come when called, and to walk nicely on a leash. Learning to socialise with other dogs, on and off a leash, should also form part of the dog training school's curriculum.

They should also be taught:

* not to chew and dig
* to not be a recreational barker
* how to accept veterinary examinations
* to accept nail clippings and brushing

Good dog training schools will also equip the dog with the confidence and willingness to take instruction. Because the dog has to concentrate on a given task, it learns how to think and cooperate, and to not fear the unknown.

It is widely believed that training in the first 15 weeks of life will determine whether the cute puppy will grow into a well socialised, well mannered adult dog. For puppies, dog training school focuses on temperament, behaviour and good manners. This is aimed at stopping bad behaviour before it starts.

Dogs will then learn how to walk nicely on a leash, to sit, stay and lay down when asked. With the basics learned, they can then graduate to precision walking, emergency sit and some agility training, including tricks.

When deciding on the right dog training school for your pet, don't be afraid to ask them what they provide, and what qualifications the trainers have. Check that there are classes for different skill levels, and to what extent the training covers. Always confirm that they only allow vaccinated dogs into courses (they should ask for your vaccination certificate when you enrol).

The stimulation dog training schools provide is loved by the pets, and will lead to a very rewarding relationship with their best friends - you.

Related posts:

1. Dog Behavior Training Rewarding For Good Behavior All dogs should be trained...
2. Toilet Training for Rottweiler Dog Dogs from the Rottweiler breed are considered to be...
3. Training your new puppy to accept the collar and lead Walking on a collar and lead is an important...

Put two or more people under the same roof, and tensions occasionally flare up. If two people can't always keep the lid on emotional outbreaks, why should pets be expected to do so? Naturally, your pets will have a spat periodically. After all, they are often the only ones that know what circumstances brought it about. If one animal appears to be in danger from another, breaking up the brawl may be necessary. If your canine house-mates get into a squabble, try some of these methods to separate the animals without risking your own life or limbs:

1. Reproductive drives can be a source of fighting, especially among males, so spaying or neutering your dogs will reduce outbreaks as a result of biological urges.

2. Proper introductions and training will go a long way in preventing fights before they start.

3. Water is one of the most effective and most harmless ways to separate two dogs that have locked horns. If the dogs are outside, squirt them with a hose. If indoors, squirt them with a squirt bottle or grab the nearest plastic container and fill it with water to douse the two.

4. Give your dogs their own food dishes, beds, and toys to discourage competition that may cause them to fight.

5. Forming a hierarchy is natural to dogs. To keep your dogs from fighting, respect the hierarchy. Feed the alpha (dominant) dog first and don't give the dogs lower on the hierarchy special attention or favors in order to keep the hierarchy stable.

6. Try grabbing the dogs' collars to pull them apart. If you can't get to the collar without risk of teeth marks in your hands, try another method.

7. Some behaviorists recommend grabbing one dog's legs and lifting them up and away from the other dog. Be careful not to yank or pull so hard as to tear a muscle or injure the dog's hips or legs.

8. Use a pepper spray product that is formulated for dogs. The product will get the two dogs to stop fighting before they injure each other. Caution: Do not spray into the dog's eyes!

9. Try maneuvering the dogs into a doorway and separate them with the door.

10. Lastly, adopting or purchasing a dog known to get along with another species will save you time and energy helping each adjust to the other. A dog exposed to cats and dogs some time in his past is more likely to get along with a newcomer brought into the home, assuming the exposure was a positive one. If you obtained your dog at a shelter, ask the shelter staff if they know anything about his history and whether he came from a home that had both dogs and cats. If you purchase your dog from a breeder, inquire what other kinds of pets the breeder has.

Related posts:

1. Does Your Dog Have Problems With Fighting Other Dogs? Dogs that have severe fighting problems with other dogs...
2. 4 Tips to aid your dog of Diarrhea Is your dog having a problem with diarrhea? Does...

Most animal shelters are private nonprofit shelters do the best they can with what they have to work with on low funding levels. Their buildings could use some work, their budgets are always tight, and they do the best with what they have to provide for the animals in their community.

New buildings don't necessarily make a good shelter, but you certainly want to work with a shelter that clearly cares enough for its charges to make sure they are kept in areas that are clean and don't facilitate the spread of disease.

Shelter work is difficult and stressful, and employees and volunteers can suffer burnout quickly. A well-run shelter is as compassionate to its staff as it is to the animals, because one has a lot to bear on the treatment of the other. Look for a shelter where employees are helpful and knowledgeable and clearly interested in helping the shelter's animals find responsible new homes.

