Archive for August, 2009
Clicker Training For Fun & Games (3)
Posted by: | Comments"To The Mat"
Wouldn't it be nice if your puppy would go to its mat and lie down nicely on cue? It can happen, and once you've taught this behavior you can use it in many ways. For instance, you can place the mat wherever you need the puppy to go - in the car, in a crate or simply away from people who don't want a puppy jumping on them.
The last clicker training class I went to taught me just how to do this lesson. The trick is to teach puppies that hanging out on the mat is a good thing. Here's how:
1) First, place the mat on the floor in front of the puppy. You have to be ready to click right away because most puppies will investigate anything new. When the puppy comes to sniff at the mat, click and treat. It's best if you let your puppy come back to you for the treat, so it can have practice going to the mat again and again.
2) Next, don't just click for a sniff or the mat. Wait - the puppy should try to figure out what comes next. If the puppy comes to you, ignore it. When the puppy tries something else, such as actually touching the mat with its nose or putting a foot on the mat, click and treat again. Click anything that gets the dog engaged in the game that this particular item on the floor has importance.
3) Gradually click each new step, clicking as the puppy gets closer to the mat, ignoring the puppy as it gets further away. If the puppy isn't touching the mat, height can help. A dog bed works better than, for example, a flat towel.
You can also lure the puppy toward the mat with a treat, then click when the pup steps on th mat. You want the puppy to understand that you want its feet on the mat. For many puppies, this only takes a few minutes, but some may take several sessions.
4) Once the puppy is standing on the mat, the next step is to ask for a sit. When the dog sits, either on your cue or on its own, click and treat.
5) Finally, attach a cue. Make sure that what the dog is doing is firmly in the dog's mind before attaching a verbal cue like "mat" or "bed." Practice until the puppy goes to the mat and sits on cue.
Dog Health – Hip & Elbow Dysplasia, Keep Your Dog’s
Posted by: | CommentsDog Health - Hip & Elbow Dysplasia, Keep Your Dog's Condition From Getting Worse
It is quite common for puppies to have genetically acquired hip dysplasia and/or elbow dysplasia. Unfortunately, these are the results of improper breeding, and with the huge amount of puppies being born each year from people that are not dog breeding professionals, you may come across a puppy with these conditions often.
Elbow and hip dysplasia are essentially the same thing, except where the problem occurs, one being in the hip joint and the other being in the elbow joint. In normal dog growth, the femur head is supposed to grow into the joint socket and then be able to rotate freely around as a puppy moves. Dysplasia occurs when the femoral head grows outward and when the bone thickens, there is a gap left in the front. This gap unfortunately causes slight falls in motion, which induces high levels of discomfort and makes a dog's walking and running unstable.
If your puppy has been diagnosed as having hip or elbow dysplasia, there are a few ways in which you can make his life a lot more comfortable. Below are some pointers to help guide you along:
1. For starters, look to the future and avoid passing this genetic disorder on. This can be accomplished with the simple procedure of neutering your dog.
2. Think twice before supplementing your dog's diet with calcium. Calcium may create deposits in the bone area that is causing the problem in the first place. The best thing to do if you wish to add extra vitamins and minerals to your puppy's diet is to talk with your veterinarian for his advice and suggestions.
3. Feeding your dog too much food in high amounts of calories may cause him to grow at a faster rate. This can cause the disorder to become highly aggravated. Simply feed your dog a balanced diet and try to avoid inducing growth spurts with too much food and protein.
4. Help cushion your dog's walking by laying carpet in your house and in as many areas as you can. By adding a layer of softness to hard floors, the pain your dog feels will be diminished significantly.
5. Do not encourage fast pace running or jogging from your dog. Although hitting the great outdoors and taking long strides through nature can be a fun way to bond with your pet, you are only doing him a disservice when the disorder of hip dysplasia is prevalent. His joints can become inflamed and induce pain and irritability.
Boxer Dog Breed
Posted by: | CommentsThe Boxer is considered to be an all-time favorite breed among dog enthusiasts. They were formed as a result of breeding two specific European breeds that no longer exist today. They were the Danziger Bullenbeiser and the Brabenter Bullenbeiser. The AKC recognized the Boxer during the early 1900s.
