Dog Dog Dog

14 requirements for becoming a dog trainer by Rodrigo Trigosso

2007-05-06T19:56:00.001-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a dog trainer? Here you will find the requirements you should fulfill and the time it may take you to make your dream come true.

Before considering a career in dog training, you should consider some important requirements. You must be aware that loving dogs is not enough to be a successful trainer. You must be proficient in dog behavior, learning theories, behavior modification, first aids (both human and canine), marketing and business management.

In addition, you may want to train dogs for competitions, such as Schutzhund, Agility, Mondio Ring, Freestyle, etc. In this case, you should have a strong knowledge of rules and competitive procedures.

To make a long story short, the list below explains you the 17 most important requirements you must fulfill to be a dog trainer:

1. You must be passionate about working with dogs. Otherwise you will be very unhappy with your job. Taking away exceptional cases, dog training is not a high-salary career. So, you should not expect to compensate frustrations with money. That's why you really have to be passionate about working with dogs. Of course, this passion can only come if you love dogs. If you don't love dogs and are not passionate about working with them, just look for another job.

2. You must feel comfortable working with people. Feeling comfortable working with people is as being comfortable working with dogs. That's because the job of a dog trainer involves teaching people as much as teaching dogs, or even more. If you don't teach people how to handle their dogs in different situations, then they won't be able to control their pets. As a consequence, your dog training business is not going to receive any good publicity.

3. You should be respectful and kind with both people. Acting in an arrogant manner toward other trainers, dog owners, animal behaviorists or anyone, can't help you. Arrogant behavior does not create word of mouth publicity. Even worse, people who attended a training class with an arrogant instructor, tend to not go to the same place when they need help again. So, being polite and respectful is part of developing your dog training business.

4. You should be respectful and kind with animals. This point needs no further explanation. Nobody wants his dog be mistreated by a harsh trainer.

5. Develop teaching skills. Since you are going to teach people how to handle and train their own dogs, you must have some teaching skills. There are lots of good trainers that don't succeed because they can't teach people how to train their dogs.

6. Be patient. Patience is perhaps the most important skill a dog trainer must master. Dogs can't be trained in a couple of minutes. So, you need to be patient to allow the dog (and the owner) learn at their own pace.

7. Sense of humor. You are going to find a lot of problems during training sessions. However, many of those problems are so funny that they deserve a dose of humor. Having good sense of humor allows you to not get buried under a 'problematic job' and helps you to be creative when solving a behavior issue.

8. Be honest. You have to tell the dog owner what really happens. Not what he wants to hear. There are problems that can't be solved by training and, if you face one of those problems, you should inform the dog owner. On the other hand, there could be some issues that you can't handle. Be honest with the dog owner. If you can't address an issue (for instance, aggression) recommend another dog trainer who can.

9. Never underestimate the skills of other dog trainers. It does not matter if they use old techniques that you don't approve. Every dog trainer has his own method and nobody should be underestimated by the way he trains. Of course, you may disagree with other dog trainers, but never underestimate them.

10. Learn about several dog training techniques, even the old ones. Knowing the pros and cons of each technique will let you choose the right ones. This does not mean you should try every technique you've heard about. But reading books and watching videos about different techniques may teach something new and improve your training skills.

11. Keep up to date on the science of animal behavior and learning theories. Dog training is not a science but it is based on some scientific principles. As a good dog trainer you have to be up to date on animal behavior and learning theories to take advantage of recent discoveries.

12. Read a lot about dog training, but don't believe all you read. There are lots of myths and hypes in dog trainer. As a dog trainer you should keep some skepticism and critical thinking.

13. Learn about marketing, publicity and business management. If you are a professional dog trainer, then you have to manage your dog training business. Otherwise you are not a pro.

14. Learn about dog nutrition, health and care. Put a lot of attention of dog first-aids because you will need them sometime. Besides, learn about management of kennels, doggy daycare, etc.

Rodrigo Trigosso is a biologist and professional dog trainer. To learn more about how to become a dog trainer, visit his website, the Dog Training Tutorial, which provides objective and reliable information on dog training and behavior.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_146061_54.html
Rodrigo Trigosso is a biologist and professional dog trainer. His website, the Dog Training Tutorial, provides objective and reliable information on dog training and behavior.
http://www.dog-training-tutorial.com

3 Steps for becoming a dog trainer by Rodrigo Trigosso

2007-05-06T19:55:00.001-07:00

-- Step # 1: Don't miss the theoretical framework --

Get some dog training books, videos and magazines to deepen your knowledge. Reading some books and watching some videos is a must, even if you are thinking to enroll in a training school. But be careful with what you read and watch. There are many bad books and videos on dog training.

After reading at least two or three books, and watching at least one video, decide on the best way to get practical skills for becoming a dog trainer. A good first step is to attend to dog training seminars and conferences. You are not going to get any handling skill in a dog training seminar, but you will be able to watch, ask and discuss some issues.

Since it is very unlikely that you learn all you need just by attending seminars and conferences, you also need to get hands-on experience.

-- Step # 2: Get hands-on experience --

To get hands-on experience, you may assist to a school for dog trainers in order to take a complete course. Of course, this option is only available if there's at least one dog trainer's school in your area. But be careful to choose a good school... not every training school is good.

On the other hand, if you have a degree on a related area (veterinary, biology, psychology, zoology, etc.) you could think to attend to a graduate program in animal behavior or experimental psychology. Just look for a program that provides hands-on experience, not only research experience (unless you're looking for a scientist career, of course).

There are also some college programs that offer undergraduate studies on animal behavior. These college programs may be a good choice if they offer hands-on experience.

What if you can't find a dog trainers' school or college/university program in your area? How can you become a dog trainer? Well, look for a canine club and enroll to practice any dog sport (schutzhund, agility, freestyle, etc.). This is a great way to get hands-on experience while you learn from experienced trainers. Of course, you are only going to train your dog, but you will learn a lot from the other trainers.

And what if you can't find a canine club in your area? Ok, there are some options to become a dog trainer under such circumstances:

- Volunteer at an animal shelter and go through the self-learning way. Volunteering is not going to provide you training skills, but it will help you to understand dog behavior and to gain experience with dogs. Moreover, you will be in contact with more experienced volunteers (not trainers) and handling dogs with several personalities (including many aggressive non-socialized dogs).

- Become the apprentice of an experienced dog trainer. This might be the best way to gain hands-on experience and become a dog trainer... if you are lucky to find a good professional trainer. This could be even better than attending schools for dog trainers.

- Hire a certified dog trainer to teach you. Hiring a professional dog trainer is a good option if you can't find a good trainer who gives you the chance to be his apprentice. It is also a good option if you don't have enough time to work as an apprentice or a volunteer. While this is not the best way to become a dog trainer, it is better than nothing.

