Posts tagged: Dog?
Interesting Dog Facts
Dogs may not be men’s best friend but it is the most loyal. Fiercely loyal in fact that it is capable of self-sacrifice if its owners are in danger and the need according to its interpretation exists.
They do not possess the intelligence that we would often believe that they have in fact their brains are 10% smaller than that of wolves, but they are attentive or on many occasions pretend to comprehend. With the comprehension comes the obedience. Dogs unlike other animals do not have the capability to premeditate its actions to solve a problem or a situation although it learns by constant observation and repetitive instructions and examples. Whatever they lack in intelligence, they compensate with unquestioning obedience and love or at least, the semblance of it.
The loyalty that dogs show is a trait that they have while still in the wild where they have to learn to stick together and take care of its other to survive longer. Human sees this devotion and treats dogs as family members. Dogs on the other hand see humans as pack leaders although members of their pack nonetheless. Men therefore have to be obeyed and would need as much cooperation from the dog similar to how the dog will respond to a pack leader in the wild.
In spite of all these, dogs are predators. They have always been and even behind centuries of domestication, they have not totally lost the instinct. They respect hierarchy. This is why dogs need training because when left to themselves, they would start believing that they are the alpha males and superior to their owners. Behind these, they would always be ready to obey and transfer their imagined superiority when there is firm and gentle guidance, with a whine maybe but never a complaint.
Dogs are generally believed to have descended from wolves, hence the similarity. In antiquity, dogs that are near human settlements eat human refuse that resulted in shorter fangs, limp ears and smaller brains compared to wolves because these attributes are not being used anymore and has become unnecessary. Another dog trait not found in wolves is tails that curl upwards and paws that are half the size of those that wolves have.
Dogs with long noses (like hounds) have excellent field visions that are wide although not as detailed, on the other hand, dogs with shorter noses as with Pugs sees better details although with a narrower perspective.
Dogs may have floppy ears but they hear sounds four times better than humans and with eighteen muscles to move them around they could detect the source of the sound more accurately. Dogs with more natural looking ears could hear and detect sounds much better.
Humans may have five million smell sensitive cells enough to make scent detection and scent identification efficient but dogs have 220 million cells in their nose cavities.
Mans love affair with dogs goes a very long way that today; there are more breed of dogs than any other animal species on earth.
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The Benefits Adopting A Dog From A Shelter
Despite the presence of many shelters and rescue groups, many dog owners still get their dogs from pet shops, not knowing that adopting a dog from a shelter is a much better option. Why would you pick your pet from an animal shelter? Here are the top reasons:
You’re helping the canine community.
Dogs are homeless for a variety of reasons. Some are not wanted by their families, others were left to stray the streets. No matter the reason, these poor creatures deserve homes that can provide them a loving environment and a caring family.
You are giving a dog a second chance to live a good life.
Even dogs deserve a second chance. Dogs are often left in the streets for faults they did not commit. Their previous owners, for example, have no time to take care of their dogs or are moving to another city. There are also dogs that were left because their owners died and no one is left to care of them. Other owners can’t handle the financial expense of owning a dog, and thus surrender them to shelters. Sure, some dogs are guilty of misbehaving, but that does not make them deserve being homeless. By giving a homeless dog another chance, you are also giving them another shot at being loved, and for yourself, a chance at being loved unconditionally.
You’re helping the shelter.
Even if they want to take care of all dogs in the street, they only have resources for a limited number of stray dogs. Help them out by extending your hand to one of their dogs. Whenever you adopt from a shelter, it’s as if you are giving the shelter extra bed, food, and medical supplies.
You get a dog at a bargain price.
Dogs can cost as much as several hundred dollars. Getting a dog from animal shelter, on the other hand, can only cost you as much as $100. This fee covers for the maintenance cost of the dog, for spaying or neutering fee, and for other expenses. There are, in fact, plenty of animal shelters that are happy to give their dogs for free. Though it is not always advisable to take a dog home for free.
You can also save on training expenses because most dogs in animal shelters have been housebroken and trained. There are, in fact, dogs in animal shelters that have been trained for specific functions. If you need an assistance dog such as a guide dog, a service dog or a hearing dog, you can begin your search in animal shelters.
You can save the life of a poor dog.
Because of overpopulation, some shelters euthanize their dogs mostly senior and adult dogs. They do not want to do this but it is often necessary to give a chance to younger dogs. Save a dog’s life by adopting one.
You are bringing home a new friend.
Dogs understand and forgive you even when others cannot. If you want a constant companion that is trained, has received the necessary medical attention, and is old enough not to cause you problems, you can adopt a dog from an animal shelter.
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Dog Obedience Training Exercises: Developing A Well-Trained Dog
Have you seen the movie “Marley and Me”? If you have, then you’ve seen how annoying Marley can be. He’s the type of dog that any dog trainer will not be too happy to meet. He pees everywhere, chews on the living room set, and jumps on people. Actually, his owner, portrayed by Owen Wilson, even brought him to a dog training class to turn him into a well-trained dog. Unfortunately, the dog trainer easily gave up on him because he was the worst dog she had ever seen. He made a total chaos in the class, so he was not allowed to finish the course. That was kind of frustrating on the part of his owners. Now, if you have a dog like Marley, what will you do? Why not try these dog obedience training exercises to develop a well-trained dog?
