Dog Training Answers

Dealing with osteoarthritis in dogs

freddie — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:26:18 +0000

When you have a dog all that you want is to see him happy and when he will be affected by any type of disease, your heart will certainly be on fire.

Vomiting and diarrhea for instance are problems that can easily be spotted, but when it comes to dog arthritis this isn’t just an apparent illness.

For a dog to actually develop arthritis there could be long years to go and the sad part is you will most of the times realize this when your dog will be almost crippled.

The various types of dog arthritis The most common type of arthritis that your dog can be affected by is called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.

This is a common dog condition and it is said to affect one in every five dogs. I know that this might surprise you a bit but this type of condition is not actually going to affect old dogs only. There are many conditions that younger dogs can suffer from like ruptured cruciate ligaments, joint traumas, patella luxations and dysplasia which will all have a chance of casing arthritis in younger dogs.

There is also a less common form of arthritis in dogs which is known as “infectious arthritis”. The Lyme disease, canine ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain and so on are disease that can eventually lead the dog into suffering from arthritis.

On top of that there are also rare cases in which dogs will deal with fungal arthritis, but this very uncommon anyway. Lastly there is the immune mediated type of arthritis like the rheumatoid one. The types of breeds which are mostly affected by it are the small ones (for instance the toy breeds) when they’re around four years old.

Larger dogs that are around five to six years of age have the chance to be affected by nonerosive arthritis. The sad part is that the cause of this type of arthritis has not yet been discovered. The symptoms of dog arthritis If you love your dog then you will certainly be careful that he always gets the right amount of food and on top of that he also should get a right amount of exercise every day.

More to that you have to be careful on the signs of arthritis in your beloved pet. Some of the first signs that should be a red flag for you number seeing your pet having trouble sitting or standing and your pet favoring one of his limbs. The dog can also show signs of sore or stiff joints.

Of course there are also some other more visible signs that your dog is suffering from arthritis. Some of them number your dog gaining more weight, having a decreased interest in playing and sleeping more than before. On top of that when you will touch your pet he might whine or bark. But he can also resist your touch and even act more alert. When your pet will show the more visible signs of arthritis If you have a dog and he is suffering from osteoarthritis then he will exhibit different degrees of lameness and stiffness which will always be more evident in the morning time when he will get up.

Thus your dog will be more irritable and he will have behavioral changes that pet owners usually associate with increasing disability. For example you will see your dog showing more signs of pain and stiffness on wet days and cold days. Unfortunately osteoarthritis is a progressive diseases and in time it will make your dog’s life more miserable.

Diagnosing dog arthritis If your dog has the symptoms that we discussed earlier then you can be absolutely sure he is dealing with osteoarthritis. But in order to be one hundred percent sure about that you will need to take your dog to the vet and he will take an X-ray of the dog’s joints to clear that out.

If your dog has it then the imaging will show bone spurs where the joint capsule and the ligaments attach to the bone. Keeping the dog comfortable Yes, there are no ways to cure this disease, but there are many ways to keep it in control and make your dog’s life comfortable. The vet will advise you on the type of medication and physical therapy to consider for your dog.

Corticosteroids and analgesics will also be prescribed. If your dog is 1 of 5 Take heart if your dog is one of them and don’t be hopeless. As this article explains there are plenty of things you can do for him to feel better. Just get him to the vet ASAP and from then on is where he will finally start living a better life.

Addison’s disease: What does this mean for your dog?

freddie — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:16:55 +0000

Addison’s disease is basically called “Canine Hypoadrenocorticism”, but the popular term is used because it’s easier to remember and it describes a dysfunction in the adrenal gland hampering it from producing the right amount of cortisol or aldosterone.

What this means is that the level of sodium and the level of potassium within the dog’s body are not balanced right and in turn this will eventually cause severe internal complications to him.

So why does Addison’s disease occur?

Well first of all the majority of cases in which the disease will appear is when the dog’s immune system will have tissue of the adrenal gland damaged. The bad news though is that even until the present day there is no known explanation to why this actually happens.

On top of that also pets that cannot produce the ACTH hormone will eventually suffer from Addison’s disease.This happens because the ACTH has the adrenal gland stimulated which will eventually produce cortisol.

Other causes for Addison’s disease Medications are yet another cause for Addison’s disease. So for example if you have a dog and you will put him under steroids then the natural production of cortisol and adosterone by the adrenal gland will cease. After the courses of steroids will cease, it will take at least three to four weeks for the adrenal gland of your dog to once again produce steroid hormones naturally.

So as a result to this your dog will suffer from Addison’s disease for a limited amount of time. So that is why it’s very important that you will decrease the dosage gradually rather than stop it at abruptly.

What ages are more susceptible to Addison’s disease?

This disease will generally appearing dogs that are middle aged with seventy percent of the cases being amongst females. The truth is that any dog can be affected, yet there are specific breeds which are more prone to it than others. Some of these breeds number the Portuguese water dogs, the bearded collies, soft coated wheaten terriers ,the great Danes and the poodles.

The majority Addison’s disease symptoms are really vague and they will most of the times also indicate that there are other diseases the dog is suffering from. To number some of the symptoms they are shivering, trembling, muscle weakness, tremors, an increased sensation of thirst, loss of appetite, lethargy, sickness and vomiting. These are symptoms which will not occur as frequent as some people think and on top of that they will be hard to be correlated with Addison’s disease.

There are some rare cases in which a will experience what is called an “Addisonian crisis”. This will only happen when there is a big dissonance between the levels of potassium and sodium in the dog’s system. When this happens the dog’s normal heart functioning will be affected. So even though the dog will be conscious he will not be able to get up or even respond. Diarrhea and sickness can occur while the dog’s in this state.

If you have a dog and he is experiencing this then you should take it as a very big red flag and take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. As we said earlier there are many other symptoms that will lure the vet away from diagnosing the dog as being affected by Addison’s disease, so that is why a series of tests will be due. After they are finalized they will rule out the chance of having a wrong diagnosis put. More to that the dog’s urine will also be tested to make sure his system has no traces of glucose present.

A full bloodworks profile will also be implemented, targeting especially the kidney functions, the potassium levels and also the sodium levels. So if the dog’s potassium levels are counterbalancing the sodium values, this gives a ratio usually lower than twenty seven, which means that the dog is indeed affected by Addison’s disease.

It’s important that you go through all the recommended tests in order to see if your dog has Addison’s disease or not. After you will know exactly if the answer is positive or negative you will be able to take the right measures and ensure your dog will get better as soon as possible.

Common Dog Diseases and Prevention

freddie — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:10:53 +0000

Naturally, your dog gets sick sometimes like you do. That is just part of life’s natural cycle. But if the illness occurs more frequent, then there is a problem that you need to address immediately.The quickest way to do it is by bringing your dog to a veterinarian. A vet will take care of everything , from determining the disease, finding the right treatment and administering it.

However, there is still a better way of taking care of your dog and that is preventing them from getting sick. It is good to know that you do not need high-level expertise in providing good health to your pet. You just need to know how to give them proper diet and exercise.

And to make you a better pet owner, a list of common dog diseases is provided, their symptoms and ways to prevent them. Keep in mind that there is no better person to treat your pet than a veterinarian. So if you find that the illness is serious, go to your trusted animal clinic immediately.

Gastro Intestinal Problem

Different dog breeds respond differently to a certain diet. If their body does not find their diet friendly, it can result to gastro intestinal problems. It is easy to determine if your dog suffers from this illness. Vomiting and diarrhea are preliminary signs that your dog has a problem with its tummy. This can be cured by dog medication that stops diarrhea and promotes rehydration.

To prevent such illnesses, prepare a dog food that is easily digestible to avoid stomach and intestine irritation. More specifically, feed your dog with a fiber rich food in combination with moderate fat. In addition, you may also supplement it with dog probiotics to promote the production of good bacteria in its stomach.

Dental Disease

Another common dog disease can be easily found in its mouth. If your dog has bad breath, chances are it has a dental disease. You can surely make the bad breath disappear but that is just a small portion of the right treatment. Improve the quality of your dogs life by addressing the problem.

Check your dogs teeth and gums for plaque and tartar build up. If you find swelling in the gums, your dog probably has gingivitis. If you fail to detect this illness, it may develop into a periodontal disease that causes the gums to deteriorate as well as the tissues that support its teeth.

To prevent this kind of disease regularly bring your dog to a veterinarian for oral treatment. It’s just like a regular visit to the dentist. You can help it clean its teeth by giving it dry foods once a day. When your dog nibbles the dry food, the slight friction cleans the surfaces of its teeth. If the disease is more serious, consult a veterinarian.

Diabetes Mellitus

It is always nice to hug a cute and chubby dog but you should be wary about it because dog obesity can be an indication that it has Diabetes Mellitus. Other conditions that tell the presence of this condition are stress, frequent urination, thirst, abdominal pain and depression. This happens when the pancreas of your dog are damaged. The pancreas is responsible for regulating the amount of insulin to control sugar levels in its blood.

Diabetes Mellitus has no cure but it can be controlled by supplying your dog with fiber-rich food, insulin and exercise. From the very beginning, focus on giving proper nutrition your pet so that it can prevent many other diseases. Be consistent with the food that you give to your dog too so you can maintain its normal metabolic rate. Your dog will benefit just as you would from getting exercise and avoiding sugar-rich food.

