Monday, February 15, 2010

Tips For Successful Dog Training

By John Charles

Animals in general want to please their owners. If you want to teach your dog proper behavior or even to do tricks then there are a few simple methods to help you achieve this. Though it may take time and patients, dog training is possible for anyone to accomplish. One of the most important things is consistency.

Treats are a good way to reward you dog for good behavior. With praise and treats you can get your pet to do just about anything you want. Treats are usually food that you pet will respond well to, maybe even forbidden meat scraps or anything you have on hand.

A mistake that pet owners often make is that the give rewards at inappropriate times. When your animal is misbehaving, don't give treats to stop the bad behavior. This allows your dog to think the behavior is good and he will be rewarded for behaving in this manner. Scolding your pet for the behavior won't have any effect because a treat has been given and it confuses the animal.

Your tone of voice may mean more than your actual words when dealing with an animal. If you are trying to correct a behavior then you need a firm tone. If you are trying to get your pet to do something then you need to speak sweetly so your pet will know it is alright to do as you ask. Reward your pet with love and kindness as well as treats for good deeds.

When you start the training you will probably need to show the treat before you begin. This acts as an incentive to get your dog to do as you ask. Once you get farther along in training you can gradually stop the treats and only use words of praise. Eventually your dog will do as you ask when you ask.

More complex actions may require more than one command. Take things step by step and teach your pet one command at a time. This will make things easier for you can less confusing for your dog. If you are trying to make your dog stop jumping on you and sit down then the first command would be stop and then you would teach him to sit.

You can develop a great bond with your dog. There are many books and videos available for more detailed training practices. Dog training can be a wonderful experience for you and your pet.

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How To Find Your Pet Faster With A Dog Tracking Collar

By Adam Webster

When we lose our dog of course we worry if our pet dog is okay. I am going to show you how to find your pet quicker with the dog tracking collar. This collar has the ability to show you what area a dog is situated. When you find your pet again you take him back home and make you house and yard escape proof.

There are two tracking collars that do basically the same thing using different ways to track. One is a radio frequency track, and the second is a unique GPS system. Game hunters use the radio tracking collars on their dogs. The dogs are trained to track and retrieve game birds and act as the helper to the pets owner. Both collars make it easy to find your missing dog.

The first tracking collar uses radio frequencies to track the dog. That consists of a radio receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter is built into the collar. These are small devices and not heavy so it is comfortable for the animal to wear around his neck. The handler or dog owner will have a receiver which shows exactly where the dog is while he is wearing the collar.

The way it works is the radio frequencies bounce off of the transmitter and back to the receiver. These are great to use when you can not see the dog because of buildings or trees. This system beeps and signals you when you get closer to your pet dog. The signal gets weak around buildings or trees. Remember the stronger the signal the closer you are to your dog.

The GPS collar is a fabulous invention for our dogs. It is similar to the automobile system. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. You enter information into the device and it knows exactly where your pet goes. You can also enter an area, like your neighborhood and when your animal goes out of the neighborhood you can find the him. Using this collar eliminates having to search for your pet.

The reason it works so well is because the GPS system gets the signals from satellites. The signals go from the collars to the satellites and back to home base. You can watch on a computer the exact location of the animal this is quite different from the radio frequency tracker. GPS pin points where the pet is at all times, there is no guess work involved.

Now that we have talked about both collars for dogs, it is important that you choose one of them. Make it a routine to put the collar on your dog first thing in the morning when you get up. Make sure it works and then you may let the pet go outside. This is only one of several ways to keep your animals safe.

Now you have a little bit of insight about the GPS and the radio frequency dog collars. You will have to determine which collar will work best with your dog. With each collar you know that you can watch your dog as it moves. It is very important to test the collars on an every day basis. You may want to check the prices of these on the internet.

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The Use Of Dog Cages And Kennels When Training Your Dog

By Graham Smith

When looking for a dog kennel for your pet, remember there are certain types that are made for different breeds of dogs, and not every cage will be the right one for your particular situation. There are luxury kennels, designed for small dogs when they travel, that have every imaginable amenity included. Others are made for extremely large pets and are build to maximize security.

Dog cages come in many different sizes, and have many styles that serve various purposes. Make sure to get one that suits your exact needs and specifications.

If you are travelling with your pet then may want to get a cage that is fabric with a door of mesh and a zippered roof; or you may want to buy a hard plastic type of cage with metal doors, or a kennel which is totally metal mesh save for a solid floor. All of these are ideal for keeping your pet still while on a long car trip for vacation, or even for transporting the animal from one training event to another. It also makes a great way to carry your favourite canine when free roaming pets are not allowed.

