environment

0

Crate Training Your Golden Retriever

Posted on by admin

You’re going to have to get over your old idea that crates are punishment for dogs. The truth is that your Golden Retriever will love his crate. It’s a safe place that satisfies his natural instinct for his den. All dogs are instinctively den-dwelling creatures, and his crate may be an excellent substitute that meets your Golden Retriever’s genetic need for a warm, safe place, particularly when he’s afraid or confused. At the same time, it’s not a good idea to let your Golden stay in his crate for hours on end, as this could cause other behavioral problems that will be difficult to solve.

When you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home for the first time, the open crate should already be there in the spot you want it to be permanently. The crate should probably be located centrally in the house but not in a high-traffic area. Many people leave their crate near an outside door so that their Golden Retriever can go outside to potty when h needs to. Put a toy, a dog treat, or a blanket in the crate to provide a point of interest or comfort.

But don’t take the puppy to the crate or put him in it. Just let him roam the house, sniffing everything and finding his way around. Your Golden Retriever puppy will find the crate, and he’ll probably want to visit it often. When your Golden Retriever puppy finds and enters the crate, give him lots of praise. If the puppy seems to want to stay for a while, you can close the door to see how he’ll react.

Stay nearby at first and, if the puppy whines, reassure him with gentle words. If he gets upset, excited or is barking, don’t let him out of the crate. This will reward the puppy for bad behavior. Rather, leave your puppy in the crate until he calms down. Then opening the door will be a reward for good behavior. Once the puppy is comfortable with the crate, it’ll be safe to leave him in it now and then, for example when you have to leave the house for a little while. After your Golden Retriever puppy gets used to his new home and family, you can leave the crate door open. He’ll probably start to wander in and out of the crate. Remember, praise him while he’s in the crate to reinforce the behavior.

It will take some time to crate train your new Golden Retriever puppy, but not nearly as long as you may think. Crates can be a safe haven for your puppy, so never use it as punishment or a “time out.” Consistently show your Golden Retriever that his crate is his own private home, his place and his alone. Natural instinct and positive reinforcement will accomplish the desired behavior.

Crate Training Your Golden Retriever courtesy of Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a cutting board showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com


0

Dog Maintenance

Posted on by admin

For anyone who’s considering getting a dog, please do your research first. Consider the care and maintenance involved in the breed you are wanting and whether or not you are able, willing to keep up with care for, train, seek medical attention for, grooming of and training of that breed. If you cannot or will not be able to meet the needs of the dog, perhaps another more maintenance free pet would be more suited for you, ie, a goldfish or a pet rock. The goldfish, you only need to throw food at and change the tank once in a while, the pet rock you only need to talk to.

Try this: pinch two pieces of skin close to one another on your neck, now take those pieces of skin and pull them tight together. How does that feel? Now imagine walking around with your skin pulled tight like that. That’s what a matt does and feels like to a dog, sometimes multiplied several times. This doesn’t allow the skin to breathe and can cause rashes and even tear the skin. If you already have a dog that needs grooming, brush it regularly. If it’s a coat that becomes matted, this will keep most of the matts away. If it becomes too matted, don’t try to cut them out yourself unless you know how to do it right.

Take it to a groomer and not after you’ve been attempting to groom it yourself. Ever let your hair go nearly a year before washing or brushing it and then spend six hours trying to detangle the mess without trimming out the tangles. That’s what happens to a long haired dog that’s not maintained and it doesn’t feel any better (probably worse) to the dog who has a groomer tugging and pulling at mats that an owner doesn’t want, to have a haircut. Now try this: Pound nails into your shoe so that they stick up into your foot, then walk around on them. Not comfortable? That’s how it feels to a dog that has toenails curled around and digging into the pads of their feet. Their toes will also become splayed apart and they will get painful joint problems throughout their legs. Ever get fleas in your hair? Now imagine yourself covered from head to toe with fleas biting at you.

Does it sound pleasant? It’s not to a dog either, in fact it causes rashes, sores and infections and disease. Have you ever seen a child who’s who was deemed unmanageable and has been bounced from one foster home to another because? That’s what it’s like for the dog that doesn’t get proper training and the owner gives him up and then he may see another couple of homes in their life or get euthanized in a shelter because he got out of hand. That holds true not only for the large breed, but also the small one. Misbehavior is not cute. People need a limited and balanced diet and exercise, so does an overweight dog.