The best shelters have a good handle on a dog's history, health, and temperament before putting her up for adoption and have done what they can to enhance her chances of success in a new home, through socialization and screening for the right home. They provide not only pre-adoption counseling but follow-up help, with behavioral advice or reduced-cost training classes.

These are the shelters you should seek out when looking for a dog or puppy. If you want to go one step better, look for ways to help the shelters that don't measure up. Usually it's a question of money and volunteers, and you can do a lot to contribute in these categories. Contact your local shelter to find out how.

"Humane Society" and "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" ("SPCA") are generic terms freely used in the United States and Canada by animal organizations that have no connection to one another or to national organizations such as the Washington, D.C. based Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA in New York City. And yet, local shelters are often stymied in their fund-raising efforts by people who have "given to the national organization" and consider their charitable efforts complete - even though money given to the HSUS and ASPCA is used to fund their own programs, not the local shelters'. Which is why it's important not to forget your local animal shelter when giving.

A bit of a war in the animal-welfare community occurs over those organizations that call themselves "no kill" shelters. There are more pets than there are suitable homes, which sets up a grim game of "musical homes" resulting in the death of millions of animals every year. "No kill" shelters get that way by refusing to accept animals that are not adoptable or by refusing all animals when they are full. The turn-aways often end up at another shelter, one whose staff often very much resents having to be the bad guy.

Related posts:

1. Shelter Adoption - Why You Should Choose An Animal Shelter With Strict Adoption Policies Be aware that some of the dogs that are...
2. Adopting A Shelter Dog: More Questions You Must Ask Your Local Animal Shelter There are too many puppies being born and sold...
3. Adopting A Shelter Dog: Be Prepared To Ask A Lot Of Questions Do you think you have what it takes to...

If you are a couch potato, then consider a breed that doesn't require a high demand of physical activity. Although they still need to be exercised everyday, they usually get enough of it by running around the house.

Examples of these breeds are: English Toy Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Shih-Tzu, Chihuahua, and Yorkshire Terrier. If you prefer a larger dog, go for a Clumber Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Mastiff, Sussex Spaniel, or Bulldog.

If you love spending time outdoors, go for a sporting breed, particularly one from a spaniel family such as a Cocker Spaniel or the retriever family such as a Golden Retriever. These breeds have a moderate-to-high level of activity.

If you are a very active person and would like a dog that can keep up with your own high energy output, consider other breeds from the sporting group such as an English Springer Spaniel, a Labrador Retriever, or a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Breeds that do well in outdoor activities and are considered to be canine athletes include Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Belgian Sheepdogs, Border Collies, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

If you prefer a smaller breed, then consider a Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Papillon. These dogs are not only smart, but also excel in speed and agility.

Are you looking for a dog that your child can grow up with? Then pick one that has a gentle personality and large enough so that he won't be injured by your child. Breeds to consider are Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bulldog, Collie, Basset Hound, Standard Poodle, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Scottish Deerhound, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Bouviers des Flandres.

If you want a dog that acts and looks like a bodyguard, one that is always on alert and barks at anything unusual, a breed from the working or herding group might be for you. Examples are Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Belgian Tervuren, German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Mastiff, Belgian Malinois, Canaan Dog, and Standard Schnauzer.

In need of a training partner? A high-energy breed may be the dog for you. Some examples of are Golden and Labrador Retrievers, English Setter, Brittany, Weimaraner, Vizsla, Flat-Coated Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Basenji, Akita, Dalmatian, Norwegian Elkhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, English Springer Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Irish Setter.

Love boating or going the beach? Consider a dog born to swim such as a Labrador Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Otterhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, and Newfoundland.

Related posts:

1. Choosing The Right Show Dog Breed For You If you have thought that you might like to...
2. The Labrador Retriever: An Early History The exact beginnings of the Labrador retriever cannot be...
3. Different Tools For Different Coats Different types of coats need different grooming tools. Although...

Rewarding For Good Behavior

All dogs should be trained in good behavior no matter their breed or age.

It can seem at times like a chore for the pet owner, but the best approach is to think of it as a way of bonding with your dog. Dog behaviour training is very stimulating for the dogs, they love the activity and spending time with their masters.

The positive reward system is the training technique most favored by professionals today, and it is the easiest for most people to master. The food rewards should be small pieces and highly palatable - worth obeying for! They should only received these treats in training sessions and they should be counted in any diet regime to avoid gaining excess weight.

