‘Animal and Pet Articles’

How You Can Successfully House Train Your Dog

Wed ,10/03/2010

Widely recognized as the most popular and effective way to house train puppies the crate method utilizes your dog’s natural instincts. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will not by nature relieve themselves in the area where they sleep.

Knowing how to communicate properly with your dog lies at the heart of the house training process. Lecturing, yelling or other forms of punishment will not achieve the desired result. The key is to reward good behavior. Puppies are like babies, much too young to be held responsible for their bowel movements. Punishments are not the way to get through to your puppy. If you are going to use the crate method it’s vital that you learn about the proper, humane method to house train your dog.

Choosing the right crate

This is very important when it comes to the humane treatment of your puppy. A crate that is too small is very cruel. The puppy should have enough room to maneuver around and be comfortable inside. If the crate is much too large – the puppy might even relieve himself inside the crate.

The plastic varieties of crates are much easier to clean, durable and easier to carry around than the metal varieties.
It is also cruel to leave your puppy inside the crate for too long. Night time is crate time and often even very young puppies can go the entire night without soiling their crates.

You will want to slowly get the puppy used to the crate. The idea here is to create a positive feeling about the crate. Put a nice soft blanket inside and your puppy’s favorite toys too. You can also put some yummy treats inside to entice your dog.
Never, ever force your dog inside the crate. It is his sanctuary within your home.

Tips for house training

- Prepare the area that your puppy will spend most of its time in with a layer of newspaper.
- Designate an official toilet area for your puppy
- Supervise (or have the children do it) until the puppy has relieved himself.
- If your puppy starts sniffing or circling pick him up and get him outside fast!

Golden rules for house training your dog using the crate method:

- Take your puppy out first thing in the morning
- Take your puppy out directly after meals
- If your puppy has had an accident be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Use a product that will remove the odor.
- Never punish your puppy for accidents. You would never yell at your baby and put her nose in her mess. Rather use positive reinforcement when your puppy does her business outside.
- Take your puppy out just before bedtime and make sure he does his business.
- Give praise freely where it is due. Treats, walks and positive reinforcement will go a long way toward getting your puppy to understand that eliminating outside is the goal.

Housetraining your puppy will take time and patience. The kind of dog and your methods will greatly influence how long it takes for your puppy to be fully house trained.

There is a reason that the crate method is the most widely used house training method. It works well. Of course house training your puppy isn’t your only concern when it comes to raising a well behaved dog. You will also want to set some distinct boundaries. Puppies should not be allowed free reign of the house; at least not until they are fully house trained. Your puppy is a sponge and above all – keen to please you. You are the pack leader and the puppy will look to you to figure out what is and isn’t acceptable in your home.

By deciding early what your puppy may chew on and what furniture he is allowed on you can eliminate confusion and behavioral problems later in life.

Learn more about citronella dog collar. Stop by our site where you can find out all about obedience training for dogs and what it can do for you.

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Is Peanut Butter Good for Dogs?

Sun ,07/03/2010

You might be disturbed that feeding your dog peanut butter or peanut butter dog treats is unhealthy. This can be a valid concern since many types of nuts are identified to be hazardous for dogs to ingest. Macadamian and walnuts are recognized to be unhealthy to dogs and should always be avoided.

Over time, several nuts might become toxic and the degree of phosphorus can build, causing both liver and bladder concerns. In some cases these issues can even induce death. It is also important to note that some types of chocolate might include nuts which could cause the same concerns.

For those dog lovers that like to include peanut butter for snacks, mixing with medication or just sharing, there is good information. Although we might think that peanuts are nuts, they are truly a type of bean. To be more to the point, they are part of the legume family (Fabaceae).

That being noted, dogs can have food allergies just like people. As with any untested food item, it must be fed in moderation and discontinued if an allergic reaction is suspected. Although there are many beneficial nutrients in peanut butter, it is also high in calories. If you are worried about preservatives, consider organic brands which might also be lower in sugar.

There is no data I have read that peanut butter is unhealthy for dogs. That being said, we being owners, must always read the labels and be aware of the products we give our dogs. Now it’s time for me to put some peanut butter on a dog treat and share the great news with my dogs!

Get more information on peanut butter dog biscuits and learn how to make healthy dog biscuits today!