This dog has a very outgoing personality, playful, and attentive to its owners and training commands. The Boxer makes a perfect addition to a family who enjoys an active lifestyle. They are generally well behaved with other household pets and are friendly towards children.
Upkeep And Maintenance
The Boxer is not a breed that is meant to be kept indoors without activity. He needs daily stimulation, both mentally and physically, and enjoys running. This dog would make a great jogging companion and must be active through daily walks on the leash.
Boxers are best suited for living indoors with their family. Hot weather is not this dogs best preference in terms of temperature. He prefers a cooler atmosphere so if you keep your Boxer outdoors for any length of time, be sure that there is plenty of shaded area for him to rest when overheated.
Grooming is very simple with the Boxer. Due to his short coat, you'll only need an occasional brushing once weekly in order to remove dead hairs.
Health Information
The Boxer dog breed has an average life span of anywhere between eight to ten years. Veterinarians recommend that Boxer dog owners have their animals specifically tested for health issues such as hip dysplasia, cardiac issues, and potential thyroid problems.
There are a few major health concerns that seem to be typical with the Boxer breed, and they are SAS, CHD, and Boxer cardiomyopathy. Minor concerns include corneal erosion, gastric torsion, hypothyroidism, and colitis. Occasionally, the Boxer dog breed may develop brain tumors or degenerative myelopathy.
How Puppies Learn The Human Language
Posted by: | CommentsLearning comes simply and naturally when you teach puppies to associate certain words and behaviors. That's where talking to them and spending lots of time with them come in. Dogs are capable of learning an extensive vocabulary simply by watching and listening to you.
For instance, your puppy will quickly learn that when you put on a certain pair of shoes, it's time for a walk. The pup is primed to respond to you, so teach a phrase to to go along with the action, such as "Let's go for a walk," or "Let's go for a car ride."
When you see your puppy performing an action that you want it to learn to do on command - sit, down, come or dance - give it a name. Every time you see your puppy sitting, even if you didn't tell it to, say "good sit." Do the same thing if you see it lying down, chewing on a toy, coming toward you or not barking. It won't take long before you can say "sit" or "down" and have your pup respond correctly.
According to psychologists, this is called contiguity learning, meaning the word comes to be a symbol of the action in the dog's mind. Basically, it's a fancy phrase for learning-by-doing.
Contiguity learning, ratcheted up a notch, is perfect for housetraining. Say you have a dog that cannot seem to learn that pottying in the house isn't permitted, no matter how much you praise it when it goes outside. Gain the dog's attention by going a step beyond praise as it potties. Give one click with a clicker, snap your fingers or jingle your keys as the pup potties (choose a single sound to use). Then give praise and a treat. The sensory addition of sound and taste can sometimes be just enough motivation to get your point across and make it stick.
4 Common Mistakes To Avoid
It's easy to inadvertently encourage puppy behavior problems or make them worse. Here are some ways new puppy owners can become their own worst enemies:
1) Giving a puppy too much freedom too soon.
2) Allowing misbehavior to become a habit.
3) Letting a puppy think it's the one in charge.
4) Refusing to use a crate because it seems cruel.
Like children, puppies need structure and rules; praise when they do right corrections when they make a mistake; and a place they can go to feel safe. By showing your puppy what you want, keeping it on a schedule, rewarding it for good behavior, and providing a crate or safe room where it can stay when you can't supervise - thus preventing destructive behavior - you'll give it the framework it needs to become a super companion.
Distemper: A Detailed Explanation Of The Disease (Part 3)
Posted by: | CommentsThere are four types of vaccines for the prevention of distemper: Serum, Killed Vaccine, Modified Live Vaccine (MLV), and Measles Vaccine.
Serum
Not actually a vaccine, this is a portion of the blood taken from dogs with immunity to distemper. It does not stimulate an immune response and its longevity after injection is relatively short, about a few days. It is a rapid source of antibodies and the advantage is immediate protection. The disadvantage is its short duration and interference with vaccine. It is not usually used in a vaccination program but rather in situations such as pet shops, pounds, etc., where immediate protection is necessary.
