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.

Owning a dog is a privilege and an honor to most, they are there when you come home after a hard day or a good day they are there to pick you up in spirits or to share your good mood. That being said some dogs have some kind of behavioral problems that you would like to see disappear. Here listed are 3 dog behavior problems people and there pets encounter. Old dog owners and new dog owners alike the 3 dog problems in this article can ruin what should be a happy relationship between you and your dog.

1. Does your dog bark a lot at nothing that you can see, Will he all of a sudden bark for no reason, causing you to climb the walls? Ignore your dog when he starts to bark for no reason even if you yell at him you are paying attention to him when he is quiet you can pay attention only if he stops barking. Squirt gun is a good choice for your dog when he starts his barking. The most important step is to reward your dog right after he stops barking not in awhile.

2. Aggressive behavior, is it a pain to take your dog for a walk because he wants to pull you toward other dogs, people. By nature most dogs are not aggressive, if they are showing aggression, either from past owners neglect or the wrong training methods that were implemented. Socialize, have your dog being around other dogs from an early stage will prevent this but if you have an older dog take him to a dog park and let him socialize. Do not leave him chained up or caged for any length of time if he is in a cage a lot he will get agitated and anxiety builds up and he becomes aggressive. If for any reason he is aggressive and you do not know why or he suddenly has become aggressive take him to see a vet because he might have a medical problem.

3. Dog jumping on you or visitors. Dogs jump up on you because that is there way of greeting and that is what they do if they are trained not to. Be consistent when you come home a stern sit down while raising your knee, out of instinct your dog will back away, do not pat or pet your dog during his jumping on you. Praising your dog when he does not jump on you is important you need to do that immediate don’t wait around to praise him three common dog behavior problems that you might encounter don’t let that stop you from getting the most out of owning a dog.

Having dog a problem comes with owning a dog, 99.99% of the time they are very easy to straighten out buy being patient and consistent you will have no problems with your dog. The 3 that I have mentioned here today are only a few of a dogs behavioral problems; the best thing for you to do is to be consistent at whatever you are trying to train your dog to do.

It is common knowledge that for every year that a dog is alive with us they are actually aging ’seven years’ in comparison to people. Although this is estimation, it is very close to reality. To be totally accurate though, one dog year is closer to a person aging eight years in life. It is therefore important that you have common knowledge of older dog health and how you can better supply your pet through his older years.

It can be very hard to determine older dog health issues that may arise because different breeds age at different rates. For example it is known that large dogs age more quickly than smaller dog breeds. Issues of an aging dog would not set in as fast with smaller dogs like the Chihuahua or the Maltese.

Many people who own the very large and beautiful Saint Bernard are typically surprised at the short lifespan he has. Older dog health starts to deteriorate at around age six for this large dog breed. Also, Golden Retrievers need to have attention to their health starting around age eight. On the other end of the spectrum, the smaller Yorkshire terrier may not be considered to be in older dog health until the age of thirteen.

The first step in caring for older dogs may not be an easy step to start because many people are unsure of exactly when their dog is reaching those senior citizen years. The changes in that come with an elderly dog come slowly at times. The signs of age appear gradually and are often difficult to notice.

Let me give you an example of health in an aged dog that you may not notice for a while: The hairs around your dog’s muzzle will start to turn white for a few years. It is often hard to notice this graying appearance because most people would assume this to be just a change in their dog’s fur.

On a similar note of elderly dog care, you may not even notice until many years later that your dog’s coat seems less shiny, less clean, and not as well groomed at it used to be. These are signs that your dog has hit his late years in life. But do not panic.

Do not get worried about these changes, although it may startle you to suddenly realize that your dog is in is old age and will need adult dog care soon. Aging is natural for your pet as it is for people. Embrace these changes and give more love to your dog. And most importantly, become educated in caring for problems your dog may encounter so that you can provide the best for him.

There are so many different dog breeds and dog crossbreeds around the world now that finding the perfect dog for you can seem a hugely daunting task. Sure, your perfect dog is probably out there somewhere but finding that dog is a completely different thing.