- Take some distance courses on dog training and animal behavior. This should be your last choice because it is not a good one. You are not going to gain any hands-on skill through a distance course. Therefore, a distance course is not useful if you can't find the way to gain hands-on experience. However, a distance course can be a useful guide while you are volunteering at animal shelters or learning a dog sport (schutzhund, agility, etc.).

Besides the learning way you choose, keep updated in dog training techniques. Read a lot of books (not only the first three you bought), watch several videos and subscribe to dog training magazines. Moreover, study about animal training and behavior.

-- Step # 3: Get involved with dog people --

Get involved in canine activities and talk with vets, breeders, handlers, certified dog trainers, behaviorists, etc. You will learn a lot from these people. While they are not going to teach anything about dog training (with the obvious exception of trainers) you are going to learn a lot about dog care, health and nutrition. In addition, these people may be the perfect match to promote your future job.

Rodrigo Trigosso is a biologist and professional dog trainer. To learn more about how to become a dog trainer, visit his website, the Dog Training Tutorial, which provides objective and reliable information on dog training and behavior.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_146062_54.html
Rodrigo Trigosso is a biologist and professional dog trainer. His website, the Dog Training Tutorial, provides objective and reliable information on dog training and behavior.
http://www.dog-training-tutorial.com

2 Steps To Crate Training Your Puppy by Stephen Best

2007-05-06T19:54:00.001-07:00

If you are reading this, you have probably heard of crate training and want to know how to crate train your puppy. It is actually quite easy and your puppy will appreciate it. Dogs like the security and safety that a "den" provides and the crate serves as a "den" for them.

Crate training your puppy helps you with house training and housebreaking because dogs will not "mess" in their den unless there is simply no where else to go. Crate training also helps establish
you as the "alpha" dog which, in turn, helps you train your puppy.

There are two steps in crate training.

1. Select A Crate

A crate is simply a confined area. A box isn't good because your puppy can not see what is going on around him/her. A wire crate is best because your puppy can see, smell, and hear what is going on around him/her and adjust to you and your family. Also, the crate needs to have a lock.

You need to select a crate that is not too small or too large. A crate is too small if your puppy cannot stand up and turn around in it. A crate is too big if your puppy can roam around in it. If the crate is too big, your puppy will pick a corner in which to "mess" and sleep in another corner. This will make house training and housebreaking difficult. Ideally, the crate needs to be big enough for your puppy to stand up in and stretch, but not big enough for your puppy to move
around in very much.

You need to furnish the crate with a soft place for your puppy to lay down. Put some water and play toys in it.

2. Crate Training

At first, put a dog treat in the crate and encourage your puppy to go into the crate. Keep your puppy in the crate for only a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes) and then let him/her out. Do not make a fuss about either putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate. Each time make the time in the crate a little longer. Your puppy needs to slowly adjust to being in the crate. Eventually, your puppy will be able to stay in the crate when you are not home and at night. But, remember that a puppy needs to go to "go to the bathroom" fairly often, so keep this in mind. Do not keep your puppy in a crate all day. Give your puppy time to exercise and to "go to the bathroom" outside.

Do's and Don'ts

Do place the crate where your puppy can be a member of the family - where your puppy can see, smell and hear you and your family.

Do not make the crate a prison for your puppy or use it for punishment.

Do let your puppy out if it is obvious that your puppy needs to "go to the bathroom", but do not let your puppy out just because he/she is barking or fussing just to get out. Let your puppy out when he/she is being good. Otherwise, your puppy may think that he/she needs to bark or fuss in order to get out of the crate.

Do not make a fuss about putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate.

In summary, crate training your puppy is easy. Select the proper crate and train your puppy. Crate training will be a benefit to both you and your puppy.

Find out about the advantages of crate training your puppy and how to quickly solve a behavior problem that your puppy has by Clicking Here. You may reprint this article, but you must leave all links active. Copyright 2007 www.HowToObedienceTrainDog.com.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_149520_54.html

2 Steps To Crate Training Your Puppy by Stephen Best

2007-05-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

Simple Steps to Find Unique Dog Beds at Rock Bottom Prices by Moses Wright

2007-05-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

In the good olden days, it was a common sight to see dogs sleeping in a laundry basket with a self-made entrance at both sides of the basket plus a soft, washable cushion in it. Though the laundry basket did not look great, it at least possessed a useful function for the house dogs to have a good proper rest or sleep.

Today, it is becoming a trend for dog owners to get the most unique dog beds and dog accessories for their pets. From Windsor canopy bed to fanciful pink-feathered sofa or even a stretchy Hollywoof Limo, you can find these fanciful pet supplies easily in the market and one can simply buy any of these unique dog beds to pamper their dearly loved dogs. You can also take your time and effort to find an orthopedic dog bed that serves as a cushioning to your pet's joints and makes the dog feels young in heart.

Nevertheless, these unique dog beds are not free and most of them do not come cheap. If you are really interested in one of these dog beds, you must either be willing to set aside a big sum of money or some effort to invest on a unique bed for your beloved dog. The following article will show you some other ways where you can buy a unique dog bed at an affordable price.

1. Spent Some Time To Do Your Research

The first and foremost thing when finding a unique dog bed is to do some research about it. You can check out the related websites like www.glamoursog.com, www.spoiledrottendoggies.com and www.theritzyrover.com for more ideas to find your dream dog beds. After you find your dream bed, then the next step you should do is to negotiate or find the best price in the market.

2. Check Discount Sites For Best Price

You will need to pay $100 or more for a round-shaped Mammoth bed for large dogs. But a PetSmart bed which is designed for large dogs will only cost you as low as $40 although the disadvantage is that you will not have the bed in your preferred color and shape. But ultimately, it is the getting of a dog bed that will meet your dog's special requirements which is more important.

Intrigued by the idea of your dog sleeping on real-looking furniture? Well, then you can visit Petco.com to place an order for an iron framed bed or a spindle bed for an approximate sum of $200 which is less than what you will be paying at a designer site.

Alternatively, you can also check out these other informative sites at www.petmarket.com, www.cheappetstore.com and www.amazon.com. You might also want to check out these mega pet sites where they offer different items with deep discounts every month. Who knows, the dog bed you are eyeing for might just be one of the discounted item for that month.

3. Check out the Auction Sites for bargains

Through online auction sites, you can realize your fantasy of getting to see your beloved dog sleeping in his own limousine or relaxing happily in a frilly canopy bed at an amazing affordable price which you will never be able to get at those designer sites. The availability and prices are subject to quick changes on these auction sites but these sites also offer the highest possibly to help find the cheapest unique pink colored canopy dog bed for less than $25, or a petite size Cadillac for not more than $15. Who knows, you might be lucky enough to find one owner who is looking to sell a wrong size dog bed.

4. Make it Yourself At Home

If the task of sewing means peanuts to you, then you can consider making a dog bed for your best pal. From the websites like www.sewing.org and www.twocraftyladies.com, you can obtain informative details on the patterns and the steps needed to make a dog bed. If you are making your own dog bed, you need not have to confine yourself to a limited choice of colors and fabrics. You simply can choose whatever colors and materials you want, so long the material is washable. And the other best thing about having your home-made dog bed is that it will be the one and only piece ever made.

