Help Our Pets through Disaster - San Diego Fire Storm 2007

By Linda Lee
It has truly been a week full of anxiety here at home, living through what has come to be known as San Diego Fire Storm 2007. Though we were among the fortunate to discover our home had been spared, night after night of following the dramatic news footage has really made me rethink the special place our pets and animals play in our lives. As heart-breaking as it was to watch so many homes lost to the fury of wildfires in Southern California, it was even harder when I realized that many animals and pets were left behind during the evacuation process. My dog Sugar, a Bichon Frise who turned one year old earlier this month, was stressing out the moment he smelled smoke in the air. We knew we could not stay long.

We live in Carmel Valley in San Diego. Starting late Sunday afternoon, 10/21/07, I noticed the smell of smoke coming from outside. Soon, the sky started getting dark and we realized that it must be a nearby fire. Sugar did not to want to go outside and began following us very closely, a behavior we know fondly as the Sugar Shadow. By Monday morning we watched the news tell us that the fire had gotten much worse over the long night and that our area was being evacuated. With my asthma being a very serious concern, we decided to get out of town where the air quality was not affected by the fires.

We found a pet-friendly room at the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa on 10/22/07 in Palm Springs area. This was Sugar’s first hotel stay. Despite how lush and beautiful the hotel was, Sugar remained alert and woke up with every noise. When housekeeping was cleaning the room next to us, our normally calm little cotton ball wanted to bark. The poor little guy was not able to eat regularly or take care of business on his short walks.

Unfortunately, Westin was sold out for Tuesday night 10/23/07. There were many people coming from San Diego to get away from the choking air. They recommended that we try to stay at the Las Palmas Resort which is another pet-friendly place, so we called and booked a night there. Unfortunately, we found Las Palmas to be roach friendly as well. We found a large cockroach in the middle of the room when we woke up the next morning. Fortunately we found it before Sugar! It was difficult to walk Sugar around the resort as grass at both the front and back of our room were dead with major renovation. We discovered that they started work at 7am with construction sounds waking us and Sugar up. This was disconcerting as they never notified us that this would be happening when we checked in… After 2 nights at Palm Springs, we were ready to come home.

Sugar was really happy to be home yet with hesitation to go outside due to poor air quality. We have since watched more TV coverage relating to San Diego Fire Storm 2007 and saw news about animals or lost pets. Our hearts go to all fellow pet owners and pets. We urge people to donate to the San Diego Humane Society’s Fire Storm 2007 to help with animal rescues and reuniting pets with their owners. While watching our own little guy, Sugar, deal with all the smoke, moving around and disruption to his life, we truly empathized with the struggles of the countless pets and animals and how they must have fared through this ordeal.

We love our Sugar and would love to extend that love to all fellow pet lovers!!!

Linda Lee is the founder of Sugar Paww, a company specializing in the most adorable pet gift baskets for our beloved dogs and cats. For more information please visit www.sugarpaww.com

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Photographing Your Dogs

By Suzanne Vandegrift
So you want to put Fido up on the family portrait wall. With a little planning and a fair amount of time and patience, you can get some great photographs that are definitely worth framing. So, the first order of business is to get your equipment and photography site ready. You don't want to be concerning yourself with these details during your photography session. Make sure everything is charged, enough memory cards or film, lighting is good, and let friends know you'll be unavailable for a couple hours to avoid distractions.

Recruit one or two of those friends to help you in your quest. If they have pets, offer to take pictures of their "family members" after you become a "pro", with their assistance. If it's necessary for them to hold the pet for a specific shot you really want to get, try to have them move out of the area quickly just before you snap the picture. With digital photography, it is possible to edit them out of the picture if they have to hold the pet.

Set your photography site up with your pet in mind. If you have a spunky, playful, never-still puppy, don't try photographing him sitting quietly on a pillow next to the fireplace. What you'll more than likely wind up with at the end of your photo session will be a lot of images of the puppy leaving the area and a very frustrated you. Have the setting fit the pet. If weather permits, find an outdoor location that will enhance your photographs and allow your pet's personality to shine through.

The eye is the same for your pet as it is for people. Using a flash will cause a reflection in your pet's eyes and they will appear to glow or possibly be a greenish color. The closer you are to your pet, the worse the reflection. Whenever possible, do your photography session using natural light. If it's just not possible, and you have to use a flash, the reflection can be removed from your photographs using a special pen.

Just as the child photographer may carry props in her camera case, such as the teddy bear, to make the baby laugh, you can pack your pet's favorite toys in your camera case to help get them to respond the way you want them to. If you want to get an action shot of your puppy, toss his toy and snap as many pictures as you can as he bounds after it. If you're photographing a mature dog that has been trained and try getting him to "stay" with perhaps a chew toy or a bone. Use a toy that makes noise to get his attention drawn in the direction you want him to look. Often noises can result in your pet looking puzzled or curious, which can produce some priceless photographs. Again, take as many pictures, as quickly as you can, before he decides he's movin' on.

This is also another opportunity to experiment with different lenses for different effects. So pack your camera case with your camera and accessories, throw in Fido's favorite toy and a few dog treats and head out to that beautiful lake or your backyard rose garden to get some cherished photographs to hang on that family portrait wall.

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article for M-ROCK.com, manufacturer of feature packed and functional digital camera bags.

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The Real Truth About Commercial Dog Food

By Dawn Smith
They say dog is mans best friend. What if he’s just eaten the arm of your sofa or helped himself to the roast turkey in the kitchen? But seriously, this is all part of raising your pet and all part of the fun (not at the time but you can look back and laugh). Just like any other member of your family you love your dog in spite of (and because of) his or her quirks, this is just part of their personality and what makes them so special.

Now obviously you wouldn’t want to give your pet roast turkey as a menu option but what should you be feeding your dog? Have you given it much thought? Many people are very quick to pick up the cheapest can of dog food off the supermarket shelves and not batter an eyelid. On the front of the tin it may say "succulent turkey and diced rabbit", but have you turned it around to see what’s really in it? This is something I am now very careful of and I’ll tell you why.

I once owned a cat named Billy. I used to buy him pouches of food and biscuits (brand named) from the supermarket without much thought until one day, I was absentmindedly reading the ingredients lists on the back of one of the pouches. That’s when I read "3% ash"! I re-read it just in case I’d made a mistake but there it was plain as day, ASH. It was then that I decided to pay far closer attention to what I fed Billy. This prompted me to do a little research into cat and dog food and find out what other surprising ingredients could be found in certain varieties. The first thing that came to my attention (and I didn’t have to look very hard) was the fact that it isn’t just the cheap label dog food that contains some awful ingredients. Large well-known and respected companies are using some of the things you are about to read in their pet food, which is why I developed www.yourdogsdiet.com to offer pet owners advice on how to feed their pets correctly.

First of all we have butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytolulene. These two chemicals are known to cause kidneys problems. Next we have Propylene glycol. This can destroy red blood cells. We also have things like Coloring agents ,drying agents, flavoring agents, lubricants, and texturizers.

What is often referred to, as "meat and bone" meal is actually the leftovers from meat used in human food products. All the left over parts of the dead animal are (along with all the other mess and waste is around) made into dog food. This could be lungs, teeth, chicken feet, intestines and even diseased animals. So what happens to all this before it is tinned and labelled "succulent tender healthy dog food"? Well, the whole pile of mess is cooked up on a high heat for up to an hour and left to cool. At this point the animal fat is skimmed from the top and what’s left over will be dried and pressed. It is not my intention to scare any pet owner but it is important to educate yourself with regards to your dog’s health and welfare. By feeding your dog the right kind of food instead of the rubbish that companies are somehow still allowed to sell, you will not only keep your dog healthy, but besides – You could save a fortune in vets fees.

If you want to know more about the reality of pet food or how to avoid feeding your dog the awful mix that is bags and tinned for supermarket shelves then visit Dogs Diet for helpful and practical advice.

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Diseases That Can Affect A Basset Hound Dog

By Richard Cussons
Now matter how hard you try to keep your Basset Hound dog healthy, he is still susceptible to some diseases that could hinder his normal activities. The best armor every Basset Hound owner should have is the awareness of what these diseases are and how it can damage their dog’s healthy condition.

Knowing your enemies is the best way to fight them! Below are some of the diseases listed in order for you to know who your enemies are.

Arthritis – Arthritis is mostly suffered by most large dogs. Basset Hound dogs can acquire arthritis because of their odd bone structure. Activities such as too much running and prolonged up and down jumping can cause dogs to develop arthritis. Dogs with arthritis need a soft bed. An old mattress, a soft couch mattress or a 4 inch foam rubber is good. It also helps if you avoid letting your dog do strenuous activities, only gentle and regular exercise to meet their daily exercise requirement. Regular exercise prevents dog from becoming overweight thus decreasing the load their bone carries.

Torsion – Torsion is oftentimes described as a twist of the stomach or when the stomach’s end flips. This causes the stomach not to allow food in, and if not treated properly, the stomach dies causing the dog not to eat. Dogs suffering from torsion must seek veterinary help immediately for treatment and therapy. Not all animals with torsion are treated because this disease develops quickly causing the animal to die. So Basset Hound owner must focus their attention in preventing their dogs from acquiring this disease. Feed your dog at least twice instead of one large meal a day and he should not be allowed to drink large amount of water after eating. He should as well not be allowed to play and indulge in strenuous activity before and after eating.

