Looking After Pets
Best Free Advice For Looking After Your Pets-
March 11th, 2010Pets AdviceHaving a well trained dog is extremely rewarding. The problem is that with all the different techniques available, how can you choose the best one for your dog? In this article I will be describing one of the most popular techniques available today: Positive Dog Training.
Positive dog training is a training method that focuses on praising and positive reinforcement every time the dog performs the task correctly. In other words, you only reward the dog for good behavior. Studies have shown that most dogs respond better to this type of approach.
This approach does not involve hitting, spanking, or punishing a dog when a the dog disobeys your command. This is considered a “negative” approach, and it has been found to work poorly with dogs in general.
There are many types of rewards you can give your dog, such as doggie treats, kind words, a quick rub, a pat on the head, etc. Studies have shown that dogs respond better to positive dog training.
As an example, let’s take a look at the “sit” command. After you instruct the dog to sit and he sits, immediately follow up with a treat and praise. Do this repeatedly and consistently so that the dog makes the association between sitting and praise (positive reinforcement).
Another example where this technique can be very useful is during potty training. Use the same approach as described in the paragraph above every time the dog goes to the bathroom when and where they are supposed to. Soon enough the dog will make the association between the reward and going to the bathroom where he or she is supposed to. Training the dog this way will speed up the potty training process.
One more important aspect of this training involves the tone of your voice. When giving a order, your tone of voice must be firm and with authority. Don’t scream, yell, or use a high-pitched tone of voice. Be firm so the dog knows you are not kidding around. When praising the dog use a happy and pleasant voice. Dogs love to be praised and rewarded, and they can tell from the tone of your voice.
If you are interested in more information about Positive Dog Training in Fort Lauderdale, or Positive Dog Training in Miami, check out our links.
Tags: dog training, pet training, positive dog training -
March 11th, 2010Pets AdviceDogs are our best friends, and as a matter of fact, it is said that dogs are the only ones who love us more than they love themselves. Therefore, going an extra mile to keep your beloved pet healthy and well-trained is worth it. Agility dog training is a must when you are raring a pet. There are various ways of getting into training your dog to be agile and there can be different sources for guiding you. Still, giving your pet the training the right way is essential because in the case of animals, it is very difficult to reverse habits.
Before agility dog training is talked about, some common points as to what exactly agility training should be is suggested below. Agility dog training simply means, training the pet to overcome obstructions or in other words, to partake in a race with hurdles, loops, dog-walks, tunnels, and many other obstacles without failure. There is neither food nor toys directed at them when dogs run off-lease. Handler s controls will be essential sometimes, especially in complicated obstacle courses.
Training dogs to be agile is performed in order to improve the eagerness. There are many advantages of this method as it is one of the approved methods for increasing the dog’s mental capacity. Also, this makes your pet a whole deal more fun. Pet owners give their animals an agility dog training due to one of the above grounds or merely to introduce the pet to agility competitions. Indeed, agility dog training is a great past-time for any pet owner.
In order to start off with the agility dog training, you will need time and space. Initially it might be hard to keep repeating instructions, but if you really have your mind set on it, you ll have so much fun with your pet. You can get some short hurdles, a loop or two and a simple dog-walk. The secret behind agility dog training is to get your pet to rapidly react to your instructions. Of course, it involves practice, patience and ability to understand your pet. Agility dog training originated in England and today, it is one of the fastest growing sports in America. There are various professional trainers and equipment suppliers out there that will aid you.
If you are to put your dog in competitions, you will have to work a bit heavier and also follow game necessities carefully. Finally and most importantly, if you are to give your pet agility dog training, make sure you pay close attention to its health and well-being.
Tags: dog agility, dog agility equipment, dog agility supplies, dog training -
March 9th, 2010Pets AdviceIf it is feasible on old dogs, it’s also usually effective on young puppies, too.Just like training other animals, clicker training works by training dogs to associate the clicking sound with positive behavior.
Before proceeding, readCanis Clickertraining Review for more information.
It should not be suprising for clicker training to have been made the benchmark in behavaior training.The clicking sound points to the dog the exact behavior you are looking for; it tells him why you’re rewarding him.
How the Clicking Trains.