Veterinarians are always here to help you if your dog gets sick. But better pet-ownership means more than availing the highest quality health care. It revolves around your pro-activeness and prudence on giving them the right nutrition right from the start. Certainly, you treat your pet as a member of your family so it is just right to find the most convenient way in keeping them healthy. This way, you will enjoy the company of your pet for a long time.

Kennel cough in dogs

freddie — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:21:51 +0000

It’s 12 A.M. and the coughing is so loud and annoying that you fear you will be very tired when waking up in the morning and won’t be able to do your best at your new job. It’s not actually your wife or your kids who are responsible for the coughing, but it’s man’s best friend: your dog.

If you have a dog and he is coughing loudly and he makes a harsh hacking sound, then I think that your dog might be dealing with what is called the “Kennel Cough”.

In this article we will try to take a deeper look at it and find out what it is, how to treat it and how to prevent it.

Symptoms

Just like we humans experience a cold the Kennel Cough is the dogs’ variant of it. Asides from the fact that they will cough dogs will not show any other symptoms when being let in on this disease. The sound the dog makes when coughing will be very similar with the croup in babies and your pet will have to deal with it throughout the night and day. If there is something that will make the coughing worse that is exercising so that is why you will have to keep your pet away from it as much as you can.

On a temporal level the disease will affect your dog for a minimum of ten days and up to a period of twenty one days and it’s very contagious. The pets who are more susceptible to it number old dogs and puppies so if you have any, be sure that you keep them away from the sick dog. You need to also bring them to your vet for a diagnosis, yet in the majority of cases they will not need any type of medical treatment.

How to prevent it

In order to be sure that your dog will not be let in on canine cough you need to bring him to the vet and have him vaccinated with the Bordetella vaccine. There is also the newerintranasal version of it which many veterinarians praise to be the better alternative.

Canine cough is a virus and it’s easily spread through airborne bacteria so if your dog is in closer quarters with an infected dog, then he will have high chances of getting the disease. It could be that you didn’t vaccine your dog with the Bordetella shot and if that’s the case then you will have to make sure you keep him away from kennels, animal clinics, grooming facilities, dog parks and other dogs.

Of course when you will want to take your dog to a clinic you will need to have proof that your dog has been given the Bordetella shot before the clinic will accept him in. If you think that your dog has it then it’s important to keep him away from frequently dog populated areas and other dogs.

Remedies

If you don’t want to get any treatment for your dog in order to make this cough go away, it will eventually go away on its own in around twenty one days. If it doesn’t go away then you will have to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Of course, there are also home remedies for Kennel cough and they are vaporizers or humidifiers, herbs, vitamins, moist dog food, chicken soup, honey and many more. There are even some friends of mine who gave OTC cough syrup to their dogs.

Yet it’s recommended that before you act for making your dog’s life easier to consult a vet. He will give you a more insightful piece of advice regarding the measures you need to take. It’s not uncommon that people will give their pets an overdose of something and thus end up with their dogs’ health being severely affected.

Lastly it’s recommended to always watch your dog’s behavior especially in the cold seasons. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Dogs and Puppies Health Issues

freddie — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:41:59 +0000

Dogs and puppies are delicate pets that require maximum attention. Dogs are the friendliest animals that deserve to receive the love they give in equal degree through good care. Your dog eats the food you eat, and contracts the same diseases as humans. Their bodies are just like your body, and therefore it requires the same nutrients your body requires to remain healthy and strong.

Your pet requires a balanced diet to keep its body organs functioning well. Feeding your dog with an unbalanced diet will interfere with its wellness. Exposing it to health risks will expose it to diseases. In addition, any dysfunction in the organs of your dog or puppy leads to major complications, just like in humans.

Your dog can experience organ failure such as liver failure, dysfunction of the pancreas as well as coronary diseases. The following is a list of the common health issues that affect dogs and puppies.

Diabetes mellitus

Dogs and puppies suffer from diabetes, just like humans. Diabetes mellitus is an inherited condition especially in female dogs. Other risk factors for diabetes mellitus in dogs and puppies include improper nutrition, stress, obesity and hormonal problems. Just like in humans, diabetes in dogs and puppies is attributed to a pancreatic dysfunction.

The signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus in dogs and puppies are the same as in humans. Therefore, diabetes mellitus is marked by excessive thirst and frequent passing of water, abdominal pain and excessive loss of weight. A diabetic dog can also experience depression.

Your vet officer can give advice on the best treatments that can help manage this condition. However, a diet rich in fiber can help the pet respond faster to treatments. Be cautious of its overall wellness by consulting on the most appropriate diet for your pet. There is no known cure for this condition, and the best way to handle diabetes mellitus in dogs and puppies is by feeding it well and engaging it in regular exercise.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis in dogs and puppies is usually caused by allergic reactions to dust, pollen, food or other environmental factors. Your pet is likely to respond by scratching or licking of the affected area. If you watch closely, you will realize that the skin is flaky. Dermatitis can also be caused by parasites such as lice, fleas or mites. Once these parasites bite your dog, it responds by biting back or scratching to ease the irritation and pain. Bacterial infections and hormonal imbalances are other causes of dermatitis.

Once you see your dog biting or scratching itself, it is advisable to give it a diet rich in proteins to repair damaged skin cells. Essential fatty acids can help moisturize the skin of your dog or puppy and thus prevent the flaky appearance. You are also advised to include some antioxidants in the meal to help prevent these allergic reactions.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Your dog or puppy may experience some disturbances during the digestion process. This condition is often caused by changes in diet, spoiled food or lack of sufficient diet fiber. Symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbances in dogs and puppies include constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence and general weakness of the body.

There are various types of gastrointestinal disturbances, some of which are caused by issues such as cancer and stress. It is therefore advisable to call the Vet once your pet shows the signs. In the meantime, you can provide it with a diet rich in soluble fiber, deworming to kill intestinal parasites, feed it with fresh fruits and avoid introducing it to new food.

Overweight

Do you know that overweight in dogs and puppies is a serious health issue? Look out for signs of laziness and excessive weight gain in your pet. Weight gain is usually detected by inspecting the waistline of your dog. If it is not sunken, your dog has gained excess weight and requires medical attention.

In order to address weight issues in dogs and puppies, it is essential to organize for regular workout sessions with your pet. In addition to provision of a healthy diet, take your pet for weight check every month to monitor its weight.

Developmental disorders

Growth disorders mainly affect puppies, and are associated with poor nutrition. These disorders include conditions such as bowed legs, muscle wasting, painful around the joint area, obesity and poor posture. In order to deal with this health issue, it is advisable to consult your Vet in order to obtain a dietary recommendation for your puppy.

Constipation In Dogs

freddie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:23:56 +0000

If you are one of those people who own a pet dog, you must have realized that constipation is a very common dog health problem. Dogs can suffer from constipation due to many causes. Most common causes being lack of fiber, lack of exercise or dehydration.

If you pet dog has a habit of eating foreign objects such as gravel, rocks and fabric, then this can also be the cause of constipation. In this case you will notice that your dog is straining hard to defecate and may not have bowel movement for about two days.

At times, constipation can be caused due to a rather serious problem like enlarged prostrate. If your dog is under medication or has undergone a surgery recently, that can also be the cause of constipation.

Dogs can also suffer from constipation due to diet changes. If you identify these constipation symptoms in your dog, it is important to opt for a treatment. At the same time, there home remedies that you can use to cure your beloved pet dog.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is highly rich in fiber and water. If you feed your dog with pumpkin, it will help to get rid of constipation problem. You can feed your pet with fresh or canned pumpkin, they are both very effective. Good advice is to mix the pumpkin with your pet’s favorite food so that he doesn’t refuse to eat it.

Water

Since dehydration is one of the common causes of constipation in dogs, it is important to make sure your dog is well hydrated. Ensure that he drinks a lot of water on daily basis. Keep a bowl of fresh, clean water in his kennel. Do not give your pet a tap water, instead boiled water is the best. It is also a good idea to add a few drops of water in your dog’s food to keep them moist.

Fiber supplements

One of the best ways to relief your dog from constipation is by adding fiber supplements to his meals. There are a lot of fiber products available out there such as avena sativa,aloe ferox and psyllium husk. It is well known that fibers helps to in bowel movement thus, helps your dog to defecate with ease.

Exercise

If you notice your dog constipating more often. It is an indication that you do not exercise you dog well enough. Exercising your dog on daily basis and giving him a healthy diet can help to cure your dog’s constipation problem. You should also take your dog for a walk for about thirty minutes after meals. This will help your pet to have regular bowel movement.

Grooming

Make sure to groom your pet dog more frequently. Tangled or matted hair along your pet’s anus can prevent the passage of feces which can eventually lead to constipation. So, if your dog has long hair, keep it well trimmed on the rear end. Also, brushing his hair regularly and cleaning his shelter will ensure that he don’t swallow the hair. You should also remember to remove all non eatable items from his shelter.

Mineral oil

If you are certain that your dog is suffering from constipation, add mineral oil or olive oil in his regular meals. This will help to lubricate your dog’s colon and ease the digestion process. Note that excess consumption of mineral oil or olive oil can lead to diarrhea.

