Posted by Ben on March 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment
As a professional dog trainer I've seen my share of dog aggression and working with aggressive dogs. The truth is that most dog trainers won't deal with this type of behavior problem and those that do are often clueless as to the cause and treatment for dog aggression.
It is helpful to think about dog aggression as if it were a disease. Not in a literal sense, of course, but in the sense of realizing what a disease is. Think about it, what is a disease? At it's root, a disease is simply a core cause with symptoms.
For example, an infection is caused by bacteria and the symptom may be pain, pus, etc.
Aggression is the same way, it has a root cause and it has symptoms.
With nearly every aggressive dog that I've ever seen I've found that the core cause of aggression is nearly always a dog that doesn't understand leadership very well. You'll often find a dog that doesn't understand discipline as well as he or she should. You'll see a dog that doesn't have the structure or rules, consequences, understandable expectations and more.
Now, that is the core cause. The symptoms of that are often aggressive behavior, snapping, growling, excessive barking and more.
Herein lies the problem. Most so-called professional dog trainers only treat the symptoms when they are dealing with aggression. They only work on what to do when the dog is acting aggressively or barking or growling. They'll tell you to correct the dog with the leash at this point, or distract the dog with a treat at that point. All the while they are working on the symptoms and leaving the cause with no training or work.
In doing this, though, they are completely leaving the core cause alone. They have almost no hope of solving the problem because they are approaching it the wrong way. Imagine if you went to the doctor because you had pneumonia and her solution was to give you aspirin. Sure, aspirin could be helpful because you've got pain, but it's going to do nothing to solve the core cause of your problem.
I encourage you to search out qualified dog training methods that understand aggression for what it is. You need to find a training method that can help you address both the root cause and go to work on the symptoms of your dog's aggression. By approaching the behavior problem with more of a balanced attack you are in much better position to have success.
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Posted by Ben on March 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Effectively all dog whistles are a variety of dog training aid that give you the capability to blow into them to produce a sound that will get the recognition of your dog. They include the select features of an adaptable tone and a sound that can be read by your dog over great distances. Regularly they are utilized for training and working with hunting dogs in the field but can equally be a handy device for calling your dog at home. Various bits and pieces you must be aware of when it comes to dog whistles as a selection for a kind of dog training aid are described below.
You are likely to need a tool that you can conveniently use to obtain the attention of your dog when examining dog whistles as a type of dog training aid. The features of either a loud or quiet tone that may or may not be picked up by humans and an adaptable frequency to get the proper result are what they grant.
The useful features of granting you better control over your dog in a totally humane way are what nearly all dog whistles grant. You should get the fact that they do not work for every dog and some are cheap or poorly designed are detrimental characteristics of this sort of dog training aid.
A good number of them are fitting for use in the field or at home. They are not as appropriate for prompting your neighbor's dog to be silent. You may also need a lanyard to carry it around your neck for simple access.
Some of the foremost styles are Herm Sprenger, SportDog and Acme. In terms of price, they can vary from $ 5 to about $ 25 and are not very expensive. They are fundamentally fashioned for obtaining the notice of your dog when they venture away from your vision.
As with any kind of dog training aid, you ought to be persistent with how you utilize it. You should additionally comprehend that they are made to be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement strategies.
After buying one you need to adjust the frequency to suit your dog. It's additionally ideal to begin linking the whistle with positive actions, like when your dog comes running toward you or stops barking.
Overall, if you want a sort of dog training aid that will get the recognition of your dog then dog whistles are a good quality option, despite the fact that they do not work for every single dog and some are cheap or badly designed. They can provide the advantageous facets of offering you greater authority over your dog in a totally gentle way - with features such as a sound that can be listened to by your dog over great distances.