You do not need to rob a bank or end up penniless for getting a unique dog bed. The above suggestions are merely some of the tips to stir up your sense of creativity and make it a fun experience for you during the selection process while at the same time, maintains your practicality for not overspending.

Moses Wright is the webmaster of Dog Bed. He provides more useful information on Unique Dog Beds and Indestructible Dog Beds on his website. Webmasters are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_151936_54.html

3 Ways to Stop Your Dog From Jumping by gpoint

2007-05-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most frustrating, yet easily correctable dog behaviors, involves getting your dog to stop jumping on you, on your family, on guests, and on furniture.

Once you understand why your dog or puppy is jumping you can make a few adjustments and stop your dog from jumping in a flash.

Most often the reason that a dog or puppy jumps is to get your attention, She wants to play, to go out, get a treat, be fed or just have you pay attention to her.

In rare cases, a dog may jump because she is trying to establish superiority of her position within the pack that she is a member of in your home. If she jumps and you respond, she has made her point.

If your dog has been displaying behavioral traits relating to a lack of socialization and she does not understand that you are the pack leader, then you should ignore her when she jumps. The lack of response from you will indicate to your dog that she does not have control of the situation or of you, and is not the leader of the pack. The jumping will stop.

If, on the other hand, your dog’s jumping is of the most common, I want attention, variety, there are techniques you can use to stop your dog from jumping fairly easily.

Three Ways to Stop Your Dog From Jumping

The main point to keep in mind is that you must never allow your dog to jump and you must be consistent.

Here’s a few tips that many dog trainers use.

• Divert your dog’s attention before she jumps. If you get her to focus on fetching a ball when you walk in the yard, instead of jumping, she will start to associate the game with your arrival, in lieu of her needing to jump to get your attention

• Teach your dog to sit. Command your dog to sit when she is about to jump. Once she obeys this command, give her a treat. She’ll soon learn that she will be rewarded by “sitting” instead of jumping.

• Deflect your dog’s contact from you when she starts to jump and say “NO!” in a firm tone. Repeat this every time she jumps and do not laugh or play with her until she obeys.

It’s very important to use the same words and technique repeatedly and consistently when you are training your dog.

Act in a calm and collected manner displaying firm but kind leadership. Under no condition ever punish or strike your dog. This is not only cruel and unlawful but will reinforce the negative behavior that you are trying to correct.

Finally, if you find that getting your dog to stop jumping is a challenge that you need help with, call a professional dog trainer. They work with jumping dog issues on a regular basis and will help you stop your dog from jumping in no time.

Is your dog a jumping Jack?, a furniture jumper? or is grandma the recipient of jumping puppy greetings ? Whatever the issue, you can have a well behaved dog today by visiting, Dogs 4 Life at http://www.dogs-4life.com/disobedient-dog-help.html
This article may be reproduced intact with the author’s link displayed.

The 7 Stages of Puppy Development by Mike Ray

2007-05-06T19:50:00.002-07:00

In order to understand why your puppy doesn't listen to you at times, you need to understand each stage of development a puppy goes through as it matures.

Let's take a look at the different stages, but before we do, keep in mind that these stages are generalizations � each dog will progress at its own pace.

Stage 1: The Transitional Stage 2-3 Weeks

The Transitional stage generally lasts from age two to three weeks, and it's during this time that your puppy's eyes will open, and he'll slowly start to respond to light and movement and sounds around him. He'll become a little more mobile during this period, trying to get his feet underneath him and crawling around in the box (or wherever home is.) He'll start to recognize mom and his littermates, and any objects you might place in the box.

Stage 2: The Almost Ready To Meet The World Stage 3-4 Weeks

The Almost ready to meet the world stage lasts from 3 to about 4 weeks, and your puppy undergoes rapid sensory development during this time. Fully alert to his environment, he'll begin to recognize you and other family members. It's best to avoid loud noises or sudden changes during this period � negative events can have a serious impact on his personality and development right now. Puppies learn how to be a dog during this time, so it's essential that they stay with mom and littermates.

Stage 3: The Overlap Stage 4-7 Weeks

From 3-4 weeks your puppy begins the most critical social development period of his life � he learns social interaction with his littermates, learns how to play and learns bite inhibition. He'll also learn discipline at this point � Mom will begin weaning the pups around this time, and will start teaching them basic manners, including accepting her as the leader of the pack. You can begin to introduce food to the pups starting around the 4th week � transition gradually as Mom weans them.

Continue handling the pups daily, but don't separate them from either Mom or litter mates for more than about 10 minutes per day. Puppies that are removed from the nest too early frequently are nervous, more prone to barking and biting and have a more difficult time with socialization and training. Puppies need to be left with Mom and siblings until at least 7 weeks of age - and preferably a little longer - for optimum social development. Experts say that the best time in a puppy's life to learn social skills is between 3 and 16 weeks of age � that's the window of opportunity you have to make sure your puppy grows up to be a well-adjusted dog. It's extremely important to leave your puppy with Mom and his littermates during as much of this period as possible. Don't discipline for play fighting, housebreaking mistakes or mouthing � that's all normal behavior for a puppy at this stage.

Stage 4: The "I'm Afraid of Everything" Stage 8 Weeks to 3 Months

The "I'm Afraid of Everything" Stage lasts from about 8 weeks to 3 months, and is characterized by rapid learning as well as a "fearful period" that usually pops up at around 8 to 10 weeks. Not all dogs experience this, but most do, and they'll appear terrified over things that they took in stride before. This is not a good time to engage in harsh discipline (not that you ever should anyway!), loud voices or traumatic events.

At this time your puppy's bladder and bowels are starting to come under much better control, and he's capable of sleeping through the night. (At last, you can get some rest!) You can begin teaching simple commands like: come, sit, stay, down, etc. Leash training can begin. It's important not to isolate your puppy from human contact at this time, as he'll continue to learn behaviors and manners that will affect him in later years.

Stage 5: The Juvenile Stage 3 Months to 4 Months

The Juvenile stage typically lasts from 3 to 4 months of age, and it's during this time your puppy is most like a toddler. He'll be a little more independent - he might start ignoring the commands he's only recently learned � just like a child does when they're trying to exert their new-found independence. As in "I don't have to listen to you!" Firm and gentle reinforcement of commands and training is what's required here.

He might start biting you � play biting or even a real attempt to challenge your authority. A sharp "No!" or "No bite!" command, followed by several minutes of ignoring him, should take care of this problem.

Continue to play with him and handle him on a daily basis, but don't play games like tug of war or wrestling with him. He may perceive tug of war as a game of dominance � especially if he wins. And wrestling is another game that can rapidly get out of hand. As your puppy's strength grows, he's going to want to play-fight to see who's stronger � even if you win, the message your puppy receives is that it's ok to fight with you. And that's not ok!

