Dog habits: how to develop them

By Rodrigo Trigosso
Besides the concepts you already know, there is a fundamental aspect that is usually overlooked in dog training guides: consistency and the development of dog habits.

Consistency leads to the development of strong behavior patterns: habits. Therefore, to own a well trained dog you must be consistent during his training and even when you are not training him.

Please read the following case scenarios to get a better understanding of the importance of consistency and the development of dog habits.

Case 1: Dog habits and the recall command

Your dog has learned to come to you when you call him in your house, but you never practiced this command at the park.

One day, you take your dog to the park and let him play off-leash with other dogs. When you want to return home, you call your dog and even show him a cookie (which you used to teach him the recall in your house).

However, playing with other dogs is a stronger motivation than a cookie at that time. So, your dog ignores your recall and keeps playing with his canine friends. Why would he come to you if he is having so much fun with his friends?

What happens in this hypothetical case is that you are not consistent with the recall, because you call your dog in a situation in which is very unlikely that he obeys the command. Thus, ignoring your command is reinforced since your dog gets a great benefit (play with other dogs) for doing that.

The most likely consequence is that your dog will respond well to your recall in your house, but not at the park or any other places where he find friends to play with.

Thus, the recall command is deteriorated.

A possible solution to this problem would be to retrain the recall using a different command and make it really strong (make it a habit) before you unleash your dog again at the park.

Case 2: Dog habits and toilet training

Your dog lives in the backyard and seldom goes to another place. Since the backyard floor is made of concrete, your dog pees and poops in such surface every time he needs a toilet. He gets used to use a concrete surface as a toilet.

One day you take your dog to the park, where the ground is covered with grass. Your dog enjoys the walk but you notice he doesn't release any "toxic residue."

What happens in this hypothetical case? Your dog is accustomed to do his "business" on a concrete floor and that behavior did become a habit.

Since your dog has never urinated or defecated on different surfaces (like grass) he can't recognize them as proper toilets. As a result, he waits until he is on a concrete surface to do his "business."

Although this example may look like extreme and crazy, it is a common issue for dog owners.

This is the same thing that happens to many city people when they encamp. Their intestines get "locked" for a couple of days, until they realize there is no other choice than going behind a bush.

Dog training mistakes

One common mistake is to think that when you teach something to your dog it is just a matter of time before that behavior gets perfect. Truth is that to get a reliable trained behavior you must be consistent and make that behavior becomes one of your dog's habits. When the behavior becomes a habit, it is very unlikely that your dog acts in a different way.

Some people think that consistency can't be accomplished with positive techniques, and particularly with clicker training, because these techniques avoid physical punishments (mistakenly called "corrections"). That is a big mistake and you shouldn't believe those claims. You don't need to use punishment or "corrections" to be consistent and develop new habits in your dog.

Having said that, you must be aware that it takes some time to develop good habits in your dog. That's why real dog training can't be achieved in a few days. Basic off-leash obedience training usually takes from three to six months if you want it to be reliable. On the other hand, training at a competitive level may take years.

About the author:
Article courtesy of Adiestramiento de perros, a section of Perros, a Spanish website about dogs managed by Rodrigo Trigosso.

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Adopting a Dog - Getting Off on the Right Foot with Your Shelter Dog

By Rena Murray
You took your time in adopting your shelter dog. Your heart went out to many of the rescued dogs, but you were careful to evaluate the subtle (and not so subtle) signals of each prospect's dog body language. Now it is up to you to create the perfect pet and to avoid unnecessary bad dog behavior. You must establish your authority as the rescued dog's new pack leader and bring him home right! It's all up to you now.

When you take the dog home, you want her well exercised. It is a lot easier to teach a tired dog new rules, especially the first day. She needs to see that you are the pack leader right away. Give her a final cool down walk for a few minutes before you take her inside, and make sure she has been able to relieve herself.

Inside the house, decide in advance which areas are off limits for her. Correct her by removing her from an off-limit area by the scruff of the neck, making her submit (sit or lie down) and surrender (turn away). Instinctively, she understands what you are doing.

If this seems a little harsh, let us think in dog terms for a minute. A new dog is taught the rules by the pack, and is frequently corrected by a mouth on the neck. Insecure dogs or unstable dogs need good pack leaders.

A good pack leader invites a newcomer into the pack. He scent marks the newcomer by releasing the fluid from the gland at the top of his tail, and sometimes lays him down and grooms him to remove any trace of the scent of his former pack. If you have other dogs, it is a good idea to wash the newcomer, then wipe him down with a towel that has the scent of the others so he smells like one of the pack.