Sit
You have to note that your dog must always sit at your left side with his shoulder at your left knee. To make him obey the sit command, you have to first fold the leash in your right hand. Then, call your dog’s name and command sit. Push down on his hindquarters using your left hand and jerk up on the leash with your hand. When he does the sitting position right, praise him and give him a treat.
Heeling on Leash
When walking your dog, his right shoulder should be about even with your left knee. Once the leash turns loose, simply call out your dog’s name and give the heel command. Walk forward as soon as you can and then give a hard jerk on the leash. Do not drag your dog when you do this. Once you jerked him into position, praise him with words like “Good boy!”
About Turn
When you turn away from your dog, do it to your right to reverse your direction. And as you do it, make sure that you keep your eyes on your dog and then give several short and quick jerks.
Stay
To make your dog stay where he is, command him to be in a sitting position. Afterwards, hold up your hand with the flat of your palm facing him, then tell him to stay. If he does, again give him praise but if not, put him back in position and start again.
Down
Just like in the stay command, you can make your dog obey the down command by putting him in a sitting position first. With him sitting, give the down command, then slowly push on his shoulders and wobble him off balance at the same time. But there’s another way to do this. You can also place the leash between your sole and shoe heel. Then, give the down command and pull up on the leash.
So these are just some of the dog obedience training exercises that you can do to develop a well-trained dog. At first, they may seem difficult. But once you tried them and see effective results, you will realize how rewarding these dog obedience exercises could be not only for your dog but also for you.
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Insights On Dog Obedience
A dog is said to be man’s best friend. Most people like to keep them as pets because they are capable of guarding their possessions as well as keeping them safe at all times. However, what most pet owners fail to understand is that their dogs need to go through the so-called dog obedience training. It is very important because the training itself will educate your pet as to the proper behavior. Chances are, you will be taking your dog for a stroll or to some trips and it will never be helpful if he is wild and unruly. To ensure that he is not going to cause troubles, obedience training is definitely a wise choice!
Dogs Need Social Skills
Generally, dogs are held to be social animals. Thus, their behavior should be shaped. They often get too excited when they see people and other objects so the tendency is for them to get wild when they are able to get out of their homes. The dog obedience is therefore a must for them. Dog training is not only composed of physical exercises but also some mental activities that will sharpen their minds.
When to do Obedience Training
Most owners ask when the right time is to employ obedience training. Ideally, a new pet needs to be trained. The younger the dog is, the higher chance of shaping his behavior.
Hence, for those pet owners who have not taken the right move as early as possible, you should identify the high time when to have your dog undergo the training. Well, dogs are very playful and they often associate it with ripping or destroying things. What if your valuables fall as the victims? You will surely go berserk!
Obedience training is the solution to turn to because it is known to solve almost all behavioral problems that your pet may have.
Necessary Skills in Obedience Training
One of the most essential skills that obedience training calls for is no other than effective communication. The commands such as stay, stop, come, and so on are among the basics to learn. Ensure that the training sessions will not be boring for the dog to take or else there will be very minimal learning on his part.
Type of Training to Get Your Dog
Professionals suggest the use of two of the most essential training styles. The first one is called the reward training and the second one is known as the leash or collar training. The reward training is somewhat less forceful compared to the leash or collar technique. It therefore makes use of praises and rewards for any good behavior displayed by the dog.
Even if you intend to do it on your own, you can still get the help of the professionals by reading a couple of dog obedience guides online or taking the advice from the published books sold by your local bookstores.
Dog obedience training doesn’t actually cure all types of misbehaviors but it is able to resolve most of the problems. The most important secret is that of directing his attention towards other things and activities so he will forget about his tantrums. After all, a busy and happy dog is never a source of trouble!
Latest Videos of Insights On Dog Obedience:
Dog Obedience On Come Or Recall Command
The arrival of a young dog is always an exciting moment for everyone in the family. Kids and adults alike take turns in playing and adoring him. The puppy is always fun to touch and play with and has the tendency to be the center of attention in the household. You have to realize though that his arrival means you have a lot of things to attend to.
At the same time, he has a lot of new things to learn in line with his behavior and following orders. Do you want your dog to be responsive when you call on him? Well, unfortunately, some dogs fall short on this. To make a change, be sure to have your pet properly trained on this. Dog obedience training educates your dog to respond to the come or recall command given to him.
The Significance of the Come or Recall Command
Among the dog obedience commands, the come or recall order is said to be the most basic yet most important. This has to be done while the dog is still young. When your pet is able to respond well when you execute this command, you can be sure that he can use it to steer himself away from danger or any kind of trouble.
The come or recall command is greatly associated with the safety reasons. First and foremost, you may be able to grant your dog more freedom without fear that he will get himself into troubles. Even if you lose sight of him you are confident that he will come back as you call on him.
The Training Itself
The main goal that you should achieve for this dog obedience come or recall command is to easily get your dog’s response. He should come around during your first two calls. His listening skills should therefore be sharpened so he will respond wherever he may be and whatever it is that he is busy with.
