Got Thirty Minutes? Teach Your Dog to Sit!

Author: Don Sloan
People mistakenly think that teaching their dog to sit is incredibly hard. But it's easy!

All you have to have is (a) the right technique and (b) the patience to repeat the same command and tactile actions about 25 to 30 times.

By the 31st time, I'd be willing to bet your dog (because he or she is smarter than anyone else's) is already starting to sit when you give the command.

Elapsed time: about 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary to gain full "sit" control. That's it!

Here's the complete low-down:

The Sit Command is one of the easiest commands to teach your dog during dog training. The reason? It involves tactile (touch), the leash and collar combo, and praise (one of the most important ingredients in dog training).

Here’s the basic routine for the “Sit” command: position your dog by your left side, with the “pinch” collar (or the collar of your choice) in place around your dog’s neck. Your dog probably will be standing on your left, tongue hanging out, wondering what’s next. Yup, yup – what’s next?

It’s simple. Every command sequence follows basically the same routine, a standard in programming dog behavior: a minimum of words, tactile reinforcement of the command (until they start associating the command with the action), and praise – lots and lots of praise (when the action is completed correctly :-)

Here’s how it goes in sequence: Call the dog by name, speak the command, and follow through with touch.

In this case, for my dog, it would be “Honey! Sit!” spoken in a commanding tone. The first time, your puppy dog will not have any idea what you mean. So, with your right hand, you will pull up on the leash while pushing down on the dog’s hindquarters with your left hand. Forcibly, if need be.

The combination of the two actions may bring a surprised yelp and a bit of struggle. But gently (and firmly) pull up with your right hand, and push down with your left. The dog really has no choice but to comply, and as he or she does so, lavish them with praise.

As I said, the first time for the sit command will be a new experience for you both. But the second time will be a bit easier. And the third, and the fourth time, as each completed command is followed with praise, you’ll be thinking: “this dog behavior, dog training thing is a snap” – but only when the dog’s hindquarters are actually touching the ground can the celebration begin. Then, the reinforcement in the dog behavior will be clearly associated with the command and the subsequent action.

By the time you get to the tenth time, believe it or not, the dog will likely already be in the motion of sitting down as your right hand goes up with the leash, and your left hand is reaching for the dog’s hind end.

Repetition is like magic for dogs! Issue the same command, in the same tone of voice, in the same sequence, as many times as you want to practice this. But I would not try it more than 30 times in a row – both of you will get bored. Instead, begin practicing the next step, which will be to teach your puppy dog the “Down!” command.

For more details, visit http://www.tenstepdogtraining.com. And enjoy the Dog Obedience Journey!


About The Author

Don Sloan is an experienced dog trainer who has worked for ten years with the Humane Society, teaching dogs (and their owners) how to get the control and obedience they want! Visit his website at http://www.tenstepdogtraining.com.

Herding and the German Shepherd Dog

Author: Debbie Ray
Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became domesticated, man became aware of the dogs herding ability. Tactics used by hunting wolves, witnessed by humans, such as driving and separating one animal from the flock, were further exploited and bred into these dogs. As in other dogs, the animals possessing the best inherent herding abilities were further developed to assist human shepherds in their daily duties.

As you know, German Shepherds fall into the Herding Category of dog breeds- the breed was derived in the late 1800’s from several different types of herding stock.

As the breed gained popularity, it also gained new “jobs” and duties as varied as can be possibly imagined- from work in the wars, search-and-rescue, tracking, police work, protection, to guide dog, companion dog and more. Still, some animals(GSD’s) are used today actively as herding dogs.

Exactly what is involved in the process of herding? First, a willingness to work and to cooperate with others. In the wild wolves or wild dogs work as a unit when hunting prey and each animal may have a particular “job” to fulfill in order to bring down the intended victim. Some may be following the prey while others attempt to head it off.

Still, another may be the pack leader who in essence coordinates the events of the hunt. Herding dogs now work essentially with a human as pack leader in attempting to control herds of livestock.

Herding dogs may have natural abilities and fall in one of two basic categories- either that of gatherer or driver. Drivers generally move the stock away from the handler while still grouped, while gatherers tend to head off stock, keep them grouped and move them toward the handler. Generally speaking, gatherers are more versatile than drivers and it is much easier to cross train a gatherer to drive than it is to cross train a driver to gather.

Overall, principles of herding are based on the dogs natural instincts though other training methods abound. First dogs must obey the handler and follow commands.