It is really best not to feed the dog the first day you bring him home. It is easier for him to acclimate, to relax. Should he get nervous, he is much less likely to throw up all over the place. Give him a good workout the next morning and cool down time, then feed him. Make that his daily routine: work then food. (This is especially important if you have other dogs. Never introduce food the first day if you have other dogs. They need at least twelve hours to acclimate to each other before food enters the equation.)

For the next few days, the new member learns the laws of the pack. The Alpha male is a little rough on him as a matter of fact. The newcomer expects you, as his pack leader, to tell him what to do. If you have other dogs and do not take control, you will have dog fights. If you do not have other dogs, the newcomer will still be insecure without your direction.

Remember that dogs do not have their feelings hurt when you give them and enforce boundaries. If you do not establish boundaries, they have frustration and anger because they do not know what to do.

Naturally, you want to love on your new pet. However, give affection to your rescued dog only when he is respecting you. Do not pet him when he is doing a behavior that drives you bananas! Even those cute little nudges and whimpers will not be so cute when they become repetitive and demanding, so do NOT reinforce them. You would regret it.

After about ten to fourteen days, your rescued dog will be one of the family, fully one of the pack. You can have an awesome dog, or a dog that is your worst nightmare. If you chose wisely when adopting a dog, then the rest depends on you… So adopt a dog wisely, and bring that special rescued dog home right!

About the author:
Dog Obedience Trainer - Dog Behaviorist, Rena Murray, dares to tell it like it is! Growing up with the Horse Whisper, avid wolf pack studies, Pit Bull and other dog training, Rena solves "impossible" situations, e.g., teaching an old dog new tricks, solving dog dominance and dog destructive behavior, even stopping a Doberman attack in mid-launch! Available for Consultations, Rena blends the best of the Dog Whisper and other techniques to each specific situation and will bring fresh insight to yours. See Rena's Expert Articles and subscribe to her FREE Ezine at http://www.PawPersuasion.com and comment on Rena's BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/

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Diabetes in Cats and Dogs2

By: Michelle Reynolds
The most common form of treatment for diabetes in dogs and cats is injectable insulin. The treatment regimen may be slightly different between the species, but the basics are the same. For cats the usual course of treatment includes two doses of long acting insulin given throughout the day combined with a low carbohydrate diet. It is not recommended to only inject them once a day because their metabolism is so fast. For example, if the medication will last 12 hours in a human, it will only last 6 hours in their cat. This means you have to go with double the doses to have the same effect.

Dogs can be on the same regimen with their high fiber and moderate carbohydrate, or it can vary slightly. Some dogs seem to do better with long acting injections either once or twice a day with a short acting agent given before meals. In both species you may have to try a few different brands before you find the right fit. Just like with humans, you have to find what works best with their individual body chemistry in order to achieve success.

Now that we have covered the more common prescription treatment methods, it is important to point out that more and more pet owners are finding real success in natural treatment methods. With a condition like diabetes it is very important to exhaust all your options before making a final treatment decision, this cannot be done with out first considering natural cures. Some pet owners have even managed to put their pet’s diabetes into remission using nothing more than a healthy diet and natural supplements. Long-term exposure to any chemical can have negative results in both pets and humans. If it is possible to minimize this exposure or even eliminate it completely then it is worth at least looking into.

Finding out that your dog or cat has diabetes can be a scary thing, but it is not the end of the world. Find a vet that you trust and like and then work with them on your pet’s treatment. If you can get control of the disease early then chances are very good that your pet can still live a full life with you. You just have to be willing to take the time to learn about what it is that they need.

I have been interested in pet health issues since finding out how sad and painful some pet illnesses can be. As an advocate for natural healing in pets and humans, I have done intensive research to bring information to all pet owners and pet lovers alike. I hope this helps you. For natural healthy treatments visit: http://pethealthymeds.com

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Diabetes in Cats and Dogs1

By Michelle Reynolds
While most of us commonly associate diabetes as being a human problem, it is becoming more and more common in dogs and cats. In fact, the most recent numbers show that as many as 1 in every 400 cats has the disease, and that figure is growing all the time. With the numbers for dogs being very similar, it seems as that diabetes is now a worry in our vet’s office as well as our doctor’s office. If you are in the dark about this increasingly common issue, then read on while we shed some light on the subject.

Our cats and dogs can develop the very same Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes that we can. Most dogs are affected by Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes, and generally have an earlier onset of the disease. While cats can be diagnosed with Type 1 they are much more likely to have the Type 2 form of diabetes. This is the type most commonly associated with obesity in humans. It is rare for a cat to develop diabetes any younger than the age of seven, but, like we pointed out, the disease tends to manifest earlier in dogs.

