I talk a great deal about the human/dog bond. It is one of the reasons that I think walking your dog regularly is important.

People who have been around dogs for any length of time may begin to notice that the dog can sense your feelings. They can sense when we are sick. Most of the time when I am sick, Copper acts remarkably different. He stays physically closer to me than usual. I have noticed this with many dogs that I have had the pleasure of living with over the years.

Dogs can also sense our frustration. This is one reason that I encourage people to keep training sessions short and to end on a high note. If you get frustrated with the dog, he will sense that and become more stressed likely heightening your frustration. This soon becomes a vicious downward spiral.

I think my dogs can also sense when I am irritable or feel down. They certainly act differently. Copper really gives me a wide berth, so to speak, when he senses that I am angry, irritable, or just feel a little down.

I bring this up because, in training, it is important that you be in the correct mindset. If you have other concerns that are causing you stress or making you angry, try to do the training work with your dog when you are a little more relaxed and less stressed. It will make things more pleasant for you and your canine buddy!

You know, dogs are really pretty incredible animals. I have noticed over the years that my dogs have been very sensitive to weather changes. If a bad thunderstorm is coming, I can usually tell hours before it arrives just by carefully watching the behavior of my dogs. If you know what to look for it is easy. I have said before that dogs are very much routine oriented animals. If I see my dogs voluntarily breaking their routine, something is always causing it. Sometimes it is a change in the weather.

Well I hope you are all having a great week!

I am finally starting to feel a little better and am getting some work done.

Remember if you would like to talk about your dogs behavioral issues, I am always available. Feel free to contact me.

Till next time 

-William-

William Moore

William Moore Canine Training

fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com

678-702-4791

Read More..

Dog training - house training your dog

House training is one of the most important parts of training any dog to be a valued part of the family. As with many other aspects of dog training, the best way to house train a dog is to use the dogs own nature to your benefit.

The great thing about dogs, and the thing that can make house training much easier, is that dogs are instinctively very clean animals. Dogs would rather not soil the areas where they sleep and eat. In addition, dogs are very good at developing habits regarding where they like to urinate and defecate. For example, dogs that are used to eliminating on concrete or gravel will prefer to eliminate there rather than on grass or dirt.

It is possible to use these natural canine habits when house training your dog.

Setting up the training area.
The first step in house training your dog is to set up your training area. A small, confined space such as a bathroom, or part of a kitchen or garage, works best as a training area. This method of training differs from crate training. Crate training is great for puppies and small dogs, but many larger dogs find a crate too confining.

It is important for the owner to spend as much time in the training area with his or her dog as possible. It is important for the owner to play with the dog in the training area, and to let the dog eat and sleep in that area. The dog should be provided with a special bed in the training area, anything from a store bought bed to a large towel or a large box.

At first, the dog may eliminate in this area, but once the dog has recognized it as his or her own space, he or she will be reluctant to soil it. After the dog has gotten used to sleeping in the bed, the owner can move it around the house, relocating it from room to room. When you are not with your dog, the dog should be confined to the training area.

Setting up the toilet area.
The second part of house training is to set up the toilet area for the dog. It is important for the dog to have access to this place every time he or she needs to eliminate. It is also important for the owner to accompany the dog each time until he or she gets into the habit of eliminating in the toilet area. This will ensure that the dog uses only the established toilet area.

A set feeding schedule makes the house training process a lot easier for both the owner and the dog. Feeding the dog on a regular basis will also create a regular schedule for the dogs toilet habits. Once you know when your dog is likely to need to eliminate, it will be simple to guide the dog to the established toilet area. Once the dog has established a toilet area and is using it on a regular basis, it is very important to not confine the dog without access to the toilet area for long periods of time. That is because if the dog is unable to hold it, he or she may be forced to eliminate in the training area. This habit can make house training much more difficult.

Continuing the house training process
After the dog is consistently eliminating in the toilet area and not soiling the training area, it is time to extend that training area to the rest of the home. This process should be done slowly, starting with one room and slowly expanding to the rest of the house. The area should only be extended once you are sure of the dogs ability to control its bladder and bowels. When you first expand the training area to a single room, let the dog eat, play and sleep in that room, but only when supervised.

When it is not possible to supervise the dog, place it back in the original training area. Then, after the dog has accepted the room as an extension of the original training area, the area can be extended.

Speeding up the process
If this process is too lengthy for your needs, it can be speeded up, but it is important to proceed cautiously. It is easier to take your time up front than to retrain a problem dog later. One way to successfully speed up house training is to praise and reward the dog each and every time it uses the established toilet area. It is also important not to punish the dog for mistakes. Punishment will only confuse the dog and slow down the house training process.

Read More..

There are many devices used in the world of dog training, and some are obviously more effective than others. One of the dog training devices that does work well, however, is known collectively as the head collar. The head collar is a device that is designed to wrap around the nose of the dog and then attach behind the head. It uses the pressure points on the dogs nose and head to apply pressure which stops the dog from pulling, jumping and straining against the leash.

Many people who see head collars mistake them for muzzles. This can make many people nervous when the dog is out and about, and it bothers some dog owners as well. Beyond that, however, the head collar can be a valuable training tool for many dogs, particularly large breeds that may have learned their own strength and are difficult to control with a normal buckle collar.

There are two main brands of head collar on the market, the Halti and the Gentle Leader. Most people find the Gentle Leader easier to use than the Halti. In addition, the Gentle Leader is designed to fasten around the dogs neck. With this design, if the dog manages to remove the muzzle portion, it is still wearing a collar. While it is difficult for most dogs to get out of the muzzle portion of a head collar, some dogs do figure out how to perform this trick.

