Before I begin, the ‘good boy’ name is only an example for ease of writing in this article and ‘good girl’ or any other words of praise may be used in place of ‘good boy’ throughout this article.

The god boy command is not so much a command as a general consistent learning or rewarding exercise, the aim of this exercise is to get your dog to associate ‘good boy’ with times when he has done something well and is rewarded, this will make your dog happy and glad that they have done good for you.

A lot of dog breeds actually enjoy performing tasks for their owner and it’s what they are used to and aim to achieve, these dogs are generally dog with a working background and breed past, such as sheepdogs and collies, this makes the good boy command a lot more rewarding for them and a good reason to perform well.

This exercise can be taught as soon as you get your puppy or dog and can be a natural reaction to good behavior by many already, also making the command easier to remember and be consistent with.

The good boy command is easy and is taught along with rewards you give your dog, if your dog behaves well you should praise them to get them to do the same command again, this is common sense in dog training and the ‘good boy’ command only ads to this so you are able to give your dog a different, emotional type of praise on the rare occasions when you haven’t got treats on your person or to hand (although not recommended but it does happen).

So when your dog behaves well and has deserved a treat or other form of reward, recite ‘good boy’ to them in an excited and impressed voice and give your dog cuddles and love. This over time will be seen as another form of reward that means just as much to your dog as treats do.

The good boy command gives more emotion to your rewards and gives your dog a new form of praise to aim for thus enhancing the relationship between you and your dog, making this a very important command or reward.

The Catahoula Bulldog is a crossbreed variety of dog. This unique hybrid is the result of crossing a Catahoula Leopard Dog and a Bulldog, classified as an F1. Since the Catahoula Bulldog is a crossbreed, the appearance can vary. The Catahoula Bulldog is said to be loyal and attentive. Despite of this trait, the owner will need to be firm control of the training regimen.

The Catahoula Bulldog is a natural herd dog, with lots of stamina. Large and powerful, this is not a dog that would take well to the confinement of a house or apartment. Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Bulldog can be sociable, stubborn and independent.

Eye color may vary often with a different color in each eye.

Given the diversity of these traits, it is hard to predict which characteristics will dominate. Subsequent breedings of the Catahoula Bulldog to the F2 or F3 level can dramatically alter the temperament and the appearance from the original F1.

Approximate Adult Size

As with many hybrid breeds, size and weight of the Catahoula Bulldog will vary. A large dog, the approximate adult size, two years old or older, of either the male or female is 24 to 26 inches at the withers. The withers are the highest point of the shoulder. An adult Catahoula Bulldog can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain health conditions problems associated with that specific breed. Catahoula Bulldogs are sometimes prone to eye problems and should be examined on an annual basis. As with most hybrids, a full understanding of the potential health issues associated with the Catahoula Bulldog is difficult to reach at this time.

This disease list is provided only as an informative guideline and your Catahoula Bulldog may not experience these conditions. 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 check up. As an adult, the dog should have an annual veterinary checkup including a dental exam and cleaning. Avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The coat of Catahoula Bulldog will be generally smooth and short with virtually no shedding. The coat of this unique hybrid is very low maintenance but regular brushing will help maintain a clean and healthy coat. The process of grooming provides an opportunity to examine the dog for skin problems and 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 any signs of injury.

Catahoula Bulldog Life Span

With proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions, a Catahoula Bulldog 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 at this time.

Catahoula Bulldog Registries

American Canine Hybrid Club

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

Catahoula Bulldog Litter Size

Litter size is said to average between 5 and 8 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.

There are literally hundreds of companies competing for the market share of dog shampoo and coming up with new ways of cleaning your dog all the time, so it is no surprise that the choice of dog shampoo is endless and anyone looking to buy the best shampoo for their dog for the first time or for their new puppy will be puzzled at all the different options that are available to them.

Dog shampoos are essential to maintaining your dog’s health and well being when it comes to hygiene; some dogs seem to have a great liking for mud and anything else dirty for that matter, so how do you know which shampoo you will need?

Well there are many different types of shampoo to be had, from many different suppliers that are used for different situation and dog types. Dog shampoos available are flea shampoo, Aromatherapy and relaxing shampoos, dry shampoos, Anti tangle shampoos, conditioning shampoos and natural shampoos.

If your dog suffers from a easily tangled coat or you suspect from the length of the dog hair, that tangling may occur then anti tangle shampoos will save you a lot of time and keep your dog so he/she is happier to be washed and cleaned in the future.

Flea shampoo is self explanatory and should only be used if fleas are found or suspected; using flea shampoo for safety shake would not get rid of the fleas for long in any case because of fleas around the house, so flea shampoo should be used only if essential.

