Dog Training Tips - Potty Training a Dog
April 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
When learning how to potty train a dog you must first realize that you have to be prepared to continue training your pet all the way through. You need to be committed. Also, you should have a leash and a designated area for going to the bathroom. It should only take about two weeks to have a routine established but if you are training a dog that already has bad habits it could take up to five or six weeks.
Make sure your puppy is completely healthy because urinary tract infections and parasites can prevent you from being able to house train your dog. The area that you choose should be outside and it doesn’t have to be somewhere too specific but it can be if you wish. When potty training a dog, your attitude and presence is perhaps the most important factor. You must be assertive and dominant. YOU are the leader of the pack, remember dogs are pack animals like wolves and they need a leader to follow. If you become that leader, they will constantly want your acceptance. Let your dog know when he/she does something wrong. Do not hit your dog! You can not be the source of pain, you just need to let him know you’re unhappy with him/her.
And the opposite side of the coin is also important. When your dog does the right thing and shows that he/she wants to please you, give it praise. Potty training is a great foundation for the rest of the training your dog will undergo in the future.
Potty Training a Puppy
April 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
One of the first things you will need to do after giving your new puppy lots of love and affection is to train it to go to the toilet in the right place. This can often be problematic, just like it can be difficult to educate a child. It is important however that the puppy learns this as quickly as possible to avoid getting told off all the time. This article will give you some ideas on how to potty train your puppy effectively so that it knows where to go to the toilet and that inside the house is not the right place. Most dogs identify the house as their home pretty quickly and will naturally go outside when nature calls.
The first thing to understand is that dogs are fairly predictable after eating some food. They will want to poop about 15 - 20 after finishing. This means that a few minutes after the puppy has finished eating you should take it outside. Let it wander around and eventually it will want to poop. After you have done this a few times the penny will drop and the dog will start to whine if it is inside and wants to go to the toilet. You may find that watching your puppy all the time will be difficult but you should spend as much time with a new puppy at the beginning to help it to settle. If you have a family then maybe you could take turns at looking after the puppy.
Puppies will also want to go to the toilet when they wake up, when it leaves it’s crate or box and after snacks or drinking water. As you can imagine, it could be a full time job monitoring your puppy for all these occasions. That is why you should take turns with other family members if possible.
If you want your puppy to poop in a certain place then always take it to that place around the time it is likely to want to poop. Another method that works is to get it to poop on a piece of newspaper. This can be used in the house to avoid messing up the carpet or floor and at night times when the dog is alone. Place the paper in a corner of the room where the puppy is staying. Encourage it to go to the toilet on the paper when you see it arching it’s back or making motions to go to the toilet. Once it has identified the paper as the place to do these things you can use a piece of paper to educate the puppy about a special place in the back garden or wherever. This will make your life easier when the puppy becomes older and doesn’t litter your yard with excrement.
Potty training a puppy is one of the first things you will need to do to socialize your dog. There will be many other things it will have to learn so that it can be a coveted and useful member of the family. Learning potty training will set it off on the right path for future learning and good behavior.
Saving Money With Discount Dog Toys
Buying discount dog toys can be one of the best decisions you will ever make for your dog and yourself. Some may still think that the toys with the highest price tags are always the best choices. There are however some good reasons why you can settle for toys with a discount while still keeping your dog happy.
Dogs and Toys
Lots of dog owners buy toys for their pets to show their love. The basic feature of all dog toys is that they can entertain this playful animal. In fact, however, dog toys do more than just providing fun. They can channel your dog’s energies away from unwanted behavior. Toys also provide a lot of physical and mental exercise. Best of all, dogs get to form loving connections with their masters when they play together with toys.
Different Dogs
Not all dogs are the same, and different dogs have different needs for toys. The size, texture and style of the toy should fit the size, age, breed and temperament of your pet. There are different ways for you to find out which toys are appropriate. You can trust the toy package label or the opinion of the sales clerk at the toy shop. You can also ask a veterinarian or a dog expert for his opinion.
If you are shopping online, you should do a little research first before paying for a toy. Some reputable online stores will be so helpful as to provide you with comprehensive information on dog toys for specific dogs. You can also look into dedicated online sites that focus solely on dogs.
Discount Dog Toys
Before you settle for expensive dog toys, it might be a good idea to shop for those lower-priced first. This is because all dogs are unique. There is no guarantee that your dog will love a toy that other dogs go crazy over. You can get stuck with an expensive item that your dog will not even look at. Discounted toys are a great way to find out what your dog likes without blowing your money.
Buying at a discount does not always mean that you are buying a poorly made item or one that is second hand. Some stores and online sites that offer discounts have low prices because they buy directly from factories and sell very close to the factory price. Some stores might also sell low because they are having a clearance sale.