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The Way The Citronella Collar Works

Sun ,07/03/2010

Endless barking can be a very annoying thing. If your pet’s barking starts to bother you, imagine what it makes to your neighbors. In addition, your dog’s constant barking can transform a quiet get-together with your friends in a struggle to understand that each other is saying. Luckily, companies and dog schools have come up with different methods for reducing a dog’s barking and making life easier for the dog owner. Oral training should always be your first choice, but if you are not getting good results or you just don’t have the time to implement it, you might consider making a small investment in a solution.

One of the cheapest, yet effective ways of handling the problem is getting a citronella collar. This collar is one of the most popular ones because it’s very gentle on the dog when correcting it.

The Citronella Spraying Collar

The biggest advantage of the citronella collar is that it’s effective and soft on your dog at the same time. The collar works by relying on the dog’s highly developed sense of smell. It’s designed to spray a small dose of citronella essence in front of the dog’s nose whenever the dog barks. This method doesn’t hurt the dog, but surprises it into silence with the introduction of a sudden smell.

Dog’s natural curiosity will make them try to find out why this strong smell appeared out of nowhere. After a while, dogs will start making the connection. Of course, the exact mechanism is beyond their comprehension, but they will understand that the smell appears in front of them every time they bark. Citronella esscence, in case you were wondering what it is, is the same essence that is used in mosquito repelent oils.

The Premier Spray Sense Anti Bark Collar is one of the best choices. It is available through all pet supply stores and is affordable to boot. It is one of the simplest to operate bark deterrents on the market today. The best part is that it will start working right away. Some dogs take a bit longer to get used to it and understand that they need to stop barking to stop the spray but it always works.

There are other options but the citronella collar usually tops the list for most dog owners. You love your dog and do not want to see them get hurt. At the same time you do not want to have to deal with their incessant barking. This citronella collar offers you the best of both worlds and it is easy to refill.

Once you have a citronella collar on your dog you can start enjoying your time with your dog and not dreading coming home to them.

If you want to reduce your dog’s barking to normal levels, then the citronella collar is the way to go. This type of collar gives results without punishing your dog severely. The citronella collar can be found in pretty much every pet store there is.

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Dog Behavior Problems: Help! My Dog Is A Nuisance When He Misbehaves!

Fri ,05/03/2010

How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say, “I hate it when he barks non stop… or he utterly embarrassed me when he mounts people’s leg”. Dog owners usually have no problems to fill in tons of their dog behavioral problems into the above statements.

I have to admit that I feel disappointed, even sad whenever I hear dog owners say that statement. Why? Because, these owners have failed to see things from their dog’s prospective! To put it simply, I should say that they don’t understand their dogs at all.

Dogs do not misbehave because they’re spiteful, or are out to annoy or anger you. They just behave in a manner which is expected of a dog!

The fact is that dog behavioral problems that we can’t stand are not problems at all to the dogs. In fact, do you know that dogs “misbehave” for a reason or two? To list a few:

1. Dogs bark because they have something to say, something to tell you.

2. Dogs dig because they smell something underneath the ground.

3. Dogs chew because they are teething and are feeling uncomfortable.

4. Dogs chase after moving objects because they are following its instinct.

5. Dogs turn aggressive because they want to protect you.

For your information, most dogs actually misbehaved (in our eyes) because of the lack of care, concern and training from their very own owners:

1. Health Issue – Many behaviorists & dog trainers believe that at least 20% of all behavior problems are related to the dog’s health in some way or another. For all that you might know. Your dog could be misbehaving because he is sick or in pain. Bring him to the vet for a thorough check-up if he misbehaves suddenly when he has always been a good dog.

2. Imbalance Diet – Feeding your dog the wrong food, with too high in protein, fat or carbohydrates is known to cause hyperactivity. Sugars, starches and many other factors in your dog’s diet can also cause behavioral problems in your dog. Always read the label of the food before you feed him, seek advice if necessary. Remember that dogs need different type of food in different stages of their life.

3. Exercise – Lack of exercise also cause plentiful of problems. A dog that doesn’t get enough exercise is unhealthy and tends to be hyperactive, and display destructive behaviors. Dogs depending on breed type need plentiful of exercises – Do consider this factor before you get a puppy.

4. Lack of Leadership -I can’t stress enough on the importance of the leadership issue. Dogs display TONS of behavioral problems when they lack a leader. Aggressive & destructive behaviors, leg lifting, marking, mounting, barking & etc… It’s very important that you assume the role of the alpha leader!