Most cages and kennels for training are designed to be used inside as a way of either housebreaking your animal, punishing him for bad behavior, or keeping him from running loose when nobody is around to keep an eye on him. If you can keep your dog in the cage at night when you are sleeping, they will learn to wait to use the bathroom until you are able to let them out, and this will help you with getting them on a schedule.

A training cage makes a good "time out" area when your pet makes a mistake and needs discipline. Your pet will quickly learn that if he doesn't want to go sit in the cage he will stop doing whatever he did that got him there. While it's not a substitute for your attention, sometimes a cage is a good way to keep your rambunctious pet under control during times when you're not home.

You can also buy cages that are made for outdoor use, like kennels, wooden floor cages that are a part of a doghouse, that are great for having a nice place to sleep and move around outside, or dog runs, that are much like cages but have legs above the ground, and are stronger. Finally, walk-in cages are good for the temporary housing of several large dogs, and provide ease of access and cleaning.

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The Dog Obedience School Of Your Choice

By Brad Davenport

Anyone who is a dog lover only wants the best for their pooch. One of the most trying parts of owning a dog is having a canine who won't behave and follow the rules of the household. To make things easy and calm at home, sometimes it is important to find the right dog obedience school so that you can make sure that your best friend is acting appropriately.

Dogs are pack animals, so it is extremely important that they know who the leader is in the household. Part of the obedience training is showing the dog that you are their master and they must obey your commands. Otherwise, a dog will feel the need to lead the household.

You may be having problems with the dog being aggressive or dominant, and it is very important to stop that before it gets out of hand. Obedience training is not simply about teaching the dog to sit or stay.

Before you pick the dog obedience school, you need to understand what their training philosophy is. After all, some trainers take a more traditional approach while others use a more contemporary approach. You need to make sure that you are comfortable with which ever approach they use.

You also need to decide whether you want your dog to have one-on-one training or to be trained in a group setting. The person training the dog could also give you good information on which type would be appropriate for your canine. Obedience training should be a positive experience for you and the dog.

If you want to find the right dog obedience school, you can use research online and find all kinds of different dog training courses available that may work for your needs. Aside from saving you a lot of money, online or at home dog training programs will save you the time of having to drive your dog back-and-forth classes. If that doesn't work for you, you can always ask family and friends for their recommendations on good dog obedience schools in your area.

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Sunday, February 14, 2010

Caring for Teacup Yorkies: Meals

By Betsy Smith

With so many fine dog food products on the market today, there are many foods designed especially for teacup yorkies. Because of this fact, any caring owner may consider trying some of these specialty dog foods. However, owners should also be advised that the secret to the best dog food lies not only in the food, but also in the care surrounding feeding.

Yorkies are very social animals, more so even than many other breeds of dogs within the animal kingdom. They love to feel a part of the pack; any attention from an owner is perceived by this breed of dog is as good as gold. Your pet will benefit greatly from any interaction they receive from their human friends during mealtime and improve health and vigor.

Many kinds of dog food exist; the main categories are canned, bagged, and prepackaged (plastic containers such as the Caesar brand). Most teacup yorkies' owners find they prefer one form of food over another. Additionally, types of dog food may be mixed and matched.

Add a little panache to your pet's meal. After all, they are a special cuddly creature; anyone who has ever spent much time with this breed would agree. Incorporate pizzazz by creating easy but special variations to your yorkie's diet.

Feeder bins are a new strategy that greatly reduces much hassle, effort, and time for owners as well as the teacup yorkie. This self-feeding method works well for teacup yorkies as long as they are not prone to weight problems. This allows the animal to serve himself to whenever he feels hungry.

You must help develop your teacup yorkie's eating habits, too. Try to serve your dog his meals at the same time each day and in the same location. He will get used to his daily routine and develop good eating habits.

Be sure to read the labels carefully before you make your dog food purchase. Most reputable pet food manufacturers list the ingredients and the nutritional content right on the can or package. Instructions are usually included so that you will know how much to feed your teacup yorkie to keep him thriving and in top condition.

Adjustments to a teacup yorkies' diet may need to be made. Be sure to check with your pet's healthcare provider. Under your veterinarian's supervision such changes may be made according to the individual puppy, his rate of growth, his activity level, and so on.

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Things To Look For With Breed Specific Dog Collars

By Jim Witt

Dog collars can be customized to fit your specific style or need. One fun way to show off your dog is to invest in a breed specific dog collar. Breed specific dog collars can bring a lot of attention to the owners as well, which can especially be nice for dog breeders or owners during dog shows.

Breed specific dog collars are a popular choice for breeders since they showcase their business on the collar. Breed specific dog collars have a specific dog on the collar. What cuter way to show off your business of breeding dalmatian dogs than showing off other cute dalmatians on their dog collar?