Undoubtedly, the process is a bit hard. A responsive dog is not that easy to achieve. Dogs are not as mature as other human beings so the training will include a lot of work on your part. There are even dog breeds that love to be chased after. Thus, you should be familiar with the right technique that you should apply depending on how your dog’s natural instincts work.
The real secret to this is to start the obedience training as early as possible and reinforce your command all the time.
The General Rules to Observe
To make things a lot manageable, here are some quick tips for you.
Your dog may not respond at once but never punish him when he comes. It will give him the impression that the same thing will always happen and it will be twice the challenge to call on him.
Don’t unleash him in public especially if he has not perfected responding to your command.
Exude a positive voice when saying the command. Your dog has to associate his coming to you with a positive thing.
The environment where you are in must reflect safety because your dog will not definitely come to you when he feels threatened.
Don’t confuse him with other commands when he has not yet mastered the first one.
So, there you go with the important insights that will keep things manageable as you do the dog obedience training on come or recall command.
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Training Sniffing Dogs
Do you ever wonder how dogs find criminals in a passenger ship? It’s simple: by sniffing. They are called detection or sniffer dogs. Trained to detect people and substances, through their senses, such as explosives, illegal drugs and blood; almost always the sense of smell, which is two thousand times much stronger, and fifty times more sensitive than that of a human’s. In addition to sensitivity, a dog’s sense of smell is pricky.
It can discern a specific scent; meaning it can recognize cheese in a fish and vegetable market thousand miles away from where it is standing. Hunting dogs that search for game and search dog that search for missing humans are generally not considered dogs. However, there is some confusion with cadaver dogs, only trained to detect human remains.
As to not make a fuss, they are taught to learn two kinds of alerting: the passive and the aggressive. Drug dogs use an aggressive alert, where they dig and paw at the spot where the smell the dugs. On the other hand, there are some cases where this kind of alert would be bad news. Placed in a situation where bombs are included, scratching can be very disastrous. In these cases, a passive alert is used.
A good example for this type are the beagles used by the Department of Agriculture where the dogs are trained to sniff out produces that are not allowed to enter the country. The Beagle Brigade, as how they are called, sniffs people’s luggage while they wait in lines at airports and border crossings. In other countries, some also are used in emergency search actions. Because no one wants a dog digging in their belongings, the USDA beagles have been trained to simply sit down when they are able to smell it.
Trainers have come up with a strategy for dogs employed to sniff out drugs. On odd cases, they seem to eat them when they have found the illegal substance. Is it because they are addicted to those drugs themselves? In fact, the dogs have absolutely no interest in drugs. What they are actually looking for is their favorite toy. In an article found in discovery.com, the “toys” that are mostly often used are white towels. Since dogs love to play this vigorous game of tug-of-war, they have generated the “White Towel Game” idea.
To begin the training, the handler simply plays with the dog using a towel, which has been washed carefully to appear null and without scent for the trainee. Later, a bag of marijuana, for instance, is rolled up inside the towel.
After playing for a while, the dogs starts to recognize the smell of the drug as the smell of his favorite toy. The handler then hides the towel, with the drug, in various places. Whenever the dog sniffs out the drugs, he digs and scratches, trying to get his toy. He soon comes to learn that if he sniffs out the smell of drugs, as soon as he finds them, he’ll be rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.
As training progresses, different drugs are placed in the towel, until the dog is able to sniff out a host of illegal substances. The same method is used for bomb-detection dogs, except various chemicals used to manufacture explosives are placed in the towel instead of drugs.
Latest Videos of Training Sniffing Dogs:
Mini Travel Teeter (Dog Agility See-saw)
Mini Travel Teeter (Dog Agility See-saw)
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List Price: unavailable Sale Price: $159.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Ready to use right out of the box, this cute seesaw is great for backyard fun. It stands 12" high (as compared to competition standard of 24"), and has a shorter 8' long board (competition length is 12'). The amazing feature of this teeter is that it quickly breaks down into 3 pieces and fits right into the back of a small car! No tools needed; it takes under 30 seconds to pop together. The sturdy plastic boards are weather proof and maintenance free. They will not warp or rot, and are painted and treated with an anti slip traction surface. Makes a great demo obstacle for taking around to shows, parks, pet fairs, etc.! Recommended for small to medium dogs under 70 lbs. (Note: actual weight is 20 lbs, but has to ship at a 33 lb rate because of box size. Ships reasonably by UPS)
Details
- Weather-proof! Leave outside in any weather.
- Maintenance-Free. Sturdy plastic boards don't warp or rot.
- Painted and treated with an anti-slip traction surface
- Fits into the back of a small car
- Ships by regular UPS (no high freight costs as with full-length boards)
- 'No new videos.'
Significant Information About Dog Obedience Training
A dog is one of the most amazing pets to have. Actually, it’s even considered as man’s best friend. Owning one has a lot of benefits. It does not only help guard one’s house but also makes a great companion. Even those couples that don’t have a child yet consider having a dog as their companion for the time being. A dog is just like a human being, and sometimes even better. It offers affection, enjoyment, and so much fun.
But since a dog is still an animal, most of the time it will still act like an animal, unless the owner allows it to have a dog obedience training of some sort. Now, if you happen to have a dog, are you also considering about getting it trained? If you are, this article will give you significant information about dog obedience training.
