Boxer Dog Training

By David Chandler
The Boxer is an amazing dog and is extremely playful, energetic and definitely a handful (in a good way of course). This breed if dog is extremely loyal and when a friendship is built it lasts forever. The boxer is unique and not for everyone, if you are a new owner of a boxer you have to be aware that they need a lot of attention and training. They are extremely intelligent dogs, which can work to your advantage when it comes to training, but then again can be very disadvantageous, as they know how to use their intelligence to get what they want.

Boxer dog training consists of training them up to become guard dogs; this is their main profession if you like. People who do not know boxers tend to assume that they are naturally aggressive when they are in fact the opposite and could not be more playful than any other dog! Because of their good stature and aggressive look, people are automatically assuming this dog could do more harm than good. If your boxer is not trained properly then he just might.

Because of their intelligence, Boxers can be very stubborn but when it comes to training a boxer, it can be very helpful. Owners must remember that there will be times when you ask him to do something and he's going to look you in the face and basically tell you where to go, he knows he is supposed to do what you are telling him but he decides he can't be bothered and doesn't. The main thing you have to remember in these circumstances is to be patient. From as early as 6 weeks old you should start your boxer dog training as this will help him when he grows up, socialize him, play with him and teach him, but do it in an exciting way and he is more likely to listen.

The main aspect of training for a boxer is socialization. Boxers can be very friendly dogs but they need to be trained to become one. They need to get accustomed to other dogs and people. The best way to do this is training classes. That way your boxer will be trained alongside other dogs.

When your boxer reaches 13-16 weeks old it's time for some serious boxer dog training, this is the stage where he is going to test for dominance, he will nip and try to show you that he is the more dominant one, mainly by not listening to you. You have to be a strong leader at this time; you must show him that bad behaviors will not be tolerated no matter what!

Boxers are genuinely a lovable family dog and would make a proud pet for anyone, they are dogs that prefer to sit on you lap for a cuddle than anything else. Train your boxer early with some serious boxer dog training and you can be assured you will have a stunning, loyal family friend!


About the author:
Whether you have a boxer or different breed of dog, everything you need to know to train your dog properly is at http://www.dogtraininginfoguide.com


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Basic Dog Commands For Labrador Retrievers

By Richard Cussons
Labrador Retrievers are intelligent and obedient dogs, making them easier to train in becoming good working and assistance dogs. But before any advance training, they should first master the basic dog commands. These basic dog commands are helpful in obedience training in order to come up with a desirable dog everyone loves. These basic commands are come, sit, down and stay.

Come Command
Training come command is easier when your dog is on leash and in a quiet setting to prevent the dog from being distracted. Say your dog's name firmly and slowly pull the dog toward you. As he begins to come forward, give the command "come" and praise him when he is right in front of you. Repeat the procedure until he has mastered it and responds to it immediately. Once mastered, you can then later increase the distance between you and your dog. Then try the command without leash in an enclosed place.

Sit Command
Training the sit command is best done with a leash. Place him on a leash in front of you, hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and move it upward. The head will move to follow your hand therefore pushing his rear to the ground. As soon as your dog begins to sit, give the command "sit". Praise him and give him the treat.

Down Command
The down command can be started with sit command. When your dog is in sitting position, hold his collar firmly with your one hand and have a treat on the other hand. Slowly move the treat from your dog's nose to the floor. Naturally, he will lower himself to follow your hand with the treat. Give the command "down" as he approaches the floor. Praise him and give him the treat.

Stay Command
The sit command can be started with a down command or sit command. When your dog is in down or sitting position, use your hand as a signal and say the word "stay". Slowly back away and if the dog begins to follow you, come back to the dog and give him the down or sit command again. Repeat the process until the dog can reliably stay where you want him to stay. It is better not to sue food as a reward in training this command because he may become too excited making him unable to stay.

When the command requires the aid of treats, it is advisable that the treats should be placed in a closed fist so that the dog can only smell but not see them. When the dog sees the treat before you give the command, he will learn only to obey when you have a food in your hands. It is just like bribing your dog to follow you. Labrador Retrievers are obedient dogs and you do not have force them to obey your command. Remember that dog training requires patience and of course a lot of praise.

About the author:
Richard Cussons writes articles about Labrador Retrievers and other dog breeds. Discover tips on training Labradors at labradorsavvy.com.

Labrador Retrievers and Dehydration

Labrador Retrievers are expected to carry out lots of roles. Common working roles for Labrador Retrievers include hunting, tracking and detection, assistance dogs for disabled, carting and therapy work. With all these roles, it is expected that they will be more exposed to heat and various illnesses. Too much exposure to heat, especially during summer can cause dehydration in Labrador Retrievers. It happens when there is an excess loss of bodily fluids making the total body water less than the normal. Dehydration does not involve loss of water alone but also loss of minerals such as sodium, chloride and potassium. These minerals are called electrolytes.

Dehydration is a serious problem in dogs. Aside from exposure to heat, it can also occur because of illness such as fever or just a lack of fluid intake. Because they lack sweat glands, dogs pant to keep themselves cool. Panting can lead to dehydration if the fluid is not replaced.

To check if your dog is dehydrated, watch out for his skin elasticity. In dehydrated dog, the skin does not return to normal position quickly when lifted. Slow capillary time is another indication of dehydration in dogs. To check his capillary refill time, firmly place your index finger against the gums until they appear white. Remove your finger and check how quickly the blood returns to the gums. It will take more than three seconds for the blood to refill or return to pink state when a dog is dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration include lethargy, depression, sunken eyes and increased heart rate.