To help you narrow your search down I have taken the time to put this article together and give my best advice on which dog will be best for you if you’re looking for a low maintenance dog for your new home, family or any other occasion.

Ok, you want a low maintenance dog breed so what is the answer? There are many aspects to this question and many dogs to consider, some are realty energetic like the Labrador, border collie and Irish setter but other breeds just seem to be pretty much as energetic as each other.

Maintenance may not mean weather the dog you want is energetic and needs lots of walks and exercise and it may be other forms of dog maintenance like grooming, dog training and bathing etcetera. These differences in dog breed personalities and care are very hard to determine and sum up into a final list of perfect dog breeds as all dogs will need time and care.

The main question here ids weather you are really ready for a dog in your home or place of residence. Dogs do take lots of time especially when they are young and impressionable puppies or dogs. If you want a low maintenance dog then the option for you is to not have a dog at all. Dogs take a big commitment in your life and need to be cared for appropriately in order to be healthy and happy. If you are unsure take more time to ponder your choices and priorities, it will save you a lot of time and unwanted effort in the long run.

Several years ago, we owned a Dalmatian that went through normal dog toys faster than rain water through a down spout. We would buy him toys and buy him toys but they never seemed to last much more than a month. In some cases they would be gone in a week.

This got me into what’s called indestructible dog toys - or tough dog toys - capable of keeping your pooch happy and gnawing away for months.

What I eventually discovered is that, to be honest, no dog toy is completely indestructible except maybe one made out of cast iron - assuming your dog would be happy with a cast iron chew toy. The fact is aggressive chewers like our Dalmatian will eventually chew up even the toughest of toys.

However, “indestructible” dog toys are better than standard dog toys simply because they end up costing you less because they last so much longer.

Here are the costs of three typical tough dog toys:

Stone Bone Durable Dog Toy — $12.95

Hurley Indestructible Dog Toy — $8.99

Kong Original Red Tuffy — $8.99 for the large size

While that may seem a bit on the high side vs. toys that can cost $2.00 or less, these chew toys are really a bargain when you consider how long one will last versus cheap plush toys.

What to look for in a tough dog toy

Round dog toys are better than flat ones because it’s just more difficult for a dog to destroy a round one than a flat one. Second, look for a toy made out of polyethylene as this tends to be stronger and harder to destroy - even by strong dogs such as our Dalmatian or a German Shepard. Also, make sure it won’t splinter or fall apart and cut the dog’s mouth or get swallowed and cause a gastric obstruction

Third, consider what your dog thinks is fun. Does it like to play tug-a-war or does it like to fetch things? If so, look for a toy that’s chewable but also easy to throw. If your dog likes the water, get a toy that will float. On the other hand, if your dog likes to just lay around and chew, then the toy’s durability should be your number one priority.

Also, the toy shouldn’t be so small your dog could swallow it but not so big he or she can’t handle it. You might also ask yourself how easy it would be to clean or wash.

If your dog is big into chewing, like our Dalmatian, you should consider a rubber toy like the Kong or the Nylabone or the Hurley Indestructible Dog Toy. While these toys are not truly indestructible, they will keep your dog chewing happily for many months.

What not to give your aggressive chewer

If your dog is a heavy chewer, you should stay away from stuffed dog toys or rope toys. These will eventually come apart and your dog could end up swallowing loose bits of rope, stuffing or even plastic eyes. And believe me, some dogs will swallow just about anything. Our Dalmatian once swallowed one of my wife’s knee-high stockings and it plugged him up like a cork in a bottle. It cost us more than $500 to get him “unstuck.”

Finally, be sure to check the dog toys from time to time for signs of wear. If the toy is looking frayed or seems ready to fall apart, just throw it away. You might also remember to rotate the dog toys from time to time to keep your dog interested.

