Archive for July, 2009

Tips on Training Aggressive Dogs

Dogs are naturally aggressive. This attribute of dogs developed over many centuries ensuring their survival in the wild. Some instinctive traits such as aggression have been minimised through selective breeding techniques. Below are some reasons why your dog could be displaying aggressive behaviour.

Why is my dog aggressive?

Many factors can cause aggression in dogs but the most common is minimal socialisation with other people and the issue of dominance.

Stranger aggression:

Dogs are naturally cautious and suspicious. Inexperience with strangers and unfamiliar situations will almost certainly make your dog feel nervous. Make time to expose your dog to new people and situations and reinforce these experiences in a positive way. Check out our Dog Training Zone Review for help to stop dog aggression.

What can I do about dog aggression?

From a young age your dog needs to be socialised in order to feel comfortable in unusual situations. You will want to make sure your dog experiences new places, new people and new animals. Experience will teach your dog how much fun other places, people and animals can be. Make socialising your dog a fun time and you will soon see how easy it is to do. Puppy pre school is a good place to meet new people and a range of other dogs. When you and your puppy feel comfortable around new dogs and people you will be able to expand your area of socialisation. Socialisation is an ongoing process for the rest of your dogs life.

Aggression around family members:

When dogs feel they need to look after something that is theirs, they can react aggressively towards their family members. This is known as resource guarding. Resource guarding usually appears as snarling, growling or over possessiveness. This sort of aggression is a result of a dominance problem. Remember, dogs are pack animals. Dogs are used to organisation and are ranked according to a hierarchy of position and power in relation to everyone in their family or pack. If there is no dog pack to be ranked against, your dog will rank itself against its human pack and this will determine how to behave in any situation. If your dog perceives himself to be at the top, it is his job to behave aggressively. If on the other hand, your dog percieved itself to be a lower ranking member of the family, it wouldn’t dream of growling at you when you are near its food or toys. You need to make it clear to your dog that you are the boss and he is a lower ranking family member.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Re-establish your authority with your dog by regular and consistent obedience training work. Regular behavior modification sessions are key to positive and effective progress. Make each training session enjoyable: play a game by giving your dog lots of praise, pats and treats when it has worked well with you.

For more detailed information about dog training and other behavioral problems, check out Secrets to Dog Training. Check out a full look at Daniels Stevens Secrets to Dog Training at DogHelpdesk.com

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Different Options for Training your Beagle .

Beagles are chosen over other dogs because they are very friendly.Training these wise beagles will be initially difficult but once this is transcended, everything else will go on smoothly.There are two choices available for beagle training.In this case, the owner can decide which option to take by considering what he knows about his pet.

 

If you are a Jack Russell enthusiast, my Jack Rusell Training Article is right here Tips for Jack Russell training.

 

The owner can choose to train the beagle on his own.There are various training tools present in the market that can provide assistance in this respect.In the same regard, the time for training is also the owner’s decision.Home training is a good alternative as it can facilitate a smooth flow for the owner and the dog.One great advantage is that the owner can have all the time in the world to study the methods then adjust the training schedule.

 

The disadvantage is that this kind of beagle training will entail huge amounts of time and energy.The time that will be spent will go to the owner’s own training as well as the dog’s.Another thing is that task repetitions will also be a daily requirement.

 

Furthermore, the owner is responsible for giving the beagle praise when called for.The owner’s perseverance is required when the beagle can either follow easily or stubbornly. .It can be foreseen that the beagle will have its stubborn moments.With this, you should be able to communicate to the dog that his obedience is a must through the use of firmness.In the meantime, your sensitivity toward the beagle’s need for a break is considered necessary.

 

If you prefer to see my Collie training article, click here Tips for training a Collie.

 

However, you do not have to teach your beagle on your own.Training facilities are able to provide excellent workouts for your dog.If you prefer to have quicker results, then you can count of the professionals to do the task for you.If you have any questions, they are ready to answer them for you.

 

One of the things that needs to be considered however is the price that will go with this kind of training.The cost of the training will be reflective of the kind of skills and abilities you want the beagle to have.