Stage 6: The Brat Stage 4-6 Months

The Brat Stage starts at about 4 months and runs until about 6 months, and it's during this time your puppy will demonstrate even more independence and willfulness. You may see a decline in his urge to please you � expect to see more "testing the limits" type of behaviors. He'll be going through a teething cycle during this time, and will also be looking for things to chew on to relieve the pain and pressure. Frozen doggie bones can help sooth him during this period.

He may try to assert his new "dominance" over other family members, especially children. Continue his training in obedience and basic commands, but make sure to never let him off his leash during this time unless you're in a confined area. Many times pups at this age will ignore commands to return or come to their owners, which can be a dangerous, even fatal, breakdown in your dog's response to you. If you turn him loose in a public place, and he bolts, the chances of injury or even death can result � so don't take the chance.

He'll now begin to go through the hormonal changes brought about by his growing sexual maturity, and you may see signs of rebelliousness. (Think adolescent teen-age boy!) If you haven't already, you should have him neutered during this time. (Or spayed if you have a female.)

Stage 7: The Young Adult Stage 6-18 Months

The Young Adulthood stage lasts from 6 months to about 18 months, and is usually a great time in your dog's life - he's young, he's exuberant, he's full of beans � and yet he's learning all the things he needs to become a full-fledged adult dog.

Be realistic in your expectations of your dog at this time � just because he's approaching his full growth and may look like an adult, he's not as seasoned and experienced as you might expect. Gradually increase the scope of activities for your dog, as well as the training. You can start more advanced training during this period, such as herding or agility training, if that's something both of you are interested in. Otherwise, extend his activities to include more people and other animals � allow him to interact with non-threatening or non-aggressive dogs.

Congratulations! You've raised your puppy through the 7 stages of childhood, er, I mean puppyhood, and now you have a grown-up, adult dog! Almost feels like you've raised a kid, doesn't it?

------

To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit: http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_153425_54.html

5 Ways Your Dog Senses The World Differently From You by Mike Ray

2007-05-06T19:50:00.001-07:00

Do dogs sense things differently than humans do? Well, yes and no. Dogs share the same basic senses with us: they see, hear, touch, smell and taste. But the level of their senses is different � an important distinction when you're trying to figure out just what your dog is doing.

Sight It was once thought that dogs were "color-blind" � only able to see shades of black and white with some grey, but scientific studies have found that's not true. Dogs can see in color � ranging from blues and greens to greys and cr�mes, and of course, black and white. It's been estimated that humans can distinguish somewhere between 7 and 10 million different colors. (We don't even have names for that many colors!)

Picture courtesy of Dr. P's site: http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/dog.htm But dogs have it all over humans in detecting motion � that's one reason they can detect a cat up a tree at a much greater distance than you can! And their night vision is typically better than ours � dogs have an additional reflective layer in the eye called the tapetum lucidum, which reflects light back into the receptor cells of the eye, which not only increases their night vision, but gives them that spooky appearance of eyes glowing in the dark.

Hearing When your dog is barking like crazy in the middle of the night, don't just assume he's lonely and wants you to get up and keep him company. He may be listening to something that you can't hear, that's extremely upsetting to him � like a burglar breaking in your basement window. Dogs can hear at four times the distance humans can � that means you might hear something from a 100 yards away your dog could hear from a quarter of a mile away. Their ears are also better designed to gather more of the available sound wave � they have 15 different muscles that move their ears in all directions, plus they can move one ear at a time � and independently of the other to absorb even more information!

Touch Dogs also have a well-developed sense of touch, surprising perhaps under all that fur, although this sense is much less sophisticated than a human's. Puppies are born with sensory receptors in their faces so they can find mama even if they're separated before they open their eyes. But they also can sense touch all over their bodies, just as humans can. One reason your dog flops down on the couch next to you and tries to snuggle up on a hot day (or any other day for that matter!) is because he likes the comfort of feeling that you're right there!

Smell We can't even come close to our dog's ability to smell things. It's been estimated that a dog's sense of smell is 100,000 times more powerful than a human's. Scientists think that humans have about 40 million olfactory receptors, versus 2 billion for your dog! That's part of the reason dogs make such good trackers, and can trace scents across all sorts of distractions � like across roadways or through dense woods. Dogs also use their sense of smell as a communications tool � when they're running around the park with their nose to the ground, sniffing everything in sight, they're actually reading the calling cards of everyone � dogs, humans, cats, squirrels, and anyone or anything else, that has been there before him. Which is why he may not pay attention to you when you first get to the park � he's trying to see if any of his buddies have been there before him!

Taste Just as with humans, taste is closely linked to the sense of smell � the main difference is humans won't eat something that smells bad; while dogs are the opposite � the smellier the better. Dogs will gulp first and ask questions later. While humans many times won't eat something that doesn't look appealing, let alone doesn't smell good, dogs are more concerned with smell, than taste. They frequently gobble down food before they have time to chew it, let alone taste it. But that's ok � it's why when we clean out our refrigerators our dogs think it's time for treats.

So the next time your dog engages in some puzzling behavior, whether it's barking for no reason, or ignoring you at the park, he might not be trying to irritate you � he's just responding to a different level of senses than you are. Take a moment to look around and try and figure out what's triggering his behavior before you get mad. Your dog could be trying to tell you something!

------

To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit:http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_153698_54.html

Top 10 Puppy & Dog Training Tips by e-dog-training.com

2007-04-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

There are nearly as many dog training methods as there are dog trainers; but, there are some basic elements that all successful dog training methods have in common. Follow these tips when training your canine companion and you'll be well on the road to having a well trained dog who is a source of great enjoyment and pride. But remember, dog training isn't instantaneous - it is ongoing. Even when your pooch has acquired a desirable behavior it is still important to reinforce the behavior on a regular basis. Here are 10 of the most important tips to keep in mind when dog training:

1. All successful dog training programs require: patience, persistence, and consistence. This really is number one - most important - first and foremost. 2. Dogs are pack animals - use this to your advantage in your dog training endeavor. Be sure your dog knows you are the Alpha Dog. Encourage your dog to 'give kisses' (lick the back of your hand) - this is his acknowledging you as the leader. Also rub your dog's belly. Exposing his belly to you is a sign of submission. It is extremely important that your dog always remembers that you are his 'pack leader'; and teaching him this as soon as possible will make your dog training sessions progress much more smoothly. 3. Remember that dogs (like humans) do make mistakes. The important thing is to correct the mistakes WHILE they are occurring - later is too late. 4. Lavishly praise and reward the behaviors you want to establish as you see them occurring. This will lead to a snowballing effect: the more you reward appropriate behaviors the more they will occur - the more opportunity you will have to reward good behavior... 5. Don't stretch dog training sessions out too long for you or your dog. Ten or fifteen minute sessions are plenty for most pups. And be aware that several short sessions are much more effective than one long marathon session. In fact, long marathon sessions are more likely to discourage you both and make you both want to give up. 6. Make your dog training time fun and positive. This should be a positive bonding experience for you and your pup. 7. Short dog training sessions are best - but sessions should occur frequently. Twice a day would be good - but once a day, every day, should be the absolute minimum. 8. Always end dog training sessions on a positive successful note. If either you or your dog aren't in the mood for a training session, make the session short and easy that day. Only practice things you know your dog enjoys and will gladly do successfully at those times. Don't make any session a struggle. Save the more difficult tasks for times when you are both in the proper frame of mind. 9. Reward works better than punishment. Use this knowledge to positively 'shape' your dog's behavior. To do this, begin by rewarding behaviors that come closer and closer to the precise behavior you're trying to establish. 10. Correct inappropriate behavior from the beginning. Things that might seem cute for a puppy to do are totally unacceptable behavior for a full grown dog. Correct these behaviors from the start with your puppy - before habits form. The longer the behavior occurs the stronger the habit forms - the more difficult it will be to eliminate the behavior. Nip it in the bud!

Practice the above tips when training your dog. Always keep in mind that patience, persistence, and consistence are key. Throw in lavish praise and reward - and you will both be well on your way to success. You can visit: http://www.e-dog-training.com for more FREE helpful tips, information, and FREE canine cuisine recipes too!

About the Author
Http://www.e-dog-training.com provides FREE information, tips, and advice on dog and puppy training, dog care, dog health & nutrition, canine cuisine recipes, and all things dogs - all provided FREE - without obligation.

9 Rules for Basic Dog Care by Valentina Bellicova

2007-04-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Bringing a dog into your life, is just like adding a new family member. Bringing up doggie may not be the same as bringing up baby, but remarkably some basics are similar.

1. The Dog House Give your dog a home - literally. Make sure that somewhere in your house there is a home for your dog. It can be a separate small room or a corner of the family room, but it should be designated as his space. Some people put a dog crate lined with soft, washable bedding in a separate part of the house to which the dog can retire when the family does. Having his own "house" within the house, gives him a sense of security. If an extra room is not available, put his bed in a nice corner of the family room. Some families designate a soft chair for their pet - I'm not too keen on this as it's not practical to keep it clean.

If you have a fenced in back yard get an outdoor doghouse for those times when you may want to have your dog outside - particularly during the non-winter months. A dog house provides shelter from the rain or the hot noonday sun. Do not however, make a practice of leaving your dog out all the time. Dogs are social animals and love being with their humans.

2. Dress Right At the very least your dog will need a collar, a lead and an ID tag. I have seen some really smart looking lead and collar sets and when I see dogs out on walks. Judging from the way they strut you'd think that they are aware of their appearance! You will get an ID tag when you license your dog, but I really like the customized ones - they add to your dog's appearance and are not at all costly.

If you live in a cold winter climate and doggie is short haired, he will be a much happier camper with a nice dog coat or sweater. Those windy Chicago winters can be just as hard on your pet as they are on you. Dress well.

3. Get a Vet A vet is as important for your dog as a doctor is for you. When you get a puppy most vaccinations will already have been given by the breeder but it's a good idea to introduce your puppy to his vet as soon as possible. Regular checkups will keep your dog healthy and if you travel with your dog, you may need to get regular booster shots. Select your vet with care.

4. Spay or Neuter. Did you know that spaying or neutering your dog actually promotes better health, a longer life and reduces problem behavior such as biting or running away? Check with your vet as to when to schedule this routine surgical procedure for your puppy. If you are adopting an adult dog there is not wait time necessary. Do your part in reducing pet overpopulation

5. Chef not necessary - a good diet is. In the country where I grew up there were no pet stores or prepared pet foods then, so mom became the dog chef and cooked for our dogs. Rice was the basic and she would put various meats or fish and even veggies into a big pot and cook it for several hours.

Today it is not necessary to cook for our dogs. Choose a good nutritious diet for your dog. There are many good national brands that you can purchase at any good pet store. Small, boutique style manufacturers are also on the increase. Fresh ingredients, shorter shelf life, no preservatives are some of the benefits of buying a localized brand. Again, check with your vet.

Be sure there is always fresh water available.

6. Doggie School. A well mannered trained dog is a pleasure to hold and to behold. If your own training efforts are not paying off, take your pooch to a local trainer. Select several to interview. Ask which method of training they use (some training methods may be harsh) and as always, ask for references or check with the local shelter for names of reputable trainers in your area.

7. Daily Walkies Exercise regularly. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, the amount of daily exercise will vary - clearly a greyhound will need a lot more exercise than say a St. Bernard. Both are big dogs but their exercise needs differ. Walking your dog is a dual benefit - its as good for you as it is for him. If yours is a small dog taking him everywhere in its posh carrier does not qualify as exercise. Be sure to put him down on the pavement or grass and let him walk!

8. Control Remember this cardinal rule: off property, on lead. I can think of only two exceptions: doggie parks and a deserted country side.

9. Last but not least, be patient. Your new dog needs time to learn how to live in his new surroundings, how to behave with his new family, what is acceptable behavior. Your new family member will give you unconditional love and loyalty - give him a good start with love and loyalty from you!

About the Author
Valentina Bellicova is a world traveller, an author and a public speaker. An ardent student of life she observes how every human is bettered for having enjoyed the company of a dog in their life. To subscribe to her newsletter BooBoo Speaks! log on to http://free-page.net/web/Booboosignup5.htm

2 Steps To Crate Training Your Puppy by Stephen Best

2007-04-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this, you have probably heard of crate training and want to know how to crate train your puppy. It is actually quite easy and your puppy will appreciate it. Dogs like the security and safety that a "den" provides and the crate serves as a "den" for them.

Crate training your puppy helps you with house training and housebreaking because dogs will not "mess" in their den unless there is simply no where else to go. Crate training also helps establish you as the "alpha" dog which, in turn, helps you train your puppy.

There are two steps in crate training.

1. Select A Crate

A crate is simply a confined area. A box isn't good because your puppy can not see what is going on around him/her. A wire crate is best because your puppy can see, smell, and hear what is going on around him/her and adjust to you and your family. Also, the crate needs to have a lock.

You need to select a crate that is not too small or too large. A crate is too small if your puppy cannot stand up and turn around in it. A crate is too big if your puppy can roam around in it. If the crate is too big, your puppy will pick a corner in which to "mess" and sleep in another corner. This will make house training and housebreaking difficult. Ideally, the crate needs to be big enough for your puppy to stand up in and stretch, but not big enough for your puppy to move around in very much.

You need to furnish the crate with a soft place for your puppy to lay down. Put some water and play toys in it.