First off, you might wonder what dog obedience training is and what it is all about. Well, it is a technique on which a dog trainer helps you train your dog by imposing yourself as its boss. Actually sometimes, you can even do the training yourself, as long as you have the knowledge about the basic dog commands. But to be certain about getting effective results, you can always rely on a dog trainer to assist you on this.
Moving on, there are several dog obedience training techniques that can be used to make your pet a well-behaved one. These include the collar or leash training and the reward training. Although the approaches of these two are different, both are bound to set a common language on which you and your pet will understand.
The collar or leash dog obedience training is said to be the harder technique. Because of this, it is less popular to dog owners these days. However, for some breeds of dogs, this is found to be more effective than the rewarding type of training. As its name implies, a collar or leash serves as the way to communicate to a dog in the collar or leash dog obedience training. To have control over your pet, the collar or leash technique have multiple degrees, which can be from soft pulls of the leash or collar to stronger ones. This way, you are able to show your pet that you are the one handling the situation and that you are the leader.
Meanwhile, on the reward dog obedience training, instead of using leash or collar, reward is used to teach a few common commands to your dog. Once your pet is able to follow what you are trying to command it to do, you give reward such as a treat. However, a reward does not necessarily consist of treats alone. You can also use verbal praises like “Good boy, or good dog!” if it follows your command and behaves accordingly.
Now, upon learning about this dog obedience training information, are you all set to sign up for a dog obedience class? Remember, you will not be doing this for your pet alone, but also for you as its owner. So make sure that you choose the right dog obedience training technique for you and your pet.
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Things You Should Learn About Dog Obedience Training
As pets, dogs are not only meant to be confined at home. There are chances when you have to take them out for a walk or bring them to any destination. Even more, the dog needs to learn the proper behavior despite being kept at home. Socializing is one skill that he has to be trained with. Thus, let him undergo dog obedience training.
You see, all of your family members should feel safe and at ease with your pet. There are dogs that seem to be agitated and such behavior can definitely threaten your family’s safety. While training him may be quite a daunting task, you will realize that it will be all worth it. Sooner or later, you will appreciate your efforts.
The Real Scope of Dog Training
Obedience training is composed of several areas. It ranges from the simplest one up to the most advance instructions for your dog. The basics often include the simple commands that should make your dog respond. Included are come, sit, stand, roll over, stay, down, and the likes. The advance training includes giving directions for fetching something and many others. There are techniques used as well like positive reinforcement, clicker training, collar and leash, and the rewards given for any positive and likeable behavior.
Dog obedience is a training that is often recommended for the wild and unruly animals. But in your case, a new pet will be more in his best foot if given the proper training.
The Importance of Obedience Training
As a dog owner, you should understand the significance of training your pet to obey. A trained dog is very suitable to bring around friends and other people without fear of attacking anyone. It is then like tagging along a well-behaved human being. You don’t like your dog to be misbehaving and causing nuisance, right? Therefore, allow him to absorb a kind of mentality that emphasizes the need to act accordingly in different situations.
Dog Obedience Training by Yourself
Although professionals are more into this thing, it will be a rewarding experience for you and your dog if the training is conducted personally. The training sessions will not only serve as educational but also suffice for your bonding moments. Doing so will establish a closer bond between the two of you.
Training your dog calls for more patience on your part. It will be hard on your dog’s part to process your commands and will take time to execute them. There will be moments when you feel like giving up and snapping but don’t punish your dog without any reason. This may agitate him. Keep in mind that your dog needs to adjust and learning doesn’t happen overnight.
Positive reinforcements are likewise very essential. They will boost your dog to do better. It will speed up his learning process too.
Dog obedience training is therefore a very important thing to attend to. So, enjoy the moments with your pet the way he will enjoy his time with you.
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Adopting A Dog Taking The Dog Out The First Time
Taking your dog out for a walk is not always the ideal, leisurely, and enjoyable experience it has often been cracked up to be. Dog personalities differ, as much as moods and temperaments differ. Temperaments are even more pronounced with active and athletic dog breeds. Although most dogs would want an outside walk most of the time, there will be occasions when the dog would rather stay at home. Barring that the dog is ill; you could make every walk in the park as enjoyable an experience for both you and the dog.
Set the pace. Start slowly. Dogs will always be excited during their first time out. Dogs, especially when still untrained, gets easily distracted. It could be a squirrel, pigeons, other dogs, people, no matter; the dog’s attention has to be controlled.
During the initial walks outside, be mindful that the dog is naturally inclined to chase and play. It is often not recommendable to let the dog set the pace, because more often than not, it is hard to keep up with them. The dog will pull and will try to run and just love to romp. It will exert pressure on the leash. This is the more reason why the dog will tire easy. Set the pace. A fifteen minutes walk will already be enough during the first time out.
This could be increased gradually but the dog should be allowed to rest whether it wants it or not. Another reason for this is because of the excitement, the dog will pull hard at the leash that could injure his neck. Even so, the dog will keep on tugging. When the dog is panting hard and the eyes are getting red, it is a sign that the dog is exerting too much pressure on his neck. Rest for a while. If the dog refuses, take him back to your yard to prevent injury.