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Posted by Ben on March 8, 2012 · Leave a Comment
So you have decided to open your home to a new puppy and have ruled out the possibility of obtaining a new canine friend from a shelter or rescue, where do you go to find your new puppy dog? A dog breeder is a person or organization that mates, whelps, raises, then sells puppies. Beyond that simple definition, there is a wide range of diverse kinds of breeders, with the differences resting in the quality and quantity of care provided for the mother, father, and puppies.
There are basically four types of breeders but even within these four categories quality can vary greatly. The four types of breeders that this article will discuss are: (1) Large Breeding Operations licensed by U.S.D.A. usually considered to be a puppy mill, (2) Backyard Breeder, (3) Hobby Breeder, and (4) Professional breeder. The last two categories often overlap.
Even if you find that cute little puppy in the window in an upscale pet store nestled in an expensive, high-end mall, the puppy of your dreams arrived there from a vastly different environment. All puppies that are sold in pet stores now-a-days are born and raised in what is called a puppy mill operation. No reputable hobby or professional breeder would ever sell their puppies to a pet store or broker. A puppy mill by definition is a breeding facility housing a large number of dogs, usually in the hundreds with a wide variety of different kinds of breeds. Dogs are kept in cages and may spend their entire lives in these cages. The female dogs are bred continually throughout their lives producing litter after litter to be sold to pet stores. These dogs generally do not receive adequate health care and most receive little human interaction. Housing is poor and usually not clean. All breeding operations that house numerous dogs should not be considered to be puppy mills. The main difference lies in how the dogs are housed, how they are cared for, and the quality of care they receive. These dogs may be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or another registration program such as the Continental Kennel Club (CKC). Just because a puppy can be registered with AKC does not make it superior.
A second type of breeder is what is generally called a "backyard breeder." This breeder may or may not raise puppies in his backyard, but the name implies that it is an individual who has a female dog and knows someone with a male dog, so they decide to let them mate. There are many reasons why this occurs.
- They want their children to experience the wonder of birth
- They have a beloved dog and want another one just like him or her
- They think they can make extra money on the side
- They have friends or family members who want a puppy
Most experts would agree that the reasons listed above are not adequate reasons for bring new puppies into this world. Since this type of breeder mates their pet dogs, they are like to care about the sire or dame and get adequate veterinary care for them. This, however, is not always the case. They are likely to have adequate housing and food. Again, high quality food is expensive and their dogs may not have access to the best nutrition. Since they may only own one or two dogs, the dogs will likely get plenty of attention and be treated as the pets they are. They are also likely to care about the puppies and give them attention. This separates these individuals from puppy mill operations. Backyard breeders are also more likely to sell their pups for less money than professional breeders making them attractive to people on a tight budget. The puppies may or may not be eligible for registration, if that is a concern. The major problem with backyard breeders lies in their possible lack of knowledge of breed standards, common health risks of the breed, inadequate knowledge of canine obstetrics and care of the newborns. They usually sell their pups locally without health guarantees or even vaccinations.
The line is thin between the third and fourth type of breeders, hobby and professional. Both have knowledge of the breed, health risks, and canine obstetrics. They both keep up-to-date on new research and knowledge and are continuing to learn more and more about their chosen breeds, though you are not going to see this type of conscientious breeder across the board. Many hobbyists test their breeding stock prior to breeding and choose dogs for breeding based on temperament, conformity and health. Again, this is not done universally. Both care deeply about their puppies and want to assure that they are being placed in good homes, at least one would home this to be the case.
As the name suggests, a hobby breeder is one who breeds occasionally, once or twice a year, and doesn't consider the proceeds of the sale of puppies to be taxable income and thus they do not report it on their income tax. In the US, the IRS has strict guidelines on differentiating hobbies from actual business. A hobby breeder may be less experienced only because she/he has whelped fewer puppies. She is also likely to have fewer dogs and they may live in her home giving her more opportunities to interact and care for the parents and pups. Conversely, many hobby breeders work outside the home and take vacation time when the pups are about to be born, leaving the mom and pups after a week to return to her day job. She may also be involved with some type of dog activity such as obedience, agility, or conformity and show her dogs as part of her hobby. Again, this is often true for professional breeders as well but not always the case. Breeders that show their dogs are likely to charge more for their puppies, especially if they have " dog show" potential.
