Showing posts with label Dog training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dog training. Show all posts

2009-06-14

Soft child-sized or pet-specific tooth brush for dogs and cats.

GOOFY GRINS NEED DENTAL CARE,TOO

KAREN RUDOLPH DHURRIE
FOR THE CALGARY HERALD

Their grins may be a bit goofier, but animal teeth require the same kind of care that human teeth do.

Keeping your dogs and cats smiling is best done through preventive care and maintenance.
Number one on the list? Once Daily, brush their teeth - there are 42 in dogs and 30 in cats.

"It allows the mechanical removal of plaque,which is layers upon layers of bacteria forming a community on the teeth. But keep in mind even if we do well with our own teeth, brushing and flossing , we still have to see a dentist,"
says DR.Terrie Faber, a veterinary dentist at Woodlands Veterinary Hospital and Animal Dental Centre.

Faber recommends using a soft child-sized or pet-specific toothbrush, and a toothpaste formulated for dogs and cats - They're usually meat or fish-flavored to encourage pets to accept the brushes.

To brush, lift your pet's lips, and brush gently around the outsides of the teeth.
Inside surfaces are fine left alone, Faber says,because about 80 per cent of plaque on their teeth is found on the outsides.

"The biggest mistake people make is trying to open the mouth and get in; they will fight it if you try and crank open their mouths," Faber says.

Occasionally,Faber will see carious lesions in dogs, but more common is a painful problem seen in cats called tooth resorption.
Tooth resorption stars with loss of dentin at, or below,the gum line that can eventually spread into the tooth and pulp canal,which contains blood vessels and nerves. Once started, the condition will always advance,so these teeth need to be extracted.

Little dog show more periodontal disease than a big dogs,because their teeth are larger in comparison to their jaws. Bacteria that from plaque get under a small dog's gums more quickly and can eat away at the tissue attaching the tooth to the bone.

Broken teeth are another common problem in dogs. Faber sees this often as a result of catching rocks and chewing bones.

Just as in people,broken teeth in a pet can expose the pulp, and the tooth can die and abscess,fester and spread,so a root canal or extraction is required to prevent the worst-case scenario.

The tricky part of dental disease is detecting it.
Most pets won't display any outward symptoms of oral pain.
A few may appear irritable or aggressive,have a change in appetite or difficulty chewing,and may react when their jaws are touched.
Smelly breath can also indicate problems.

"They don't show it. If you're wild and a pack animal,and you feel not-so-great,what happens to you if you mope around? You'll be pushed down in the pack hierarchy. Their instinct tells them they have to act normal,"Faber says.

"If this was you or I, we would be hysterical. Pets deal with it by not showing signs."

Pets should have a dental exam twice a year, and clearings as recommended by the vet.
Dental X-ray should also be done, because dogs and cats have most of their tooth structure under the gum line, and problems like abscesses can often only be diagnosed via X-ray.

As for diet,you can purchase food for pets aimed at keeping teeth healthier. Specially formulated dry food can help scrape the teeth when chewed, and there are chew toys and treats that might also help, but these should be used in addition to brushing, says Faber.

2009-06-09

Dog Coat and Dog Fur Maintenance

This article is about how to maintain your dogs coat and fur to keep on top of health problems.

Author: John Williams Dog Training

Your dog’s fur is a very important aspect of your dogs life, keeping it clean and in good shape is a good way to keep your dog happy, healthy, and clean. If you don’t keep your dogs fur in good shape it will only be a mater of time before tangles and knots appear in your dog’s coat picking up insects, pests, and causing discomfort for your dog.

Different dogs have different types of fur and with so many cross breeds and different looking dogs, naming all the different types of fur would be impossible. There are many different types of dog fur, some will look after themselves more than others but the general rule is that a longer dog coat will normally tangle and know easier than others.

To maintain your dog’s fur and keep it looking as it should, lots of grooming may be needed so this should be taken into account when buying a new dog. But grooming does not need to be a chore you have to do for your dog because grooming is proven to be a great bonding between owner and dog and creates trust and comfort for your dog making them a lot easier to train.