Bloat – Dogs usually fed once daily are most likely to acquire this life-threatening condition. Factors of bloat can be gulping air, drinking large amount of water and doing vigorous activities after eating. See your veterinarian immediately once you bloat is suspected. Measures to prevent bloat are almost the same with torsion.

Basset hounds also referred as scent hounds, are short-legged breed of dogs that are bred to hunt by scent. Because their nose is close to the ground most of the time, it picks up parasites, bacteria and some viral diseases. Their long and floppy ears have a tendency to get odorous so cleaning them properly is necessary to prevent ear wax from building up and cause ear infection. Cleaning your dog’s ears 2 to 3 times a week with a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide is recommended.

Now that you are aware of the diseases that could possibly affect your dog, all you need to do is make sure that they are protected against these diseases. That’s the least you can do for this breed whose main aim is to please you and other people around him.

Richard Cussons is a great lover of dogs. Discover more about Basset Hound dogs at bassethoundsavvy.com.

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Dog Training Basics For The Average Person

By Sean Grady
Congratulations on the purchase of your cute little puppy. Now you can love it and spoil it as your own child. Your new pet will need you and depend on you for many things. It is important to remember that owning a dog also means there will be responsibilities. A dog, like a child, needs proper care, attention, and training. Your new dog is an extension of your family and needs to learn to fit in and live by the house rules. Just as you would want your kids to be well behaved, your dog is no different. I have some very simple and useful training tips to help you along the way.

It is best to start training your puppy earlier rather than later. The best time to start is when your puppy is between six and eight weeks old. You would not wait until your own child turns five before you start the training process. Can you imagine starting potty training when your child turns five years old, yuck!

It is also important that you educate yourself with various dog training techniques. I am not suggesting that you immerse yourself by going back to school. However, there are some very simple techniques you can learn that won't cost you an arm and leg. I have found some very useful books online that will teach you basic techniques and outline simple training schedules. The level of performance your puppy will achieve depends on your ability to be prepared. It is best to follow a simple and methodical plan. Your puppy will learn best with step-by-step instruction. Always keep it simple so it is fun for both of you.

The reward system is ranked the most effective training tip by professional dog trainers. This needs to be the foundation for all types of training whether your puppy is potty training, leash training, or simply learning tricks. Using positive reinforcement will increase the effectiveness of your training schedule. Be sure that you reward your puppy when it reacts positively to the training. An effective, not excessive, reward system will produce quicker results as your puppy achieves higher levels of success.

During your initial training your puppy will have accidents in the house. Don't worry, this is will happen it's natural. Contrary to old school teaching, you do not need to rub its nose in it! This is not the the an effective technique. This is as far away from the reward system as you can get. The best thing to do is to immediately take them outside and show them where they need to go. You do not want to create a fearful training environment. You want the training to be effective and not counter productive. Not using the reward system will make the entire training experience frustrating and exhausting.

Persistence and repetition are necessary attributes you need when training your new puppy. Remember to be patient, don’t expect your puppy to learn after one short lesson. You need to keep at it. Training your dog is an ongoing process and the biggest reward will be having a well behaved dog. It should be fun for the dog as well as you.

Now the rest is up to you, begin applying these techniques and enjoy and love your new puppy. Visit my weblog at http://ez-puppydogtraining.blogspot.com/ where you can find more great dog training tips for free.

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Dog Player Fact Sheet

By Jimmy Mayon
There are many, many strategies when it comes to horse race betting. Some players are impulsive bettors. Some players are more systematic. Some players are cautious. Some players get their thrills from placing wagers on risky bets. Despite the numerous claims about "guaranteed" scientific methods of horse race betting, this type of sport is really a gambling deal. There is absolutely no way to forecast an actual win, but there are many strategies as to how to achieve a certain (and hopefully) desirable result in the race tracks. One of the more risky strategies for horse race betting is to bet on the underdogs of the race.

The term "underdog" was first coined sometime after 1875. This is in direct reference to the hierarchy of a pack of wolves (or wild dogs) where one dominant animal always gets the bigger share of the kill. These days, the term is assigned to any entity that is not expected to win in any contest or conflict – or in this case, in any race. It is also assigned to any entity that seems to be always at a disadvantage over its peers. In horse racing lingo, "underdog" can also translate to "longshot."

A dog player is usually a seasoned bettor who likes to risk a lot by placing wagers on the underdogs of the race. Now to many this may seem strange, since underdogs seem to have little or no chance at all of crossing the finish line in first place. As stated early, this is a horse betting strategy, one that a lot of seasoned bettors use, and one that can have a huge pay-off if it succeeds. Underdogs, as a rule, usually have less players betting on them. Most bets go to the top favorites, of course. This basically means that the odds of the underdog winning are so high, that if indeed the horse wins, the pay-off for the players would be enormous.

During the 1930 Travers Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course, the underdog Jim Dandy won over the crowd favorite Gallant Fox. It was an incredible upset from a barely known underdog racing horse. The odds of that happening were pegged at 100-1.

In the field of horse racing, perhaps one of the most famous and probably one of the best documented of all the underdog champions was Seabiscuit - the thoroughbred horse that became the unlikely symbol of hope for many Americans during the Great Depression. Seabiscuit was an ungainly looking horse: undersized, knobby-kneed, and never won any of his first 35 races.

Jimmy Mayon (MBA, BSEE) is a technologist with an enthusiasm for Horse Racing. During the last 25 years he has been managing banking and online transaction processing technologies for private and public sectors. Today he specializes in open source development using Java, PHP, Linux, and MySQL. KANATI Inc. www.kanati.com.ph

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Why Sending Paper Christmas Cards Is Better? Check These 3 Reasons

By Qing Gu
Paper Christmas cards or Christmas e cards? This is a very common question when it comes to the most important holiday season in a year.

Most of people choose to send Christmas greeting cards online because they want to save their time and money. However I usually go for paper greeting cards.

You may not agree with me, so here are the 3 reasons why I think paper cards are the best choices:

1) Keep the Christmas greetings for a longer time eve a life time.

These cards make sure that your close friends and family members can keep and treasure your personalized holiday greetings. On the other hand, if I ask you where are the Christmas e cards you received from your friends last Christmas, I bet you have no idea where they are.

2) Show people your personality and your care about them.

It's a lot of fun when you send personalized paper Christmas cards by making your own with die-cuts, rubber stamps, or designer paper.

One of my favorite greeting card ideas is angel Christmas cards which are holiday cards with images of angels as the focus point in the Christmas card design.

Another idea use Christian clip arts and adding Christmas card verse. You can use clip arts like angels, the three wise men, Mary and Joseph in the manger with baby Jesus. Also add contemporary Christmas clip arts, such as reindeer, snowman, Xmas tree, Christmas ornament, etc. I must remind you use "Blessed Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas" if you're making a Christian Christmas greeting card.

For people who love pets, you can make pet photo or picture card for them. For example, you can use any kitty rubber stamps with kittens playing with a ball of thread or doing other cute activities. This is cute.

3) Family photos - It's the best time to use them!

If you are good at taking digital photos, instead of just another typical card with a picture of Santa Claus or a snowman, or other such typical images, you can now send far more personalized paper Christmas cards that are relevant to both you and the recipient. And the beauty if it is in its simplicity – all you need is a digital camera and a computer.

Once you have taken your photos, the next thing to do is to upload them to your computer so that they're easily accessible when you need to transfer them to an online photo site. This is where you can use the various tools that companies such as Shutterfly.com and Tinyprints.com have on their websites. Using these tools, you can add various effects such as festive costumes, additional winter background effects, and many other features your digital camera software wouldn't come supplied with.

The true beauty of these sites and more is that for those of you who love traditional Christmas cards, you don't need to forego this touch even with online Christmas cards. Although mainly used for creating the cards and then sending them via your email system, you can also create the cards and then turn them into 'hard copy' cards.

Ok, it's very enough to show you why I choose to use paper Christmas cards and make it on your own.

Just imagine when you say "Don we now our festive holiday appear!" or you find your dog love wearing costumes and posing for holiday photos, you know what you should do for your paper Christmas cards.

Have fun!


Qing Gu is a party planning expert, freelancer, and owner of a few websites about celebrating holidays and special occasions. Here he shares with you many useful tips on choosing photo Christmas greeting cards.

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The Bolognese Is A Rare Toy Dog

By Sandy Oberreuter
Bolognese also known as Bichon Bolognese is a toy dog and a member of the Bichon family.

This breed is very intelligent and is considered a companion dog.

They descended from Bichon's of southern Italy. They were developed in the 11th and 12th centuries and were very popular in the 1500's with the nobility. Two hundred year ago, they were brought to Britain. They are one of the few true Italian dog breeds.

These dogs are well muscled, but small and compact and resemble a Bichon Frise but are squarer and finer boned. They have distinctive white, fluffy long coats, which fall in loosely open ringlets. Their coat has a wooly texture to it when touched.

They have a small, black button nose, large and dark eyes, ears that set quite wide apart and a tail that is set high over their back. They have no undercoat so they do not shed and are considered a hypoallergenic dog.

The male is 10-121/2 inches tall and the female is 9-12 inches tall. They weigh between 4.5 - 9 pounds and their life expediency is 9 - 15 years.

The Bolognese dog is easily trained, very intelligent, eager to please, obedient, happy, friendly, cheerful but also serious. They are playful but not as much as a Bichon.

