The first few days with your dog are very crucial. Although some dogs easily adjust to their new environment, there are many dogs that are rather slow in learning new things. According to many experts, one of the most challenging issues that you will face with your little rascal is dog potty training. Make not mistakes about it, dog potty training can be a bit tricky and things could really get very irritating especially when your little rascal starts messing around the house. In most cases, it will take some time and a lot of patience on your part before your little dog will finally learn where and how to potty.

Training Your Dog

Dog potty training doesn’t have to be very stressful for you and your pet. The best way to start things right is to ask the breeder what time the puppy usually eats and what time it usually need to potty. The amount of food and the regular eating time of your puppy can help you determine the time when your puppy has to go potty. Note that when conducting dog potty training, you will need to closely supervise your pet during the training period. You can only effectively supervise you puppy if you are able to correctly gauge when your pet needs to go potty.

During dog potty training, it is important for you to accompany your puppy outside when it is time for it to go potty. Note that puppies has the tendency to simply play in the yard instead of doing their thing so make sure that your puppy does what it is supposed to do. Furthermore, it is important that when you take your puppy outside to go potty, you take it to the same spot all the time. Puppies learn faster if the act is constant and is repeated often. Establish a pattern and do not deviate from it so that your puppy will not get disoriented.

Praising and giving treats to your puppy during dog potty training is important. If your puppy does something right, it is important to let the dog know that you are please with it. According to experts, if you consistently praise your dog for its good deeds during dog potty training, your dog will associate the good deed with praises and treats. Since dogs love being praised and given treats, it will be more inclined to perform something that will most likely generate praises and treats.

There are over 65 million dogs in the United States. Every one of them is special. Whether your dog is the family pet or a Westminster champion, you have an awesome treasure. There is no other creature as close and integrated into the human psyche and human culture as the dog. A family dog eats in the kitchen and sleeps in the bedroom. He munches on snacks as he watches television with his owners. Some of these dogs get their toenails painted pink and red.

Your dog is special. He probably is the most beautiful dog you ever seen and quite possibly the most beautiful on the earth to you. He amuses you. He charms you. He makes you laugh when your friends have made you cry. Your dog will never grow up, go to college, get married or get a job. Your mischievous little puppy will hang around your house until he is old and maybe a bit senile. He will always be your little boy or your little girl.

It is quite normal to want to dress up your dog in the latest of designer dog clothes and accessories. It is normal to want to have that perfect carrier for your little pal to take him along on shopping trips and everywhere you can. You miss him when he is left behind.

Today we have a wide variety of choices in dog fashions. The toy dogs especially look cute in little dog clothes, but the bigger dogs can look just as cute and fancy. There is something for every breed and every size of dog in dog clothing.

Dogs are wonderful, adaptable, amazing animals. As long as the clothing is restrictive, most dogs love the extra attention of getting dressed up. Good dogs can be found anywhere. Bad dogs can be found anywhere. You can find a good dog from responsible breeders, irresponsible breeders, backyard breeders, shelters, rescue organizations, neighbors, newspaper ads, relatives, pet stores, the alley or the highway in front of your house. Wherever you get your dog, once he finds out you are his friend and not his foe, putting a warm fleece t-shirt on him in the chilly weather only makes him feel more at home and secure with you, which in turn, can help to mold him into the “good dog” you want him to be. A good dog often times begins with a good owner regardless of where you get your dog..

As a dog owner, you can expect to deal with housetraining mistakes, chewing, nipping, health crises, digging, and barking regardless of where you obtained your dog. Very few dogs will present you with all these problems, but no dog is trouble-free. Don’t let that scare you. The good far outweighs the bad. Acquire some good dog keeping skills. This will require action, resolving problems, planning and some sacrifice.

Somehow dogs seem to know which owners are committed to them and which aren’t. Dressing up your dog in designer dog clothes is a very powerful way of showing commitment to your 4-legged best friend. Putting a tiny dog dress on your toy dog is a terrific way to get started on the right foot toward dog owner success. Try it and see the difference in can make in your relationship with your dog.

Walking with your dog is a big part of dog ownership. If you want other people to enjoy your dog while walking outdoors or take him to different places without causing any problems, it is very important to train and teach your dog proper leash behavior.

Dog leash training is one of the most basic methods to control your pooch better and easier. This training method is likewise as popular as any type of dog training schemes within the pet training community because it gets positive results effectively and quickly if done the correct way. Here are a few factors to consider in dog leash training:

1. Choose a dog leash with proper length. Most dog trainers recommend a dog leash that is relatively short. A dog leash that is six feet in length is good enough and can give a good reach and distance between you and your pooch. A dog leash shouldn’t be too long so that it won’t be difficult for you to grab it if you want to stop your dog when he moves to the wrong direction.

