Posted on Sep 08, 2009 under dog leash training |
What is the purpose of dog leash training? To me, the goal is to eventually produce a dog that you don’t need to have on a leash. When you tell the dog to do something he does it if he understands what you want, and tries to figure out what you want if he doesn’t. He’s happy and relaxed while he is working. His tail wags, his eyes are bright and his head is high. That’s the goal, and it all starts with proper leash training.
To illustrate this let me tell you a story about my dog Salladin. He was a Norwegion Elkhound/Spitz who brightened our lives for fifteen years and he had achieved the point of training development that I’m talking about. The only time we put him on a leash was when he was being introduced to a new situation or when outside rules demanded it. Otherwise, he was always just there trotting along beside us or lying at our feet while we had coffee.
When we moved to Maple Ridge we joined a housing co-op that allowed dogs. One of the regulations stipulated that all dogs had to on-leash in the building. So we walked Salladin all over the place without a leash and only hooked him up when we entered the building. This attracted a lot of attention and about a year after we moved in the board rewrote the rule to read: all dogs must be on a leash in the building, except for Salladin. True story.
Salladin didn’t start out that way though. He chewed things and pissed on the floor. He was defiant. He was also quite the little escape artist who could find his way through, over or around almost any fence when it was time for him to go out and roam the city. Over the years we managed to build a relationship with him where we were in charge and he was happy to comply with our wishes, but it took a long time and his spirit and intelligence remained intact.
There was a lot more involved in this process than just leash training, but basic dog leash training was a vital part of it. Salladin is gone now and we’ve started the process over again with a Westie. She’s only ten months old and because she is such a high energy breed we think she’s quite a handfull. The strange thing is that other people think she is amazingly well behaved. People have even stopped their cars to comment on how nicely she walks when we’re out. To me, this is more an indication of how low the bar is generally set than how great my dog is. We still have a lot of work to do.
The goal of this blog is to help you establish the relationship you want with your dog. I’ll be talking about the equipment you need to accomplish this in the next post. For now, try to construct a vision of the way you want your dog to be. If you can, spend some time with people who are successful with their dogs to give some reality to the process. Spend some time thinking about some basic goals you would like to accomplish so you know whether you are on the right track. Drop in again in a couple of days and we’ll discuss what kind of leash and collar you need to establish communication with your dog.
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Posted on Aug 27, 2010 under Uncategorized |
If you are pondering buying a pet fountain , you definitely have your pet’s best interests at heart. That is because there are real, proven benefits to your pet’s health that come if you allow them access to moving water. Simultaneously, these popular pet accessories make your life less complicated so it really is a win win situation.
You might think it is just a sales pitch when you are told that a fountain for your pet might make him healthier. But one thing different in this case is that the sales pitch really is true. You see, animals do not naturally drink from stagnant water. They search out moving water because their instincts tell them that flowing water is in all probability cleaner and fresher to drink. An additional thing that can’t be ignored is that our pets find moving water fascinating compared to water sitting in a bowl. It is a fact that when an animal is given a fountain to drink from, that pet will take in more water and be better hydrated. The overall health benefits can’t be denied.
Cats especially suffer from a high number of urinary tract problems as well as kidney problems, so keep that in mind when choosing your cat water fountain. The biggest single reason these health issues happen is our pets don’t drink enough water. It goes back to the plain truth that when we can get our pets to take in additional water, it is virtually a guarantee that they will be in better health.
There are numerous options in the pet fountains for sale these days, so it may take a bit of investigation in order to know which one is right for you and your pet. The right way to make your choice is to first narrow down your choices to two or three, then examine these further. If you have a cat, it is strongly recommended that you steer clear of the plastic models as cats are known to catch a skin condition if exposed to bacteria that can grow pretty easily on the surface of plastic. Instead, look for one of the stainless steel or ceramic fountains that are available. If you have a large dog, you can’t go wrong with something like the Dog It Fresh And Clear Large Dog Fountain.