The Halti version, on the other hand, generally provides better control of the dog, and it is often favored with those working with large, aggressive dogs for that reason. Training the dog with a head collar is often easier for beginning dog trainers and inexperienced dog owners than is training with a regular buckle color. Head collars are quite good at stopping even the strongest dogs from pulling and straining, since these devices use leverage to give the handler more control.

Head collars are often favored by many people for handling dogs in difficult situations, such as being around other dogs or taking a trip to the vet. A head collar can be quite effective at controlling the dog in frightening and difficult situations, even when it is not used for regular training.

It is better, actually, to use head collars as occasional training tools or reminders, not as a replacement for a regular buckle collar or training collar. That is because many dogs quickly learn to tell the difference between the head collar and the normal collar, and adjust their behavior accordingly. Therefore, the dog that behaves perfectly while wearing the head collar may suddenly jump and strain out of control when returned to the regular collar.

That fact, of course, underscores the limitation of any training device, even one as effective as a head collar. The goal of any quality dog training program should be to create a willing, obedient dog that can be controlled by nothing more than the handlers voice. Even if you plan to never allow your dog to go outside without a collar and lead, a well trained dog should be capable of walking with you without a leash, even if there are a great many distractions around.

The head collar can help guide you to this goal, but it is still up to you to gain the respect and trust of the dog that will allow it to become a truly well trained member of the family. If you are unsure how to use a head collar, or if you are unsure if a head collar is right for you, you might want to consult with a dog trainer, your veterinarian or the staff at your local pet store.
These experts have probably seen many head collars used, and they may be able to provide valuable insight on the type of training device that will work the best for you.

Training your dog with a training collar.
There are many excellent training devices that can be used when training your dog. The most basic piece of equipment that every dog owner should own is a quality training collar. There are many different types of training collars, and these devices go by a variety of different names, including choke collar, choke chain, correction collar, slip collar and of course training collar.

Training collars are favorite tools among both amateur and professional dog trainers. When used properly, a training collar is a valuable, effective tool. However, like any tool it must be used properly in order to be effective. Despite its simple appearance and design, a training collar is a piece of precision equipment, and it must be treated with respect. An improperly used training collar will do no good, and it can harm your training program by causing the dog to become confused and frightened.

There are several important things to consider when choosing and fitting a training collar. The first consideration when choosing a training collar is how the collar fits the dog. It is vital that the training collar be fitted properly to the dog. Only a properly fitted training collar will be effective for the dog. The training collar must also be put on the dog the right way. Unlike a normal buckle collar, there is a definite right way and wrong way to put on a training collar, and putting it on the wrong way can make the collar ineffective or even dangerous.

In addition to being fitted and sized properly, the training collar must be used properly as well. The training collar is designed to provide a reminder, not a punishment. It is very important to never use steady pressure with a training collar. A training collar works by providing a sharp pressure, followed by an immediate release of pressure.

The weight of the chain and the size of the links on the training collar are very important when choosing a training collar. The weight of the chain should be appropriate for the size and weight of the dog. For instance, you would not use a heavy chain on a 10 pound dog, just as you would not use a very light chain on a 100 pound dog.

When using a training collar, it is very important to place the collar on the dog properly. The collar must be placed on the dog properly in order to be effective. It is relatively easy to determine the length of training collar your dog needs. The appropriate size of the collar is the distance around the animals neck, plus 2-3 inches. Since training collars are usually made in even sizes, it may be necessary to round up to find the right size. When measuring, be sure to not make the tape measure too tight.

The training collar will need to fit snugly, but not too tight. It is important that the pressure on the training collar be instantly relieved when the leash is slackened. If the training collar is too tight, the pressure will not be relieved when you loosen the leash. If the collar is too loose, on the other hand, it could accidentally slip off the dog when he lowers his head.

When putting the training collar on the dog, it is important that the end of the chain that attaches to the leash is on the top of the dogs neck. This is important in order for the collar to function as intended. It is important that the training collar loosen properly when the leash is slackened, and that it tighten instantly to provide the sharp correction when needed. If the connecting piece of the training collar is placed anywhere except on the top of the dogs head, the training collar will not loosen properly when the leash is slackened.

This constant pressure on the training collar will be counterproductive, since the dog will not understand what is being asked of it or why the pressure is not being relieved when it does as it is asked.

The following post will deal with "House training your dog the proper way."

Read More..

Polite Dogs and Happy People...

This is the real reason I am a Dog Trainer. It is my goal to help you teach your dogs to be more polite little guys and girls. Polite dogs lead naturally to happier people. It is stressful to live with a dog who misbehaves constantly and is out of control. It can be embarrassing to have a dog who pulls on the leash and does not behave well on walks. It is downright frustrating to be unable to get your dogs attention when you call his name.

These may sound, to some of you, as superficial problems. They really are not. If your dog is not polite and obedient, it is very frustrating and stressful. In a lot of cases, these frustrated owners eventually give up on the dog and the dogs in some cases wind up in shelters. I dont have to remind any of you that dogs who end up in shelters are often killed.

If you have one of these dogs please do not give up hope! It would be dishonest of me to tell you that it is always easy to train a dog to be a polite little guy. There are some frustrating cases. But, with determination on your part, the proper guidance, and consistent work incredible transformations can occur!

When I am out in the community, I, many times, see people with dogs that are not polite. It is not that the dogs are bad it is just that the people have not been consistent in their training or they are using inappropriate or ineffective methods of training.

I tell people all the time that dogs are not complex. They are not trying to spite you or to be difficult. They just, in many cases, are confused and do not understand what is expected of them. 

Since dogs are not really complex thinkers, they do not really understand even slightly abstract concepts. The dog is pretty much always focused on the present. This is why it does no good to scold a dog for something that they did while you were away. They will be confused and not connect the scolding to the past event. This can be very detrimental because they will likely connect the scolding to something that is occurring in the present and get the wrong message entirely.