2. Make sure the leash fits perfectly. There are many types of dog leash with different designs, colors and materials that you can buy in the market today. But whichever design of dog leash you choose, make sure that it has good flexibility and durability. Bend the leash sideways and in all directions to determine if it is resilient enough to withstand the force given by your dog. Buy a leash that perfectly fits onto your dog’s neck. Take note that it should not be in any way narrow or stiff.

3. Consider your dog’s age in dog leash training. Once you’ve chosen the proper leash for your dog, the next thing to take into account is the age of your dog. Take for instance, a puppy. Puppies tend to get distracted or irritated when you begin to walk him with a dog leash. It is highly suggested that you utilize a harness or a training collar aside from the leash. Be extremely patient in guiding your puppy because, at first, he may attempt to grasp and untie the collar on his neck.

To prevent your pooch from getting irritated with his new accessory, place the collar while he’s eating, playing or doing something else. Afterwards, leave the collar and leash onto his neck for a while until he gets comfortable with it. If you believe your dog is comfy enough with wearing the dog leash, you may take him for a walk outside.

4. Be consistent with your dog leash training commands. A dog leash training can only be successful if you are consistent with your training instructions. Whether it is a walk or heel command, always be coherent with what you are using. Your furry friend will eventually learn to follow your dog leash commands. Don’t switch up the words for it may confuse him.

There are many lessons for a new puppy to learn and understand in the house. While these are important for every puppy, most owners will include potty training as one of the most essential lesson for all dogs. Potty trained dogs will relief owners on the problems to clear up his mess in the house which can be unbearable.

There are numerous ways to potty train your puppy, depending on your circumstances and dog type. Puppies that did not go through any vaccination yet are recommended to stay indoor to learn potty paper training, it is also suitable for apartment living dogs.

Crate training will train your puppy to control his bladder and relieve outside by making use of a dog’s instinctive nature of not dirtying its sleeping area. This training is suitable for dogs living in apartment.

The common choice would be to train your dog to go outside to the back yard or the garden to relieve.

A suitable time to start potty training as recommended by most experts is when your puppy is eight to twelve weeks old. Can you remember about the adage on old dogs that learn new tricks? It is not completely true but right in some ways because it is much easier to train a younger dogs when undesirable habits are not formed. So, don’t take any chances.

There are many ways and things you can do to achieve the right results. Of them, there are hard ways and easy ways, right ways and wrong ways. The best course of action is to use the easiest and fastest way to get the right results. Much effort, time and positive reinforcement is needed. Let’s see what are the things you can do to train your dog fast and effectively.

To begin, you should allocate an area for your puppy to eliminate outside or inside the house, you should show him the way to this spot and praise him generously after he finishes

If you praise and reward him immediately after he finishes his job, it encourages him to eliminate in that area alone. The urine odor will be detectable by your puppy and he will learn to associate it as the place to relieve himself.

To help the puppy to remember, always use the same door and spot where you want your puppy to eliminate. Use soiled newspaper to mark the area and hint your puppy on where is the right spot.

The next part is to start an elimination routine and make your puppy familiar with it. Dogs are habitual animals, they are born instinctively to keep to routines. When your puppy is six to eight weeks old, you should bring him out to relieve after every few hours. The frequency will reduce as he grows older and can control his bladder better. During puppyhood, take him to the allocated elimination area at the following times of the day - Upon waking in the morning, after naps, meals, play, training session and just before bedtime.

Taking your pup out at around the same time every day will be very beneficial for the both of you. This is vastly useful in setting up a routine for your puppy and will help him to learn and control his bladder until you take him out.

Now, you need to pick up signs your puppy displays when he needs to relieve. This is important especially when he is used to running around freely. Be attentive and observe your behavior when he needs to relieve himself, such as sniffing heavily, circling around, and staring at the door intensively to get out.

You can train your dog with two more commands to help him understand potty training faster. Use “Hurry up”, or “Potty now”, command to associate it with potty time. So, say “hurry up” or “potty” in an encouraging tone just when he gets the urge to “go”. He will soon learn that when you say the command, he will begin to sniff, circle and then get down to business. Once he’s done, praise him lavishly.

It is common for puppies to make mistakes during the process of potty training. In part 2 of this article, you will learn how to excuse his mistakes and more tips to help you train your puppy in double quick time.

Regular health care for pets is a crucial part of their ongoing development, health and well-being. Outside regular exercise and a healthy diet, your pet needs routine health care to ensure it has a long and happy life. Regular, routine health care should include proper grooming, good dental care, parasite prevention and regular visits to the veterinarian’s office. To learn more, read on.