Many puppy owners will tell you that if they could accomplish one thing in their life, it would be some high-quality dog behavior training! Puppies seem to have a mind of their own and while they are certainly trainable, some seem as if they are purposely doing everything they can to drive their owner absolutely insane with their behavior. It’s a good thing they’re cute, isn’t it? But in all seriousness, dog behavior training doesn’t need to be as difficult as some people make it out to be, if you know how to do it right. If you’re in the middle of trying to accomplish some dog behavior training and are ready for some quick tips and hints, keep reading.

Tip #1 - Reward, reward, reward.

Far too many dog owners concentrate only on punishing their pet when it comes to dog behavior training. The real key to getting your puppy or dog to do what you want is to consistently reward his behavior when he does it. This is important for example during potty training. Simply chastising him when he messes in the house is not enough. When you get him outside to take care of business, be sure to immediately pet him and give him positive attention when he’s done. This way he associated going potty in the right place with his owner’s approval. Dogs crave that approval more than anything, so it’s important to use that consistently during dog behavior training.

Tip #2 - One step at a time.

It’s a common occurrence among new dog owners to completely overwhelm their dog with all the tricks they want them to perform. It’s something like playing with a new toy - you just want to go through all the features and options right away. For dog behavior training you need to slow yourself down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Teach him how to sit and practice this for at least two weeks before you introduce another command. Continue to practice the sitting while you do the next one, but let the next command sink in for a good two weeks before you move on to a third. Remember, dog behavior training can be a bit overwhelming for the dogs and the owners so trying to accomplish everything at once is just going to be too much for the dog and for you. So slow down and be patient, with the dog and with yourself.

Tip #3 - Have fun!

Once dog behavior training becomes irritating or overwhelming, it’s time to step back a bit. Be patient with the dog and remind yourself of all the reasons you got him. While not always fun and enjoyable, dog behavior training shouldn’t be devastating to you or the dog either. So if you find yourself resenting your dog or thinking that perhaps you’ve made a mistake, take a deep breath, and then take yourself and the dog out for a long walk - and have some fun along the way!

Many of us dog owners get really amazed to see our dogs scratching away to glory in spite of the fact that there is not a single flea on its body! This is one thing that most dog owners will know. Many a time, our dogs just keep on scratching their skin although they do not have fleas or any other parasites. This is one thing that all dog owners have to be careful about. Continuous itching without any reason might have larger health implications.

This incessant itching can highly be an early symptom of dermatitis. Dermatitis is similar to fever in human beings. When we have fever, we just start sneezing like crazy or have congestions. But in case of dogs, their skin becomes itchy and they keep on scratching their skin. Fever in dogs happens generally when they inhale a large amount of pollen.

If you notice, you will see that your dog starts itching more during the months of August and September. This is a time when you need to take extra care of your beloved pet. Pets become especially sensitive to things around them during these months. Thus, this is the time when you have to look out for Dermatitis because your dog will be highly susceptible to it.

The other months when your dog will start itching indiscriminately are March and April. Since these two are the pollen months, dogs become very likely to catch hold of Dermatitis during this season. The grass pollen season of May, June and early July are also particularly troublesome months.

This dog health symptom is something that affects your dog particularly badly. Once your dog gets affected by Dermatitis, it will practically suffer from scratching problems throughout the year. This gives rise to another problem of increased sensitivity which means that something like dusting your sofa will also make your dog uncomfortable and scratchy.

The owners who have a dog who is less than six months old are lucky because young dogs do not get Dermatitis. It is a disease seen in dogs that are three or more years of age. Also, almost every breed of dog can get Dermatitis as it is not a breed specific disease.

However, despite of not being a breed specific disease, Dermatitis is something that affects certain breeds of dogs, like Dalmatians, West Highland White Terriers, White Haired Fox Terriers and Poodles particularly badly. Dermatitis is something that should be treated immediately because it can make your dog suffer a lot and live in great discomfort.

As for the treatments of Dermatitis, you must consult your dog’s vet. There are multiple treatments available but you have to choose one that suits your dog’s breed and age, so it is best to go for whatever your dog’s vet suggests.