On subsequent walks, if you notice that your dog gets very excited at the site of other dogs, cats, squirrels, rest, and sit for a while. Calm the dog down. When the dog has calmed, resume the walk. You may be doing this several times but eventually the dog will catch on. When there is no place to sit, just stop walking. The dog will try to tug, get his attention and give the dog a treat or verbal assurances and resume walking.
If you have a particularly energetic pup like a boxer or a retriever, you may want to tire the pup first before introducing him outside. Highly energetic games, for example a game of fetch, would be good to release extra energy, just do not play tug of war with the pup. Playing tug of war will teach your pup to compete with you. Introduce games where you are in control over the pups activities.
If you chose to adopt an energetic/athletic dog, chances are you are athletic as well and love the outdoors. If so, maintain a brisk pace once outside your yard with the puppy. This way, distractions are minimized and tugging at the leash will become less often.
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When To Not Adopt A Dog
A dog is irresistible for dog lovers, a puppy much more. There are times, however, when adopting a dog is not recommended. The following guidelines will be of help.
- A dog is never a good gift. This is not only true for the dog but also for the recipient of the gift. To many people, even with dog lovers, dogs take too much time and too much work to have around especially so because a dog as a gift is an unplanned responsibility.
- Often, the worst time to give a dog is to a person that has just suffered the loss of a loved one, in order to cheer the person up. This is a well-meant gesture but always the person who has suffered a loss will need human companionship.
- Adopting a dog is never good for people who are having financial concerns. The maintenance that is required by a dog is very much like the expenses incurred by having another toddler around the house. Like people, dogs need grooming, training, exercising, caring aside from food and shelter. Other expenses are also incurred when the dog is ill. Puppies even cost more to care than large full-grown dogs.
- Too many times, a dog is claimed to relieve stress because of their loving presence and loyal nature. Dogs also appear attentive when talked to and has a calming effect to many people. This is true. However, many families are too stressed with work, often pressed for time and many other obligations that caring for another creature, adds up to the pressure. When this happens, the dog becomes an added issue.
- People who constantly travel should not adopt a dog. Dogs are very social creatures and love interacting with people.
- It is not always wise to give dogs to people who have just lost a pet. Dogs by large are treated much like members of the family. The person may not welcome or is not yet ready to replace a well-loved pet.
- Never adopt a dog when there are foreseeable changes in your life. A change in job, moving to a new location, getting married, major health concerns and limited time due to more responsibilities will only add up to the pressure where the dog is likely to suffer.
- Older pets do not always welcome new pets in the house; on the contrary, older pets tend to be wary with new, younger ones. Dogs are also basically predators. This has not been shed off even through centuries of domestication. As such dogs practice hierarchy. Larger dogs often occupy and have the alpha male attitude and will bully any new pet that is added to their group. When decided to adding a new puppy, be sure to watch out that this does not happen.
- Do not adopt a new dog without the agreement of all members of the family.
There are different dog breeds with different attitudes and temperaments. Dog sizes also matter. Larger dogs are best when there are children in the house as they are generally more placid. Small dogs on the other hand are high energy and fast rambunctious creatures that the children may not be safe to be around with.
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Adopting A Dog Spotting Dog Personalities
No two dogs have the same temperament even with dogs of the same breed. Typically though, dogs of the same breed share more of the same characteristics. When decided in adopting a dog, choose dog characteristics and traits that you want. If you lead an active lifestyle for example, do not adopt a dog with a phlegmatic character that will be content to hang around the house much of the time, eating, and sleeping. To select the right dog, select those that closely resemble your lifestyle. Listed are characteristics and traits of dogs that you may want to consider.
Size
People living in small apartments have the tendency to adopt small breeds. Understandably, the consideration for many is the available space. When you have small children though, it is not wise to have small dogs around a small space. Small dogs are very energetic and highly active creatures that will tend to topple things aside from not being safe to be around little children. Large dogs on the other hand are slower and more placid. If you have the time to get the dog out regularly for walks and exercise, a large dog will fit in nicely even when the space is limited. Larger dogs though cost more to maintain.
Temperament
If you are the kind of person who likes peace and quiet around the house, find dogs that are peaceful and quiet by nature. Likewise, if you are the type that loves the outdoors and is athletic, find a dog that has the stamina to keep up and do not get easily distracted. Active and athletic dog types would need their daily requirement of hard running and long walks. Without that energy is pent up and they could potentially be destructive inside the house. For athletic and active people though, no dog breed is as good.
Intelligence
Who would not want an intelligent dog? The sad thing about this is that you cannot have all the characteristics that you want written down to one dog. Intelligent dogs are those that could pick up a command with five exposures and does not forget even when the command is not repeated often. Intelligent dogs are best for everyone but so much better for people who get easily frustrated and do not have the time enough to train dogs. You have to made a good choice. There are various dog breeds that have a higher percentage of intelligence than other breeds.
Purpose
Today, dogs are popular toys, even as fashion statements. Dogs though are more important than that. Yes they are good companions and playmates. More than anything else dogs are protectors, workers, watchers, guides etc. Depending on the purpose that you want your dog to do, breeds are good guides in determining the right kind of dog for the right kind of purpose that you have in mind.