Nearly all fountains operate the same way. A submersible pump is used in order to move the water through a charcoal filtration system then up through some type of fountain. This could look a bit like a drinking fountain spout, or possibly have water that runs down a ramp or sphere. Every company has their own style for exactly how the water flows through and comes out of the fountain.
If you plan to place the fountain in the bedroom or else any other low traffic area, you can purchase just about any fountain that can be found. But if it is going to be in a more noticeable area you may want to look at a pet fountain that looks as if it is not out of place the surrounding area. Think about the ceramic fountains, as well as the stainless options, since they are by far the best looking of all.
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Posted on Aug 15, 2010 under Uncategorized |
Observant readers may have noticed a new button at the top of the page labeled listen now. This is a new service we are providing. Click the button and you can listen to a podcast of the article you are viewing.
Podcasts from this site are also available on Podcastalley.com.
My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-2ce6458cde23c1507adddb647d209389}
Posted on Aug 13, 2010 under Guest Post |
A kennel is referred to as any place where a dog is kept. It can be indoor or outdoor dog kennels. Large dog kennels for large dogs are generally kept outside for obvious reasons. Choosing the right kennel for your dog can be a difficult task, but hopefully this article can help you.
Not only does a dog kennel need to be comfortable for your dog, it also needs to be built from strong materials that can withstand a lot of abuse, or a severe environment if that’s the kind of area you live in. Also be aware of the materials especially if your dog likes to chew on things a lot – he might chew up the kennel! Cedar wood might be a good choice. You can also choose prefabricated dog kennels if you choose not to build one from scratch.
It’s also always a good idea to very carefully inspect the type of gate closure that a kennel uses before you buy it. Big dogs can be clumsy and don’t really know their own strength, so they tend to break things without meaning to. So, the locking device must be a able to withstand some abuse from your dog. The fencing must also be firmly connected to the frame of the kennel, otherwise it might come undone and injure your dog or let him escape.
It’s also important to secure the kennel to the ground or some other solid structure, especially with large dogs. Some kennels are heavy enough that this is not necessary, but this is not always the case. You must take special care to ensure that it cannot move or fall over, especially when the dog is moving around inside or around it.
Be sure to train your dog in the use of his new kennel before expecting him to live happily inside it.
For the inside of the kennel, you can use wood chips, pillows or blankets inside to keep your dog warm, dry and comfortable.
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Posted on Aug 09, 2010 under Guest Post |
For many years I used to look at people who had little dogs that were wearing cute little dog clothes and wish that I had one of my own. I have always had dogs in my life but I’ve never had one that I can put dog clothing on. Growing up, we always had hunting dogs and dad wouldn’t have any part of his hunting dog being dressed up in a cute little dog outfits. One time when I was little, I painted my Dad’s hunting dogs toenails pink. I never heard the end of that one. Dad just didn’t see things the same way I did and the subject of putting clothes on the dog only came up once. That’s all it took for me to learn my lesson that that particular subject was off limits.
When I grew up, one of the first things I did after graduating from college was to buy a cute little Yorkshire Terrier. It was my graduation present to myself and after all of the trouble that it took me to get through college, I think I deserved it. Shortly after buying the dog, the very first trip we made was to the pet store to pick out some dog clothes. I proudly took my puppy into the store and couldn’t have been any more proud if I would’ve given birth to her myself. I must have spent two or three hours looking at all the dog clothes and trying to pick out the perfect outfits for her.
I think that I must have spent about $200 that day on dog clothing. Yorkshire Terriers are tiny dogs so there weren’t many outfits that fit her right but I pinned them up anyway and she eventually grew into them. I think my dog must have the largest wardrobe of any dog out there. Some people say I spoil her but if I have to be completely honest, I’m really spoiling myself by indulging my childhood dreams of playing dress up with my dog.
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Posted on Jul 26, 2010 under Guest Post |
Pets are the most lovable species to take care of. Many homeowners have pets for them to care and love. An example of a pet is the dog. Dogs are man’s best friend, they are very adorable and loving, but still accidents can happen.