Ongoing Veterinarian Visits

Your adult cat or dog should see the veterinarian at least annually. Puppies and kittens should have a vet visit at least once a month for the first 4 months and then as needed until they’re ready for annual check-ups. Cats and dogs over 7 or 8 years old should see the veterinarian every six months.

During your veterinarian visit, you can expect your veterinarian to look for signs of possible illness, disease or injury. They may also prescribe blood work, prescription drugs, vaccinations or a health care program such as hydrotherapy or physiotherapy.

Parasite Control

The primary intestinal parasites of dogs and cats include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. These worms damage the digestive tract or interfere with absorption of essential nutrients. Intestinal parasites are typically diagnosed after finding worm eggs or actual worms in your pet’s feces.

Fecal samples should be tested periodically - this is typically done at your annual veterinarian checkup or on an as-needed basis.

Heartworm is another type of internal parasite that is almost always deadly. The worms are contracted by mosquito bites, then the eggs later hatch and live in the blood vessels around the lungs and heart. It is painful and deadly, but also preventable. During mosquito season and sometimes year-round, your veterinarian will prescribe preventive heartworm health care for pets in the form of a pill.

Other external parasites include mites, ticks and fleas. These pests cannot only irritate your pet, but also cause infection. So, check your animal regularly for signs of flea bites, and treat for it accordingly.

Regular Tooth Maintenance

Cats and dogs need regular dental care to prevent tartar buildup and tooth decay. Typically, dogs require ongoing dental care, like a light, daily tooth brushing. Cats are typically fine with a few dental treats and the occasional vet visit.

You can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums in good condition by brushing their teeth regularly and providing them with certain toys like flossies or dental bones.

Good Grooming

Loose or shed hair cannot only mat and cause problems, but it can also be inhaled and lead to digestive issues or hair balls. Keep your pet well groomed to avoid skin irritation, which can also lead to bacterial or parasite infection.

Health care for pets is about more than an occasional visit to the vet or treating specific problems. Additionally, it includes ongoing maintenance and a regular health care routine. So, give your pet a long and happy life by practicing good grooming, regular dental care, parasite prevention and appropriate trips to the vet. It’s an investment well worth the time and cost for your beloved pet.

Successful dog training is not just teaching your dog a couple of tricks because how good it will be if your dog knew how to sit and jump but does not have the proper potty training?

Dog potty training is not really hard, as it seems, you just need to create communication between your dog and you. The best dog potty training should include safe confinement, proper training, good timing and encouragement.

Safe confinement:

New dogs that are just starting to learn the basic of potty training should be put in a safe confinement. Safe confinement like crates or cages is recommended for this dog training. Crates or cages can give the dogs the right idea about potty discipline. The size of the crate or cages should not be large, because large sizes will encourage the dog to eliminate on any part of the crates or cage. To be more effective, don’t put any newspaper, box or blankets inside the crates or cage to avoid your dog from chewing it

Proper Training:

One effective way to train them is by using a leash. Since they are coming from crates or cage, they will be playful and distracted when you let them out so it is recommended that you use a leash.

Leash is an effective tool to get back their attention to their potty training. You can use the leash to also make directions where your dogs will eliminate. But remember that you should always supervise your dog when on a leash. Using a leash will be more effective with proper use of words in dog potty training. Words like “outside” or “let’s go pee” will show your dogs that the right place to eliminate is outside the house and not inside the cage or the house. Aside from the word outside or let’s go pee, you can create your own “command name” that will signal to your dog that it is time for eliminating or urinating outside.Whatever the “command name” that you will use, you have to be consistent in using it in training your dog to let your dog get used to it.

Good Timing:

Good timing is also important in dog potty training.

You can reward your dogs to stay outside the crates after they had properly eliminated outside. This practice will let them know that the good behavior of eliminating outside is rewarded properly.

But letting them out of crates should be supervised for you to see if the dogs will still do unnecessary elimination. The right amount of time inside crates or cage depends on month’s age of puppy.

For two months old = two hours of stay in crates without potty break

For three months old = three hours of stay in crates without potty break

For four months old = four hours of stay in crates without potty break

After teaching them the potty break, let them out immediately. Don’t extend the hours of stay in crates or cage.

Praise:

Like in any good behavior, you have to give praises to your dogs when the dog had successfully followed your commands. Praise is very important in dog training, as this will encourage them to be disciplined in their potty training.