Step one is to get a good comb for your dog ensuring that there are no sharp edges and that your dog is comfortable with you using it without hurting him/her. Your vet or local pet shop many be able to help you and give you advice with choosing the correct comb but this will be a deciding point in whether your dog will enjoy you doing it or not.

After you have chosen your comb, grooming should happen often and you should do it thoroughly each time, ensuring all knots and angles are removed, if you haven’t yet combed your dog’s fur then it may be difficult to start so do a bit at a time to ensure you don’t discourage your dog and make them not like the grooming process.

After the initial combing, the more often you groom your dog the easier it will be, leaving it for long periods of time is not advised because this means it is more likely to hurt your dog when it eventually does get done. If your dog is finding it tough going then maybe a dog bath is needed to make it easier to detangle and add to your dog furs health.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-coat-and-dog-fur-maintenance-256044.html
About the Author:For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-06-01

Good Dog Training Collars Can Make Difference

Good Dog Training Collars Can Make Difference

Dog training collars are obviously necessary and very effective tools in dog training. The dog's collar is the point of physical control that the trainer uses to make contact with the dog. There are many different training methods and styles used by professional trainers and as a result there are many different types of training collars. A quick check of on line pet supply retailers will find even more collars available in the market. You will find that each one has its own unique set of features that makes them ideal for specific types of training.

The standard variety, like leather or strong nylon is most advisable when simply training a dog to do basic stuff such as sit, jump, or stay. This is dependent of course on the size of the dog. Nylon collars are ideal for smaller dogs. Leather collars are ideal for bigger dog breeds. Nowadays, those who want to train their pet dogs for simple everyday commands even have the option to choose embellished collars. But for dog training, high quality collars should be given more preference.

Basic choke collars are one of the best dog training collars around. Choke collars give the trainer instant correction and control by tightening the collar around the dog's neck. During the training session when the dog is behaving in the proper manner, or obedient in following commands, the collar stays loose and comfortable around the dog's neck. In the event however that the dog starts misbehaving or commits a training mistake, the trainer can easily tighten the collar as a way of correction. This technique communicates to the dog the proper response to a command.

Prong collars, or pinch collars are another widely used dog training collars by professional trainers. This kind of collar has dulled tips on the collar surface touching the dog's neck. Like the choke collar, the trainer can control the tightening and loosening of the collar. As a way of correction, the trainer will pull the collar and the blunted tips will tighten around the dog's neck, without piercing his skin. It is important however to maintain caution in using these collars. There is a thin line between constructive correction and animal abuse. This type of collar should really be left to the professional trainer or handler.

Electronic and citronella training collars are very popular with many dog trainers. They are especially useful in correcting dog behavior when the dog is not on a lead. It is also very effective in aversion training like that used to train hunting dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and porcupines. The remote controls on this type of collar has the ability to make corrections from as far away as one mile. Correction is accomplished through either electronic stimulation or a spray of citronella once the command is given via the remote control. These collars also have a tone feature where the handler can communicate with the dog by sending a set of tone commands to either approve of a behavior or to warn the dog to correct its behavior prior to receiving stimulation.

No matter what training methods are employed by the trainer a quality dog training collar will be required to achieve the training goals. Wisdom and discernment should always be used when using any training collar. Failure to do so may result in unwanted behaviors or even physical damage to the dog's health.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/good-dog-training-collars-can-make-difference-335789.html

About the Author:
James Kesel, MS is the publisher of Career in Dog Training website. Providing information on dog training, dog training career opportunities and training accessories such as dog training collars .

2009-05-25

Rescue Dog Training

Rescue Dog Training

Author: Nancy Richards

Rescue dog training is mostly the same as regular dog training with a few special considerations.Some of the considerations depend on where your dog has been obtained from and its age, but we will look at rescue dog training and what to keep in mind.Here are special considerations for rescue dog training:

1. Dogs who have been turned into shelters and rescues sometimes have training issues. Often times, the first kind of work you will do with these newly adopted dogs is to untrain the bad habits like jumping on people, chasing other animals, destructive chewing, and counter surfing. All bad habits are easily correctable!