Killed Vaccine
This is produced by growing the distemper virus in the laboratory and then destroying it carefully. The end result is a virus particle which will not reproduce or cause disease, but still acts as an antigen and stimulates immunity (antibody production). The major disadvantage is that a fixed amount of virus particles is injected into the dog, which limits the intensity of the antibody response.
Modified Live Vaccine (MLV)
The process for producing this type of vaccine involves growing the virus in the laboratory under conditions that render it harmless, but do not kill it. When this vaccine is injected, it has the ability to multiply in the body, but yet it will not cause disease. This provides a vast source of antigen and an abundance of antibody.
The duration and height of protection with this type of vaccine is excellent. It is presently the vaccine of choice for permanent distemper protection. Canine hepatitis and leptospirosis are often combined with MLV distemper vaccines. Care must be taken in the production and handling of this vaccine.
Measles Vaccine
The viruses which cause canine distemper, rinderpest of cattle, and human measles are all similar antigens. The measles virus when injected into the dog will stimulate antibody product which will protect the dog from distemper. The advantage of this drug is that distemper antibodies given to a young puppy through the female's milk will not attack measles virus, whereas they will attack distemper vaccines.
The result is that very young pups (3 to 4 weeks old) can be vaccinated and develop some permanent immunity. There is still controversy among many authorities as to the value of the measles vaccine in a vaccination program.
Shopping From A Breeder (3): The Large Professional Breeder (Part
Posted by: | CommentsShopping From A Breeder (3): The Large Professional Breeder (Part 2)
Large professional breeders are able to supply you with an amazing amount of detailed information on the dog that interests you. In addition to pedigree information, an exercise and diet program specific to that breed, and records of behavior through the bloodline, you will also receive a health record showing the dates that the puppy received his inoculations, what type, and how many more are needed.
Registration papers are also provided, along with instructions on how to properly submit them to the American Kennel Club so that your new puppy becomes registered with his new name, the name that you have selected for him.
Large Professional Breeders Will Work With You Easily On Any Problems
There are instances when a dog will develop a congenital illness. The dreaded hip dysplasia in may of the medium and large-sized breeds and progressive retina disease found in Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs are two problems which can occasionally slip by even the most cautious professional breeder.
If by chance your new puppy does develop such an inherited defect, the large kennel is normally in a position to make necessary adjustments. This is usually accomplished by refunding your money or providing you with another selection. Not that it eases the hurt of losing perhaps the pup you fell in love with, but it helps to know that the intentions of the breeder are honorable. It wold be wise to reach such an understanding before your purchase is made.
1st Class Travel Arrangements & The Utmost In Care For Your New Puppy
Because the kennel is large and there is usually ample space, many breeders will be in a position to provide you with the unparalleled service of boarding your dog with someone you trust. Facilities for grooming might also be available and this comes in very handy, especially for those dogs who need fancy stripping and clipping.
Many kennels will refuse to ship a puppy by air, while others will ship only when driving distances are too lengthly. Some have been known to deliver a puppy personally, and others will use the airlines claiming that they have had no problems with air travel safety.
If you decide to purchase your puppy from a professional breeder outside of your immediate area, your correspondence with that breeder should include which sex you prefer your new puppy to be, the color you would like, and whether you want pet, breeding, or show prospect stock.
Dogs Parks (USA) – Part 1
Posted by: | CommentsBeautiful parks, specifically created for the enjoyment of dogs to roam around off their leash and play with their other canine friends, is becoming more and more popular in the United States.
There is at least one dog park in almost every major city across America and and if there is not one in your neighborhood yet, just wait, they are being built by leaps and bounds! To give you an idea of just how popular they are becoming, the following dog parks won awards for their unique blend of entertainment for both dogs and their owners:
Bear Dog Park: Best Dog Park For Small Dogs
Most dog parks are loaded with medium to large-sized dogs running at fast speeds, playing with each other, and romping through the dirt. Unfortunately for smaller sized dogs, like Chihuahuas or Miniature Pinscher dogs, these areas can be a bit intimidating and too rough for the little guys. Bear Dog Park was built with these little canines in mind.
