Pet Universe

Daniel Millions asked:


One of the most fun things that you can do when you are training your dog is teach your dog how to do dog tricks. There are a great variety of dog tricks that your pooch can do, depending on its size and weight. There are some dog tricks that are more suitable for some dogs than other dogs. If you are uncertain about a dog trick, your dog will show you its preference for one trick over another by its behavior when you try to get the dog to do the trick.

For instance, if a dog is uncomfortable or unable to do a trick, it may refuse to do the trick at all. In this case, you should try another dog trick that is different from that dog trick. This could happen if you were trying to teach your dog to walk or dance on its two hind legs. Some dogs just do not find this to be a comfortable position because of the size of their trunk in comparison to their legs.

Another reason for when a dog does not do a trick is that a dog may want to do the trick but has not caught onto each step of the trick yet. Be patient. If your dog wants to do the trick, you are half way there to teaching your dog the trick.

When you are teaching your dog a new dog trick, make sure that you have fun and are relaxed while you are with your dog. If you get uptight or it becomes a chore for you, your dog will not want to learn the trick or if the dog does want to learn the trick, your attitude may throw the dog off. If one trick doesn’t work, try another trick or another day.

There are some easy dog tricks that you can teach most dogs to do no matter what the size or weight of the dog. Tricks that you can teach a young dog include shaking a paw, wearing clothes and giving you a kiss. When a dog is used to wearing clothes, it can also be taught to be comfortable with different props, too.

Teaching a dog to hold things in its mouth is not as easy with all dogs at first. Not all dogs hold things in their mouth naturally, so you may want to watch your puppy to see if it carries anything in its mouth before teaching it this trick. You will have to first teach the young dog that it can hold things in its mouth before you try to get your dog to hold different objects in its mouth. When a dog knows how to carry items in its mouth, it can be taught to fetch specific items such as the newspaper, slippers or even a beer bottle, all of which can be entertaining and handy.

Other easy tricks that you can teach your pet include rolling over, playing dead and crawling. If your dog doesn’t mind walking on its hind legs, you could teach your dog to push a toy baby cart or shopping cart. Other more advanced dog tricks that you can try include jumping through a hoop, teaching your dog to speak and teaching your dog to sing.

You can have fun when you teach your dog tricks while training your dog to be obedient. Training your dog does not always have to be serious. Your dog will enjoy your attention and making you proud when it can do dog tricks.



Carol

Mark Breck asked:


Dog Training is one of the most important aspects of owning a pet. Dog training is a great confidence building experience for the entire family. Dog training is a process that we do with our dogs not to our dogs. Dog training is most effective when both you and your dog are enjoying yourselves and having fun. Dog training is a physical skill, so it’s easier to learn when you have an instructor showing you how to do it. Dog Training Isn’t About Your Dog Despite what other dog training books, videos, and experts may say, dog training isn’t about the dog. Dog training is communication — showing your dog how you want him to act in a way he understands.

Training Collar Main Features of a Dog Training Collar consists of two main components: A receiver that comes attached to an all-weather collar and a hand-held remote control transmitter that send signals to the receiver. Training is fun for you and your dog; it strengthens the bond, and improves your dog’s behavior. Training your dog not to pull on a leash is much more likely to be accomplished if he does not have free reign to pull as he pleases. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your dog. Training is bonding — working together so you and your dog enjoy each other’s company.

Behavior challenges: How to get your dog’s attention, both at home and around distractions how to deal with problem behaviors like barking, digging, mouthing, bolting through doors, chewing, and stealing food or objects from tables and counters. What to do about house training problems for puppies, young dogs and rescues how to teach your dog what you WANT him to do, how to teach your dog to behave and have fun while doing it. There is a strong correlation between homeless dogs and training/behavioral problems. Most behavioral problems are the results of a lack of understanding and interaction with our dogs.

Positive dog training is on the rise. Learn how to use Positive Training methods without becoming a doormat. You’ll find your relationship with your dog is enhanced when you apply proven positive reinforcement techniques. Take a positive approach to your dog training and it will become both an enjoyable and fulfilling activity. You should look for dog training classes that people and dogs enjoy attending, where they learn good techniques using humane and positive methods.

Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. The philosophy of Happy Dog Training is to integrate your dog into your family, thereby increasing his or her chances of a happy co-existence with the family. Dog training is a great confidence building experience for the entire family. You should make sure it is done the right way to achieve the best outcome for your entire family. A well-behaved dog can be a wonderful member of the family. A dog that is part of the family offers affection and fun. Give your four-legged family member a vacation, too. For instance, you should: Never feed your dog from the table - Your dog should be fed from his own dish after you and your family have eaten. Every dog requires understanding, patience and persistence on the human family’s part.

Dog Training is one of the most important aspects of owning a pet. Dog training is a great confidence building experience for the entire family. Dog training is a process that we do with our dogs not to our dogs. Dog training is most effective when both you and your dog are enjoying yourselves and having fun.



Oscar

Kevin Salem asked:


Have you ever wondered what “exactly” could be the reason why does your dog bark, pull on the leash, lunge, growl, attack, shiver, whimper, shy away or is dying to play when faced with other dogs that he is not familiar with?

Here are all the reasons:

? You don’t have the right timing, right technique, or the right training tool that can get your dog under your complete control. If a certain tool stops working or doesn’t even seem to faze your dog anymore, try another one. Use what works!

? You never thought socializing your dog with other dogs was really important or even possible. So you kept putting it off and now you finally admit that this has become a serious issue!

? You have been avoiding any dog you came across by changing routes on your walks, or by walking your dog really late at night or super early in the morning.

? Your training foundation is weak or even worse, you have no foundation. Meaning, your dog doesn’t even listen to you that well in private or in your home. So why would he all of sudden behave like a perfect angel around dogs that he doesn’t know or doesn’t feel comfortable with?