These are some of the things that you may want to determine first before adopting a dog, because you may not want just any dog. You want a dog that you could live with and have fun with for a long, long time.
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How To Master Dog Obedience
Dogs are no doubt man’s best friends. They are definitely fun to be with and make great companions. Sometimes, they are even considered as part of the family. It certainly feels great to be walking with a dog around either just within the neighborhood or along the beach. But if you happen to have a dog as worse as Marley, the dog in the movie “Marley and Me”, perhaps you’re more stressed than the usual because of your dog’s naughtiness. But why live up with a dog like Marley if you can turn your pet into a well-trained dog? The solution master dog obedience. Here are some steps on how to do it:
First, be considerate. You have to remember that a dog is an animal, so unlike humans, it has shorter attention span. You may be able to get its attention now, but a couple of minutes or so it will go back to what it finds interesting. So, try to put yourself into its situation and imagine how frustrating it could be to undergo a dog obedience class instead of doing more fun activities. Take note that most animals are trained easily when given treats before the training. So, before you enroll your pet in a dog obedience class, prepare some really good treats as rewards.
Next, be consistent. It is not good to give your pet so many instructions at the same time or worse, give up on teaching it a trick just because it is not able to get it at first. Try to be very consistent in such a way that you will start with the easiest command first like the “sit” command before going for more difficult ones. Once it learned the “sit” command, proceed to others like the “stay” or “come” command.
When giving instructions, make sure that you repeat them from time to time until your dog realizes and understands what you are trying to communicate. Again, do not give too many instructions at once for this will confuse your pet more. Take your time. Now, once your pet learned the trick that you’ve been teaching, give a reward or treat and make sure that you review the trick before jumping into another.
And lastly, of course, be the boss. It is important that your pet recognizes you as its leader; otherwise you’ll end up having a dog that is as hardheaded as Marley. Once your pet recognizes you as the boss, it will be easier for you to make it follow your commands. However, you have to remember that being the boss does not necessarily mean that you have to be harsh to your dog whenever it fails to follow your instructions. Be gentle as possible because this is the most effective way to gain dog obedience.
Mastering dog obedience is not as difficult as you think, right? With all these steps in mind, you are off to a successful dog obedience training. Remember: be considerate, be consistent, and be the boss.
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Adopting A Dog On The Spot Deciding Which Dog to Adopt
Sometimes, even with thorough planning, it is still hard to resist puppies with oversized paws and cute, button-like eyes or attractive full-grown dogs, for that matter. This is a natural response commonly observed among would-be owners at rescue homes and animal shelters.
A little planning can still go a long way when deciding which dog to adopt. Even if your previous plans are all but forgotten, remembering the tips below can still help you resist that overpowering desire to bring them all home.
Try talking yourself out of it.
Debate with yourself about your options. Ask yourself questions about whether you are ready to commit yourself to a particular dog. If you have doubts, even the slightest one, you should delay you decision. It is never a good idea to rely a lifetime commitment on a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Remember your game plan and stick with it.
Prior to going to the animal shelter, you have thought about the dog’s breed, dog’s size, the dog’s temperament, in fact even the color of the dog’s fur. Don’t forget these things when looking for the pet you would like to bring home. If you think you would easily fall for a dog, ask your wife, your brother, or a friend to tag along at the animal shelter. Get a second opinion. That never hurt.
Sleep on the decision.
A little time away from the dogs can help a great deal on deciding which dog to get. It is okay to sleep on your decision as this allows you sufficient time to evaluate your options. Only after you have thoroughly thought about your options should you decide. Otherwise, allow yourself more time to weigh your options.
Test the dog.
For the sake of argument, let’s say you are relying on pure instinct to guide you to your dog, without prior plans. The dogs in the animal shelters, on the other hand, rely on their animal instincts to find their suitable owners. If this is the case for you, it is advisable to first test the dog.
Do this by allowing the potential dog to sniff you. Ignore it for a few minutes while observing its behavior. The ideal dog is not clingy to its owner. It is people oriented and sociable but it should not force you to pay all your attention to him. If the dog wanders away and goes back to you after a few minutes, it is a good sign that it is a well-behaved, independent dog. It recognizes its owner, but does not demand so much from his master.
It is also not a bad idea to play with the dog. Dogs in stressful conditions don’t normally feel comfortable with petting. Usually, they are aggressive, shy, afraid or stressed. Test your would-be dog’s personality by playing around with it. A good response is often a good indication that a dog is comfortable around you.
Don’t be surprised if it is not playful though. It is enough that he tolerates being petted without showing apprehension.
Apart from using the above criteria, how else would you know which dog to adopt? Well, it always come down to your best judgment.
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Basic Commands For Dog Obedience
Are you bored with your dog who knows only three commands? Don’t fret, my friend! You could probably use a little jazz. Specific command words are not that difficult and important. The thing here should be the consistency of its usage. My friend, Wiki, here can give you a bit of a blast. Some of these certain commands are accepted as standard, while others are commonly used.
Here is a list you might find quite interesting:
Let us start off with the basic commands
1.) Sit it is a mono-syllabic word that requires a bit of an authentic tone that would require for your dog to be in a sitting position.