In my experience, dogs do much better with positive reinforcement. In very basic terms, you reward the behavior you want to keep and you give the dog no reward or affection for the behaviors that you want to stop. It is a little more complex than those couple of sentences but, that is the basic idea. My advice is to provide a positive alternate behavior for the negative behavior that you are trying to stop.

I am more than happy to guide any of you through this process of training to get a more polite and better behaved dog. 

I have some new brochures that I give to prospective clients that I meet. Many of the local veterinarian offices, groomers and pet stores also have some of my new brochures  The reason I mention them is that the concept of "Polite Dogs and Happy People" is very prominent in this new material. It is my focus and my aim is to help you to achieve the goal of a more polite dog.

I do not take a "cookie cutter" approach to training. Your dog is unique. You are unique. Your family is unique. Your pack is unique.

Each dog has unique needs. Each of my clients have unique goals. Each dog has different and unique behavior issues.

Therefore...... I work with you, my client, to form an action plan to address your specific and unique training needs and goals. 

I also work with your schedule. I can be very flexible on scheduling. We do not have to meet at the same time every session. If your work schedule changes, my schedule can change as well.

These are the things that set me apart from my competition in the Dog Training Business. The big box pet stores (Petco, Petsmart, etc.) offer group classes. These are not bad dog trainers and I am not bashing their methods. But, they all work from a curriculum.  I worked from the same type of curriculum when I was employed as a Dog Trainer at Petco in Peachtree City, GA.  It is not a bad curriculum.... but, even though I had some flexibility,  there were certain things that I was forced to teach in every class that were not really applicable or helpful to every student. And there were some things that I could not teach because of the structure of the classes and the store environment. As an independent, in-home trainer, I no longer have those limitations.

I work with you in your home. This is where the dog lives and this is where I can best observe and get a much better handle on your dogs unique situation.

So, please contact me at any time. I would love to help you achieve your goal of a polite dog......and ultimately make you and your family happier people!

Till Next Time

-William-

William Moore Canine Training
678-702-4791
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com

Read More..

House training is one of the most important elements of creating a well trained dog and trusted family member. Problems with house training and similar issues are the number one reason that dogs are surrendered to shelters, so properly house training your dog can literally save his or her life.

House training a puppy does not need to be difficult, but it is important to take the process seriously, plan ahead and take things slowly. Some dogs will be easier to house break than others, so it important to work with your dog. Rushing the process can be counterproductive and cause you to have to start all over again.

When it comes to house training a new puppy, it is important to know what to expect. Unless the owner is able to supervise the puppy round the clock, it is difficult to complete the house training process until the dog is at least six months old. It is important to know this ahead of time so you can be prepared. Young puppies have bodies that are constantly changing and growing, and puppies younger than six months often have not developed the bowel and bladder control they will need to be properly house trained.

When the owner is not at home, the puppy should be confined to a small room and the entire floor should be covered with paper. Of course it is important to puppy-proof the room, that is removing any items on which the puppy could be injured. In the beginning, the puppy will most likely eliminate anywhere within the room. In addition, the puppy will probably play with the papers, chew them, etc. This is perfectly normal and should not be grounds for punishment or distress.

Cleaning up each day should simply be part of the routine of living with a new puppy. Simply clean up the soiled papers and put down new ones each day.

Time for paper training
During the time that the puppy is confined in its little den, it will begin to develop the habit of eliminating on paper. After a little time has passed, the puppy will begin to exhibit a preferred place to eliminate. After this preferred spot has been established, the area that is papered should be slowly diminished. The first papers to be removed should be those that are furthest away from the "toilet". Eventually, the owner will have to lay down only a few papers. If the puppy ever misses those papers, it means that the papered area has been reduced too much and too soon.

After the puppy is reliability doing its business only on the papers that have been left, the papers can be slowly and gradually moved to a location of your choice. The papers should be moved only gradually, as little as an inch a day. If the puppy misses the papers, again it means that they have been moved too soon and too far. In this case it will be necessary to go back a few steps and start over. It is important not to become discouraged. The puppy will eventually understand the concept, and you will be able to choose your puppies toilet area and move on to the next step.

House training when the owner is home
Obviously the more time you can spend with your puppy the faster the house training will go. The objective should be to take the puppy to the toilet area every time he needs to do his business. In most cases this will be either every 45 minutes, right after each play session, after he first wakes up or right after he eats or drinks. It is important to provide effusive praise for the puppy when he eliminates in the established toilet area.

As the puppy becomes more used to using his toilet area, and as he develops improved bladder and bowel control, he will be able to begin spending more and more time outside his den with his owner in the rest of the home. It is important to begin this process by allowing the puppy access to one room at a time. It is also important to allow the puppy in the extra room only when he can be supervised. When you must leave the room, be sure to put the puppy back in his den.

The following topic will be Crate training.

Read More..

What Is A Dog Whisperer? That is the real question
A dog whisperer is somebody who has developed a high level of awareness & understanding of the mind & natural instincts of the dog species. This enables human & dog to form a deep connection free of the lots of constraints humans normally put in the way.


Because us humans & our canines are a different species they regularly encounter difficulties in communicating effectively with each other. They cannot sit down with them & have a conversation over a pleasant cup of coffee, like they would with our human friends. But what can they do? Ill get in to that soon after, but you could say that being a dog whisperer means that you have broken down these barriers of communication & have developed a very actual kind of way communication with canines. A dog whisperer realigns his/her methods of communication so that it matches up with & is relevant to canines.