2. Rescue dog training sometimes consists of providing a dog with things they failed to receive at an early age. For example, if a dog was not well socialized early in its life, you may spend a little extra time working through issues related to it. This should not be a deterrent to adoption but rather just something to keep in mind.

3. Older dogs can be trained, but they are not always as eager to learn. They have learned habits and are more set in their ways, so rescue dog training with an older dog will require a little more patience on the handler’s part.

4. Often, rescue dog training involves working through the basic issues first like housetraining. You may adopt a four year old dog who has never been housebroken. You will need to treat this older dog just like a puppy.

5. With an adopted dog, especially if adopted from an animal control, it means you don’t usually know too much about them. You won’t know its likes and dislikes or what it excels at. Rescue dog training often keeps trainers on their toes trying to figure out what makes this particular dog tick.

6. One of the first things you must do with a newly adopted dog is bond. Once the dog knows he can trust you and is bonded to you, then more advanced training can progress.

7. Depending on the dog you adopt, you may have some behavioral issues that have to be worked through as part of the rescue dog training. If your dog is shy or timid, it will need to progress at a slower pace. Aggression will have to be deciphered and addressed.

8. Separation anxiety: It is not uncommon for a shelter dog to experience some separation anxiety, especially if it has had multiple homes. Rescue dog training usually involves making the new dog feel more secure in its new home, and most anxieties usually resolve themselves. Adopting a new dog from a shelter or rescue is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Many say that the rescued dog repays you tenfold for the adoption. Don’t be deterred from adopting a dog of any age because any dog can be trained. Just know that there are a few considerations for rescue dog training to keep in mind.

Nancy Richards has been involved with dog training for several years. Learn all about aggressive dog training , rescue dog training for all dog breeds.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_885763_54.html

2009-05-18

Teach Your Dog to Fetch Things

Teach Your Dog to Fetch Things by Jeff Nenadic

Having a pet is wonderful as they can be your great friends and companions, and the best stress busters. They may not behave like us, but they do need attention, love, care, and respect. They need to be disciplined just like kids with patience, love and understanding.

If you want your dog to be well behaved and disciplined, you need to have its attention, to make sure that it understands what you are trying to say/teach. No use trying to tell your dog something if it is out of sight or ear shot, for if it isn't interested, it shall not obey and ignore your words; which means it is okay to ignore (a wrong signal).

Before you start teaching, your dog needs to learn to concentrate on you and what you are saying. A simple way to start is via the game of Fetch which can be played with a stick, ball, or cloth. The benefits of the game is that it is interesting, makes the dog learn to observe, understand and respond to you; plus the exercise, and fun that goes along with it.

Please note that your dog might take time to respond, and learn especially the independent and shy dogs plus those who aren't the type to fetch things. Hence, be patient. You shall need to pamper and shower them with love and attention after every session regardless of whether they did what you wanted or not. Remember they need to be trained just as you teach a kid anything new. Moreover, start training early to get better results.

You can start with some colorful thing (cloth/ball/stick) and grab your dog attention by dangling in front of it. If it responds by trying to lick/catch it, throw it at a short distance away from you. Whatever the dog does (sniffing/picking it up), praise it so that it realizes that it has done something good. If the dog picks it up, teach it to return to you through gestures (clapping/waving hands, calling its name) or anything else you think it shall respond to. Don't expect it to fetch or return at once, as taking interest and learning takes time.

You can increase its interest with colorful items, something that moves as movement generally attracts dogs. Get the dog to notice the object by moving/throwing the object, or just letting the dog feel/touch it. If the dog responses slowly, create interest like making it face a wall, so the object (ball) returns back to him.

As the session progresses, gradually increase the distance between the object to fetch and you. Increase the number of fetches until the dog actually picks it and runs away with it. Here, you need to redirect it back to you through a gentle tuck or nudge of the cord tied to its collar.

Hence, it might be tough in the beginning but it pays in the long run to be patient for once the dog learns to fetch and obey you, teaching new tricks or activities become easier.



About the Author
Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.