Perhaps because of positive feedback, you’d now like to learn how clicker training works so you can use it on your little furry friend or to teach your dear old companion some excitng new tricks.The clicker training is a reward system – allowing your dog to connect the click with rewards for bidding your command.When training your dog to sit on command, you can deliberately push his rump downward while saying, “Sit.”.As soon as his bottom hits solid ground, click then reward him with a treat.Perform this exercise several times.Sooner or later, you dog recognizes the command with the click and the treat he recieves for doing it.
Find an informative article on Teach Dog Tricks Information.
Teaching Your Dog with the Clicker.
Don’t just believe what you hear; try it and prove what they say.Be warned however, that when you start applying the clicker on your dog, don’t forget to.
Give your dog a treat every time you let him hear the clicking sound.The clicker is a training tool.Use it solely during your training schedules.When your dog shows understanding by doing as you say, you can put the clicker aside.
Persist.Animals differ in intelligence, as you and I do.Even if they have a measure of intelligence, they’re still animals.It’s logical to not expect too much of a dog especially if this is their first time being trained.Don’t be too hard on your dog or yourself.
End a training session every time on a positive note.Your dog won’t forget the final thing that occured at each session.If the session hasn’t gone as planned, don’t close it feeling annoyed with your dog; he’d be discouraged and won’t try again next time.To make sure it ends well, go back to a command he has already learned and you know he can manage to follow well.To illustrate, tell him to sit about twice prior to closing the session.Be mindful of clicking and rewarding him with a pat or a treat.He’d be eager to join you for more the next time.
Do it Correctly.
Because clicker training is all about timing, you want to be precise.To help your dog associate the clicking sound with the rewards and the commands easily, your timing must be impeccably precise.Prior to introducing the clicker to your dog, practice your clicks.
Looking to find out more on this? See Dog Clicker Training Information .
Tags: clicker train, clicker train a dog, clicker training, clickertraining, dog clicker training, dog clicker training information, dog clicker training tips, dog training -
March 7th, 2010Pets AdviceThere are pets like dogs and moggies and then there are pets which are not really common. Anyone that looks for a pet which will not make a mess all around the house and can take excellent care of itself when needed, may consider taking in a bird as pet. Among birds, there are varied options available but Quaker bird is one which is a great choice. Below are some reasons why you would wish to keep Quaker bird as pet.
If you like stunning things then you have all the explanations in the world to have a Quaker bird as a pet. Coloured in lovely green, these birds are one of the most visually appealing creatures to have as pet. To add to it, they have blue feathers and are colored gray on the face and the chest. Their unusual mix of colors make them extremely beautiful. These days, you even got the choice to choose between yellow, blue and white Quaker birds.
While these Quaker birds look good, they also have a personality to attest for. You’ll never have an argument with this pet as it adapts easily into the family, if the right techniques of social interaction are established, the Quaker bird can simply mingle with all the family members. This bird is loyal and implies a good companion as well. If trained in the right manner then the Quaker bird can also learn to respond with the right words on appropriate situations. Their sweet and light techniques are sure to woo you away.
Keeping a pet is no straightforward thing. A lot of factors like food and plenty more have to be recollected to take acceptable care of the pets. The statement holds validity for the Quaker birds as well. However, This bird is known to supply no problem when it comes to factors like diet. The bird is not fussy with food in any way. You can easily feed them on the flood of plants and fruit available. Additionally you can also serve this bird with food items like grams, legumes, pastas, seeds and the like. However, some food items that are a total no-no for you are caffeine, alcohol, avocado, chocolate and rhubarb.
Another important thing that people consider when they bring in a pet is the lifetime of the pet. This is one point that makes the Quaker bird a great choice. As of now, the average life span of a Quaker bird is known to be anywhere between 20 to thirty years. As opposed to this, you’ll generally come across pets which don’t have such long life spans. Dogs, for example, live just above a decade, cats sometimes live 7 weird years.
The above discussed reasons are sufficient to convince most people to take a Quaker bird as their pet. So what are you waiting for, get one for yourself immediately!
Here are a few more ways to know about Dog Training and Zenmed Derma Cleanse Capsule. Also, get detailed information on Reduce Headache.