Regrettably all of human-dog relationships in this world are way, lopsided affairs. It is usually us humans endlessly issuing commands or reprimanding our canines, seemingly oblivious to what our canines are actually feeling & trying to communicate to us. Look at it this way - think of a very dominant, overbearing person you have come across in your own life (in my case it was a boss I had a few years back). This person probably doesnt care much for the way you are feeling & what your thoughts are. They need to get their message across to you & tell you off when you dont reach their standards. When you do try to do or say something they fail to acknowledge your attempts or basically ignore you. How do you feel? frustrated.., helpless.. & probably much worse. I think lots of of our canines live in this type of restrictive surroundings every day. Our canines are constantly reaching out & trying to communicate with their human relatives, but somehow it seems to go unnoticed or at least misinterpreted.

The thing is our canines are continually speaking to us in their language. They communicate with us (& each other) through various means using energy, body language, scent, facial expression, the movement of ears & tail, overall posture & voice (barking, growling). As you can see, most of these signals or expressions are non verbal where is humans communicate in a chiefly verbal manner. What a dog whisperer does is acknowledge the difference between human & dog. A dog whisperer takes a step back, shuts up, observes & understands these gestures our canines continue to express to us. When you do this you cannot help but form a deep connection along with your dog as you will understand his desires & needs & therefore can reply in a manner which is appropriate to the situation, & is expected by your dog. You are communicating, your dog to you, & you to your dog - in lieu of merely issuing & enforcing an order & having your dog "do something for you".

When we are in this position of understanding our dogs its only logical that we are better placed to address their problems and shape their behavior. A dog whisperer treats a dog as a dog, not as a fluffy four legged human. They respect a dog for what it is and work with mother nature and the natural instincts of the canine species. Sadly most dogs arent afforded this same respect and level of understanding. Many well intentioned "dog lovers" smother their dogs with affection and the best of everything (toys, treats, fancy beds etc.) but this is not what dogs actually crave. A dog whisperer will provide the species specific, very real needs of the dog so they can live a fulfilling, peaceful, happy and well balanced life.

Picture this all too common scenario. You arrive home from a hard day at the office to find that your beloved dog has once again chewed up the cushions that were nicely decorating the sofa. Youre angry. In a raised voice you swear at him/her and tell him how disappointed you are. You then throw your shoe at him as you bend down to pick up the mess. As you are blowing off steam your dog is avoiding you, head down low, eyes looking up almost sheepishly, with tail firmly tucked between his hind legs.
At this point many dog owners look at their dog and say "look at the little bugger, he knows what hes done wrong, just look at how guilty he looks". This is the wrong conclusion to make. Your dog doesnt think like that (like a human) and he doesnt have a clue what you are rambling on about. He makes no connection between the chewed up cushions and your mood.

Dogs live in the present moment, so what he is picking up on and reacting to is your angry energy, raised voice and threatening body language. He may have also learned what the consequences are when you arrive home in this type of mood - he was probably waiting for the shoe to come his way! This scenario is an example of how us humans and our dogs view the very same situation from an entirely different perspective. Dog whispering is about understanding and recognizing that these differences exist, then acting accordingly.

Read More..

It is always a pleasure to have a well-behaved and well-trained dog. However, this might seem to be impossible unless you hire a pet trainer to help in teaching your dog how to become obedient. This sounds like a good solution but with the high costs associated with hiring a trainer, you might be better off training your dog on your own. Easy Dog Obedience Training is a dog training guide that has been designed to help you give the right kind of training to your dog the easy way.

Click Here!to easy access to dog obedience training now

This dog training guide is a simple and highly effective way of training your dog, so it can finally conquer any behavior problem it might have. Easy Dog Obedience Training will help you learn how you can quickly and easily train your dog to behave well at all times. It will also show you quick ways on how to finally solve behavior problems that your dog might have.

If you are looking for a complete dog training guide, this dog training manual is definitely for you. This guide will show you how you can effectively teach your dog to become well behaved and obedient so it will no longer have to pee in all the wrong places. It will also show you ways on how to keep your dog from barking too much.

Simply put, this guide will allow you to finally correct any behavior problem that your dog might have. And the best part is, you will learn how you can do so without sending your dog straight to boredom land. Yes, even dogs get bored and this guide will ensure that their trainings will be fun and effective at the same time.

It is about time you free yourself of the worries of having an untrained dog. Grab your copy of Easy Dog Obedience Training today and discover fun and effective ways of keeping your dog well-behaved.

Click Here!to easy access to dog obedibce training now

Read More..

By Bill Knell

Because my wife is a toy dog breeder, it isn’t unusual for her to get several calls a week from people who practically beg her to sell them a puppy. They cite their financial and social ability to care for the puppy and often try and avoid the question of children in the household. As a rule, my wife finds this humorous. People shouldn’t have to beg, fill out a twenty-page adoption application or hide the fact that they have children to purchase a puppy. It’s pet protection gone wild.

There isn’t an honest or ethical Dog Breeder in the world who would send a beloved pup to someone they had questions about. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult and not entirely lawful to make that kind of determination. In most States it’s technically illegal to provide some sort of ‘test’ for a consumer to be able to purchase a product. That comes later and isn‘t the responsibility of the Breeder. A good example of a similar situation would be buying a car.

If a person has the cash or credit to purchase a vehicle and possesses a current drivers license, they get a car or the dealership gets sued in most places. The dealership can’t run a check to see how many DWI summonses the person has had or how many times they have been convicted of speeding or some other moving violation. If they drive their new vehicle in an irresponsible manner, it’s up to the Police and Courts to decide if they should continue to do so.

There’s a lot of difference between a living thing and a vehicle, but not in the eyes of most state laws. If a Breeder feels that a puppy may be in danger, they can always take the chance of reporting the new owner to animal protection authorities. Those authorities will come to the owner’s home and check on the welfare of the puppy. If the puppy is not being properly cared for, it will likely be removed from the premises. However, most people that spend a substantial amount of money for a puppy are unlikely to mistreat or fail to care for it.

