Dog Training and Stress

By Kristi Carter
Your dog will naturally feel some stress while you're training him. There is nothing you can do to prevent it; however, you can keep the stress low so your dog can still learn. There is a big difference between some good stress that is due to your pet's excitement and happiness to learn and bad stress that shows in disturbing behaviors. Being able to recognize the signs of stress is important because that's when the lesson should end.

As your dog becomes so stressed that he is unable to learn, the behavior will simply be random, redirected, or displacement behaviors, and they will not be learned or retained. If your dog does listen, he will be so nervous and stressed that he will not remember or retain the new behavior. This will also frustrate you and make you feel as if he is not learning, when in fact he was too upset or stressed to retain any of the things that you taught him.

There are also times when the dog seems unable to learn. You can feel this at any time, and more so when there are a lot of distractions. It may seem like no matter what you do, it's not working and you are making no forward progress. So, what do you do in a situation like this? Do you feel like if you stop, your dog has won and will never behave again? This makes it seem as if the two of you are foes and you are in a contest. Many people think that the dog is just being stubborn, so they take an attitude of enforcing law upon the dog to show who is boss. This kind of attitude will create failure without a doubt. It will also end with an unrewarding relationship with your pet.

Training is not about a contest. It is about you teaching your dog. In order for your dog to learn and pick up new things and retain them, he needs to be able to trust you. If there is nothing being accomplished in a lesson and your dog is not learning, end the session. It's that simple. If you try to continue and try to force your dog to do what you want, he will no longer trust you or the relationship that you have. You should allow four hours or more for your dog to rest, and then try again. You might even see that suddenly your dog has mastered the things he wasn't getting before. You have allowed him a break and he picked up the lesson through time. Should you start to get angry or irritable, or your dog show stress, you should stop the lesson immediately. It is not difficult to be dominant with your dog by physical and mental force, but to create trust and enjoyment, there must be positive reinforcement and reliability. Your dog must be able to trust you fully and rely on you or they could begin to display disturbing behavior.

For additional information on effective dog training techniques that utilize positive, humane, and effective methods, please visit http://www.clickerdogtraining.net today!

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The Stipes to Find out Basic Dog Helath Problems

By Noah Schettini
As a pet owner, it is an important responsibility on your part to keep your dog healthy. You must bring your dog to the vet regularly. Even a healthy puppy will require many visits to the vet. Vaccinations, exams, worming, spaying, neutering and flea control are a few of the things that requires to be done to your dog on its first year of life to protect it from disease and other dog health problems.

Your dog cannot tell you when it feels sick. It is very good to get use to your dog's normal behavior. Any sudden change to his physical or social behavior may signal the onset of a dog health problem, and early detection may save your dog's life. If your dog gets sick, take him to the vet right away. Veterinary care protects your health as well as your pet's, as the dog may carry a disease that can be transmitted to people. The most dangerous and well-known transmittable disease by far is rabies, a disease that causes almost certain death if not treated immediately.

You should learn to recognize signs of illness in your dog. A sick dog usually tires easily, drinks excessive amounts of water and/or refuse to eat. Other signs may include convulsions, fever, dry cough, runny or red eyes, and a dry nose. Frequent vomiting and loose bowel movement may also indicate a medical problem.

Parasitic worms are also a cause for concern as these parasites cause various dog health problems. Blood tests to check for heartworms should be included in your dog's annual checkup. These parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause serious illness. Your vet can prescribe you medicine that will protect your dog against heartworms.

Fleas and ticks are also a nuisance to your pet's health. They can cause anemia or paralysis. Keeping your dog clean and well groomed can help minimize this threat. Cleaning and dusting your pet's quarters with flea powder weekly can also help keep your dog free of fleas.

As an owner there are preventive measures that you can take in order to prevent dog health problems from manifesting. Make sure that you give your dog the best nutrition possible in order for him to develop a shield against common diseases associated with malnutrition or improper diet. Keep your pet healthy and in shape by giving him plenty of room and time to exercise. Follow your veterinarian's vaccination schedule and regularly bring your dog for check-ups in order to detect any early signs of trouble. Always, give your dog regular prevention medicine for his/hers heartworm and also the other parasites. Always keep your dog well-groomed and clean. Brush your dog's teeth or give it a tooth cleaning treat every week to avoid any gum or dental problems. Most of all, do not forget to give your dog lots of affection and firm but fair discipline to help keep him mentally healthy and happy.