2. Crate Training

At first, put a dog treat in the crate and encourage your puppy to go into the crate. Keep your puppy in the crate for only a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes) and then let him/her out. Do not make a fuss about either putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate. Each time make the time in the crate a little longer. Your puppy needs to slowly adjust to being in the crate. Eventually, your puppy will be able to stay in the crate when you are not home and at night. But, remember that a puppy needs to go to "go to the bathroom" fairly often, so keep this in mind. Do not keep your puppy in a crate all day. Give your puppy time to exercise and to "go to the bathroom" outside.

Do's and Don'ts

Do place the crate where your puppy can be a member of the family - where your puppy can see, smell and hear you and your family.

Do not make the crate a prison for your puppy or use it for punishment.

Do let your puppy out if it is obvious that your puppy needs to "go to the bathroom", but do not let your puppy out just because he/she is barking or fussing just to get out. Let your puppy out when he/she is being good. Otherwise, your puppy may think that he/she needs to bark or fuss in order to get out of the crate.

Do not make a fuss about putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate.

In summary, crate training your puppy is easy. Select the proper crate and train your puppy. Crate training will be a benefit to both you and your puppy.

About the Author
Find out about the 7 advantages of crate training your puppy and how to quickly solve a behavior problem that your puppy has by Clicking Here. You may reprint this article, but you must leave all links active. Copyright 2007 www.HowToObedienceTrainDog.com.

5 Basic Care for Family Dog by Leo Enoch

2007-04-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

Before bringing a dog home, it must be understood that there is a responsibility of somebody who owns a dog to take care of it which will include providing food, shelter, health care, protection and spending time with the dog.

Here are some basic care that you should consider before bringing a dog home:

1. Shelter.

What kind of home are you going to provide for your dog? The answer to this question most of the time depends on what kind of dog you have. Some dog will stay most of their time outdoors while others in the house.

If you dog will spend most of the time in the open, then some kind of dog house or kennel will be needed. Fences may also be very important to keep the dog safely in the area.

While for those who stay in the house, there are many kind of dog beds and indoor kennels that can suit your dog. Remember that the size of dog bed or basket for a puppy might be too small for a bigger dog

Find out which one is the most right for the type of dogs you are bringing home

2. Health Care

A new dog or puppy should be taken to a veterinary for assessment of their health and they might need immunization against sicknesses. It is also of great significant to see the vets before bringing your dog home as you can get a proper information on good diet, exercise and grooming for your dog.

Your dog should be taken for a scheduled check up each year, some vet might recommend your dog to be spayed for female dog or neutered for a male dog. A healthier dog will definitely be a better friend for you.

3. Feeding

Before bringing back home your new dog, ensure you have some food, food bowl, water bowl ready. If it is a puppy, it is also good to have things it can chew on such as nylon bones, squeaky toys, and other toys that is not dangerous for chewing. Do not give them scrap bones as it might choke them and caused them injuries.

Regular feeding is a critical part of taking care of your dog. This will of course be decided by the dog size, type of breed, health and activity level. You ought to find out information on proper diet and feeding schedule from the dog breeder or when you bring the dog to see the vet.

I do not really believe in buying any commercial dog food off the shelves as a lot of these foods have poison that can harm your dog. Read the labels before buying.

Learning out more from your vet is a much better and wiser decision when deciding which food to give to your dog.

4. Exercise

Enough Exercise certainly an important factor to the constructive growth of the dog. However dog owner should be cautious to match the amount of exercise to the age and ability of the dog.

Through exercise, dogs are exposed to relate more with people, surrounding or even other animals. It will extend the dog personality and skills which will make the dog a better-off dog which will create a more rich and significant relationship with its owner.

5. Training

Training is critical for the safety of the dog and the people around it. Obedience training is crucial in the early growth period of the dog. Dog Training can eliminate nearly all behavior problems that the dog will likely to have like aggression, biting, destructive chewing, jumping, etc.

The question will be, if you should manage your own dog training or leave it to the professional dog trainer. Since Dog Training is a life long course of dog ownership, it is essential that you know how to train your dog especially for basic obedience command and skills that the dog should has.

Skills like eliminating outside the house, staying still at your command. Getting a good dog training manual is essential as correctly training your dog will give you much satisfaction which will has incredible positive impact on your dog.

These 5 basic care should be prepared before bringing home your new found dog. Following these will prepare you for a more fruitful and joyful relationship with your dog.

Leo Enoch is providing a Free Tips and Information on Effective Dog Training Solution.

Visit: http://www.DogTrainingSolution.com

About the Author
How to be prepared for your new dog or puppy before bringing them back to your home.

1,511 Dogs Die After Eating Poison Dog Food by MR Bruno

2007-04-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

New reports indicate that the commercial dog food recall which commenced with products manufactured by Menu Foods is exploding in its tragic consequences.

The dog food problem has apparently been caused by contaminated wheat gluten, a protein source, that was imported from China. Laboratory tests have produced a variety of suspect contaminants including aminopterin, a rat poison, and melamine, a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics and fertilizer.

Petconnection.com states that 1,511 reported dog deaths have been logged as a result of dogs eating tainted commercial dog food.

The report continues that 3240 pets have been listed as dead since the inception of the dog food recall and 9,378 total sick and deceased after eating contaminated commercial pet or dog food. These numbers include sick and deceased cats which points to the permeation of contamination across brands, food types and species that have eaten the pet food

In Oregon, where a steady stream of kidney and fatalities have been reported, the number of kidney related sickness and death are increasing.

State health officials state that the number of suspected deaths connected to the recall has risen to thirty eight. An additional sixty six cases of sickness may also be directly connected to the recall. So what course of action can a dog owner take to protect his dog?

1) If you have been feeding any of the commercial dog food brands listed at Menu Foods at http://menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html immediately stop using the dog food. We would suggest calling your veterinarian and consulting with the vet if any of this food has been used, prior to any symptoms arising.

2) Review the commercial dog food recall information from the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html for additional information and to determine if your dog food has been recalled and is not on the Menu Foods dog food recall list

3) Report any adverse consequences as result of the dog food recall to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html

4) Contact your local elected officials by phone and postal mail to voice your concern for the safety of dogs and better regulation of dog food industry labeling practices. You can locate your elected officials at http://votesmart.org/index.htm

5) If your dog shows any sign of sickness contact your veterinarian without delay.

About the Author
Daily reports of kidney failure and death in dogs are flooding the news wires. Do you want to know what they are putting in your dog ? Find out at:http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html This article may be reproduced unedited with the author's link displayed

Top 10 Dog Saftey Tips by Daniel Millions

2007-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

At various times of the year, Mother Nature casts her wrath and fury upon us in the form of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, snowstorms, and even volcanoes.

Add to the mix man-made emergencies such as chemical spills, explosions, or nuclear power disasters and the potential for wreaking havoc on our lives escalates.

In most cases, disaster shelters don't allow pets to wait out the problem with their owners. Often, the family dog is forgotten under such circumstances and left behind to fend for himself until his human family returns. Unfortunately, many dogs don't survive the disaster, or they become stranded, only to be rescued by strangers and never reunited with those they love.