These dogs bond closely with their owner and will fellow them from room to room. They love companionship of people!

They are reserved with strangers but get on well with children and other dogs. They are not a yappy dog but will alert owner of anything new or unusual.

They, however, like the Bichon are difficult to housebreak so crate training is necessary.

If left alone to much they tend to have separation anxiety. They make good apartment dogs and will get enough exercise playing but love walks.

The Bolognese needs to be groomed daily as their hair tangles easily. They need to be bathed regularly and professionally groomed monthly is recommended. In addition, their ear canals need to be watched to remove excess hair.

They are a healthy breed - no known genetic illnesses.

They should be socialized at an early age or may become timid and shy. Therefore, they need exposure to sights, sounds and people early on.

The Bolognese are hard to find and even rare in Italy. They also cost a lot - $1000.00 and up. They are an uncommon breed in the U.S. The United States does not have a kennel club although Canada and England do to promote this breed.

Sandy has a web site on small dog breeds with information on different breeds including pages on dogs good with children and the elderly, choosing a dog and breeder, vet, dog clothes, dog houses and much more. http://www.small-dogbreeds.com

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Photographing Your Dogs

By Suzanne Vandegrift
So you want to put Fido up on the family portrait wall. With a little planning and a fair amount of time and patience, you can get some great photographs that are definitely worth framing. So, the first order of business is to get your equipment and photography site ready. You don't want to be concerning yourself with these details during your photography session. Make sure everything is charged, enough memory cards or film, lighting is good, and let friends know you'll be unavailable for a couple hours to avoid distractions.

Recruit one or two of those friends to help you in your quest. If they have pets, offer to take pictures of their "family members" after you become a "pro", with their assistance. If it's necessary for them to hold the pet for a specific shot you really want to get, try to have them move out of the area quickly just before you snap the picture. With digital photography, it is possible to edit them out of the picture if they have to hold the pet.

Set your photography site up with your pet in mind. If you have a spunky, playful, never-still puppy, don't try photographing him sitting quietly on a pillow next to the fireplace. What you'll more than likely wind up with at the end of your photo session will be a lot of images of the puppy leaving the area and a very frustrated you. Have the setting fit the pet. If weather permits, find an outdoor location that will enhance your photographs and allow your pet's personality to shine through.

The eye is the same for your pet as it is for people. Using a flash will cause a reflection in your pet's eyes and they will appear to glow or possibly be a greenish color. The closer you are to your pet, the worse the reflection. Whenever possible, do your photography session using natural light. If it's just not possible, and you have to use a flash, the reflection can be removed from your photographs using a special pen.

Just as the child photographer may carry props in her camera case, such as the teddy bear, to make the baby laugh, you can pack your pet's favorite toys in your camera case to help get them to respond the way you want them to. If you want to get an action shot of your puppy, toss his toy and snap as many pictures as you can as he bounds after it. If you're photographing a mature dog that has been trained and try getting him to "stay" with perhaps a chew toy or a bone. Use a toy that makes noise to get his attention drawn in the direction you want him to look. Often noises can result in your pet looking puzzled or curious, which can produce some priceless photographs. Again, take as many pictures, as quickly as you can, before he decides he's movin' on.

This is also another opportunity to experiment with different lenses for different effects. So pack your camera case with your camera and accessories, throw in Fido's favorite toy and a few dog treats and head out to that beautiful lake or your backyard rose garden to get some cherished photographs to hang on that family portrait wall.

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article for M-ROCK.com, manufacturer of feature packed and functional digital camera bags.

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Proper Training for your Golden

By Keane Wade
The term training may come with several of different meanings. There are a number of options that you may want to consider when looking to train your Golden Retriever. Here are some of the types of training that can help you decide which is best suitable for you and your Golden.

Behavior training. This type of training teaches your Golden to become a good dog on the whole. Behavior training consists of house breaking, leash training, teaching your dog good general behavior in the presence of people and other animals and many others. With behavior training, you may not have to worry about taking your Golden your wherever and whenever as he will more likely become a more obedient and well mannered dog.

Activity training. This training teaches Goldens different kinds of activities such as herding, hunting, search and rescue missions and many other tasks that the both of you can engage in together. Activity training is highly popular with Golden Retrievers because it enhances your relationship with him. By focusing on activities that your Golden was bred to do, it will always be very advantageous to your dog.

Obedience training. Training your dog obedience teaches your dog how to perform different kinds of tasks. Obedience training deals with general behavior and teaching your dog to become well mannered. Most dogs that undergo obedience training have been found to behave properly, listening and obeying to commands as well as acting accordingly.

It is important to remember that each type of training has certain bounds and limitations. For instance, if you decide to enroll your Golden in an obedience training class, it will be more likely that he will not get help with his behavior. When choosing a class for your Golden Retriever, always choose a class schedule that suits his needs. If, however, you are experiencing problems controlling your Golden, you might want to skip obedience training first and start off with behavior training. This is what many Golden Retrievers usually do.

Also, when looking for a training class, it is important to know particular areas your Golden may have a problem with. There may be times when a behavior pattern can be the effect of boredom, which can easily be corrected by spending more quality time with your dog. It may help that this behavior can be stopped if you try to spend more time with your Golden Retriever. On the other hand, there may also be instances when training is necessary in order to rectify certain types of behavioral pattern in your dog. Although Golden Retrievers are generally intelligent dogs, they will still not be able to tell whether they are doing something inappropriate unless you tell them.

Prior to training your Golden puppy, you should first know what to teach him. Golden puppies have a liking for routines and are more comfortable if they follow a regular training schedule. Throughout the course of the training, always be patient with your dog and reassure him that he is progressing. Your Golden should continue carrying on what he has learned in the training as he gets older. If your dog flubs on his course, do not lose hope and let him go through the training again so that he can better catch up on the methods. Your patience and perseverance at training your dog can pay off way more than what you have toiled hard enough for.

Keane Wade is a writer for The-Golden-Retriever-Guide.com, where you can find tips in how to take care of your first golden retriever

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Dog Training - Old Dogs

By John Williams
There comes a time when your dog will no longer be as young as they used to be and more care and attention might be needed. Everyone and every living thing gets old at some point and there's nothing anyone can do.
There are however, things that can help dramatically in keeping your dog young and healthy and to set them up for a much better and happier aging. Don't wait till your dog is old before thinking of the care he will need, you need to constantly look after your dog's health to stop any unnecessary suffering later on.
The main things that affect your dog's later life are the diet he/she is on and the exercise they get, along with other less important needs such as grooming and others, feeding and exercise are the main factors in determining your dog's health later in life.
So what can happen to your dog in later life I hear you ask? Well there are plenty of illnesses and situations that may occur with age because of things not working as well as they used to much the same as human illnesses. Middle age for a dog is around the seven years mark although it depends on dog size and this is when the dog's body will gradually start to deteriate.
One of the most common of old age symptoms for dogs is hearing and sight deteriation, this can cause the dog to be much more frightened and feeling more vulnerable than they used to. Old Dog personalities may begin to change in affect to this making some more friendly and other more grumpy and snappy. Other old age side effects include putting on weight, weaker muscles and bones, memory loss and being less able to fight off infections and diseases.
Weight gain is a big issue in old dogs and needs to be monitored and acted upon often to make sure your dog doesn't get unwanted problems through obesity.
In general, if you pet is getting old and you can see he/she is feeling the pain, then take them to the local vet to get advice on any questions you have and have them checked over by an expert.


John Williams website owner. For more information on dog behavior training visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.

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Why Sending Paper Christmas Cards Is Better? Check These 3 Reasons

By Qing Gu
Paper Christmas cards or Christmas e cards? This is a very common question when it comes to the most important holiday season in a year.

Most of people choose to send Christmas greeting cards online because they want to save their time and money. However I usually go for paper greeting cards.

You may not agree with me, so here are the 3 reasons why I think paper cards are the best choices:

1) Keep the Christmas greetings for a longer time eve a life time.

These cards make sure that your close friends and family members can keep and treasure your personalized holiday greetings. On the other hand, if I ask you where are the Christmas e cards you received from your friends last Christmas, I bet you have no idea where they are.

2) Show people your personality and your care about them.

It's a lot of fun when you send personalized paper Christmas cards by making your own with die-cuts, rubber stamps, or designer paper.

One of my favorite greeting card ideas is angel Christmas cards which are holiday cards with images of angels as the focus point in the Christmas card design.

Another idea use Christian clip arts and adding Christmas card verse. You can use clip arts like angels, the three wise men, Mary and Joseph in the manger with baby Jesus. Also add contemporary Christmas clip arts, such as reindeer, snowman, Xmas tree, Christmas ornament, etc. I must remind you use "Blessed Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas" if you're making a Christian Christmas greeting card.

For people who love pets, you can make pet photo or picture card for them. For example, you can use any kitty rubber stamps with kittens playing with a ball of thread or doing other cute activities. This is cute.

3) Family photos - It's the best time to use them!

If you are good at taking digital photos, instead of just another typical card with a picture of Santa Claus or a snowman, or other such typical images, you can now send far more personalized paper Christmas cards that are relevant to both you and the recipient. And the beauty if it is in its simplicity – all you need is a digital camera and a computer.