The quest for the perfect puppy owner is an obsession with many Toy Dog Breeders. I have always viewed these people as being selfish. They would keep every puppy if they could and probably have more dogs then they should already. This type of person will tend to restrict purebred registrations fearing that someone else might benefit from their years of careful breeding by having a litter of their own. Their concern for animal welfare extends well beyond the norm, has more to do with their personal obsessions then anything else and doesn’t take into consideration the joy a puppy can bring into a new owner’s life. Breeders like these have no real loyalty to their customers and view them as a necessary evil to move out extra pups they cannot keep.

If someone who is looking for a toy dog breed puppy can get past the egos and obsessions of these kinds of Breeders, the next hurdle they are likely to face is passing the ‘children’ test. Many toy dog breeders refuse to sell their pups to people with children under the age of sixteen. Some will actually refuse to sell a puppy to anyone with children under twenty-one living in their household. That’s ironic when children are likely to benefit the most from caring for a puppy.

Children are not the enemy when it comes to the health of toy dog breeds. The enemy is owner apathy. To my knowledge, more puppies have been injured in households where there are no children then in those where kids are a part of the puppy care process. That’s because adults are busy and will often forget to feed and water their animals, leave them unattended for too long in places or temperatures dangerous for them or place them with pet sitters who can’t even care for a goldfish, let alone a dog.

While it would be unwise to leave very young children alone with a puppy of any size, most children can easily be taught how to care for one. As a parent with seven children, I can attest to this. In the many years that my wife has been breeding toy dogs, not one of our puppies has ever been injured (and certainly none by our kids). Just the opposite. Our children have helped care for the puppies and alerted my wife if one seemed sluggish or might need a change of diet.

The most common argument made against allowing children access to toy dog breeds or most any puppy is that a child shouldn’t be allowed to learn responsibility at the cost of the health or life of an animal. While no one would argue with that logic, one wonders if that should apply to all animals, or just dogs. After all, pet stores sell tens of thousands of fish, small reptiles, rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and snakes to children every day. Are the lives of those pets any less precious or valuable then that of dogs?

In reality, puppies and adult dogs are much easier to care for then fish, reptiles, rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and snakes. It would seem an obvious mistake to ask a child to take on the responsibility of caring for a high maintenance pet when a puppy or adult dog is available. It’s also wrong to believe that toy dog breeds can be far more fragile then larger ones. For example, more German Shepards become ill or die each year from low blood sugar issues then any single toy breed, despite the fact that people often associate that problem with smaller breed dogs.

When it comes to children and puppies, it’s all about rules no matter what size breed is chosen. Children learn by example. If adults in the home are responsible with pets, the kids will follow that example. Simple things like cleaning up after, feeding, watering and securing the location of a puppy are essentials that any child can easily be taught. Every one of my children learned how to take care of dogs by watching us. It didn’t take long for them to understand the importance of feeding, watering and cleaning up after a pet on schedule. After watching us take care of our dogs, they wanted to take part in the process and were happy to lend a hand. Our younger children learned from our older kids.

When considering the addition of a puppy to a household of any size, there are some basic considerations. The first and foremost being the ability of household members to train, care for and spend quality time with a pet. Puppies are not play things for people of any age. They are living creatures capable of a surprising number of feelings and emotions. The next important consideration is how all the members of your household will react to a new pet. Will the puppy be a welcomed addition, or a point of contention and jealousy? A puppy should bring joy into the lives of people, not more problems.

If the members of your household all agree that a puppy would be a good addition to the family and they are ready, willing and able to meet the emotional and physical requirements of a puppy, then start your search. However, it’s important for children and adults alike to understand that puppies and adult dogs need care, love and attention everyday of the year. Their needs do not take a break for vacations, holidays, school or work schedules.

Puppies of any size or breed can bring a huge amount of joy into a household. It’s wrong to believe that children are a threat to a toy dog’s safety or quality of life. More puppies of all sizes are killed or injured each year by falling or accidentally being flung out of cars and trucks then have ever been injured by children. That’s because adults fail to properly secure their pets in a vehicle. We’ve all seen the idiots who think it’s cute to allow their pets to hang out the window or be bounced around like loose groceries in the back of a van, SUV or pick-up.

If you ask them, most veterinarians will tell you that the vast majority of injuries to dogs of any size are caused by adults, not children. If injuries do occur because a child failed to secure their animal properly or got involved with some sort of rough play during which a pet was injured, they are far out-numbered by injuries involving dogs being watched or cared for by adults. After examining statistics compiled by various veterinarian organizations, rescue groups, breeders and government entities, I’ve found that more puppies and dogs die each year during routine teeth cleaning procedures in veterinary offices then are injured by children.

In the end, it’s not about the children, it’s about the adults in a household. If you do not have time to spend with your children, do not even consider bringing a puppy in as a replacement for your attention. You will not have the time needed to supervise your child as they learn to care for and train their new pet. If you do have enough time to teach your kids how to care for a puppy and supervise them throughout the process, it can be a wonderful experience for everyone involved (including the puppy).

Author: Bill Knell Authors Email: billknell@cox.net Authors Website: http://www.billknell.com. Terms To Use Article: Permission is granted to use this article for free online or in print. Please add a link to or print my website address of http://www.billknell.com.

A native New Yorker now living in Arizona, Bill Knell is a forty-something guy with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Hes written hundreds of articles offer advice on a wide variety of subjects. A popular Speaker, Bill Knell presents seminars on a number of topics that entertain, train and teach. A popular radio and television show Guest, youve heard Bill on thousands of top-rated shows in all formats and seen him on local, national and international television programs.