Sometimes it's difficult to determine whether a breeder is a hobby breeder or a professional breeder because many people feel the term "hobby" has less negative connotations and increases the likelihood that anyone would consider linking her operation with that of a puppy mill.
Professional breeders are similar to hobby breeders in all the ways listed above except look at themselves as a legitimate business and run the operation as a business which includes record keeping, accounting, and reporting income to the IRS. They may keep more dogs, have more litters per year, and have more experience with all aspects of the operation. They are likely to have contracts to sign, health guarantees for their puppies, and life time support in the form of information about all things related to their puppies. This life time support also extends to taking back a dog in the event that a family can no longer keep him.
So, briefly we have covered the pros and cons of different types of dog breeders. If you have your heart set on a cuddly little pup from a breeder, these four types of breeders are likely to have what you want. The choice is yours, but it's fair to say that even within the four categories, breeders are not alike. Purchasing a puppy is a big undertaking not to mention a substantial financial investment. Impulse buying is a definite, 'no, no.' Buyer Beware. Do your homework and only purchase from a breeder that you feel comfortable with. The best way to purchase a dog is to meet the breeder in person, view her operation, and see the puppy's parents. If this isn't possible, a long phone conversation and lots of emails is a necessity. If there is any doubt in your mind, don't buy from that person.
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Posted by Ben on March 8, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Portable dog crates are a good purchase for many dog owners. They may be used for several purposes and can be quite easily packed away when not in use. There are three various types of portable dog crates; they come in a soft sided collapsible version, a hard plastic version, and a foldable wire crate version. The type to select depends on the needs of the dog owner, the style of dog and the quantity of room in the house and car. One of the main advantages of most of the soft sided dog crates is that they could be folded down and stashed away when not in use. This makes them very practical for someone who doesn't make use of the crate often or has a smaller dog. The plastic type is strong and sturdy making them a great choice for puppies that are going through their chewing phase and most of these plastic crates are airline approved.
The benefits of wire crates are: better air ventilation, divider panels that enable your dog to grow into its crate and they are typically collapsible and fold easily, which makes them easily moveable. You may use a portable dog crate when you are traveling on an airplane, camping or to crate train a puppy at your house. If you plan to utilize the crate for travel on an airplane, it's significant that you purchase a quality crate that suits the rules of the airline. Typically, the plastic dog crates are accepted on airplanes. It is a good idea while flying with your pet to call ahead, in order to figure out the regulations of the particular airline you are flying on.
While choosing a dog crate for a puppy be certain to consider the adult size which the puppy will become as an adult. Soft sided crates are generally utilized for small breed dogs and aren't normally a good selection for large breed dogs or puppies. Although small enough, puppies are known for chewing and might require a crate with rigid sides. The best portable pet crate needs to be big enough for the dog to stand up and turnaround inside, without giving them sufficient room to jump around. These crates vary in cost based on the size of the crate and the material of the crate.
While picking a portable dog crate, take into account the multiple factors you need to consider to help you select which crate will be most beneficially suited to your pet. It is important to consider the material of the crate, the utmost dimensions of your dog when at full size and it's also important to bear in mind what the crate will be used for when deciding what type of portable dog crate to invest in. Taking into consideration all of these factors will help any pet owner make a knowledgeable decision when buying portable dog crates.
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Posted by Ben on January 26, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Much like their human companions, canine pets require special nutrition in order to enjoy optimal health. Most of the treats and foods that are available commercially aren't even close to the optimal blend of protein, fat, and natural carbohydrates that canines need for proper pet nutrition. Learning what's right for your companion - and what might need to be supplemented - is key to achieving a good dog diet that helps your friend live a full, long, and healthy life.