? Your dog USED to be friendly around dogs, but you slacked off on being involved on dog activities, daily walks, etc. And now, all of sudden your dog doesn’t know exactly how to behave around dogs he hasn’t met before.

? Your dog, or perhaps the other dog, isn’t spayed/neutered and they are dying to get it on and prove themselves. Jealousy also causes dogs to act aggressive toward one another.

? Your dog whimpers to trick you into thinking that all it wants to do is play, and when you get close to the other dog, all of sudden it charges for the kill. Very sneaky!

? You keep on patting your dog in an attempt to calm her down and by saying, “It’s OK. It’s okaaaaaaay. Nooooo…seeeee…. It’s a nice doggie.” But this doesn’t send the right message. In fact by doing so, you are “encouraging” your dog to keep on acting aggressively. This might work on some humans, but it never works on dogs. So do not pat or keep on massaging your dog while she is constantly lunging and growling at other dogs. This translates to: “Go ahead. Kill ‘em.” Even if you say “NO” in between, you are still not being crystal clear with your message.

? You misread your dog’s or other dogs’ body language. Sometimes when owners hold the leash tightly, this makes the dogs seem bigger, more tense, nervous, dominant and sometimes even a bit aggressive. Often you notice an owner’s dog is completely relaxed, yet the owner acts scared and desperately tries to pull the dog close to her. This makes the dog appear taller, more tense, with his head up and chest out, which reads a very confrontational gesture to other dogs. So please don’t wrap the leash around your hand three times by anticipating a dogfight.

? Your dog always lunges and attacks other dogs and doesn’t really know how to behave. Like a barbarian, it’s totally natural to him to act like a maniac. Basically your dog is thinking, “It doesn’t really matter if the other dog is small, big, black, white, friendly or aggressive. I always lose it when I see other dogs. It’s fun and it keeps me alive. I have that spice in me. Rrrrrruf!”

? You have a poor attitude and might even be prejudiced or scared of certain breeds. And guess what? Dogs never miss this and will try to protect you or at least try to scare the other dog. Maybe you hate certain breeds and your dog or the other dogs sense it from your energy, body language, or the fact that you totally changed direction, walked on the other side of the street, or picked up your small dog, hiding him from the rest of the world.

? Your dog never lost a dog fight in his entire life and always managed to scare, bully and lunge at dogs and actually get away with it. He probably sees himself as undefeated. The bigger the other dog, the more of a challenge; the bigger the fight, the better the pay per view.

? Your dog has been attacked by a dog in the past and got injured badly which resulted in him losing trust and confidence in you. You see, when you couldn’t protect your dog from another dog attacking it, your poor dog had to find a way to protect himself. So now it anticipates another dog attack. This is why now he acts tough to scare the other dogs away. Can you blame him?

? Certain dogs provoke your dog more than others. See if you can find any pattern. Is your dog getting aggressive more toward males, females, puppies, adults, small dogs, black dogs, white dogs, fluffy dogs with floppy ears, pointy eared dogs, or even dogs that are not neutered. How about their owners? See if you notice any pattern with them. Some dogs love a challenge and prefer to fight the biggest dogs they can find. Some can’t stand the small dogs’ bark, and the fact that they are more spoiled than bigger dogs, and probably see them as Costco’s appetizers.

? You’ve been letting your dog constantly mark on walks and thought it was normal and harmless. Now when your dog sees another dog in your neighborhood, he gets upset and tries to defend his territory. Just as your dog is overprotective of your house and your yard, he now thinks he owns the entire neighborhood just because he peed in every corner and every bush around it. How dare another dog walk in his hood!

? Something or even someone has irritated your dog, and now he decides to let it out on another dog. Be honest. Don’t YOU pick on someone or at your loved ones when you aren’t in a good mood? There you go. Your dog has learned it from you!

? Your dog is dying to play and interact with the other dog, but doesn’t really know HOW. So he gets mad at you, mad at the other dog, at the leash, at your training tool and at the world! This could be a dog that once he manages to get loose, will lick the other dog to death to show his affection. Most dogs when they want to play, just pull on the leash, whimper, wag their tail happily, or maybe bark and whine in excitement. Not your dog. And it’s really hard to know for sure exactly what he’ll do, when he finally manages to get to the other dog. Will he play or go for the kill? And who’s brave enough to find out?

? Your dog gets aggressive only when he is leashed. This might be another form of fear or frustration an attempt to keep the other dogs away. Or your dog notices that when he acts this way, you and the other dog owner walking another dog automatically pull back and don’t let them get close to each other. Your dog knows that he can’t do much while being leashed and his movements are limited. Therefore, it’s much safer to act like a maniac. Basically each bark and growl translates to: “Let me go. Let me go, Mommy. I can take him. Let me show you what I can do. Let me put him on the news for you.”

? Your dog is using your “other” dog as a shield/back up and knows it gives her more power when they attack as a pack. These dogs may walk politely one-on-one, but never as a team.

Conclusion: One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make is that they automatically assume that if their pooch loves some dogs, that it will remain dog-friendly with all breeds of dogs for the rest of his life. The truth is, some will, but most WON’T. You must be able to get your dog’s full attention around friendly dogs, aggressive dogs, hyper dogs, small dogs, big dogs, fluffy dogs, and male or female dogs.

It’s like a serial killer. They rarely go on a killing spree of their friends or relatives. It’s always the poor complete strangers.



Katherine

Michael Edward Loftus Sr asked:


K ESCAPE

Do you know how to deal with a vicious dog if ever you need to save yourself or a loved one? Here’s how:

A 125 pound dog attacked five-year-old Selena Burks as she played with friends in Alabama on April 8, 2008. She suffered crushed ribs, a punctured lung and liver. An heroic 11-year-old boy kicked the dog away and possibly saved her life.