Overall the symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats are very similar to those found in human patients. You are watching for a sudden change in weight or appetite, either increased or decreased. The animal might start drinking excessive amounts of water and urinating frequently. If it is a cat, they tend to become obsessed with water, hanging around faucets or sinks. Cats sometimes develop weakness in their back legs, and may start walking much slower. Dogs develop vision problems. This can range from blurred vision, to cataracts, to a sudden onset of blindness.

If you think your pet is affected by this condition then head to your vets office. Just like in humans a simple blood or urine test can determine whether or not your pet has diabetes. The blood test measures the amount of sugar in your pet’s blood, while the urine test looks for glucose. If the sugar is high in either scenario, your pet has diabetes. Luckily if you catch it early and follow the treatment set up by your vet, then your pet still has a great shot at leading a full life.

The first step in treating diabetes in dogs and cats is to set up a proper diet. For cats this means going low carb. Since most cats develop Type 2 diabetes, there is a chance that a strict low carbohydrate diet can put the disease into remission. Dogs are usually put on a high fiber diet with a moderate level of carbohydrates. However, some dogs are left on a regular healthy diet but given a short acting oral insulin at meal times. This is called an insulin bolus supplement.

There are oral medications out there, but they are not commonly used in today’s environment. Mostly because studies are showing that these medications may actually do more harm to the pancreas then has already taken place. Since dogs are generally Type 1, pills are not usually an option for them. And since it is easier to give a cat an injection than it is to give them a pill, it makes more sense to go with the more reliable form of medication.

I have been interested in pet health issues since finding out how sad and painful some pet illnesses can be. As an advocate for natural healing in pets and humans, I have done intensive research to bring information to all pet owners and pet lovers alike. I hope this helps you. For natural healthy treatments visit: http://pethealthymeds.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Fearful Dog - How I Handled Dog Fear of Water

By Rena Murray
Let's face it. Some dog breeds we just automatically expect to love the water, especially a Labrador Retriever. That was my general expectation for the beautiful, black Labrador retriever puppy a close friend gave me for my twenty-first birthday. Although a rescued dog, her assertive dog behavior was already evident by nine and ten weeks of age, not at all like a fearful dog. Who would have suspected dog fear of water?

Of course, as an experienced obedience dog trainer and dog owner, I know better than to assume that just because I have a certain dog breed, it is going to be or not be a certain way. Each and every dog has its own personality, wonderful points, and quirks. You have to feel each dog out and take the time to see what are the best training techniques for your specific pet so that your dog can have the best life possible for him … and for you.

My Labrador retriever puppy was beautiful but high strung and fiercely determined. In all things, she was absolutely one hundred percent one way or the other. There was never an in-between with her. If she didn't like it, she was going to show teeth, buck, the whole bit! She was not at all like the mellow Labs with which my friend grew up, the gentle ones who eagerly went duck hunting with her father and retrieved Frisbees from the lake… the personality expectation my friend had of this gift. My pup was uniquely individual.

My pup seemed absolutely fascinated by the running water in my shower. I introduced her slowly. I took my time putting drops on her to help her get used to the idea that the water would not hurt her, and to make it fun. This kind of slow, patient, systematic introduction is very important and usually highly successful.

Pups need baths, though. So I repeated the slow process, easing into the pleasure of the water … when without warning, she went into a complete panic mode! I quickly held her up by the scruff of the neck to calm her down.

Dog behavior tip in handling panic or tantrum -- Remember, mama dog says "stop" or "cool it!" She does not coo, "It's okay, baby." Mimicking mama dog's way of taking control makes the pup feel more secure and calms her down. The soft approach does not provide leadership, and confident leadership is what a scared dog or child needs to snap out of a panic state.

The bath took a very long time. The pup had several panic attacks. However, I had to follow through. Unless you want your dog to fear water forever, you have to stay there until you accomplish your goal. If they leave a situation in a fearful state, they will revisit it with that same level of fear.

Your mental state is very important, too. You must stay calm, authoritative, and fully in control. It all gets back to the calming effect of confident leadership. You must step up to the plate and provide that for your dog.

Three months later, my Labrador retriever puppy had learned to accept her monthly bath. She was not happy about it, but she acquiesced and was no longer terrified. She respected water, but no longer displayed strong dog fear of water.

About the author:
Dog Obedience Trainer - Dog Behaviorist, Rena Murray, dares to tell it like it is! Growing up with the Horse Whisper, avid wolf pack studies, Pit Bull and other dog training, Rena solves "impossible" situations, e.g., teaching an old dog new tricks, solving dog dominance and dog destructive behavior, even stopping a Doberman attack in mid-launch! Available for Consultations, Rena blends the best of the Dog Whisper and other techniques to each specific situation and will bring fresh insight to yours. See Rena's Expert Articles and subscribe to her FREE Ezine at http://www.PawPersuasion.com and comment on Rena's BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com