Natural Is Always Better
Imagine the life of a canine in the wild. Is there any kind of natural food that replicates the kibble and canned options that today's domesticated animals consume? A natural dog diet couldn't possibly contain any of it because they don't possess the necessary tools to process it that highly. That's why the first step to attaining optimal pet nutrition is to simply avoid anything unnatural. Look for whole ingredients such as whole grains and real meat. Avoid any kind of by-products and avoid anything that is too grain-focused.
Avoid Preservatives
Preservatives aren't healthy for humans, and they're just as bad for canines. They are simply not meant to consume some of what is used to package and hold some of the food on the market today. Consuming too many preservatives puts a lot of stress on their kidneys, which can lead to early failure and other issues stemming from overwork.
Fresh Food Is Optimal
If you have the time and the budget, the best dog diet is without question one which focuses entirely on home cooked meals. These meals can involve a lot of different grains and vegetables, but should always focus on simple combinations of protein, vegetable based carbohydrate, and fats.
Most Commercial Food Isn't Good
Even the most "scientifically formulated" pet nutrition available in prepackaged containers is not usually optimal for two simple reasons: it must contain preservatives, and cannot contain the kinds of fresh ingredients that are most vital. When something is canned and processed as thoroughly as most current dog diet options, all value is removed from the actual ingredients.
Even With Optimal Dog Diet, Supplements Are Still Required
Years of farming and cultivation have stripped nutrients from even the most remote and most thoroughly organic plots. As a result, pets and humans both have to rely on supplements to replace the nutrients that can no longer be provided by diet alone. When supported by a good supplement, it's fairly easy to achieve proper pet nutrition, even if you have to rely on canned food or other highly preserved diet options. Simply pick the best that you have access to, and then ensure that you're adding in a highly nutrient rich supplement. Look for one that has a blend of different vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants and immune support.
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Posted by Ben on January 26, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Outlined in this article, I'm going to share with you how to teach the stay command to your dog. Many times, as you leave an area, your family dog will wish to follow you, particularly if they are energetic. You will at times like your faithful friend to remain in one location.
The initial thing you must do should be to purchase a good quantity of dog snacks. Have your dog follow you into a tranquil area and have your dog sit down. Visibly show your pet snack clasped within your hands, allowing your pet to be aware that are holding on to it. As soon as your dog attempts to reach for the snack, shut your hand. The dog will choose to then draw their head back. Once he performs this, reward your pet and provide your dog the snack.
In teaching your dog the sit command, timing is crucial. Do it repeatedly, and keep doing this up until the time your dog will not reach for the snack, but alternatively pulls back right away.
After your pet is repeatedly moving back every time you display a snack, you should start out on a further phase of the method. Replicate the first task once more, however wait around two seconds following the time your dog draws back before giving him the dog snack. You should only reward the dog and present him a goody when he is staying still.
In case your pet moves, take several steps away then repeat these actions. Keep practicing this part of the exercise until your pet is able to stay for a few seconds. Not less than five seconds is the goal you are striving for. Make certain that you can get your companion to stay when you are along side of him prior to you attempting to get your best friend to stay when you are leaving.
The following step begins by advising the dog to stay, while at the same time, you clearly show him the goody. Say to your dog something similar to "good" or perhaps "ok" after handing your pet his much-deserved snack. Should it happen that your pet will not stay for less than 30 seconds, let him know "no" and you should not reward him with a goody. Should your dog repeat making mistakes, change to 15 seconds in place of the original thirty seconds. Making repeated mistakes could be an indication you are preceding with your lessons a bit too quickly. Review exactly what your dog currently understands, and start from that point.
Once your dog starts to progress as well as stays for longer amounts of time, move him away from the quiet spot, and into an area with more distractions. Review and do each of the techniques previously mentioned repeatedly. By using this method, your dog will discover how to obey the commands and will learn not to be distracted.
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Posted by Ben on January 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Why in the world would you ship your dog as cargo? The main reason is that the dog is too big for the cabin or to be checked as baggage.