For me, giving my puppy the best is my keenness. I would love to give him all that I would imagine to give my own children. Yes! Today there are immense ways where you can please and pamper your pet the way you like to. You can buy for them the stylish clothes, beds, carriers and even toys as toys can be the best pick to pamper your pet.

Especially people who stay alone in the house need some company during the leisure time and a dog can prove to be the best companion during these times. A dog possessor has many ways to entertain himself/herself as well as the dog. One can try to create an energetic atmosphere with the hushed animal if he/she takes care of the animal in a proper way. If you want to give your animal and your selves an alternate change, then you will definitely think to buy good toys for your pet so that you and your pet will never feel lonely and you will also enjoy each other’s company. It is somehow proved that dog toys are not simply designed for enjoyment sake but they are designed to satisfy the requirements of the dogs. The dog toys are especially designed keeping in mind the requirements of the animal like some toys are designed and can help the puppy to chew and some are designed to give them enjoyment and comfort. It is also proved that dog toys and dog games connect them to build up their motor ability. They also help in keeping the dog in a vigorous, healthy and lively atmosphere always. The toys are available easily in the market with expensive as well as inexpensive rates. One can buy according to the preference. All are extremely good. So there are varieties of toys which can help you puppy to enjoy will give you a 100% satisfaction that you have spent the money in a good way for your puppy.

I stay alone in my house so I had decided to adopt a puppy so that I could keep my selves busy with it. So I bought one recently but I was least aware to how to take of the puppy. My friend suggested me some tips and he told me that there are many ways where we can take care of the pet and he also told me that there are many toys and accessories easily available in the market for the puppies. When I surfed to the leading websites of the town for the accessories, I found that there are immense ways to keep the pet occupied. There are several types of toys, attires, carriers and many more articles for the puppies. Earlier, I was constantly worried to how to keep my puppy occupied when I would be away for my work, but now I got much information and knowledge to how I can keep my puppy engaged while I am away and even while I am with him in the house. There were several types of toys displayed on the internet while I was surfing for the information. I decided to place an order for the Cool Rides Designer Toy set for the puppy and it was shipped within a few days.

The Yorkshire Terrier, or “Yorkie” breed, originated for hunting and ratting purposes. They were perfect for the job because they are small enough to work themselves into fox holes and badger burrows. Later on, the Yorkie puppy became extremely popular as a companion animal and pet due to its small size, attractive features, and easy going demeanor. Despite their small size, the Yorkie is an excellent as a guardian for a home and family. Yorkie puppies are so much fun to own, many families keep tend to keep getting more of them.

Once you have decided to bring home your own Yorkie puppy there are some considerations and preparations that need to be made to ensure that your home is ready to care for this new puppy. First of all, you need to plan ahead to have a veterinarian for your Yorkie puppy and this should be someone that you can trust and feel completely comfortable with. It may be a good idea for you to consult other local Yorkie owners in your area to find out which veterinarians have experience treating the breed.

The next consideration that you need to make involves preparing for the Yorkie puppy’s homecoming. Your home needs to be puppy proofed, which means that anything your Yorkie puppy can get into needs to be put away or removed from the home. The consequences can be detrimental if your puppy should happen to get into something bad for it. There are numerous things in your home that are deadly to your Yorkie puppy including household plants, Tylenol, mothballs, chocolate, mouthwash, and bleach.

Once you are sure that your home is safe for your puppy, you need to work on educating yourself about Yorkie puppy health problems and other issues that can affect your Yorkshire Terrier. When you are properly informed about health problems and other ailments, you can catch them more quickly should they arise. The sooner you properly diagnose and treat such a health problem, the sooner your Yorkie will be able to recover.

As soon as you bring your Yorkie puppy home you should contact your veterinarian to set up a basic checkup appointment. Within the first week that you have your Yorkie puppy is the most ideal time to visit a veterinarian for a basic exam. This will give your puppy a few days to acclimate to his or her new surroundings. Yorkie puppies can be affected by stress easily, so it is vital that you work to keep the stress level in your home to a minimum to keep any health problems from cropping up unexpectedly.

Your Yorkie puppy should acclimate to its new surroundings within a couple of days. If your puppy seems disinterested in eating or drinking water, is listless or seems nervous and unfriendly after a few days, it would be wise to schedule a veterinary appointment to make sure that nothing is wrong. Continue to feed your Yorkie puppy the same food that was fed by previous owners for at least two weeks before beginning to mix in your own food if you are keen on changing the brand.

Your Yorkie puppy will probably like to eat between three and four times a day, so make sure that food is always provided for him or her. It would also be wise to create a regular grooming schedule because Yorkie puppies do best when they are properly groomed and have clipped nails and cleaned ears. Keeping your Yorkie puppy healthy and happy will not be difficult with the right information, and your Yorkie will grow up to give you many happy, healthy years of love and devotion.