An elderly woman was walking her little dog when a pit bull suddenly attacked her dog and clamped its jaws around its head. The woman had no luck trying to pry the pit bull’s jaws apart and could see her dog dying. So she bit the pit bull’s neck as hard as she could. It let go and backed off, but came back to attack the little dog again. The woman bit it again. That’s when a neighbor ran up and hit the pit bull with a baseball bat and drove it away.

The Humane Society says children are more likely victims of a dog attack because they behave in ways that dogs find disturbing, like running, yelling or making sudden moves, and less likely to be perceived as dominant because of their small size.

10-year-old Kenny survived a dog attack by a huge Mastiff. As the dog lunged at his throat, Kenny instinctively threw up his arm. The dog latched onto his forearm as Kenny remembered his father’s advice, “Plunge your thumb deep into the dog’s eye.” Kenny burst the dog’s eyeball like a grape. The dog released him and fell whimpering to the ground just as Kenny’s older brother arrived with a pipe and beat the vicious dog to death.

Usually, a dog’s body language indicates it’s about to attack by standing still with a stiffly upright tail while barking and snarling. An especially attack-prone dog usually will not back away, and in fact may try to circle around and attack from a different angle.

PASSIVE DEFENSE

Arizona’s Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says that our impulse is to run when threatened by a dog attack. That’s the worst response – it triggers the chase instinct in dogs (and knocking down a runner from behind is easy).

Instead, stand still and act calm. Don’t stare into its eyes because dogs consider that an aggressive challenge, so just look in its general direction and watch it with your peripheral vision. Oftentimes it will eventually lose interest and wander away.

Make fists so the dog won’t bite off a finger and cross your forearms across your chest. Be ready to protect your most vulnerable anatomy – the front of your torso from your groin to your throat – often a dog’s primary target. Let the dog sniff you. In a low voice say, “No!” Stay still until the dog leaves. Back away slowly until it’s out of sight.

An ultrasonic dog repellent is useless on a vicious dog attack, but pepper spray usually works.

MODERATE DEFENSE

If a dog does attack you, try to “feed” it your jacket, bike equipment, briefcase, or purse as a distraction while you back slowly away toward safety. If you’re knocked down or fall, curl into a ball and keep your arms wrapped around your ears, face, and neck (with your hands curled into fists). Try not to scream or roll around.

If a vicious dog has clamped onto you, do not try to wrench yourself free – that’ll just add to the damage.

One myth says to use a free hand to grab the dog’s jaw and nose, pinning the nostrils shut. It can’t breathe with its mouth full and nostrils shut, so must release you. Unfortunately, that’ll be a very brief solution – until it immediately resumes its attack. Since a vicious dog can severely injure or even kill you, an aggressive defense may well be necessary.

A second myth says putting your thumb into a dog’s mouth and pressing down on its tongue (while curling your fingers into a fist around its jaw) engages the dog’s gag reflex making it unable to bite down. However, that may well be very dangerous for your thumb.

AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE: ATTACK THE BEAST!

A passive defense may well be futile, if not deadly. You can strangle an attacking dog by pressing with all your might on the carotid arteries on both frontal sides of its throat (a few inches below its jaw’s hinges). Its brain is quickly deprived of blood/oxygen and the dog will go limp within seconds (or die, if held longer). YOU NEED BOTH HANDS with your thumbs pressing while your fingers grasp the back of the dog’s neck for leverage.

If you release the limp dog too soon, it will regain consciousness within seconds and perhaps attack again. Thus you may want to first bang its head against a solid surface to knock it out, or break its ribs by ramming its chest with your bent knee, or heel-stomp on its legs to break them so the dog will be less able to attack you further.

In 2002, a stray pit-bull dog attacked a two-year-old Detroit boy and began dragging him down the street. Horrified witnesses tried to intervene but the dog would attack them briefly then resume dragging the child. No police were nearby, six people were hurt, and the child seemed doomed until a passing motorist noticed the commotion, stopped, and shot the dog to death.

If a dog has clamped onto another person or dog, simply use the same grip but now you’ll be behind the dog and your thumbs will be on the back of its neck for leverage while your fingertips press on the carotid arteries.

Make sure you press on the carotid arteries on both frontal sides of its throat, rather than pressing on its windpipe in the center of its throat because that merely chokes it (depriving it of oxygen to its lungs) and takes 30-90 long seconds for the now violently convulsing beast to be rendered unconscious (or dead, if held longer).

What if the dog has already clamped onto one of your hands or arms? IF YOU CAN’T USE TWO HANDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DOG’S THROAT, try to grab its collar or loose skin to wrestle it to the ground and kneel on its throat. Or, quickest of all, plunge your thumb deep into its eye to burst it! That’ll probably stop the dog attack. If not, to most effectively defend yourself, strangle the beast!

RESOURCE BOX

Michael Edward Loftus Sr – Crime-Safety-Security.com – All Rights Reserved © Copyright 1990-2008

See Dog Spray at Pepper Spray and Personal Devices



Greg

Miss Debra Rae asked:


So you have a new dog or you’re getting one soon. Whether it’s a puppy, an adult or somewhere in between you’ll need supplies. It’s recommended to get all your supplies before bringing your new furry family member home.

Being prepared is always best and believe me, your new dog will require time with training, loving, feeding, grooming, etc. and you want what you need when you need it. Nothing is worse than wanting to make yourself dinner and little “Fido” is demanding attention because he’s hungry or needs a toy to play with and you don’t have it. Get what you need first and life is much better for everyone.

First things first. You want to be certain your yard is secure. No holes or areas where your pooch could potentially dig out or squeeze through and run a muck in the neighborhood. Using “no climb” fencing (similar to chicken fencing) is fantastic. It connects easily and comes down just as fast. Be careful not to leave any sharp ends poking out or your dog could get a puncture wound or laceration.