 

Another problem could arise from the trainer’s busy schedule and you will have no choice but to adjust to it.Last thing to consider is the exercise environment at home when the trainer is not anymore around.

 

At the end of the day, the responsibility of making the decision properly is in your hands.The aspects of beagle training should be a part of the decision-making.When it comes to training choices and services available, not one will be the same with another.Put in mind that the training implemented on a beagle by his owner might not be suited for you.

 

If you want to read more of my articles,you can view them here Information on beagle training.

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Pomeranian Puppy Care – The Need For Tenderness

As you probably know already, a Pomeranian is a cute little dog with more fur than body. Their temperament is usually friendly but highly active. It is important to start Pomeranian puppy training as soon as you bring these little guys home. The breed is typically smart and will learn fast. Their miniature size also lends itself well to learning tricks.

If you bring home your Pomeranian at approximately 8 weeks old they are going to be very tiny and frail. This doesn’t mean they are sickly, they are just very small. Good Pomeranian dog training means you will handle the puppy carefully and only allow children to handle the puppy under close supervision.

The first step in good Pomeranian puppy care would be a visit to the vet to make sure your puppy is healthy. This will give you a chance to discuss with your vet what special needs you need to be aware of such as heartworm treatment, flea treatment, and treatment for worms. You can also get a schedule of needed immunizations.

Because of their small stature, Pomeranian dog training will probably require special food which consists of tiny bites. Your vet can also help you with the selection since most vets carry high quality dog food. Due to their hyperactive nature, you will probably want to feed them three times daily. It is important that they always have water available to them. Many people make the mistake of feeding their puppy from the table but this is not healthy for the puppy. This habit is best if you never start it since it is difficult to break.

Pomeranian Puppy Care And Grooming

Pomeranians are a breed which has a long and luxurious coat. In order to maintain their coat you should brush them daily. This will help you keep out mats and will also help to provide them with a healthy coat. The time to begin brushing them is as soon as you bring them home. This is something they will have to learn to tolerate but there are things you can do to make this enjoyable for them. Use a wire brush that is not too stiff and talk to them and tell them how good they are while you are brushing them. Be careful not to pull their hair since this could cause them pain and fear. Daily brushing should help keep their coat free from mats so there is no reason for brushing to become painful for them.

Another Pomeranian puppy care tip is to start out brushing their teeth when they are puppies. Don’t expect them to like this because they probably won’t ever like it. Starting out with daily brushing should at least get them to accept this as part of their daily life. Once your Pomeranian puppy sees that you are not going to hurt them they will be more tolerant of the things they consider to be unpleasant. Taking good care of your Pomeranian puppy will mean you have a happy and energetic friend for many years.

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Things That You Should Know About Shar Pei Puppy Care

The Shar Pei is a breed of dog which has the distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue, and they come in many different colors, however their most common color is tan. The Shar Pei puppies are covered in superabundant loose skin and wrinkles which cover the head, neck and body.

However, the adult Shar Pei end up growing into their skin, and so the wrinkles then only remain around the head and neck, for the most part.

About Shar Pei Puppy Care

There are many different issues that you have to take into consideration when it comes to Shar Pei puppy care, and one of the most important is the fact that you cannot do improper breeding with this dog, because it is actually detrimental to the health of the dog itself.

Another thing that you are going to want to consider when it comes to Shar Pei puppy training is the fact that you want to make sure that you do not use a sharp voice when you are trying to train the Shar Pei puppies, because the Shar Pei is a breed which does much better with kind words and responds well to positive reinforcement rather than firmness.

Another important issue to Shar Pei puppy training is exercise, and you really need to make sure that you exercise your Shar Pei daily, and most owners of this type of dog like to take their Shar Pei in to dog obedience training classes while they are still quite young, so that they can learn obedience and manners.

Yet another matter regarding Shar Pei puppy care is the fact that they are extremely sensitive to heat, and so, especially in the warmer months, you really need to make sure that they stay cool and hydrated, so that they do not get sick.

You always want to bathe and brush these types of dogs properly, because their coat can get quite frazzled looking if you do not maintain it properly. Even brushing them once a week is a good enough routine, just make sure that you are using a bristle brush and the proper soap for their fur and skin.

