Dogs rule ok

Dog obedience...... the down command.

2006-05-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

The down command is the next lesson to teach in your dog obedience training schedule. It should be taught as soon as you and your dog have mastered the sit command.

The down command is a fundamental ingredient of your overall dog obedience training program. It provides the foundation for many other advanced commands/skills and establishes you as the leader in the relationship you share with your dog. The reason for this is that the laying down position is a submissive and somewhat vulnerable position for your dog to be in, especially when you are standing tall over the top of your dog.

The down command is a very handy tool you will come to rely on in many situations. Popping your dog down into the lying down position is great for times when you need to go into a shop or for occasions when there are small children around. It can take a bit of practice to reach this level, but it is worth the effort.

Learning The Down Obedience Command

When you are in the learning phase of teaching the down command, start out by making it simple for your dog, then slowly turn up the difficulty level.

Move your training sessions to a public place.

Increase the time you keep your dog in the down position.

Bounce a ball around your dog when he is in the lying position, or scatter some food around him. The idea is that your "down" command will be so strong in your dogs mind, that none of these other distractions matter. He can only get up to chase the ball or eat the treats when you release him from the down command.

What you are trying to achieve with the down command is to have your dog quickly get down into the laying position, belly touching the ground and his front legs extended out in front.

In a familiar environment to your dog with no distractions, lets get started!

Down Command Technique 1 - Off Leash

Put your dog into a sitting position.

Grab your dogs favorite tasty treat and hold it a couple of centimetres in front of his/her nose. Move your hand straight down to the ground. Your dog should follow it down (you can praise and encourage him down). As soon as his belly hits the ground, with his legs out in front, lavish him with praise and give the treat.

Repeat this action over and over in short sharp training sessions.

When your dog is "getting it" and going down right away, you can add the verbal part of the command. I use "down" other people use "lay" or "drop", just choose the one you are comfortable with and stick to it (make it a one word command only). Add your command just before you start to move the treat towards the ground. This step is all about building an association in your dogs mind between the verbal "down" command and the act of him laying down.

The idea is that eventually, after plenty of repetition and praise your dog will only require your verbal command, and not the treat in your hand to lure him down. Also, in time you will be able to start the command not only from the sitting position but from standing and in any situation you and your dog are in.

When your dog is responding well to your verbal command, introduce some other variables which make the down command a little more challenging. Try the command as you go about your daily business, around other people or dogs and increase the duration of the command.

Down Command Technique 2 - On Leash

Put your preferred collar and leash on your dog - I just use a nice leather buckle collar when teaching the down command.

Place your dog into the sitting position and stand or kneel right next to him.

Basically you are trying to guide or coax your dog into the down position. How you do this depends on the size and co-operation level of your dog.

Always say your "down" command first, then immediately guide your dog down into the lying position. Grab hold of the leash and gently pull your dogs head down, at the same time guide him down by pressing down between his shoulder blades with the palm of your hand. You can also lift up your dogs front legs and extend them out in front of him, find the method which works best for you. Praise and encourage your dog all the way down. Then of course as soon as he's in the down position make it clear to him that you are happy with him and that he has done a good job.

After lots of repetition your dog will respond to your verbal command only. Then try the command when your dog is in the standing position and in other settings. Make the command a little more challenging by adding some distractions and increasing the time he is required to stay in the down position.

Whichever method you choose to teach your dog the down command be consistent and keep at it.

When you are happy with your dog getting into the down position you will probably want to add a release command to it. This means that when you issue your down command, your dog goes straight down and is not permitted to get up until you issue another command. You can use "away" or "off you go" for this purpose.

Chris Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com.

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Choosing the family dog

2006-05-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

Consider all factors.

There are generally three ways to select the family dog:

-Many people select the family dog based on their experiences with dogs from their past. They may have a fond memory of a dog once owned by someone they knew or of a family dog owned by their family when they were children, and that's it --the selection process is over! That's certainly one way to do it.