Once you have taken your photos, the next thing to do is to upload them to your computer so that they're easily accessible when you need to transfer them to an online photo site. This is where you can use the various tools that companies such as Shutterfly.com and Tinyprints.com have on their websites. Using these tools, you can add various effects such as festive costumes, additional winter background effects, and many other features your digital camera software wouldn't come supplied with.

The true beauty of these sites and more is that for those of you who love traditional Christmas cards, you don't need to forego this touch even with online Christmas cards. Although mainly used for creating the cards and then sending them via your email system, you can also create the cards and then turn them into 'hard copy' cards.

Ok, it's very enough to show you why I choose to use paper Christmas cards and make it on your own.

Just imagine when you say "Don we now our festive holiday appear!" or you find your dog love wearing costumes and posing for holiday photos, you know what you should do for your paper Christmas cards.

Have fun!

Qing Gu is a party planning expert, freelancer, and owner of a few websites about celebrating holidays and special occasions. Here he shares with you many useful tips on choosing photo Christmas greeting cards.

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Crate Training Your Dogs - Ultimate Dog Training Method

By Scott Williams
They say that the Crate Training method is the most effective way to train dogs. How do we crate train our dogs? Is it harsh to confine a dog or an adorable puppy in solitary confinement so to speak? Crate Training was once seen as cruel and inhumane but it has gain popularity in recent years. Crate Training can be a useful tool to train a puppy or even a stubborn old dog.

The crate can be a place of sanctuary and security when needed by our dogs. There are people who find success in doing crate training but there are also dog owners that find it so hard to do crate training with their dogs. A simple reason why this happens could be a dog’s past negative experience, such as being left in a small cage or crate for a long period of time, or having the crate used as a punishment. We need to fully understand that inorder to be successful in crate training we need to let our dogs understand that the crate is for his sanctuary, retreat or his den.

What are the advantages of crate training? The thought of leaving your dog alone in your house having a peace of mind that he won’t destroy any personal or household items would be one very good advantage of crate training, especially for those dog owners who are always out. Whenever you leave your home you will be assured that somehow your dog will not ruin anything inside your house since he is confined in his crate You can also attain a better relationship with your dog by anticipating and preventing unwanted behaviors whenever you are not around to supervise him.

With Crate Training, housebreaking your dog will be much easier and faster. A dog can now have a safe and cozy place that he can call his home. Dogs naturally have that instinct where they have to seek out for a shelter. Your dog can now have security and privacy while relaxing in his crate after a strenuous activity. After you successfully crate train your dog, he will know when to go outside his cage to do elimination. You will be having a peaceful environment once you crate train your dog because he will have fewer behavioral problems like unnecessary barking and chewing.

Another advantage of crate training is during traveling, it would be easy and safe for your dog and also for you since inside the crate he will not be able to play with you while you are driving. It will also serve as a mobile indoor dog house which you can move from one location to another whenever you want. Crate training helps teach your dog to have bladder and bowel control. He learns to hold it and go at right scheduled times, instead of going whenever he feels like it.

I would like to share to you the wonderful advantages of crate training and also the steps on how to do this. And you will then know why crate training is the ultimate dog training method.

I am a dog lover for 20 years. I have been training a lot of dogs in any breed and I'm starting to write down the methods that I use in the art of dog training at http://dogpottytraining.blogspot.com

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How To Make Beagle Training A Success

By Richard Cussons
Beagles are wonderful family companions. But, is it following its beagle training? We know that not all dogs are absolutely obedient no matter how hard you tried to teach them techniques especially using the bathroom in the proper areas.

Some people think that animals are not following instructions to show vengeance in your beagle training efforts. It’s just a misconception! It’s just that, dogs are only capable for simple, direct emotions, such as being happy, sad or scared. They don't have the mind and the heart to seek revenge for every pain coming from your hand or from every verbal punishment you issued when he accidentally dropped his dirt into your spotless floor in the living room.

However, dogs remember and draw upon past experiences that they associate with current situations. But you should understand that these associations only create an emotion in which they will feel when going through a similar experience.

Just like the previous example, you punish your beagle for dropping his dirt somewhere in your living room area. If you continue to scold him for this behavior, then he may eventually develop bathroom problems. Your dog might think that letting out his dirt will mean punishment from you.

That is why it is important to avoid punishing or yelling at your Beagle when he accidentally drop his thing inside the house. Housetraining problems are usually the result of owners instilling fear in their pets when they go potty on the floor. This causes strain that could possibly halt your training efforts.

The best thing to do is trying not to react to what happened. Just remove your dog from the area and calmly take him outside. Do not let him see you cleaning up his mess. Quietly clean the area using products specifically made to remove animal stains. You can also use an enzyme-containing cleaner, a vinegar or a liquid soap. It is important to remove all the odor so that you dog will not urinate and mark the same spot again and again. Just a tip, avoid using ammonia because its has the same smell as that of a dog's urine and can stimulate him to pee in the same area.

Despite your best Beagle training efforts, if he is still unable to follow, the best solution is to visit your veterinarian for a complete check up of your dog to find out the reason for his inability to become trained. There might be some health-related reasons for this problem.

Richard Cussons is great lover of dogs. Discover more about Beagle training at Beagle Savvy.com.

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What To Feed Your Puggle Dogs?

By Richard Cussons
Apart from training methods, there are still other things to consider when having a Puggle dog, health and nutrition. You just can’t allow him to eat and give him any food that you desire him to eat. Feeding your dog with food that is specially made for them is one of the most important contributing factors in its physical and mental growth.

What is the right dog food for my puppy? That is probably one of the questions playing around every dog owner’s mind. There are many recommendations on what food is best for dogs. Most experts suggest homemade diets especially to animals with multiple food allergies. The contents of these homemade diets depend on your budget, its availability and what your dog wants. You can go for all natural diet which consists primarily of raw meat, vegetarian diets consisting only of nutritionally balanced ingredients or the mixtures that contain ingredients such as brown rice, brown pasta, meat, eggs and vegetables.

Homemade diets are ideal foods to feed your pet. But it is not ideal when you are a busy person and have no time to prepare a nutritious meal for your adorable Puggle dogs. This is when commercial dog foods come in handy. You can always get one from your local dog food stores or grocery. Commercial dog food is categorized into three types: dry dog food, wet dog food and fresh dog food.

Dry dog food not just benefits your dog’s stomach but also his mouth condition. Chewing dry dog food helps prevent tartar buildup and other more serious mouth issues. They are also less likely to spoil quickly compared to canned food.

The other type of commercial dog food is the wet or canned food. This type of dog food is primarily higher in moisture compared to dry dog food. There is no question with regards to the sterility of this food because it is already sterilized after being canned. It is also higher in protein or fat than dry dog food. However, canned food is usually expensive, dry food is more budget friendly.

Recently, fresh dog food made its way into the American market. This dog food uses pasteurization instead of the traditional extrusion method used to process other pet foods. Fresh dog foods are vulnerable to bacteria thus must be stored in refrigerators to prevent spoilage.

Whether dry or canned, these dog foods are always essential to our dogs. What every dog owner should remember when choosing a pet food is the list of ingredients. Make sure that what you chose contains all the essential nutrients, such as fats, carbohydrates and protein needed to promote good body functions.

Richard Cussons is a great lover of dogs. Discover more about Puggle dogs at Puggle Savvy.com

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Dog Player Fact Sheet

By Jimmy Mayon
There are many, many strategies when it comes to horse race betting. Some players are impulsive bettors. Some players are more systematic. Some players are cautious. Some players get their thrills from placing wagers on risky bets. Despite the numerous claims about "guaranteed" scientific methods of horse race betting, this type of sport is really a gambling deal. There is absolutely no way to forecast an actual win, but there are many strategies as to how to achieve a certain (and hopefully) desirable result in the race tracks. One of the more risky strategies for horse race betting is to bet on the underdogs of the race.

The term "underdog" was first coined sometime after 1875. This is in direct reference to the hierarchy of a pack of wolves (or wild dogs) where one dominant animal always gets the bigger share of the kill. These days, the term is assigned to any entity that is not expected to win in any contest or conflict – or in this case, in any race. It is also assigned to any entity that seems to be always at a disadvantage over its peers. In horse racing lingo, "underdog" can also translate to "longshot."

A dog player is usually a seasoned bettor who likes to risk a lot by placing wagers on the underdogs of the race. Now to many this may seem strange, since underdogs seem to have little or no chance at all of crossing the finish line in first place. As stated early, this is a horse betting strategy, one that a lot of seasoned bettors use, and one that can have a huge pay-off if it succeeds. Underdogs, as a rule, usually have less players betting on them. Most bets go to the top favorites, of course. This basically means that the odds of the underdog winning are so high, that if indeed the horse wins, the pay-off for the players would be enormous.

During the 1930 Travers Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course, the underdog Jim Dandy won over the crowd favorite Gallant Fox. It was an incredible upset from a barely known underdog racing horse. The odds of that happening were pegged at 100-1.

In the field of horse racing, perhaps one of the most famous and probably one of the best documented of all the underdog champions was Seabiscuit - the thoroughbred horse that became the unlikely symbol of hope for many Americans during the Great Depression. Seabiscuit was an ungainly looking horse: undersized, knobby-kneed, and never won any of his first 35 races.