If you see signs of dehydration in your dog, give some water immediately. But water is not enough to treat dehydration. Visit your veterinarian immediately for body fluid replacement. These fluid replacements are usually administered through injection. Electrolytes can also be replaced with hydrating solution. But take note not to allow your dog to take in large amount of water at once as this will result in vomiting thus losing fluids further.

It is easy for dogs to become dehydrated but it is also easy to prevent dehydration. The best way to prevent it is to ensure that your dog has plenty of water available. Leave at least two bowls filled with water at all times. Place these bowls in various spots in the house if the dog is free to wander around. During summer or if you live in a dry climate, keep the dogs indoors as much as possible.

About the author:
Richard Cussons writes articles about dogs. This site about Labrador Retrievers
contains valuable tips on training Labradors.

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My Labrador Retriever Is Vomiting!

By Richard Cussons
Do not be surprise if you will see a Labrador Retriever vomit. Vomiting is not strange to this breed because of their appetite. They are known to have good appetite both to digestible and non-food objects alike. However, vomiting do not occur because of ingesting foreign objects alone. There are variety of causes as to why dogs vomit.

Vomiting is the act of expelling food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestines through the mouth. The most common reason why dogs vomit is gastritis, an irritation of the stomach caused by ingesting foreign objects like decomposed grass, aluminum foil or paper. Aside from ingesting foreign objects, dogs also vomit because of eating too much or too fast or exercised immediately after eating. An immediate change of your dog's diet (switching from one brand to another or switching from commercial dog food to natural homemade food) can also be the reason of vomiting. Vomiting may also be a sign of diseases like metabolic disorders, liver disease, heat stroke, adrenal gland disease and many other diseases.

If your dog vomits once or twice without abdominal pain, vomiting can be treated at home. It is just their way of letting out foods and foreign objects that should not be in the stomach. But if your dog vomits more than few times and if there is an abdominal pain or blood in the vomitus, it is better to have your dog examined by a vet. Also, vomiting accompanied with depression or weakness, fever and unproductive retching must be treated by a veterinarian.

When treating a vomiting dog at home, refrain feeding your dog for 12 to 24 hours after vomiting. After that no-food period, offer small portion of soft, bland food such as boiled rice, skinless chicken or pasta. Foods and water should be given at smaller portions several times a day, instead of one large meal. If no further vomiting occurs, you can increase the next day's meal to normal-sized portion and can return to normal diet the following day.

To lessen the possibility of vomiting in dogs, refrain from giving your dog large meal. Break it down to several small meals a day (at least one in the morning and one in the evening). Then enforce rest after meals, especially avoiding strenuous activities. When switching food, do not switch all at once. Gradual switching of food works best for your Labrador Retriever.

About the author:
Richard Cussons is a writer with tons of knowledge on Labrador Retriever. Discover effective Labrador training tips at labradorsavvy.com.

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Is Dry Dog Food Good For Your Labrador Retriever?

By Richard Cussons
The Labrador Retriever is an active and multi-talented breed of dog. It is expected to carry out various roles to be of service to people. In countries like United States and Australia, the Labrador Retriever is considered as the most popular breed of assistance dog and also makes excellent pets and working dogs. With all the happiness and countless help this breed offers, it is just right to give them what they deserve. For sure they will never ask for anything other than your attention, care, praise and love. Show them how much you love them by taking good care of them, providing toys and activities to entertain them, giving them a comfortable place to sleep, water to drink and food to keep them healthy and active.

The health of your Labrador Retriever depends on you. Choosing the activities they must do, how often they should take a bath and what foods to eat are some of your several responsibilities to your dog. Many issues concerning dog foods are coming out from all corners of veterinary world. Some claims dry dog food to be the best dog food because it has various health benefits for your dog. Others go for semi moist food because it taste better.

There is really no specific answer when somebody ask what is the best dog food. The answer will always be "it depends". Each dog has is own specific dietary needs depending on its breed, age, size, activities and health condition. Puppies and older dogs may need different amount of calories. Same with normal and overweight dogs. A dog with health problem, even as simple as fever, has different dietary requirement compared to healthy dog.

For some reasons, most owners consider dry dog food as the best. One obvious reason for sure is the convenience this type of food brings. Feeding your dog is a no sweat process in this type of food. All you have to do is grab one from grocery stalls, tear open the package and pour the contents into your dog's food bowl. Aside from that, dry dog food is known to contain the most nutrients your dog needs. However, this food contains 10% water making it hard to chew especially to older dogs. You can wet the food to make it easy for your dog. Dry dog food is also said to benefit the dog's teeth and mouth condition by preventing tartar buildup.

Not all dry dog foods are proven safe for Fido. Some brands contain unknown ingredients and are mainly fillers such as soybean meal, corn meal and corn gluten meal. Food colorings are also present in dog foods. These food colorings can be made from chemicals and can cause health issues.

Make it a habit to carefully read the product label. Check the ingredients making sure that meat is included in the list. Meat is important because it is the source of natural protein for dogs. Nutrition greatly affects your dog's health. Lack of it can cause high cholesterol, obesity and countless other ailments that could eventually shorten your dog's life.

About the author:
Richard Cussons writes articles about dogs. This site about Labrador Retriever contains valuable Labrador training tips.

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