Diet

To cure you dog’s constipation problem, it is important to feed him with a healthy diet. You can add dry beans to your pet’s diet because they are good source of fiber. You can also add other fiber diets such as wheat bran and oatmeal. Boiled or raw vegetables are also very good in curing constipation. You should also avoid lacteous and other high fat products. This is because they will not help your pet when it has constipation problem.

There you have it, if you notice that your pet has constipation symptoms, use the above remedies to help him get a relief. But if the constipation becomes more regular, it is advisable to get your dog examined by a veterinarian.

A veterinarian will give your pet dog proper medication, recommend dietary changes and give him a stool softener for constipation treatment. If the symptoms persist, urinalysis and blood analysis will be conducted to verify whether there are other underling health conditions causing the constipation.

The health issues of a dog

freddie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:45:01 +0000

We all know that a dog is the best friend of man. Well, a dog is also affected by the same health problems as man, for example cancer, diabetes, depression and many other dog health issues such as heartworm and kennel cough.

Below are some of the symptoms as well as treatments for some common dog health problems.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system of dog and may lead to encephalitis. This virus can be transmitted trough saliva when a dog or animal infected with the disease bites your dog. When a dog displays symptoms of rabies, it often dies within a week.

It is very important to vaccinate your pets, whether it is your cat or dog against the threat of rabies. If your dog is vaccinated and then gets bitten by an infected dog or wild animal, it is advisable to vaccinate it once again and then keep it in quarantine for at least 90 days. On the other hand, if you have not vaccinated your dog, you should have it euthanized and then send its tissue for the testing of rabies.

However, for some reason you may not want to euthanize your dog. Therefore, you should keep it in quarantine for not less than 6 months. However, you will need to vaccinate it one month before you release it.

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Kennel Cough

If you keep your dog in a poorly ventilated area or expose it to overcrowding, dust and cigarette smoke, it can develop respiratory infections. The result is that your dog may end up having a chronic, hacking cough.

In treatment of this problem, antibiotics can be used and they are pretty effective in getting rid of the disease. However, antibiotics can make the immune system weak and expose your dog to long term health complications. Kennel cough can also be treated by vaccination. Although vaccinations are popular, they too can considerably weaken the immune system of dogs.

Cushings disease

Cushings disease is also referred to as hyperadrenocorticism. This is usually a common issue in older canines. The condition is normally brought about by too much hormone production by the adrenal glands. Symptoms of the disease include urination, thirst, increased appetite, skin lumps, high blood pressure, panting, nervous system issues, and hair loss.

This disease is normally triggered by a tumor either in the pituitary or adrenal gland, causing the adrenal gland not to function well and produce too much hormones. Cushings disease may be diagnosed through a blood test. The test is to determine whether the problem is in the pituitary or adrenal gland. There are several types of medication that can be used in the treatment of Cushings disease when diagnosed at the early stages. However, you should take care when using these medications.

Heartworm

Heartworm, scientifically known as Dirofilara immitis, is a major pest that afflicts dogs, cats, foxes, and wolves on a global scale. The larva stage of the heartworm is called microfilariae and hosted by a mosquito. The larva is consumed by a mosquito as it bites one infected dog and then deposits the larva on an uninfected canine through a bite.

The larva is deposited further inside the dog where it eventually morphs into an adult. Once a heartworm reaches adulthood, it travels to the right side of a dogs heart through a vein and then waits for the right time before it multiplies. An adult heartworm can measure 12 inches long and can live in the heart of a dog for many years.

It is easy to detect the presence of the heartworm in dogs. The dogs blood is normally tested to see if there is presence of the heartworm. Heartworms infestations are pretty serious in dogs and many of them die due to lack of treatment. Dogs which are treated early can live through weeks of pain as the worms are purged from the body. In serous cases of heartworms, surgery is the best option for removal.

If you take extra care with the handling of your dog, you both can have a good relationship with each other for years to come and both of you can develop a strong and deep bond that will not be affected by any health problems.

Worms in dogs

freddie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:34:28 +0000

Dog worms are something that your dog will certainly get to experience at least once in his life. Even though you love your dog a lot and you don’t want him to be unsettled by any type of disease out there, you cannot really protect him 24/7.

Worms can be contacted from practically an infinite number of places, like sand, feces, soil and many more. So what do you need to know about this type of infection and how will you know when your dog has worms?

Types of worms: There are a few types of worms your dog can be diagnosed with. They are the whip worm, the tape worm, the pin worms, the hook worms and the round worms.

In most of the cases in spotting an infection hookworms and round worms are at the top of the chart. What’s even scarier and worrisome is that even if your dog has these worms, you are not free from not getting them.

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In humans these worms are called zoonosis. Whilst adults are not that prone at getting them, children have been found to be more susceptible to them. This is because they are always more in contact with dogs and can easily ingest parasites and larvae. There are many pet owners who will not really view this as a major problem, but the truth is that if the problem is not treated with maximum care, the dog can lose his life.

For example if the dog has larvae, those will migrate to some of the vital organs to which they will do irreparable damage. You can find actually thousands of cases on the internet of dogs that didn’t get treatment for their larvae infestation which eventually had to suffer from a plethora of health problems.

Detecting worms: So how do you know your pet has worms? Your dog will have diarrhea and he will vomit often, if he is coughing, being lethargic, has a pot belly, has a dull coat of hair, doesn’t have an appetite and lost weight, then these are all signs of being infected with worms.

As an owner when you will spot these symptoms then the next urgent thing to do is to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. It’s vital that the dog is diagnosed correctly, because this is the only way to get him the best possible treatment for his disease.

The good news is that you can also find many over the counter medications that will successfully kill the internal parasites your beloved pet suffers from. Yet be very careful on the dose of these treatments, for they are actually pesticides and if you administer them for a prolonged period of time without actually caring too much, then your dog’s health will be much more affected than you can ever imagine.

There are many natural drugs companies out there now and they are the ones you need to turn to in order to get effective treatment for your dog. Ono top of the fact that these over the counter natural treatments will treat your dog’s problems, they also have other beneficial health benefits. Prevention Like always it’s better to prevent than treat so that is why you will have to be very careful on where you will let your dog run freely.

You and your family will have to wash your hands very well each time you want to eat but more importantly, every time after you played with the dog. To further more defer the chances of worms just buy a saline solution and spray it over your dog’s bed. That should keep the chances of getting worms on the lower level. Last but not least ensure you take your dog to the vet periodically.

The vet will be the one to give your dog the best treatment may the case be so do everything you can in order to keep your dog healthy!

Dog Flu: Symptoms and how to keep your dog away from it

freddie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:17:24 +0000

You thought that if you have a dog he will never get sick because he’s used to the outside weather?

Dogs do get sick and if you don’t act fast when you notice your dog being sick, the problem can escalate and you might find yourself in the situation when your dog’s life is threatened by it.

One of the most alarming sicknesses for dogs is actually dog flu. In medical terms this is known as the H3N8 influenza virus and it’s very dangerous for man’s best friend. This disease is said to originate from horses and that only in recent times it has been passed on to dogs.

Even though this is a virus that can be easily transmitted, you will never have to worry about your health or the health of your family if you dog is sick. You cannot get dog flu as it’s specific for animals only. But you need to take action fast when you realize your dog is suffering from it, because if you don’t you might end up losing your dog.

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The first signs of the dog’s flue are really easy to detect so you don’t have to worry about things in this regard. Detecting dog flu Dog flu is a type of sickness that’s associated with the respiratory system of your dog and the H3N8 virus is the one responsible for causing it.

Actually there are also 2 types of this sickness and the first one is deemed to be the light one and the second one, which is far worse is considered severe. What makes it even worse is that pneumonia will also appear at this stage.

If your dog is affected by the first form then he will have a moist cough which lasts usually from ten to thirty days. Many people who have this cough mistake it for a kennel cough, so that is why you will need to take your dog to the vet in order to let him assess what’s wrong with him.

But if your dog is struggling with the second type of flu then he will have a lot of difficulty just breathing. Their body temperature is also high and it’s ranging from one hundred and four degrees to one hundred and six degrees Fahrenheit.

The H3N8 virus is a new virus and every dog without exception who will come in contact with the virus will be infected by it and dog flu will be the result of this. However it’s fortunate the in most cases dogs will be affected by the mild form of the virus, so dog owners should not feel that worried.

Protecting and treating your dogs The only and the best way of making sure that your dog will never be let in on dog flue is to be careful and not let him come in contact with dogs that have been infected by the virus. If you cannot do this and you notice that your dog is acting strangely and has the disease’s symptoms you will need to take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Like any virus out there that attacks the immune system the only way to keep a wall against it is to enhance your pet’s immune system. The vet will thus give your pet antiviral medication to do that, but this medication is said to be effective only in the young stages of the infection.

Dogs that suffer from the severe form will have their survival chances lowered, but they can still have the temperature brought down with baths. It seems that scientists are still studying this new virus that’s causing havoc in the world of dogs.

It’s in nineteen ninety nine that this dog flu has been intercepted and ever since then, dog owners were warned to be very careful with the dogs their pet comes in contact with. As such if you have a dog and you want to make sure he will never be infected with this virus, always be careful on the place you let him run free in and bring him to the vet periodically. It’s your best bet at keeping him healthy!

