Dog Training Tips - From Doggone Naughty To Good Dog

by: Rodney Waitts
Everyone has some dog training tips when your dog is "naughty." But few actually give you good advice.

Let's face it, your dog wasn't born knowing how to behave. Different breeds are bred for certain tasks, be it hunting, herding, guarding, killing or chasing. Therefore careful selection of your dog is the first step towards an enjoyable life with your dog.

After that there's work to do, dog house training often being the first task. And if you don't get your dog as a pup you may be buying some behavior problems with it. Excessive barking, jumping up, biting, whining, not listening? You usually can do something about it.

Just as with raising children it pays to know a bit about how to do this, and why. Getting someone in for some basic dog training can set you back anything between $300 and $2,000.

But there ain't no free dog training like your own. After all if you and your dog want to enjoy life together why not work on this together right from the word go.

Oops! Did I say "go". "Sit", and read on...

Yes, dog training is a two-way street. Your dog has to take its cues from you as to what's "good" or "bad". If you are confused or inconsistent you'll both pay for that. So, owner training is important too.

Here are some commensense dog training tips:

* Did you realise it's natural for your dog to obey your command in one setting and not necessarily in another?

* Did you realise that pups are often allowed, even encouraged to jump up, chase and bite trouser cuffs because it's so much fun and later this same behavior is not wanted?

* Use the same command words for the desired behavior every time! You may may believe your dog is an Einstein but even he believed in elegant simplicity.

* Stop your dog from jumping up by putting your open hand in front of its face every time or use your knee if a bigger dog. Then say "sit" and physically sit it down if it does not obey.

* And, of course tire out your dog with exercise. She will reward you with better behavior.

A simple and consistent approach can prevent future problems. It's not rocket science but you do need to know what you're doing. Options are joining dog training classes, getting a dog trainer to come to you, or read dog training books if you don't already know how to train your dog. And, let's face it, you would not be reading these tips if you're confident that you do.

Yes, some dogs drive you crazy but never forget that the reverse can be true too. Among the best of dog training tips is always the advice that dog training is not just for the dog!



About The Author

Rodney Waitts grew up with dogs. His family always had them. And, just like having kids, owning a dog is a real responsibility, and can be sooo rewarding and much fun. But when you don't know how to raise them life can be very trying indeed. Keep that relationship with your well-behaved dog a great one. And your kids? Sorry, wrong species - http://www.dogteach.org is for dogs only!

Why You Should Buy Havanese Dogs

by: Fiona A Kelly
If a person is considering buying a new dog they should consider what type of dog they are buying carefully. There is nothing worse than having an adorable puppy grow into a dog that is inappropriate for the family, especially when a little research would have let them know that before they bought it. Havanese dogs are a great small dog breed for any person seeking a new pet. In fact, Havanese are a great all around type of dog, no matter the size they are compared to. They have a good temperament, are hypoallergenic, and are a very healthy breed. When buying dogs like the Havanese (or any other breed really) a person should make sure that the breed is right for him or her and the person’s family. Adopting or buying dog is a long commitment that should not be taken lightly. Remember, when a person is getting a dog, they are getting a new family member. If a person is thinking about getting a new dog for his or her family, that person may wish to consider the small dog breed called the Havanese dog. This is a dog that originates from breeding in Cuba, and has been made somewhat more famous due to celebrities such as Barbara Walters owning them. This is a very varied type of dog. Havanese dogs may come in many different fur types and colors. In fact, very few colors and fur types and combinations will exclude them from being shown.

The Havanese dog breed is considered a very intelligent and a highly-trainable one. Dog lovers will find many reasons to buy this particular breed. First of all, this dog does not shed so it is considered hypoallergenic, which is great for anyone who is allergic to dogs. Second of all, Havanese dogs have a great temperament and even enjoys playing with children. Third of all, Havanese dogs are considered to be very healthy and most are healthier than the average small breed dog according to reliable Havanese information.

Havanese dogs are considered (like Bichons and poodles) to be a shed-free dog. This means that they shed very little, although they must be brushed. This type of dog is considered to be hypoallergenic because although they have dander, they do not shed it off easily. This adds one bit of work for a pet owner, because that means they must be brushed frequently to avoid damage to their skin and fur.