Besides ordinary dog shampoo the only other handy and helpful shampoo for shy or easily scared dogs would be the dry spray shampoo, this does not give as good of a clean as normal dog shampoo but there are instances when dog cleaning spray is needed. If it can be avoided then avoid, but if your dog it terrified with water then it may be the only alternative besides a smelly house.

There are plenty of dog tricks around to choose from but starting off with your first puppy or dog and knowing which dog tricks are easy can be a bit of a challenge. If you have a puppy then training them will be a lot easier than an older dog because of the habits dogs fall into when they are brought up.

Older dogs will have different habits and a strong personality by then so they may find some advanced tricks easier than basic tricks because of the way they have been brought up.

Although the same as above can be true for puppies also, this is more likely to be because of the breed of dog you have and the different general personalities that go with them breeds.

In this article we assume you have taught your dog the basics or sit and stay etc and now you want to teach your dog a fun ‘show-off’ type trick to impress your friends or family when they visit. There are many tricks from bringing you the TV remote to riding a skateboard, but to start off I recommend something simple like the figure of eight around your legs.

This is similar to other commands you will have taught your dog and involves you using treats to encourage your dog to perform actions. To do this trick you simply have hold a treat in one hand and guide your dog through one side of your legs, through the middle then around to complete a figure of eight motion. Try to hold the treat close to your dog’s nose to keep them interested and always reward them with praise afterwards and the treat afterwards.

After you have mastered this and can get your dog to do it on command you’re ready for your next trick and one step closer to the skateboard. Good luck!

Dog behaviors can confuse human owners, which makes it that much more difficult to bond with them. Once you gain a better understanding of why dogs do what they do, however, you’ll be one giant step ahead in the bonding and training process.

One of the first things to realize is that dogs come from the wolf family. Wolves are social animals that run in packs. All members have their status within those packs, from the dominant male to the submissive female.

Establishing roles in the pack is one of the most predominant dog behaviors that domestic dogs have inherited, along with other traits. Dogs like to know where they fit in the pack. That’s why owners have to take the upper hand and become the leaders. Until this happens, bonding and training will be elusive.

Unfortunately, some owners are reluctant to take command because they’re afraid they’ll alienate their friendship and their dog won’t love them. It’s important to overcome this fear if you want to end up with an obedient and responsive dog. Understand that your dog will love you simply because you are his leader.

If left to find his own way, a dog will do his best to establish himself as the boss. Dominant dogs will show their dominance by growling and sometimes biting their owners to put them in their place.

It’s imperative for you to reverse this situation at the very beginning by showing your dog that he must take a lesser role in the social order.

Such dog behaviors as this are ingrained from birth as part of the animal’s survival instincts. Leadership dominance isn’t something that develops afterwards, although it can become a problem if not addressed.

A dominant dog will reject your training efforts because he believes he’s in charge. He’ll want to be out front when you take him for a walk. He’ll want to call all the shots, which means he’s more likely to ignore you and your commands.

He’ll be the protector of the pack. Some dogs become too protective and can become a danger to others. You don’t want that, so establish who’s the boss from the moment you bring your puppy home. Dogs are quick to accept leadership from those who show authority and dominant traits.

They respond to actions that mimic or reflect their inherent dog behaviors. Your size alone will automatically show the dog that you are the dominant member.

By using a tone of voice that projects your authority and letting the dog know that you’re taking charge, your pet will soon recognize and accept his role in the pack.

Dogs don’t like confusion or vagueness. It makes them unsure and their actions misdirected. Once your dog knows where he stands, he’ll be better prepared to obey and love you.

Remember, growling is one of the dog behaviors wolf pack leaders use to let others know where they stand. It isn’t necessary for you to hit your dog or be a tyrant to send this message. Use an authoritative voice and be persistent in your demands and he’ll soon get the point.

Another one of the dog behaviors worth imitating is touch, or affection. In the pack, wolves nuzzle each other to show how they feel and to get the other’s attention. Mothers lick their pups regularly, not only to keep them clean, but to show them that they belong.

A pup that gets such attention is much happier and well-rounded than one that is ignored and rejected. He is better able to adjust to his changing world and the people and animals around him.

Such dog behaviors become your responsibility as the new pack leader. Keep in mind that from the moment puppies are born, they establish their adaptability into the pack by the things that are in their immediate environment.

By showing your puppy, or even an adopted dog, that they belong and are welcome, you can help ease their transition into your pack. A well-adjusted dog is much easier to train because he aims to please and take up his rightful role in the group. Naturally, the earlier exposure to the human touch and other dogs occurs, the more socialized he will become.

Be aware of why dogs do what they do and take appropriate action to let your pet know you are the leader. Approach your new companion with normal dog behaviors in mind, and you might be surprised how easy training and bonding can be.

