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Posts Tagged ‘dogs’


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Dog Biting Problems-A Serious Issue

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

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Of all of the dog behavior problems there are, biting is probably the most serious. If your dog pees on the rug, runs away, or goes on the couch it probably will not be a big deal. If you dog gives someone a serious bite, however, many communities require that it be put down. Dog biting problems can literally mean the end of your dog’s life, so it is important to train your dog to never bite anyone.

However, biting problems in puppies are quite normal. When puppies start to teeth, they will have a natural tendency to bite everything that they can get hold of, including you. Though a puppy bite might break your skin, it will not cause any serious damage. But then, this is the right time for you to start training your puppy to stop biting.

You do not have to be cruel or give harsh punishments to train your puppy. They are very sensitive creatures and all you need to make them repent is a firm No! or a censorious Bad Dog, whenever they try to bite you. When your puppy bites you, pull your hand away and repeat the firm phrase again and again which will make him realize that he is hurting you.

Most often a dog bites due to some psychological reasons. A dog takes a bite not just because he wants to hurt something or someone. They also bite to hold on to something or they bite a person or another dog to warn them of something, or they bite just for the joy of it. The best way to break the biting problem of your dog is to start early, when he is still a puppy.

But then, some dogs are naturally aggressive and bite because they are inherently temperamental. To take care of such dogs you have to send them to an obedience school.

If your dog shows biting tendencies then you have take it very seriously and get help as soon as possible from a professional dog trainer, as an average pet owner is not equipped to address this serious problem.

If one of your neighbors owns a pooch with dog biting problems, the best thing you can do is to prepare yourself. Buy some strong pepper spray formulated to take care of dogs. If the dog tries to bite you, don’t hesitate to spray it in his eyes. You could also try a more friendly approach. When you run into aggressive dogs, simply give them a piece of beef jerky. If you can make friends, you can avoid being bitten.

Do you need ongoing help with your dog or puppy training? If so checkout the dog training basics information! Check out our many articles on most topics to do with dogs. From health to basic training to how to take care of a dog, such as how to avoid mistakes when training your dog. Don’t delay look today!

Understanding Why Your Pooch Chews And Controlling The Behavior

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Puppies chew as a way to explore and relate to the world around them. The activity is instinctive to them. Unfortunately, if chewing behavior is focused in the wrong direction, it can result in damaged clothes, shoes, and furniture.

It’s important to realize that adult dogs also chew, but do so for a variety of reasons that extend further than mere exploration. For example, your pooch might feel separation anxiety if you leave him alone for long periods. Or, he might be bored. This happens often when canines lack an outlet through which to expend their pent-up energy. Your pooch may also chew on your belongings as a way to get your attention.

Whatever the reasons for the destructive behavior, you can control the problem. Below, we’ll provide a few tips for training your dog to avoid chewing on your possessions.

Use A Crate

Crating your puppy is an ideal strategy for confining him when you’re unable to watch him. Not only will he come to see his crate as his personal space, but you’ll prevent him from ruining your furniture and clothes when you’re not home. If you plan to keep him crated, be sure to give him a few toys with which he can entertain himself.

Provide Chew Toys

The goal is not to eliminate your pooch’s penchant for chewing; again, that’s his way of relating to the world around him. Instead, redirect the behavior toward objects that are acceptable for him to chew.

For example, all pet supply stores sell chew toys that can keep your canine occupied. Some are rubber; others are made from durable rope; still others are designed from strong leather and rawhide. Any of these toys will keep your dog’s attention while providing the stimulation he desires.

Keep Your Departures Understated

Owners often unwittingly worsen their dogs’ separation anxiety by overstating their departures. When they return home, they’re surprised to find their furniture partially destroyed. Downplay leaving your home. The bigger fuss you make, the more likely your dog will sense that your leaving is a major event. That raises the likelihood of his chewing.