The temperament of Havanese dogs is another great reason to have this type of dog. Unlike most small dogs, Havanese dogs do not get nervous around people and children. Most children (even fairly young ones) are able to play with this dog easily.

A huge concern among pet owners, particularly among purebred dog owners, is the general health of the dog and the dog breed. Unlike many dog breeds, particularly smaller dog breeds, the Havanese is relatively hardy. The breed overall, is a very healthy one.

Choosing a dog for one's family can be a very difficult choice. There are many factors a person should consider, many of which they do not even think about until they adopted a dog they are not ready for. One type of dog that is generally a safe choice for most families is the Havanese dog breed. Havanese Dogs are a beautiful small dog breed that fit well into most households and bring joy along with them.

Havanese Dogs fit in with most families so well because of the fact that they do not shed, which makes them hypoallergenic, they are a very good temperament, and even get along with small children. They are a very healthy breed, especially compared to other small dog breeds. In addition to these factors, Havanese Dogs are very trainable smart dogs. Overall, they will fit into almost every household and are an excellent breed of dog.



About The Author

A particular lover of small breeds, Fiona Kelly has extensive experience raising, breeding and caring for many types of dogs. http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/ Havanese are a wonderful small dog breed characterized by its lack of shedding, good temperament, and good general health. Information about http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/Havanese.html what to expect with the Havanese can be found in this article.

Cats Dogs And Human Food - How Can Our Food Harm Our Pets?

Author: Paul Counts
We’re all guilty of it – giving in to those big begging eyes pleading at us for a scrap from the table during dinner. Fido knows just how to get you to concede, and most of us justify that a little won’t hurt, or we don’t even think of the potential danger at all. But the truth is that human food can be harmful to your pet, and in some cases, can be fatal. It’s important to know how certain foods can be unsafe so that you can avoid them for the sake of your animal.

Here is how a few of some of the most common “human foods” become harmful for pets:

Chocolate and other foods containing caffeine

Caffeine is one of the greatest culprits because it contains an alkaloid called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which in turn can cause a heart attack or other heart and nervous system problems in animals.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic are potentially harmful due to the fact that both contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in cats and dogs. Of the two, onions are the most toxic, as consumption of simply one serving by your pet could result in anemia.

Milk

Milk can harm your pet due to the fact that many dogs and cats tend to be lactose intolerant. The consumption of milk and milk products by a lactose intolerant pet creates a breeding ground for bacteria, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Bones

Bones, although commonly known as a great treat for your dog, are potentially very dangerous for pets. Once eaten, bones can splinter and get stuck in the intestines, causing damage or fatality. In most splinter cases, the bones must be removed surgically.

Other Foods

Other human foods to avoid when feeding your pet are: macadamia nuts, potato peelings and green-looking potatoes, rhubarb leaves, moldy/spoiled foods, alcohol, yeast dough, tomato leaves and stems, broccoli, and raisins or grapes.

Some human foods potentially cause only mild digestive upsets, while others can be fatal. Regardless of the level of danger, the best choice for your pet is to keep him from any potentially harmful foods in order to ensure his health and safety.

During the holiday season, veterinary clinics have noticed a rising in the number of pets that they treat for food-related illnesses. The increase in pet illness is due to the fact that animals are partaking in human foods during mealtime. Although not well known by the public, the consumption of human food to pets is potentially harmful to animals, and in some instances, can be fatal.

The rise in food-related illnesses by pets is a clear indication that the dangers of human food consumption by animals are not understood by the masses.

So, the next time your pet looks up at you with those pleading eyes, show him you care by doing what is truly best for him and feeding him only products meant for pet consumption. In the end, both you and your pet will be glad that you did.



About The Author

Paul Counts and Tyler Clinton are the owners of http://Petronic.com and the editors of http://www.leadingedgepetcare.com. They are both passionate pet owners and entrepreneurs, and they provide a variety of high end pet supplies at http://www.petronic.com.

Spitz. Determined, Focused And Hardy. The Spitz Type Dog Is No Fool!

by: John E Adams
Spitz. History of the Spitz-type dog breed

With their thick fluffy coats and sharp intelligent faces, it is easy to see how Spitzes have become an enduring companion to humans. There are many dog breeds that can be categorized as Spitz-type dogs, but most of them share some basic characteristics.