Located in Roseville, California, Bear Park has a special area fenced in for small dogs only. The entire space measures almost 1 acre of land that has a walking trail around the perimeter. There is even lighting fixtures and doggie showers for nighttime fun. The address for Bear Dog Park is 1575 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA.
Alum Creek Dog Park: Best Artificial Beach Built For Dogs
Located just a few minutes from the capital city of Columbus, Alum Creek Dog Park proves that you do not need to travel to the ocean or live near a big lake for your dog to have fun in the water.
Alum Creek Dog Park sits on land that is four acres in size, right alongside a large reservoir from Alum Creek State Park. The outdoor atmosphere is simply serene, with gently rolling fields and forest areas that provide plenty of recreational activities for dogs and their owners.
The dog "beach" itself was built for the sole purpose of entertaining dogs that love water. The area as a rock bed that gradually disappears into the cool, crisp water that just beckons each dog to take a swim. Alum Creek Dog Park is located at 3615 S. Old State Road, Lewis Center, Ohio.
Warren G. Magnuson Dog Park: Best Exercise Trial Area For Dogs
Although Seattle is known for its heavy rains and wet atmosphere, that doesn't stop thousands of dogs and their owners from taking a fun trip to Warren G. Magnuson Dog Park. This park is located alongside the shores of Lake Washington.
There are plenty of open areas for each dog to roam free, but its best features are the winding trails and footpaths that are roped around this hugeʼn-acre dog park. Every trail was created with the rainy weather in mind. They are composed of highly compact gravel which keeps blocks the path from becoming muddy. The trails are even accessible by wheelchair. The Warren G. Magnuson Dog Park can be found at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA.
Dog Travel: Helpful Tips While Traveling With Your Dog
Posted by: | CommentsTo ensure fun, stress-free travel with your canine pal, follow these 5 simple tips:
1. With experience, most dogs get over the tendency to become sick when riding in a moving vehicle. However, some will almost always get queasy. In such cases, you should ask your veterinarian to prescribe a motion sickness pill or a sedative.
2. Do not try to sneak your dog into a motel or hotel. If you are caught doing this, you will just make it very hard for people with dogs who come along after you. There are many great places that accommodate well-behaved dogs. An extensive directory of motels and hotels that accommodates pets can be obtained online or from your preferred travel agency.
3. When aboard trains, dogs are usually permitted in private room spaces, sleepers, or parlor cars - so long as they are kept either in a carrier or leashed up (muzzled in some cases). Otherwise, on most trains, dogs have to ride in the baggage car, where owners are permitted to look after them.
4. Major passenger airlines carry dogs to foreign countries or across the country. If you are traveling by ship, you'll be glad to know that many ocean liners provide private cabin-like areas for canine passengers. For an added touch of luxury while traveling by sea, there may also be trained attendants on hand to feed, groom, and even play with them.
5. When shipping a dog, it will be necessary to make arrangements with the ship line, airline, or railway express. Some airlines use their own crates while others have them available for rent. The crate must be large enough to permit the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. The crate should also have enough room for your dog's water and/or food bowl. And, depending on the length of travel, the following should be printed on the crate and on a tag attached to the dog's collar: your name and address, the dog's place of destination, and his "call command" name. Any instructions for attendants should also be clearly printed on the crate.
Final Dog Travel Tip
Finally, keep in mind that no matter which method you choose to go by, whether by car, by sea, or by air, your fellow travelers will happily accept your dog's company if he behaves like a "lady" or a "gentleman."
More than likely, a well-trained dog who does not cause serious problems at home - as the result of proper training and loving care - will be a pleasure to travel with as well.
Dogs & Babies – 3 Ways To Help Your Puppy
Posted by: | CommentsDogs & Babies - 3 Ways To Help Your Puppy Adjust To Your Newborn Baby
Are you having a new baby soon? Congratulations! Bringing a brand new son or daughter into this world is one of life's greatest pleasures. Your baby is going to make a life-changing addition to your house.