If your dog is going to spend considerable time outside (like when you’re at work), be sure “Fido” has shade to lie out in. Put up a tarp if necessary. Dogs need shade in the warmer months or if they want a lazy afternoon nap. You’ll also need a dog house for the cooler months when your pup needs shelter. For warmth in the winter, put a layer of hay on the bottom of the dog house. Blankets don’t hold heat and will only make your dog cold.

The following items are also recommended:

Get a collar and be sure it fits properly. You should be able to fit two (2) fingers between the collar and your dog. Be sure nothing is hanging loose. Dogs easily get their collars stuck and can strangle themselves.

Buy a leash to take your pooch on a well deserved and needed morning/evening walk. The leash needs to be about 6 feet long until you and your dog are well acquainted and training is instilled. Once training is complete, an extender leash is fun too.

Get your dog an I.D. tag. Put your dog’s name on it and the best phone number (house and/or cell) where you can be reached in case of an emergency or if “Fido” gets lost. It’s also recommended to Microchip your dog. This can be done at their first Veterinary visit for around $25. Remember: 1 in 3 pets get lost every year.

Where will your dog sleep? If you don’t want them on your bed or the couch, buy your pooch a bed of their own. Wash it before they sleep on it to get that new smell out. Use mild detergent and encourage your new dog to lay down on it by training them with a tasty treat or rawhide bone with a bit of creamy peanut butter on it. Peanut butter seems to work every time. Buy the family size jar.

If you’re planning on crate training your dog, you’ll need one. Your dog needs to be able to turn around completely in the crate but not have too much room. For a large breed puppy, go ahead and get the size crate they’ll grow into and block off the back half or third of it until they grow a little. They only need enough room to fully lie out on their side. Anymore than this for a puppy and they’ll go pee or poop in the back of the kennel.

If you don’t want to let your dog in and out, in and out, in and out, then a dog door is a great solution. Be sure to get the correct size and a professional installation. If you have a puppy, ask yourself how big will he/she get and buy that size door.

You’ll also need a separate food bowl and water bowl. I suggest plastic. It cleans up well, lasts a long time and comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors.

A food storage bin is a good idea. You want to keep Fido’s food as fresh as possible. Food bins are fairly inexpensive and air tight. There are many shapes and sizes and some come with wheels. The important thing is the bin is air tight to contain freshness. Also, get a food scoop. A plastic measuring cup works fine. This way you know exactly how much you’re feeding and if someone else needs to feed your dog there is no guessing on the amount.

Your dog’s food is incredibly important. Given the massive dog food recalls lately, choose wisely. I recommend “Blue Buffalo” holistic dog food. No fillers, no fake stuff, no mystery meat. Good old fashioned nutrition. “Blue Buffalo” has puppy blend and adult blend varieties. The better the nutrition, the better the dog. If you feed your dog good food, they’ll be healthier, happier, and live longer.

You’ll also need flea, tick and mosquito protection. I believe the best product on the market for these creatures is “Advantix.” Why? Because “Advantix” kills and repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes (carriers of the West Nile Virus and Heartworm disease). For puppies under the weight and/or age requirement, “Capstar” tablets kill fleas too. You can purchase these at your first Veterinary visit or to purchase online, have your veterinarian’s information handy to complete the forms as they require a prescription.

Protect your dog against heartworm disease by giving them “Heartgard” every month. Before beginning the “Heartgard”, your veterinarian should give your pooch a heartworm test to be sure it’s negative. If “Heartgard” is given to a pooch that already has heartworms, it can be fatal because the worms will die inside the heart and essentially suffocate the organ.

A doggie first-aid kit is also a good idea especially if you have a dog that is dangerously curious, eats everything in sight, or is a bit clumsy.

Buy some toys. Squeaky toys, pull toys, chew toys. Nearly all dogs, young or mature, love toys. Get some natural rawhide bones & chews. These are inexpensive and help keep your dog’s teeth clean too. Buy some tennis balls. For a couple of bucks it’s worth it. Take an old pair of socks and tie it in knots for a pull toy. Playing with toys helps to dispel energy and provides entertainment (even if only for a few minutes). It also helps the human to wind down from the day by playing with a pooch. Think about how adorably cute your dog is when they pounce on that toy you spent a whole $5 on and then joyfully bring it back for more.

An important note on bones: Please don’t ever give your dog scrap bones from the table. Once bones are cooked, they become brittle and can lodge inside your dog’s stomach, throat or intestines and cause perforations or blockages. This type of surgery is serious and expensive.

Get some doggie shampoo and begin the human/dog bonding process by giving your pooch a bath. Please don’t use human shampoo on your dog. Buy shampoo that has a bit of soothing lavender in it. After the bath, your dog is clean, smells fresh, feels better, is less itchy and they’re beginning to learn you are their human and will take good care of them.

It’s also a great idea to get a dog brush. I brush after baths and several times a week. It’s a great way to bond, helps keep them cleaner, and reduces shedding.

If you plan to clip your dog’s nails, buy the good ones. Spend $10 or $20 on a good pair of trimmers and your dog will thank you. The good ones are sharp and last longer. You also have the option of taking your dog to the vet for trimmings. For around $10 you let the Veterinary Technician handle the manicure.

With every new dog, puppy or adult, house trained or not, get some puppy pee pads. Your new dog is in unfamiliar territory and doesn’t know the rules yet. Save yourself the frustration of dog pee on the carpet and get the pads. I also suggest getting some urine remover. You want the kind that removes the proteins and enzymes that dog urine leaves behind.