Shopping Online
If you are shopping online, make sure that you are buying from a store that has been doing well at the business of selling dog toys. You would know a store’s reputation by checking customer feedback from forums and review sites.
Like their offline counterparts, online stores usually offer a wide range of toy choices. As a general rule, you should get a handful of various toys that you can rotate on different days of the week. This can help keep your dog interested in playing. Having a wide range of merchandise will also increase the chances that you will find just the right items for your dog.
If selected with care, you may find that most discount dog toys are just as good as the more expensive ones. They are such good bargains that you can hardly pass by. Just be sure to have in mind your dog’s safety and best interests.
Causes Of Dog Health Problems Bloody Stool Issues
April 12, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Health
Melena is the number one cause of dog health problems bloody stool issues. Melena and hematochezia cause the dog to have bloody stool. Melena is blood that the dog digested, and looks dark in color. Hematochezia is considered fresh blood in the stool and is considered minor compared to melena. Many health reasons result in a bloody stool and most tests by a veterinarian will confirm the problem.
This health problem causes a lack of energy and sometimes incontinence, as accidents happen due to the inability to move outdoors quickly. By restricting food, the dog will eventually stop the diarrhea and give the intestines time to heal. If the diarrhea results from infection or parasite, the problem will persist until proper medical is received. This condition affects all sizes and breeds of dogs no matter what you do to prevent it.
Causes of Dog Health Problems Bloody Stool Issues
Medications, infections, cancer and foreign objects digested by the dog. A metabolic disorder or hemorrhagic gastro enteritis may cause a dog to have a bloody stool. Some heavy metal or blood ingestion and gastrointetestinal ischemia are all causes of melena in dogs. Metabolic diseases cause ulcers of the stomach or intestines and can result from many different causes. If your dog health problems bloody stool issues arise with such signs as pale gums, frequent urination and thirst, lack of appetite and weight loss are all signs of problems along with dark black stools. For more inf see http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/dogbreedhealth/Pomeranian.html on pomeranian dog health.
If the dog continues to have diarrhea for more than twenty-four hours, medical treatment is required. The first thing you can try is a bland diet of rice and potato instead of their regular food. This may help, but in case it does not, you may need to have a veterinarian determine the cause.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dog Melena
When you notice black or dark colored stools, you need to contact the vet for further tests. These tests will include urinalysis, a biochemical work up, stool sample diagnosis, blood work up, ultrasound and chest/abdominal x-rays. After these tests are concluded, the vet will determine the exact cause of the dog health problems bloody stool issues and discuss treatment with you.
If the dog does not have a severe health condition, they may be treated at home instead of an overnight stay at an animal clinic. A special diet of a bland diet that is specified by the vet and any medications prescribed by the veterinarian need to be dealt with at home in order to treat the dog health problem bloody stool issues. In most cases, medications are needed to block stomach acids and coat the intestines. If you do not see any improvement, you need to contact the vet for further treatments. .
Get treatment for your dog if this problem persists and stick to a strict diet and medication schedule for proper treatment of a sick dog. The dog will need plenty of rest and a calm environment in order to heal and come back to health.
Dog Behaviour Training, Training a Dog not to Bark
ALL DOGS BARK, it’s a natural thing for a dog to bark and should not be discouraged when it is appropriate, i.e. when a stranger comes to the house, or if the dog hears out of place noises during the night. At these times your dogs bark is a welcome and reassuring warning. So you should only be training a dog not to bark at the wrong times.
However a dog that continually barks for no apparent reason can become a bit of a nuisance, both to you and to your neighbours. So training your a dog not to bark, should be a part of your overall dog behaviour training. Any random or nuisance barking should be stopped as soon as possible, preferably when the dog is still young, as it will become harder the older the dog gets.
If you are with your dog when it starts barking for no apparent reason, simply tell it to stop. The actual words or commands you use will not matter as long as you always use the same commands, and say them with authority. If this fails to have any effect, then try saying the commands while at the same time giving a quick jerk on its collar or leash. And remember to quietly praise him or her when they obey.
Solitary barking is when your dog barks when no one else is at home. (Or when it thinks no one else is at home.) It will often bark incessantly, if you have close neighbours and your dog is one of these, then you will soon know about it, as you will no doubt receive complaints pretty quickly. This type of barking can be a real nuisance and you should try to stop it right away.
One way of stopping a solitary barker is to pretend to leave the house, wait for it to start barking, and then quietly return and catch it in the act. Reprimand it with the same commands or phrases that you used before, and again quietly praise them when they stop. Doing this a few times should soon stop your dog from being a nuisance every time you leave the house.
