Apr 04 2012

Using Clicker Home Dog Training

An obedient dog is the desire of every pet owner especially when it can respond to simple instructions like when you want it to jump or even sit down. You get this and more with clicker home dog training. You will end up with greater reliability on its behavior and intelligence that makes it easy to handle.

This is unlike what has been happening in the past where it has been how you treat is and the instincts it follows. It is a worthy investment of both time and money considering what you get in the end. It becomes the greatest way to achieve companionship and friendship and a life that is free of chaos.

This will also ensure that it is safe when in its environment and the other people living with it are safe. It refers to children who could be in the same compound and even visitors. You might never have imagined that it needs to be happy but clicker training ensures that it is always happy and jovial.

The choices of who to attack and who not to attack will be clear in all circumstances for the pet once it has been taught. It will be civil in reactions even when faced with such extremes like withdrawal of the feeding bowl or pulling of the tail. A wrestling match will not be a risky affair for anyone.

New environments will be easily adaptable for it in case you will need to move from time to time. You will also be comfortable taking it to such an environment like where your children go to school. Comfort in this strange places will be evident and will even seem to enjoy it.

Some of the attributes might be confined to human beings but they are adaptable for dogs. Imagine finding one that perfectly balances self control and excitement. That would be the greatest company one earth and every one of your friends will want to own it.

Sensitivity can be responded to in different ways and this is determined by the kind of training. It learns not to bother with what does not belong to him or her. Even reading your hints especially when the situation is risky will be a great asset for it and you as well.

New skills will not challenge a clicker home dog training graduate. You will improve its skills from time to time as it enjoys every part of it. Besides you will be the most incredible and enthusiastic companion and company.

Want to find out more about clicker training, then visit Cheryl Austin’s site on dog obedience training for your needs.

Apr 01 2012

The 3 Things You Must Pay Attention to when Buying a Dog Bowl

A dog is a man’s best friend. If you believe this, then you also believe that your dog must have the best at all times.

When it comes to choosing a dog bowl, there are many factors you have to consider to make sure that you are giving him the best feeding bowl.

It is your dog’s age and your feeding habits that determine what bowl is the right one for your pet. If your dog is still a puppy you may want to choose take the puppy’s playfulness into consideration.

In his time as a puppy, your dog is very active and he likes to chew on a lot of things like your furniture, your shoes and – on his bowl. Should this sound familiar to you, you want to make sure his bowl is durable.

Choice No 1 in this case is a bowl made from stainless steel. It will withstand all of your puppies chewing and biting efforts and never break or become destroyed.

Later on when your dog has reached the adult stage also bowls made of plastic or even ceramic are options to consider. For very old dogs you can buy a slightly elevated bowl in order to make eating his food easier for him.

It may also be the feeding habits that determine the choice of your dog’s bowl. An automatic feeder may be a viable option for dogs that need to gain additional weight.

Such a bowl is attached to a container of dog food or water. This means the bowl will always be refilled automatically. This type of device should only be used in exceptional cases because there is always the danger of your dog getting overweight.

The best you can do is to select a bowl that holds enough food needed during one feeding time. So don’t have a bowl that is smaller than this amount of food. The main rule is that a bowl should rather be bigger than smaller and it is your responsibility of how much to fill in.

Learn more about Hund erziehen. Stop by Dirk Gruenberg’s site where you can find out all about Hundeerziehung and what it can do for you.

Mar 27 2012

Why Should You Include Your Dog in Your Will?

Perhaps you’ve never considered including your dog in your will, but there are reasons why you should. Statistically speaking, we usually outlive our dogs, whose lifespans are much too short.

If you are like me, you have probably asked yourself the question “how will I ever live without my dog?” This is an important question, but so is the next one: If something happens to us, what will happen to our pets?

Including your dog in your will ensures that your pet will be in good hands in the event of a tragedy. The first step you must take is to consider all candidates who would be the best caretakers of your dog.

There are a lot of things that you need to take into consideration in this regard: First, you must absolutely trust the person. But that is not all you need to know.

Moreover, ask yourself whether the caretaker has animals that might not get along with your dog? Or whether their living arrangements do not allow for a pet?

Be mindful of your family or friend: Chances are they will try to do everything in their power to honor your last request. But asking them to change their life because of it (i.e. moving to a new apartment) would not be fair.

The best course of action, once you’ve decided on a few people that would be perfect for taking on this responsibility, is to talk with them about your plans.

Be very open and honest about it. Tell them that if it is fine with them, you will include your dog in your will. Tell them that you will name them as your dog’s caretaker. And make sure to allow them to decline your wish.