Jimmy Mayon (MBA, BSEE) is a technologist with an enthusiasm for Horse Racing. During the last 25 years he has been managing banking and online transaction processing technologies for private and public sectors. Today he specializes in open source development using Java, PHP, Linux, and MySQL. KANATI Inc. www.kanati.com.ph

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Discover Labrador Dogs

By Richard Cussons
One of the several kinds of retriever, Labrador Retrievers (or Labrador dogs) are currently listed as the number one registered dog with the American Kennel Club (AKC). This breed is ranked very highly by dog enthusiasts on all levels; playfulness, friendliness towards strangers and pets, easy to train, affectionate and even make a great watchdog.

It was in 1903 when the breed was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club and later in 1917 by the AKC. It was in 1991 when Labrador Retriever was first voted as the most popular breed of dog and has continued to hold the spot in the charts even until today.

Labrador dogs are very amiable, obedient and good natured provided they are trained. They make good companions and are wonderful around kids because of their high tolerance levels towards children and their antics. These dogs can sometimes remain gentle and very calm around the house but when provoked, can immediately become intense, energetic and boisterous.

Labradors are known for its extreme loyalty to its owner and is eager to please. It enjoys being challenged mentally such as learning new tricks and makes a wonderful student of obedience training. They also enjoy doing activities that involves physical effort such as swimming, running and of course, retrieving.

Labrador dogs' daily upkeep must be kept fairly active. Their daily exercise must include activities in the form of running and swimming. Since they were historically bred for retrieving in water environments, retrieving tops the list of fun games that Labrador dogs enjoy, especially through water such as the beach or even a large outdoor swimming pool.

This breed aren't particular when it comes to shelter. They can either live and enjoy the warmth and coziness of staying indoors or remain outdoors during any type of weather. When letting your dog live outside, just ensure they are safe and comfortable either during the hot humid months or the chilling winter temperatures. But, just like any other companion dogs, staying inside with its family and enjoying the stable temperatures is more preferable for Labrador Retrievers.

Generally, Labrador dogs can live for up to ten to twelve years as long as they are living a healthy lifestyle. Major health issues that can affect Labrador dogs are elbow dysplasia, CHD, OCD, patellar luxation and obesity. Other health concerns that may occasionally occur among this breed are diabetes, tricuspid valve dysplasia, over exercise (leading to collapse), distichiasis and muscular dystrophy.


Richard Cussons is great lover of Retrievers. Discover more about Labrador dogs at Labrador Savvy.com.

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Are your Yorkie dogs Shy and Timid?

By Richard Cussons
Having toy dogs, such as Yorkie dogs, as pets is a joy to most dog owners and their family members. But what if you happen to own a shy and timid one? Will you still be happy? This fear-based behavioral characteristic is most common to toy dog breeds. However, facts show that for every litter, there is at least one puppy that will need to be treated a bit different than the rest of the puppies because of this behavior.

When this behavior continues, these shy puppies may grow up as extremely needy and may always look towards their owners for support in almost every situation they come across. And when this behavior becomes a habit, your dog may start to initiate aggression if he is not getting the soothing attention needed. This behavior could be labeled as aggression induced by fear.

While you to caress and soothe your Yorkie puppy every time he is showing the feeling of extreme shyness and frightened, you are not helping him after all, instead you are just reinforcing the behavior. You might find it hard and heart breaking to ignore your puppy when he is shy and scared, but ignoring him is one of the ways to help him change his behavior and help him become bold and social animal with acceptable behaviors.

Patience is virtue, as what many people always say. Yorkie dogs that are shy and timid must be handled patiently when you really want to help them adjust. Do not hasten in changing your dog in becoming a social animal. Behaviors that he is used to do when scared will need to be stopped. These behaviors include barking while hiding behind your legs when startled and darting away whenever seeing a normal part of the outside, like a person walking.

Below are some helpful tips to make your puppy become less shy:

1. Explain to your family and friends the situation of your puppy. Let them understand that ignoring his fear-induced barking or crying is just your way of helping him overcome fear and shyness. . Up to this point your dog has acted out of fear whenever someone approaches and when these people naturally stop the approach; your dog has learned that this behavior works in him favor. However, from now on your dog will start to understand that fear-induced barking will not work anymore so long as your friends and family respect your training wishes.

2. Make sure to keep your puppy secured by a lead every time you are expecting visitors to arrive at the house. If possible, take your dog with you at all times especially as you approach the guests. What makes it different is that when he starts crying, barking or hiding behind your legs, you will now act in a confident matter and without petting or soothing him. This technique will help Yorkie dogs become braver at the same time teaching him that his old behavior will not work anymore.

Richard Cussons is great lover of dogs and you can find our more about Yorkie dogs at Yorkie Savvy.com.

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Interesting toys to Entertain a Lonely/Depressed/Bored Dog

By Natthanon Akarananpakorn
When you are away on a trip, do you leave your pet at home? Are you gone for long periods during the day for work or play? If so, have you ever come home to find some of your things (couch, clothes, walls, etc) torn up and you just don't know why? I mean, you left a plush dog toy, food, water, and even went as far as to leave the television or radio on. So, why did your pet act up? Well, maybe you just didn't leave the right dog chew toy for your pooch to play with while you were away.

Finding interesting dog chew toys to keep your dog entertained or happy while you are away can be a challenge. But, it is not impossible. There are actually some great dog chew toys and plush dog toys that are on the market today that can help any pooch that is lonely or spends any time away from you. It all depends on the breed and the age of your pet as to which dog chew toy or plush dog toy is right to keep your other child happy.

If you have a puppy, a great option are the new plush dog toys that can be warmed in the microwave to impersonate the feel of their siblings. These plush dog toys are about the same size as a normal size puppy, and the warmth can help to soothe a puppy to sleep or to help keep him company while you are at work. There are also some other great plush dog toys that have a small blanket attached to the body for your pup to snuggle with when he is sleepy or lonely. Another great option to leave out for a puppy are the indestructible dog toys so your pup can play and have a good time, without tearing up anything!

If you have an older dog, you can also find great plush dog toys that will help your pooch to relax when you are away for long periods of time. These plush dog toys come in all sizes and can give your pet something to snuggle with when they are lonely or scared. Some dog experts even suggest spraying a squirt of your perfume or cologne on the plush dog toy so it will smell like you and help to relax your pet even more. Rope dog toys are also great playthings for your older pet while you are away, as it gives them something to play with, without tearing up your things.

Before you head out on your next trip, take some time to head to the local pet store and find a great dog chew toy and a snuggly, plush dog toy to help keep your pet company while you are away. If you truly put some time and effort into selecting the right plush dog toy for your pooch to snuggle while and the right tug dog toy for him to play with, you will come home to find your things intact and your pet happy.

Visit http://www.PetsEverywhere.com for more fun ideas to spend time with your pets.

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Canine and Feline Senility

By Elyse Grau
Just like us, our cats and dogs grow old. When they do, they have some of the same problems, including senility.

Some dogs may exhibit a number of behavioral changes linked to senility. This condition is now commonly called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. While this syndrome is recognized in dogs, it has not been scientifically established in cats.

There are four main areas where CCD symptoms appear. They are disorientation, interaction with people, activity level and sleep, and housetraining.

Disorientation can be seen as an animal that wanders aimlessly, gets stuck in corners, stands at the wrong side of a door or appears not to recognize people or familiar commands and words.

Interaction with people may change. You may notice more (or less) attention seeking, a reluctance to be petted or touched, or lack of response to names and commands.

Activity level and sleep changes show in such behaviors as sleeping more during the day and less at night, barking for no reason, forgetting meal times, and wandering aimlessly.

Housetraining changes are obvious – urinating in the house, not asking to go outside or forgetting why they are there when they do go out. Incontinence is a physical problem, and should not be confused with forgetting due to senility.

Cats may show some of these same signs, though they are often more subtle. There are also a number of other reasons for behavior changes in both dogs and cats.

Chronic pain can be responsible for behavior changes such as pacing or insommnia. Hyperthyroidism in cats is often a reason for some of the odd behaviors older cats may exhibit.

Other hormonal disorders can also cause changes, especially those involving eating patterns or aggression. Medications can also cause changes in behavior, as can many other diseases and medical conditions.

Cats are also prone to small strokes, which can cause changes such as walking into walls, or appearing disorientated.

A thorough medical exam with blood work will be necessary in order to determine if your pet has a cognitive disorder due to aging.

A loss of hearing or sight can cause a similar syndrome, known as societal disassociative disorder.

You can help your pet through these times by being aware of the causes and not taking it personally or punishing the animal for inappropriate behavior. You can offer extra attention and reassurance.

Try to keep a consistent schedule, and to not make a lot of physical changes in the dog or cat's environment.

The use of flower essences, aromatherapy, herbs and touch therapy can all be helpful in keeping your dog or cat free of anxiety.

Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner, well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy dog or cat. For more information on this subject, visit: http://www.pethealthresource.com

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Choosing Dog Breeds for City Living? Here are Some Recommendations

By Aaron Lee
Puppies and dogs are great pets. They are good companions for human beings too. Dogs could bring out a smile in all of us.

Unfortunately, not all environments are suitable to adopting just any breed of dog. This is especially true if you are living in the city where space is limited and family members have very tight schedule.

Some dogs require very much attention, exercise and ample of room to move around and play. Others are more tolerant to those factors. The latter usually makes a better dog pet for city dwellers.

Here are some, obviously not all, dog breeds that are suitable for urban living: 1. Shih Tzus. This diminutive size dog breed is portable and well-behaved. They are suitable for city living because they don't take much space and will not ruin as much things as when you own a sports breed.

