Almost every dog owner that I speak with has a horror story or two about bad dog behavior. The conversation typically starts with them asking, “What can I do about…….”.

Be it jumping on the couch or an aggressive tendency, the best way to stop bad dog behavior is to be consistent. If you let bad dog behavior slide from time to time, you are sending your dog a mixed message which will only make dealing with the behavioral issue much harder in the long run.

For instance, if your dog has a tendency to jump on people, you can not let him jump up on you and expect him to know that he can’t jump onto others. It is important to set boundaries for your dog and to reinforce then constantly. By being firm and consistent, you are showing your dog that you are the pack leader and that you are going to enforce the rules.

Another question that I hear frequently is concerning the use of shock collars and other electronic devices in stopping bad behavior. I must tell you, I am not a fan of using shock collars to break the behavior unless you fear that your dog is going to hurt themselves or someone else.

A good example of this is a dog that won’t stay in the yard and often wanders into the street. Their are many other ways of dealing with it, shocking devices should only be used as a last resort. Some other alternatives that I would recommend first are a spray bottle or a can with some gravel in it. Both can serve as a harmless distraction method allowing you to get your dogs attention quickly.

Dealing with bad dog behavior can be time consuming and often draining on the owner. Others will see your dogs behavior as a reflection of you, if you remain consistent, the process of training your dog and breaking him of it will pay off immensely in the long run. You and your dog will be much happier once you are able to stop the bad dog behavior and let your dog know that you are the one in charge.

You may wonder what the difference in Dog Training and Dog Behavior Training is. The basics of dog training involve getting your dog to come to you when you call him and getting him to sit and so on.

Dog behavior training is used to get rid of nasty habits your dog may have. Maybe he chases the mailman, or bites anyone who tries to touch him. It could be that he keeps the neighborhood awake all night with his constant barking. All these traits are dog behavior problems and with the right techniques can be trained out of the dog.

How To Stop Your Dog Barking

Excessive or regular barking can be a common problem with many dogs. There is usually always a reason behind the barking and for many dogs it is quite often because they don’t know its a problem for you. The dog may think its alright to bark all day and all night. It may be that the dog has found that it gets more attention when it barks. For instance, if you leave the dog alone he may start barking because he knows it will get you to return.

Before you decide to take your dog off to training school, there may be a cheaper solution. You could get an anti-barking collar. These are usually one of two types. Both are activated by the sound of the dog barking. The shock collar will give the dog a small electric shock when he barks – of course this is uncomfortable for the dog but he will soon learn that the shocks only come when he barks and before long the constant barking will stop. The spray collar will release a small pungent chemical with a smell the dog does not like and has the same overall effect as the shock collar.

How To Stop Your Dog Biting

Some dogs just don’t seem to realise they are causing harm when they bite you. When dogs are young they will tend to bite and chew almost everything. If they don’t lose this behavior within the first six months then you could have a serious problem on your hands. Nowadays its common for dogs to be put down for any bite attack on a person. To train a puppy to stop biting, you will need to sit with him and use a toy that he is allowed to bite. If he bites your hand or tries to bite your hand, say firmly “NO” and hold his mouth shut for a few seconds. You should do this regularly several times a day until the dog stops biting you.

If you have an older dog that still has a biting problem you could use the same method – however, older dogs have more muscle power and you could end up with a more serious injury. If this is likely, take your dog to a local training school for assistance.

I’m not talking about something that requires batteries. No, I’m referring to the twenty-two breeds recognized by the AKC as being toy dog breeds - from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. They make great human companions, adapt well to smaller spaces, they are generally good-natured and they’re cute.

With so many people “down sizing” their homes and living in more compact areas, toy dogs and other small dogs may offer the perfect choice in a canine companion. But first, you need to assess your environment to determine if a toy dog (or any pet) is compatible with your life style.

