training

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What Does It Mean To Be A Responsible Dog Owner?

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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.

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How To Begin Puppy Training

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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.

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Socializing A New Dog In Your Home

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You’ve been waiting for months. You’ve done all your homework. You’ve chosen the perfect new puppy for your home. You have a collar, a leash, a bag of food that the puppy has been eating. You’ve even taken a day off from work so you can go get the puppy and bring him home. He has a bed and toys waiting for him at home. You’ve thought of everything, right? Right up until the moment one of your kids asks, “Won’t Rover just love the new puppy?” Oh, no. What about the dog you already have? What about that sweet, beloved old guy at home who has been the center of the family’s attention for years? How is he going to feel about sharing his home with a new puppy? Did you forget to ask him about bringing a new puppy home? How is he going to react? It looks like you’re well on your way to having to learn how to socialize your new puppy and your old dog. But, don’t worry too much. It’s not that hard and you can all get through the process with a little effort.

The most important thing is to ensure the safety of all concerned – you, your family the puppy and the older dog. Make certain that the puppy will be safe and that the older dog cannot harm him. It’s a good idea to place the new puppy (or new dog) in a pet carrier or crate that will keep him from coming into physical contact with the older dog at first. This way they can still see, smell and hear each other without anyone getting hurt. They can get used to each other in a safe situation. If you’re dealing with a larger puppy or an adult dog you may need to leash both animals. It helps to have an assistant on hand (a family member is fine).

Remember that rewards go a long way toward helping to ease these situations. You will basically want to reward your older dog when he shows acceptance of the new puppy (or dog). After the two dogs have calmed down a little give each of them a little reward, such as a bite of kibble or some other favorite treat. Give the puppy and the older dog lots of praise and affection for not barking or showing aggression toward each other. (It will be tempting to show more affection and praise to the puppy but you should be careful not to overlook the older dog. You don’t want to do things that will make the older dog jealous.) Keep in mind that you are trying to show your older and the puppy that you accept the other dog’s presence as part of the family and that you expect them to accept the other dog, too. You will probably need to repeat this process several times until both dogs become accustomed to each other and any hostility has subsided. It’s typical for the older dog to display more aggression than the puppy. The puppy may be very submissive. This is normal. Some puppies may be frisky and something of a nuisance to older dogs. Older dogs will put up with this behavior to varying degrees. Some older dogs are more tolerant than others but most will respond and set limits at some point.

The next step in this process is to allow the animals a closer inspection of each other. For this step you need an assistant to help control one of the animals. Your assistant should leash the older dog and hold him firmly on a very short leash. Make sure your assistant has control of the dog. You will then open the pet carrier or crate and bring out the new puppy or dog. Or, both animals may be on leashes. At this point you will bring the two dogs close together. The dogs will most likely move toward each other to sniff and meet. They will explore the other animal so you should be sure your assistant is holding the dog tightly. You should be careful not to let the new pet panic or escape your hold. You can gradually bring the two dogs closer together and allow them to calmly meet. One or both dogs may growl in warning. Watch the dogs carefully and be prepared to separate them if necessary. You can try again later if need be. Dogs in a home typically establish a pecking order – they will establish who is boss. Your older dog has seniority and will probably quickly let the puppy or other dog know that he is in charge in the home. The other dog will probably accept a subordinate role for the time being. Dogs are good at working at most squabbles on their own without human interference.

The last thing to keep in mind is that not everyone gets along. Not with people and not with dogs. There will be days when your dogs may not get along. They may have disagreements about a toy or about a place to sleep or about food. These are usually quickly resolved and your dogs will be friends again. In other cases there are some dogs that don’t like each other and may never like each other. However, with patience and some good management on your part, you can avoid fights and keep your house peaceful most of the time. You may have to call a time-out sometimes, or send the dogs to a separate room to cool off, but things will calm down.

If you’re thinking of getting a new puppy or adult dog you can help prepare your older dog for the coming change and make things easier for him. Start socializing your older dog more. Take him to a dog park or a pet superstore that allows dogs to visit. Let him begin to meet some new dogs so it’s easier on him when he meets a new dog in his home. You may even be able to arrange for him to meet your new puppy on neutral ground, such as at a dog park, where your older dog feels less territorial. You may even wish to consider having a dog party at your home where several people bring their dogs to your house. (Though this may be stressful for some dogs, other dogs may enjoy having dog guests in their home. It helps to know your dog well and how he may react.) All of these things will help your dog adjust when he meets your new puppy.

Do take your older dog’s feeling into consideration when you think about bringing a new puppy or adult dog into your home. Many dogs welcome a puppy or new dog into the household, but for dogs who have been “only dogs” their entire lives it can be somewhat threatening to have a new dog in the household. They feel threatened both by having their living space invaded and by feeling jealous of your time and attention and love. Everything they know is being challenged and turned upside down. Give them time to adjust to a new puppy or dog and help them adapt by introducing the new animal slowly. Make sure you continue to show your older dog plenty of love and affection and it will help him accept the newcomer.

Socializing A New Dog In Your Home courtesy of Dog Articles

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Correctly Train Your Puppy Inside or Outside of a Dog Crate

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The old school idea was that you have to place your pet on a lead and even pressure the dog to behave by means of pushing and pulling your pet all over the place. In case the leash did not work then a choke collar or possibly a spiked collar was used. Dog crates were utilized for a location of punishment and also associated with unfavorable actions.

Quite a few old school pet trainers employed negative reinforcement in addition to intense punishment whenever training not necessarily very many decades ago. This technique has failed and merely made the pet terrified as well as disobedient to the owner. To get benefits which will work with the puppy, you need to be involved daily.

A pair of 5 to 10 minute teaching periods using gentle but firm voice commands will certainly accomplish a higher amount of obedience minus the fearfulness. As the owner of your puppy, you need to act like the pack leader. Among the finest and most well known voices of this method is Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer. You should be relaxed, consistent and fair. Do not burst out and yell at your pet or uglier still begin to hit the pup. Yelling only leads to fear and your puppy will cower in the corner and build resentment towards you. Hear yourself when you begin to yell at anyone about something. It seems a good deal like the neighbor’s barking puppy.

That’s the reason you might want to maintain your voice a normal tone and show your pet with hand signals along with body gestures simply what it is you desire him to do. One tip I came to find ended up being to snap my fingers to get his or her attention. After you have his or her focus then you can offer a command. Without their total attention, you may as well forget it. You want your dog to admire you not fear you. Reward good behavior. You will not always have to utilize a goody, but it is a terrific way to obtain his primary attention. Later, you are able to cycle out the treats and reward with praise.

Young puppies will do a lot of cute things which become frustrating down the road, so be cautious about what you reinforce. Don’t reward poor conduct. You should have a specified place for him or her to escape into when your puppy desires rest, and believe you me, pups do love to snooze. That’s where a dog crate comes into play. The dog crate is a location where your dog will be able to go and be safe and sound. It is not an area where he potties. Before offering him or her the command to crate, make certain that your dog has had ample time outside to relieve himself within the specified area. They will naturally go to the very same place unless of course it becomes too soiled with fecal material. Keeping this particular spot fresh can be a huge and smelly job that falls on you the master, yet it is worth it.

Correctly Train Your Puppy Inside or Outside of a Dog Crate courtesy of Dog Articles

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