2. Pugs. This breed is very sociable, usually stubborn about certain things but they are also charming, clever, and fun. Pugs also get along with other dogs and pets quite well. They are great household companions for they don't require demanding care.

3. Miniature poodles. They are clever pets, but should be socialized as soon as possible as a puppy. Miniature poodles need to be involved in family activities but should make lovely canine pets.

4. Lhasa Apsos. This breed is naturally happy, playful and intelligent. Because they are independent, they are often hard to train. Lhasas have excellent health. When it comes to grooming, they need special attention because of their coat.

5. Labradors. If you are living in the city but wish to have a sports dogs, then labradors could be the perfect choice. They learn fast and are very mild mannered. Make sure you can take them for a walk daily to keep this canine companion in good health.

Other things to consider when choosing dog breed for urban living is the fact that they shed a lot or not. This can cause alergy if one of your family members is sensitive to such thing.

A dog can bring a lot of happiness to life but you must make sure they are suitable not only to the environment you live in but also to your lifestyle.

Aaron Lee helps dog owners whose dog is trying to outsmart them. He shared his passion about dogs through his site Dog Breed Web. Subscribe to Weekly Dog Tips Newsletter to get tips and tricks.

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Simple yet Powerful Principles for Dog Obedience Training3

By: Moses Wright
It's recommended to locate and train at a place where there is little distraction around him so that he can concentrate on training. You should take it slowly when you first begin training, this is especially true for young pups. You should not train a young puppy continuously for more than five minutes and limit the training session for older dogs to less than fifteen minutes. They will not have the mental stamina to concentrate on training. It's recommended to pause for short breaks in between training session.

Whenever possible, you should plan the training session to your benefit. One of the best time to start training your dog is before meal time when he is hungry; he will be mentally more alert and response better to treat rewards.

Dog obedience training is not rocket science, once you get the basics right, it will come naturally to you. Every dog owner has the right to enjoy the companionship of their dogs – Start training your dog now.

Moses Wright owns 3 beautiful dogs and loves to help new puppy owners deal with their puppy problems whenever he can. You can get his dog obedience training book, a collection of his dog ownership experiences for free here: http://www.dogsobediencetraining.com/dogger_enews.htm

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Simple yet Powerful Principles for Dog Obedience Training2

By: Moses Wright
Once you've establish some house rules such as - keeping the cooking area or sofa out of bounds to your dog, enforce them constantly. If the dog learns that he can get away with breaking these rules now and then, your previous efforts will go down the drain.

Simple rules and regulations set earlier on should be followed religiously. It is critical to teach the dog exactly what he is allowed to do and be consistent about it. Confusion will only make matters worse. Last but not least, you have to communicate and make sure the whole family knows and enforce the house rules on your dog consistently.

3. Timing - Timing is critical to successful training. Praise your dog whenever he is doing something right. Giving him a small treat he likes will work wonders for most dogs.

Do take him to task immediately whenever he does not respond to your command or behaves inappropriately. Delayed reprimands and praises will have no effect after the teachable moment has passed.

There are 2 main approaches when it comes to correcting your dog's undesirable behaviors. The first approach is the "Direct Approach". It simply requires you to reprimand your dog on the spot whenever he misbehaves – chewing, barking, digging and biting. This is a more tangible and straight forward approach to training your dog and is easy to understand for most trainers.

The second one is the "Endurance Approach" as it'll require you to ignore your dog when he misbehaves. Using the cause and effect to your advantage, this approach requires you to ignore the dog, especially when he behaves in a certain manner to seek attention.

This approach requires you to pay attention to your dog only when he's a good boy. The rationale for this is that dogs desire attention and will be encouraged by attention. Dogs do not differentiate between positive and negative reinforcement. They see things in a simple way. If a certain action gets reaction and attention, you'll bet they repeat it over and over again - cause and effect.

Sorry to say, most dog owners tend to give negative attention to our dogs. For example: Do you let him out of his crate when he groans or do you give him more attention when he jumps onto you excitedly whenever you comes home? These are considered to be giving him negative attention, and only seek to motivate your dog to continue with his bad behavior.

Fortunately, the opposite is true if you pay enough attention to your dog when he behaves himself. The moment your dog sees that good behavior brings about attention, he will want to continue repeating the positive actions.

What you should do is to focus your attention on your dog only when he is behaving; praise him or give him a treat, let him know that he's getting the attention. If this technique is used correctly, he'll be a well-behaved dog for a long time to come.

4. Training Session - You should be in a calm and correct frame of mind when training your dog. Don't train your dog when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or if you've had a bad day and not in the best of moods.

Simple yet Powerful Principles for Dog Obedience Training1

By Moses Wright
Dog obedience training is important for every dog owner who wants to own, live and enjoy the company of an obedience dog. Obedience training not only allows your dog to listen and behave in the manner that is expected of him, it creates a bond that bring your communication and relationship to new heights.

Do train your dog early and a good time to begin training your dog is when he is about 8 to 10 weeks old. This is the period where they learn best and is a vital time for influencing your dog's future behavior. It's always easier to train a young puppy than an older dog. Nevertheless, it's still possible to train older dogs, you just have to correct his bad habits first and then teach him the proper ones.

There are many incidents where owners abandon their dogs at shelters because they cannot understand what their dog is up to. Dogs will start to display annoying behaviors such as chewing, barking and potty when and where they like, the worse case would be to display aggressive behavior towards the owners.

These incidents can be avoided if obedience training is implemented. Obedience training is a fundamental platform from which your dog and you will learn to effectively communicate with each other.

In addition, obedience training is also an alternative dog owners can turn to when their dogs are behaving badly. It is one way of incorporating discipline in the dog's behavior. Obedience training makes the dog realize that certain behaviors are not allowed and that he should not act that way. Done correctly, obedience training can regulate your dog's behavior and he will be able to respond properly with the right behavior that is expected of him.

There are many dog owners who ask if it is advisable to enroll their dogs into obedience training school. It is generally easier to train your dog with the help of a professional dog trainer or school. Nevertheless, if the dog owner feels that he is up to the job and has the ability to follow simple instructions, there is no special incentives or need to enroll into a dog training school. A good dog training book is usually more than sufficient.

No matter where you choose to train your dog, at home or in a school, there are some universal dog training principles that never change and all dog owners should follow them strictly:

1. Fun and Reward - Effective obedience training is not about imposing strict rules and punishments. Your dog does not understand why he should listen to your commands in the first place. Therefore, in order for your dog to act and behave to what you want, the training session must be fun and rewarding for him.

Your dog will soon learn to do as he is commanded whenever he gets rewards or praises and he will find it an enjoyable experience as well.

2. Consistency - It is important to have consistency in the course of training especially when correcting unwanted behaviors. Always use the same "command" for a specific task you require of your dog. Don't confuse him by using different commands for the same task.

Moses Wright owns 3 beautiful dogs and loves to help new puppy owners deal with their puppy problems whenever he can. You can get his dog obedience training book, a collection of his dog ownership experiences for free here: http://www.dogsobediencetraining.com/dogger_enews.htm

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Dog Body and Mouth Odor (how to get rid of it effectively)

By Natthanon Akarananpakorn
If you have ever owned a dog, then you have smelled it - dog breath. It can knock you over, bring strong-stomached men to their knees, and even overpower small children, and it's nothing to laugh about. Right along with "dog breath" comes that other great smell - "dog". There is no need to explain it any further, everyone knows what "dog" smells like. Getting rid of that "dog" smell or dog breath is no small feat either, as every pet owner knows. There are many great dog grooming tips and techniques that have been tried over the centuries, and few have stood the test of smell. There are so many products to choose from, dog deodorizers and colognes, dog dryers, dog toothbrushes, but they all seem so odd. So, how do you get rid of dog odors for good? Well, here are a couple of tips to help you find the cure.

That "dog" smell - If you have a dog that just smells terrible, and you feel like you have tried all the old wives tales out there, then you need to head down to the local dog groomer and learn some dog grooming tips that you can use at home after a bath or brushing. Your local dog groomer can suggest some great dog grooming accessories that you can purchase to help keep your pet smelling less like a dog when you get home. And, they can tell you the best shampoos to use on your pet to keep them smelling, looking, and feeling their best.

That "dog breath" - There are many products out there that advertise that they help to cure "dog breath" and then don't cut the mustard. So, once you have tried them all, where do you turn? Well, your local vet can help you here. The vet can suggest some great dog grooming tips for "dog breath" that will help to knock it out. If these fail, then your vet can suggest and prescribe some medications that you give your pet daily that will help to knock out the dog breath before it knocks you over. Some dog grooming supply shops will have these medications in stock in an over-the-counter dose, so you can also check there before purchasing expensive medications.

If your pet has "dog breath" or smells like a dog, don't fret. Just remember that there are plenty of dog grooming techniques and tips that you can learn from local groomers and vets that will help you to keep your dog on the sweet smelling side of life. You can also purchase some great dog grooming accessories that will help you accomplish this as well. Knowing how to treat and prevent these less than wonderful smells will help you, and your pet, to have a more loving relationship!

Visit http://www.PetsEverywhere.com for more fun ideas to spend time with your pets.