While toy dogs in general can make good companions in small apartments, some breeds adapt more easily to these conditions than others. Toy Poodles, for example, adapt well to small spaces, and they are “non shedding” which is important if you have allergies.

Will you be leaving the dog alone while you work? While no one wants to leave their pet alone all day, sometimes it is unavoidable. There are many opinions as to whether you should leave a dog at home for eight or nine hours per day. Some feel it is not fair to the dog, while others do it successfully, and have happy, well-adjusted pets. Develop a morning and evening routine with your dog in which you feed them, walk them, and play with them so they know what to expect. Some experts say that dogs have no sense of time, so they can’t tell if you’ve been gone eight minutes or eight hours.

Obviously, ensure the dog has plenty of water and that the dog’s barking will not disturb others.

If you have small children, you may want to delay getting a toy dog or get a larger breed. Toy dogs can be quite fragile, and small children may indeed think the dog is a toy. When the child is old enough, a dog is a great way to teach responsibility by feeding and caring for the dog.

Do you have other animals in the house? Some toy breeds do not tolerate children, other animals or strangers very well. Others, such as the Bichon Frise (BEE-shon FREE-zay) are very sociable, and get along well with other dogs.

As a group toy dogs are more difficult to train than larger dogs. So you will need to be patient while house training your toy dog. Again, some breeds have a reputation for being easier to train than others.

In many ways, toy dogs are less expensive and more convenient to live with. Obviously, they eat less, their beds, mats, and crates are smaller and they require less fenced area if you let them out. With many more travel facilities being “pet friendly,” your toy dog can be a great traveling companion. Many breeds can be “carry on luggage.” While I don’t recommend it, I’ve known people who have taken their toy dogs along on their motorcycle trips!

Toy dogs can be good home protectors, too. Breeds such as the Chihuahua and Pekingese are naturally wary of strangers and bark readily at unusual noises.

Finally, we can make some generalizations about the characteristics of various breeds, but keep in mind that dogs - like people - are individuals, and they may or may not possess the characteristics of their breed. For that reason, you may want to consider an older dog rather than a puppy so that you can observe the dog’s behavior.

OK, if you’re determined to get a toy dog, and have done your research to determine which breeds best fit your lifestyle, what should you do to ensure you get a healthy, happy, well behaved pet? Should you consider a pure breed or a mixed breed?

While many people will only consider a pure bred toy dog, understand that pure bred dogs (of any size) will have more genetic-related health problems than mixed breed dogs. The reason is that pure breeds started with a very small population of dogs, and it is kept that way to ensure consistency in the breed. Thus genetic problems are carried on from one generation to the next. If you’re willing to accept these risks and the inevitable veterinarian bills, then go for a pure bred toy dog.

It’s now possible to have a pure bred dog’s DNA tested to see if it carries, has, or is free of specific genetic diseases. The problem is that DNA testing can only be performed for a few certain diseases specific to a given breed.

Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, come from a much larger gene pool, so the chances of chronic genetic disease are much lower. “Mixed breed” can be a misnomer because some “mixed breeds” may have no pure bred dogs anywhere in their linage. Therefore, mixed breeds don’t develop any of the, well, “deformities” that are the hallmarks of pure breeds, like the Dachshund (back problems) or Bulldog (breathing and many other problems). Mixed breeds have evolved to the right size and shape of what a dog should be. And, since many pure breeds are bred for certain behavioral traits, mixed breed dogs are more even tempered.

Another reality is that pure bred toy dogs have become fashion accessories for the rich and famous, and the price of toy puppies has risen accordingly. It’s not uncommon for pure bred puppies of certain breeds to bring several thousand dollars. A better alternative is to check out pet adoptions and rescue centers. Not only will you be giving a dog a home, but you’ll be helping to prevent over breeding.