2009-05-16

How to Control Dog Whining

Do you khow why dogs whine and how to control it??
Here are some good tips and advices.



How to Control Dog Whining

Author: gpoint

Dogs whine for a number of reasons. By understanding the root cause of dog whining you can take some simple steps to control unwanted whining by your dog.

Why Do Dogs Whine?
When your dog whines, she is talking to you. She wants you to know that there is something that she needs for a variety of reasons.

Your dog may not be feeling well. Your dog may feel lonely and want your companionship. Your dog may be afraid and is calling out for help.

How to Control or Stop Dog Whining
If your dog is whining because you are not home, she may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is a relatively easy dog behavior to correct. You should start conditioning your dog to your leaving the house and coming back after a short period of time, say 5 minutes.

Don’t make a big deal out of your departure. No excited good byes and good girl farewells. When you return, don’t pay attention to your dog when you walk in. Act as if you were just in the next room for a few minutes and that your re entry to where your dog is doesn’t merit any fanfare.

If you do make a fuss upon departing or returning, you are in fact, telling you dog that what you are about to do or the fact that you have returned is very momentous. This will instill an even greater sense of urgency in your dog to whine as she now “knows” that your absence is something that causes you to get excited, therefore she needs to tell you that she noticed it and wants you there.

Start extending the periods of your absence to 15 minutes, then 30 minutes then an hour, then 3 hours, until your dog pays no attention to your departure or return. When you have accomplished this you will have defeated separation anxiety in your dog and the whining will have stopped.

Your dog may also display a whining behavior if she simply wants your attention. If she whines and you respond by giving her treats, playing with her or petting her, your dog will have been very successful in training you ! She just became the master and the dominant member of the dog pack. This is exactly the opposite of the appropriate pack pecking order. You have to reassert yourself as the leader of the dog pack.

One way to control this type of dog whining is to simply ignore your dog. If she doesn’t get the desired reaction, your immediate attention, when she whines, then she will soon get tired of this approach and you will have established control over your whining dog.

If your dog persists in whining, you should give her a firm command such as “No!”. Let her know with your voice and never by physical punishment, that dog whining is unacceptable and must stop. Another approach is to rattle a can full of rocks that make a loud and unpleasant noise. This auditory interruption is very unpleasant; Your dog will associate her whining with the unpleasant noise and the whining will stop.

Dogs also whine if they want to come inside or go outside. If your dog whines to go outside to the doggy outhouse, this is O.K. In this instance your dog is telling you she needs to relieve herself. When this from of dog whining occurs, you should say “good dog” to let your dog know that you appreciate her alerting you to her need.

Always use the exact same words and in the same tone. Your dog can’t understand your human language, but she will associate the sound of your voice and the words you speak in a way that reinforces what in this case is a desired action.

Another approach to control whining in your dog is to divert her attention from the cause of the whining to something more appropriate. Is she whines, you could ask her to “come” to you or to “stay.” If she responds to your command you could then giver her a reward.

Dogs as well as puppies whine if they are hungry or bored. Puppies want food as do adult dogs and both need and want exercise. Be certain to give your dog ample exercise daily before any whining has the opportunity to start. Your dog may be tired and happy and the prospect of kicking up a fuss with dog whining will lose its appeal.

As we mentioned above, never, never , never strike or physically punish your dog at anytime. Physical abuse of dogs is not only inhumane and punishable by law but is counterproductive. An abused dog will have accelerated and more intense displays of undesirable behavior than a dog who is worked with in a calm, loving, and appropriate training environment.

Finally, dogs that whine for no apparent reason may be signaling you that they are sick or hurt. Don’t ignore dog whining that is unexplainable. Take your dog to a veterinarian right away to determine if there is an injury or illness that needs treatment.

For more information on how to easily control dog whining and have well behaved dog today, visit Dogs 4 Life at http://www.dogs-4life.com/disobedient-dog-help.html


Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_157426_54.html

2009-05-11

Dog Treats and Rewards

This article is about the best and most popular dog treats for your dog or dogs.