You must understand that all dog develop behavior problems. These dog behavior problems never develop in a vacuum. They are always the outcome of the interaction between a dog and its environment, including you! Most canine behavioral problems can be controlled if not solved completely. You just got to put in some effort and understand that prevention is better than cure.

Lastly, do try to see and comprehend things from your dog’s prospective the next time your dog misbehaves. You’ll soon find that you love him even more!

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Tips On Treating Dog Allergies

Tue ,02/03/2010

Allergies in dogs cause them to scratch themselves and lick the area of inflammation until sores develop on their skins. Due to the constant itching and scratching these sores become infected and pus formation occurs in them. In severe cases, dogs suffer from loss of hair. There are various options available to you in the form of both symptomatic relief and specific medication.

If you find your dog with allergic symptoms, try bathing it with cool water on a regular basis. You can provide additional relief by using eucalyptus and aloe vera based shampoos. You can also feed your dog a diet rich in minerals, vitamins and fatty acids to help in the healing process.

Several medicines can be used to treat allergic symptoms such as antihistamines or steroids like prednisone. Antibiotics can be used to treat infections. However, prolonged use of this kind of medication can lead to complications such as low immunity or liver related problems. Therefore, check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any of these medicines.

A popular option nowadays is to give your dog shots to prevent allergies from developing. However, these shots are expensive and may take even anything between a week to a year before starting to show results.

There are several other ways in which you can protect your dog from allergies. Atopy, which is caused by mold or pollen, can be kept at bay by vacuuming and cleaning those areas around which your dog stays.

For flea allergies, the best solution is to control the fleas and if possible, get rid of them completely. In order to keep fleas at bay, you need to brush your dog’s coat and groom it regularly. Anti-flea products like sprays, foggers and flea shampoos are also effective in curbing fleas.

If your dog is suffering from food allergies try and make modifications in the diet to make it hypoallergenic. Now start introducing a certain type of food at a time and see if your dog reacts to it. This will help you identify the allergen and you can then completely eliminate it from your dog’s diet.

The best way to keep your dog free from allergies is to avoid the allergens that cause the disease in the first place. This will automatically reduce the incidence of allergic reactions and help your pet in leading a healthy life. Therefore, the best cure for dog allergies is prevention.

Get more helpful tips and information on dog allergy today.

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Training Your Puppy To Be A Dependable Citizen

Tue ,02/03/2010

The most crucial fact about puppies and dogs that owners must recognize is that dogs are pack animals and the person must set up authority. You, the owner, are the “pack leader” and you must act the part.

A new puppy will intuitively spend a big amount of time trying to figure out where they fit in the pecking order of their new home. They do this by trying to establish their own control. A few breeds have more forceful personalities such as the terriers or Chihuahuas. Other breeds are more naturally acquiescent.

As soon as your puppy comes home you need to help him learn his place in the hierarchy. All of the individual members of the family are above him in the “pecking order” and he needs to be aware of that fact. This is not reprimand at all and dogs actually prefer to be subservient to their owners. If your dog is to become content and well-behaved member of your household this hierarchy must be established.

In order to create the dominance you must go along with a few simple rules. Otherwise your puppy will be receiving mixed signals and it will be more demanding for you to train him and he will be confused as to what you really want.

The leader must each time eat first. Do not let your puppy eat before you eat. If you are planning on eating about the same time as you plan to feed your puppy, you need to make your puppy wait until you are done. Or you can have your puppy eat at a entire distinct time than you eat. In the start you may want to call your puppy to you to get his food and make him stay before you give it to him. You can teach him to sit and then give him his food.

Grooming your puppy can send powerful signals about who is in charge. At the start your puppy may whimper and cry when you hold him for basic grooming but you must pay no heed to him and be adamant on finishing. Always follow through on what you begin because puppies discover very rapidly if you really mean something or not.

Most puppies will nip and bite at things when they are very young. You must prohibit this behavior immediately and let your puppy know that it is not acceptable with a clear reaction of a “No” and a tap if needed. Keep in mind that you are the pack leader and the pack leader does not ever get nipped.

