Dog Games for Winter Fun

Author: Elyse Grau
During long, cold winters, dogs and their owners may need a little more exercise. This article shows you some fun ways you can play with your dog indoors.

Some of you may have been told never to play tug of war with a dog. The fear is that it might make a dog aggressive or aggravate any possessive tendencies. Other trainers feel that there is nothing wrong with the game, as long as you follow certain rules: 1)The toy you choose must be long enough to avoid accidental injury. A thick rope with knots in the middle is good.

2)The game should be played only with the tug toy. Teach your dog a command such as "drop it" or "leave it" before you start playing. (It's a good idea to do this even if you never intend to play tug. That way if he wants to play with your shoe, you can simply ask him to drop it.) Never try to pull anything away from the dog, use your command instead.

3)You must be in control of the game. You decide when to play. Keep the toy out of sight in between games. You should win at least most of the time. When you decide you've had enough, simply say "that's enough" and ask the dog to "drop it." Always stop immediately if the dog gets too excited or puts his mouth on your hand.

Another game you can play is hide and seek. There are two ways to play this game; either you can hide and encourage your dog to find you, or you can hide toys or treats around the house and ask the dog to find them.

If you are to be the target, simply have the dog stay while you go into another room. At first don't go far, and hide in an easy spot. Then call the dog with "Come find me!" or something like that.

Continue to call as long as you need to. Reward the dog for finding you with treats, excited praise, belly rubs ' anything he loves. Once your dog gets the idea, you can hide in more difficult spots, and call less often.

To use treats or toys as the objects to find, start by hiding a treat under or behind something while your dog watches, then exclaim, "Find it!" in an excited voice. Once he gets the rules of the game, have the dog stay in one room while you hide treats in another.

If your dog likes to use his nose, try hiding the treats inside shoes, under rugs, between couch cushions and places like that. For other dogs you may want to put most of the treats in plain view.

Break up large treats so that you are not giving him too many. Toys can be used if your dog has a strong prey drive, or if the he is overweight.

You can also try some brain teasers with your dog. For one, find three boxes of the same size. Have the dog sit and stay, facing the boxes. Place a treat inside or underneath an overturned box.

Release the dog and allow him to find the box the treat is in. Eventually you can begin hiding the treat with the dog facing away from the boxes.

Here's another puzzle the dog can work on. Place a morsel of food on a flat plate. Cover the plate with a towel or inverted foil pie tin. If using the tin, make a small lip in it so the dog can smell the food. If the dog is good at working things out, he should soon at least try to get the towel or pie tin off of the plate to get to the food.

You can increase the difficulty by placing the plate under a chair or other obstacle. Give him a way to get it out, such as placing it on a towel or attaching a rope to the plate. Don't let the dog get too frustrated with these games ' if he's not quite up to it, help him along and let him have the treat anyway.

There are toys that you can buy that will keep the dog busy on his own. A number of toys are now made to dispense treats. These are balls or cubes in which you place small treats. When the toy is overturned, the treats come out. You can even feed the dog this way, placing his daily ration in the treat toy.

Also on the market are some puzzle toys such as the Iqube and Puzzle Pup by Kyjen. These are similar to those made for toddlers. Instead of putting rings on a stick, or shapes in a box, the dog takes the toys out of a container. Most of these are plush toys, and might not be suitable for some aggressive chewers.

These are just a few suggestions, use your imagination and your dog's abilities to come up with even more games you can play indoors.



About The Author

Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner, well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy dog or cat. For more information on this subject, visit: http://www.pethealthresource.com

Put an end to the annoying barking of your dog with the electronic dog training collar

by Ken Wilson

As much as you love your dog, you have to admit that sometimes its incessant barking is annoying, particularly when you need a good night’s sleep. If you had a busy day at the office, all you want is to get some sleep, but your beloved pet can’t understand this and seems to bark continuously, without any obvious reason. Does the situation sound familiar? Then you have a hyper excited dog that is not able anymore to concentrate on other activities except barking. Some dogs get the stressful habit of barking at the slightest external stimulus. This is irritating not only for you, the dog’s master, but also for the dog itself and, of course, for your neighbors, who can’t be expected to have much sympathy for your noisy pet. As if the fact that you can’t get to sleep as much as you want is not enough, you keep receiving complaints from the neighbors and perhaps even animal control officers. Clearly the situation cannot carry on. You need to do something about your dog’s problem.