POTTY TRAINING PUPPY

When it comes to potty training puppy you should always be prepared for a few little accidents along the way. In fact, without these accidents it can be difficult to show your beloved puppy exactly where they can and cannot go. That said, on the whole, the process of potty training puppy would be much quicker and a lot easier if you get into a routine that means your puppy is unlikely to make mistakes.

As with all forms of puppy training you should use reprimand and reward. Only ever use verbal reprimand and only when it is absolutely necessary, but in comparison you should give your dog as much praise as possible when they do something well or do it correctly. In the case of potty training you should reprimand them for going indoors but only if you catch them in the act and you should reward them when they go outside.

You should remember that puppies will need to go and potty roughly half an hour after every meal but they will also need to go first thing in the morning and last thing at night. However, these are unlikely to be the only occasions they will need to go out and you should learn to read your puppy to know when he is sniffing for somewhere to go or is just exploring the house and trying to recognize the smells. Initially you should probably be letting your puppy out every two to three hours.

While your puppy is training you should not leave food down for them and instead you should have set meal times. Wherever possible, stick to these same times every day because this will help your puppy learn a routine of eating and going outside at the same time every day. As well as using the same time for your routine you should try to make everything as constant as possible. If you use a particular door to take them out on the first visit then you should continue to use this door.

When everything goes well and puppy does manage to potty outside then you should praise them and possibly even give them a tasty treat. If you do this regularly they will associate walking out of that door to go to the toilet and being given a treat for doing so. In the even you catch your puppy in the act, pick him up before he’s finished and take him outside. Once he finishes outside, give him praise and a treat.

Dog breeds are certain types of dogs which have distinctive looks and temperament. Dog breeds can reveal a lot about the size, appearance, and personality of a canine. Doing research to find out which dog breed will suit your personality and lifestyle is essential. Dog breeds are plentiful and you can always find a reputable dog breeder, but it is important that you understand the dog breed you are interested in before going to the dog breeder.

Size should be a factor when deciding on which type of breed would be best for you. Naturally, if you live in a small house or apartment, a smaller dog would be better, where as a larger dog would be better suited with a large yard or out in the country.

There are different dog breed groupings consisting of: The Sporting Dogs…The Hound Dogs…The Working Dogs…The Terriers…The Toy Group…The Non-Sporting Dogs.

The Sporting dogs were developed as bird dogs. These include the Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, Spaniels and others.

The Hound dogs were developed to hunt using sight (sight hounds) or scent (scent hounds). These include the Beagle, Coonhound, Bloodhound and others.

The Working dogs were developed for a variety of jobs, including guarding property, guarding livestock, or pulling carts. These include the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Bernese Mountain Dogs and others.

The Terrier dogs were developed mainly to hunt vermin and rodents and to dig them from their burrows or dens. These come in various sizes, from the small Cairn Terrier to the large Airedale Terrier.

The Toy dogs are small companion breeds that include the Toy Poodles, Chihuahua,Toy Spaniels, Miniature Pinscher and others. The Toy Group make up for their small size with their big personalities.These are well suited for older or disabled people, because they are easier to look after, as they eat less and need less exercise. Usually, small dog breeds are just ten inches or less tall at the shoulder. In most breeds, the male is slightly larger than the female, but the difference is generally small.This is referred to as breeding true

The Non-Sporting dogs that do not fit into any of the other groups, are usually larger than Toy dogs. These include the Miniature Poodles, Boston Terrier, Bichon Frises and others.

For those who suffer from allergies, a Hypoallergenic dog is a breed that might enable them to have a pet in their home. Some dog breeds have been considered as hypoallergenic, such as the Yorkshire Terrier and the Afghan Hound whose is the same pH as human hair, therefore, creating no threat. Some other good breed choices for those who have allergies are the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier…Bichon Frisé…Shih Tzu…Bolognese…Poodle…Barbet…Portuguese Water Dogs…Schnauzer…Maltese. These dogs shed very little of their hair. However, they do produce dander, but the amount is so small that very few people experience allergy symptoms when in contact with these breeds.However, no canine is known to be completely 100% non allergenic. Hypoallergenic dog breeds are usually single-coated, non-shedding (or low-shedding), and generally smaller dogs.

The top 5 dogs registered for 2007 with the AKC are:

* Labrador Retriever

* Yorkshire Terrier

* German Shepherd

* Golden Retriever

* Beagle

Breed types include Hounds, which are bred to hunt and work with humans; Toys, which are great adult companions; and Terriers, which are excellent dogs for training.

From cute to tough breeds, toy dogs to working dogs - there are many different dog breeds for you to choose from.