Showing your puppy that you are the dominant leader is the most essential thing you can do to have a well-behaved dog later on. Avoid aggressive games like “tug’o'war” where he can show too much dominance. Reward his good behavior with praise and treats and overlook his bad behavior as you commence the process of obedience training. Following these simple rules can help you train your puppy to be well-behaved and well-trained.

Maximum training tips for your favorite dog including training collars for dogs, obedience training for dog and much more at UniversityDog.com.

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Dog Training – Most Dogs Need Training And Here’s Why

Sun ,28/02/2010

Your life is going exactly as planned. You have a great family, nice house, a carrier you love, and you have even gotten a dog.

You wake up a 6 am with a smile on your face. You have a whole hour to yourself to get ready for work before you have to wake the kids up. You go about your morning quietly humming to yourself as you make your pot of coffee. The aroma is filling the house and you can’t help but think how lucky you are.

Out of the corner of your eye you spot your neighbor taking their little dog out for a morning stroll. You get to thinking that maybe you should take your dog out also to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. Just then, as if on Que, your dog springs into action and flies over to the window. The hair on his back looks like a porcupines and he lets out a low warning growl. You only have a second to respond before he really lets loose with the barking and you know he is going to wake up the whole house.

As you are making every effort to quite him the baby starts screaming like a banshee and your older children slowly emerge from their rooms. All you can do is stare at your beautiful children because you know that within minutes the house will be in chaos and you didn’t even get to drink your first cup of coffee, let alone get ready for work. Any thoughts on relaxing before the day really began have been dashed.

That’s it you think. That dog needs dog training, barking at all hours of the day has got to go.

The desire to get your dog trained has stayed with you throughout work. You are a bit on the frazzled side all through work. As soon as you pick up your children after work you realize that they are on the verge of becoming very overtired. Well, how can you blame them, they are not used to getting up that early. You make it home with as little fuss as possible and file them all through the door.

As you walk through the door your dog comes flying at you to show you just how much you were missed today. You barely manage to stay upright as he jumps on you. You have a new demand to add to your dog training, jumping has to go as well. You manage to calm your dog down long enough for him to stop jumping and then you see it… right in the middle of your living room carpet your dog has dug a big hole.

You look at your beloved dog as the kids are all crowding around him. They are all pleading with you with their eyes to please not be angry. The dog is after all very, very sorry.

All you can think is that dog is a nuisance but there is nothing you can do. The children are head over heals in love with their dog and in truth, so are you. Regardless, you have to stop your dog digging holes especially in the middle the living room floor. That is when dog obedience training comes into play. The best way to get your dog to behave is to train him to do so.

When dog training barking is most times high on the priority of behaviors that must go. Visit SafeDogObedienceAdvice.com to learn how to safely and positively get your dog trained. Dog Obedience Training

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Starting Puppy Housebreaking – Potty Training A Puppy In 4 Easy Methods

Sat ,27/02/2010

If there exists something that most pet owners could possibly relate to it is usually the experience connected with wanting to potty train a puppy which has hardly any concept in regards to the suitable spot to make use of the bathroom and also coaching the pup to become a responsible puppy to make use of the bathroom within the correct place and at the right times.

Potty training a puppy can be one of the most common areas in which lots of puppy owners start the wrong types of training practices. It is this condition where people can use just some common sense tips to get their pets rapidly introduced to the right way to use the bathroom.

The very first thing you will need to be aware of is that most dogs possess a normal instinct to avoid messing the area where they sleep and also eat. Obviously brand new puppies may not get it right away, but it really isn’t going to require much time for them to understand that they do not need to pee or produce stools where they live and play.

Let us discuss a handful of housebreaking hints that anyone can utilize right now that can help get your puppy on his way to being effectively taught as soon as your dog has got to use the bathroom:

1. Whenever you rise each day, refrain from praising or greeting your puppy before he has used the bathroom. This will develop into a new habit for him as soon as your dog realizes that he will get lots of nurturing attention and also praise following using the bathroom every day, this routine should remain in his brain and he is going to recognize what to do in order to get precisely what he needs, and that is your praise!

2. When you start to bring your dog outdoors or wherever it is you need your pet to utilize the bathroom, stay with utilizing just one command each time you guide him towards the potty spot. For example, I utilize the phrase “Go pee pee”.

3. Whichever path you take after you lead the pup from the house to his potty spot, use this exact course each time you are taking your pet to use the bathroom. This helps develop a pattern so your dog comprehends that it is time to go to the bathroom while you are walking him through the same path.