Tags: dog supplies, dog training, dogs, online pets store, pet care, pet medications, pet stores, pets -
March 5th, 2010Pets AdviceHousebreaking a puppy often takes a lot of time. It is important to understand that the learning skills of your puppy may be very different from the skills of another, and that the training cannot be rushed through.
To start the housebreaking process, you should keep your puppy in a small room in your house. This place should be secured not by a closed door, but a baby gate. In this new place, your puppy will learn to stand up, run around and curl up. It must be comfortable in this place before it can begin to learn.
It is thought that the best way of housebreaking a puppy is to set a routine and stick to it. This routine should consist of habits that your puppy can be familiarized with. If you are consistent with your training, your puppy will learn faster and better; soon enough he will defecate and urinate on his own.
The next step in housebreaking a puppy is determining the area of your yard that will become the dogs potty area. This is where your puppy will do all of its training as this is going to be your puppy’s comfort zone.
What you need to do is take your puppy to the potty area every day. When it begins to urinate or defecate, give the puppy a treat. You will have to do this to give your pet the cue that it is doing what you want and that you are pleased with its behavior.
You always have to reward your dog for a job well done. It can be great if you incorporate useful words like go poo or pee in there, so that whenever the puppy hears you say those words, he knows exactly what he is supposed to do.
Furthermore, it is important to make sure that the puppy is eating the right types of food, so as to keep his bowel movement regular and his stool firm. Stick to plain foods meant for dogs to begin with, and only introduce plate scraps and leftovers when it has made good progress.
—
Learn more about housebreaking a puppy by visiting http://housebreakingapuppyblog.org
Tags: animals, dog training, dogs, housebreaking, housebreaking a puppy, pets, puppies, puppy, puppy housebreaking -
March 5th, 2010Pets AdviceOwning a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can enjoy. The bond between owner and pet grows over the course of years, and strengthens with time. Many owners consider their dogs a part of their own family. And those who remain single find a lasting companionship with their pooch that is irreplaceable.
That being said, canines can develop bad habits that drive their owners crazy. It’s worth noting that nearly all such issues can be resolved through desensitization training and positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviors. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of 4 common canine problems that can leave you growling in frustration.
Tip 1 – Digging
Your pooch might start digging for many reasons. Boredom can leave him looking for ways to entertain himself. The bugs and roots he can discover by digging up the dirt will provide him with a distraction. He might also dig if the weather is making him hot and he lacks shade. The uncovered dirt will cool and sooth him. And of course, he might dig in order to hide bones and other possessions.
Tip 2 – Soiling
Puppies will urinate and defecate in inappropriate places until they are properly housebroken. That is expected. However, older dogs will occasionally do the same, even after having been successfully housebroken in the past. Sometimes, they do it as a result of feeling anxious. Other times, it’s to mark territory (acceptable when done outside). Still other times, adult canines do it as a submissive trait.
Tip3 – Jumping On People
Jumping is often misinterpreted by owners as an excited greeting their dogs give them. In truth, it can also be seen as an act of dominance.
When your canine was a puppy, he likely jumped on his littermates and mother until they taught him that doing so was unacceptable. If you adopt your dog a few weeks after he is born and fail to curb the behavior, it can become problematic. If you do not take steps to modify his behavior, he might gradually infer that his place in the pack (i.e. your household) is the same as your own. That makes curbing his jumping even more difficult.
Tip 4 – Excessive Barking
Every dog barks. Aside from whining or howling, it’s the only way they can audibly express their emotions to those surrounding them. However, if barking becomes constant or excessive, if can quickly become an issue – for you and your neighbors.
It’s important to understand the reasons your canine barks. He might do it to warn intruders away from his territory. He might do it to get your attention. He might also bark out of sheer boredom, barking give him something to do. While it can be nerve-wracking, excessive barking can be resolved with training and patience.
The companionship you enjoy from your dog will last throughout his life. Even though he may develop behavioral issues that can drive you crazy, those behaviors can be modified with the right approach. And that keeps the friendship you share with one another alive.
Tags: digging, dog behavior, Dog Ownership, dog training, Dog Treats, dogs, positive reinforcement -
March 5th, 2010Pets AdviceObedience training is one of the most important and most effective things any owner can do for their dog.An untrained dog can be destructive and sometimes dangerous, while a properly trained dog is a productive and happy member of the family.