Your vet can tell you more about common dog health problems for your dog's particular breed, so make sure you ask about them on your dog's next visit.

Need To Keep Your Dog Healthy? Go to http://www.healthydogcareonline.com to find out.

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Just How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need a Day?

By Lisa Nobles
Making sure you give your dog adequate amounts of exercise is extremely important not only in preventing behavior problems, but also for the overall health of your pet. It can help keep you both happy. But not all dogs need the same amount of exercise so how do you know what amount you need to spend exercising your dog?

The primary consideration in determining the amount of exercise a dog needs depends on breed. Herders, hunters and working dogs need the most exercise of all the dog breeds. Ideally, these dog breeds need 30 minutes to one hour of daily exercise, whether it is a walk with its owner, playing outside with other dogs or running around and chasing squirrels. Misbehaving is much more likely to occur as well as health deterioration without this daily amount of exercise. Examples of these breeds are: Hounds, Beagles, Border Collies, Alaskan sled dogs, Australian and German Shepherds, Terriers (particular Jack Russell) and Shelties.

A common misconception is that the smaller the dog the less exercise the dog needs. This is a misconception. It is all about breed.

Mixed breed dogs makes it a little more difficult for the owner to know how much exercise is needed. The best way to gauge this is for the owner to observe the dog's behavior. If the dog seems to enjoy lying in the sun all day then most likely he does not need a lot of exercise. On the other hand, if the dog is restless and wanders around the yard and house constantly, his needs will be better served with more exercise.

Walking is one of the top modes of exercise. But it's not a lot of fun to walk a dog that "pulls" or who is not obedient to your commands. Clearly a dog who knows the proper way to walk on a leash will get more walks. Teaching this skill to your dog as a puppy is critical. However if this is not yet accomplished, there are ways to teach your adult dog to walk properly on a leash.

The phrase "walking properly" refers to the dog obeying the commands the owner gives and not "pulling." For example if the owner says "stop" the dog knows and does stop. If the owner says "sit" the dog knows and does sit. If the owner says "heel" the dog knows and does heel. By teaching your dog these commands, both you and your pet will have much more frequent and enjoyable walks together.

Walking your dog is a great way to bond with your dog and start the 'dog training' process. Dogs are 'hard-wired' to do as you say; you just need to tap into this behavior. Get 'free dog training tips' from http://www.stopbaddogbehavior.com and learn how to transform your unmannered pooch today.