Feeding an overweight dog table scraps and junk food, is stealing away part of that dogs’ life. It really does shorten their life, as they need care just like you or I do. Have you seen a child who is so scared and shy that they want to always hide or can’t get along with other children? Usually they haven’t been away from mom and dad or don’t have friends to play with and they may have issues later on. Having a dog and never allowing it the opportunity to look at, see or play with another dog or getting it out around other people from the time it is young is depriving it of much needed socialization. That dog will likely have either fearful or aggressive issues.

In my profession as a dog resort owner and dog groomer, these are just examples of situations I’ve encountered, from dogs in dire need of care from owners being too busy, not thinking about it, work and chasing their kids around. While these may be legit excuses, please keep in mind that your dog may be enduring daily suffering because of it. If you love your dog, the best way to show it is by helping him to live a long, happy and healthy life and he in turn will be your best friend for the duration of his life.

Dog Maintenance courtesy of Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a throw blanket showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com


0

3 Things That Embarrass Dog Owners

Posted on by admin

We all want to be proud of our dogs.  That’s one of the reasons we get a dog.  We love them and they become almost like a child in some cases.  You can see bumper stickers that say “My Dog Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student.”  How embarrassing is it then when your dog does something that makes you want to crawl into a hole?  You’ve been telling people how smart, how cute, how wonderful your dog is and as soon as they see your dog he does something you hate.

1. Jumping on people.  One of the embarrassing things some dogs do is jumping on people.  Whether you’re out for a walk or your dog jumps on people when they walk in your door, this is embarrassing behavior.  It’s a clear sign that your overly-enthusiastic dog seems to be out of control.

What can you do to stop the jumping behavior?  One of the best things you can do to head off jumping behavior is teach your dog the Sit command when she is preparing to jump.  It’s best to practice this in a confined area at first.  Practice when it’s just you and your dog.  Make sure she already knows Sit.  When she starts to jump on you tell her to Sit.  Depending on how excited she is it may take a few tries to get this right but it will work.  Make sure you praise her and give her a reward she really enjoys, whether it’s treats, a favorite toy or lots of petting and attention.

Once your dog is reliably sitting when she starts to jump on you, you can practice having a friend or family member ring your doorbell or knock on your door.  Your dog may get very excited again and prepared to jump on them when they enter.  Practice having her sit before opening the door.  Again, this may take some practice but your dog should get the idea that she is supposed to sit instead of jump.  If nothing else, she should be responding to your command to Sit.

Eventually you will move on to the hardest part — teaching your dog to politely sit when she has the urge to jump up on someone she meets in the street or elsewhere.  This is an uncontrolled situation so you should always have your dog leashed when you’re out.  Make sure that your dog gives you a perfect Sit at home when she has the urge to jump before you try this outside your home.

2. Lunging at Dogs.  It’s very embarrassing, not to mention rather dangerous, to have your dog lunging at other dogs when you’re out for a walk.  The best way to prevent this problem is by making sure that you socialize any puppy well from an early age.  However, if you have a dog that is already lunging at other dogs or people, it’s a little late for socialization.  You need to take steps to keep your dog from hurting anyone.  You may want to consider whether you should be walking your dog in public and whether you are able to control him.

You should consider whether your dog could have any kind of veterinary condition causing him to lunge or behave aggressively toward others.  Your vet may be able to find a physical cause for your dog’s behavior.  If not, then you need to consider possible behavioral problems.  If your dog lunges at other dogs (or people) on an ongoing basis then you may wish to ask your vet to recommend a dog behaviorist.  They may be able to work with your dog and find the problem.

There are some things you can do yourself if your dog lunges at other dogs.  Consider a properly fitted muzzle or head collar.  A head collar such as a Halti or Gentle Leader is not a good choice for every dog but it does give added control over dogs that lunge and pull their owners.  You should be careful about possible neck injuries to your dog when he’s wearing a head collar.

Avoid walking where there may be loose or stray dogs.  Your lunging dog doesn’t need an added reason to pull on the leash.

Walk your dog in quiet neighborhoods and more controlled settings.