Teach Your Dog Good Dental Hygiene

freddie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:23:11 +0000

Years ago, brushing dog’s teeth was virtually unheard of. People just didn’t do that, probably because veterinarians didn’t address that subject much.

However, with significant advances in veterinary medicine we have wide recognition that dogs definitely do need dental care to maintain not only their teeth, but their health.

Now, most dog owners are at least aware of tooth brushing, and while some do it, there are still many who may not realize the significance of proper dental care for our canine friends.

Though they are born toothless, puppies will grow 28 little teeth by the time they reach 8 weeks of age. At the vet’s for a puppy visit, one of the things the vet will check is that all the teeth are coming in, and that the puppy’s “bite” – how the teeth all line up in the mouth when closed – is normal.

Conformational faults like an overbite or under bite are not usually a problem, but knowing this can help an owner care for the puppy’s teeth as it gets older, in case there is uneven wear over time.

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Around 4 to 7 months, puppies begin losing baby teeth, with the adult teeth coming in behind them. Most of the time owners don’t even realize it, but it’s good to have the teeth when the puppy goes in to get spayed or neutered.

Sometime the baby canine teeth – the “fangs” – will get stuck and the permanent teeth will grow in behind them; this can affect the other teeth in the mouth sometimes, so if the vet sees this, they will usually want to remove them while the pup is under anesthesia. It’s quick and won’t cause any lasting pain, since the baby teeth have short roots, but it’s best to get them out.

Once the puppy is an adult dog, there should be a mouth full of pearly whites! At one year of age, it’s rare to see any staining or tartar buildup, though it is possible, especially in small breeds like Yorkies, Poodles, Maltese and Chihuahuas to name a few.

These types of dogs are notorious for having dental issues that can get fairly severe over time, so it’s wise to start aggressive prevention the moment anything like staining or buildup is noted. In general, a year is a good age to begin teaching about the toothbrush, and start a regular dental care regime that should be carried out throughout the dog’s lifetime.

Good dental care from this point on is pretty important, especially for those small and toy breeds mentioned. There are many ways to work on keeping the teeth in good condition, too. Other than tooth brushing, which is good to do at least three times a week if not daily, there are toys and edible treats that promote dental health by the way they scrape away tartar when chewed, plus, there are even special dental diets to help maintain, or improve, dental health.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to look into those foods for at-risk dogs, who are going to need a lot of maintenance to keep those tiny teeth.

Additionally, there are liquid enzymes to put in the drinking water to prevent plaque and tartar. These products work by changing the pH in the dog’s mouth, which prevents bacteria from setting up house on the teeth, since it’s bacteria in the mouth that encourages the collection of tartar.

These products seem to work very well for some dogs and not so well for others, so trying it for a few months to see what happens is the best bet. There are also dental wipes, dental sprays, tooth sealant coatings (for post-dentistry use on clean teeth), and even a dental vaccine that can reduce dental disease (although there are conflicting opinions on whether it actually works or not).

As dogs starts getting older, it’s quite possible that even with great care, there will still be some tartar and plaque. It’s good to have a dental cleaning and polishing done to remove it all, and make a nice, smooth surface again, where bacteria and tartar will have a hard time hanging on.

This is the time to once again re-establish good dental care, since the teeth will be nice and clean, and you’ll want to keep them that way as long as possible.

The reasons canine dental care is so very important is because sick teeth will contribute greatly to eventually being a sick dog. Tartar buildup left untreated will eventually decay teeth and cause cavities, just like in people. Cavities not only hurt, but they invite bacteria further up into the jaw.

This can cause gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth abscesses, which can be serious, especially if involving the top teeth. The large teeth along the side of the mouth have roots that extend almost into the nasal cavity – if there is infection there, abscesses can go right through, and into the nasal cavity. Additionally, infected, abscessing teeth will smell terrible and start falling out little by little.

But those are some of the more obvious signs that there are dental problems that need attention. Not so obvious are problems such as heart conditions – which can actually be caused, or worsened, by all that bacteria in the mouth entering the bloodstream.

Also, badly infected teeth can add to stress on internal organs and cause kidney disease, from which many dogs unfortunately die. And, of course, having teeth in bad shape like that just plain hurts!

Hopefully this article has shed some light on some of the many reasons why dental care is just as important for our dogs as it is for us. Good health in older age depends on preventive maintenance when younger. A regular dental routine for dogs is essential to hold onto their pearly whites as long as possible, and the time to start that is now!

So You Just Bought a Puppy

freddie — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:12:28 +0000

It takes little effort to fall head over heels in love with a cute little puppy, and regardless of breed, all puppies can give you a look designed to tug at your heart strings.

Before you know it, you are headed back to your car carrying the puppy, its new collar and leash, a crate, dog food and dish, and some doggy toys. It all seems so simple at the time.

However, owning and training any dog is a responsible business, and unless you lovingly but firmly set the ground rules, your puppy will soon become an uncontrollable youngster that is the source of more frustration than pleasure.

Nipping can become dangerous biting, and chewing can destroy your furniture.

Bouncing all over the place can discourage visitors who don’t wish to be mauled by your bad-mannered pet. Going to the bathroom in the house soon ruins carpets and stains wood floors. It also destroys the good feelings you once had for this adorable puppy.

WHEN TO START

The simple answer is to start as soon as you get home. Any behavior that you don’t want to see in your adult dog should not be allowed or excused in your puppy. Assuming that the dog is at least 8-10 weeks old, it is ready for rudimentary lessons.

Younger puppies need the interaction and nurturing of their mother and litter mates for the first eight weeks to ensure healthy emotional adjustment later. Just remember that patience and consistency is the rule here.

Your puppy does not have the physical or mental ability to master every skill or behavior immediately. Much like a human baby, it needs as much loving interaction and socialization as possible and frequently repeated short lessons that reinforce acceptable behavior.

It is also important that every person in your household agrees to support the house rules so that consistency is maintained and your puppy is not confused about what it is and is not allowed to do.

WHERE TO START

Housebreaking your puppy as soon as possible will make everyone’s life easier, and crate training is considered the easiest method. Dogs instinctively want to keep their “den” or sleeping area clean, so your puppy will try to avoid going to the bathroom there.

Large dog breeds seem to catch on to going outside easier because of the physical distance from their crate. Small dog breeds sometimes acquaint going into the next room as accomplishing the same purpose. You may need to carry them outside until they get the point.

The secret to housebreaking your dog is to set it up for repeated success rather than to focus on punishing mistakes. However, two hours is about as long as a young dog can go without needing to relieve itself, and some dogs can’t last that long when first bought home.

Puppies need to urinate immediately upon waking from a nap, a few minutes after eating or drinking, and after playing. Lead or carry your dog to the approved area outdoors and allow it to smell earlier deposits. It will soon get the message that this is where it should be going to the bathroom. Always reward success with lavish praise.

Basic Obedience involves teaching your 3-to-6-month-old puppy simple commands that will keep it safe and make life more enjoyable for both of you. Training focuses on catching your puppy being good and rewarding it with clicker sounds, food or generous praise.

Teaching the commands to walk on leash, come, sit, stay and lie down are essential basics, but you and your dog can learn many other fun activities as well. Every community has obedience classes for those who feel a little expert help would be welcome.

Training and caring for a puppy is a big responsibility, but the rewards are well worth the initial investment of time and patience. Treated properly, your dog will become an invaluable companion and family member and will offer you its unconditional love for years to come.

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

freddie — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:01:25 +0000

Keeping your dog healthy is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Getting regular vaccinations against diseases such as rabies and distemper and providing a healthy diet are two essential things you can do to protect your dog’s health.

It also helps to know if there are any hereditary conditions or diseases that your breed of dog may be more susceptible to developing. Knowing what to look for can help you get medical help as necessary.

The following is a list of popular breeds and conditions to guard against:

* Basset Hounds – Eye and ear problems and tendency to catch bacterial, viral and parasitic infections.

* Boxers – Heart and thyroid problems, skin allergies.

* Chihuahuas – May suffer from overcrowded teeth, kneecap injuries and hyperthermia from overexertion.

* Dalmations – The risk of bladder and kidney stones can be reduced with a special diet.

* German Shepherds – Chronic eczema and eye infections.

* Irish Setters – Ear mite infestations are common.

* Labrador Retrievers – Without adequate exercise, these dogs become obese and suffer cardiovascular problems.

* Lhaso Apsos – Constant tearing can result in eye infections.

* Pugs – That cute, flat nose can cause breathing problems. There is also a tendency towards obesity.

* Spaniels – Easily develop ear and eye infections. Tangled coats require frequent grooming.

Parasites, both internal and external can also become a serious problem for your dog. Internal critters such as hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms are transmitted during their life cycle through contaminated animal feces. Untreated heartworm can kill your pet.

External parasites tend to be more annoying for you and your pet than they are life-threatening. However, fleas and ticks can carry Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If they bite you, they can transmit these diseases. There are several options for controlling these pests. Both commercial products and natural remedies are readily available. Mite infestations can cause discomfort for your pet and a skin condition called mange.