A little understanding of airline rules and regulations, plus a few good tips will help to make the journey much easier for your dog and a lot less stressful for you.
TIP 1
Make a reservation for your dog. Most airlines require the reservation to be made at least 3 days in advance of the flight. Only a certain number of animals are allowed on the flight. Without a reservation, the rest of your planning is for nothing.
TIP 2
Your dog must have current and up to date health records. A trip to the vet a couple of weeks before the trip will make certain that your dog is fit to fly.
TIP 3
Be sure to check on the temperatures at the departure and arrival points and in between if the dog is to be transferred between airplanes. Airlines will not transport your dog if temperatures are over 85 degrees or below freezing. If your dog will sit in the cargo area or on the airport ramp for any length of time, their health could be in danger if the temperatures are one extreme or the other.
TIP 4
The crate you will be shipping your dog in should not exceed the following dimensions 40 X 27 X 30. These dimensions are pretty standard but check with the airline for exact size requirements.
TIP 5
The main reason that a dog will be shipped as cargo is the weight of the dog and crate combined. Your dog and the crate can't exceed 100 pounds combined weight. Someone has to move your dog and crate so the weight restriction is for safety of the cargo movers.
TIP 6
Do not sedate your dog.
To understand the reason for this, put a toy dog in the crate and then shake it up and down as well as around. See how the toy has been thrown all around the crate. This is what will happen to your dog if they can't control their balance and control their movements.
Even if you can't travel with your dog on an airplane, the dog can still be shipped as cargo. Many people are afraid to send their dog in this manner because they are afraid that the dog will suffer injuries or something worse. The good news is that airlines ship thousands of dogs as cargo each year. Every airline is committed to providing your dog with a safe and hazard free trip. Follow the airline dog policies along with these tips and your dog should have a safe and comfortable trip.
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Posted by Ben on January 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment
These days I am noticing a lot of over-weight dogs. I stop to say hello and find that these dogs are the apple of Mom and Dad's eyes. They are loved and given treats and food to make them happy.
As a dog Mom I know what it feels like to want to give your pet almost anything to make her happy. There's nothing quite like the look of excitement, anticipation and tail wagging to make you cave and give that "one last" treat! As long as the dog doesn't beg at the table, people are more than happy to give her whatever she wants.
I wonder if people realize that obesity in pets is just as harmful as it is for humans. When I was a child canine diabetes was unheard of, now, I know of too many dogs who need insulin shots! A dog who is overweight is going to suffer health problems and have a shortened life span.
I love seeing people take care of themselves; they eat right and exercise to feel and look good. I don't understand why those same standards are not applied to their beloved dogs!! Dogs receive the same benefits of a healthy diet and exercise that we do! They feel good, they stay healthier longer, and they don't suffer as much from degenerative dis-eases like arthritis, diabetes, heart dis-ease, and respiratory disorders to name a few.
A happy dog is also a healthy dog! In a previous article I wrote about how exercise affects behavior. Appropriate exercise is also very important for the physical well-being of your dog.
Just like a human work out, before you start running your dog full out, remember they need to warm up their muscles and tendons. Depending on the age and physical condition of your dog, you may have to start slowly and work your way into a more strenuous exercise routine. This may mean a walk around the block and slowly increasing this until you are both jogging the track at the local high school or park.
Never run your dog on concrete, it is too hard and will cause joint and bone problems. We wear sneakers to avoid injury, we don't have them for our dogs yet!
As for diet and nutrition, many people feed a healthy diet, just too much of it! When you cut back on your dog's food, you can add vegetables to help them feel satisfied. Instead of treats and cookies try hard bones or toys. Sometimes your dog is not really hungry, he just needs something to chew.
As you would for yourself, consult your veterinarian before you start any diet or exercise program. Work with your vet to monitor your dog's progress. Your success will result in a happy dog who will be your companion for much longer than if you "love him to death" with too much good food.