The worst thing that can happen is that you talk someone into saying yes vaguely, but not really being in it with all their heart. After all, f something does happen to you then, your dog will not be in a good situation. So make sure you avoid any such thing.

Looking to find the best deal on Welpenerziehung, then visit www.hundeerziehungohnestress.de to find the best advice on Hund erziehen for you.

Mar 25 2012

What Tricks Can I Teach My Dogs?

Teaching your dog tricks can be tons of fun and will help you bond with your dog even more. Of course, it will also take a lot of patience and repetition.

If you want to be successful at teaching him, what you absolutely must do is to reward him frequently when he does well.

Furthermore, when practicing, keep in mind not to overdo it. Keep the sessions nice and sweet. Have fun for a few minutes, and then stop teaching your dog while you both still find it enjoyable. This way you make sure that he does not get bored by the practice sessions.

Another great idea is to reward your dog after the practice with a playing session. Alright, enough said, here is a couple of tricks you can teach your dog.

The trick “paw”: This is a fairly popular, yet simple trick. All it requires is for your dog to shake your hand. First, have your dog sit in front of you. Then gently lift his paw off the floor and while doing so give the verbal command “paw”.

As you hold his hand and say the command, give him a treat. Repeat this exercise several times, and then move on to simply saying the command and holding out your hand for your dog to shake. When he does, reward him again.

Catch: This is something that comes naturally to many dogs, so teaching it should be fairly easy.

The objective is easy: Toss a treat high up into the air and have your dog catch it. Of course, he should do so, before the treat hits the ground. Make sure that the treat is a good size, it should be large enough to see, and small enough not to choke on it.

It might take a little while for your dog to be able to perform the trick. So just stay patient as always, and keep practicing. In time, your dog should be able to do just fine. Once he gets it, it will be a lot of fun for both of you.

Learn more about Hund erziehen. Stop by Dirk Gruenberg’s site where you can find out all about Hundeerziehung and what it can do for you.

Mar 21 2012

Diabetes in Dogs: 101

We all love our dogs and, of course, we want them to be healthy. There are a lot of things that we need to keep in mind when it comes to our dog’s health. One of them is diabetes. This can be a condition that dogs can suffer from just like humans.

Similar to humans, dogs that suffer from diabetes need special care and support as diabetes is a disease which can threaten the life of your dog. This is an important condition that warrants a great deal of attention.

In general, it can be said that smaller dogs are less susceptible to diabetes than their bigger counterparts. Likewise, younger ones are less susceptible than older ones. And the most susceptible of them all are female obese dogs.

There are different kinds of diabetes that dogs can suffer from. One kind is the so called diabetes mellitus which happens if there is a deficiency of insulin. With this type of diabetes, the dog’s body is unable to process sugar.

This is the most dangerous and also most common type of diabetes a dog can acquire. Diabetes mellitus can be divided into two categories, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This is very similar to the types of diabetes that humans can acquire.

Young dogs who suffer from diabetes usually suffer from type 1 diabetes. Older dogs, in contrast, mostly suffer from type 2 diabetes. This is the sort of diabetes that requires insulin shots. As your dog gets older and older, he is more and more at risk for this disease.

Some dogs with diabetes will require medication. If your vet prescribes medicine, it is very important to give it to your dog consistently, as prescribed.

Dogs with diabetes are at a higher risk of acquiring other diseases, especially heart diseases. Diabetes can also cause the dog’s blood flow to become abnormal causing circulatory problems.

As you know, your dog depends on you for his medical care. Make sure to take him to a vet in time, if you suspect something is wrong with him.

Want to find out more about Hundeerziehung, then visit Dirk Gruenberg’s site on how to find the best information on Welpenerziehung for your needs.

Mar 20 2012

Dog Health: Eyes – What You Need to Know

Many dog owners take it for granted that their dog’s sight is completely ok. But it may well happen that a dog’s ability to see well deteriorates: Something that can dramatically change his life and also the dog owner’s life.

Dogs are the most wonderful pets you can own – they watch over the family, protect the home, offer companionship and all they want in exchange is your unconditional love.

Day to day, they are happy to see you, excited for their daily walks and counting the minutes until dinner time. The only problem with our loving canines is that they are great at hiding when something is wrong.

When they are ill, they cannot tell you they don’t feel well, and to be strong members of the family they often fight through symptoms without letting you know there is a problem. Sometimes, by the time you notice they are acting differently, too much damage has been done.