-Another way many people select a family dog is by going to a pet store or an animal shelter and taking a walk past the cages; they're all so special, it’s almost guaranteed that you'll fall in love with one of them. This method, as easy as it is, is so much easier when you have your children along; dogs seem to know just how to behave to steal a child's heart.

-The third method is less heart-warming but it's probably the surest way to select a family dog that is just right for your family -- it’s called 'considering all the factors.'

Considering All The Factors

Before deciding on the dog that will become a part of your home and family there are several questions that you'll need to ask yourself and honestly answer:

How much time do you have for a dog? Some dogs require a lot of attention -- they get very nervous if there is no one home with them and when they get nervous it usually winds up either with a mess to clean up or with something chewed up or scratched up. Some long-haired dogs need daily grooming or that beautiful coat will be a tangled mess in just a very short period and every dog, especially a dog that spends any time in the house, should be bathed, brushed, and have its teeth and ears cleaned about once-a-week. Every dog also requires some degree of one-on-one attention every day; talk to them, scratch their head, feed them, walk them and generally treat them like they are family.

How much space do you have for a dog?

Dogs need space to move around in and, most importantly, to get the exercise that they need to stay healthy. If you have a large house and yard almost any dog will fit in fine. Larger dogs take up space and eat a lot; also requiring lots of exercise. There are many smaller breeds, however, that are known to be 'apartment dogs;' these smaller dogs can get all the exercise they need in a one bedroom apartment -- but they still need to be walked at least twice a day to take care of their biological functions.

Do you have very small children?

Sometimes younger children are a little rough with their pets; they'll want to carry them around and squeeze them and play dress up and expect full cooperation from the dog. Some dogs have the 'laid back' temperament that allows them to tolerate these things; some breeds even seem to thrive on the attention. There are some small breeds, however, that are too delicate to be handled as roughly as children are likely to handle them, some breeds of all sizes that just don't enjoy being picked up and carried around or being hugged and other larger dogs that have both the patience and the temperament for life around small children, but are also large enough that they might unintentionally hurt a small child. Any dog under 7 lbs is not suitable for children under five. Any dog 10 lbs and over are usually suitable for all ages.

Do you have room in your budget for a dog?

Dogs have needs just as people do -- adding a dog to your family will add expenses. Some of these are: the initial purchase of the dog; the shots that are required by the city or county where you live; the grooming needs such as brushes, shampoo and etc.; professional obedience training is required for some dogs; of course every dog needs food -- the bigger the dog, the bigger the food budget; don't forget water and food dishes and collars and leashes; and, as the dog ages, there are sure to be some additional medical expenses. Some medical expenses will be necessary just because of the breed, for example, big dogs have a tendency to develop hip and bone problems just because of their size and some smaller breeds, especially the ones with the short muzzles and large eyes, develop eye problems and respiratory problems.

Are you ready to do some research?

Obviously, the “Considering All The Factors” method of selecting the family dog will require some research. There are many books in the library, many Internet resources and many experts (breeders, pet shop owners, etc.) that can make your selection process easier.

In the end, however, any choice will be a gamble. Every dog is an individual and the 'breed characteristics' you get from your research will only be guidelines. And in the end you may select the family dog by using one of the other selection methods mentioned before or you may have some other criteria but hopefully the information presented here has helped you understand that owning a dog is more than just buying a dog. Owning a dog is a responsibility and a commitment.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

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Fit and healthy

2006-04-22T14:48:00.001-07:00

Keep Your Dog Fit And Healthy - Give Her The Best Dog Food Possible by Cinneide

What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the best that is available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the best dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don’t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the best dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can purchase a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog’s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the best dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The best dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers cannot dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer’s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the best dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet’s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog’s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It’s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

Feed and water your dog with the best dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog’s wellbeing.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about healthy dog food. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info.
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Well trained puppy

2006-04-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Happiness is a Well Trained Puppy by Steve Allison

If you are reading this article you might be thinking about buying a puppy; or already bought on. Congratulations on the new addition to your home! You now have a friend who is always ready to play, never too tired to go for a walk and one of the most loyal companions you will ever have. There are some things you are going to need to know about training your puppy. A puppy is only as well-behaved as his training allows.

