Top Advice On Dog Behavior Training
An early relationship strain will be caused by your dog's propensity to chew
Dogs carry out destructive chewing for three main reasons, they are simply bored, they find it pleasurable to do so, or they find it helps get them through emotional times. The nearest human equivalent for which might be to consume a bar of chocolate!
Anything that gets in the way of this chewing normally ends up in poor state. Unfortunately you dog has a lot of pointed teeth that can damage lots of things.
Chewing is most annoying when it is your own possessions that are the subject, always stop this behavior straight away.
How To Avoid Your Possessions Being Destroyed
The first tip for dog behavior training is to not place valuable objects in the way of temptation. New mothers will know all about preparing a house for a curious newcomer. Why let providence intervene.
In addition, when hiding things be aware of just how agile your dog is. How high can she reach when standing on her back legs for example?
Consider that common targets in the home include books, eyewear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and small appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.
I am sure you do not need telling that food needs putting away securely. Storing food with a dog around is a problem that is best solved by placing some items up high and making use of strong containers.
The phrase prevention is better than cure applies to dog behaviour training too, if your dog is not given the opportunity to discover the delights of chewing a forbidden item then it is a lot easier for her to learn your house rules.
The one thing you must not do is to allow your dog to start up some of its old habits. Once she has the taste do not be surprised to find shoes you care about being treated to the same destructive chewing.
Getting some doggy toys is a good way of helping your dog understand that those are hers to play with, not any of your own stuff. Take a look around your local pet store for tough items such as rubber bones and balls etc. Buy a few and rotate their use as a way to keep your dog behaviour training interesting.
Some final advice on dog behaviour, when you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate be sure to interrupt her immediately and provide a suitable alternative and give lavish praise when this is accepted as a way of reinforcing good behaviour.
November 20, 2008
The Pros And Cons Of Leather Dog Collars
They’re elegant, stylish and occasionally questionable. They come mass produced and some with designer labels. They also make very expensive chew toys for many puppies and dogs. They’re leather dog collars, once the average dog gear and now a luxury piece. Is a leather dog collars right for your pet?
Pros
A few of the advantages of utilizing leather dog collars are that they are long lasting provided you are going to take care of them the right way. Although they are more expensive initially than other collars, they can sometimes last longer than the life of your dog. Many owners of dogs who get good and muddy like to use leather dog collars and leashes than of other materials because it is so durable.
Another advantage is that leather always matches your pet’s coat, whether it is brown leather or black leather. Leather has an undeniably timeless look and a great smell, if you take care of the leather properly. There are now a big selection of leather dog collars in different patterns, colors, with rhinestones or other additions. There are even widely known designers of people fashions who are getting into doggie couture.
Cons
The main disadvantage of leather dog collars is that it’s made out of very tasty animal hide. At least, your dog thinks it’s tasty. You can’t explain to your dog that it’s not good to chew on the $100 rolled leather dog collar but it is acceptable to chew on rawhide treats. They are made of nearly the same stuff. Dogs will chew on leather, although with patience and persistence, they can be trained not to.
Another disadvantage is having to clean and condition the leather dog collar and leash. You dont have these worries with nylon or rayon collars and leashes. You can throw them in the bath along with the dog. But prolonged exposure to soaking water will destroy leather. You need to get special soaps and conditioners for them. You might need to have the leather collars worn only on special occasions.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, than you are already trying to cut out all animal-based products from your life. Killing cows for dog collars might not sit well in your mind. But there are attractive faux leather dog collars that are just about as tough as leather on the market. As an added bonus, they don’t have the strong smell that attracts dogs looking for a quick snack.
November 18, 2008
Building the Perfect Dog: The Golden Labrador Retriever?
It has been known long that some mixes seem to do better than their parents of either breed. It’s a matter of finding which breeds cross best with other breeds. Some of these crossbreeds even go on to become established breeds in their own right. One of the best crossbreeds in dogs is seen in the Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy, known also as Golden Labrador Retrievers. As puppies, they readily show the best of both the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever.
The Best Dog?
Both Labrador and Golden Retrievers are dogs that love to be around people and are looking to please. Note that not all dogs are alike, and improper training will always make a disorderly, fearful dog (regardless of breed), but overall, a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is a born people pleaser. They are fascinated by people and seem to easily bond with them. They also have a lot of strength and stamina, which comes in good for service and search and rescue dogs.
Best Seeing Eye Dogs
The Golden Labrador Retriever are hailed as the best seeing eye dogs by experts that train seeing eye dogs in England. There is a strict breeding program run in England by Guide Dogs to raise dogs to be seeing eye dogs. A Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is first tested at about eight weeks of age to see what his personality is like.
Their training never really stops. Many a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy fails the program and is put up for adoption as a pet. To take a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy and turn out a dependable life-saver costs an average of $70,000 (US). They work until old age or illness forces them to retire, and then they are placed in care homes for the rest of their days.
Other Facts
Many information websites will tell you that a Golden Labrador will always be yellow, which is not always the case. Occasionally a dark puppy will be born. You can register your Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy with the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Every day, there is a newborn Golden / Labrador Retriever puppy who makes that first step to being a specially trained service dog. They all can rescue us from ourselves and our selfishness and help give our souls back to ourselves.
November 17, 2008
Why People Like Miniature Poodles
Poodles are generally fun-loving dogs that have a pretty reserved temperament, so if you’re looking for an agreeable pet that your family will love, you may want to consider a miniature poodle. Here is some general information about these dogs that will help you to make the right decision, as well as some things you can expect once you bring your pet home.
Concerns
There are a few concerns that you may have about owning a miniature poodle and one of them is grooming. The poodle’s hair tends to be curly and thick, so it will be necessary for you to make sure that your poodle puppy is groomed regularly or as often as possible. For puppies the standard grooming cut is normally short hair all over the body, and this may need to be done every month so that your miniature poodle looks great. The colors of the miniature poodles vary from brown, white, black and cafe-au-lait, and these are on many occasions displayed in the pet stores. In addition to this you can also have your poodle’s coat temporarily dyed for special occasions or events. These can come in a variety of colors like apricot, red, blue, gray or silver which are the normally accepted colors for poodle coats. Such coloring or dyeing normally do not damage the miniature poodles hair.
Learning about your dog’s temperament is also ideal before you buy your miniature poodle. You may have to socialize your dog as a puppy, since poodles tend to be very reserved when dealing with strangers. Miniature poodles tend to bark a lot as well, which means that will do a good job of alerting you if something goes wrong in the home. In most cases, your dog will like to play with children, but some poodle varieties can be a little high-strung, so try to see the parents or even grandparents of the puppies you are considering before taking them home. Your miniature poodle will also be great at learning tricks in most cases, which means you can entertain family and friends.
The life span of a miniature poodle is relatively long compared to other dogs, so it will be essential for you to look out for any genetic issues that could possibly arise. Cataracts are common problems that occur in all varieties of poodles, and blindness could be caused by retinal atrophy, so you need to regularly take your miniature poodle to the vet to be checked up for vision and nervous system problems. Often it may also be necessary for your pet to be checked for you ear infections and runny eyes. Finally, the poodle’s skin tend to be very sensitive, for example skin rashes and allergies may occur with the use of certain shampoo or dyes, and in addition the use of clippers may also cause skin conditions to occur.
For more great information on how to care for your miniature poodle, visit www.poodle-lovers.com.
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