There are minor dog eye problems, such as infection, that can be quickly and easily treated, leaving no long term damage. Unlike dog ear infections, where your pet might shake his head, paw at his ear or develop a hot, red ear, dog eye problems aren’t usually so obvious.

One of the rare signs is when the dog’s eyes start weeping. Another one could be when his eyes get crusty in the corners. In all these cases do not hesitate to see your veterinarian.

More serious dog eye problems can result in blindness. Maybe you think your dog was just “clumsy.” Having high energy, she would often bump into things while bouncing around.

Be aware that a dog’s strange behavior like not being willing to walk down the stairs anymore not necessarily shows up from one moment to the other but also can develop over months or even years.

This goes to show how difficult eye problems can be to spot sometime – so do your dog and yourself the favor to relay try to pay attention to any signs.

Looking to find the best deal on Welpenerziehung, then visit www.hundeerziehungohnestress.de to find the best advice on Hund erziehen for you.

Mar 16 2012

Dog to Dog Aggression Training

Dog to dog aggression training is a necessity and aggressive behavior is a serious problem if you are in the unfortunate position of owning and loving a dog that is exhibiting this behavior. It is important to understand you have options but you must not ignore this behavior because it will not go away. In fact, if ignored it will become worse.

Small dogs may not seem as threatening and therefore are often times overlooked when they behave aggressively. However, aggression in any form is not acceptable and needs to be nipped in the bud before something more serious happens.

The first step to treating this aggression is to understand why your dog is behaving this way. Dogs become frustrated very much the way humans become frustrated. If you ever had a long day at work or with the kids and ended up very stressed, it always helps to take a walk or perform some sort of exercise to release that frustration. Dogs are very similar. If you are not giving your animal the proper exercise, then they will become frustrated. Exercise releases that “pent up” energy so the dog is calmer and its mind is clearer and healthier.

Another reason for the aggression is due to the leadership their owner exhibits. An owner needs to be calm and assertive when displaying their leadership to the dog. Setting boundaries, limitations and rules is important so that you can display the qualities of a “pack leader”. Dogs look to their pack leader for everything so you need to be sure your dog sees you as the one who is in control.

Setting boundaries for your dog is crucial in controlling your dog’s behavior. They need limitations. Without them, then they will never see you as their leader and will do things their way, much like a child needs parenting. Behavioral training is an important first step towards curbing dog to dog aggression.

How to use Clicker Training to control animal behavior

Clicker training is an approach which teaches behaviors to animals by focusing on operant conditioning. Operant conditioning teaches the animal to learn after it performs specific behaviors. The animal learns from behavioral consequences. A clicker is not meant as a stand-alone training device. You will also need treats for rewards as the sound of the clicker is not enough for the dog to perform a certain behavior.

A good example of this is the use of neutral words to command a certain behavior. If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs outside of the home using and obedience word such as “look” is an excellent way to divert his attention away from the oncoming dog(s). This type of operant training should take place somewhere away from other dogs such as your home.

Using this neutral verbal expression, you could train your dog to look at you using the clicker and when the dog performs the behavior, reward him/her with a treat or toy (treats are more effective and preferable). This will give the dog focused attention so that when another dog is approaching, using the word “look” will divert his attention. You can practice this behavior standing on one side, then moving to another and have the dog “look” at you every time you use the word “look”.

Your dog is very sensitive to your energy. If you are walking your dog and they feel your tension when another dog approaches, this will be conveyed to the dog. So not only will you need to modify your dog’s behavior with obedience training, but you need to be aware of your own behavior as well.

Dog to dog aggression is never a good thing. It can be frustrating for an owner and scary as well. You can start to modify this aggression by both correcting your own behavior towards your animal as well as starting off with some obedience and dog to dog aggression training. It will not happen overnight. Sometimes it may be necessary to get formal training but starting with the basics is always a good way to go and see if your training is able to curb if not eliminate the aggression entirely.

Is aggressive dog behavior a problem? Make sure to check information on Dog to Dog Aggression Training to control your dog’s unwanted behavior with great Dog Training Tips and methods.

Mar 15 2012

Step-By-Step Guide to Teaching Your Dog the Trick “Take a Bow”

If you and your dog want to have a fun time together, then you should teach him dog tricks.

Teaching your dog some tricks happens to be the best way to be closer to your dog and, at the same time, teaching them tricks also makes them become more obedient.

However, some people have the tendency to improperly teach their dog a certain trick. In order to teach your dog a trick properly, you must be patient, and if you see that your dog is not enjoying himself, then discontinue teaching them the trick. So let me show you how to teach a specific trick: “Take a Bow”.