If you are a patient person and you have the time, you can try to train the dog yourself. However, if you don’t have much experience in dog training and you don’t have very much free time, we suggest you a reliable and very efficient solution, the electronic dog training collar. You don’t have to spend long hours trying to make your dog understand what you want it (not) to do. The electronic dog collar will do the work for you and you will only notice the results, which won’t take long to appear. How do training dog collars work? The concept is very simple: when the dog misbehaves, for example when it barks for a long time, the training dog collars remind it that it’s doing something wrong, by releasing an unpleasant smell (such as citrus extract), a low-pitched sound that humans can’t hear, but the dog finds annoying (ultrasonic models), a mild shock (electronic collars) or a cold spray. Once the dog stopped doing the wrong thing, the collar‘s correction will also stop.

It won’t take more than a few days for your dog to realize that there is a connection between the electronic dog training collar’s corrections and its behavior. After all, you have a smart dog, don’t you? Once the dog has realized what it must do, you can put your mind at ease. You will no longer have to cope with the irritating midnight barking. The training dog collars will detect the dog’s barking through a microphone or activate upon the vibrations caused by the dog’s vocal cords. Some training dog collars work on distances up to 50 feet and use high-pitched noises for correction, so you can quiet your neighbors’ noisy dog as well.

Our training dog collars are designed to train your dog fast, painlessly and efficiently and turn into the perfect animal companion. You must not worry about the electronic dog training collar having any side effects on your beloved pet. The dog will not be traumatized or hurt under any circumstances. The collar will only release a cold spray on the dog’s neck when its barking becomes excessive. The surprise will probably stop it from barking and then you, his master, will remind him what he is supposed to do. The collar will only react to unwanted barking. If you let your dog guard the house and therefore you allow him to bark into warn about strangers approaching, all you have to do is remove the electronic dog training collar.

About the author
Are you familiar with the following joke: “Why does the dog bark? Because he can’t talk!” Leaving the jest aside, your dog’s excessive barking can become irritating and can be a real source of stress in the relationships with your neighbors. An electronic dog training collar will automatically and painlessly remind the dog which barks excessively that it is not ok to behave like that. You must know that training dog collars do not hurt the dog in any way. It’s up to you to put an end to the sleepless nights and have both you and your dog peacefully rest.

The Basics of Dog Training

Author: darrin22

All dog owners would probably want their dogs to be well behave in any instance and wherever the dog is taken to. However, some dogs can test your patience which makes dog training a challenging job for non-professional dog trainers. Don’t despair because there are easy dog training tips that will help your dog be the best of what you want it to be.

Consistency is one of the biggest key in dog training. For example, if you allowed your dog to sit on the couch yesterday and got yelled at this morning for sitting on the same spot, naturally, your dog will be confused. This is when consistency pays a lot of the role in the dog's training. It is highly recommended that you point out your rules clearly and stick to it religiously.

There are many ways to carry out dog training, from the basic behaviors, such as potty training to more complex tricks or command. If you don’t have the patience to do it yourself, you may signup your dog in dog training courses suited for his level of ability.

Another big factor that must be included in dog training is socialization. This is extremely essential for your fury friend. Dogs may possibly lead a miserable life if they are not given the opportunity to mingle and interact with other species. Dog training class will expose him to other dogs too. However, the best approach to have your dog socialized is to bring it and expose it to varied situations and settings that happen daily. If something upsets him, constantly be firmed with it. He must learn to get accustomed to everything, whether he likes it or not, for this is the only way to make things easier for the both of you. Make it your goal to bring dog along wherever you will go, if possible, for him to be exposed to the real world and be taught to react with things in a more positive manner.

Among the things that dog owners should keep in mind, despite the rigors of training, is keep it fun at the same time. Remember that learning doesn’t have to seem like a chore for neither you nor your dog. Aggression during training causes more damage than re-enforce good behavior and learning. Instead, your dog will have a negative impression on the training. Dog training should be based on mutual respect even though you’re dealing with an animal, but it must keep your roles between your dog and you clear.

If you do not know where to begin, you can always ask a fellow dog owners for dog training tips or take dog training classes. As a rue of thumb, sensible dog owners don’t need complex dog training because dog training is usually a matter of common sense.

Darrin is passionate about dogs. For more information on dog training, please visit http://www.puppybud.com .
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Choosing Dog Toys Wisely

By: Gerry Ronson


You should read the package of the dog toy to find out what it has been made of. Rubber, cloth, painted toys, and many other toys may have toxic properties. You may find that it is better to go to a specialty toy shop rather than a generic pet supply store. Lead has actually been used in the creation of dog toys. So you should be a little concerned about the dog toys you are buying. Here are a few toys that your dog may like, and they are probably pretty safe. Remember to check the label for its contents before purchasing these toys though.