3. Constant Barking.  One thing that frequently embarrasses people with their neighbors is a dog that barks constantly.  If your dog is a nuisance barker and you’re outside yelling at him to shut up, the neighbors can become annoyed with both of you very quickly, especially when they’re trying to sleep.

Dogs often bark because they are bored, lonely or frustrated. But there are some dogs that seem to bark to hear the sound of their own voice.  The best advice to deal with barking dogs is to make sure that all of their needs are being met on a regular basis.  Take away their reasons to bark.  Make sure that your dog gets lots of exercise — tired dogs take naps.  Make sure that your dog has plenty of fun toys.  And, very importantly, spend time training your dog. Obedience training can help keep a dog mentally fit — the opposite of boredom. Spending time training your dog also means that you’re spending time together.  When your dog is having all of his needs met he will, hopefully, have less to bark about.

If your dog still stands in the backyard and barks at least he will have had a little obedience training.  When you tell him to “Come!” you have a better chance of him actually obeying you and coming inside where he will be quiet.

3 Things That Embarrass Dog Owners courtesy of Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love an ornament showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com


1

What Does It Mean To Be A Responsible Dog Owner?

Posted on by admin

Responsible dog ownership is very important for anyone who plans to own a dog. Most elements of responsible dog ownership are common sense but they always bear repeating.

1.  Before you get a dog ask yourself if you have enough time to properly take care of him or her.  Do you have the time to housebreak and train a puppy?  Can you afford good veterinary care and good dog food?  Can you make the commitment necessary to care for a dog?  Is everyone in your home able to make the same commitment?

2.  When choosing a dog, make sure that you choose the right dog for you.  This means considering your lifestyle and circumstances.  Do you like grooming?  Do you have time to groom?  If you don’t, then don’t get a longhaired dog that requires a lot of weekly or even daily grooming.  Do you live in a small apartment?  Then you shouldn’t get a very active dog that needs lots of room to run.  (But remember that size isn’t always an indication of how active a dog is.  Some very large dogs are quite happy to sleep all day while some small dogs can be extremely active.)  Do you have children?  By all means choose a breed that’s known for being great with kids.  In other words, think before you get a dog.  Don’t choose a dog impulsively.

3.  Once you bring your new puppy or dog home be sure to take him or her to the vet for a check-up.  This is the most responsible thing you can do for several reasons:  a) You need to confirm that the seller has given you a healthy puppy or dog; b) You need to be certain that the dog will not pass on any illness to other pets; c) You should be sure that your new puppy or dog is current on vaccinations for his or her own protection and for yours.  Most cities and states require dogs to be vaccinated, at least for rabies.  Check with your city or with your vet to find out about the vaccination requirements in your area.

4.  Be sure that you provide your dog with fresh water at all times and with healthy dog food.  Educate yourself about the ingredients in dog food.  Learn what makes a good food and what your dog needs in his diet.  Not all dog foods are created equal.  Some dogs are full of cheap fillers and other foods are made of expensive organic ingredients.  Find out what your dog actually needs so you can make an informed choice about his food.

5.  Keep your dog responsibly contained and do not let him wander the neighborhood.  Virtually every city and town in North America has leash laws of some kind that require dogs to be kept leashed or on their owner’s property.  A good fence or a leash when you are walking your dog will keep your dog from roaming.  Dogs that are allowed to roam and wander may become lost or hit by cars.  If picked up they can go to animal shelters where they may be put to sleep.  Keep your dog safely contained for his own protection.

6.  If you do not intend to responsibly breed your dog you should consider having him or her neutered or spayed.  Neutering and spaying prevents unwanted pet pregnancies and saves you from having to find homes for unexpected puppies.  Responsible breeding is not easy.  It entails health testing the parents, researching pedigrees, planning and overseeing matings and researching homes for puppies.  Unless you plan to undertake these activities most pets are better off being spayed and neutered unless you have reason to believe that your dog would have a health problem with such surgery.

7.  Do the right thing for your dog even when it’s difficult.  This means that when your dog has reached the end of his days and there is no more that the vet can do for him, you will have to make the difficult decision to say goodbye.  Stay with your dog and comfort him till the end.

Being a responsible pet owner is a big job.  It means that you have to think of everything for your dog from the time before you get him until the end of your days together.  But, in return, your dog will give you all the love in his heart and soul.  It’s a good trade.