As for bathing, again once a week is more than enough, however if they are out playing and get dirty then of course you are going to want to clean them off that day.

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Lab Puppy Training Will Produce A Loving Friend

Lab puppy care will make a significant difference in the life of a dog.  People usually get their dogs when they are little puppies so the training and care of this puppy can be important to the long life of the dog.  Lab puppy care should start from the choice of the breed.  Lab puppy care is quite easy compared to the care of these dogs grown to full size.  A Lab puppy is usually an adorable bundle of soft hair that eats a little bit from a bowl carefully placed on the kitchen floor.  A full grown Lab can be a huge, monstrous dog that is filled with unbelievable energy.  Anyone looking for a new pet should check out the full grown animals.

Lab puppy care should start with choosing an expert breeder.  These people know how to produce great dogs, and they start training the dogs properly at a very young age.  This training could make a difference in the behavior of the dog from the very beginning until the dog ages gracefully.  Lab puppy care will be much easier if the breeder has done the proper dog training from the birth of the dog.  When the dog has grown completely, this proper training should make a huge difference when trying to control a huge, full-grown Lab.

Lab Puppy Care Includes Serious Training Methods And Proper Nutrition

Nothing is more important in Lab puppy care than proper healthcare.  Each puppy should have some shots before they are turned over to the new owner.  These shots should be followed up on a regular basis with periodic visits to a qualified veterinarian.  The proper shots from a doctor will help to avoid serious problems with each puppy.  Lab puppy care should include special attention to the eyes of the puppy.Labs are often susceptible to eye problems so this is very important. 

Lab puppy care includes a place for exercise because Labs are very frisky and energetic.  These puppies should be able to get enough exercise.A Lab puppy who gets some attention with a game of fetch will not get into other mischief.  Lab puppy care requires some basic puppy training including staying happily on a leash and sitting when commanded.  All the members of the family should take part in the training of the puppy or the puppy will respond to some members and not others.

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Important Facts to Consider with Siberian Husky Puppy Care

The Siberian husky was originally bred centuries ago by the Chukchi tribes that lived in the northern area of Asia. The first purpose of the dog was for pulling sleds, and in the early 1900’s these dogs were brought to Alaska to compete in dog-sledding competitions. Many were quick to note the abilities of these rugged dogs, and when they were introduced into the rest of the United States a number of years later, their popularity rose significantly and quickly. Now this breed makes a popular family pet for many, although it is important to understand this dog and the basics of Siberian husky puppy training before bringing one of these animals into your home.

The Temperament of the Siberian Husky

The Siberian husky is a friendly dog, although not overly loyal to his particular master. While he is an intelligent dog, he can also be somewhat willful and stubborn, making dog training as a part of your Siberian husky puppy care a bit challenging at times. However, despite his independent streak, he can also be affectionate and eager to please, which means that with some patience and consistency, this dog can make a great family pet. The breed is generally very good with children, probably since the original breed that lived with the Chukchi tribes was often allowed to sleep inside the home with the children to keep them warm in the frigid winter temperatures of the area.

Preparing for your Siberian Husky

The first step in preparing for your Siberian husky puppy care is to provide a fenced yard for your dog to run in. This breed has a definite tendency to run – and will run away if let loose without the confines of a fence. It is extremely important to remember that if your dog is not within the confines of his yard, he needs to be on a leash at all times. This is for his protection as well as for your peace of mind. This dog is also an energetic and social creature that will need plenty of playtimes with his owner to keep him from getting bored. A bored dog can become a destructive one, so another important part of your Siberian husky puppy care will be to spend time each day playing with your pup.

Grooming

These dogs do tend to shed their lush and beautiful coats, so another part of your Siberian husky puppy care will be frequent brushings. Generally this can be done once or twice a week, especially during the heavy shedding seasons that occur a couple of times each year. Aside from the brushings, your Siberian husky will probably be fairly conscientious about keeping his coat clean on his own, since this breed is almost cat-like in the way they groom themselves. It is rare to have to worry about odors or parasites as part of your Siberian husky puppy care.
A Siberian husky can make a wonderful family pet and a good companion. With the basics of Siberian husky puppy care under your belt, you will be ready to bring your dog home to meet his new family.