Of the fungal diseases to which dogs are most susceptible, ringworm tops the list, and yes, you can catch it from your pet. Symptoms include losing hair and having scaling skin in the affected area. Because ringworm is self-limiting, expensive medical treatment may not be necessary.

Other skin conditions are often related to allergies. Atopy is the most common, affecting as much as 10 percent of the dog population. Other conditions include hot spots and pyoderma. Food allergies or medical conditions related to the consumption of human food can also be a problem. In general, human food is not good for your pet, but some products can also cause severe health problems.

What NEVER to feed your dog:

* Beer – Malignant hypothermia.

* Chocolate – Tastes wonderful to your pet but can cause internal bleeding, heart attacks and death.

* Fruit pits, if chewed – Cyanide poisoning.

* Green tomatoes – Ingredient tomatine is toxic for dogs.

* Onions – Anemia.

* Raisins and grapes – Kidney failure.

Pinning down the cause of an allergy can be challenging. Not just food or parasites but pollens, grooming products, mold or dust particulates could be the source of your dog’s itching and scratching.

Trial and error is often the only way to single out the culprit. There are specially designed skin products that you can use to relieve some of your dog’s discomfort. A visit to the vet may also shed some light on this frustrating problem.

Dogs are susceptible to eye diseases similar to those that bother us humans. Age may bring on cataracts, canine glaucoma and entropian. Excessive activity and aging can also affect the joints and cause bone fractures and torn ligaments.

Keeping your dog’s environment safe and free from potential hazards can help prevent such injuries. With good health care habits and immediate medical attention when necessary, your pet will be around to offer you years of treasured companionship.

Is Your Dog Suffering from Boredom?

freddie — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:09:05 +0000

What happens to a child, or in this case, a dog, that is left alone too much with nothing to do? In the case of your dog, as boredom sets in, so do destructive behaviors such as chewing, barking, soiling, pacing or disobeying house rules.

A dog with nothing to challenge its mind becomes a frustrated pet that will look for ways to create its own entertainment.

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In the wild, dogs are “pack” animals with specific routines and responsibilities that are focused mostly on hunting food and surviving as a group. Because it is so well provided-for in your human home, your pet may miss the meaningful activity every dog needs to feel useful and therefore, happy.

Fortunately, there are relatively easy ways to stimulate your dog without moving out into the wilderness together.

* CHECK OUT YOUR DOG’S IQ – Not all dogs care about going to Harvard or about learning one more trick. Before you knock yourself out with a pet therapist , why not find out just how smart your dog really is. Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia and an avid dog trainer, has devised an online adaptive intelligence test for dogs.

Simple, at-home tests you do with your dog can measure its ability to solve problems and understand language and social cues. Maybe you have a pet that really does prefer snoozing on the couch all day, or maybe you have an intelligent dog who is suffering from a severe case of boredom and apathy.

* STIMULATE YOUR DOG’S WILD SIDE – Like humans, dogs respond to their environment. In the wild, your dog would be constantly on the move, seeing new places, smelling new scents and always watching for interesting or dangerous activity. How can you duplicate that at home? Just grab the leash and your jacket and the dog, of course, and head out for a walk.

Find new routes to travel, and allow time for your pet to really experience his environment. You need the exercise anyway, so consider this as opportunity to accomplish two important things at once.

* PUT YOUR PET TO WORK – Maybe you really don’t need your dog to fetch the newspaper for you or to carry your water bottle in its saddle bag, but your pet doesn’t know that. Learning how to perform duties for the “pack leader” is part of its ancestral instincts, and your dog will walk with its head higher if it knows it has a valuable place in your pack.

Performing hide and seek, search and rescue, hunting and retrieving, hauling or any other such activity will add interest to your dog’s day and relieve boredom. Imagine your dog later, by the fire, dreaming of a good day’s accomplishments.

* PROVIDE SOCIALIZATION – Just like most humans, most dogs enjoy meeting and interacting with others of their kind. Dog parks are ideal places for allowing your well-behaved pet to mingle and play for a while. If there are no facilities in the area, notice where other pet owners are walking their dogs and introduce yourself. Walking is always more fun in a group anyway.

* TALK TO YOUR DOG – Believe it or not, just conversing with your pet can provide mental stimulation and interest. Granted, your dog’s vocabulary is limited, but it will still enjoy your undivided attention. It is also possible to teach your dog more words than simple obedience commands. Building vocabulary together can be fun and a great way to show off your dog when company comes. By the way, did you know that dogs also enjoy music?

* THERE’S NO FREE TICKET – In the wild, every reward, which was usually food, comes after considerable effort. Teach your dog to work for its rewards in your home as well. Whether wanting attention or food, let your dog perform obedience commands before you reward. This not only reinforces good behavior but gives your pet a sense of purpose and accomplishment that translates into doggy happiness.

Your pet may not be the brightest dog on the block, but every family member will feel well-loved and content when meaningful activities are provided on a regular basis. Interact with your dog to keep its mind stimulated, and your pet will be more content, even when it needs to spend some of its day at home alone.

When Your Dog’s Begging Is a Problem

freddie — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:12:53 +0000

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

You may or may not know exactly when it happened, but at some point in time, you or some member of your family introduced your puppy to human food.

It may have involved sharing a snack with this irresistibly cute new member of the family, slipping an unwanted vegetable off the plate and under the table, letting the dog lick out a cup or clean off a plate, or offering a human food treat as a reward for good behavior.

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However it happened, your puppy was introduced to your food supply, and now craves it as much or more than you do. Begging is not a normal, instinctual behavior for dogs. In the wild, the alpha leader of the pack always eats first, followed by those in an accepted hierarchy. It’s just that simple, and everyone goes by the rules of nature.

However, when your puppy discovered that a soulful stare or whimper could elicit a food response from you and others, it fully accepted begging as a new, worthwhile behavior.

If the staring and whimpering do not seem to be working fast enough, your dog may resort to stronger, more annoying tactics such as whining, barking and pawing at you. Drooling is an involuntary response that often accompanies begging. Mealtimes can become chaotic as ordinarily well-mannered pets circle the table crying for food or quietly sit and stare into your very soul for just one tiny morsel, just one.

Unfortunately, we frail human beings tend to be inconsistent, and we vacillate between scolding the dog and then feeling guilty and offering something from our plate.

The message to the dog: Hang in there long enough, and you will eventually wear them down and get some of their food – they’ll actually reward you for your begging behavior. This is definitely not the message you want to send to your four-legged friend!

WHY BEGGING IS BAD

* Dogs that insist on being present during meals can be disruptive.

* Guests and visitors may be extremely uncomfortable when your dog tries to beg from them.

* Food and drinks can get spilled or knocked over, especially when served in the living room, family room or den.

* Who wants to unknowingly eat or drink after the family pet has been stealing from your plate or cup?

* Human food is not the normal healthy diet for a dog’s digestive system. Some foods, such as chocolate and raisins, can actually be poisonous to a dog.

* Dogs that are constantly offered human treats and leftovers tend to become overweight and suffer from obesity-related problems because their food portions are no longer being controlled.

HOW TO CONVINCE YOUR DOG TO STOP BEGGING

* Rule # 1 – Don’t let this bad behavior get started in the first place. Resist the temptation to reward your dog with human food treats.

* Rule # 2 – If it’s too late for Rule # 1, decide as a family that your beloved dog will never again taste human food, and stick to this religiously.

* Rule # 3 – Ignore all forms of begging presented by your pet. Don’t even address them in a corrective tone. Your dog will consider any attention as approval to continue.

* Rule # 4 – If at all possible, feed your dog at the same time as you eat and in another, separate room. If you can’t feed elsewhere, consider crating and ignoring your dog until the meal is over. You can also try giving the dog its favorite toys during times when you are eating or snacking.

* Rule # 5 – Teach your dog that it is not allowed to get uncomfortably close to the table or to people who may be eating elsewhere in the house or yard.

* Rule # 6 – Be patient and consistent. This is not an easy habit to break because your dog knows that food is the reward for begging. However, if you can be more strong-willed than your pet, you can eventually convince your pet that this behavior is no longer welcome.

The Causes of Scratching

freddie — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:42:47 +0000

Dogs scratch for any number of reasons. They generally do it to relieve a real itch – the result of an allergy, a flea bite, or an irritation that they might get from time spent out of the house in water, mud, or other irritants.

When your dog starts to itch, the easiest way to identify the source is to watch him and his other symptoms.

If you see dandruff, a dull coat with no oils, or constant sneezing, he is probably suffering from dry skin and allergies.

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If he starts developing red spots or sores, he may have a skin infection that can grow and actually make him ill. If this is the case, you need to see the vet immediately to get treatment for the infection.

Other possible sources might be neurological. A dog that spends far too much time licking and scratching and not enough time outside, getting exercise or enjoying the nice weather is highly likely to develop dry, itchy patches that will need treatment.

When to Worry About Scratching For the most part, you can ignore when a dog starts to scratch. However, when it becomes chronic, or any form of damage starts to appear as a result of their scratching, you need to rethink your allowance.

For example, if you see any sores start to open up or the dog gets particularly vicious in his scratching, think about taking a trip to the vet to see if there might be a deeper underlying cause for their issues.