What Does It Mean To Be A Responsible Dog Owner courtesy of Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love a clip board showcasing their favorite breed? Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com


0

How To Begin Puppy Training

Posted on by admin

The best time to begin training your puppy is at the very beginning. It is easier to learn the right way to do things the first time than to have to unlearn bad habits first.

The best time to begin training your puppy is at the very beginning. It is easier to learn the right way to do things the first time than to have to unlearn bad habits first. The first thing you will need to do after buying your puppy is to take it home. The safest way to carry your puppy is by using either a harness that attaches to the seatbelt or to use a dog carrier A puppy who is unused to those devices might feel uncomfortable at first, and cry, or express a desire to sit on your lap. This is a dangerous practice and should not be encouraged. Use the doggy seatbelt or car seat in the beginning and your pup will soon get used to it. When you reach home, the all-important puppy house training should begin.

Fortunately, in most breeds there is an inborn instinct to eliminate away from where they live. Even the youngest of pups will often take some steps away from its mother before doing its business. Dogs are creatures of habit so as soon as you get home, begin taking the puppy to a spot where you want it to eliminate. Give it some time to walk around and explore its new environment. When it does its business, praise it for doing the right thing. Eliminating outside can be frightening at first, because that is when a dog is at his most vulnerable. To a puppy who is used to being inside, the great outdoors can be overwhelming at first, so don’t be surprised if it runs for cover. Gently take your puppy back to the right place, and reassure it that you are there for it. Take it back to the same place frequently, and give it time to sniff around.

When it smells the odor of its last elimination, it will feel inspired to repeat its earlier performance. Again, supply plenty of praise. Do not punish you pup for making mistakes. That will only make it afraid of you. Pushing the dog’s face into its feces is a dangerous practice. It can make it impossible for the animal to breath or cause an infection. When it has an accident, clean up the urine, or pick up the feces and take it outside, showing the dog where to put it. (After your demonstration, of course, you will want to throw the waste away). The use of dog repellants is not recommended because they can cause nausea and vomiting. When walking your dog you will want to use a leash to keep it safe.

This puppy training should begin with a six feet long leash attached to a collar or harness. The use of a choke collar is discouraged, because it causes discomfort. You should be able to get two fingers between your puppy’s neck and the collar. The width of the leash depends upon the size of the dog. A small breed such as a shih-tzu or Chihuahua can probably use the narrowest leash your neighborhood pet supply store has to offer. A German shepherd or a Great Dane would obviously need a much thicker one. First attach the leash to the puppy’s collar (choke collars are not necessary) and have the puppy stand to your left. Say “Sit,” and gently push down the puppy’s rear end until it is sitting. Reward the puppy with praise or a treat when it is sitting. The next command to teach is “down”, and it is taught in the same way. Say the command and pull the puppy’s front paws until it is in a “Sphinx” position.

Reward with a treat or praise. This is puppy training is especially good for large breeds, since it can be used when smaller dogs are around to reassure them that your large dog will not harm them. To teach the pup to walk with a leash, say “Come on.” Then gently pull the dog along, on your left side. Reward the puppy with praise or a treat when he does walks along beside you without pulling. This kind of leash walking can be used where there is a good amount of room around. When you are walking your dog in a crowded place, such as an outdoor fair, you will want your pet to know “heel.” Say the command and gently pull the puppy next to your heel. Reward the dog when it obeys.

The last command on our agenda is “stay,” which is useful when you have guests over who are afraid of dogs, or if you want to open the door to bring in the groceries and don’t want your dog to run off. Give the command and then walk off a few feet. If the dog tries to follow you, put the puppy back to the same place, give the command again, and walk off a few feet. Start by staying away only a few seconds, return, and give the dog a reward. Gradually increase the time as the dog learns. Remember, puppy training should be a good experience for both of you, because you will be this puppy’s caregiver for the rest of its life and it will be your companion and friend. When you are both comfortable with the basics, you might want to teach your new friend some tricks. That puppy training will be the subject of future articles. Have fun. Lea Mullins tells us about how to begin puppy training.

How To Begin Puppy Training courtesy of Dog Articles.