Dogs are designed by nature to follow leaders, and to look for that leadership. As pack animals, dogs naturally follow the directions of their pack leader. Absence of a strong leader, the dog might take over this role on itself. Dogs that consider themselves as the leader of their human pack can become uncooperative, destructive and even dangerous.
Proper obedience training opens up key lines of communication between owner and dog.The foundation of any good dog obedience training is to obtain the cooperation and respect of the dog.Gaining respect from your dog cannot be obtained through mistreatment or rough training methods. It must instead be earned through leadership and proper dog training techniques.
Basic obedience training consists of teaching the dog what to do and what not to do. When it comes to desired behaviors, it is important for the dog to learn and respond to basic dog commands, such as heeling when walking, stopping on command, sitting when directed, coming when called and staying where the handler directs.
The list of what not to do is also important when it comes to obedience training. Some of the don’ts of obedience training include – not jumping up on people, not forging ahead when walking and, not chewing the furniture or your property, and not getting out of control when exposed to unusual situations.
Essentially, obedience training involves establishing the social hierarchy that is so important to dogs as pack animals. When your dog follows your obedience dog commands, such as – come, stay, sit, heel, etc., he or she is showing compliance and submissiveness. This is the same type of behavior a submissive member of a wild dog pack would show to the alpha dog in that pack.
As with any type of dog training, it is important that obedience training sessions be fun and rewarding for both dog and owner.Having a healthy, happy dog can succeed in learning best, and keeping the dog happy during the training sessions will make life easier for both your dog and yourself.The dog and owner can benefit from obedience training in may ways.You can permit an obedient well trained dog with a greater amount of freedom than an untrained dog. For instance, a dog that has been properly trained to come when called can safely enjoy some off leash play time at the local dog park.
There is always a debate over whether it is easier to obedience train puppies or older dogs.Both older dogs and puppies can be very successfully trained to be obedient and willing companions. It can be easier to train young dogs and puppies than it can be to retrain dogs that have already created bad behaviors.You can successfully retrain using basic obedience training and control techniques with even problem dogs.
When obedience trainingpuppies, however, it is important to remember that puppies generally have a shorter attention span than to do full grown dogs.Holding short dog training session in beginning is key. It is also important to incorporate lots of play with other puppies, dogs and other animals, as well as lots of different people. Proper socialization is very important to creating a safe, healthy and happy companion dog.
Tags: dog commands, dog training, obedience training, obedience training puppies, pack leader -
March 4th, 2010Pets AdviceOwning a well-trained puppy is a very enjoyable experience for many families and advantages can include increased social interaction through dog walking and helping your children learn a wider range of skills.
However, owning an untrained is not an experience any puppy owner would be proud of.
Common problems new owners face are chewing up furniture and shoes, digging up the lawn, stop the dog bolting and excessive barking any person or dog they come into contact with.
It can be extremely embarrassing when any of these common dog problems cannot be controlled.
It is therefore wise to do plenty of research into the type of breed you are considering adopting and how they may potentially fit around yours or your families lifestyle. Issues to be considered here are how they interact with children, if they are suitable to be left in a house or apartment for periods while you will be away and how large they may grow.
By adopting an untrained dog you have a choice on how you will go about teaching them the essentials of obedience training. One is to buy a course that will teach you how to train your dog or the other is to seek the help of an experienced dog handler.
It can be a big benefit to personally work with your dog one-to-one on improving their obedience. Although professional dog training is often essential, some dog handlers still maintain it is the owner who is best placed to train and reinforce obedient behavior in their dog. Reasons for this include the fact you will be the one to enforce and reward the good obedience in the future. This will increase your confidence in your dog obeying your commands when out and about.
One of the most comprehensive dog training courses available online is Secrets To Dog Training. It’s recommended you read an independent review of secrets to dog training before buying. This is a comprehensive course and covers everything from how you can stop a chihuahua biting to toilet training a shih tzu puppy.
Tags: dog obedience, dog training, puppy training books -
March 4th, 2010Pets AdviceDog barking has several explanations.It’s not a dangerous habit, true. It’s actually a communication tool for dogs. However, excessive barking is annoying.If it goes ignored, barking can be a serious issue.