It is not known where Spitzes originally came from, but many of the modern dog breeds which can be classified as Spitz today trace their origins back to the Arctic.

The Spitz-type dog goes back almost 5000 years, and there is some belief that the breed has been regularly bred with wolves to promote a greater degree of intelligence and hardiness.

The Alaskan Malemute, for example, is thought to be descended from the crossing of the Spitz with wolves.

For most of history, the Spitz has been used as a hunting dog, a herding dog or a guard dog, and as such has proven itself quite valuable to human in a number of different ways. Around 1000 BC, Spitze migrated south from their native Arctic climes, and they were soon common in Europe, North America and Asia. They even traveled as far south as northern Africa.

>From there, you can see the development of the variety of dog breeds that are considered Spitz-type dogs. One highly recognizable dog breed is the German Spitz and the Finnish Spitz. They have the characteristic thick coat, triangular ears and lupine face of the breed. In Japan, one can see that the Akito Inu is a direct descendant of the Arctic Spitz breed. The Pomeranian

If you enjoy the looks of the Spitz dog breeds, there is probably a breed out there that will suit you and match this phenotype.

For instance, the Pomeranian that was mentioned above is a well-known favorite of apartment dwellers and those who live a lone. While these dogs can be a little high strung and difficult around children, they make excellent pets for single people with a limited amount of space.

If you are interested in a small dog that is good with children, think about Corgi, which can be quite good with small children, provided the children are taught how to handle dogs. For a more energetic family, consider the Siberian Husky, which has a gentle temperament and, due to its strong pack instinct, thrives on both social and physical activity.

Make sure that you will be able to tend to the various needs of the breed that you choose. Corgis, for example, do require a certain amount of grooming, and because they are a little fractious, will benefit from thorough handling as puppies.

Huskies require a certain amount of fish oil in their diets to keep their coat and nails looking their best while.

Chows, another Spitz breed, need an owner who understands their stubborn, independent nature as well as one who will watch them for the breed's elbow dysplasia.

If you are interested in a Spitz, do some research to find out what breed of Spitz is best for you and your situation.

By getting to know the breeds involved, you can figure out which type of Spitz will be ideal for you and your home.



About The Author

Copyright John Adams. Dog Breeds Explained The Spitz is a true companion and loyal breed of dog. But only for the right owner. Get the facts before you get the dog! http://www.dog-breeds-explained.com

Finding the Perfect New Dog

Author: Andreas Henderson
When you are looking for a new dog to bring home, there are many factors you need to take into consideration. The most important question to ask is why you want a dog? Is it because your children are begging for one, or is it because you need someone outside the house to warn of would-be intruders? Maybe you want a dog because you had one as a kid and miss the company of a pet. For several reasons, dogs bring most families closer together. However, not all dogs are good for every situation.

First, you have to decide if you want a female or a male dog when first choosing. Males are more aggressive and dominant in certain breeds, and tend to be a little harder to train properly. Females tend to stay more petite, while the males have a bigger stature.

Next, you need to decide whether you want a puppy or an older dog. Children love puppies. They are more adaptable and sociable, and you can train them from the very first moment, molding them in accordance with your needs. It is also quite satisfying to watch a new puppy grow up with your children.

A cool trick to check the temperament of the dog is to hold it in your arms and tip him on his back. If he struggles consistently, it will probably take some patience to train it. If he calmly lays there, it is a sign that the dog is mild tempered, and thus easy to work with.

Another cool trick is to make a sudden movement, clapping your hands or make some other loud sound. If the dog is mild tempered, it will look curiously at you. A nervous or shy dog will seem startled or shy away. If it is the first time you are getting a dog, it is a good idea to bring someone experienced along, as they are better at judging the body language of dogs.

When selecting a new dog, it is important to research the breeds you are looking at. Some breeds need more training, exercise or a certain climate. One example is the cocker spaniel, which needs lots of grooming because of its luxurious coat.

Whether you are looking for a dog your kids can play with or someone to guard the gates, you should include thought and common sense when selecting your new dog. Being thorough in your search will help you find the perfect one for you.



About The Author

Andreas Henderson is an avid dog trainer and the creator of the Dog Training Guide and runs a successful website dedicated to dog training for the benefit of the customer. For a great dog training product see Henderson's site at http://www.dogpro101.com/