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Poodle Puppy Training: Three Sizes of Dogs for all Types of Families

Poodles come in three different categories: the toy, which stands ten inches or less at the shoulder; the miniature, which stands anywhere from ten to fifteen inches; and the standard, which measures in at over fifteen inches at the shoulder. All three of these poodle types tend to be happy, loving dogs that make great family pets and loyal companions to the lucky owners that have them. If you are considering a poodle as your next pet, there are some basics of poodle puppy care that you as a dog trainer should know.

The Best Environment for your Poodle

Because of their social nature, and their long and thick coat of hair, poodles are really not meant to be outdoors most of the time. These dogs want to be with their owners as much as possible, and the toy variety in particular will work well in an apartment setting. In this situation, regular walks on a leash as a part of your poodle puppy care will offer sufficient exercise for your dog. The larger species of this breed will do better with an average sized fenced yard for exercise and play time. One of the first steps of good poodle puppy care will be to spend plenty of time with your new pet playing, dog training and building a relationship together.

Grooming your Poodle

One look at a poodle’s thick, full coat will tell you that regular grooming will be an essential part of daily poodle puppy care. Some owners will attempt this feat on their own, and a few might actually be quite adept at the process. Others will take the more convenient although costly way out, and take their dogs to groomers for regular poodle puppy care. If you go with a groomer, your dog will receive necessary baths as well as brushings. Many poodle owners will decide to clip their dog to keep the coat more manageable.

Temperament of the Poodle

Although the look of this dog can be deceiving, a poodle is generally a playful, social dog that loves to spend time with his family and is great with kids. Even the toy variety, although small, is very playful and not as fragile as it looks. These dogs also make good watchdogs, since they tend to bark when someone comes to the door or at the sight of strangers. Poodles are extremely intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train most of the time. Poodle puppy care will mostly revolve around offering your dog plenty of love and attention as you incorporate him into your family.

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What Are Those Dog Allergy Symptoms Trying To Tell You?

Us humans are not the only ones who suffer from allergies, dog allergies are very common and can be very debilitating for your dog. Dogs may be allergic to food, fleas, airborne pollutants as well as their own fur. Finding out what is causing the allergy is better than simply doling out medication, which may have side effects. This may not be easy however, especially if your dog has multiple allergies.

The following are some dog allergy symptoms to watch for. Coughing, wheezing, a thin patchy coat, runny nose or eyes, lethargy and sneezing. So what causes allergies in dogs and how can we find and eliminate them?

A primary cause of canine allergies is fleas. Fortunately this is easy to control. There are several good products on the market to eliminate fleas on dogs. Make sure you buy one and use it according to the manufacturers recommendation.

Food allergies are another very common occurrence. Dogs may become allergic to chemicals in dog food or to the actual ingredients themselves. Some ingredients in dog food cause allergies more frequently than others. Among these are eggs, fish, beef, chicken, corn and wheat. Of all these corn is probably the worst and unfortunately is very common in cheaper brands of dog food. Ask your vet what he recommends, or there are also hypoallergenic do foods available.

Environmental allergies – your dog may even be allergic to his own coat, especially if he has thick or long hairs. Dogs can ingest a lot of hair when they clean themselves and this makes the allergy worse. Giving your dog a good wash every couple of weeks will remove excess hair and dander. Grooming him with a stiff brush once a day helps too.

Your dog may even be allergic to the chemicals used to clean your home. Use natural cleaning products or those without bleach or other harsh chemicals. Mold can affect your home without you knowing it. Testing for and removing mold will improve the health of your entire family including your dog.

A natural way of providing fast relief from dog allergy symptoms such as itchy or flaky skin is to bathe your dog in water that has oatmeal dissolved in it. Dog shampoos that contain tea-tree, aloe vera or eucalyptus will soothe the skin and will temporarily relieve irritation.