The similarities between dogs and children are numerous. Children need a lot of attention to grow up properly and can become a law unto themselves if they are not looked after well. Dogs, like children can be quite handful if they are left to think for themselves.

Another area where dogs and children are alike is in the area of toys. There are several toys for dogs in the market that are purchased for several reasons. These reasons include:

- Teething: Dogs teeth just as babies do and like babies, they tend to experience a degree of pain and itching in their mouth. The itching sensation that accompanies teeth is what usually propels dogs to munch on your household items. You can purchase a dog toy for chewing that can keep the dog busy and help with the itch that the teething produces. A frozen nylon bone will be good for a chewing dog to munch on. In selecting chew toys for your dog, pick the ones that are durable and tasty.

Dogs need to be trained not to chew. It can be frustrating to have a dog that nibbles everything you have from your bathroom slippers to your cushion pillows. Buying a chew toy or a dog toy for your dog forms part of its training as it learns not to chew your stuff.

- Dental health: Chew toys help to keep your dog’s teeth in perfect condition. A good chew toy will help a dog exercise its teeth and gums properly.

- Tricks: Some dogs are trained to perform tricks using toys. tricks like shaking hands with a stranger or standing on their hindlegs. Training a dog to perform tricks may be for entertainment or even as a source of income.

- Reward marker: You can use a dog toy that your dog may particularly like to reward it anytime it exhibits a desirable behavior. As a reward marker, dog toys make an excellent source of motivation for the dog. In addition, you should endeavor to always reward your dog when it performs a command accurately. In the same vein, punish your dog when it fails to obey your commands. Discipline and love should go hand in hand if you are to train your dog successfully.

- Mood enhancer: Some dogs with psychological problems tend to perk up at the sight of a toy and forget their problems. Some dog psychologists recommend dog toys for some very moody dogs.

Dog toys are of different shapes and sizes and are used for varying reasons. You need to find out which toy best fits your dog before you purchase it.

There is a painting at the Prado in Madrid that is almost certainly a breed that we have now lost, or just as likely, it is a crossbred resulting from the inter-mixing of the various strains of tiny toy dogs. Tiny toy dogs were the playthings of the houses of fashion and the courts of the mid-seventeenth century. This little dog is white in color with a face and eyes like our present day Maltese. The solid white coat is identical to the kind of a Maltese. The painting done in 1650 is called ‘The Holy Family of the Little Bird.’ The artist is Murillo.

An interesting point to mention is that this little white dog in the painting has the kind of tail found on a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Even though it had the tail like the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, it probably was not that breed, because the color was white. The subject of Murillo’s paintings is biblical. He often included his own dogs in his paintings, or the dogs he saw around him, or even dogs belonging to the sponsors for whom he painted the picture.

It has been noted that in this particular portrait the result is fascinating. The little white dog is sitting in front of the Holy Family, looks as if he definitely adores the child, but at the same time is keeping an eye on the goldfinch which the child holds up to tempt him. I have to wonder though still perhaps it was the imagination of the painter rather than a Maltese or a crossbred of anything. On the flip side, however, it could have very well been a breed we have now lost, since it is known that these artists did tell many true to life stories through their painting.

I suppose noone can fully appreciate the portraits done by these talented artists without standing directly in front of them and with a love for great art as well for toy dogs.

Many galleries and private collections have paintings that include toy dogs. Of interest is that few of them are of toy dogs themselves. Most of the portraits are someone with a toy dog or toy dogs included as one of the natural adjuncts of the person portrayed.

One exception to this rule is the portrait of the artist’s dog ‘Tump’ by Hogarth, in the possession of the Kennel Club in London. The artist Hogarth was not exceptional because he owned dogs or toy dogs. He was just one of the few artists who displayed love for his pets as he did by including them in a good many of his paintings and engravings.

Another talented artist, Velasquez, in his painting ‘Prince Phillip Prosper’ in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, painted a little white dog very much like the white toy dog in Murillo’s ‘The Holy Family of the Little Bird.’ In his portrait the little white dog that resembles our Maltese sits very comfortably looking on a chair he looks as if he very much considers his own. The child in the portrait is painted in the formal manner of the time, staring out of the painting and paying no attention to the toy dog. The little white toy dog that resembles a Maltese in this portrait has one eye on the artist and an ear pointing towards the child. One interpretation of this painting was that it truly appears as if the artist included the child because he was instructed to do so, but painted the little white dog that resembles our Maltese from sheer enjoyment!

This series: Toy Dogs in Art continues in Part III.

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