Read More..

If you were looking for Home Remedy For Dog Vomiting, then you are at the right place now, this is the tips on home remedy for dog vomiting.


Think about this for a second.  Every dog is going to go through a bout of dog vomiting at some point in their life.  It is simply a natural reaction to remove a substance that is irritating the stomach lining or intestines.  As you probably already know, dogs are not terribly discerning in what they eat and that can often get them in trouble.


If you are asking the question”What can I give my dog to stop vomiting?” the answer is nothing.  Literally withhold her food for 24 hours and let her vomit the substance up.  Make sure she has access to plenty of water so she doesn’t dehydrate.

If your dog starts having dry heaves, give her a couple of dollops of plain yogurt and that should settle her stomach.  After 24 hours start your dog on a bland diet.  Actually baby food is a great solution, particularly rice as it is bland but packed with nutrients.  Chicken broth is also a good starter as it will replace salt lost through vomiting.

Vomiting and regurgitation are common in puppies and small breeds for another reason.  If they are on dry dog food, they may simply eat too much.  When the dry food hits the stomach it will absorb fluids and expand, literally filling the dog up.  When dogs eat too much, the fastest way to get rid of the excess is to throw it up.  If this is a common occurrence with your puppy or small breed, simply reduce the portion that you serve for each meal.

So long as your dog remains alert and active during the vomiting bout there is probably nothing wrong and it will run its’ course within 24 hours.

Aren’t you glad?

There are instances however, that can be signs of serious problems.

Parasites such as round worms which are passed from the mother tothe puppy can cause an intestinal irritation.  Mature roundworms can reach seven inches in length and look like spaghetti.  If your dog’s sputum has these creatures in it, it is time to see the vet.

Giardia is another single cell parasite that exists in at least 11% of all dogs.  This bacteria is easily transmitted by contact with other dogs or simply the soil they walk on.  Typically Giardia symptoms include both vomiting and diarrhea and needs to be treated at the veterinarian’s office.

Sudden violent vomiting, or attempt to vomit, can mean an obstruction in the stomach or intestine and requires immediate medical attention.  Dogs will eat anything that smells right to them, coins, ping pong balls, rubber duckies you name it.  When that item blocks the intestine it cuts off the blood supply and the intestine below the blockage will begin to die.  These obstructions are very dangerous and require urgent care.

Vomiting can just be a part of natural life for a dog or a signal of something far more serious.  I think you already know the importance of being able to make informed decisions about your pet’s health.  Your pet is counting on you to know what to do.


So we hope you find this Home Remedy For Dog Vomiting information could be helpful, see you till next time.

Read More..

Pet Reptiles Now More Popular Than Dogs

Reptiles like bearded dragons, snakes, and geckos are now such popular pets that they outnumber dogs, new research has discovered. This compares to an estimated dog population of 6.5 million.

Chairman of the Federation, Chris Newman said: "There are now, without question, more pet reptiles than pet dogs in the UK.

The popularity of Reptiles as mainstream pets has grown amazingly. Reptiles fit into a busy life as they are less time-consuming, and can also be easier to keep, than other traditional pet species.

The five most popular species are {leopard geckos, bearded dragons, corn snakes, royal pythons (ball pythons), and Hermanns tortoises| bearded dragons, corn snakes| leopard geckos| royal pythons (ball pythons), and Hermanns tortoises.

Reptiles like bearded dragons, snakes, and geckos are now such popular pets that they outnumber dogs, new research has discovered.

Who would have thought that could ever be the case in a country, where we have always been known as a nation of dog lovers. Seems like the dog has gone the way of fish and chips, which itself has been replaced by curry as our most popular dish.

A report by the British Federation of Herpetologists (BFH) indicates that there are now as many as 8 million reptiles and amphibians being kept as pets in the UK. This compares to an estimated dog population of 6.5 million.

Chairman of the Federation, Chris Newman said: "There are now, without question, more pet reptiles than pet dogs in the UK. You only have to look at the way the market has grown. I have no doubt that there are now between seven and eight million reptiles living as pets in the UK”.

The popularity of Reptiles as mainstream pets has grown amazingly. There has been an explosion in numbers. They have moved from being niche to being mainstream.

Reptiles fit into a busy life as they are less time-consuming, and can also be easier to keep, than other traditional pet species.

Numbers is so rapid that within years they will surpass the countrys nine million cats to become Britains pet of choice.

Reptiles are fairly inexpensive to set up and look after. Most are kept in heated tanks for at least part of the day. They require less attention than other caged animals, as their waste is dry and solid.

The calculation of reptile numbers has been made from the volume of food suppliers to the market, based on things like insects and mice. Since 2004 when the reptile populations was recorded as 5m, cricket sales has doubled from 10 to 20m a week, Locusts had more than quadrupled to around a million a week.

The five most popular species are {leopard geckos, bearded dragons, corn snakes, royal pythons (ball pythons), and Hermanns tortoises| bearded dragons, corn snakes| leopard geckos| royal pythons (ball pythons), and Hermanns tortoises.

Other popular species are the colored snake, veiled chameleon and crested gecko. This is now the fifth most commonly bred lizard in captivity.
The biggest snakes being kept as pets are thought to be Burmese pythons, which can grow up to 20ft in length, with the biggest lizards being water monitors, which can reach sizes of up to 7ft.

One of the most common reptiles is the bearded dragon, they are very sociable and are happy to sit on your lap watching TV, then run off around the room for a play, many report that they fit in well with their existing more tradition pets also. Although it is an odd sight to see a dog, a cat a tortoise and a lizard all curled up together in front of the fire!

Read More..

I always enjoy watching Snoopy fight the Red Baron. However, real dog fights are not a matter to be taken lightly.