Printed dog collars usually work best when designed on cotton ribbon. Cotton ribbon works well with printed designs because it is durable and machine washable. The ribbon is not a dog collar, however, so it is sewn directly on a dog collar or dog leash.

Print ribbon is never meant to be used in place of a dog collar. It should be sewn on to an actual dog collar. The best option is to sew the ribbon on to high quality nylon webbing.

Nylon webbing is a good choice for a dog collar because of its strength and versatility. Nylon webbing makes your dog collar safe because of its strength. A good way to see if the nylon webbing is high quality is if its tensile strength is well over 3500 pounds using a one-inch width. The best Nylon webbing will be over 4000 pounds of strength.

Printed dog collars rely on their print to be seen. Printed breed specific dog collars, in particular, use small details to really make the design shine. Breed designs must be easily seen, which is why high quality prints are the only way to go.

Breed Specific Dog collars can be made from AKC recognized dog breeds. Choosing a printed AKC collar can really help your dog stand out during dog shows. Show your support of your favorite dog breed by choosing a breed specific printed AKC collar.

Printed breed specific dog collars are growing quickly in their popularity. They can be a perfect choice for any dog lover. If you would like to bring a lot of good attention to your dog and dog breeding, breed specific dog collars are a good option for you.

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Two Dogs Are Better Than One!

By Connor Adair

I couldn't believe it- I, the committed cat person, who had thought of every possible reason never to own a dog, who hated the smell and the jumping and the licking and the mucky mess of them- I was rescuing a dog. There I was, speeding along the highway, following my friend Jody who had *my* new dog on his scooter. I'd slept on it for two days and finally decided that I would take the little mutt in. I examined the specimen on Jody's scooter. She was shivering, a fur covered bag of bones, her nose jutted into the wind and for some reason she was constantly licking the air. Lick Lick lick. With each flick of her little pink tongue I thought to myself, "What the heck am I doing?"

She had been abandoned outside a convenience store. I had passed her a million times since the first time I saw her, two weeks before. I'd taken her food and water, and finally decided that I just couldn't let her die. But how would I do it? I hate responsibility and being tied down. I loved having a cat- all I had to do was put a bunch of food and water down for her, and a litter box, and she was good to go. What was I going to do with this dog?

Over the next several weeks, Dresden (my mutts named after a German city that's been fire bombed) seemed to prove every fear that I had about adopting a dog. She peed on the floor. She chewed things up. She slept all day while I was gone, then when I got home exhausted, she had enough energy to power Manhattan. She kept me up all night whining and wanting to play. She cried terribly when I tried to leave, and would always try to bolt out the door when I left for work. I liked her, or at least I felt guilty for not liking her, which is almost like liking her, right?

Cut to two months later- I'm walking Dresden on the beach, and can't let her off the leash because she's in heat. What do I see ahead? ANOTHER DRESDEN! Except this Dresden is male.

Now let me tell you- my dog is weird looking. To see what must have been her twin is a strange coincidence, unless someone went up and down the coast abandoning puppies. Which is probably what happened. Let's just say that male Dresden took a fancy to female Dresden, who was in heat and attracting every dog within a 30 mile radius. I ran home, and this little male dog, though limping and terribly skinny (more of a skeleton than a dog) followed us the whole way. I put Dresden inside, and took out a bowl of food for the male dog- a dog-lover trying to help a stray? No, my plan was to lure him back to the beach and while he was distracted by the food- RUN!

I did it. Three times. It didn't work.

Finally it was time for me to go to work. Male Dresden was outside, howling at female Dresden, who was inside whining. I left. When I came home, male Dresden was inside the gate, laying on a makeshift bed, a bowl of food next to him. My landlord had taken him in thinking he was my dog! Aggggh! And fed him! Now he would never leave!

Every time I left the house, I had to fight off the amorous male Dresden who was trying to you know what the female Dresden (who is now happily spayed).

I took the little sucker in. Named him Romulus, after the mythical founder of Rome who was suckled by a wolf.

And a miracle happened. Shoes stopped being torn to shreds. When I arrived home, Dresden and Romulus greeted me with that special canine welcome frenzy, then they curled up together and.went to sleep. They had been playing all day. They had no need to keep me up all night. When I left for work, they both smiled wagging--- oh good, finally she's gone, let the games begin! When I took them to the beach, I didn't have to throw sticks or run with them- they ran circles around each other, and were awfully cute doing it.

Two dogs are better than one! I'm a cat person. If you asked me if you should adopt a dog, I'd say no. But if you asked me if you should adopt two dogs, I'd say hell yes.

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