Last, but certainly not least, get a training video, manual or both. Your dog needs training. Whether your pooch is 2 months, 2 years or 5 years, they need some training. You, the human, are the trainer. There’s a plethora of dog training videos, books and classes available to help you have the best dog on the block.

You and your new dog have begun a lifelong journey filled with laughter, insight, and companionship. Enjoy the ride and take the best care of your furry family member. Both of you will be better for it.



Greg

Ty Brown asked:


Dogs and Cats. Eternal enemies, right? Through proper dog obedience training you can teach your animals to live together.

The first mistake that most pet owners make when introducing their pet dogs and cats is to allow them to make their own introductions. This is a mistake! As I stated above, these two species are eternal enemies. You can’t just set one down near the other and expect great results. (Ok, I know that can happen and does happen, but my job here is to teach you about dog training. My version of training calls for prevention with dogs and cats rather than creating a problem and then being forced to fix it. As Mom used to say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.) There is a good deal of prevention that should be used before allowing your dogs and cats to co-exist.

Whether you are introducing a new cat to a home with a dog or vice versa I want you to start out the same way. Start out by using your trusty dog crate. Put your dog in the crate and allow the cat to be in the same room. There are several possible outcomes to this action :

1. Your dog shows complete indifference. This is ideal. If your dog behaves like this you will have a quick transition.

2. Your dog shows fear. This is not ideal but it will make the transition easier than some other outcomes.

3. Your dog shows nervousness and anxiety. He whines, he paces in the crate, paws at the door of the crate, etc. This behavior tells you that he wants out. There is something about that cat that is exciting and he wants to know what it is.

4. Your dog shows overt aggression. He barks, claws at the door of the crate, and he knows exactly what he wants to do with that cat. This is going to be the toughest dog to train, but it can be done.

For the first few days don’t let your dogs and cats near each other. Keep the dog in the crate. This doesn’t mean you need to keep him in the crate 24/7. When you want him out of the crate just make sure that your cat is shut off in another bedroom to avoid contact. What you hope to accomplish with this action is to train your dog to be indifferent to the cat. You want your dog to view the cat as ‘background noise’. The cat is inconsequential, the cat doesn’t matter, there is nothing interesting or exciting about the cat. In other words, your dog is safely tucked away in the crate and casually observes the cat move around the house. For categories 1 and 2 this will be simple. It will take no more than a day or two for your dog to think of your cat as just another ‘thing’ in the house. Categories 3 and 4 will take more training and time.

For categories 3 and 4 you need to attach a negative association to showing cat aggression. To do this, get a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with either plain water, water mixed with lemon juice, or for very stubborn dogs, water with vinegar. At this point, your dog is still tucked away safely in the crate. The next part of training will be conducted while you are sitting near the crate, ready for action. The instant your dog shows aggression (barks at the cat, claws at the door, whines in frustration, etc.) toward the cat spray him in the face with your spray bottle. Every time he shows aggression spray him with the bottle. When he isn’t showing aggression give him soft praise, “Good boy”.

Make sure that your dog never gets a chance to show aggression toward the cat without having a bad experience. This means that you must always be ready with the spray bottle or make sure the cat isn’t near the dog. If you aren’t vigilant and your dog has the chance to show aggression with no adverse consequence, you are training him to show cat aggression.

If you are consistent with this exercise you will soon notice that your dog will show less and less aggression while in the crate, it just isn’t worth the squirt in the face for him. You are on your way to getting your dogs and cats to co-exist.

When your feel comfortable that your dog is indifferent to the cat move on to the next step. As I said, for categories 1 and 2 this is probably one or two days after beginning the crate training. For categories 3 and 4 get your dog to the point where he is indifferent and maintains that attitude for several days if not a week.

The next step is to get your dog out of the crate and get those dogs and cats together at last! You are going to move slowly, though. Put your dog training collar and leash on your dog and make sure that he is always wearing it around the house. Keep your dog near you and allow your cat to be in the room. If your dog makes any move whatsoever to chase the cat, bark at the cat, or perform any of the stereotypical behaviors that dogs and cats do, give him a very strong correction with the leash. You want this leash correction to be a very memorable one so it must be very strong. You want to form a very negative association toward cat aggression.

Be consistent with this training. If you do this properly you will notice that your dog has less and less of a desire to chase after or bark at the cat. As you notice your dog changing his behavior give him more and more freedom by allowing him to be closer to the cat and further away from you. Eventually you will phase out the use of the dog training collar and leash.

Even if your dog isn’t showing aggressive tendencies, never let him chase after the cat in the house, even playfully.

Even some of the hardest to train dogs will respond to the above method. There exist, however, certain dogs that have such strong prey drive that only drastic measures will cure them of their desire to chase and kill cats. For these dogs I employ an electric dog training collar.

Read the instruction manual on proper fitting for your electric dog training collar. With a stubborn dog that needs an electric collar the method is simple. With the collar on his neck and turned on to a high level of stimulus you are going to correct your dog every time he even looks at the cat. As your dog even sneaks a glance at your cat press the button to deliver the correction. Don’t say ‘no’, don’t react in any way, just correct him for looking at the cat. Do this as many times as it takes. Let’s examine this from your dog’s point of view. He wants to get to the cat, wants to chase, wants to kill. But the very act of looking at the cat causes him pain. You don’t tell him anything so he doesn’t associate the correction with you. He soon will learn to believe that the cat is ‘evil’ and he had better not even look at it because it the act of looking causes pain.

As with all training, you must be very consistent. Your dog must never have a successful chance to even chase or want to chase the cat. Be consistent, though, and soon your dogs and cats will be able to co-exist.



Zachary

Jenny Gregorich asked:


People often buy gifts for family and friends during Christmas and almost forget the most loved ones- “The pooches”. The well known fact about Christmas is that “Christmas is for everyone”. Rich or poor, young or old every loved ones have the opportunity to celebrate the holy Christmas. So does your pooch. While buying gifts for your friends, family and relatives this Christmas, you must also remember that the dogs, “man’s best friends” also deserve a Christmas gift.