The issue came back into my mind when I read a story on the news about a dog fight that happened in a Petco Store in Austin, TX. The local ABC TV affiliate in Austin has the story on their website at http://www.kvue.com/news/Petco-responds-to--214415401.html .

Appearently, this particular Petco is located in a higher crime area than the one at which I worked in Peachtree City, GA. The Petco in Austin felt it necessary to hire an off-duty law enforcement officer as a security guard. A fight broke out when a dog got away from its handler and attacked another dog. For some reason that is obscure and nebulous the off-duty law enforcement officer decided that the best way to handle the situation was to fire two shots from her handgun into the dog who was the aggressor. This all happened inside the store.

I realize that I may not have all the facts regarding this situation however, it appears to me at least ,from my reading of the story, that there are multiple things wrong here. Readers and friends, I have been around dogs for the vast majority of my life. I have seen many fights break out among dogs over the years. I have never used deadly force to break up a fight. There are too many less dangerous options.

It is particularly remarkable that the shots, in this case, were fired inside a store that was open and presumably had other customers inside. The officer did move folks out of the line of fire before killing the dog however that does not give me much comfort regarding the situation.

I am no physicist nor am I a firearms expert. However, my common sense and rudimentary knowledge of physics and firearms leads me to the conclusion that discharging a firearm under any circumstances in this type of environment was a very dangerous undertaking. Even with people outside the line of fire, the projectile fired from the weapon could have ricocheted off any number of surfaces and hurt someone or some other animal.

I am also perplexed about why the security guard was handling this situation in the first place. This store presumably has a dog trainer. I was the Dog Trainer at the store at which I worked. As part of my training to become a Petco Certified Dog Trainer I was taught the proper procedures to use in the unlikely event that a dog fight broke out in my store or in one of my classes. The store management and other staff knew that I was qualified to respond to urgent situations involving dogs in the store (a dog fight, a dog running loose in the store, etc.) . I was never armed and would not have shot the dog twice in any attempt to break up a fight.

Okay..... Now that you have a wonderful example of the absolute wrong way to handle a dog fight perhaps I should explain the proper way. It is not rocket science. Dogs are not all that complex.

The best way to address this is prevention.  When you are out in public with your little buddies, I strongly suggest that you adhere to a three foot rule regarding other unfamiliar dogs. I always maintain a three foot separation between my dogs and other unfamiliar dogs. Remember, if the other dog is unfamiliar to you, there is a great deal of important information regarding the other animal that you do not have.  If the other dog has not been properly socialized or is not up to date on vaccines an up close encounter with your animal could be dangerous and ill-advised. Some dogs have severe dog aggression issues sometimes these dogs are great with people but dangerous with other dogs. This can happen for a variety of reasons but, for our purposes here just realize that some dogs are great with people but very aggressive and perhaps ever territorial with other dogs.

No matter how careful we are however, sometimes things, beyond our immediate control, occur and we are confronted with a dog fight. Sometimes they are just little disagreements that can be broken up pretty easily and are more noise than actual fight. Other times however, they are very dangerous for the dogs and any people who attempt to break them up. So, you must understand how to do this properly.

First, as I have written before, dogs take their cues from you. Remain as calm as possible! If you yell at the dogs and are overly agitated the dogs sense this and it makes things worse.

Next do whatever you can to divert their attention from a distance. Make a noise. There are little air horn like devices sold for this purpose. In a pet store you could kick a shelving unit or something like that
to get their attention. If the fighting does not immediately stop try throwing a blanket or towel or something over or between the dogs. We would utilize the big dog beds for this purpose at the store.

If this still does not stop the fight, you can use water. We always had a bowl or two of water for the dogs in the training area. These can be dumped on the dogs. We also sold citronella spray. The dogs hate the smell of this stuff and it can be useful in redirecting their attention.

In the extremely unlikely event that the above measures fail, you will have to take more up close physical action. Please read this carefully. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU GRAB THE COLLAR OR THE FRONT OF THE DOGS THAT ARE FIGHTING. You dont want to be this close to the mouths and more importantly the teeth. If possible have a helper handle one dog while you handle the other. Grad the HIND legs. In order to prevent further injury to the dog grab the leg as close as possible to the dogs body. This will prevent it from twisting. Lift up kinda like you would lift a wheel barrow. Then spin the dogs away from each other. Get them as far away from each other as possible. And get them medical attention if needed.

Remember also, any breed can be aggressive and dangerous under certain circumstances. So, please be careful with your little buddy when meeting new dogs. I used to always cringe when I saw strangers in the store letting their dogs sniff each other on leash in the store. This is not a good idea. A great deal of problems can be averted by simply following the three foot rule.

Also learning about dog body language is helpful. I will be happy to teach you what I have learned over the years about reading a dogs body language. Many times situations can be averted if you just know the warning signs and entirely avoid dogs that are showing aggressive or stressful body language. I give these stressed or aggressive guys much more than three feet. It is beyond the scope of this blog to teach the body language. But if you are interested, please contact me and I will happy to teach you what I have learned.

Be safe out there with your little buddies!

Till Next Time

-William-

William Moore
William Moore Canine Training
678-702-4791
fayettedogtrainer@gmail.com

Read More..

As our dogs get older, many times they need a little extra help in jumping on and getting down from things. Also, some of our smaller canine friends also need a little help.

Some of us like to have a dog in the bed with us at night. I know some dog trainers get all bent around the axle on this matter, but, if the dog is well behaved and waits to be invited on the bed, I really do not have an issue with letting the little guys and girls sleep on the bed or get on the furniture.

Most of the pet stores (Petco, Petsmart, etc) carry a few types of dog steps and ramps but the quality. quantity and variety is very limited. And considering the quality of these products, they are generally very over-priced.