Looking for a great gift idea? Who wouldn’t love an apron showcasing their favorite breed! Check out all of the great doggie gift ideas on Amazon.com –doggieoftheday@amazon.com


0

The Importance of Socializing Your Dog

Posted on by admin

Once your dog has learned how to handle being in a public environment and how to behave, he can then be introduced slowly to other dogs and allowed to make other canine friends by allowing them to smell and greet each other (this is best done with both dogs on leashes so that you can quickly pull them back if one or the other becomes aggressive or displays dominant behavior. You may know the behavior and temperament of your own dog, but you might not necessarily know that of the other dog).

Be sure that your dog and any other that he comes into contact with are current on all vaccines, including Rabies, Bordetella (for kennel cough. note –(Keep in mind that, like the flu virus for humans, the vaccine is designed to prevent against the most common strain, of which there many.) and all DHLPP shots. This will minimize his and other dogs health risks if one or both becomes sick. Remember that, just like people, a dog’s personality comes in all varieties, some dogs may never be able to get along together because and they just aren’t compatible with others. If the first few tries are unsuccessful, take heart, it doesn’t mean the end of the road. Keep trying until a match is found that gets along well together.

Not giving a dog the opportunity to play and interact with other dogs is like having a child and not allowing them to play with other children. This can create behavior problems later in life as they have never been given the opportunity to develop social skills. There are some dogs that just can’t figure out how to socialize and play with others and in this case, they may do best by themselves. You can assist this type of dog and encourage him to play and interact by getting involved in the play yourself. Silly though it may sound, I’ve gotten it to work. One way to assist the shy or fearful dog is through daycare, again, this is not foolproof and some dogs just cannot seem to develop social skills, but at least you would have attempted and hopefully brought him out of his shell. Ideally to be able to take your dog to dog parks and watch them play, socialize and make new friends of their own kind would be great.

They can wear each other out so that you won’t have a hyper or destructive dog on your hands when you get home or if you ever have to leave them home alone. There are young dogs of certain breeds that can mingle comfortably with plenty of others with no problem, but not all dogs are capable of such sociability. When dogs hit maturity, some are no longer comfortable mingling with unfamiliar dogs. Dogs use body language for communicating. Being taken from their mothers early, dogs are left to learn these skills from us humans, unfortunately we don’t communicate in the same ways, which leaves them to figure it out on their own, making it more difficult for them to learn. This is why we need to use caution in allowing our dogs to greet a new potential playmate or friend. The younger the dog the more friendly and pliable he is.

Close supervision will always be needed when he is learning to form new relationships with other dogs. A good parent would initially keep close watch on their young children as they meet new friends for the first time and observe the situation, monitoring closely for problems so that they could intervene when they sense a problem. Imagine being a mom or dad who is looking out for your kids while gradually loosening the leash of freedom. If your dog is being picked on or seems uncomfortable, you may need to come to his rescue. If he’s behaving badly toward others, you may need to remove him from the situation or use a brief “time out” if corrective action doesn’t work. When a puppy is scared to be around others, it shouldn’t be forced, however repeated attempts may bring success as we’ve learned from experience.

A dog that gets too excited and overwhelms others may need to be pulled aside for a brief period, in order to calm down. When playing, some dogs may appear to be fighting and it can often be difficult to interpret. Conflicting misunderstanding may lead to fights if close watch is not kept to keep both dogs in check. Some breeds tend to use growling in their play and others will full on wrestle while some just like to play chasing games and barking can also be a part of play. Crashing and running into each other is a means of play for some while other dogs don’t quite know what to make of it and may feel uncomfortable or threatened by this. Some will use greetings that others may find overwhelming or uncomfortable or even intimidating and threatening, like rushing to greet others and jumping, climbing and licking others, barking at them, or they may exhibit complete fear.

Mounting and other displays of dominance like holding his head above another dog’s head or biting the back of the other dog’s neck are undesirable behaviors and acts of power play and should be corrected immediately. On the flip side, some may show submissiveness in greeting such as lying down or rolling onto their back to show the other dog that they aren’t a threat. So many different temperaments in each individual dog, is why allowing our dogs to simply charge out and greet others may in fact be dangerous to one or both dogs, and why a slow cautious approach is best.

The Importance of Socializing Your Dog courtesy of Dog Articles

Looking for a great gift idea?  Who wouldn’t love a blanket showcasing their favorite breed!  For all the nicest blankets and great doggie gift ideas…check them out here on Amazon.com – doggieoftheday@amazon.com