A Shockingly Easy Way to Stop a Dog From Barking

By Cary Benjamin
Stopping your dog from barking is usually the second most frustrating reason why dog owners want to take their dog to obedience training (next to housebreaking). Before you can even attempt to stop your dog from barking at everything that moves, you need to understand a few simple but important facts. Once you understand these, getting them to stop is easy.
First, you cannot expect your dog to stop barking altogether. What you can do is teach you dog when it is OK to bark and when it is not. You may even want to create a trigger word where the dog can bark on command. If you use a word which will trigger your dog to bark on command, you will greatly reduce the urge he or she feels to randomly bark without giving that command. For instance, train your dog to bark when you tell them "Rover, speak!"
Next, you want to move on to actually stopping your dog from barking when they are not supposed to. Usually the dog is barking for a reason, even if it isn't blatantly apparent to you at first.
Sometimes they are trying to alert you of danger or trying to get your attention to something. The key here is to think about what it may be that is causing your dog to bark and acknowledge it (and remove it if necessary). Then acknowledge your dog by saying something like, "Thank you, Rover. I see the squirrel (as you point to it). Now that's enough barking." Use a firm, but very calming and polite tone. The dog should pick up on your acknowledgment and stop.
This method should get you started in the right direction to a well behaved and quieter dog.To find more useful tips on how to quickly train your dog to listen to anything they say, Click Here.
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Traveling With Your Dog in the Car This Holiday Season?

By Dawn Ross
The Holiday Season is here and it's time to visit family. Some of you have family close by while others may have to drive a few to several hours. For those of you who have to go a long distance, you will probably want to take your dog with you. Your dog is part of the family, after all. So if you are traveling with your dog in the car for a long drive, here are a few tips to make the travel easier and safer for you both.

Some dogs love to ride in the car while others don't. Before traveling with your dog in the car, check with your vet. Make sure your dog is healthy enough for the trip or if it would be best to leave the dog at home or with a boarding kennel. Or your vet may recommend something to keep your dog calm during the trip if your dog tends to get nervous in the car.

Also have your vet make sure your dog has updated tags and possibly even an identifying microchip insert. This is for just in case your dog gets away during a pit stop or your dog wanders off while you are at your far-from-home destination.

Depending on how long you are traveling with your dog in the car, you may want to have your dog's food and water handy. Convenient pet travel bowls would make it easy to give your dog food and water while making a pit stop. If your dog tends to get sick in the car, you may not want to give them food. Be sure to talk to your vet about this.

Be prepared to make pit stops for not just you, but also your dog. You do not want a doggie accident in the car. If you are afraid such a thing might happen, it would be best if you had a car seat cover or even just a blanket over the seat. Handi-wipes are great for cleaning up messes and eliminating some odors. Make sure you put your dog on a leash when you let your dog out of the car. Also, keep some dog waste bags on hand. Picking up after your pet is not just a courtesy, it is a requirement in some places.

The most important thing to consider for traveling with your dog in the car is a pet auto safety device such as a dog seat belt. The last thing you need while driving possibly wet or icy roads is a distraction caused by your pet. Some dogs are inclined to jump back and forth from the front to the back seat or they attempt to get into the driver's lap. A dog seat belt will help to keep your dog in the back seat. Even if your dog is well behaved in the car, a dog seat belt will help to protect your dog should an unfortunate accident occur. If your dog is 30 pounds or smaller and the trip is long, you may also consider using a comfortable pet car seat in conjunction with a dog seat belt.

If you have a chance, take your dog on smaller trips to get them used to riding in the car or wearing their dog seat belt. Traveling with your dog in the car does not have to be a hassle. And don't forget to pack all the things both you and your dog will need during the family visit. Besides all the items listed above (current tags, food and water, dog travel bowls, dog waste bags, dog seat belt, and dog leash), you may also want to bring your dog's crate, their bed, and their favorite dog toys. This way, your dog feels a little more at home and has as great of a time as you. Have a safe and wonderful Holiday!
Dawn Ross

http://www.PetAutoSafety.com

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Tags: dog history, Dog Training

Dog Agility Training is Fun For Fido

By Lee Dobbins
Hurling over jumps, running through tunnels, dodging weave poles, negotiating see-saws - do these sound like things your dog might enjoy? Then your pet might love dog agility training.

Inspired by equestrian events, agility training for dogs started in the late 1970's in Great Britain. It's a great sport for both dogs and their owners as the team up to negotiate a course of obstacles and is a true test of your dogs training as he will have to listen to commands in order to run the course.

If you want to start your dog in agility training he must be at least 9 months old to be assured that his growth plates have closed and in order to prevent injury. Your pet with start with dog agility training and must be able to clear the jump heights of his assigned division before he can compete.

He'll first be put in the 'starter' division; which is the division for dogs that do not hold agility titles. When he makes it through a round here he earns his 'starter' title and is now qualified to compete at the advanced agility level. The next title your dog can earn is the "Advanced Title" which he can take when he clears three rounds as judged by 2 different judges.

Once he gets his Advanced Title, he can compete in the masters classes. Earning a "Masters Title" is a bit more difficult and consists of a 6 part qualification process along with three successfully completed games courses.

Although a fun sport for both you and your dog, dog agility training is also a serious competition that is well organized and has many guidelines and regulations. Dogs are placed in divisions based on their size. The mini division consists of dogs between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder. These dogs have jump heights that are 12, 18 and 24 inches. The larger dogs that measure over twenty one inches at the shoulders are sorted into the open division where they will jump heights of 26, 28 and 30 inches.

Dog agility training competition is a serious and well organized sport with many guidelines and regulations. The two divisions in the competition are based on the dog's size. A dog between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is put in the mini division.

Not every dog can win the coveted "Master" title, but I don't think they really care because to them the fun is in the sport. Dog agility training is a great way for both man and beast to enjoy a little fun competition as well as each others company.
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