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How To Make Great Dane Dogs Understand Your Body Language

By Richard Cussons
Did you know Great Dane dogs, just like any other dog breeds are highly intelligent creatures. They have the capacity to read and understand your body language, but many pet owners overlook that reality. What our body language shows has a major impact on how well a dog will listen and obey our commands. With the correct form of body language, your dog can quickly realize what behavior to act in a given situation.

Let say for example you got overexcited Great Dane dogs who are fond of jumping on every guest who come to visit you. This is common to most dogs at some point in time. They are overwhelmed with happiness and excitement every time they notice that somebody is standing at your door. Your dog will wonder whether or not the newcomer wants to play with him. They are curious about the treats, even the smell and how they are going to react in that given situation.

You, on the other hand are doing your best to get your dog to stop being so excited and jumping on everyone. You started yelling at him but instead of controlling him, this approach only adds to his excitement. You gave harsh and loud "Off" commands but it’s not working. What is supposed to be a peaceful intention turns into a big chaotic party.

Why chaotic party? This is because to your dog you are just joining in on the fun and excitement that he is feeling. Your Great Dane misunderstood your body language and the way you are communicating with him. Instead of changing your dog’s behavior, you are only making the situation worst.

Given the above example, you now realize that your body language and excitability only made your Great Dane dogs feel more stimulated about what they are doing. All you need to do to make the situation better is to take a different approach, no matter what action you are trying to communicate with your dog. Below are some useful tips that you can use when dealing in situations like this.

1. Avoid chasing your pet even if you are angry with him. You may be upset with them, but to your dog, he thinks that you are playing a game and he needs to run in order to be in the game.

2. Show a very bold and upright body position when giving your dog a command. Simply stand up, chest forward and head back. Your Great Dane dog will have a slight bit of intimidation and you will gain more respect from him.

3. Being aggressive will only worsen the problem. The best thing for you to do is to move slowly and talk in a soothing tone of voice. Display the same behavior you wish him to use. This will calm him down and will be easier for you to change his behavior.

Richard Cussons is great lover of dogs and you can find out more about Great Dane dogs at Great Dane Savvy.com.

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Dog Training - Dog Comfort

By John Wiliams
Dog comfort is a big issue for your dog and getting it wrong can cause your dog to be grumpy, aggravated more easily, and in a worse state of health than if they sleep in a more adequate place, but what is perfect sleeping conditions for your dog?
Much research has been done on the way dogs sleep and what they find more comfortable and where it is best for it to be, but in this article we will only cut out the uninteresting bits and give you the best requirements for your dog.
Your dog will sleep an average of 11-12 hours a day, and as they get older that number will increase more because older dogs need more time to regain their energy back. If your dog isn't getting enough sleep it may be because you're not doing one of the following requirements of a dogs sleeping comfort.
To begin, the chosen area needs to be well away from drafts and doorways which could cause drafts and cold air to circulate around your dog, if your dog is cold any muscle and joint pains they have will worsen and make it hard for your dog to sleep.
For padding, you should ensure a really soft space that will help to support the body fully. Use a cushion or lots of blankets to make the padding, to again help any aching joint problems and give maximum support and sleep comfort to your dog.
The last issue is the placing of your dogs bed, dogs need to be easily accessible for the family to care for them, but they don't like to have their routines broken all the time so keeping the dog bed in the same place is essential to keep you dog happy, if the dog bed is always moved it will cause them to be uncomfortable in their new surroundings and be overly aware of unfamiliar noises.


John Williams website owner. For more information on dog behavior training visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.

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Quality Dog Breeders - What to look for2

By: Paul Easton
Puppy mills are facilities that breed puppies only for profit, not for the benefit or love of the breed. Often, multiple dogs are crammed into one cage, the living conditions are filthy and the dogs there do not receive the proper nutrition or medical care.

If the puppy you want comes from such a facility, it will most likely have serious medical and behavioral issues related to its stay there.

5. The breeder engages in questionable business practices.

If the asking price for your purebred puppy is significantly lower than other prices you've seen advertised for the same breed, there may be something wrong with the dog.

Perhaps it comes from a puppy mill or has some serious medical issues. If the breeder also sells to pet stores, you can be pretty sure that he or she is operating a puppy mill. Reputable breeders usually concentrate on one or two breeds.

If the breeder advertises that he or she has many different breeds for sale, then this is another indication that he or she may be breeding animals indiscriminately, without much concern for set breed standards.
Paul Easton is a self confessed online marketing nut- who helps from an "in the trenches, doing it" point of view. Working out of New Zealand, he focuses on Niche US markets. Current project - http://www.JustDogclothes.com/ - Dog Clothes, Clothing, T-shirts jackets and more

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Quality Dog Breeders - What to look for1

By Paul Easton
New puppy owners should always make sure that their dog comes from a responsible breeder. This is really is the only way to ensure that the animal will be free of any behavioral problems.

If a breeder you speak with displays any of the following 5 traits, he or she probably isn't breeding healthy puppies in accordance with standards that have been set for the breed.

1. The breeder is willing to sell you any puppy you want, no questions asked.

All reputable dog breeders care about what happens to each and every puppy they breed, even after it leaves their care. A good breeder will ask you many, many questions about your lifestyle, experience with the breed, house and property size, show or breeding experience, and other aspect of your life that may affect the puppy's future.

If your answers to these questions are not satisfactory, then the breeder probably won't sell the puppy to you. A good breeder will also require that you sign a contract in which you agree to:

Have the puppy fixed if you’re not going to breed it;

Notify the breeder if the dog develops any diseases or medical conditions;

Notify the breeder first if you are no longer able to care for your dog; and, do anything else the breeder feels is important for the health and well-being of the puppy and the breed.

If your breeder doesn't seem to care about the puppy's future and only seems interested in payment, go to another breeder.

2. The breeder seems reluctant to answer questions about the puppy's pedigree.

A reputable breeder knows all about the pedigrees of the puppies he or she sells. He or she knows who the parents were and can provide you with each puppy's lineage, going back several generations. You will also want to register your puppy with the American Kennel Club.

The breeder is supposed to supply you with an registration application with his or her portion already filled out. After you fill out and submit your part of the application, you'll receive a registration certificate. If the breeder you are dealing with cannot provide you with any documentation or registration papers for either the litter or the parents, be extremely wary.

3. The breeder does not seem too concerned with the health of his or her animals.

Any potential buyer of a purebred puppy should be able to see the facility in which the animal was bred. Do the puppies and other dogs there look healthy? If not, then the breeder may not be keeping an appropriate standard of care.

This could affect the future health of the puppy in which you’re interested. The breeder should also have a record of the puppy's health care, from birth to the present, and should be happy to provide you with copies. He or she should also guarantee that the puppy is free from any genetic disorders.

4. The breeder won't allow you to see the breeding area.

Any reputable breeder will be happy to give you a tour of their facility. If the breeder you've chosen is not willing to let you see where your potential puppy comes from, the breeder may be running a puppy mill.

Paul Easton is a self confessed online marketing nut- who helps from an "in the trenches, doing it" point of view. Working out of New Zealand, he focuses on Niche US markets. Current project - http://www.JustDogclothes.com/ - Dog Clothes, Clothing, T-shirts jackets and more

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Agility Training For Your Dog

By Stan Radlow
There are many reasons why dog owners train their pets. Many dogs are trained for the correction of a behavior problem, while other dogs undergo confrontation training to make them suitable as guard dogs and many participate in agility training because their owners consider them to have a talent in that direction. Some dogs have jobs that require the proper skills and discipline for them to be able to perform their job efficiently. Once you have seen police dogs in action you understand why these dogs are trained for obedience, and confrontation. They are trained to sniff out criminals in the act and they are even relied upon to detect illegal substances that are being transported in and out of the country or over state lines. It is said that dogs are even more reliable than modern equipments, such as x-rays. Then there are also dogs that are trained for competitions designed to display their prowess at agility maneuvers. These dogs are trained to improve their obedience as well as honing their agility skills. Agility training is an all-round training discipline as well as increasing a dog’s suitability for competitive sport. Many dog shows sponsor agility events and have often been televised as a main part of the proceedings. Agility is one of the best fun sports for dogs and dog lovers and is often an exciting competition to see. It is certainly a family orientated sport and makes for a pleasurable day out. Dogs that undergo agility training and participate in the competitive side of the sport develop a high degree of self-confidence. They will perform acts of climbing, jumping over obstacles, and crawling under various objects and other activities that are responsible for building that confidence. Many people who are interested in having their dog participate in agility training will usually inquire about the equipments, dog breed, and the cost of training that is needed. They are often surprised to learn that all that is required for agility dog training is dedication. There are no dog breed requirements. All you have do is register your dog in a club and they can be registered for agility. Training your dog for agility is relatively easy, all you need to do is join a local dog training school and train them in basic obedience. Train your dog gently and give him or her plenty of praises until he or she knows what is required for them. You, as the owner, should build up his or her confidence in order for them to perform well in agility. Another important consideration is that you should train them in obedience early in their life. Agility training requires a great deal of patience. And, because your dog’s bones need to develop, never make them run obstacle courses until he or she is 12 months old or 18 months old in larger breeds. The best training your dog can have, when he or she is less than 12 months old, is by playing a game of tug-of-war with his or her toy. Doing this will let your dog understand that you are a part of the pleasure in his or her games. This will create a special bonding between you, as the master, and your dog as your companion. The training of jumping over obstacles and catching things should begin at 12 months old. You can buy a hurdle or construct a portable one that you can take in to the park where there will be a lot of space to practice. Always remember that training your dog for agility will require you to invest a lot of time. However, you should also keep in mind that you and your dog should always have fun in the process.