A veterinarian will do a series of blood tests and checks on the dogs skin to make sure there are not serious diseases or problems related to their scratching. For example if they start bleeding or have swollen ears or other infections, it could be a deeper underlying issue that needs to be dealt with.

How to Stop Excess Scratching
There are a few ways to curb all that scratching. First up, try to treat any issues that may have developed as a result of infection or allergies. Get him tested and then get the necessary flea medications or antibiotics.

After treatment, you can curb further scratching by applying deterrents to the spots such as bitter apple or cayenne pepper. You can also tape it up so he cannot scratch the surface, and then use a cone of some sort that will keep him from getting to it.

If your dog scratches his neck every now and then, it’s just an itch. Don’t worry about it. However, if your dog sits and scratches endlessly at his back side or bites his leg for hours at a time, there is something at work that should be dealt with.

It could be fleas, an allergy or a neurological impulse to scratch for no good reason but that your dog is bored. Whatever the case, tackle it head on, and if you can’t get him to stop, see your vet to rule out any medical causes.

Obedience Training for Dogs – The Benefits of a Comprehensive Program

freddie — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:07:43 +0000

Many new pet owners fail to understand the importance of obedience training for dogs. Even the smartest dog in the world is not born with the knowledge of how humans want him to behave.

Dogs must be taught what is expected of them and what is unacceptable. While many owners are capable of giving their dog all the training that is required, not all of us are that lucky.

Anyone that is inexperienced with dog training should consider enrolling in a professional dog training class. These classes generally take place about once a week for a month to six weeks.

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Obedience classes are not just for dogs. Owners can also benefit from the instruction given by trained professionals. Obedience training teaches owners how to deliver commands and correct unwanted behavior. While the vast majority of dog training classes will be done with a group of owners and animals, it is possible to hire a trainer for a one on one session.

Most dogs will do just fine in a classroom environment, but dogs with severe problems may require a little more attention. The classroom environment provides both dogs and their owners with a chance to practice the skills they are learning repetitively.

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dog obedience training is only for large animals that can pose a danger. This is simply not true. Dogs of all sizes and ages can benefit from a comprehensive training program. Just because a small dog is less likely to cause physical harm to a person or animal does not mean that its behavior problems can be ignored.

Unfortunately, some owners tolerate behavior in small dogs because they think it is cute when, if a larger dog was doing the same thing, it would be seen as dangerous and unacceptable.

It is not just aggressive dogs that can benefit from obedience training for dogs. Whether a dog needs to learn to come when it is called, walk on a leash without pulling, or learn basic commands like sit and stay, obedience classes can prove very beneficial. Additionally, bad habits such as jumping on strangers, chewing on furniture, and even house training can all be addressed by obedience classes.

These classes are a great place for dogs to socialize with other animals and for pet owners to get acquainted with other individuals dealing with the same behavior issues. Perhaps the best thing about obedience classes is the fact that they are surprisingly affordable.

House Training a Dog – Tips for Success

freddie — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:04:42 +0000

House training a dog is not that different from house training a puppy in that both require the owner to have patience as their animal masters this new skill. Like humans, dogs prefer to live in a clean environment.

This means that a dog will prefer to relieve itself as far away from the area that it sleeps and lives in as possible. In this regard, teaching a dog to eliminate outdoors is in keeping with its natural instincts.

There are, of course, a few things the owner can do to help reinforce this behavior and encourage the dog to go outside.

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House training is much easier if a person understands that dogs generally like to eliminate after drinking or eating. This means that a dog should be taken outside as soon as it has finished its meal. This does not mean, however, that the dog will go as soon as it steps outside.

It may take time and the owner will have to patiently wait until the dog is finished. It is easier to get the dog on a regular schedule if it is given food and water at the same time each day. Allowing the dog to eat and drink whatever it wants throughout the day will make it more difficult to house train.

One thing that many people did not fully understand the past was that negative reinforcement did not make house training a dog easier. In fact, it had the exact opposite effect. A dog should be rewarded when it does what its owner wants rather than punished when it makes a mistake. It is fine to give the dog a firm “no” if it is caught relieving itself in doors, but rubbing the animals knows in the mess or striking it will only make the process more difficult.

Providing a crate for the dog to sleep in at night will also make the training much easier. As stated before, dogs will avoid relieving themselves were they sleep if at all possible. If the dog sleeps in a crate it will definitely not want to relieve itself in there. It is also good idea to avoid any food or water after about 7 PM.

A dog owner should also avoid changing the dog’s brand of food if possible since this can cause the dog to get an upset stomach which can easily lead to accidents. Finally, a dog owner should keep a close eye on the animal’s behavior. A dog that is sniffing around needs to go outside.

Aggressive Dog Training – How to Get Started

freddie — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:01:23 +0000

Aggressive dog training is something that many pet owners are reluctant to tackle on their own. Unfortunately, overly aggressive dogs are problematic not only for owners but for neighbors and children.

While it may be all but impossible to break a dog of its aggressive behavior in some cases, the vast majority of animals can be saved if a dog owner follows a few simple steps.

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There is no shortage of techniques available to an individual interested in curbing their dog’s aggressive behavior, but the one thing that virtually all methods have in common is the fact that aggression on the part of the owner will do nothing to rectify the situation.

The best time to counteract aggressive behavior is when the dog is still a puppy.Training aggressive dogs should begin as soon as possible since it becomes more difficult to stop once the animal is older. This means that is necessary for a dog owner to pay careful attention to how they play with their puppy.

Even a game as innocent as simple tug-of-war can allow a dog to exhibit aggressive behavior. This is especially true if the animal has a tendency to nip or bite during play.

During playtime with the puppy, the training may require little more than stopping the game as soon as the dog shows aggression. A puppy is much more in tune to what its owner is doing and since they look forward to playtime, they will quickly understand that aggressive behavior results in less fun.

It may also be necessary express to the dog that it has caused pain if it begins biting by yelping or exclaiming in some other manner. This is not unlike the way that dogs behave with one another. If a dog is injured during play it will yelp which lets the other animals know that it has been hurt.

A strong “no” can also curb unwanted behavior in a puppy. For older dogs, more extreme measures may be necessary during aggressive dog training. When the animal displays aggressive behavior, it may need to be locked up in a crate or kennel.

A kennel or crate works the best when the dog is unable to have any contact with the source of its aggression. It is not uncommon for a dog to growl and snap at the air viciously when a stranger passes by or another dog is near in spite of the fact the dog can actually cause any harm.

Dog aggression is something that must be dealt with immediately.

How to Crate Train a Puppy – Doing it the Right Way

freddie — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:42:26 +0000

Many dog owners do not understand why it is so important to properly crate train their puppy at an early age. The fact is, properly crate training a dog can actually save its life and make it a lot more comfortable. This is especially true for young dogs and puppies.

A puppy’s curious nature means that it is interested in sniffing and inspecting anything it can find. This can lead to a dog choking on a chicken bone, getting electrocuted by chewing on electrical cord, or even getting into household cleaners which can be deadly. This is why new pet owners need to learn how to crate train a puppy.

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Small dogs can quickly become overwhelmed by the world around them. They often feel much safer and more secure if they have a place to hide and call their own. It can also be dangerous to let a dog have too much freedom when no one is around to supervise.

It is also important to learn crate training because, odds are, at some point the dog will need to visit a veterinarian’s office, travel, or visit a groomer. These are all instances when the dog is likely to spend a fair amount of time in a crate or portable kennel.

Is important not to physically force the dog into a crate since its first experience should be a positive one. The dog can be lured into the crate with a treat or its favorite toy. Many individuals do not understand how to crate train in the proper way.

Forcing the dog and or using the crate as a punishment can leave the dog with negative feelings about the crate which will cause them to avoid it at all costs. Instead, the dog should see its crate as a safe and comfortable place to be.

Another important step during the crate training process is not lock the puppy or dog into the crate for extended periods of time in the beginning. It will take time for the dog to become accustomed to the idea of staying in a crate, whether this is overnight or during the day when its owners are out.

Once the dog is comfortable with its crate, the owner can then begin teaching the dog to go there on command. Owners who understand how to trade train a puppy generally tell the animal to “go to bed”, or simply call out “cage”, “crate”, or “kennel up” when they want their dog to go into its crate.

How To Potty Train a Dog – Doing it the Right Way

freddie — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:37:50 +0000

Understanding how to potty train a dog successfully can make the difference between a great experience with the new member of a family and what can seem like endless frustration.

Whether it is an older rescue dog or a brand-new puppy, there are a few tips and techniques that can help just about anyone train their dog to go to the bathroom outside rather than on the carpet.

The first thing that every owner should do is learn how to interpret their animal’s behavior. A dog will give subtle clues when it needs to go. For example, if the dog is sniffing around excessively it probably needs to go outside.

Once a dog is spotted sniffing around in a way that is different from his normal behavior, the owner should quickly carry or lead the dog outside. The longer the owner waits the greater chance that there will be an accident.

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Many dog owners make a crucial mistake at this point. Knowing how to potty train means understanding that the animal should be taken to the same place each time it goes outside. A dog that is being trained to eliminate outdoors should not be taken on long walks when it is time to go to the bathroom.

Once the dog is in the area that the owner has designated as its bathroom, the owner will have to patiently wait for the dog to do his thing. Depending on the animal, this can take some time. It is important not to try and rush the animal or put too much stress on him.