2.) Down just like #1, this also requires an abrupt tone for the dog to be typically down when its elbows (front feet) and hocks (rear legs) are touching the ground or floor.
3.) Heel The dog’s head or shoulder is parallel to the handler’s leg on the left side of the handler.
4.) Come or Here (referred to as the recall) you just really got to call your dog which equates the whole command.
5.) Stay another command that requires another snap for the dog to remain in the sitting position (sit, down, stand), and location under which the command was given until it is released by the handler
Those were just some of the basic ones, but wait! Here is something for those who are too hungry to actually stop. The advanced commands are the following (which may need more patience and dedication):
1.) Stop Wiki says that the dog commanded will simply stop whatever it is doing, and lie down on command no matter how far it is from its keeper is a dog that can be taken anywhere. Some handlers use the German word PLATZ (related to place, i.e. stay in position) for this action. A little bit demanding, but who knows when your dogs needs it.
2.) Back up keepers of large dogs or dogs with reputation (a must quote!) for aggressiveness can make strangers more comfortable by teaching the dog to back up on command. This command might probably be very useful for police dogs.
3.) Growl now this is what you guys should be talking about. In case you are bullied, this is the inverse of backing up. Some owners teach non-aggressive dogs to growl on a subtle command not the word “growl”, just usually a small hand gesture as a way of letting strangers know that you and your dog value being left alone.
4.) Steady to keep near by. The dog can walk free, but not dash off. This can be very valuable to sport dogs, and/or during competitions.
5.) Stand on this command, the dog stands still. Funny how this is seems so advanced; it is very valuable for “grooming”. Many dogs are groomed frequently, that they need to stand quietly during the process. You can also use this when you want your dog to wait for you at the park, while lining up for an espresso at Starbucks seven in the morning.
6.) Go to bed, kennel, or get in this command directs the dog to go to its bed, and remain there unreleased. This is somehow useful to keep a dog out from underfoot, and safe in a busy or complicated situation.
7.) Drop or Drop it to release something they just picked up; very useful when they’re about to chew your sandals off.
8.) Leave it an adjunction to Drop, directing the dog NOT to touch an item.
9.) Take it the dog leaves a desired object untouched until given this command.
10.) Give a command teaching the dog to be generous, and/or releasing something your pet has placed in his mouth on your hand.
11.) Speak another way of saying “to bark ONLY when I say so”.
12.) Roll over can be one of the basic commands; this is when the dog lies down, roll over, and stand back up. Quite a bit of an exercise.
13.) Attack if partnered with the command “Growl”, you (the owner) will be the king of your neighborhood, though mostly used only on Police Dogs. Common commands are either “Attack” or “Sick’em”.
14.) Fetch can also be one of the basic commands where the dog retrieves a thrown object, bringing it back to the one who threw it, a nice strategy for luring guard dogs (especially when they’re obsessed with balls).
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Adopting A Dog Dog Training
There are very many reasons to love a dog. The dog is appreciative, patient with its owners, loyal and protective. Because of these, even the sternest of dog owner’s fall into the trap of pampering the dog sometimes unmindful of the effect of the temporary indulgence. Who would not? It is so difficult to refuse a dog giving you dog eyes when you are sitting at your table begging for man food. The charm though is easily lost once there are guests. It feels very nice to be welcomed by a dog with a furiously waging tail, very excited at your coming home, jumping at you, or bolting out the door to meet you. It is embarrassing though when the dog does the same when there are other people around.
On occasions such as these, the owner will attempt at stopping the dog from continuing, but when the dog is not trained, all the dog hears from its owners is just another bark, an important bark maybe but incomprehensible.
It is also a natural instinct among us to not create “fences” among those we love but if the dog is allowed full run off the house, sooner, even those characteristics in a dog that charmed us will be an irritant. Obviously and for very practical reasons, the dog needs obedience training. Little coaching like sit, heel, stop, stay, and come, goes a long way in teaching your dog manners that are very useful in situations when you would want to communicate with the dog and be understood. The dog is also likely to respect the owner more if the owner is consistent and firm with what he wants the dog to do.
Setting limits on what the dog can and cannot do is within the dog’s nature. In fact, dogs enjoy hierarchy; it wants to know who the boss is. It is its tendency that is natural to dogs. Dogs trained in obedience are not only much more enjoyable as companions; dogs also are less likely to suffer and are loved more when it knows its limits.
While mans love affair with dogs are many centuries old, dogs originally were predators in the wild. Even through all these years these instincts are not totally shed. In the wild, dogs lived in packs. As such, there has always been an established hierarchy among them that were useful if they were to survive, and so dogs instinctively obey rules. If rules are not provided and the dog is allowed to do as it wants, it starts thinking that it is the alpha male and will become dominant because contrary to our beliefs, it does not see people as people but as members of the pack where he is a part or where he should lead.
Loyalty, sociability, protectiveness, gentleness with those that the dog is familiar with, fierceness to those it does not know and sometimes meanness when there is a perceived violation of territories are real to the dog that endears him to us but these traits are natural instincts practiced within the pack which by extension is given to humans.
Dog training then is very important if these traits are to be sharpened to our benefit.