When it comes to Christmas gifts for dogs, there are lots of them to choose. However, not all the Christmas gifts will be loved by your pets. While some dogs like wearing Christmas dog clothes, some others like dog hats. It’s up to you to choose the perfect Christmas gift for your pooch. A better selection of Christmas gifts for dogs can be made if you know the behavior of the pet.

Christmas Dog toys for brisk pooches

Most of the pooches love toys. This Christmas will be a boon to them. There are many Christmas toys for dogs this season. The ‘Ginger bed house dog toy’ will be the greatest attraction this year. This interactive toy will be the perfect gift for brisk pooches. There are toys in the shapes of Santa, Reindeers and snowman which can be tossed and tussled by your pooches.   

Dog Sofas and Dog beds for pooches that like to sleep 

Not all the pet dogs will be very brisk. Some of the pooches always love to sleep. A dog sofa or a dog bed will be a perfect Christmas gift for those kinda pooches. Dog beds has to be chosen keeping the pets size in mind. There are ‘nylon rise dog beds’ that can be adjusted to fit your dog’s height. Maintenance of these dog beds is very easy. Most of them are machine washable. Moreover, the dog beds are ultra-light weighted so that it can be taken anywhere with ease.

Dog Sweaters to protect your pooch from the Chill weather

In the snowy season of Christmas, some of the dogs will feel uncomfortable because of the chill weather. What would be a better gift for that kind of pooch other than a dog sweater? These acrylic dog sweaters will be very attractive to look at with beaded jewels and many other stuff. Dog sweaters are available in different sizes and colors for all kinda dog breeds.

Dog clothes and dog hats for Show off

When everyone wears new clothes for Christmas why your pooch should be left behind? Dog clothes and dog hats are for those who like to see their pets dressed up in different occasions. Dog Santa hats, Elf dog hats and Santa paws dog hat are the perfect dog gifts for this Christmas. There are dog hats with a Santa beard that adds more fun to Dog clothing.

Apart from the above mentioned Christmas dog gifts; there is many more stuff out there. Christmas dog collars, dog carriers, head bands are some of them. Christmas gifts for dogs are not only for your own pets. Gifting you friends pooch will also please your friend very much. Most of the people consider their pet dogs as one of their family members. So don’t forget to get a Christmas gift for their dog this Christmas.



Clarence

Annette Masse asked:


A dog’s normal behavior is chewing. Obviously, it is not acceptable to permit your dog to chew clothing, furniture, stuffed toys, shoes, or even the remote control. Dogs can even chew a hole in a house large enough for it to escape; an occurrence that once happened with the dog of a friend of mine. A computer mouse and numerous remote controls were also victims of chewing by the same dog.

Understanding why dogs chew is the first step. During the teething stage, puppies will often want to chew. A dog will put anything in its mouth to make the pain disappear, similar to what baby children do during their teething stage. When dogs age into adults, their chewing habits are usually attributed to boredom or separation anxiety. Some dogs chew as part of their play ritual, and others chew just because the item tastes particularly good. Regardless, chewing behaviors from adult dogs are an undesirable trait.

Here is a list of some of the more destructive habits of dogs.

? Teething

? Mouthing

? Boredom

? Fear

? Play

? Attention Seeking

? Just tastes Good

All puppies go through the teething stage. For human children, there are topical gels available that parents can rub on the gums to alleviate pain and discomfort. This same type of topical gel has been used on puppies by a number of veterinarians. Teething is a natural stage of puppy development, and there are many products to assist the puppy during this time. There are manufacturers of hard rubber and plastic toys who specifically design their products for puppies that are teething. A few at-home techniques include giving your puppy normal ice cubes to chew on, or to tie a damp wash cloth into a knot and freeze it. Give it to the puppy to chew on when he seems to be experiencing discomfort. Often. the frozen washcloth technique only works for small breed puppies. One idea, that avoids confusion as to what is his and what is yours, is to give a frozen bagel to the teething dog. This gives the dog something to gnaw on to aid the teething process, and is also a treat to encourage him to chew on it. I purchase the bags of smaller bagels. It is a very effective way to conquer teething problems.

Mouthing: It is the norm for little puppies (as young as 8 weeks old) to have really sharp baby teeth. These young dogs tend to bite during times of play and excitement. The mouthing behavior needs to be discouraged. This is the style in which young dogs speak with each other. Some pet owners like to play rough with their puppies, and they often return with a small bite mark as a result. Do not encourage this type of behavior, but rather, teach your dog that it is unacceptable.

Boredom: If you are absent from your dog for extended period of time, it will become bored and look elsewhere for something to do. One way the dog can pass the time is by finding something to chew. Getting your dog more exercise will be beneficial for them and you. Although walking some dogs relaxes them and tires them out, other dogs can be energized by the experience. If the latter is the case, a good solution is to take some down time with your dog immediately after a walk. This will create a strong bond between you and your dog, and strengthen your relationship. Once again, using frozen pizza dough or frozen bagels makes for a good chew toy for a puppy.

Fear - Sometimes, when frightened, dogs may chew on items. Loud noises, like those that occur during thunderstorms, can frighten some dogs. Dogs also become agitated by the presence of other dogs, and if another dog walks past the window, your dog may start barking, chewing the window frames, and so on. These types of actions are a result of defensive behaviors. The “down stay” command, as covered in earlier dog articles, is one of the most effective techniques when dealing with these types of behaviors. If the dog is acting in a negative manner, put a positive spin on the situation before attempting to teach this command. Give the “down stay” command to the dog after first removing him from the window. Find a way to relax the dog as you sit with him. This allows the dog to achieve a calm state of mind.