The Internet has many, many good sites to help you learn more than you ever wanted to know about toy dogs - or any dog - for that matter. With a little research, you can find an ideal companion you’ll enjoy living with for many years.

toy dogs that tend to get along well with older children that are less likely to make loud noises, suddenly run or jump around or do something completely unexpected are more numerous. These dogs typically respond well to children, especially if they have been raised in a household with calm, respectful and responsible kids.

Each of the types of toy dog breeds require different types and amounts of care, training, food, and exercise. They have different “personalities” and drive, so if you want to own one, do take care to research their good points and the less liked points of behavior and health which apply to each toy dog breed.

Take care to gain your information from kennel club web sites, because depending on reading only the descriptions on the breeders sites may not alert you to some of the aspects the toy dog breeder may shall we say fail to see due to their familiarity and tendency to wear what we might call “rose tinted glasses” when thinking of their own sweet toy dogs dogs.

Nursing homes and adult care facilities have found toy dog breeds to be soothing for their patients. Contrary to common perception, there is no law preventing animals from living in nursing homes. Very many of these facilities have found the toy dog breeds to be very soothing for their patients, and with careful breed selection to match the care home residents physical exercise capabilities are not demanding on their ability or staff time to exercise them.

We are great fans of the toy Papillons, which unlike many other toy dogs, are not just a lap dog. Owners claim that this toy dog breed is truly well rounded in its personality and is a big dog in a small package.

Papillons, although dainty and small they are quite capable of taking long walks with their humans and often excel at the energetic sport of dog agility. The Maltese are another example of very robust daintiness, and would also feature in my list of toy dogs to consider.

We think that Papillons are wonderful spirited toy dogs, and find that their devotion as a companion are second to none. Papillons from the best toy dog breeders have been carefully selected for their own special traits, personalities and conformation.

Just like any dog, early socialization and training of the puppy to curb excessive barking and leg lifting is required. We would like to stress that even though these dogs are very small, they still enjoy lots of playtime and long walks. We also recommend consistent obedience training for these dogs just like dogs of any size the owner should be able to control them when in any public location.

Finally, if you are considering a toy dog breed have you thought of buying an adult dog? Adopting a homeless dog is not just the epitome of kindness. In fact the investment is one in loyalty, devotion and companionship for a lifetime. Adopting a really sweet toy dog is like giving a lease on life on the animal and having lost one owner they seem to heap even more devotion on a second owner.

While choosing an animal friend for yourself, it is important to consider various factors before zeroing in on the breed that you want. Your living space, the money that you can spend, the time that you can avail for the dog, etc are some very important considerations when you choose on out of the numerous dog breeds available.

It may depend on your choice as well whether you want a small one, a hunting pet, a toy dog, mixed breed, or a larger variety. If you have a small apartment or an even smaller living space then getting a toy dog or a small dog is the best option for you. This pet will act as a friend and a companion for you, play with you, accompany you while watching TV etc. You can get this dog without spending too much as well. Also, the small dogs and toy dogs mix very well with the children of the house.

Larger breeds of dogs require much more care and attention than the smaller ones. German Shepherds, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinschers, Greyhounds, Golden Retrievers are some varieties which are very strong and also very intelligent. They are a great help in the time of crisis. But their habits, foods, training, etc are all different which require some time and money to be spent on them.

If you are passionate enough to look for and take care, then you can go in for the rare dog breeds as well. Getting them is slightly difficult but online researching can help you get in touch with dealers who are selling these breeds.

If you are a regular at hunting and want an accomplice, then what is better than a dog? You can go in for the hunting dogs that are available which provide you protection in the wilderness as they have been trained and also have great senses. Sighthounds, Scent hounds and Lurchers are some of the varieties.

You can order for the variety that you like through the online mode. There are also pictures available online which can guide you to the breed if you have any in mind. From all the dog breeds that are available, you can choose whichever is suitable for you according to your living space and finances available.

So you have a new puppy in your house? Well, then your hands are definitely full. You have a new furry bundle of love who is running around your house, chasing dog toys, and chances are having a couple of accidents on your carpet. Potty training your puppy can be a challenge, and you need to know what to expect.