To start off with, have your dog stand directly in front of you. Then take a treat, hold it in your hand, and move it right under their nose.

Of course, your dog will try and reach for the treat. This is when you should move the treat toward the bottom of your dog’s belly. This will prompt your dog to “bow,” as they bend their head downwards and their bum is in the air.

Keep the treat under their belly so that they stay in that position, and after a couple of seconds say, “Take a bow”.

And last but not least: Give your dog the treat and praise him. But do not do so, before he held the position correctly for about ten seconds. Always keep the treat so that he can smell it, but, again, do not release the treat too soon.

Of course, this exercise will take a lot of repetition. Again patience is key. Do not expect your dog to be able to perform the trick after only a few tries. That would not be fair to your dog, and you would only be disappointed.

Also always make sure to keep the practice sessions short. Only a few minutes at a time will do. If you overdo the training, your dog will not enjoy it as much.

Learn more about Hund erziehen. Stop by Dirk Gruenberg’s site where you can find out all about Hundeerziehung and what it can do for you.

Mar 11 2012

Debunking the Myths of Clicker Training

One of the latest and innovative methods of dog training today is known as clicker training. Clicker training is simply a method of utilizing what is known as operant conditioning as opposed to the more traditional methods of classic conditioning. Clicker training focuses on animal training by teaching the animal to behave a certain way by encouraging target behavior. Target behavior is achieved through several different methods. It can be achieved through verbal and non-verbal methods as well as rewards and clicks.

Unlike classic conditioning, which often relies on verbal cues and hands-on intervention during training sessions, clicker training relies more on capturing target behaviors and reinforcing it with rewards. Rewards are crucial to clicker training since they signal to the animal that their behavior is the behavior the trainer finds acceptable. If they perform an acceptable behavior they are rewarded.

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding clicker training. We will examine 3 of them below.

Myth #1. Training is not effective because it does not use harsh punishment. This is absolutely false. Clicker training differentiates itself from classical conditioning by its use of types of punishment. Many trainers use non aversive methods with neutral wording such as “wrong” or “no” with good success. Clicker training punishes by correcting but never uses physical punishment or scolding when they do not perform a desired action. Neutral verbal signs are given which signals to the animal that the action performed is not desirable.

Myth #2. The dog will form a dependency on the clicker. Again false. Dogs have always responded well to both non verbal and verbal commands. Gestures and words are very effective when telling your pet the actions you want performed.

Myth #3. The clicker is only effective with dogs and not other animals. Once again, not true. This form of training has been used with good success on dolphins and parrots and can be used on any animal that is capable of being trained. Because this method is mostly used on dogs, it is assumed that it will only be effective for canines but you can train a cat just as effectively as a dog simply by following the strategies encompassed within the training.

In summary, the methods of clicker training are both effective and innovative. Using operant conditioning methods as opposed to the classical conditioning methods is an excellent and easy way to effectively train your pet at home in your own time. With a little patience and a lot of love, you can make training your pet fun and rewarding.

To find out more about Clicker Training make sure to visit Ashley Benjamin’s site for some great Dog Training Tips for home training of your pet.

Mar 10 2012

Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea?

If you have had a dog for a while, he will probably have come down with diarrhea at some point already. Most dog lovers are aware of the condition, but few actually know what the most common causes are.

All of all the things that can lead to diarrhea, a change in your dog’s diet is probably the most likely cause. For instance, let’s say your dog is accustomed to eating commercial dog food. And then you switch to giving him human leftovers, well, diarrhea could be a result of that.

If you change the type of water you are giving him it is another possible cause for diarrhea, sometimes when you are traveling this can happen.

This problem can be amplified if you have a puppy. After all, an older dog is much more resilient to changes. A puppy might not yet be.

Ideally, with a puppy you should keep feeding the food that he is used to from his early days with the breeder. So make sure to ask the breeder, so you can continue similarly.

If, however, you did not get your puppy from a breeder, then talking to your vet about your puppy’s ideal diet is your next best bet.

This way you are sure the puppy will be fed the proper food for him to be healthy and strong.

If you ever want to change a diet, you should do so slowly. For example, going from an all meat diet to a common dog food diet should be done in small steps. Similarly, going from table scraps to some other diet should also be done in increments.

You can do this by mixing some commercial food in with the raw meat. And then each day give him more commercial food and less raw meat, this way you are slowly changing his diet and this will prevent diarrhea from happening in dogs. Chances are, your dog won’t make a fuss over it either.

Learn more about Hund erziehen. Stop by Dirk Gruenberg’s site where you can find out all about Hundeerziehung and what it can do for you.