Play- Additional training will usually end any biting or chewing that happens while your dog is playing. Energy levels vary between individual dogs, and as such, some dogs have higher amounts of energy than others. This type of dog requires a significant amount of exercise to supplement the recommended training. Introduction of structured activities, such as jumping or fetch, will help the dog get necessary exercise during play time. During play time and exercises, practice many “down stays” in as many locations as possible.

Attention Seekers - Some dogs desire more attention from their owners than they are receiving, and strive to gain that attention through a behavior they know works. Common attention seeking behaviors include barking, chewing, spinning, stealing, and limping. As the dog is attempting to receive any sort of attention by chewing, negative reinforcement by the owner will not cause this behavior to stop. If no attention is brought to the poor behavior, it will often times go away on it’s own.

Just Tastes Good - As common sense dictates, if an item tastes good to a dog, that dog is more likely to want to chew it. Items that are at risk of being chewed are ones that are palatable to a dog. This means that some items have a pleasant taste or texture to the dog. Examples of these items include stuffed animals, shoes, and most furniture. If your puppy is going through the inevitable chewing stage, it is wise not to leave these things laying around.

Chewing is usually not an issue for dogs that are healthy, have space of their own to roam, and exercise often. If it does become a problem, try the frozen bagels.



Shane

Chris Smith asked:


One of the most common questions dog owners are forced to address is how to train a dog not to bark.

Dogs love to bark. It’s a perfectly natural thing for your dog to do, just as it’s normal for us humans to speak.

It’s when our dogs bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned - including our neighbours.

Considering this, our goal isn’t to to stop our dogs from barking, but rather how to control the excessive barking.

There are of course situations when we want our dogs to bark (and I guess there are also times when I like my chatty aunty to speak!;)

Training our dogs to stop or at least reduce their barking habit can be a very difficult task.

The first step in modifying this problem is to determine the reason why your dog is barking in the first place. Once you’ve identified the cause or trigger, you can then plan your training solution.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

- To express their needs (being bossy).

- Some dogs are bred to bark (some terriers and hounds).

- They are staking out their territory.

- To alert other members of their pack (that’s you and your family) of impending danger.

- When playing, just through sheer excitement.

- Barking at other animals. Depending on where you are in the world, it could be squirrels or any other small animal.

- If they are isolated.

- Some dogs bark excessively when seperated from their pack (you and your family).

- If they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.

- Just for fun!

- To express dominance (puppies normally test you out at some stage with a display of dominance barking).

- They bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past (this is crucial to understand).

- Through boredom or a lack of physical and mental stimulation.

- May feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. Things like feeling threatened or if they don’t have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.

- Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.

- May be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though it may appear to you that your dog is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case. This is due to the fact that your dog has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans. Your dogs excessive barking is probably being triggered by something.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

Ok, now we’ve sorted out the reason for your dogs barking problem, we can put some training techniques in place to control it.

The most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavioral problem, is to clearly communicate to your dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

One of the biggest mistakes us dog owners make is to inadvertently reward our dogs excessive barking. We actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins:

- Yell and scream at the dog, this just gives them the attention they were crying out for.

- Let them inside. If your dog is barking his head off outside, then you let him in, this just rewards the barking.

- If your dog is barking and you react by giving him a comforting cuddle or a treat of some sort, you are definately encouraging your dog to bark again. By doing this you are communicating to your dog that you are happy with him. You should be making it clear that his excessive barking is inappropriate.

Right, lets get stuck into some proven techniques to stop your dog from barking. I’ve listed the most common reasons why your dog may be barking, and some suggested solutions you can try.

Dog Goes Crazy Every Time The Phone Rings

This is a very common and annoying time for dogs to bark excessively. Try these training techniques:

- Never yell at your dog.

- Get your dog used to the phone ringing, don’t make it such a big deal. Ring your home number from your cell phone or get a friend to keep calling you. When the phone rings just sit there, don’t say or do a thing. Repeat this process over a few days, your dog will probably continue to bark for a while but will give up before long.

- If you give your dog basic obedience training, behavioral problems such as excessive barking are easily controlled. Your dog looks up to you as their pack leader and is eager to please you in any situation. Teaching the Quiet! or Stop! obedience training command will soon correct nuisance barking problems.

- You may have some success by changing the tone and volume of your ring tone.

Dog Barks When You Are Not Home

I’m not going to pretend this type of barking will be easy for you to control, because in reality it is often a difficult and lengthy process.

Always remember that dogs are social creatures, when they are seperated from their pack (you) they can become stressed and frustrated. This type of excessive barking is often caused by seperation anxiety.

- Firstly I’d say just use your common sense and get these dog ownership basics right. Keep your dog well exercised (physical and mental) and provide fresh water, chewing toys and a nice comfortable place to sleep. You can also try to block your dogs view of the street or other distractions. Basically, make sure your dog is happy.

- If you know your dog has been barking while you have been away, you must ignore him for a while when you return home. I understand this is difficult for lots of owners, but otherwise your dog believes that his barking is the reason you came back home to him. Just go about your business for a little while when you get home, ignoring your dog. When your dog has settled down, you then initiate contact with him.

- This next method takes time and patience, but can be a very effective way to stop your dog from barking. It’s based on that important rule applicable to all training situations. Praise or reward when your dog does something good, create a negative association when he does something bad. Leave the house as you normally would, but just hide somewhere nearby. When your dog starts to bark spray him with water or throw a tin can full of coins or rocks in his direction (this is the negative association). Try to keep out of your dogs sight while doing this if possible. Go and hide again, if he is quiet for a while, go in and reward his good behavior with some praise and maybe a treat. This process may need to be repeated over and over until you have broken the excessive barking habit.

