Sunday, April 13, 2008

Training Your Dog Yourself

By : Nicholas Hunt
good dog training program is something that all dog owners should look into. Not only will this help your dog be able to obey better but it will also strengthen the bond with your dog. However, this does not have to be done by a professional as there really is nobody better equipped to train your dog than you, yourself.

Whenever you are working with a dog training program, you need to remember that you are the one that is in control. However, you do not want to come across as being too forceful either. The goal here is to be both friendly and assertive at the same time.

So, how do you train your dog to obey you? Of course, you do not want to just start yelling commands at your dog. Instead, you are going to need to have a good game plan. Part of this has to do with ensuring that your dog is in the right mindset before you even get started. As such, you should not try to train your dog right after he has eaten and you may wish to take him for a quick walk before you get started. Another thing that it is good to do before training him is to take a little time to play with him so that he will feel relaxed and comfortable with you. All of this will help to eliminate distractions and help you get down to business.

Whenever you are training your dog and he does something right, make sure that you have a treat available to give to him. This helps your dog to know when he has done something right. On the other hand, do not get upset when he occasionally runs off during a training session - this is normal. Simply call him back and get back on task right away. It is also normal for him to seem absolutely clueless at times. Herein you simply need to find a better way in which to communicate with him, even if this means showing him what you want him to do.

Training your own dog is a rewarding experience that has huge benefits. In the end, you will be happy that you have made this decision.

Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}


Nicholas writes on pet insurance, and his site offers advice on such topics as insurance for aged pets, horse insurance, and buying pet insurance online.

Dog House - What You Must Know When Choosing A Dog House

By : Jim Olivero
Dog houses keep you dog warm and sheltered from the elements. Choosing from among all the available dog houses can be tough. The best way to see the variety of dog houses available is to do your shopping online.

There are many things to consider when purchasing a dog house. The size of your dog and the size of your yard will determine how large of a dog house you need. There are also some that will accommodate more than one dog. Next you can look at the materials. Most dog houses are made of wood such as pine or cedar, but some can be made from durable, maintenance free plastic.

Choosing The Right Dog House

What size is right for your dog? Use the following guideline to select the right dog house: Roof Height should be 25% to 50% taller than your dog. Door height should be 3/4 the shoulder height of your dog. The overall inside dimensions should not be more than 25% longer than your dog in either direction. If your dog will be outside all year round it is best to use an insulated dog house. You can purchase warming mats to help fight the cold. It is essential to insure that the water supply is clean and that it does not freeze. There are many watering devices available to insure a continuous clean water supply. You will also need a non-freeze water container. These stainless steel water containers assure a fresh water supply even in the coldest weather. Hot weather should also be a concern and there are cooling mats available that you should consider.

Materials Used in Building Dog Houses:

Dog houses are available in different material - wood, plastic, fenced wires, and much more. The design of the dog house differs accordingly too, keeping in tune with the material used in building the dog house. Among woods, cedar, Asian fir, and pine are possibly the most used in building. Fancy, playful designs such as mansion, bungalow, houses with porches, houses with roof porches, and cabin log house are made up of the aforementioned woods.

Wood is the prevalent material used for building dog houses over the years. Wood is readily available, is low costing, has great insulating capabilities and has good structural reliability. Plastic dog houses became available during the 1960's. These plastic dog houses are portable and can be transferred from one place in the house to another. Designs also range from the simple replica of a small house to extravagant castle designs. This really is a far cry from the first mud and brick kennels of before!

Whatever the materials used to make the house, the function is the same - to keep the dog warm and sheltered away from the elements. It is important that the dog does not overheat and you should provide water and food for him as appropriate.

The best way to see the variety of dog houses available is to do your shopping online. Since you won't have to trek to every pet store in town you'll save time and money when you find the perfect abode for your furry best friend online. Research shows that among wooden dog houses, cedar houses are usually preferred by all customers. Multitudes of beautifully-designed dog houses exist, which are built with cedar wood.

Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}


Pro kennel owners and breeders know and trust CedarWoodDogHouses. Insulated western red cedar dog houses guaranteed to keep your dog safe all year. All wooden dog houses are complete with finished interiors. Visit us for your insulated dog house.

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