Dog owners do love to think their dogs as their children. “That’s my boy,” they will say while referring to their own dogs. They will refer themselves as “Mummy” or “Daddy” while talking to the dogs as well. Of course, they get their dogs, some toys for playing with. Choosing the correct dog toys might be very tricky. People love to get cute and, squeaky toys to their dogs or get them stuffed toys to chew and carry it all over (the stuffed toy is the dog’s “baby” often - “Get your boy, checkers! Checkers, where is the baby?”) As they think it is “adorable.” Dog toys need not be “cute.” They should be practical, fun, durable, and importantly safe for the dog.

Avoid Non-Toys

For as loyal, friendly, lovable and playful as they would be, dogs aren’t the brightest of creatures. They are quite naturally attracted to many things which can cause them harm. It is important to start off early with the dog, giving safe toys to play and chew with, when teaching the dog to avoid the household stuff it might wish to use a toy. Dogs like to chew on a pantyhose, for e.g., but these may be partially ingested, and chokes the doggie. Some dogs would chew on the power cords, risking a very harmful (or even fatal) shock. Teach the dog early on things which are for playing, chewing and things which are off the limits.

Safest Dog Toy

The size of it is a very important consideration. Balls, Kongs and other toys should be small enough such that the dog might chew and carry them along, but not very small that they may become locked in the dog’s throat or mouth.

Durability is the other factor, mainly for dogs which loves to chew for a longtime. A toy which would easily break apart can surely become a hazard, because the sharp parts might be swallowed, get caught in throat, or cut in gums and mouth. Again, a very hard rubber Kong (one of the very best dog toys ever) is a very good choice.

Softer toys, as the popular “squeak” toy made up of very thin plastic and is full of air are very good for dogs which are a bit gentle. They are unlikely to chew such items and might be usually attracted to the sound of squeaking.

Tennis balls are a great choice for some doggies, but poor for others. This is a question of the size ratios. If the dog would be too small to be in a tennis ball in its mouth, then it might be a good toy that the doggie would love but it costs very little too. If the ball fits all the way to the dog’s maw, it might become a choking hazard.

The fetch game is probably the most popular and most used dog activity for rewarding your dog and giving him exercise at the same time. Giving your dog regular exercise is essential in keeping your dogs health up to scratch and helping them live a more exciting happy life.

Playing the fetch game with your dog is very easy and takes as much effort as you want to put into it. Simply take some form of ball, Frisbee, or stick and get your dogs attention with it, as soon as your dog has their eyes on the swinging stick, throw it as far as possible and command your dog to fetch the stick and pointing in the direction you threw it in with some enthusiasm to make it seem fun for your dog.

Dogs love this game and are happy to play it al day long with you, some dogs like the game more than others due to breed tendencies to please the owners. There are many different products available to help you with this command if you suffer from a bad back or similar and are incapable of bending down or throwing, this product is a long stick that cups the tennis ball and makes it easier to throw and pick up the ball.

This activity can be an energetic exercise for both you and your dog if you want it to be. Running around after your dog and throwing for your dog to fetch is a way used by many to keep fit and not just their dogs. A helpful two in one exercise to keep both parties healthy can’t be a bad choice!

Spending time with pets can be great fun.  Their frolicsome ways can help you spend your leisure without getting bored. Your company can help entertain your pet as much as you would love to have some fun. Most of the time, you may find it difficult to spare time for it. To keep pets in a playful mood, you can buy some toys for your pet. After all, who doesn\’t want to see his pet in high spirits?

There are plenty of toys in the market which can keep your favorite pet entertained for hours on end. Some such items are rubber rings and rope dog toys. Both these playthings are a bit hit with dogs that love to play tug-of-war or fetching games.

The best way to keep your dog occupied is to let it have \”Kong\” range of toys. These solid rubber toys have a hole wherein you can stuff something tasty. In an attempt to lick the treat out of the Kong toy your dog will spend hours munching it. Keeping it engaged, you can peacefully carry on with your work for quite a while.

Dogs invariably take a liking for stuffed and furry toys. They enjoy nibbling it whenever they feel like. Make sure you buy well made toys so that the stuffing do not get into the mouth and choke them.

To keep your cat in good humor, you can buy toy birds and mice. Cats have a special liking for the ones attached to a string, so that you can pull it and around and entice it to an elusive chase. Such tricks really make extremely funny cat videos.

Cats also have a great liking for tin-foil balls, cardboard boxes, and scrunched up papers! With a laser pointer you can have your cat at its playful best. With tireless energy your cat will chase that little red dot around. Scratching posts provide a good form of entertainment for cats. They provide it with something other than your furniture to dig its claws into. You can also buy pillows and catnip-stuffed toys for your cat. Kitten photos in a playful mood or curled up on small cosy pillows can look very attractive.

Pet toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are so made that they can either be used by the pet alone or both by the pet and the owner. Pet toys, however, can never be a substitute for your affection.