Provide An Outlet For Exercise

When canines lack an outlet for physical activity, they become bored. Moreover, their energy level remains unspent and stifled. That’s a recipe for destructive chewing. Make sure your pooch receives at least an hour of exercise each day. He’s less likely to suffer boredom and he’ll have less pent-up energy to direct toward your couch.

Offer A Swap

Puppies find chewing new objects to be irresistible. If you see your pup gnawing on something he shouldn’t be, take the item away and replace it immediately with a chew toy. Avoid getting into a tug-of-war contest with him. Instead, have a toy on hand and swap it quickly.

Some dogs love to chew almost anything they can get into their mouths. Other canines are more selective, though they can cause just as much destruction. Learn to control the problem by redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior to objects you don’t mind being destroyed.

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Owning a Dog: Turning Challenges into Joys

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Are you a dog owner? If so, then you will undoubtedly agree that sharing your life with a dog has it’s shares of ups and downs. There are wonderful moments, and then there are others that are extremely challenging for all kinds of reasons. The fact remains however, that through it all, dogs are still “man’s best friend” in my opinion…it is just harder to make friends with some dogs than with others.

With our current dog, an eight year old miniature schnauzer, we have definitely faced a few challenges. Within a short time of him coming into our lives, we discovered that, while a smart and loving little guy, he also:

1. Barked at everything and jumped/growled at anyone who came to visit us

2. Was completely and totally terrified of visiting the groomers for his monthly clipping.

So what did we do? We did some research and spoke with our vet to discover some strategies and techniques that we could use to help make him a “good friend”. Here is how we resolved these issues.

1. His barking/jumping/growling problem took a little time, because as a schnauzer, he was a bit territorial like many terriers tend to be. While it was important to him to protect his territory, it was important to us to be able to have visitors to our home! So we tried many different ways to improve this: reward systems, squirting water, coins in a can, newspaper, and more. You name it, we tried it, but nothing worked. We finally discussed the situation with our vet who suggested a remote training collar. After more research, we settled on the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer for a couple of reasons. Probably most important for us, we liked that it has 9 stimulation levels so that we could very carefully control the settings to use the least amount of stimulation that would be effective. We also liked the tone-only training option, that gave us even more versatility. We also decided to get the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer, 300 yds., which provided us with a 300 yard range to be able to train from a distance. And I can say that it worked! In a very short period of time, the Innotek Ultrasmart helped our little guy to become the model doggie citizen, and our friends were now happy to visit us.

2. Now the problem of our dog being stressed by going to the groomers was really more an issue of training us as opposed to him. We decided that by learning to clip him each month at home, we could be done with the process much quicker, and he would be more comfortable, and happier as a result. So we invested in the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper, and have to honestly say that doing so has made such a difference in his life…and ours. We chose these clippers because Oster has a reputation for lasting forever, and we didn’t want to buy new ones each year. Plus, the reviews on them stated that they did a quiet, smooth, and quick job, which was just what we wanted. The Oster A5 Turbo Clipper has worked out great for us, with the only slight glitch being that the clippers can get warm, but we easily solved this by cleaning and changing the blades, and using Oster Kool Lube. They are really very easy to use, the challenge for us was just learning to get the cut right! But happily, all the challenges in grooming our little guy each month have completely vanished, and the process is now actually smooth and stress-free for all of us.

It should be a joy to have a dog, and it can be, but at times it can take a little work to get there. For us, we had the help of the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer, and the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper. Making the investment and taking the time to learn to use these simple tools to make life with and for our dog have been so worthwhile. The rewarding result has been enjoying life with our merry, little schnauzer whose desire to please, intelligence and affectionate nature make him a joyous best friend indeed!

Find out how your dog can learn to become a well-behaved and joyful best friend. Learn more about the Innotek Ultrasmart Remote Trainer and the Oster A5 Turbo Clipper, read the product reviews from other satisfied pet owners, and see if they are what you and your dog need.

How To Use a Dog Training Shock Collar Effectively

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

A dog training shock collar is one of the simplest and most effective tools that any dog owner can have to help train their dog. There are a few basic steps that you can follow to have a well trained, well behaved dog. These tips will help you begin using a shock collar effectively.