- The above techniques have proven to be successful with my own dogs, but if they don’t work for you, maybe you could try a Citronella Collar. Again this method uses the power of negative association. Every time your dog barks, a fine mist of citronella is sprayed into the air. Most dogs hate the smell, and soon realise if they don’t bark, the smell isn’t there to bother them. If you have more than one dog this method is not a suitable solution.

Dog Barks For Attention Or To Demand Something

This is one excessive barking problem that can be corrected very quickly. - If you establish yourself as the pack leader or alpha dog in your owner-dog relationship, this type of barking problem won’t occur. You’ll also form a strong bond with your dog based on trust and respect.

- Another effective method you can try to stop this attention barking is simply ignoring your dog. Your dog will probably become frustrated and bark alot initially, but once he realizes that it is not getting him anywhere, he will stop. This training method can be hard on the ears for a while!

Dog Barks At Passers By

Workers like the Postman and Delivery Driver’s are constantly being barked at throughout their day.

Your dog perceives these type of people as intruders or a threat to their territory. The dog then barks and every time he barks he is rewarded, as the intruder goes away. Your dog is then very pleased that he has averted this threat, which leads him to do it again and again. His behavior is reinforced and therefore this can be a difficult problem to turn around.

- If possible, you could try to block your dogs vision or access to the area where these people pass by.

- Dog obedience training is the best solution to this type of excessive barking. Once you have your dog properly obedience trained, you will be able to communicate to him that this is unacceptable behavior.

- If your dog consistently barks at a particular person, you may need this person to help modify your dogs behavior. Just say your dog gets really agitated each time the postman arrives. Have a chat to your postman and give him some of your dogs very favorite treats. Each time he delivers to your house, he can also deliver a tasty treat to your dog. In your dogs mind the postman goes from being a threat, to a welcome guest.

How To Train A Dog Not To Bark

In extreme cases of excessive barking, where all else has failed, some people advocate debarking surgery. I’ve never needed to go down this path with any of my dogs, and don’t think I ever would. But if you have come to the end of the line and think you have run out of options, you could discuss debarking surgery with your Veterinarian.

Good luck in trying to control your dog’s excessive barking. If you consistently apply the above training techniques and add a little patience, you should have your dog under control before long.



Patrick

Douglas Hanna asked:


Sadly enought, reventable accidents are also a leading cause of early death for many dogs. Veternarians often see dogs injured as the resutl off car accidents, from dogfights, or who suffer from accidental poisonings.

While accidents sometimes happen no matter how many precautions are taken, there are things you can do to help keep your dog as safe as possible.

Protect Your Dog From Vehicular Accidents And Dog Fights

Never let your dog outside unaccompanied. Try to keep your dog in a fenced-in yard. Reduce the possibility of dogfights by introducing your dog slowly to other dogs. Or, better yet, keep other dogs away from your dog. Most dogfights occur when dogs are outside by themselves. Also, be sure your dog cannot run out of the house or escape from your yard. If you live in an area where there are any vehicles - even golf carts or mopeds - watch the dog closely. And when you walk your dog, make sure it is on a secure leash.

Dangerous dogfights can also occur when there are multiple dogs in the same household. If you own more than one dog, and they continue to fight, you may need to permanently separate them.

Train Your Dog To Respond To Your Commands

A big part of keeping your dog safe involves training, so your dog will respond to your voice in any situation. You may find you need an obedience training class to achieve this. You will also need to practive obedience training througout your dog’s lifetime.

The reason for this obedience training is that one day your dog might dash outside without a leash, and you would be able to quickly call it back before it gets into a fight or suffers an accident. Training your dog can save its life. And working with it will also help you and your dog develop a stronger bond.

Protect Your Dog From Accidental Poisoning

Every year, dogs around the world die from accidental poisoning. These are often caused by rodent poisons that have been placed around the home or in outside areas where a dog can access them. While your veternarian may be able to successfully treat one of these poisonings, they can still lead to permanent organ damage. If you use any poisonous products around your home, make sure your dog will not be able to reach them.

Poisoning accidents can also occur from products around the home that are deadly, but do not have a bad taste or smell. Your dog might ingest one of these out of curiosity, thirst, or hunger.

One example of a dangerous household product that can fatally poison dogs is anti-freeze. While it is a hazardous chemical, it actually has a slightly sweet taste that can appeal to both dogs and cats. Make sure there is no spilled anti-freeze around your home or in your neighborhood. Also, be aware of any other products in or around your home that could harm your dog.

Other more common accidental poisonings occur when ogs eat prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. These drugs may taste horrible to us, but for some reason, dogs seem to find pills particularly appetizing. You may not think that your dog wouldn’t be tempted to eat a bottle of xanax, but this does happen.

In fact, some pet owners recently discovered that their dogs were obsessed with getting into anti-depressant medications. While some of these stories are amusing, the consequences that dogs can suffer from overdosing on these drugs are serious. Always keep over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications far out of reach of your dog.

Microchip Your Dog

Chipping your dog is one of the most proactive steps you can take to keep your dog safe and healthy. If, at some time, you and your dog become separated, a microchip can help you reunite with your dog. If your dog becomes lost there is always the possibility that another person might adopt it. A lost dog can also suffer from starvation, get in fights with other animals, or be run over by a car.

When you can’t claim your dog

Dogs that are lost are frequently picked up and brought to humane animal shelters. But if the dog is not claimed or adopted within a specified amount of time, it will most likely be euthanized.

However, if your dog does become lost and ends up in an animal shelter, a microchip will quickly identify

it, removing any chance that it is euthanized.

A microchip will also help to identify your dog if you are separated from it in an emergency. Mandatory evacuations caused by fires, floods, and storms are notorious for separating dogs and their frantic owners. So if you do become separated from your dog in an emergency, a microchip can bring the two of you back together.



Minnie