Give your dog some omega 3 and/or primrose oils. These are known to improve most skin conditions in both humans and dogs.

Anti histamines are a rapid answer to most allergies if nothing else works. They may make you dog lethargic during the day, but are a safer option than steroids.

If your dog has allergy symptoms, it means that something in his environment is upsetting him. Discovering the cause can be a challenge, but caring for a hypoallergenic dog is easy once the problem has been identified. Always ask your vet for advice if you do not know where to start.

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Obedience Training For Dogs: Get Rid Of Your Dog-Fuelled Stress

Is your dog driving you crazy with his bad behavior? Don’t procrastinate. It’s time to begin some consistent dog training. This means you need to proceed with consistency and persistency with your training. However, make sure your training is always fun or your dog may get bored!

A Dog’s Basic Need

Your dog has to rely on you to provide for him. If you don’t fulfill your dog’s basic needs, don’t be surprised if your dog’s behavior continues to stress you out. What are the basic needs? Here are the main ones:

  • food and water
  • regular exercise
  • social interaction with dogs and people
  • a stimulating environment.

The main point in training your dog is to use positive and negative reinforcement. When your dog does a behavior that is wanted, you should reward him with a treat or affection. The treat or affection must come as soon after the behavior as humanly possible in order for it to be effective.

It’s best to focus on positive reinforcement for wanted behaviors rather than negative reinforcement for bad behaviors. This has been found to be a more effective way of training.

Physical punishment is not productive or humane way to train dogs and will only lead to your dog being neurotic and fearful. That’s not going to be a good relationship between man and dog. You can say a firm “No” in a growling tone of voice to stop him engaging in an unwanted behavior. Ignoring your dog and turning away from him is the most productive thing for you to do when he does something you don’t like. Dogs love attention and being ignored is negative reinforcement enough.

An important aspect of training is to understand that a dog is a dog, not a human being. Don’t humanize him. It will help you to do this if you study dog communication and the dynamics of a dog pack. You need to learn what their body language means. They have various ways of communicating: with their tail, head position, ear position, mouth and teeth and vocally with various kinds of barks, growls and whines.

Another important aspect of training is to position yourself as the pack leader. If your dog is the alpha dog, you will be fighting a losing battle to get him to behave as you want. Why would he take notice of one of his pack member? Some pointers to set yourself up as alpha dog:
-eat a a little snack in front of your dog as he waits for his food. The pack leader always eats first.
-don’t let him to onto the sofa or bed. The pack leader sleeps on higher ground.
-don’t allow him to go through the door before you.

This is an introduction to some important points in dog obedience training. I recommend you look into the most systematic of training methods: clicker training for dogs.

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Where To Buy Parvaid

The question of where to buy Parvaid doesn’t seem that difficult - just go to the local store and pick up a bottle.

Sorry, but you know that life is usually a lot more compex than that!

Parvaid is an herbal product that is both chemical and synthetic-free. It is both effective and safe. Sadly, it is not a chemical-based drug, which means that most vets who are trained in Western Medicine entirely dismiss organic products as just some alternative solution that cannot possibly work as it has not been “FDA”-approved.

Herbal products that are botanicals or food supplements, which is true of Parvaid and all of the other products required to treat Parvo, do not need to be evaluated by the FDA and therefore do not have to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Whenever you run into non-traditional and non-mainstream products, you will find a wall of resistance. Most vets appear to know next to nothing of organic treatments, and most of the time they will be rather dismissive of any product that does not come from a drug manufacturer as they receive many financial incentives for pushing the big pharmaceutical companies’ drug; whereas the small independent herbalist can’t come close to matching the payoff levels that a Pfizer can use to incentivize a struggling vet.

So, trying to get inexpensive herbal products into established distribution chains is not easy. The financial rewards are simply not there, there will be far less residual income, i.e. because herbal products frequently provide long-term relief vs. drugs that cause an array of side-effects creating a scenario of still further drugs to counter-act the side-effects, and all this ever does is to put a band-aid on the problems, you could end up taking pills and such indefinitely - which brings in a steady flow of cash each month.

Given a choice between getting paid once or getting paid over and over, which do you think the big drug companies will select?