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The Westminster Dog Show

By John Foley
The Westminster Dog Show is a two-day extravaganza featuring more than 2,600 dogs and 165 breeds. You may be interested to know that the Westminster dog show is one of the oldest annual sporting events in the USA, second only to the Kentucky Derby.
Today, the Westminster dog show is not just for hunting dogs, but includes all kinds of different breeds and has turned its focus from working dog's performance in the field, to it's appearance as well. The Westminster Dog Show is now in its 132th year, and only champions, which are vetted through a series of lesser contests, are allowed to participate in the Nobel prize of the canine world.
The first Westminster dog show was held in 1877 when a group of hunters decided to get together at the Westminster Hotel in Manhattan to compare their purebred dogs, and it eventually grew over time to what it is today. The Westminster Dog Show features different breeds of dogs and their owners performing in a nerve-racking competition that's as intense as it is old.
Every February, thousands of AKC dogs and their exhibitors make their way into Madison Square Garden for two intensive days of showing that, when all the barking is over, will crown the best dog in the country. Dogs are judged on their general appearance, condition and carriage, with special attention being paid to the dog's head (including the eyes, ears, skull and muzzle).
Until 1992, this event was a full show, meaning all classes were included from dog and bitch competition for Winners, to Best of Breed, Group, and Best In Show. From 1992 onward, only the creme de la creme of the dog world were deemed eligible for the greatest show in the country, and entries were limited to finished champions as mentioned earlier.
Currently, the show is limited to a total entry of 2,622 champions in all from over 165 AKC recognized dog breeds. When not being groomed, exercised or shown, all dogs are to be displayed in their assigned bench spot, this gives the public aisle upon aisle of the best purebred dogs in the country to view. It also gives the public the chance to connect with breeders, most of whom are only too happy to share their knowledge of all things dog, and in particular, the wonderful attributes of their breed. In the past, this show was extended to a four day event due to it's immense popularity with the public and exhibitors alike, but currently the show has been packed into two full days of dog showing.
Presently, all dog breeds are divided into one of seven groups, including: Toys,Non-Sporting,Sporting,Working,Herding,Terrier, and Hound. Although it may appear that dogs of different breeds are competing with each other, it is actually the judge's job to choose which of the dogs is the best representative of their breed standard. The dog who is the most turned on, moving energetically and totally in tune with his handler can't help but catch the judges eye, and usually winds up with a Group first placement.
With the awarding of the Group 1 placements, the field of over 2,500 deserving champions is narrowed down to the top 7, and from this elite company the highly coveted Best In Show dog is selected, and after a few moments of excruciating suspense, the judge presents the winning dog/handler team with a huge BIS rosette ribbon, and the Westminster show trophy.
The Westminster dog show is still the greatest dog show on earth, and undoubtedly the most famous of all American shows. Are you aware that the anniversary of the first Westminster Dog Show is May 8th. Can I just say that watching the Westminster Dog show is in my top 5 sporting events every year, including Olympic years.
The Westminster dog show is comming on TV next week (on the cable channel USA) And will be aired tomorrow and Tuesday night. Westminster Dog Show tickets are available, and this event is a tradition that dates back longer than almost every other sporting event in the United States. Although a few corporate sponsored shows have tried to usurp the Westminster Kennel Club dog show of it's pride of place in recent years, for true dog show aficionados, this show is, and always will be, the Holy Grail of all dog shows.
Below is The Television Schedule For The Event :
Monday, February 11 Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (8-9 PM Live ET / 5-6 PM PT) on USA Network Continuing Live Telecast: Monday, Feb 11 (9-11 PM Live ET / 6-8 PM PT) on CNBC
Best of Group Competitions will be judged in the following order: - Working - Terrier - Toy - Non-Sporting
Tuesday, February 12 Live Telecast: Tuesday, Feb 12 (8-11 PM Live ET / 5-8 PM PT) on USA Network
Best of Group Competitions will be judged in the following order: - Sporting - Hound - Herding Followed by Best In Show Judging
Article Written By J. Foley

Article Written By J. Foley J. Foley Has A Great Site "Just About Dogs"

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Fun Dog Training

By Bravo Seo
Probably one of the biggest concern in looking for the perfect way to train your dog is to inquire in an institution that can be able to provide you with the most up-to-date, integrated and common sense approach to dog training. California has many dog training schools featuring a variety of approaches and philosophies.

Dog training is one of the most important aspects of owning a pet dog and dog training obedience is something that owners can do for their dogs or puppies by themselves. The most necessary factor in instructing your dog is through effective communication. The trainer should clearly what does he want to transpire to his pet dog. Simple lessons like telling your pet dog to "stay," to "sit" and to "off." Remember that almost all dog breeds can be trained, only if you are armed with the right knowledge in dog training. A good reason for obedience training is the establishment of a foundation wherein the owner and his dog can learn to effectively relate to one another. The first thing obedience training does is to create a common language for the owner and the dog. This, in turn, lets your dog know the proper response – or behaviors - that you expect in place of socially maladaptive behavior. This process can also be effectively called as dog behavior training.

To properly train your dogs for obedience, you can try the following training styles. The main types of training are leash/collar training and reward training, whereas the leash and collar training considered a hard training and traditional style developed from military dog training and reward training to be the soft training style which dogs are rewarded using food for every job well-done.

There are some basic dog training ideas that may come handy to every trainer. Training your dog requires a good deal of persistence to be both an enjoyable and successful for you and your four legged friend. Including in the list is giving your dog small jobs like sitting for dinner, lying down before doors, or teaching your pooch down/stay sessions for five to twenty minutes at a time teaches your dog control and gives him something to do when around other people or things that would otherwise distract and putting away dogs and puppies on your beds and furniture to give them a sense of limit. Ensure that training your dog is never too stressful or tiring for either of you, and it will always be easier and more effective training your dog if he is happy and contented.

If you have an aggressive dog, don't minimize the seriousness of the situation. Standard training techniques will probably prove ineffective with an aggressive dog. One-on-one help with a professional trainer may be required to see results with aggressive dog training. Training aggressive dog first requires some basic understanding of why dogs become aggressive. There could be several reasons that accounts for your dog’s aggressive behavior. It is hard to train an aggressive dog but with the right techniques; it becomes less of a pain.

For more information, check out this site on dog training obedience. Sheryll Cross is a web copywriter for a web design company associated with a dog training obedience company in New York.

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