Dog Training - Treats

Author: John Williams Dog Training

There are many choices when it comes to rewarding your dog with a treat for obeying your commands, and these treats make a big difference in your dog’s attitude towards you in learning new tricks, and why wouldn’t they? To get anything in life you have to give something back and dogs are no different, you help them and they’ll help you. Simple.



But what are the best rewards and treats to give your dog in times of good behavior? Well for starters you won’t be short of treats to try, the markets as it is now is full to the brim of all the fancy rewards and treats you could ever think of.



One of the favourite for dog owners is to treat their dog to homemade treats from recipes that can be found across the internet in many places, some of my favourites and personal recommendations are listed in the products page of www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk along with other tips on dog training there.



Consumer products are also a good choice when rewarding your dog; these include chewing toys which can be very rewarding for puppies and dogs alike. Saving one of their favourite toys for when they behave well makes everything more exciting for your dog and causes them to want to perform more for this reward.



If a chew toy is not to your dogs liking then they may instead enjoy a tug toy, tug toys are good for your dog’s teeth the same as chew toys are and it enhances the relationship between you and your dog as you play with them. Be careful while using these toys as some dogs may think of this game as good behaviour and will start tugging on trousers or other annoying or destructive things.



The last toys I am going to talk about are the throwing toys; these are good to calm your dog down when they are over active or if you just want to reward your dog with quality playing time for their good behavior. These toys range from a simple tennis ball to special durable dog Frisbees and help you to react with your dog wile also training playing the ‘fetch’ game.



There are lots more dog toys available, probably at your local pet shop. It is a good idea to keep in mind what textures and current toys your dog likes to play with or chew before making your choice but as long as your dog enjoys it, it can be used as a good reward and training method.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-treats-256127.html

About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-05-08

Best lead or Leash for your dog.

This article is about an information on how to find the best lead or leash for your dog training exercises.


Dog Training – Best Dog Leads and Leashes

Author: John Williams Dog Training

Dog leashes or leads are an extremely essential training tool or even just for general care and wellbeing for your dog. Whether you use your leash for taking you dog for long walks or only use it for teaching your dog right from wrong in the comfort of your back garden, a lead is always an important buy for you and your dog.



As a dog owner and a consumer, your choice of dog leads/leashes is as you might expect, huge. With so much choice and variations, choosing which lead or leash to use can be a bigger challenge than the actual training of your dog.



So what are the different kinds of leads and leashes? Well trust me there are thousands out there to choose from, I will only go through a few of the more popular types of leash as I’m sure there are many different types of leads being brought onto the market every week and it would be an impossible task to keep track of all of them.



In the next part of this article I will first go through the different types of lead then finish off with my personal views and preferences.



Extending leads



These do exactly what is says, they ‘extend’ away from the owner for a certain distance before running out of slack. With these leashes the owner has control of when to stop the lead extending further and can be used just like a normal leash if needs be.



Slip leads



These leads are a simple type of lead with a loop on both sides normally with and adjustable clip at the end that tightens when pulled or loosens around the dog’s neck for comfort when there is no pulling. Used by many for dog training.



Nylon leads



This is the cheaper option of dog lead, the simplest form of dog leash available, often causes rubbing and digging into your dog’s skin. Nylon leashes are best avoided.



Bungee leads



These leads help to eliminate the slack that other leads cause so that your dog does not trip over the leash and there is less pulling on your arm from a dog in the training process.



Leather leads



This is a popular type of lead that is comfortable for your dog and gives you full control of how far your dog can wonder. A good lead for training but can be tiring on your arm if your dog tends to try and pull you around.



My Conclusion

It is the preference of the trainer in hand at the end of the day but I feel leather leads are best for me and show your dog sum gentle authority when starting to train. Letting your dog wonder too far on walks can give your dog too much freedom and chance to misbehave.