Stan Radlow is the Webmaster and publisher of http://www.masteryourdog.com which is an excellent source of articles advising on almost every aspect of dog training and dog care from aggression and biting to pregnancy. .

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Advantages of a Designer Dog Bed

By Kausik Dutta
When shopping for a dog bed, there are many factors to take into consideration. What style of bed, how large or small, what type of material, special features, etc. These are all important factors that will affect how well the bed will suit your dog. But what about how well it will suit you? Your dog probably doesn’t care what the bed looks like. Your dog cares about how it feels and the comfort and support it provides. But you, as the owner, have to take into consideration how it will fit into your home. You should never compromise quality and comfort for a particularly stylish bed that matches the drapes, but not the dog. Thankfully, there is a large variety of dog beds available with the quality you want for your dog and the designer options that you want for your home.

Designer dog beds are typically high-quality beds that are available in a variety of colors and styles. This way, you can choose the style of bed that will work best for your dog and then have the ability to match it to your home. Whether your dog sleeps in the bedroom, living room, wherever, you can find one to match the surrounding area. You should be able to find a good quality dog bed that supports your dog’s needs but doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb in your home.

If you are going to invest in a high-quality, designer dog bed, make sure you are getting all of the best features. The best dog bed in the world isn’t worth it if you can’t keep it clean. Look for designer dog beds that you can easily wash right at home. Other great features that may be available are beds that are soil resistant, anti-bacterial and anti-odor. Depending on your needs, there is a variety of features available to suit you and your dogs needs and lifestyle.

Designer dog beds come in a variety of styles. Dog beds complete with a bolster or “dog couches” are a great way for your dog to be able to lounge and relax in comfort and support. If you have a large dog, then a designer dog bed or dog couch with extra support may be the one you are looking for. Find a high-quality dog bed with different color options so you and your dog can be happy with your choice.

Designer dog beds are often available with other high-quality features such as memory foam filling to mold to the shape of your dog, giving it the best support and comfort available.

No matter what you are looking for in a dog bed, you should be able to find a designer one that meets both you and your dog’s needs. With a little extra time, you can find a bed that your dog will love and will match perfectly with your home.

K.S. Louman writes consumer information articles for pet owners. For more information on high-quality,designer dog beds to meet you and your dog’s, please visitwww.mammothoutlet.com.

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How To Stop Your Dog From Chewing

By Michelle Johnson
Destructive dog chewing is a common problem to most dog owners. It can be frustrating. Their ruining your wood furniture, your new shoes and everything in your house.


There are reasons why your dog or new puppy is doing this destructive chewing behavior: attention, boredom, and teething. So how do we handle this? Before getting to the root of the problem we have to make sure the dog is healthy. There is a condition in dogs that is called Pica and it causes your dog to eat non-food items in attempt to deal with nausea. First things first, take your dog to the veterinarian. Once he gives your dog a clean bill of health then we can take it to the next step.


It is normal for your new puppy to chew, due to teething or just exploring his surroundings. To stop this behavior exercise him more. Exercising your dog in important part of being a dog owner. If they get enough exercise it will cut down on boredom and anxiety. The proper exercise is to take your dog for a walk for at least 30 minutes a day. Take him in the back yard and throw a ball around with him.


Give your dog more chew toys. A Kong Toy or a hollow bone, put a little peanut butter in the middle and your dog may spend hours trying to get the peanut butter out. Bones in general and rope toys are other excellent outlets for your dog to chew on. To keep your dog interested in his toys give him a different toy to play with on different days.


Consider applying bitter tasting coatings to his favorite chewable surfaces. The taste and smell of these substances repel some (not all dogs) from chewing. Bitter Apple Sprays, White Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol are just to name a few. You can purchase these items at any grocery store or your local pet store.


Training is the most vital of them all. You must teach them No and Drop then exchange it with a toy he can chew on. Crate training your dog or new puppy is the best way of keeping him contained while you are out. Do not use the crate as punishment because he will then associate the crate as punishment and it will become difficult to keep him in the crate. It should be your dogs safe haven.


It will take time and patience. Find out what works for you and your dog and stick with it.


Remember a good dog is a happy and healthy dog.

Michelle Johnson is highly respected in her community for her knowledge about dogs. For more great informational articles visit her blog at: http://rustydogblog.blogspot.com

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How To Rid Bichon Frise Dogs Of Fleas

By Richard Cussons
Imagine you are hugging and playing with one of your Bichon Frise dogs. Then, all of a sudden you notice small grains of what appears to be dirt and realize those are fleas?

Fleas are blood-sucking insects that feed both on humans and animals. Aside from draining your dog’s blood and causing severe irritation, they can also cause internal worms once they are eaten by your dog. In general, these little creatures can cause health hazard and should be therefore controlled at all times, if not eliminated.

To check whether your Bichon Frise dog is a victim of fleas, simply purchase a flea comb from the nearest pet supply store and run it through your dog’s coat. When your flea comb pulls up what appears to be dirt, take those particles and place them on a paper towel. Drop a little water on top of it and once it turns into a red color, then you can now be sure, what you have discovered is flea excrement.

No problem is impossible to solve as long as you’re handling it properly. There are definitely a lot of ways to handle flea problems. All you need to do is to find out what works best for you. How large the infestation, the number of pets you have in the house and what parts of the house are flea nesting areas are some of the things to consider when choosing for your flea fighting tools.

Now that you’ve found out the existence of fleas, what will you do? Go and talk to your veterinarian immediately. Give as much information as you can so that he can give you recommendation on the appropriate approach for you to use in dealing with this flea issue. Try to use natural methods instead of spraying chemicals throughout your home and on your dogs. These natural methods include using menthol, garlic and eucalyptus.

If in case you decided to choose standard shampoos and sprays, use it cautiously when applying them to your dog. Do not spray or squeeze these products near your dog’s facial area and the underbelly near the scrotum. These areas are very sensitive areas of your dog’s body and allergic reactions could be very real possibility.

One more thing that you’re going to ask your veterinarian is the possibility of using flea tablets or power. These products may not necessarily kill all the fleas but will sterilize them to prevent their reproduction. These products are not nearly as toxic and is safer compared to other shampoos and sprays designed to kill parasites in the area.

Following the above mentioned tips will not hurt either you or your dog, and will result in flea-free Bichon Frise dogs that you always want around.

Richard Cussons is great lover of dogs. Dicover more about Bichon Frise dogs at Bichon Frise Savvy.com.

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No You Sit! Training your Shiba Inu

By Dorothy Hime
Dog Training - No, YOU Sit! The Shiba Inu can learn an amazing variety of behaviors, but few so fundamentally important as the 'sit'. Beyond the basic need to establish that the human of the pair is the alpha (leader), it has a number of practical benefits. When a Shiba Inu sits he's more attentive, making it easier to follow further commands. His eyes are on you, the alpha. As important as what the Shiba Inu is doing, is what he is not. In a sit, he's more or less stationary. There are still those wagging tails, after all. That means he's not chasing the cat, knocking over the furniture, running through the garden or out into the street. But getting there can be easier or more difficult depending on breed, individual and training style. Fortunately, almost every Shiba Inu can and will learn this basic move in short order. First, take advantage of the Shiba Inu's spontaneous behavior by observing him closely. The idea is to catch him in the middle of performing the behavior and say 'sit' and gesture. That way a Shiba Inu associates the behavior with the command. Always associate a unique hand signal and tone with the command. Praise the Shiba Inu lavishly. Hold off on food treats. Save the bribes until you really need them. At first the Shiba Inu will have no idea why you're so happy. But the Shiba Inu tend to be happy when the alpha is, and upset when he is. With repetition comes understanding. When you want to initiate a sit, stand and face the Shiba Inu then issue the command, then wait for the desired response. Some will get it after the first couple of tries, some will take ten or more. Some won't get it without further prompting. Now bring out the other techniques. With a treat or a favored toy, face the Shiba Inu and place it above his head and slightly behind the forehead, but still visible. The Shiba Inu will tend to look up and stretch its chin slightly backward. When you have his attention move the treat slowly back toward the tail. Some the Shiba Inu will respond by backing up. If so, try the technique near the couch or a fence where he has nowhere to go. When the Shiba Inu starts to sit, give the command and hand signal. At the completion of the sit, praise lavishly and give the reward. Voice commands aren't the only sound that will work. Many trainers use a 'clicker' - a small plastic and metal device that makes a 'click-clack' sound when pressed and released. The Shiba Inu can distinguish the sound over surprisingly long distances and amidst other moderate background noise. As a last resort, for the stubborn or slow learner, give the command and at the same time push gently on the back near the tail as you lift his chin. Praise and reward anyway, even though you had to 'force' the sit. Take special care with young hips - don't force a completely uncooperative Shiba Inu this way. Repetition, consistency (reward only for the proper action), and enthusiasm will quickly lead to learning the 'sit'. Don't be harsh, but don't give up easily either. And never let him train you. If you want to learn more about Shiba Inus or dog training techniques please visit http://www.ilovemyshiba.com . There you'll find photos, videos, training tips and everything else you would want to know about this wonderful breed.

Dorothy is the creator of www.ILoveMyShiba.com created out of love for this wonderful and amazing breed.

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