This, along with mutual trust and respect, are the most important aspects of the working relationship between the dog(s) and the handler. After being introduced to stock, the animals are taught to position themselves in relation to the handler and stock based on their ”job” and the direction in which the herd is to be moved. It is the handlers job to give the dog guidance in working the stock.

Later in training directional commands are learned by the animal in training. Most commands are in the form of verbal cues or whistles although visual commands may sometimes be involved as well. Possible commands may include “easy” or ”steady” (move slowly), “stop”, “down”, or flanking commands such as move counterclockwise or clockwise around the herd. Once the dog masters the basic gathering commands it is taught to drive the herd and as it learns each lesson, it is taught other more difficult commands.

Qualities a good herding dog must possess are obedience, trainability, adaptiveness, good health, responsiveness and, most importantly, being able to use its own judgment. “Standing up” to uncooperative stock or being gentle with cooperative stock are other qualities of utmost importance in an actual working herding dog.

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/
Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.


About The Author

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com, is a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Interested in the German Shepherd Dog in particular? Need to promote your dog related website and get additional in bound links? Check out pedigreedpups.com , total-german-shepherd.com or http://www.pedigreeddogs.com (purebred dog breed directory) for more information.

Film Prop Puts Snoop Dogg On The Hot Seat

Author: Chris Nelson
Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus, may face charges after authorities discovered a 21-inch collapsible baton in his bags upon boarding a New York bound flight.

Snoop had the baton in his laptop case as he went through a security checkpoint at John Wayne International Airport, sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said.

The rapper told sheriff’s deputies that the baton was a prop for a movie he was filming in New York.

District attorney spokeswoman Susan Kang Schroeder said the prosecutors had not yet decided whether to charge Snoop Dogg and that their office only received the sheriff’s report. The rapper was not arrested.

A collapsible baton is classified as a dangerous weapon. Snoop’s baton collapsed to eight inches.

This wasn’t the first time the rapper had a problem at an airport.

In May, Snoop Dogg and five other men were arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on charges of violent disorder and starting a brawl after some members of the rapper’s party were denied entry to the first class lounge of British Airways.

Snoop, however, accepted responsibility for using “threatening words or behavior.”

It has been reported that after the incident, British Airways has banned Snoop Dogg from future travel on the airline.

Moreover, Snoop Dogg was convicted in 1990 of cocaine possession and was charged with gun possession after a 1993 traffic stop.

He faced possible three years in prison, which was reduced to three years probation after the rapper pleaded guilty and promised to make anti-violence public service announcements.

In 1996, he was acquitted of murder following the death of an alleged street gang member killed by gunfire from the vehicle Snoop Dogg was traveling in.

On the lighter side, Snoop Dogg recently had a successful premiere of Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror as part of Screamfest 2006. The celebrity red carpet arrivals and screening were held at Grauman's Mann Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood.

The Xenon Pictures release, produced by BloodWorks, Social Capital and Snoopadelic Films, will open in theaters on November 17, 2006.

The celebrity packed after party of the premiere was also a surprise birthday party for Snoop, which was planned and hosted by his wife, Shante Broadus. The guest list included the filmmakers and co-stars from HOOD OF HORROR, as well as Xenon Pictures executives and a packed house of family and friends from the world of music, film and sports. Snoop Dogg treated partygoers to an impromptu musical performance.

Joining Snoop Dogg for the evening were his HOOD OF HORROR co-stars Danny Trejo, Anson Mount, Brande Roderick, Lin Shaye, Noel Gugliemi, Pooch Hall, former WCW champion Diamond Dallas Page and Detroit Piston Tayshaun Prince. The film also stars Ernie Hudson, Method Man, Daniella Alonso, LA Laker Lamar Odom, NFL stars Teyo Johnson, Justin Fargas and Glenn Cadrez, as well as Billy Dee Williams and Jason Alexander. Captain Morgan Original

Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror presents three terrifying tales from this nefarious neighborhood, whose depraved denizens can all look forward to a very unpleasant eternity.

A blend of horror, anime, live action, gore, and a strong dose of gallows humor, Snoop Dogg stars as Devin, a deceased gangster who has the dubious honor of escorting Satan's latest "conquests" to their just reward, and our personal escort through this City of the Damned.

Snoop Dogg's Hood Of Horror was written by Jonathan McHugh, Tim Sullivan, Chris Kobin and Jacob Hair. Martin Shore of Social Capital and Christopher Tuffin of BloodWorks, as well as Ted Chung, McHugh and Sullivan served as producers. Gordon Steel and John Baca of The Steel Company served as executive producers, in addition to Snoop Dogg.