If a training session is to be successful, the treat should be given to the dog immediately he has responded correctly, along with verbal praise and, sometimes, a pat.

Never yell at or hit your dog, as this does not train him, it makes him fear you. There is no use at all in punishing a dog for something that you did not see happen. If you find that the dog has had an 'accident' in the house, ignore it unless you saw it. The dog does not understand delayed punishment. It is also totally futile and inhumane to rub a dog's nose in any accident spots.

Dog behavior training is best conducted away from any distractions, at least in the very early stages, because it is important that you have the dog's complete attention. When giving commands look at him and speak clearly. Be consistent in the commands, for example don't say "stay" in one session and "wait" in another. This will only confuse him.

Dog training sessions will require a lot of patience from the owner. Never "fit it in" to an otherwise very busy day. Doing this will result in the session being rushed, and the trainer seeming impatient.

Never attempt to train your dog when you are tired, unwell or angry. Dogs are very sensitive and will pick up on these emotions that are replacing the "good dog" positivity he usually receives at these times.

Only when your dog has mastered one set of commands should you move on to another. The first and most important commands to learn are sit, stay, drop and heel to leash. Dogs love learning, and revel in the "well done" they receive for doing well - so don't hold back on the praise.

There are plenty of books and e-books on dog behavior training and dog obedience schools and clubs for those wanting more formal assistance in training their pets to be good companions.

Related posts:

1. Collar Training Your Puppy Training a puppy or a dog does not mean...
2. Puppy Training Tips Every Dog Owner Must Know There are six standard commands: Heel, Come, Sit, Stand,...
3. Training the dog to come when it is called Training a dog to come when it is called...

The head collar has become an increasingly popular dog training tool in the past couple of years. Two of the most well known brands of head collar on the market are the Gentle Leader and the Halti, but there are many other brands that incorporate the basic head collar concept.

Many people find the Gentle Leader easier to fit that the Halti, and in addition the Gentle Leader is designed to fasten around the dog's neck. The advantage of this design is that even if the dog is somehow able to wriggle out of the muzzle, it is still wearing a collar. This safety feature is very important, especially during training outside or in novel situations. On the other hand, the Halti offers better control of the dog, and for this reason it is often favored when working with very aggressive dogs.

Training a dog with a head collar has a number of advantages over training with a traditional or training collar. For one thing, head collars are often easier to use for beginning dog trainers than are training collars. Head collars are also quite effective at preventing dogs from pulling, or controlling and retraining dogs that tend to pull.

Head collars can also be quite effective at controlling dogs in difficult situations, such as controlling a dog that wants to be with other dogs. Most owners know of some situations in which their dogs are difficult to control, and head collars can be quite effective at controlling these volatile situations.

Head collars can be excellent for controlling dogs that are very strong, or for working with a dog in an area that contains a great many distractions. For instance, head collars are great for when your dog is on an outing, or in an area where there will be other dogs and other distractions.

Even though a head collar can be a great tool, it should not be used as a replacement for effective dog training. A head collar is most effective when it is used in combination with strong and sensible dog training methods, such as reward training and other forms of positive reinforcement.

Disadvantages of head collars

Even though head collars have many advantages, they have some distinct disadvantages as well. For one thing, head collars tend to make many dogs dependent on the equipment, and they quickly learn the difference between their regular collar and the head collar, and adjust their behavior accordingly.

In addition, some dogs, particularly those not accustomed to wearing a head collar, dislike wearing it and paw at it, try to rub it off or pull excessively. If your dog exhibits this behavior, the best strategy is to keep it moving until it learns to accept the collar. A good alternative is to have the dog sit by pulling up on the dog's head.

Another disadvantage of the head collar is the reaction that many people have to it. Many people think that a head collar is a muzzle, and react to the dog as if it may bite. While this is not necessarily a defect of the head collar, many people do find it troublesome.

In conclusion, training with a head collar is much like training with a training collar or any other equipment. While the head collar can be an important and useful tool, it is important to use it appropriately, follow all package instructions, and to combine its use with solid training methods. The eventual goal of dog training with a head collar should be to have the dog behave as well with a regular collar as it does with the specialized head collar.

Related posts:

1. Training your dog with a head collar There are many devices used in the world of...
2. Pros And Cons Of Using A Head Halter The head halter is a hybrid piece of equipment....
3. Dog Training Collar Do Dog Training Collars Work? Debate is inevitable when...