You should try to stop your dog from becoming a solitary barker before it develops too far. You can easily do this with a few simple tips, such as getting it used to being alone gradually. Try going out just for short lengths of time to start with, and building up to longer and longer periods. You could also try leaving a radio on in the house for company, and make sure your dog has its favourite toy.
A dog is part of your family and should be shown the love and respect that it deserves. By training a dog not to bark at the wrong times, as part of a dog behaviour training programme, you are helping it and yourself to a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship that will last for years to come. (And you will probably get on with your neighbours a lot better as well.
Dog Shedding
April 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
Dog shedding can be a big pain in some households, and depending on how disciplined you are about your dog clambering around the furniture the fur mess can be more than expected sometimes, and can get absolutely everywhere.
Dog shredding happens as a result of a few different situations, the first and common in all breeds of dogs is to make way for a new shiny coat every now and again, and to get rid of dead hair that is no longer needed. Another cause for shedding is seasonal changes like some breeds are used to in their natural habitat, in theses situation there can be lots of hair being dropped at an almost worrying rate twice a year, but it is actually quite normal for this to happen.
If you are worried about how much hair your dog is loosing, then do some research or go to the vets and find out the different types of dogs that get affected by this seasonal change. In rare cases loosing large amount or fur can be caused by a poor diet and insufficient amounts of vitamins to keep the fur alive. All these can be answered by your local veterinarian.
If you are tired of all this fur and the effects of your dog loosing its coat, keeping your dog well groomed will help to stop the spread of hair and keep your dogs coat healthy at the same time and is always recommended to stop knots or matted hair along with keeping your dog healthier and happier.
To summarise, if you are worried about your dogs shedding and have looked to find the shedding habits of the breed of dog you have then visiting a vet is the best option and they will be able to give you a more in-depth analysis of the situation after an examination of your dog and keep your mind at rest about the health of your dog.
Dog Behavior Problem - Does Your Dog Have An Attitude Problem?
April 7, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
If your dog has a behavior problem or an attitude problem there is no need to worry because you are not the only one dealing with this problem. It is important that you take into consideration the fact that two very different species are involved, which can make communication difficult. Much like how different cultures between humans can spark problems, you may see a problem in your dogs attitude problem.
You have to look at it as if you were a dog, as crazy as this may seem. You have authority over your dog, but if you don’t use the power than your dog sees it as if you are equals. This can be directly correlated with a communication problem and the way you act toward your dog. Luckily for you, you can change a dog’s attitude.
So where do you start? You have to start by taking control of their most valued possessions to show them who is boss. This will allow you to earn your dog’s respect and show him that you are worthy of the respect. By taking control of the things that matter to him most, he will see that with an attitude problem he won’t get those things any more.
This does not mean you need to deprive your dog, but you want to help your dog learn that an attitude problem is not ok. You will be surprised to see how quickly your dog will change its attitude to get back the things that mean most.
The most important thing you have to change that will quickly change your dog’s attitude and behavior problem is the attention you hand out. Dog’s rely on their owners for support and acknowledgement, and they will quickly learn to give you respect if they are not getting that attention. By no means do you want to use any kind of physical correction to get your point across, but walking away from your dog will get the point across.
If for whatever reason you are seeing no changes in your dog’s attitude by changing the way you deliver attention, you may want to leave them outside for awhile or in his crate. This will serve as a timeout and will show him that if he wants to get what he wants, he will have to cooperate. Dealing with a dog behavior problem takes time but is well worth it!
It is important to note that as you change rules around, your dog’s attitude may escalate momentarily as they try to adapt to these changes. They have been used to a certain rule for so long and it can be difficult changing. But if you are firm and positive at the same time, you should be able to quickly change your dog’s problematic behavior and attitude by showing them they have to cooperate.
Potty Training Your Dog - Stop the Indoor Messes
April 6, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Training
If only your dog could use the toilet just like you do. That would make life so much easier. But as most dog owners are aware potty training your dog means teaching them to do their business outside, not on the living room carpet. Potty training can take some time and patience and a great deal of your success will depend on the dog, but once he’s house broken the effort will have been well worth it.
Probably the easiest method for potty training your dog is the newspaper method. In its simplest terms newspaper training involves laying down newspapers in a certain corner of the house, maybe the extra bathroom or utility room, and getting your dog to only do his duty there. Every hour or so take your dog to this area and use the same command each time that you wish to use that signals him to go the bathroom. Also keep an eye on your dog around the house and when he starts to go potty take him to the newspaper toilet and give him the command, chances are he will start to understand that this is the designated spot to take care of business.