During the first few weeks your puppy needs constant supervision to prevent accidents in the house. But it's easier to teach good habits now than it is to correct bad behavior later in life. Your puppy needs to start understanding what is and isn't acceptable in your home right away. You are the leader of the pack in the home and your puppy looks to you to work out what is allowed and what isn't.

It's important that your puppy starts to understand their boundaries. You will need to decide soon what the limits are - what furniture they may or may not climb on - what areas of the house they are allowed. Decide where your puppy will sleep and what they may or may not chew on.

Getting your puppy housetrained is not difficult and can be quick if you follow some of these tips. Make housetraining a painless and quick procedure by using the crate method.

The Crate method

The crate method is well known because it is one of the most humane ways to train a puppy. Your puppy will need to relieve himself after eating, drinking, running, playing. The frequency will depend on the size of your dog and also on the breed. Be careful - it can happen as soon as 15 minutes after any of these activities. One of the easiest ways to keep your home pee free is to keep a record of when he needs to go. Try to learn the natural schedule and take your puppy outside at the times when you know they are going to need to go. Plan your walks around this schedule. Take the puppy out when you expect they will need to urinate.

When your puppy is 10 weeks old until they are six months they will need to be walked between 5 and 10 times a day. Quite a task if you are not used to including a puppy in your daily schedule. Take turns walking the puppy. One of the most important things about housetraining you pup is that you do not return from your walks until he/she has urinated and done all his business.
If for some reason you need to go inside before he has gone you will need to take your puppy out every 15 minutes. Give lots of praise and affection when your puppy has done what you wanted. You might feel silly praising your puppy for going "wee wee" (or other!) but it is very important to the housetraining process.

Some tips for using the crate:

The crate method works and is one of the most humane ways to train your puppy. It works because dogs are naturally neat and don't like to eliminate in their sleeping area. If your puppy sleeps in the crate they will not want to mess in it. It's an instinctive desire to keep their sleeping area clean.

The crate should become a sanctuary for your puppy. A crate is your dogs' den in the house; their very own 'safe space'. Your puppy needs to associate the crate with positive feelings. Put your puppy’s favorite blanket, toys and treats inside.

Help your puppy get used to the crate by leaving the door open until the dog seems comfortable. It's important that your puppy is comfortable in the crate - the more comfortable they are - the less likely they are to soil inside.

Never use the crate as punishment. The crate must be associated with positive feelings. If your puppy does start whining, barking or scratching don't let them out. Establish a regular schedule. After feeding take you puppy outside until they have done their business.

Put your puppy in the crate at night - but make sure to take him outside before bedtime and first thing in the morning. Let your puppy play for a while after they have done their business. Don't give your puppy free reign of the house until they are housetrained.

Make a chart of when your puppy needs to go. Take the puppy outside within 15 minutes of eating, or any other time you know they will need to go.

After they have done their business; play with them for a while and then put your puppy in the crate for a nap. Repeat this throughout the day. After your puppy is fully housetrained you can leave the crate open during the day.
Some do's and don'ts when housetraining:

DO

- If you are going to be away for long periods of time put your puppy in an area of the house where you are prepared for accidents. Put newspaper in this area.

- Limit the food and water supply if you are going to be gone for long periods of time. If it's hot make sure your puppy has enough to drink (but remember what goes in must come out!).

- Praise your puppy when they are good.

- Be consistent. You don't want to confuse your puppy.

- Involve the whole family in the training process. Even small children can participate in the housetraining.

- Be realistic, you can't get mad with a puppy for not being completely housetrained. Accidents happen despite your most careful schedule.