Sadly, in this country we once had a proud tradition of using natural and organic products to solve all types of ailments, but 200 years ago or so, drugs began to appear, large marketing campaigns were set up claiming how wonderful drugs are and that they are the only road to good health, and so the propaganda machine went on full force.

The organic market could not then and by-and-large still cannot compete with fat cats and their deep pockets. If you play ads hundreds of times a day that fill people with hype, work on their emotions, and basically wear them down, they will think there are no other viable solutions and therefore the drugs must be the answer.

The “pop a couple of pills and everything will be OK” mentality is all that most people know, because it’s what they grew up with. But in this day and age bugs (i.e. parasites, viruses, germs, bacteria) are getting stronger and stronger and resistant to conventional treatments. You may find it easier to get your hands on chemical-based products but you probably won’t get the type of relief that you need.

Products such as Parvaid work with the body, and not against, it, to help it heal from within. It would be nice to be able to go to your local market and find these organic type products, but as there are no big companies willing to promote these “non-standard” treatments, you will not readily find these types of products in supermarkets, or even in any of the larger pet stores such as Pet Co or Pet Smart. You may, however, have some success if you look in small independent feed stores or pet stores.

But before you do this, there are a few things you need to know first.

Most of the smaller retailers selling Parvaid just carry this product like any other product, and they know nothing about how it works or how to use it successfully. For them this is just another product on the shelf.

Now, in order to maximize your dog’s chance for a successful recovery, you will need to know how to use this product and you will also have to administer several home remedies for Parvo in conjunction. Unfortunately, most retailers neither have the required knowledge nor expertise.

Also the manufacturer requires a minimum of four (4) different products to treat sick Parvo dogs or exposed Parvo puppies as well as exposed adult dogs. Many retailers do not carry all of the required products.

So, here’s your dliemma: do you spend valuable time trying to hunt down a retail store within driving distance (which may be several hours away if you’re unlucky), in the hope that they stock all of the products you need, and then return home and try to cope by yourself as best you can, or you do buy the products online?

The advantage of buying from a retail store is that you will probably save some time and some money (i.e. you won’t incur any shipping costs, although you will pay for gas), but the disadvantage is that you will get absolutely zero support. If something goes wrong, you will not be able to get any help from them as they won’t know how to answer your questions - they just don’t have that body of knowledge.

If you buy Parvaid online, then you must look at who is selling the products, how much experience do they have in case you need help, which is most of the time, and how reliable is their website.

The Internet is well known for being a place where websites will take your money and run, without ever delivering what you ordered.

One good clue is to see how much information about Parvo and Parvo treatment is available on their website. If there is very little info then they probably don’t know much about it and are just selling another product.

Also, check to see what types of shipping methods are available. If they only offer USPS Priority Mail for example, that means they have no clue about how deadly this virus is and time is against you, so UPS or FedEx Overnight services are the ONLY acceptable shipping methods for sick animals.

We’ve dealt with 870 cases of Parvo (and counting), we will only use FedEx Priority Overnight (deliveries Monday through Saturday) if your dog is sick, we make available a 100+ page book that we wrote all about Parvo, called Parvo Treatment 101, which you can download to your computer instantly and completely free of charge, we have developed (and frequently update) the most comprehensive Parvo Home Remedy Plan that will help sustain your sick dog until your products can be delivered, and throughout the treatment schedule, that you will find anywhere on the Internet, and we are the only company who offer all customers completely free and unlimited 24 x 7 phone support and personal coaching.

If your property is infected with Parvo, assuming you have dogs, or with Feline Distemper, if you have cats (because, unfortunately, dogs can pass Parvo on to cats, where it manifests itself in the form of Feline Distemper, also known as Feline Panleukopenia), then it is more than likely that you will need some support (maybe at 3:00am on a Sunday morning, when you won’t be able to contact most vets or retail stores, of course) to help you through this horrific ordeal.

You’ll find a load more information to help you get your sick pets back on their feet again on our ParvoBuster website, and don’t forget to check out the Parvaid testimonials kindly provided by some of our many satisfied customers.

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