The anime segments were produced by Japan's Madhouse, known for such classics as ANIMATRIX and TOKYO HUNTER, under the Direction of Academy Award® winner John Gaeta, known for his work on the MATRIX trilogy. The film is rated R for pervasive strong violence and gore, sexuality, nudity and language.


About The Author

Chris Nelson is a song writer and a musician, his works are strongly relative to ballad, pop-rock, alternative and modern rock.

Caught My Dog On Tape - One Page Guide on Security Cameras

Author: James P Raymond
Using a surveillance camera, I caught my dog on the couch. I don't care he goes there but my wife is not crazy about it.

This is one on the many ways people are using security cameras. Thirty years ago, only wealthy people could afford to use these cameras. But now they are affordable, smaller, more convenient and easy to install.And there is no monthly charge.

Things to consider in buying a security camera:

Wireless or Hardwired ?

------Wireless can be quickly installed without a professional and you can take them with you when you are on the move. They are extremely inconspicuous.

-----Hardwired are ideal for permanent areas that need constant monitoring or if your current security system is hardwired and wireless security cameras are not compatible.

Black and White or Coloured?

-----Coloured cameras give you the ability to obtain a more identifiable image of people and activities taking place in your area.

-----Black and white cameras can "see" better in lesser light. If you have a tight budget, they are lower priced but not as detailed as coloured cameras.

Location

-----All entry points should be monitored by high resolution security cameras.

----Inside your house, wide angle coloured security cameras should be placed in all heavy traffic areas and rooms in which valuables are located.

----Proper placement of cameras will give you the ability to have a close-up shot of the perpetrator, and the color of clothes he or she is wearing. A video recording is extremely valuable as evidence in court and in insurance claims.

Most security camera vendors will help you if you tell them your goals, the sq feet of the area you are monitoring and your budget amount.


About The Author

James P Raymond
J-Ray Traders
Distributor of Self Defense Products and Surveillance Equipment
http://www.bestsecuritycameraonline.com
http://www.bestselfdefensestore.com

Bull Dog

Author: Mary Rose
The Bulldog is one of the most popular purebred dogs. It is popular among celebrities and families.The broad shouldered,stocky bulldog with it characterisitc under bite and pugnacious gait has long been a mascot of sports teams and military units.
But their docile,even tempered personality that belies their tough guy image makes them good pets for families with young children.The personality of Bull dog is unlike any other dog.They are so expressive.If one looks into their eyes one can almost see what they are thinking.Their growing popularuty with celebrities have added to their publicity.The breed is the second most popular dog in Los Angeles.

An English bull dog puppy makes a great companion.A prominent characterisitic of this breed is that they are attention seekers and get along well in a home with children and other pets.If they are given proper care and attention ,you are ensured of a very loyal and loving pet in return.Nevertheless,the care of an English bull dog puppy requires a bit of firmness. It will be difficult to deal if you spoil them. In case they are used to a lot of attention and loses it ,for instance,when its owner's have a baby, it can act out by barking or biting. Therefore, attention needs to be consistent and firm, so that the dog senses its place in what it sees as its group.

It must be remembered that an English bull dog they become less interested in exercise as they age. While these dogs are short and stocky they should be put through regular exercise on to prevent obesity. As they are exhausted by exercise they should be given water often. Another pecularity of an English bull dog is that it has so many folds .Therefore,its cleanliness is really important. If not cleaned well it can cause bacterial or fungal infections.

On the other hand,an American bull dog is a breed of working dog developed for catching livestock and for protecting property. Though larger in size, they are the closest surviving relative of the o ld English bulldog. There are generally considered to be two types of American bulldog, the johnson type and the Scott type, named after the breeders who were influential in developing them, John D. Johnson and Allen Scott. These are more commonly known as Classic or Bully type and Standard or Performance type.The American Bulldog is a stocky, strong-looking dog. Its coat is short and either white or white with patches.

The growing popularity of bull dog has a downside.They can suffer from breathing problems and should only be treated by experienced veterinarians.Bull dogs are also unable to swim.Breeders use artificial insemination and caesarean sections when breeding the dogs to reduce the high risk of injury caused by the large size of the dog's head in proportion to its hips.The elaborate precautions required when breeding bulldogs puts the cost of a typical purebred bulldog puppy on the higher side.



About The Author

Mary Rose has authored several books including books related to Pet and