Don'ts

- Don't ever use the crate as punishment.

- Don’t let your puppy outside of your designated area until they are housetrained.

- Don't reprimand your puppy for accidents.

If this all sounds like a lot of work - don't worry. Your puppy should be completely housetrained after about 6 months. Even sooner if you use the crate method. As your puppy gets older it will get easier. A well trained puppy will bring much more happiness into the home then an untrained puppy. Owner and puppy will be more happy and in tune with each other for years to come.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

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Preparing to teach your dog tricks

2006-04-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

Preparing to teach you dog tricks by dave4

Teaching your dog to do tricks is not just fun for you both it also helps stop a lot of problems some dogs have with destructive tendencies, many dogs and some breeds more than others get board and this boredom can lead to destructive behaviour, but if you keep your dogs mind active and busy then the boredom is not an issue and so the destructive behaviour is less lightly.

When teaching a dog tricks things to think about are, how are you going to reward your dog, where to train and for how long to make the training sessions.

Rewards basically split in to two categories, food or praise I believe a combination of the two is the best way to go and so I ensure I have a good supply of small healthy treats for the dog.

I tend to use either homemade liver cake or dry dog food. If your dog has dietary issues then consult your vet before you start giving him extra treats. If I am going to use dry food with a dog that has weight issues I tend to measure out his food for the day and then remove a small amount from his 2 meals to give me enough treats for the training sessions, so instead of having two meals a day he is essentially having three meals a day but the same amount of food in total.

Praising the dog is very important, your dog wants to make you happy, you are the leader of his pack and he looks to you for food, warmth and approval. When your dog gets part of the trick right make a fuss of him, this is a good reason for doing your training is a quiet place. The fuss should be over the top, put on an excited happy voice and get down on your dogs level pat, stroke and rub your dog, do not get your dog over excited as you want him to remain focused on the trick you have just taught him and too much fuss will distract him and make him forget what made you happy.

Where to teach your dog his tricks is very important too, you must find somewhere quiet so your dog does not get distracted, noise, smells and people or other dogs are all very interesting to your dog so when choosing a place to train think about these potential distractions. You must also have enough room to train your dog, think about the trick you are teaching, if it involves sitting still and not moving around then you might consider using your front room as a training venue, if you are teaching fetch or some other trick that involves your dog moving around a lot then a park might be a better venue.

Length of the training sessions, if they are too long your dog will get board and your efforts will be wasted, if they are too short then you are not giving your dog the chance to learn the trick before you stop the training. There is no correct time limit on the length of a training session, it depends on your dog and what the trick is, but a good guideline is 10 - 15 minutes and I would tend to do 3 or 4 of these a day, repetition is the key to good dog training so keep teaching the trick even after it looks like your dog has it memorised.

I have been working with dogs and teaching dog training classes for over 30
years, you can get a copy of my book and visit my site at
Dog training basics or
Dog gates

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Walking the dog

2006-04-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

City walks are the principle form of exercise for urban pets. Try to find a nearby park or enclosed area where you can let your dog stretch his legs for a few minutes, off the lead. If this is impossible, buy an extra-long leash and seek a safe spot where he can roam within its limits. This is unfortunately easier said than done, since more and more cities are banning dogs from wider areas. Dog owners can strengthen their position by respecting a few rules when walking their pets on the street.

- Since most dogs feel the urge to relieve themselves shortly after they are taken out of doors, plan your walk to start with suitable stations.

- Train your dog to relieve himself in the gutter, and walk him on the curb side of the sidewalk so that you can pull him into the gutter if necessary.

- Always carry a few plastic bags with you. If your dog should make "a mistake" on the sidewalk, slip your hand into the bag as if it were a glove, scoop up the mistake, then pull the bag inside out in order to enclose it.

- Never cross the street against a traffic light. Even if the light is green, it is better to wait for the beginning of the next green phase in order to have plenty of time for crossing.