Be sure to praise him every time he goes to the toilet when and where he is supposed to. This is positive reinforcement and dogs for the most part live to please their owners. If your four legged friend does make a mistake it is important not to punish him, particularly if you didn’t catch him in the act. He will not understand what he is being punished for and will eventually start to fear you. If you do catch him in the act firmly tell him no and take him to his newspapers or outside.
Submissive urinating can also be a problem when it comes to potty training your dog. Some dogs get so excited when you come home or they meet someone new or another dog that they loose control and wet themselves and who ever may be around them. By properly house breaking your dog he will learn bladder control even in the most exciting or stressful of situations.
Potty training will take some time and patience. How fast your dog learns will also depend on how much effort you put into it and the type of dog you have. Some breeds just pick up on it quicker and are much easier to train. In the end having a potty trained dog will make both you and your furry friend much happier.
Entertain Your Puppies With Dog Toys
Buying dog toys is not the hardest of the shopping ventures these days. This is not because they show tantrums like kids when you are buying toys for your kids. Shopping for dog toys has become pretty easy that you can choose and order a toy of your choice over the internet just by a few clicks of the mouse.
The never Ending Types of Dog Toys
If you are a first timer to buy toys for your dog, then you are sure in for a big surprise. Browsing through the variety can be quite time consuming. You can buy the toys based upon their brands and makes, toys by types, breed of your dog and by age of your pet dog etc.
If you are buying by toy types or by any other criteria, the biggest hit with any dog breed is the reusable bones which can be chilled in a deep freezer over and again. These are made from tough plastics in the shape of bones and filled with non toxic water. The next best buy which your best friend is sure to like and play non stop are fetch toys. Unlike the frozen bones, it requires your involvement too, that is when you want to indulge. Or let him play all by himself. Then there are knotty balls, Frisbees that float, or fly which also glow in the dark.
Almost all pups and Pomeranians like playing with Halloween plushes, talking animals which they can relate to. Rubber toys with tongues are a craze with small to smallest dogs.
Exercise Care While Buying Dog Toys
Don’t forget that, buying toys for dogs are no different from buying toys for kids. Both of them are ignorant of dangers of mishandling, the cost of toys or even vulnerability of toys to breakage. It is not enough for dog toys to be entertaining as they like to play around with them comfortably by licking, chewing them hard. So, keep in mind the toxicity, breakability, comfort of handling (bigger the toys harder it will be for dogs to play with them) etc while buying. Durability is another aspect you need to keep in mind as it is likely to get torn out easily than you expected.
Initially dental health toys and then fetch toys may suffice to train them. When it is time for just entertainment, you can look around for household things to use as dog toys. Empty pet jars, pet bottles, cereal boxes which will not stuck his head can be truly useful. Garden hoses cut to one foot will sure find his attention while saving money for you.
Dog Dental Care Information
April 5, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Health
Dogs are loyal, playful, and affectionate because they are so companionable. Dogs are often dubbed man’s best friends. Dogs have 28 deciduous teeth (temporary) and 42 permanent teeth. Deciduous or milk teeth begin to appear when a puppy is about four weeks of age, and are lost gradually between 14 and 30 weeks of age. Dental disease is one of the most common health disorders in dogs. There are many dental disease in dogs include plaque, tartar and periodontal disease. Dog dental problems may also result from injury, foreign bodies such as porcupine quills or foxtail, malnutrition or systemic diseases which infect the mouth as well as other parts of the body.
The common signs of the dental problems in the dogs imply the loss of appetite, red, inflated and gums of bleeding, radoter, blood in saliva, tartar yellow-brown with the gum line, broken teeth and blows stinking. Dogs sometimes bear from broken teeth, frequent a cause of biting on sticks or rocks. A cracked or broken tooth can be painful if the nerve tissue is exposed. Prevention is always better than cure”. Keeping that in mind can prevent our most loved dog from acquiring such dental diseases. To prevent dental disease, your dog needs routine dental care at home. Home care is impotant step of your dog dental care.
Home oral care includes routine examinations of your dog’s mouth and brushing her teeth. Clean your dog’s teeth frequently with special toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs. Toothpaste for dogs is generally quite savory to them, so he shouldn’t mind this. If your dog balks at having his teeth brushed, get him used to it by rubbing his teeth and gums with your finger. Then put a little of the toothpaste on your finger and let him sniff and lick it; do the same with the toothbrush. Make sure to provide chew toys or other products that will help clean his teeth.
As your dog gets older, he may have a buildup of tartar that requires special cleaning by a veterinarian. Another method to assist cure calculus and build up on your dog’s teeth is by using rawhide masticates specially expressed for dental care. Dental diets is very important for your dog. Hard crunchy foods tend to be better for the teeth than soft ones although there is nothing wrong with feeding a proportion of a soft tinned or flat pack food.