Dogs are excellent at reading subtle cues from their owners and an owner that is frustrated can easily stress out the dog. One thing that all trainers can agree on when it comes to teaching owners how to potty train a dog is that the animal must be praised once it has done the deed successfully.

Providing the dog with a crate to sleep in at night will reduce the number of nighttime accidents. Dogs will instinctively try their best to avoid relieving themselves where they sleep. Of course, younger dogs should still be taken out periodically during the night until they get the hang of going outside.

Many people that do not understand potty training make the mistake of punishing the animal when it has an accident indoors. Yelling at the dog, rubbing his nose in the mess he has made, or even striking the animal will make the process of potty training more difficult.

House Training a Puppy – A Few Simple Tips

freddie — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:34:47 +0000

House training a puppy is something that takes patience and kindness. Puppies do not come into this world with the knowledge that their owner’s carpet or beautiful hardwood floors are not the place to relieve themselves.

Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true methods to help just about any puppy quickly learn to avoid going indoors.

For new puppies, the best thing an owner can do is carefully watch their behavior when they are relieving themselves in order to make it easier to detect when the dog needs to go. It is always better to catch the dog before it goes rather than in the middle or after the fact.

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House training is easiest when the weather is cooperative. The owner of a new puppy will want to spend as much time outside with the dog as possible. In this way, the dog will begin to prefer eliminating outside rather than in the home.

It is especially important to take the dog outside after it is eaten, woken up, or finished playing. Many professional dog trainers recommend that a puppy be taken outside at least once every half-hour. This means that may be necessary to get up with the dog several times during the night to ensure that it does not go indoors.

Keeping the puppy in a crate or kennel is also a good way to discourage him from relieving himself indoors during the night. Since dogs are instinctively den animals, they will avoid eliminating where they sleep at all costs. If the dog becomes restless during the night, he should be picked up and taken outside immediately and the owner will have to wait until the dog is done.

Many puppies need to relieve themselves first thing in the morning. When house training it is best for the owner to pick the dog up and carry it outside to avoid any unwanted accidents while in route.

If the puppy is caught relieving himself indoors, a firm “no” is all that is needed. A dog owner should never strike the animal, rub his nose in the mess, or behave aggressively towards the dog for eliminating indoors. The goal is to teach the dog to relieve himself outside, not to teach him that it is always wrong to relieve himself.

Additionally, negative reinforcement during house training will teach the dog that it is wrong to eliminate when the owner is around, not that it is wrong to eliminate indoors. Following these simple steps will make house training a puppy a much easier experience.

Dog Aggression – Correcting it Immediately

freddie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:13:25 +0000

There are few things people love as much is a friendly, happy dog. A dog that exhibits aggressive behavior is another matter entirely.

Dog aggression is something that every pet owner should take seriously and correct as soon as their animal begins to exhibit any unwanted habits.

An aggressive dog can lead to injuries to other animals, children, and even adults and can put the owners at risk for lawsuits. Many owners look the other way if it is a small dog that is acting aggressively.

The truth is, regardless of the animal size, aggressiveness in dogs is dangerous for both the dog and people.

If a dog growls or snarls at its owner, it should be corrected immediately. The owner must speak firmly and reestablish dominance over the animal.

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Dogs, like wolves, are pack animals that follow a very clear leadership structure. If a dog is under the impression that it is the dominant animal in its pack then it will behave aggressively towards anyone and everyone else that encroaches on its turf. Aggressiveness with dogs is especially evident when strangers come to visit. A dog may become overly protective of its home and yard and react violently to intruders.

Of course, not all dog aggression is directed at humans. It is possible for a dog to be loving and friendly towards all people that it encounters but behave aggressively and violently towards other dogs. If an individual notices that one or more of his dogs is exhibiting signs of aggression at feeding time then it will be necessary to follow a few simple steps.

The easiest way to eliminate any aggression between dogs when it is time to eat is to feed each animal separately. Once the animals have finished eating, the owner should immediately remove the food bowls.

The best way to avoid aggression of any kind is to keep a dog well exercised. Dogs often become extremely territorial when they are bored or have too much pent-up energy. Taking the dog on a regular walks through the neighborhood so that it can become acquainted with the people and animals that live around it will help curb this unwanted behavior. Just like people, exercise also tends to wear a dog out.

They are less likely to behave aggressively if they simply do not have the energy for it. Whether it is a large dog or a small lapdog, aggression is something that must be stamped out as soon as possible.

Stop Dog Biting – Correcting Bad Behavior Early

freddie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:04:01 +0000

When a dog nips or bites, even when playing, it is a warning sign of possible future aggression problems.

It is important for owners to stop dog biting as soon as they notice it in order to avoid potential issues down the road. Even puppies can be trained that it is unacceptable to bite or nip at humans or other animals.

What makes biting such a difficult task to overcome is the fact that dogs explore with their mouths in much the same way as humans do with their hands. This means that an owner must put a stop to this instinctive, and sometimes innocent, problem before it gets out of hand.

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As with any other dog training technique, the methods used to stop biting require an owner to be consistent and patient. Whether it is a puppy or an adult dog, this behavior cannot be stopped within just a few hours. The dog will likely have to be corrected and the accepted behavior will have to be reinforced continuously until the dog understands what is expected from him.

If a dog bites when it is excited or during play, and owner may want to mimic the sound a dog makes when it is injured. This will inform the dog that it is causing harm.

Another good way to stop dog biting during play is to immediately remove whatever toys are being used and ignore the dog. This particular method is especially effective on puppies. When a dog is young there are few things that it enjoys more than playing with its owners.

If a puppy starts to bite or nip during play, the owner should remove the toy and immediately stop playing. This will reinforce to the animal that biting causes playtime to stop right away. The dog will quickly learn that if it wants to play, it will have to behave itself.

Since, as stated before, dogs explore with their mouths, it will be necessary for a dog owner to reinforce positive behavior. This will mean praising the dog when it licks or sniffs someone rather than biting. Because dog aggression is so dangerous, every owner, whether their animal is a puppy, a lapdog, or a large adult dog, should place a priority on correcting this potentially dangerous behavior.

It may not be easy to stop your dog from biting, but it is possible with patient and consistent training.

Training a Puppy – Avoiding Common Mistakes

freddie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:00:24 +0000

As cute and lovable as they are, training a puppy can be a difficult and frustrating task. One of the first mistakes that many new puppy owners make is failing to begin training as soon as the new puppy is home.

It is tempting to let a cute and clumsy puppy get away with everything in the beginning. This actually reinforces the bad behavior because the puppy does not learn what is expected of it.

Even a puppy as young as seven weeks old can begin to learn the difference between acceptable behavior and that which will not be tolerated.

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Another important thing to understand when puppytraining is that positive reinforcement works much better than negative reinforcement. It was not uncommon in the past for individuals to strike an animal or yell at it when it made a mistake. Even today, owners often rub a dogs nose in a mess when it relieves itself indoors.

This is the wrong way to teach the dog what kind of behavior is expected from it. Rewarding the animal when it obeys and does the right thing is a much more effective means of training. Positive reinforcement works whether the dog is being trained to come when it is called or to use the bathroom outside.

Another important part of training is socializing it with other people and animals early. Introducing a puppy to new experiences is one of the most entertaining parts of puppy ownership. Watching how the dog reacts to new people, new places, and new animals can be humorous and fun.

Most experts agree that a puppy is most accepting of new experiences when it is less than five months old. The older a dog gets, the more difficult it is to socialize at with other dogs, cats, and even people.

Crate training is another thing that should be done sooner rather than later. Some owners mistakenly believe that crate training an animal is cruel. In fact, the opposite is true. Puppies that are allowed to roam free are more likely to get injured or become sick from ingesting something dangerous like household chemicals.

An unsupervised puppy is also more likely to get loose and suffer an injury after being hit by a car or attacked by a larger animal. It is important when training a puppy to get it used to the idea of spending time in a crate during the night or when the owners are not around.

Dog Training Methods – Determining the Best Method for Your Dog

freddie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:53:18 +0000

There are almost as many dog training methods as there are breeds of dogs. Of course, not every method is as effective as the next and some simply do not work at all.

Additionally, different methods are available for different purposes. For instance, a dog being trained as a seeing-eye dog will require a different a different method than a family pet.

Likewise, a dog being trained to pull a sled will need a different type of training than what is used to prepare police dogs.

The biggest difference between modern methods of training dogs and those that were used a generation ago is a switch from negative to positive reinforcement.

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Before an individual can decide which training method is best for their animal and themselves, it will be necessary to understand exactly why dog training is so important. A well-trained dog will not put children, other animals, and property at risk.

A well-trained dog will also live a happier life since it is less likely to run away, get hit by a car, or get into dangerous chemicals and materials around the home. An important part of training will involve socializing the dog with children, strangers, and other animals.

It was not uncommon for many individuals to use methods that involve negative reinforcement in the past. That is, a dog owner might strike an animal or yell aggressively at the dog when it misbehaved or failed to follow a command. This method was especially popular when people were trying to house train an animal.

Owners would often rub the animal’s nose in the mess they had made after eliminating indoors. Rather than enforcing the idea that it was wrong to relieve itself in the house, the dog would learn that it should not eliminate in front of its owner.