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The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Dogs, Dog Breeds and Dog Care (Dog Breeds & Dog Care)
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What To Expect When Adopting A Dog
We have seen this image too often. A pup is brought home to a giggling child too happy to have a cuddly little puppy with furiously wagging tail while kissing the child all over the face, a happy contagiously funny scene.
The excitement though wears off easily. Soon the dog will be peeing on the carpet, needing to be fed and watered, jumping on people, begging for walks, creating noise, uprooting plants, digging in the yard and messing around as all dogs do. Adopting a dog entails responsibilities such as grooming, taking it out for exercises, training and caring as well as feeding and watering. This is the bigger scene not usually imagined but just as real.
When decided to adopting a dog, plan for the following:
Supplies
The basic supplies that the dog will need are bowls for water and food, a dog ID tag with name address and phone number, a bed, a comb, a collar and a leash, and dog food.
Setting Limits
Even before the dog is brought home, the family should agree on tasks, assignments and other dog duties for the caring of the dog. Assignments should include who should feed the dog on particular days, who should take the dog for walks, and who should groom the dog. Agree on areas that are off limits to the dog and areas where the dog is allowed. If the dog is not yet trained, do not allow the dog to sit on the furniture or sleep in the bed with people.
When limits are not set and the dog is allowed to do as it wants, the dog will attempt to dominate. This is an old pattern of dog behavior that is carried over since the dogs were still in the wild. To prevent this, do not play games with the dog that will teach him to challenge you. Roughhouse and tug of war are some of the most popular examples.
When the dog starts to nip, it is a signal that the dog have had enough, let the dog rest and do not allow another occasion to reach that point as it also teaches the dog to become dominant. Likewise, do not allow nor encourage wild behavior.
The dog also appreciates hierarchy. If it learns from the start that you play dominance or is the alpha male, it would be easier to make the dog follow your commands.
Dog Training
Dog obedience training must start as early as possible because the dog has to learn manners and to follow commands. Excessive barking, jumping on people, quarrelling with other dogs and house pets, chewing on furniture, scratching the carpet are just some of the examples untrained dogs do that often results to embarrassment to their owners.
Different dogs have a variety of temperaments. These do not only differ from one dog to another, it also differs depending on the breed and the size of the dog. While dogs are generally lovely and lively creatures, there are some negative traits that surface after a while. Negative traits, however, are reduced if not removed by training.
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Dog Training Tips: Things I’ve Learned About Agility Dog Training
Melissa Buhmeyer
436
I’ve owned many dogs, throughout my life, but have never known exactly how to train them properly. I based my training on punishment and just couldn’t figure out why that didn’t work that well. But, almost two years ago, I started training my Papillon for agility competition. She was extremely high-drive and I knew she’d really love it. So, I found a good agility training school and off we went. We’ve been competing, very successfully, for almost a year now and, looking back, I learned so many important things about dog training!
First of all, most trainers require that dogs have completed at least a basic obedience class before proceeding to agility training. This is critical to agility training and, in my opinion, every dog and handler could benefit from a basic obedience class. I learned that I have a food-motivated dog and that she will work her heart out for highly prized treats, not for punishment! There are skills you and your dog will learn, through an obedience class, such as recalls, sit/stays, down/stays, and walking nicely on a leash. Each of these skills is something you will need every time you compete, not to mention day-to-day life with your dog.
The pace of your training will always be set by your dog. Each dog learns at a different speed and, what comes easily for one dog, may not come easily for another. So, be very patient while training your dog any skill. Make it a game. Let your dog take as much time as it needs, without getting impatient or frustrated, to figure out what behavior you want from it.
All tasks must be broken down into small pieces, whether the task is a simple sit, the beginnings of obstacle training, or more complex tricks or agility sequences. If you break the task down to something small, then mark/reward and repeat, several times before making the task larger, you will have success without stressing the dog out. For example, when training an agility tunnel, you scrunch it up to its smallest form. Have someone place your dog at the entrance while you sit on the ground at the exit, with a treat, and call your dog. As soon as the dog comes through that little piece of a tunnel, you mark/reward. Slowly begin expanding the tunnel using the same technique. In just a few minutes, you’ll have your dog going through however long a tunnel you need.
For agility training, once the dog begins obstacle training, there is never a wrong answer. Dogs get confused, and may shut down, if they start being told they’re doing the wrong thing, so keep the training light and never scold for doing the incorrect thing. If the dog doesn’t do what you want it to, you simply do not mark/reward for that action. You just ask again and, the minute you get the correct response, mark/reward and make a huge deal of it. That will make your dog more anxious to give you that same answer again. As you start competing, you might want to use a particular word to indicate the incorrect response, such as “uh oh,” or “oops,” but not with a scolding tone. This will indicate that the dog will be asked to try again but everything is fine between the two of you.
Lastly, always keep the training fun for both you and your dog. Even when you start competing, or have been competing for a long time, this is critical. If you start getting caught up in the competition and title-winning, you might forget why you started agility to begin with: because it’s fun! When the game stops being fun, your dog won’t enjoy it anymore and neither will you. Agility is a wonderful sport and will forever secure the relationship between you and your dog. Run fast, run clean, and, above all, have fun!
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