You may think that rope is pretty harmless; however there are some rope toys that could actually harm your dog. A rope toy is usually made with a braided rope and two ends that have been knotted. When you are choosing this type of dog toy you will want to make sure the rope has not been colored. Rope that has been colored has a potential of having harmful chemicals in the synthetic making. In fact you are probably better off buying rope from a hardware store, like twine and making your own braided rope. If you are looking in a pet shop stay away from the brightly colored ropes that have been dyed. The color of the rope will not matter for the toy.

Fleece and Plush toys are one of any dog’s favorite toys. They love to bite them, catch them, and chew on them. Puppies are especially happy to have plush toys as it makes their gums feel better. Plush toys can also be harmful. While the synthetic material they are made out of may be okay in small doses leaving the dog to chew on a plush toy while you are not home can have disastrous effects. The dog can open up the toy and start chewing on the stuffing. It is best to only offer this toy when you are home and can watch them play with it. It is also a great toy for interaction.

There are rubber balls and rubber squeaky toys that can be okay to give to your dog. Keep in mind that you do want to know the ingredients just in case, but for the most part rubber unless eaten is pretty safe for your dog to chew on. Rubber balls or squeaky toys that the dog can chase are one of the most popular toys.

You can also buy rubber tug toys that have an elastic band in the middle. These are also safe toys to an extent. You don’t want to leave the dog alone with the toy to chew on, but a daily play time with this toy is usually enjoyable for both parties.

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Gerry Ronson writes for dog training equipment, dog toys and unique dog toys.

Toys for Your Dog - Could Some Toys be Potentially Deadly?

By : BJones
Until he has been weaned, a puppy plays with his littermates and playthings aren't necessary. They are even uninteresting and possibly dangerous. From the age of 6 to 8 weeks, he starts to take an interest in toys. Almost anything will do, as long as it cannot be swallowed, or cause injury. Puppies enjoy pulling things, shaking things, carrying things around in their mouths, and as soon as they are able to run without tripping, they enjoy chasing things. This is the moment to buy you pet a rubber ball.

Not just any kind of a ball, and certainly not the soft foam rubber type, (which can be chewed to bits and swallowed), not the inflatable children's ball that can puncture with his sharp baby teeth. Buy him a hard rubber ball that is too large to be swallowed but small enough for him to hold comfortably in his mouth. Buy it, like all his toys in a pet store, not a toy store, there is a difference in the types of materials used.

A larger dog can be given a used tennis ball, but never give any dog a golf ball. Golf balls can be swallowed by some of the larger breeds, and they all contain a poisonous liquid core. Never give a puppy a stuffed animal, or an object of painted wood or flimsy plastic. Avoid toys resembling actual household objects like gloves or slippers, unless you are prepared to face the consequences of him going after the real thing. While children can be warned against putting harmful objects in their mouth, dogs are obliged to pick up everything with their mouth.

When a puppy is separated from his littermates, he misses them intensely at first. The best substitutes for his playmates are a few toys, (one is not enough), with which he can play alone, with children, or with you.

Try to schedule a regular daily playtime. Never right after a meal, because he needs quiet for proper digestion, and never after a long period of confinement, because the excitement of play will make him want to urinate. Before mealtimes is good, as well as before bed time too, but only if he is given an opportunity to empty his bladder before retiring for the night. Whatever the time, the 10 or 15 minutes you devote to playing with your puppy will be the high spot of his day.

During the puppy's teething period, (from 3 to 7 months, more or less), you should provide him with chewing toys of digestible rawhide or, even better, a harmless nylon bone of suitable size. They will keep him occupied for hours on end. They will also prevent a lot of destruction. When you spot him gnawing on a chair or table leg, it is much more effective to say "NO" and immediately offer him the alternative of a chewable bone or ball.

Biting and chewing are perfectly natural and instinctive traits of all dogs. Trying to suppress this activity by scolding and not offering an alternative is useless. At teething time, it is not only obsessive but also very practical in dislodging baby teeth to make way for permanent ones. Like a child, your puppy will become attached to his old toys to those, at least that he hasn't destroyed or lost. But as he grows bigger, you should think of replacing them with other more suitable to his size and strength.