The first step toward altering your dog’s barking mechanism is to know what brings it on and changing those situations.What follows are some tricks to check your dog’s incessant barking:
But before continuing see this information on Dr. Dog’s Fast Easy Fun Behavior Solutions Review.
1.Arrange a meal pattern for your dog.When they start getting hungry, dogs will instinctively bark for food.There’s a distinct doggie howl, bark or growl for when they’re hungry.Feeding them at regular intervals would let them know when to expect they will get fed.
2.Allow your dog enough exercise daily.Dogs have energy in abundance; they must use it up daily.Otherwise, your dog gets uneasy.No matter what the weather is outside, allow your dog ample time to exercise and stretch.When the sun is out, just be inventive with indoor exercises.
3.Buy your dogs some playthings or another pet for company.Because they’re pack animals, dogs are inclined to suffer from separation anxiety if kept to themselves for hours.Keeping him amused or with company effectively de-stresses the dog and keeps him relaxed.If you’re entertaining a neighbor with their dog along, don’t let yours see this.Keep yourself beyond your dog’s auditory range when you’re up to something interesting.Dogs enjoy fun activities with their masters and would bark to have you know they want to join you.
4.Teach your pet when it’s fine to bark and when it’s not.Your dog must learn to cease barking on command.Dogs are territorial; they grow very protective of their territory.They bark at anything unusual .Being warned to strange things or people around your house is a good thing.However, you’d like your dog to just stay and watch delivery people, joggers and the usual passers-by quietly.Teach your dog to discern strangers and bark only at them.Most especially, teach your dog to quit barking on, “Quiet.”.
To learn more, read Boxer Dog Training Information .
Joys of a Well-Behaved Dog.
When your dog knows when to bark and when not to, you’re in great company.Your neighbors won’t be complaining to the police because of too much noise.Secondly, if your dog knows how to effectvely use barking to communicate, you’d recognize danger even before you see it.Also, if your neighbors are aware your dog barks for a legitimate reason, they’d know when to check on you or your property.In cases when you’ve fallen unconscious or seriously ill, your dog’s barking warns people of the problem.
Learn more on this with this aricle on Stop Dog Barking.
Tags: dog barking solutions, dog training, how to stop dog barking, stop barking, stop dog barking -
March 2nd, 2010Pets AdviceIf you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already got yourself a nice set of pet steps; but if you haven’t yet purchased dog stairs, you might want to take a minute to seriously consider the benefits. Every time your dog jumps on and off of objects such as furniture, his joints absorb the impact. Over time, this can lead to the early development of arthritis, not to mention that any time your dog jumps from something, he risks the possibility of a broken bone. Besides, pet stairs are wonderful to use by the bed to keep your dog from pouncing on and off the bed, simultaneously jolting you awake.
Some dogs may not take to using pet stairs straight away. This is not uncommon an uncommon occurrence, especially if the dog is older. All it takes is a little effort on your part to show your dog (in a way that he can understand) that using the stairs is worthwhile to him.
We’ve always had the best results when using our dog’s favourite treat as encouragement to use the stairs. For our bedside pet steps, I would sit on the bed in front of the steps dangling our pup’s favourite biscuit. At first he would try to go around the stairs to jump on the bed. When this happened, I hid the treat behind my back and gave my dog a firm “No!” After a few attempts (and many acts of re-positioning my dog in front of the steps), my dog finally understood that he would receive praise and a treat when he used the stairs. It didn’t take him long to learn to use the stairs on a regular basis.
You may be interested in a more “extreme” method of training your dog to use his pet stairs. This method involves denying your dog total access to the furniture unless he uses the pet stairs to climb up. For instance, if your dog primarily likes to lie on your bed, but refuses to use the steps, tell him to get off—or bodily remove him if you have to. Place him in front of the steps and motion for him to climb up. Do not let him onto the bed until he uses the steps. As with any type of training, it’s good to encourage your dog with words of praise. Dogs respond more to their owner’s tone of voice more than the actual words, therefore a cheery “Good boy!” goes a long way in convincing your dog that he’s pleasing you when he uses the stairs.
For information about getting your dog a set of pet stairs, visit Help Your Pets.
Tags: Dog Stairs, Dog Steps, dog training, pet stairs, pet steps, puppy training, training your dog