When you use a dog training shock collar, you are implementing a technique that uses an unpleasant stimulus to teach your dog which behaviors are unacceptable. The shock collar will produce a sensation that isn’t unlike what you feel when electric static creates a spark.

As with any other method, using a dog training shock collar should be the “normal” form of training if this is the method that you prefer. For example, you will always want to use the shock collar when your dog engages in an unacceptable behavior rather than using a combination of methods.

The dog training shock collar essentially works by conditioning the dog to respond in a certain way. You may want to begin by using commands, such as “come” to train your dog. You will want to use a low setting on the collar for the initial training, pressing the button if the dog walks away, and then letting go when he takes a few steps toward you.

When you choose a dog training shock collar, you will find that the remote for the collar has several different settings. Most dogs respond well to the lowest settings, although in some circumstances you may find that the dog will not respond to the lowest setting.

There are many different types and styles of collars available. The dog training shock collar that you choose should fit your dog comfortably, since you will want him to wear the collar for an extended time during the training process.

A dog training shock collar is an excellent tool that you can use to train your dog. With a little time and your consistent efforts, you will find that your dog’s problem behaviors will disappear. This method can be used for all types of dogs, regardless of their size or temperament.

You will find that you see quick results with a dog training shock collar, especially if you use this method of training consistently for the entire training period.

Using a dog training shock collar to teach your dog to follow commands is only one method. If you get your dog when he is still a puppy you should visit our site for all the best Puppy Training Tips!

How To Discourage Your Dog’s Territorial Aggression

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Canines are hardwired to protect their territory from intruders. In most cases, they communicate a warning to others by barking; it’s a form of intimidation. If a trespasser fails to heed the warning, your pooch’s barking might turn into pacing and growling as if he is preparing for a physical confrontation. If the trespasser still refuses to leave, the pacing and growling may evolve into an attack.

If your pooch shows signs of territorial aggression, it is important to begin discouraging the behavior as soon as possible. Otherwise, your visitors’ safety might be at risk. This article will provide several tips you can use to discourage your dog from behaving aggressively over his territory.

Before Training Begins

There are a few medical conditions that can influence your canine’s tendency to act aggressively toward others. For example, hypothyroidism causes a deficiency of thyroid hormones and can lead to his feeling overly-anxious. If he becomes agitated enough, his anxiety can potentially prompt an attack.

You should also take precautions to ensure that you and your dog will not be interrupted by strangers during your training sessions. Close and lock your gates, especially if you’re training him off-leash.

Action Steps To Curb Aggressive Behavior

First, make sure your canine receives at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. That will help prevent pent-up energy from contributing to his anxiety or aggression.

Second, devote time each day to training your dog to respond to your single-word commands. Many professional trainers recommend a program that includes two or three short sessions (5 minutes per session is sufficient) each day. Whenever your canine successfully responds to your commands, provide a food treat.

In addition to these training sessions, make your pooch work for everything he desires. For example, require him to sit before serving him meals or giving him attention. Over time, your canine will learn that if he wants something, he must follow your commands to acquire it.

One of the challenges owners have with canines that are territorially aggressive is that their dogs often try to usurp the role of leader. This can be due to several factors, including a laxity toward actively curbing the aggressive behavior. To that end, it may be necessary to place a head halter on your pooch in situations that might provoke his aggression.

For example, if you’re expecting visitors with whom your dog is unfamiliar, a head halter will gently encourage him to submit to your authority. That gives your pooch an opportunity to meet new people, and be rewarded (with treats) for staying calm when others trespass on “his” territory.

The suggestions above are effective for canines whose territorial aggression is based on dominance. If the aggressive behavior is triggered by a fear-based mechanism, a modified approach including desensitization and counter conditioning is necessary. Training in such cases is focused on reducing a dog’s level of fear and changing the manner in which he perceives a potential threat. We’ll address those training issues in an upcoming article.

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