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About this Article Author:


Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest designer pet carriers, dog accessories, dog harnesses , and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at www.joncopets.com Submitted with

Chow Chow: The Fuzzy, Cuddly, Breed of Dog

By : Gerry Ronson
You will find the Chow Chow originated in China over 200o years ago. They were once used for hunting, herding, pulling, and protection, and are now one of dog lover’s favorite companions. They are a medium sized dog of about 45 to 70 pounds. They are short in only gaining 17- 20 inches compared to other dog breeds. You will find solid red, black, blue, cinnamon, or cream are the most common colors of this dog breed. Like most thickly furred dogs they do have two coats, a smooth or rough coat with thick fur along the neck. Unless the dog is a mixed breed you will never find a multi colored coat. With all that luxurious hair it is no surprise that they tend to shed a lot, but luckily they are seasonal in their shedding routines.

As a companion you will find they are full of obedience, dignified, and beautiful. They seem quite cuddly when you look at them, but strangers should be cautious. They tend to be cautious of new people and don’t always like everyone. To approach this dog you will want to hold out your hand and ask permission. If they decide to investigate let them get a good sniff in before trying to pet them. You should always ask the owner if it is okay to approach their dog.

They have myriad of temperaments depending on training. You will usually find them to be polite and patient with you, however they can be a little difficult when they want something. This is definitely not a comical, playful dog, but a dog that appreciates and shows loyalty. With dignity comes the desire for respect. If you are looking to add a Chow Chow to your family you will want to start off with a puppy to make sure the training is complete and the way you want it.

They need extensive and intensive work to be trained for both obedience and socialization of other humans. House training is usually easy to do, but they do have to understand the task you are asking. You do have to show them who is the master, but be firm rather than harsh as well as consistent. They are best as some form of guard dog and can become aggressive with the wrong type of training.

When you are looking for a family pet for your children you may want to look elsewhere. While they are loyal and want respect they have difficulty with little children. They don’t like to be pulled on, picked on, or abused so they can become aggressive. It is best to have older children that understand what a dog is and how to treat a dog, if you still choose this breed.

You will find that they don’t really like exercise, and prefer the indoor area. You should never leave them outside for long, especially in the heat. Their thick coat provides plenty of protection, but again they do like the indoors to the outside. They are a bit lazy in reality so if you are looking for a jogging companion you will find a better bread. The Chow Chow do need to have some exercise, but it should not be intensive. They can also survive in smaller areas such as apartments despite their size. They will want to have their own bedding, a place to eat, and have an owner on hand for attention. The Chow Chow dogs have an extremely picky demeanor that demands respect. You will find they tend to go their own way rather than be obedient without training.

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Gerry Ronson runs the websites dog toys and dog training aids.

Cold Weather Care for Dogs

By : Gerry Ronson
We may think our dogs are tough and they shouldn’t be in the house alone, especially when they are considered a large dog breed. Your pet does need regular exercise and plenty of room to grow, but you should also consider the type of weather you will be leaving them in. Cold weather is one of the most dangerous times of the year for your dog. Even when you have a Huskie or Akita they need to have protection from the harsh cold weather. As an owner you are going to be responsible for their care.

If you must leave your dog outside during cold weather check the weather forecast. You will need to know what temperature it will reach and whether it will be snowing or raining. Shelter will only help your dog so much when left outside in the cold. There are also many different types of doghouses you can have to help keep your dog safe.

First the doghouse should be insulated and large enough for them to fit their entire body into as well as have plenty of blankets and covering to avoid the cold earth or snow. If it is not going to snow several feet then you may be able to let them stay outside depending on the provisions you are providing them and the temperature. Any temperature that is near freezing or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is going to be too cold to leave your dog outside. Water will freeze if it gets too cold and then they want have part of the basic care a dog needs.

When the cold weather rolls in you are better off keeping the dog inside, no matter what it will be doing. It is rather cruel to withhold proper care just because the dog is a little too big or can get into trouble while inside. Your best option for cold weather care is coming home at least once during the day and letting them out for exercise and bathroom breaks.

We all like to turn down the temperature when we aren’t home, but consider what temperature the dog will need to be comfortable. If it is too cold inside you are doing no better by having them inside. So keep the thermostat up at a decent temperature while you are away for the day.

You may need to spend a little more playtime and exercise time with your dog once you get home, but it is important to see they are safe, warm, and happy during the day when you are at work. You can even leave them extra blankets around their bed during the night and when you are away just in case the house isn’t warm enough. Most dogs love to cuddle when it gets cold. You will find them in front of fireplaces and heaters warming themselves.