- Try to avoid rush hours and crowded places. When you are unavoidably caught in a crowd, keep your dog close at heel on a short leash, or if he is small enough, carry him in your arms.

- Never let your pet greet a passing dog if the encounter would cause a pedestrian traffic jam, nor let him make advances to strangers. Some people, believe it or not, do not like dogs.

Suburban walks aren't much different from those in the city. The vehicle traffic may be less, but it is even more dangerous because it moves faster. Always keep your dog on a leash and under control. If he is well-trained, you can run the risk of unleashing him in selected safe spots, but always be prepared to snap on the leash if necessary, and always leash to cross the street.
Your dogs greatest freedom and enjoyment will be had with walks in the woods, the mountains, or along the beach. The woods are full of fascinating sights and scents for a dog. Let him roam on his own, but call him back when he gets out of sight. In the mountains, your dog will be more sure-footed if he is unleashed. Small terriers are in their element in rocky places and find footholds that would never support your weight. At the same time, many dogs have an instinct for finding passages through apparently impenetrable country, and are excellent guides.

The beach is a great place for giving your dog a good long run. Unfortunately, many beaches are out of bounds for dogs during the swimming season, sometimes all year round. Shingle beaches and pebbly ones are hard on a dog's pad. Even more dangerous is the risk cuts from broken bottles and picnic litter. Small dogs are light enough to scamper over such debris unharmed, but it represents a real chance to heavy breeds. Steer your dog clear of debris when you can, and check his paws when you get home.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest trends in pet supplies, dog accessories , dog clothes, dog collars, dog beds and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out Joncopets.com for more information and products.

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Look after me and I'll look after you

2006-04-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Most dogs enjoy listening and are proud of the knowledge and skills they acquire. Untrained dogs are seldom as happy as trained ones, and lead much less interesting lives. Many dogs also get a sense of security from obedience and discipline, especially the more intelligent ones.

Every observant dog owner can see for himself that his dog gets greater satisfaction from the praise rewarding a well- executed command or good behavior than he does from the momentary excitement of disobeying, which is usually followed by the evident guilt feelings, (ears back and avoiding eye contact), even when he has not been punished.

Owners vary in their training talents just as dogs vary in their train ability. Some people are born animal trainers and accomplish remarkable results with little effort. But even the best trainers are seldom equally successful with every breed of dog. The training procedures that are highly successful with one type of dog may be totally ineffective with another.

A basic mental affinity, even a certain type of personality seems to be necessary when training a dog. All good trainers possess authority, patience, and self-control. Brilliant ones possess an additional indefinable "x" quality that is probably a combination of love and respect.

Dog training techniques have been so well systematized in recent years that the least gifted owner can achieve reasonable good results with effort, persistence, patience, and understanding. Dogs have a much higher understanding intelligence than most people give them credit for. They can and do learn, but we have to give them our time and patience.

All pet dogs should be given basic obedience training as a matter of course, and not only when they develop bad behavior. Today s dogs live in a much faster paced world, just as we do. Even though we may be with them when they are out in public, they can still "stray" or disobey. While training cannot completely compensate for poor breeding, a bad environment, or poor upbringing, it can surely help. They world will teach them how to misbehave, but it's up to us as pet parents to teach them how to behave.

Specialized training isn't necessary unless the dog is to perform or be seen, such as the purebred show dogs. This level of training and behavior requires much more time and labor and usually requires a higher aptitude on the part of the dog, and much more skill and patience on the part of the trainer. Training of so called "champion" show dogs usually begins when they are puppies and continues through most of their lives.

Training your dog is the basics of behavior and communication with you can be very rewarding. What you may lack in experience, equipment, facilities, etc. is usually compensated for by your dogs desire to please the person he loves and lives with, which is his strongest motivation.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest trends in pet supplies, dog accessories, dog clothes, dog collars, dog beds and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site for more information and products.
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