4. Of course, it should go without stating you’ll want to make use of a great deal of encouragement along with supportive caresses any time your puppy properly makes use of the bathroom within the designated area. You must assist him to associate potty training with a constructive experience and also showering your pet with love and affection is the perfect method to do it.

If you keep to the preceeding methods, potty training a labrador retrievers puppy ought to always be a constructive experience for both you and your dog.

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What Pet Owners Need To Understand About Crate Training Dogs

Sat ,27/02/2010

Proper crate training dogs teaches them that a crate is a good place to go for sleep or when frightened. If the dog simply wants some alone time he can retreat to the crate. It also provides a safe place for the pet if he travels by car or by plane. It can also be used to assist in potty training.

The crate serves as an indoor dog house for the dog. It may be the place that he sleeps as well as eats. It becomes his den, a safe place that he can enjoy spending time no matter what is going on.

It is important that you do not force your pet into a crate. The more your force the pet into the crate, the more they will hate the crate and you will both be miserable.

The crate should be in a room where you spend a lot of time with he pet. Let him explore naturally and then add a few treats. In time he will start to go inside on his own. Then you will want to place his food inside, so he will start to associate the crate as a happy place. He should be very comfortable in the crate and sleeping there before you think abut closing the door to the safe place.

When you do close the door, make sure to stay in a nearby room so the puppy does not feel like he has done something wrong. Allow plenty of time for adjustment for a happy dog that loves his crate.

A crate can be very valuable in house training a pet. The dog’s crate needs to be small enough that he cannot go potty in one end and then sleep in the other but should also be large enough that he can stand and turn around.

As soon as the pet is taken out of his crate, you must take him to where he is to use the bathroom every time. Soon he will get the idea that this is his bathroom spot. This will be a major battle conquered in house training the dog. You will have fewer messes to clean up in your home.

Very young puppies lace bowel and bladder control, so do not leave them in their crate so long that they have accidents. Be very patient with them so that as they gain control, they will want to go outside to the bathroom. Over time, you will have a pet that becomes an even more special friend.

Crate training dogs is one tool that can be used in house training and makes your pet much happier.

Learn how crate training dogs can help you train your animal. Helping with dog training behavior and more. Jump online and check out more information about it today.

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Pick Out A Pedigree Puppy For Your Family

Thu ,25/02/2010

Deciding to bring a puppy into your family unit is a commitment that should not be taken frivolously. Most dog breeds live between 10 to 15 years. Your puppy will be with you for a long time to come and getting a puppy is not a decision that should be taken frivolously.

Locating a highly regarded and well-respected dog breeder should be one of the first steps to take when you decide to get a new pet. The top breeders are committed to their breeds and they do everything they can to avoid health and behavior troubles. A good breeder will never intentionally sell you a unhealthy dog.

Since your puppy will grow up you should spend time with some adult dogs from the preferred breed before even looking at the puppies. Talk to breeders, other owners and local dog obedience trainers to get more information.

Distinctive breeds have diverse individuality that you will need to take into consideration. Some dog’s shed and some dogs make a big noise called “baying”. Make sure that the breed you choose has behavior that you can live with. If you cannot stand dog hair on your furniture or you or a family member is allergic you will want to consider a dog that will not shed. If your family is laid back and easy going you may not want to get a dynamic and rambunctious little terrier.

Those who work with animal’s day in and day out like veterinarians and the people who work in their office can usually give you quite a bit of advantageous information on the breed that you are taking into consideration. If there are possible health troubles that tend to show up in the breed it is nice to know that before you see the puppies.

Dog obedience trainers often see many different breeds and they can be a good source of balanced information. They can also usually give you some tips on what to look for in a puppy.

If you want some really helpful and fair-minded information talk with one or more dog obedience instructors. They usually have a variety of great information that they can give you on the diverse breeds and what to look for when choosing a puppy.

For many years to come your new puppy will with a bit of luck be a much-loved member of your family. You need to amass some sound information and use that to choose your puppy and not just the “puppy love” that we all have a propensity to encounter around charming little puppies. Every puppy will grow out of that really cute condition and the adult dog is the one who will be your pet for years to come.

The important secrets for training your favorite dog including crate training for puppies, house train a dog and much more at UniversityDog.

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