If you do have a fire going make sure you have the doors on the fireplace closed or that the screens are in place. You don’t want the dog to get too close just because of curiosity.

Cold weather can be just as harsh on your dogs or dog as it is on you. Keep in mind that extra care needs to be taken even if you are just going for a little exercise out of doors. There are many things you can do such as dog sweaters, little booties, or just keeping up the pace to make sure your dog will not suffer in the cold.

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Gerry Ronson runs the websites dog and squeaky dog toys.

The Bolognese Is A Rare Toy Dog

By Sandy Oberreuter
Bolognese also known as Bichon Bolognese is a toy dog and a member of the Bichon family.

This breed is very intelligent and is considered a companion dog.

They descended from Bichon's of southern Italy. They were developed in the 11th and 12th centuries and were very popular in the 1500's with the nobility. Two hundred year ago, they were brought to Britain. They are one of the few true Italian dog breeds.

These dogs are well muscled, but small and compact and resemble a Bichon Frise but are squarer and finer boned. They have distinctive white, fluffy long coats, which fall in loosely open ringlets. Their coat has a wooly texture to it when touched.

They have a small, black button nose, large and dark eyes, ears that set quite wide apart and a tail that is set high over their back. They have no undercoat so they do not shed and are considered a hypoallergenic dog.

The male is 10-121/2 inches tall and the female is 9-12 inches tall. They weigh between 4.5 - 9 pounds and their life expediency is 9 - 15 years.

The Bolognese dog is easily trained, very intelligent, eager to please, obedient, happy, friendly, cheerful but also serious. They are playful but not as much as a Bichon.

These dogs bond closely with their owner and will fellow them from room to room. They love companionship of people!

They are reserved with strangers but get on well with children and other dogs. They are not a yappy dog but will alert owner of anything new or unusual.

They, however, like the Bichon are difficult to housebreak so crate training is necessary.

If left alone to much they tend to have separation anxiety. They make good apartment dogs and will get enough exercise playing but love walks.

The Bolognese needs to be groomed daily as their hair tangles easily. They need to be bathed regularly and professionally groomed monthly is recommended. In addition, their ear canals need to be watched to remove excess hair.

They are a healthy breed - no known genetic illnesses.

They should be socialized at an early age or may become timid and shy. Therefore, they need exposure to sights, sounds and people early on.

The Bolognese are hard to find and even rare in Italy. They also cost a lot - $1000.00 and up. They are an uncommon breed in the U.S. The United States does not have a kennel club although Canada and England do to promote this breed.

Sandy has a web site on small dog breeds with information on different breeds including pages on dogs good with children and the elderly, choosing a dog and breeder, vet, dog clothes, dog houses and much more. http://www.small-dogbreeds.com

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Dog Coat and Dog Fur Maintenance

By: John Williams
Your dog's fur is a very important aspect of your dogs life, keeping it clean and in good shape is a good way to keep your dog happy, healthy, and clean. If you don't keep your dogs fur in good shape it will only be a mater of time before tangles and knots appear in your dog's coat picking up insects, pests, and causing discomfort for your dog.
Different dogs have different types of fur and with so many cross breeds and different looking dogs, naming all the different types of fur would be impossible. There are many different types of dog fur, some will look after themselves more than others but the general rule is that a longer dog coat will normally tangle and know easier than others.
To maintain your dog's fur and keep it looking as it should, lots of grooming may be needed so this should be taken into account when buying a new dog. But grooming does not need to be a chore you have to do for your dog because grooming is proven to be a great bonding between owner and dog and creates trust and comfort for your dog making them a lot easier to train.
Step one is to get a good comb for your dog ensuring that there are no sharp edges and that your dog is comfortable with you using it without hurting him/her. Your vet or local pet shop many be able to help you and give you advice with choosing the correct comb but this will be a deciding point in whether your dog will enjoy you doing it or not.
After you have chosen your comb, grooming should happen often and you should do it thoroughly each time, ensuring all knots and angles are removed, if you haven't yet combed your dog's fur then it may be difficult to start so do a bit at a time to ensure you don't discourage your dog and make them not like the grooming process.
After the initial combing, the more often you groom your dog the easier it will be, leaving it for long periods of time is not advised because this means it is more likely to hurt your dog when it eventually does get done. If your dog is finding it tough going then maybe a dog bath is needed to make it easier to detangle and add to your dog furs health.


John Williams website owner. For more information on dog behavior training visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.

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