Positive reinforcement, on the other hand is one of the training methods that reinforces good behavior rather than focusing on the animal’s mistakes. A popular form of positive reinforcement training is the use of clickers. When using this type of method, the owner or trainer will use a clicker to make a distinctive noise when the dog does something good.

The dog then learns to associate that particular sound with a reward. Another one of the dog training methods that is very popular is known as lure training. This method uses a lure such as a toy in order to teach the dog commands.

Advice on Puppy Training – Achieving a Well Trained Companion

freddie — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:29:44 +0000

There are many sources of advice on puppy training. One can buy various books and subscribe to numerous magazines to get the best tips and ideas. In reality though, training a puppy is in many ways similar to raising a baby.

Puppies have to be watched closely during their first weeks and even months of life. There are things you have to accept as being out of your control.

You have to put up cherished items while you train your puppy and you have to make allowances in your daily schedule to do things when the puppy needs them and not when you wish it.

It takes a lot of work to train a puppy, but the rewards are great, you will have a forever friend who won’t max out your credit card and can’t crash your car when they are older.

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One of the most important pieces of advice that one can get is to set up a schedule. Make a set time to do the things your pet needs done. If you set up routine times for feeding, walks, playing and many other things the puppy will begin to learn what to expect and attempt to act accordingly.

Animals in many ways are very routine oriented and if you adapt this in the training of your puppy things will progress for you and the puppy at a much faster rate.

Establish routines of what you wish the puppy to do when it is time for a walk, time to eat or time to sleep. You may want the puppy to sit and wait while you prepare his food, this is good because then he sees that food doesn’t just appear but that you are responsible for it. This helps in establishing your role as someone the puppy best pay attention to.

Walks are another way to establish who is leader. Make sure your puppy starts to learn the routine you set for going on walks. Making a puppy work for his rewards is helpful to them and makes the process much smoother for you.

The most valuable puppy training advice is to have patience. Puppy training does not happen overnight. It can be a slow process for even the most experienced trainers. It takes a great deal of hard work and patience to keep repeating the same steps over and over until the puppy understands what is expected of him.

Puppies are very smart, but they have their own unique personalities. Remember to be patient and eventually you will have a well trained companion.

Crate Training a Puppy – Creating a Den for Your Puppy

freddie — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:27:44 +0000

Many people are finding that crate training a puppy is a beneficial way to help their pet adapt to life. A crate is used to replace a dog’s natural inclination to find a den.

By using a crate the owner can create the den for the animal and with the addition of their toys and other items it can become a safe haven for the puppy to play, feed and sleep in.

Crates can also be beneficial in housetraining one’s puppy. For some owners who have puppies that seem to be into everything if it is handled correctly, the crate can offer them a safe place for their pet to be where he can’t harm anything or harm himself.

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One of the main ingredients in using crate training on a puppy is to do so with the right mind set. The crate needs to be used as a positive place for the puppy. One needs to avoid any negative actions or sounds that can be associated with the crate. The puppy needs to see this as their refuge from the world, where they can go and relax in a safe place.

It is important to keep this mindset at all times when one embarks on crate training. For a puppy this can be a warm and welcoming place where he can feel safe and secure that no one will bother him.

One of the main benefits in crate training a puppy is the ability to confine a pet until they learn to control their bladder and bowel control. As a rule, dogs do not like to urinate or defecate where they sleep. Therefore by keeping your puppy confined to his crate you gain some control over when and where he uses the toilet.

It is important that you take the puppy out for walks at regular times and that any accidents are cleaned up immediately. By using this technique it becomes easier to housetrain a puppy.

Many people think of crate training as being inhumane or cruel, they liken it to a jail and such. But when one properly crate trains a puppy nothing could be farther from the truth. Puppies thrive on a sense of safety and security, yet the world is large and it takes some time to get out and explore every bit of it.

There is a great deal for them that is unknown. It only makes sense that at times they would need a place, like a den, where things are always the same, and they know they can be safe and secure.

Stop Puppy from Digging – Giving Puppies a Better Outlet than Digging

freddie — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:24:36 +0000

For many puppy owners digging can quickly become a problem. For most dogs the instinct to dig is bred right into their make-up. It can be difficult to stop a puppy from digging, but it can be done.

The first thing you need to do is try to figure out what the puppy is digging for. Is it boredom, to cool off, to bury bones, trying to escape or do they just dig because it is fun? The reason the puppy is digging can affect the way he is taught not to dig.

Many puppies dig to amuse themselves. When this occurs, the best thing to do is ignore the digging and find a distraction. Find toys for them to play with, become active in playing with them or take them for a walk. There is no need to scream or shout at them, simply remove them from the situation and get their attention focused elsewhere.

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Give them lots of praise when they are playing, showing that digging gets you nothing, but playing like “this” gets you love and praise. This may seem too easy, but you have to remember that puppies are just young and they have a lot of curiosity and energy to explore with. It is up to their owners to make sure they find the appropriate ways to explore.

Many unwanted behaviors can happen due to puppies being bored and digging can be one of them. If you are gone all day and leave the puppy outside to his own devices, then digging may be what he comes up with. To stop puppy digging due to boredom, you need to find things for him to do while you are out. Toys that hide treats or food in them are a good way to keep him distracted.

There are many quite challenging ones available and they will give the puppy something to search for and “dig” for. In this way you are controlling his natural tendencies in a way that you can deal with.

Walks are imperative to stop a puppy from digging. On a walk he can get the mental stimulation and physical activity that he may be trying to satisfy by digging up your yard. Taking him on several walks may be the release he needs.

Another factor can be the puppy’s diet. Many puppy foods rely heavily on fillers and this can cause hyperactivity in a puppy. It may be that you need to switch to a better puppy food one that relies on protein as its base instead.

Stop Puppies from Biting – Acting Like a Momma Dog

freddie — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:33:36 +0000

For puppies biting and mouthing is a natural part of their development. They do this with their mother and their brothers and sisters when they are quite young.

They also go through it while they are teething, the problem can be when they do not grow out of it or if they are biting in aggression. It is one of the most important issues in training but everyone must know how to stop puppies from biting.

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When a puppy is with their mother, she has her own style on how to stop puppies from biting. When a mother dog doesn’t like the way their pup is treating them they yap at them and generally stop the play. As a surrogate mother or father to your puppy, you must do the same. So if while playing with your puppy he decides to nip at your hand rather than the cute toy you are holding, yelp or make some kind of noise and walk away. Refuse to play.

Eventually your puppy will catch on that the fun times stop the minute he uses his teeth. The important thing is to be consistent with this. Don’t allow biting as part of the play sometimes and then decide it isn’t okay later on. You must send clear messages to your puppy on what is okay and what is not.

Another way to help stop puppy from biting is to be careful of the games you play with him. Some games such as tug of war, chase or tackle type games cause the puppy to want to bite. It is important not to send mixed messages by playing these bite provoking games and then being upset when the puppy actually bites.

As with most unwanted behaviors that puppies can develop, a lot has to do with how you take care of your puppy. A new puppy requires a good deal of time spent walking them, training them, being with them and teaching them right from wrong. You puppy will pick up signs from you.

In order to make sure they read you correctly you must spend time showing them what is acceptable and what is not. Not only do puppies need to spend time with you learning, but they need physical exercise to burn off the tremendous amount of energy they seem to have.

By giving them constructive ways to use their energy, such as walks you accomplish many things. They learn you are the leader, they get a chance to explore and they learn what is acceptable and what is not.

Puppy Training Biting – Using Litter Techniques to Stop Biting

freddie — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:22:24 +0000

When one first gets a puppy it seems that everything the puppy does is cute. They are little bundles of energy running around the room.

They run, they jump, they bark, they play and they nip at you. It all is so cute, at least for now it is. Wait until the puppy is grown into a 50 pound dog and is running around, jumping, barking, playing and biting you, then see if you still think it is cute.

Most people agree that no one wants to be bitten by a 50 pound dog, but the time to prevent that is when the dog is still a puppy, and you can add to your puppy training, biting prevention.

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Dogs are born in litters and a good deal of their learning comes from their mother and other litter mates. The problem is that we have a tendency to remove puppies from this environment before they have learned some of the skills they really need to have. For this reason when we embark on puppy training, biting prevention has to be included.

In the litter the mother dog and other litter members would teach a puppy when it is okay to bite and when it is not. They also would keep the puppy in check on what is going “too far” and what is okay. These are not always easy lessons for a puppy to learn, but they learn them and they do so quickly.

As a sort of surrogate family to your puppy it is up to you to include in your puppy training – biting prevention. Since you can’t be a litter mate, you must act as a surrogate mother. If you watch mothers with their puppies at the very instant the puppy does something wrong, the mother lets him know it.

Generally with a yelp, a bark or some form of verbal communication. This is generally followed by a show of disinterest in the prior activity. It is this technique that we need to emulate in order to deal with puppies who want to nip or bite.

Generally a loud yelp or noise followed by walking away from the puppy is all it takes for the puppy to realize something is wrong. It may take several times, but puppies are smart and they catch on to what is going on and will learn not to make the same mistake again. This is one way you can use puppy training for biting prevention.