If you are interested in training then I would go for a leather lead to begin, if you just like going for walks in the park or your dog is well behaved then you could maybe opt for an extendable leash.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-training-best-dog-leads-and-leashes-256111.html

About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-05-05

Best toys for dogs

Best Toys for Dogs

Author: John Williams Dog Training

Dog toys are essential to keep your dog occupied to stop barking problems, boredom issues and through teething times for your dog. Finding a good toy for your dog through these times is essential, leaving your dog with a bad chew toy that they don’t like will leave your dog with no option but to chew something else, there are many chew toys available so the choice is endless.



Dental health for your dog will be greatly improved by chewing toys so it is important to keep your dog interested in the toy choice you give them. Popular toys usually contain something that tastes good, smells good, some light up, and others make noises to keep you dog entertained. If the toy is fun for your dog then you can use it to reward your dog for good behavior or take it from them when they are bad.



Different Dogs enjoy different textures and tastes, you will need to find what your dog likes to chew and try your best to find a similar product but without it being as destructive to your house like their old toy, the table leg, was.



Avoiding tugging toys may be a good idea in some cases, more excited breeds of dog and puppies especially will get the message that tugging is fun for you as well as your dog, thus encouraging him to tug at you trouser legs when they’re in need of attention and curtains when they’re bored. Personally I would avoid theses toys.



When looking for a good toy for your dog, here are some good suggestions:



1. Look for a dog toy with something different like sound, taste, or lights.

2. Pick a dog toy that is tough enough to withstand your dogs chewing and biting

3. Choose dog toys that you think your dog will enjoy, using experience of what he normally chews is a good idea.



Remember that choosing a dog toy all depends on the dog in question, each dog will have different tastes and experiences of what they enjoy, something as cheap and simple as a tennis ball could be enough to keep your dog occupied for hours on end.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/best-toys-for-dogs-256035.html

About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

2009-05-02

Having a trouble with barking??

Here are some useful tips for you.


Control Dog Barking
Author: John Williams Dog Training


Is trying to control your dogs barking getting a bit of a pain when all you want to do is get a decent sleep, leave your dog for 5 minutes, or have some respected guests round without having to get the earplugs out?

Training your dog to stop barking doesn’t have to be stressful, no one likes the loud barking sound coming from your dog, especially at 3 in the morning so lets go through some tips to control dog barking.

1. Need Attention huh?

Don’t give your dog the attention he wants from barking at you. if I was getting everything I wanted just for barking id probably do it too. You’ve got to teach your dog that barking won’t get him anywhere. If he wants something wait till he has stopped barking first.

2. Time to bark yet?

If your dog barks when you leave the house, 8 times out of 10 it will be because you’re making to much fuss over them when you leave. Dogs can’t fully grasp the idea of saying goodbye and may find it upsetting when you give them cuddles and play then go out the door and leave for 8 hours while you’re in work. For a dog that’s a good enough reason to bark and howl the house down for you to come back and play. Try leaving the house without any fuss, Leave the house without drawing any attention to yourself and the barking will lessen and stop.

3. Bored with nothing to do!

Dogs enjoy barking, it’s something they like to do. The barking sound might not be completely to your taste but dogs enjoy it and it’s a completely natural thing for them, so if your dog has nothing to do in his spare time then barking passes the time like nothing else. Keep your dog busy with lots of exciting toys if he seems to bark a lot at night, something to chew and play with when you’re not around will help comfort the dog and keep him from barking and waking the neighbours. With nothing else to do your dog will bark through the night until you wake up.

4. Visitor time

When visitors come round it’s an exciting time for your dog, new faces, new smells and more attention than usual. This often causes dogs to bark, they want all the attention they can get in the form of cuddles and play time. You can solve this by using the ‘Stop’ command, teach him this and praise him when he listens to you and you should have no more problems with your over excited dog.

5. Be Consistent

Unfamiliarity can trigger your dogs barking off a lot of the time so keep constant with the times he barks most, for a lot of dog owners this is at night time. Decide where your dog or puppy sleeps. If one night your dog is out in the cold and the next he’s all snug and warm in bed with you or your kids you can guarantee he won’t want to be back out in the cold getting no attention from anyone again. Stick to consistency with your dog and you won’t go far wrong, otherwise you may be in for another sleepless night shouting at your dog.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/control-dog-barking-256039.html