Some disasters, such as floods, may last for several weeks, while others, such as snowstorms, may keep us from getting to the grocery store for a few days. Whatever the potential for disaster in your geographic locale, knowing what to do with your dog will help him survive the situation.

1. Always take your dog with you or board him at a safe location outside the disaster area. Never leave your dog alone in the home with food and water. Animals can become disoriented and panicked in times of crises. They can upset their water or food bowls. If a door collapses or a window blows in, your dog can easily escape. If a wall or roof caves in, your dog could be crushed and die. In a flood, your dog could drown.

2. If you travel frequently and might be away when disaster strikes, having a buddy in the neighborhood who will look after your dog may be his only chance for survival. Being a buddy to a neighbor's dog will help ensure that others' animals are protected in times of distress.

3. Put a collar and identification tag on your dog that includes your name and phone number in case he becomes lost or stranded.

4. Keep your dog's vaccinations current.

5. Know the locations of animal shelters in your area in case you have to visit them if your dog gets lost.

6. Contact friends or relatives outside the disaster area for temporary placement of your dog.

7. Prepare a list of veterinarians and boarding facilities that might be able to board your dog.

8. Contact pet-friendly hotels and motels outside the disaster area that might be able to house you and your dog.

9. Keep the results of your research, such as relevant phone numbers and contacts, handy.

10. Keep a disaster kit on hand or purchase one. Check your pet stores or mail-order catalogs for ready-made kits or make your own.

About the Author
Browse our English Bulldog articles or search through our pet classifieds to find that perfect puppy. If you are just looking for a good laugh check out our dog breed blog.

Ten Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat by Michelle Johnson

2007-03-15T05:26:00.000-07:00

As a dog owner, we all want what's best for our dog. With the newest reports about the proper diet for your dog, they should have carbohydrates, vegtables, etc., more and more dog owners are giving their dog table scraps without realizing that there are certain foods a dog should never have. Before you put your left-overs in your dog's bowl be sure to read the top ten foods they shouldn't eat.

1. Chocolate - To dogs, chocolate acts as a stimulant, making your dog's heartbeat accelerate or beat irregularly, leading to seizures and even cardiac arrest. To compound things further, it also acts as a severe diuretic, causing frequent urination, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you even suspect your dog has consumed chocolate, take him to an animal hospital immediately.

2. Grapes and Raisins - Grapes and raisins create havoc with your dog's kidneys and digestive system. What's worse is that the amount of grapes needed to cause problems can vary greatly among individual dogs. Symptoms include frequent urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Onions - Onions cause the breakdown of a dog's red blood cells, which deprives his cells of much-needed oxygen. If you're in the habit of feeding your dog table scraps, make sure the dish was not prepared with onions, as the effects can be cumulative over a period of time. Symptoms can vary greatly, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to loss of appetite, fever, or exhaustion.

4. Macadamia Nuts - While the exact chemical compound is still unknown, even a small amount of macadamia nuts can cause fever, irregular heartbeat, seizures, or mild paralysis.

5. Alcoholic Beverages - Dogs' physiologies are not equipped to handle alcohol consumption. They are extremely susceptible to alcohol poisoning, and even small amounts can lead to digestive problems or even death.

6. Bread Dough - Because it is soft, dogs will often swallow the dough without chewing it. When the dough hits your dog's stomach, his body heat will cause the dough to rise inside his stomach. This rising action can cause bloating or vomiting. To compound things further, the rising action creates alcohol as a by-product, and your dog may experience the symptoms listed in the previous paragraph.

7. Caffeinated Beverages - Similar to the effects of chocolate, caffeine is a stimulant and can negatively impact your dog's heart rate, causing seizures or heart attacks.

8. Avocadoes- Avocadoes are toxic to many animals. The offensive chemical damages heart, lung, and other essential tissues. Be aware since guacamole's main ingredient is avocado, that you keep any such dips well out of your dog's reach.

9. Pitted Fruits - (Peaches, Pears, Cherries, and Apricots) The pits of these fruits contain small doses of cyanide, which can be fatal to smaller dogs. Also, if the pit is swallowed whole, it may become lodged in the intestinal tract, where the blockage will have to be surgically removed.

10. Raw Fish - Raw fish, especially salmon, can contain parasites, usually fluke larvae. The dog consumes the fish, and the larvae hatch in your dog's digestive tract, attaching themselves to his intestinal walls. Symptoms can take up to a week to exhibit and usually mimic other canine diseases, such as distemper or parvovirus. The hazard here is misdiagnosis by the veterinarian, leading to an improper or ineffective treatment. If you choose to feed your dog fish, be sure to cook it thoroughly to kill any bad critters that could be hiding inside.

This is of vital information for your dog care. If you want your dog to have the proper diet, take a small amount of what your making before you add the onions and the extra spices and make him up his own little plate and add it with his dog food.

Remember a good dog is a happy and healthy dog.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Michelle Johnson is highly respected in her community for her knowledge on dog care. She owns www.tailwaggingprices.com find all your dog care needs at discounted prices. If you would like to read more of her articles visit dogandpetcare.wordpress.com while your there be sure to leave a comment.

10 Of The Biggest Dog Killers In Your Home by Colin Philips

2007-03-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

Dogs are very curious animals and as omnivores and natural scavengers, can get into and eat just about anything. However, there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. The following is a list of ten common household substances that you should make sure to keep out of your dog's reach.

1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it.

Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. Make sure to keep your antifreeze out of your dog's reach. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

2) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous.

While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death does occur with smaller amounts ingested. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and increased activity.

This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog's reach.

Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach and contact your veterinarian immediately.

4) Tylenol: As little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog.

Dogs lack the proper liver enzymes to break down acetaminophen. Signs of toxicity include drooling, lethargy, and abdominal pain.

If you suspect your dog has ingested Tylenol, call your veterinarian immediately.

5) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well.

Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has ingested a watch battery, contact your vet immediately.

6) Moth Balls: Moth balls are very dangerous to dogs. They contain an insecticide that causes central nervous system excitement and seizures.

When metabolized, ingestion of moth balls can lead to liver failure. Symptoms of poisoning by moth balls include vomiting and seizures. If your dog has consumed moth balls, do NOT induce vomiting. Seek veterinary care immediately.

7) Fabric Softeners and other detergents: All sorts of household detergents are toxic to dogs at one level or another, but fabric softeners fall into the highly toxic category.

Signs of toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, burns to the mouth, drooling, muscle weakness, and even coma. Do NOT induce vomiting if your dog has ingested any detergent. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

8) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma.

You should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning by mouthwash or other household item containing boric acid like contact lens solution or denture cleaner.

9) Peach Pits: With most fruits, the pits and the seeds are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy.

If you suspect your dog has eaten a peach pit or the pit or seeds of any fruit, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

10) Household Plants: Many common and popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs. A partial list of toxic plants includes poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil's ivy, aloe, and ivy.