Potty training your puppy is not really something that you can expect to do until you little guy has hit about the six-month mark. Any younger than this, and it is not really reasonable to expect them to be able to control their bladders like an older dog would.

When you begin to potty train your pup, you need to come to the realization that you will not be able to monitor your little guy twenty-four hours a day. There will be times when you need to leave the house. To prepare for this you will want to make sure that you have prepared the room that you are leaving your puppy in. You will want to have the entire floor covered in paper. Then you also want to make sure that your puppy has food and water, his bed, and his dog toys in there so that he can stay busy.

As your puppy gets more familiar with the potty training ritual, start to reduce the amount of paper that you have on the floor. Your puppy will have gotten into the habit of going potty on the paper, so as you shrink the amount of paper on the floor your puppy will begin to resist the urge to go potty on it. Eventually, you will want to remove all of the paper. However, before you do this you will want to get your puppy used to going to the bathroom outside.

To do this you will want to get your puppy on a very scheduled going outside schedule. Typically, you want to aim to take your puppy outside anytime that he needs to go to the bathroom. On average, this tends to be approximately every forty-five minutes. You will also want to take your puppy out after every time they eat, drink, wake up, and after a big play session with their favorite dog toys.

Make sure that when your puppy succeeds in going potty in the right area that you praise and reward him. This will make sure that your puppy learns that if he wants to get treats and good attention then he needs to go potty in the right places. Though it may be frustrating, you have to be careful not to get angry at your puppy when he makes mistakes. At his young age, he may not understand why you are yelling or punishing him, and that will not help you in the potty training process. Instead, you should focus on the positive reinforcement. Of course, positive vocal praise is a great way to encourage your little guy. But don’t forget about pulling out their favorite dog toys so that you can have a vigorous play session, or about giving them a tasty dog treat. If you can focus on those types of reinforcement your new puppy will be potty trained in no time!

Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but you must be willing to take on the responsibility of dog ownership. When you become a Pom owner, it’s up to to do everything in your power to make your pet’s life a happy one, the proper care, environment and companionship. If this sounds like a big commitment ‘ it is! But rest assured, the rewards of pet ownership far outweigh the work you have to put into it.

An often overlooked, but very important step in caring for your Pomeranian is to insure that he is properly trained. A properly trained dog will be a pleasure to both strangers and his master, but a lot of people do not take this important step and then wonder why their dog is not ‘well behaved’. Many a dog has been considered a ‘bad’ pet when all he really needed was the owner to take the time out to train him properly.

Proper training isn’t just about performing cool tricks, although that is one side benefit. A properly trained dog will be safer than one who is not trained. A properly trained dog will be obedient and come to your side should you need to call him out of harms way. A well trained Pomeranian will not be a nuisance to guests and training your dog is also a bonding experience and will enforce the fact that you are the ‘master’. You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals.

The Pom is an active dog who is intelligent courageous and a loyal companion. The Pomeranian may not interact well with small children and due to its small size can suffer abuse from children . The Pomeranian can make a good watch dog but can become to yappy if you do not train him to avoid excessive braking. The Pom may be hard to housebreak but are very smart and can be trained very quickly.

Another important part of Pomeranian ownership is to get regular vet checkups. A yearly check up is a must and he should have all his vaccinations kept up to date. Also, if you notice anything different in your Pomeranians behavior schedule a vet appointment right away. Oftentimes animals hide the fact that they are feeling sick and even a small change could indicate something more serious. Have your Pomeranian neutered or spayed - they WILL be much happier.

Providing a safe environment for your Pomeranian can eliminate unfortunate accidents in the home, especially for puppies. Be careful to pick up small objects your dog could ingest and make sure there are no unsafe places in the home. When guests come over, or if the kids are running in and out, make sure they know not to leave the door open so the dog can get out. Refrain from feeding your Pomeranian table scraps as some of it can actually harm your dog. Chocolate, in particular, can be lethal.