And when you already have a "little one" running around then you need to prepare him for the arrival of the new family member. Yes, the "little one" that I am referring to is your puppy. Many dog owners forget to take the necessary steps needed to help their puppy adjust to having someone else in the house that will get more attention than they are getting. Here are a few ways to help you prepare:
1. The most important thing that you can do is to allow your pup the opportunity to socialize with small children inside your house. While this may not be practical for some people, the idea here is to have small toddlers and children introduced into the house so that your puppy can understand that these little people are friendly and he has no reason to feel defensive or insecure.
Have your friends who have children come over and play with your dog in the house. If your puppy seems a little aggressive at first, a great way to help them adjust is to allow the children to carry dog treats in their hands so that the puppy can associate the treat to a child as being something positive. This will help relieve tension for the dog when your new baby arrives.
2. Dogs thrive on repetitive schedules. Your puppy is the same way. If you have gone through the same routine on a daily basis with your puppy as far as feeding times, exercise times, play times, etc. then you need to realize that the schedule may suddenly change when your new baby is born. This sudden shift in the daily routine can prove to be alarming to your puppy, especially with the addition of a new person in the house that is getting all the attention.
A few weeks before the baby is due, start changing up the daily routine so your puppy can get used to it. Perhaps change around his feeding times. Exercise with your puppy at different times each day. Maybe take a nap unexpectedly in the room in which your baby will be sleeping. Although doing these things may sound strange, you will understand the benefit that it has upon your puppy when your schedule is personally thrown way off guard due to taking care of the responsibilities of a new baby. This will help your puppy to not be so alarmed when you are doing different things each day.
3. Immediately stop any games that you play with your puppy which are on the aggressive side. For example, most dog owners love to play tug-of-war with their dogs, or play-wrestle. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these dog games and you should continue them in the near future. However, it doesn't take much common sense to understand that your dog may view the new baby as a toy which he wants to play these same aggressive games with. Let's not have that happen!
City Dog Housetraining (Part 2): Graduating From Paper Training To
Posted by: | CommentsCity Dog Housetraining (Part 2): Graduating From Paper Training To Pottying Outside
Paper training is the best option for those of you enjoying the big city lifestyle, but living in close quarters inside a plush apartment. It just works, and works well. But once your pup is going to the bathroom on the paper pile each and every time, shouldn't you move onto training him to go outside?
Some people may choose to allow their dogs to go on papers for a longer time. For a small dog you can absolutely use paper training on a permanent basis. In fact, when you teach a pup to use the papers on cue, it makes traveling outside the home much easier.
Determine up front whether having your dog potty inside will be acceptable for the life of your dog before you commit to litter boxes and pee pads, because sustained use is often difficult to alter down the road.
High-rise puppies can develop a surface preference very early on. They usually prefer porous surfaces, such as carpets, rugs and beds. And if a puppy doesn't like the surface, he's not going to want to use it as a toilet.
Be careful what you train on. One little Toy American Eskimo had been trained by his breeder to go on bed sheets. The breeder didn't want the pups (which have nice white, fluffy coats) to get newsprint on themselves. And laundry became a mess; the pup was going on anything fabric - beds, laundry, furniture. They owners had to completely redo the training, which is a hundred times harder than starting from scratch.
The best advice is to make the effort to teach your puppy to go potty on lots of different surfaces, including concrete, grass, gravel, dirt, and even sawdust.
Outdoor Etiquette
After paper training, it's time to start more in-depth outdoor housetraining, if you want to use this method. Outdoor housetraining sounds easy, right? But when you live in an apartment building, how do you finagle your pup into the hallway, down the elevator or stairs, and across the lobby without having him relieve himself inside?
The time factor is a problem. Bringing a puppy down 10 floors in an elevator when he has to go NOW is going to be difficult. The less convenient the toilet is to get to, the more difficult it may be to housetrain your pup.
Here's the key: Immediately upon taking your pup out of the crate, pick him up and carry him out to the street. An airborne pup is much less likely to eliminate, unless his bladder is really full.
For small or medium-sized pups, keeping his feet off the ground is a breeze. For larger puppies or less-muscular owners, you might want to use dog or baby carry packs to haul your pet.
Hi! I'm Jamie and this is my site about dogs.