Symptoms of poisoning due to ingestion of toxic plants include vomiting and central nervous system excitement. Many of these plants are fatal if ingested. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic houseplant.

With diligence on our part, we can help prevent our dogs from getting into substances that are toxic to them.

Many veterinary school websites offer lists of things that are toxic to dogs and what you should do if your dog ingests such things.

As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.

About the Author
Dog Health Revealed is an excellent place to find dog links, articles and resource. For more information on Dogs visit: dog health problems

3 Common Dog Training Mistakes by James C

2007-03-15T05:22:00.000-07:00

If you are in the process of training your dog you know that it can be a frustrating task. Will they ever get it? People often make many mistakes during the training process that can greatly extend the necessary time to train your animal. Read this article and learn three of the most common dog training mistakes.

The first mistake that people make is giving up on the dog. It takes time to train your animal and you will not get resuls overnight. The trick is to stay consistent and be constantly reinforcing the training. If after a few days the dog still doesn't get it do not give up. It might take some time but eventually they will get it.

The second common mistake made when dog training is using negative reinforcement. You should reward good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior. If you punish without rewarding you will end up with a dog who cowers all of the time. Do you want your animal to love you or be afraid of you? If your dog exhibits bad behavior, instead of punishing them, show them the right behavior and then reward them for it.

The last mistake that I will mention in this article is expecting too much from your dog. Remember they are just dogs. Do not expect them to pick up everything overnight and do not expect to be able to teach them every trick in the book. Just have patience and try to be reasonable in your expectations.

Training an animal is never easy. As long as you try to avoid making these common mistakes your training experience should go relatively smoothly. If you find that you do not have the skill or patience to train your animal consider hiring a professional. You might be glad you did in the long run. Good luck.

About the Author
Learn about dog boarding training at the authors website on dog boarding and training.

5 Basic Dog Training Mistakes

2007-03-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

Responsible dog owners know that it is extremely important to train your dog in order to make sure that you can both live together in a happy, safe, and comfortable environment. Training shouldn't be seen as ordering your dog around but should instead be viewed as teaching your dog to understand you. Remember that evolutionarily speaking, dogs are pack animals, and would be able to communicate with its pack-mates. Alpha dogs would use different postures and actions to command the lower-ranked dogs. This was the natural way that they functioned socially.

In your relationship with your dog, you should establish yourself as the alpha. This way, your dog will want to know what you expect of him, and training is the way to do that.

However, there are some right and wrong ways to train your dog, and unfortunately all too many dog owners are prone to making training mistakes that break the lines of communication between you and your pet.

Among these common mistakes are:

1. Inconsistency - training isn't just something that you do twice a week for a half hour at a time. It is a constant process. Repetition is extremely important, and things must be done the same way, every time. You can't just slack on the training because you're not feeling motivated or your dog is frustrating you. Remind yourself that once your dog learns, you will have created a communication for that action, and then you can simply maintain it instead of working on it from scratch.

2. Impatience - training your dog isn't something that can simply happen all at once. You need to prepare to dedicate yourself to repeating things time and time again - calmly. Although it can be extremely frustrating when your dog doesn't seem to be catching on - or worse, when you're sure that your dog knows what you're asking but is simply refusing - but if you become impatient, then you've lost all hope for success. Remember to take it slow, and do things in manageable steps, instead of overwhelming and frustrating both you and your dog.

3. Working separately instead of as a team - remember that you're working with your dog to achieve something. If you find yourself "arguing" with your dog instead of taking the time and making the effort to allow your dog to learn, then you won't make any progress. Work in a positive direction, instead of a negative one.

4. Keep your mind open - when you're having problems with your dog training as a whole or with a certain command, keep your mind open to new techniques. If you're taking a class and the instructor's method simply isn't getting through to your pooch, try looking online or in books to see if there are alternative teaching styles for the things you want to communicate.

5. Thinking of training as a chore - obedience training can either be frustrating and boring, or it can be a fun time to bond with your dog. Think of it as helping your dog with his homework. Be creative, stay happy and focused, and work together. When your dog does something right, instead of simply saying "good boy" or handing your dog a treat, get creative and keep things fresh. The less monotony, the happier you both will be.

So there you have it! Five basic dog training mistakes which now you can avoid them will ensure that you and your dog have more fun and your training progresses faster and more smoothly than before.

About the Author
Rich Cussons spends his time helping people care for and training their dogs. Find out more about basic dog training at his site DogsMadeEasy.com.

2007-02-19T22:30:00.000-08:00

Dog Breeds and You by: Terry Roberts

2007-02-19T19:56:00.000-08:00

How to choose the right breed of dog for you and your family

The importance of choosing the most suitable type of dog breed for your personal circumstances, preferences and limitations simply cannot be stressed enough. While dogs are like people, in the sense that no two dogs have the same personality, it is also true that different breeds exhibit different behaviors and, in fact, are often bred in such a way as to heighten these particular traits. Therefore, it is possible to have a fair idea of how a potential pet will react to different situations on the basis of the breed chosen. A true dog lover will make a special effort to take into consideration all factors to ensure that the breed selected as their pet adapts well to their needs.

Anyone for a Dalmatian?

The first thing to bear in mind is that the type of dog chosen must fit in with your current - or projected - lifestyle. The Dalmatian can serve as a good example. This breed is well known for producing cute little puppies, but what many dog owners don't realize is that they're going to need a great deal of exercise and playing even well into their mature years. So, if you choose this breed, you have to be aware that your dog is going to need the attention and love of a master, or mistress, that has the time for it. It's going to need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation to be a truly healthy and happy pet. As you can imagine, this is no easy task.

Considerations

Before you decide on a breed of dog, consider the following questions, as a minimum:

· How much time can I, or my family, spend with the dog or puppy?

· How often will the dog be left alone, and for how long?

· How big is the yard or exercise space?

· Is it fenced?

· Do I want the dog to be inside the house or outside? For how long?

· How much time do I have to walk or exercise the dog?

· Do I want a dog that is playful and friendly with everyone or one that is a good watchdog?

· How often am I prepared to groom and maintain the dog's coat?

· How much time can I spare to work with the dog for training and obedience?

· Will there be any small children around the dog?

· Are their other pets in the family?

· How much money am I prepared to spend on getting - and maintaining - the dog or puppy?

Once you've answered these questions, and any more that may be relevant to your particular situation, you can then start looking at the different dog breeds and their characteristics, in the knowledge that your choice will be based on sound reasoning.

Make sure you get it right

If you're planning to get a new dog or puppy, the breed chosen definitely does matter, both for you and for your future pet. If you spend the time and effort to ensure a good match, you can be much more confident that both you and your pet will be happy - make sure your dog can fit easily into your lifestyle, so that you can give it, in return, the lifestyle it deserves and needs.

About The Author

Terry Roberts has always been interested in dogs and the way people and their pets get on.