Grooming your Pomeranian not only helps him look his best but is also important to keep him in the best of health. Cleaning his ears, brushing his fur, trimming his nails ‘ these all contribute to the overall health and happiness of your pooch. Proper dental care is the most important grooming task you can do for your Pomeranian. Without regular brusing, bacteria can build up in your dogs mouth. This bacteria can break away and cause serious health problems for your dog. Make sure you brush at least a couple of times a week and have a dental check up every year!

Finally, you need to have a plan in case something goes wrong. What if there is a fire or some other disaster? Make sure someone is responsible to get your pet out of the house in case of emergency. It’s also a good idea to have a neighbor or friend that can take your pet on short notice should you be called away in an emergency.

When you let a Pomeranian into your home as a pet, you are making a lifetime commitment to provide everything he needs for a healthy and happy life. Some Pomeranians can live into the teens so consider your commitment carefully ‘ in the end I think you will see that the rewards far outweigh the work involved in caring for a pet.

The Puggle is a crossbreed variety of dog. This unique hybrid is the result of crossing a Beagle and a Pug, classified as an F1. Since the Puggle is a crossbreed, the appearance can vary. Beagles are loyal, energetic, are prone to mischief when left alone and can be hard to train. In contrast, Pugs are intelligent and good natured dogs who enjoy the company of people and take well to training.

Both breeds can be sociable but may be stubborn at times. Given the diversity of these traits, it is hard to predict which characteristics will dominate.

Some Puggles may display a larger head relative to overall body size. Subsequent breedings to the F2 or F3 level can alter the appearance dramatically from the original F1.

Approximate Adult Size

As with many hybrid breeds, the size and weight of a Puggle will vary. The approximate adult size, two years old and older, of either the male or female Puggle will range from 8 to 15 inches at the withers. The withers are measured at the highest point of the shoulder. The weight of an adult Puggle may range between 10 and 25 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain health conditions problems associated with that specific breed. Beagles are prone to ear and eye infections, spinal problems and heart disease. Pugs have a lower incidence of health problems than most breeds. As with most hybrids, a full understanding of potential Puggle health issues is difficult.

This health information is provided only as an informative guideline and your Puggle may not experience these conditions. Always consult a veterinary professional for more comprehensive information.

As with any dog, the puppy stage, 0 to 12 months of age, is the time for shots, boosters and a complete check up. As an adult, the dog should have an annual veterinary checkup including a dental exam and cleaning. Avoid feeding your dog sweets and certain adult foods. Questions about the proper diet for your Puggle should be directed to your veterinary professional.

Grooming

The coat of Puggle will be generally smooth and short with little shedding. Regular brushing will help maintain a clean and healthy coat. Puggles may display the skin folds common to the pug and these folds must examined and cleaned on a regular basis. The process of grooming provides an opportunity to examine the dog for skin problems and insects like fleas and ticks. Regular grooming will help to strengthen the emotional bond between you and your dog.

Dental health is important and the teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities and periodontal disease. Poor canine dental hygiene can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious health conditions.

The claws should be trimmed regularly and the paws examined for signs of injury.

Life Span

With proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions, a Puggle should be able to live a long and healthy life. Given the hybrid nature of these dogs, an accurate prediction of life expectancy is not possible.

Registries

American Canine Hybrid Club

As a hybrid breed, the Puggle is not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, Continental Kennel Club or their affiliated organizations.

Litter Size

Litter size is said to average between 3 and 7 puppies.

Category Hybrid

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this article may be correct for your dog. This information is intended only as a good faith guideline.