The Lovely Shane and I decided to begin making our own custom dog steps and ramps. We have been doing this for about a year now in our workshop where we build other wood craft items.

As many of you know, for years, we have been building and selling the best porch swings available anywhere.

We also build the best custom cabinets and shelving available anywhere.

We can build dog steps or a ramp to your specifications to fit your needs. We can make you new dog steps look like a piece of custom furniture and fit your decor.

So, if you are frustrated by the quality or selection of dog steps from other sources, please let us help you.

Click here for a form that you can use to tell us about your custom dog steps needs. For type of project, choose custom furniture.

We look forward to working with you soon!

Remember, Copper the Whopper Beagle says: "Dog steps make great gifts!"

Till Next Time-

William

Read More..

This is where youll get to know, i mean really know the tips and benefits of dog grooming.

Dog owners can help maintain a healthy coat for their dogs by carrying out regular grooming. The grooming removes dead hair, as well as any extra bits which the dog may be carrying about in its coat. Additionally, grooming a dog helps you to examine the coat more closely to check for any skin problems and helps you and your dog to bond more closely.

Benefits of Grooming a Dog
There are many benefits of grooming a dog, for example:
1. Helping you and your pet to bond more closely
2. Stimulating blood flow to the skin thus promoting skin and hair growth

 

3. Making your dog’s coat more shiny and healthy as natural oils circulate to the coat
4. Helping you to identify signs of fleas, ticks, mites or other skin irritations

Basic dog grooming is quite straightforward and also essentiaL, so owners do not need to be afraid of getting into this routine with their dog. Regular grooming is essential to your dog’s health and wellbeing. Also there are medical reasons why grooming should be a part of your dog’s health program. Grooming covers the following set of functions:


1. Brush and comb the coat
2. Bath and dry
3. Trim coat hair
4. Care of the paws and nails
5. Ear cleaning
6. Anal gland expression.

 

You can carry out some of these things yourself if you are able to, especially the brushing and combing. By doing this, you will be able to check your dog closely for any problems that may be developing. Some of the other aspects should be done by professional dog groomers.

 

Brushing helps to prevent hair from accumulating and ending up on clothes and furniture. It also stimulates the blood to the dog’s skin. Brushing should be done regularly for short periods of about 5-10 minutes each day. New hair can grow once the old hair has been removed. Brushing in a grooming spray such as Perfect coat will help keep fleas, mites and ticks under control and help to prevent skin infection and other skin problems occurring.

  

Bathing the dog using suitable dog shampoo such as Cloud Star Buddy Wash will help to get rid of loose dead hair and stimulate circulation to the dog skin. Cloud Star Buddy Wash will also reduce the growth of bacteria and yeast which cause those doggy odours and will make your dog smell much better.

 

You can also use Perfect coat grooming spray as often as you like without having to give the dog a bath. This will help to keep the coat clean, without the inconvenience of bath time and without affecting the essential oils that should remain in the coat.

After reading this tips and benefits of dog grooming you should remember to do it for your dogs health and cleanliness.

Read More..

Dog Training Tips - Crate Training 
Dog training is over telling your dog to cease doing what he is doing, it is the technique of teaching a dog to exhibit positive desired dog behavior in specific circumstances. Proper dog training is not a "quick fix" - it is an ongoing, life-long technique. It is important when adopting an adult dog, since new owners usually have no knowledge of the dog behavior history. Additionally, successful dog training means your dog is less likely to finish up a lost pet. Dog training is simple, but fixing issues born from nervousness is very hard.

Dog training is similar to raising babies but more difficult for people to understand because they must communicate with the dog from a dog point of view. This requires that they have an understanding of how canines think & perceive their world. It is an ongoing technique that occurs in the coursework of specified training sessions & through the remainder of every dogs day. The lessons taught in the coursework of dog training times ought to be reinforced at all times. Dog training is a technique that may involve treats, but plenty of of these treats can be a bad idea for your dogs waistline. Use small treats & wean your dog off treats as they understand the different commands.

Dog Obedience Training

Dog obedience training is over training your dog, it involves teaching the dog owner . Going through dog obedience training is something every dog owner ought to do. it is not showing off the latest pet tricks to your friends. Dog obedience training teaches your dog how to think & issue solve. Dog obedience training is in general, an schooling to cultivate canines to become well-disposed. Normally, in the system of educating or training the canines their tendency for aggressiveness & over reaction may be diminished to the least feasible level.

Dog Crate Training
One system of training a dog is by using a crate. Dog crate training is not always simple & you need to do it consistently otherwise it wont work the way you would like it. You may also need an air filled dog bed & a transport dog crates as well. Dog crate training is not cruel. I repeat: Crate training is not cruel. It is a system of training recognized & recommended by veterinarians, trainers & breeders, that takes advantage of a canines natural instinct to find place of its own.

This is nice for potty training a dog. Dog crate training is based around the premises that most canines wont eliminate where they sleep or rest, on condition that they are given options to release elsewhere. Therefore, owners will temporarily confine their pet to a cage of some sorts, in order to alter negative behaviors. Dog crate training is based around the premises that most canines wont eliminate where they sleep or rest, on condition that they are given options to release elsewhere. Therefore, owners will temporarily confine their pet to a cage of some sorts, in order to alter negative behaviors. Dog crate training is nice for a variety of training issues such as potty training, chewing & anxiety. The premise behind crate training is to keep your dog in its crate everytime you are unable to oversee its activities.

Dog crate training is usually simpler with a puppy as they have no bad experiences to recall when you are enticing them in to the crate. Adult canines can be trickier, rescue canines as you may not possess plenty of knowledge pertaining to the dogs history. End of Dog Training Tips - Crate Training entry.

Read More..