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Posted by Ben on January 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Every dog owner has his piece of share when it comes to handling his own dog issues. There is managing how to stop dog barking, minimize its chewing and digging and even dealing with our dog's aggressive behavior.
Actually, dog aggression is caused by a lot of possible reasons. As a responsible owner, it is our responsibility to be knowledgeable about these reasons so we have the ability to tend, minimize or even stop our pet's aggression if it is already harmful under some circumstances. Some people blame aggression on the breed of your pet. Pit bulls display more aggression than other breeds of dogs for example. Another reason is the environment where your dog grows, his socialization or lack of it as well as our dog's interaction and communication between us owners can also be a part of our pet's aggression issues.
It is true that aggression is a serious matter. But it is also true that it can be controlled and even stopped with the proper dog training methods and approaches. The key and the first step in dealing with their aggressive behavior is by finding out what causes it and then learn how to properly address the problem.
There are also different types of aggression like Fear Aggression, Dominant Aggression, Protection Aggression and Redirection Aggression. Different types of aggression require different treatments and approaches. While different dog training guides and manuals are out in the market today, you can always attend your dog's problems personally. It is proven that dog owners that attend to their pet's problem personally, granting the situation is still manageable, is closer to their dog than the others who don't.
It is very important that your dog sees you as a respected leader of the pack. Sometimes aggression in dogs are because of their confusion about who is the Alpha in your family. You can also give them bunch of exercises both physically and mentally for them to drain those excess energy out of them, thus helping them calm down a bit. You can also see a professional trainer for additional training methods and schedule an appointment with your trusted veterinarian for your dog's checkup. Dog aggression can also be caused by chemical imbalance, health issues, irritability, fever and other stuffs that only your vet knows how to handle. Another very important thing is respect. Treat them with love and respect and they will reward you with the same plus a whole lot of lifetime loyalty.
It is very important to protect your family first when handling your issues. In dealing with this kind of issues, always remember to keep the dog away from your children and other family members to avoid accidents. Never hit them as it will worsen any problem you are to solve. You want to stop dog aggression? Other than the steps above and the techniques given in the dog training manuals and by professional trainers, what you need is love and patience.
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Posted by Ben on January 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment
The strongest sense any canine has is their sense of smell, but humans occasionally take that for granted. Dog's can detect a myriad of smells that are different from location to location that people only get the slightest hint of -- imagine being taken to some foreign land where everything not only looks and sounds different, but the scent is unfamiliar, too.
This can be overwhelming for a dog who is on the move. Canine vision and taste are decent but not as powerful as their nose (although their hearing is also rather impeccable, depending on the breed). This is why using a travel dog bed both at home and on the road can be a massive comfort to any pet on the road.
Keeping the pet bed at home and letting the dog use it regularly as a regular dog bed will actually benefit your dog more than if you have a separate bed for traveling. By sleeping and lounging in the travel dog bed regularly, the cozy spot will smell to a dog like a little bit of home that has come along for the journey.
Even for dogs that love to see new places and meet new people, the overwhelming amount of new stimuli will wear out even the most rambunctious of dogs eventually. With a travel pet bed that he has already used and still smells like him, a traveling dog can curl up and fall fast asleep, providing a reprieve from the onslaught of smells and sounds.
Most travel dog beds are made to fit inside dog carriers or crates, but owners don't have to use a crate with the bed if their dog is trained. For dogs that do well in the car, owners can toss the pillow on the backseat or in the back of a truck -- just make sure there is some way to secure the pillow if it gets put in the pickup bed.
But crates aren't a bad option for dogs, especially when traveling. When used at home, dog crate beds keep dogs warm and secluded, allowing them to properly sleep (plus they won't be harassed by other dogs or cats in the same household). Crating doesn't have to be a punishment for a pet, but dogs also love when their travel dog bed is put next to the fireplace or heater. The beds can also provide comfort on hardwood floors.
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