Siberian husky puppies are usually purchased at a very tender age by families keen to raise this huge, magnificent dog. The gentle temperament of these dogs, as well as their liveliness, makes them popular family pets. This is in addition to the dog’s hardy nature as well as its ability to adapt to both hot and cold conditions. When raising your Siberian husky puppies, there are a number of important things to be noted. In this article, we provide you with 4 things you need to know about Siberian husky puppies.

One of the first things to note when raising a Siberian husky puppy would be a well-balanced diet. A Siberian husky puppy requires sufficient nutrition in order for it to grow into a healthy adult. Consult your breeder for advice on the dog’s dietary needs. In any case, it would be a good idea to feed your puppies freshly prepared food. This should consist of a substantial amount of protein and include chicken, pork, beef or fish. Food should be cut into bite sized pieces to facilitate chewing and digestion. A daily dose of greens is also necessary for the puppies. Mix these well into the meats in order to appeal to the puppies.

It is also important to take your puppy for regular checkups at your local vet. Make regular scheduled appointments with your vet to ensure that your puppy is in good health and growing properly. Your vet would be able to dispense valuable advice to you regarding your Siberian husky puppy’s diet and general well-being. It is necessary to be equipped with knowledge on your puppy’s well-being in order to ensure that it grows healthy into a full grown adult. Also, vets are able to spot tell tale symptoms of illnesses which might occur from time to time on your Siberian husky puppy.

The Siberian husky is a very active dog. As such, house training and social skills as a puppy is essential for its healthy growth. You could either train your puppy yourself or hire a professional dog trainer if you do not have the time. Simple skills such as toilet training, not damaging furniture and social skills with outsiders are a must for your Siberian husky puppy. As with the case of all forms of dog training, make use of the element of conditioning by rewarding your husky puppy when he performs something desirable and discouraging it with a firm “no” when he performs an undesirable action.

Last of all; make sure you bring your Siberian husky puppy for regular exercise. Exercise is not only necessary to keep your dog in good shape and preventing obesity, it is also important in familiarizing your husky puppy with its living environment. Health problems often develop in dogs that lack exercise. Introduce your Siberian husky puppy to your neighbors. This allows it to develop greater people skills which are necessary for its growth in time to come.

Raising a Siberian husky puppy requires time, effort and ultimately commitment. While not an easy task, it would definitely provide you with a great deal of satisfaction as you watch it mature with each year into adulthood.

Dog training will transform the dog’s mannerisms, from a dog that will not do as he is told by you to a dog that will pay attention to your orders, from a dog that is annoying the neighbors into a calm one, from a dog that is at all times scampering from you into a dog that will remain at a halt at your order. Just like in any other training scheme, there are some methods to be followed.

The dog has got to be familiar with his name, so he can act in response to the master’s instructions. When he is familiar with his own name, you can begin teaching with the check lead and instruct “here” or “come”. You can begin all this in the house, but initially, he has to be able to make out his own name. If you would like the puppy to pay attention just to you, then do not permit him to play with other people. If you will allow him to play too much, he will begin to snarl and bark every time you take his playthings away.

One more essential feature of dog training is that you have to teach your pet, so no one will get harmed when you are out with him and people are all about him. By making use of the dog training instructions correctly, you do not have to be anxious that he will bite off someone or he will scamper off. Even if you have trained your dog to be compliant and pay heed you, you should admire him as well since after all, you selected him, he could not select you, and if you will not take care of him properly, he will in all probability run away, or he will be miserable. The fundamental dog training instructions that a dog should act in response to are: fetch, stay close, here, sit and come.

- Begin teaching the dog whilst he is still a puppy - this makes sure of much better achievement rates even for starting out dog trainers.

- Put up some information on dog training and only then acquire a new puppy.

- Free dog obedience training programs ought to be modified to the precise necessities of your dog breed. Please see our collection of precise dog breed training techniques in order to get more understanding on this subject.

- Make certain that the puppy is in high spirits and has an adequate amount of energy to try out training.

- Be inventive, by no means let the puppy get fed up and coach the dog where the limits are set.