Apart from the treatment, you also need to take care of the fact that your dog gets regular grooming so that its skin remains in perfect condition. If your dog is not groomed regularly, it might suffer from skin problems that are extremely uncomfortable.

Dental care is an important part of caring for your pet. Just like humans - dogs have teeth that can cause problems if they are not cared for with a proper dental routine. You may have already noticed, but dogs can suffer from bad breath just like humans can.

Your vet is an important part of this dental care. Ask your vet to show you how to brush your pets’ teeth properly. Your vet knows how to brush their teeth properly so your beloved pet doesn’t get gum disease or any of the other conditions associated with poor oral hygiene.

You are going to need to spend some time finding the right toothbrush for your dog. You can use a child’s toothbrush - but it is recommended that you rather buy a special toothbrush for your pet. It will make brushing easier and will be worth the money.

To buy a toothbrush you can visit your vet or local pet supply store. You might be surprised to see how many variations of pet toothbrushes and toothpaste’s there are. Rather ask for help if you are not sure about what kind to get. There are some rules for choosing the best brush for your dog. You need to make sure that the bristles are soft so they don’t damage the dog’s gums. You also need to make sure you choose the right sized brush (just make sure its’ not too big or too small for your dogs mouth). Lastly check that the handle is big enough for you to comfortably get a grip on the toothbrush.

You cannot use human toothpaste on your dog. Rather use a special high quality toothpaste with ingredients specially formulated for dogs. You need to spend some time choosing your toothpaste too. Cheaper brands might use ingredients that are harmful to your pet, and there are some common ingredients can make your pet sick. Read the labels carefully and check that the toothpaste does not contain salt, detergents or enzymes as these are dangerous for your pet. There is a huge choice at most pet supply store’s so ask for help and read the labels carefully.

Brushing your dogs’ teeth for the first time can be difficult; especially if they are not used to it. This can be avoided by starting when they are puppies - but if it’s too late for that don’t worry. The key is to be gentle, speak in a soft voice and do not force the dog. He must learn that it is not a big deal. Start from the back of the mouth and work your way forward in small circular motions.

If your dog really does not want to allow you to brush his teeth without a fight you can use a towel first. Try rubbing his teeth so he gets used to the sensation as well as your fingers in his mouth. Speak encouragingly and softly; you can even sing a little tune to calm him down. After a few patient weeks the dog should allow you to brush his teeth without any hassles.

You should be brushing your dogs’ teeth daily; but if you can’t manage that - once every second day should be fine. It’s important that you start too see your dogs mouth as your own. By doing this you will ensure that your dogs’ teeth will last well into old age; and of course his dog breath will improve.

Dog comfort is a big issue for your dog and getting it wrong can cause your dog to be grumpy, aggravated more easily, and in a worse state of health than if they sleep in a more adequate place, but what is perfect sleeping conditions for your dog?

Much research has been done on the way dogs sleep and what they find more comfortable and where it is best for it to be, but in this article we will only cut out the uninteresting bits and give you the best requirements for your dog.

Your dog will sleep an average of 11-12 hours a day, and as they get older that number will increase more because older dogs need more time to regain their energy back. If your dog isn’t getting enough sleep it may be because you’re not doing one of the following requirements of a dogs sleeping comfort.

To begin, the chosen area needs to be well away from drafts and doorways which could cause drafts and cold air to circulate around your dog, if your dog is cold any muscle and joint pains they have will worsen and make it hard for your dog to sleep.

For padding, you should ensure a really soft space that will help to support the body fully. Use a cushion or lots of blankets to make the padding, to again help any aching joint problems and give maximum support and sleep comfort to your dog.

The last issue is the placing of your dogs bed, dogs need to be easily accessible for the family to care for them, but they don’t like to have their routines broken all the time so keeping the dog bed in the same place is essential to keep you dog happy, if the dog bed is always moved it will cause them to be uncomfortable in their new surroundings and be overly aware of unfamiliar noises.

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.