Even the sweetest dog can bite human beings when provoked that is why, pet owners should have and acquire a pet liability insurance to protect and worry less when the hospital bills would pile up due to the incident that might happen. There will be lots of bills like anti-rabies’ injections and other medicines. To this point, being the pet owner you should get the dog liability insurance.
The Pet liability insurance will not only protect the owners but the potential victims as well. Since the owners are the ones liable, so it is necessary to be responsible for any actions the pet may have or create. The insurance will actually cover lots of things from the medicines up to the rehabilitation of the victim.
These insurance companies recommend pet owners to have their pets like the German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Great Danes, and Dobermans get insured. As you may notice, these pets are quite big in size so they can potentially harm individuals. But dogs are not the only ones capable in acquiring a liability insurance, exotic pets like the snake, tiger, monkey, and others can be insured too.
To find pet liability insurance is an advance preparation and protection. This will surely help when accidents can happen. People would not know what might happen but preparation should be a directive so that everything will be acted upon. An individual with pet have actions to take in regards to taking care of them. One of these actions is the fact that they should get liability insurance. The pet owner should always make into consideration that no one is perfectly safe in this world.
Technorati Tags: dog liability insurance, dogs, find pet liability insurance, pet liability insurance, pet owner, Pets
Posted on Jul 22, 2010 under Guest Post |
Not so long ago the Furminator deshedding tool was introduced ion to the household.
Where have you been all my life! I really can’t believe it has taken me so long to finally get hold of what is frankly an amazingly effective way to finally get rid of the Dog fur.
I have never seen anything quite as effective for getting rid of fur that otherwise makes the daily clean up such a chore. The first time it was used on the Dogs the amount of fur that came off them was amazing. And this was after they had been brushed with a normal pet brush as well.
It works totally differently to a conventional Dog brush and the results speak for themselves. It gets deep in to the bottom layer of fur that molts and causes a lot of the problems in the house. It really does get rid of so much that the first few times that it is used there will literally be handfuls of the stuff.
After a few brushes the levels of fur on the Dogs that comes off really does drop dramatically. But the first few times it really seems like the Furminator must be actually cutting the fur, so much of it comes off.
Now I am finding that the levels of fur on the floor in the house are next to nothing and it certainly makes housework that little bit easier. There is less on the furniture and you don’t get covered in it just by stroking the Dogs either.
If fur is a problem then go with what many Dog Blog owners recommend and get the Furminator, it is an amazing tool and as it is so inexpensive to buy it really is worth the outlay, it will make an amazing difference to the home.
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Posted on Jul 12, 2010 under health |
We have all manner of heartworm medication options but very few of them can do what Revolution does. Let’s take a look at just why we should use Revolution for Cats if we possible can.
If we shop around and get the best price for Revolution for Cats then we can get it for a great price. And this is certainly one of the reasons why we should consider using it. It is very affordable for what it does and we will find that if we compare prices it actually costs about the same as a popular flea medication on its own.
This means that if we do currently use a flea med then we would do better to switch to Revolution and get the added protection of ensuring our Cats never get adult heartworms. We will find that it is the same price so it makes sense to get the extra protection.
This combination flea and heartwormer is a very mild medication. It is very gentle to our pets and for this reason it should be considered. Because it is so very mild there is a very low chance of our pets getting even a slight skin irritation so if we want to care for them in the gentlest possible way then Revolution is a perfect choice to make.
We get all of these benefits so it is certainly about the best possible choice that we can make if we really want to care for our pets for a cheap price that does not pose a risk of any side effects. More and more owners are now switching to Revolution for Cats. If you are concerned at all about heartworms then it is worth you switching too. It gives total peace of mind at keeps the animals safe as well.
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Posted on Jul 10, 2010 under health |
One of the health problems dogs face is itchy skin. This is especially true in the summer months when the heat and possible humidity can exacerbate problems by allowing pathogens to grow on the skin under their thick fur. If your dog is incessantly scratching then they may be suffering from seborrhea. This article will tell you how to use malaseb, a skin treatment shampoo, in order to help your pet with this maddening condition.
Seborrhea is a condition of the skin in which it becomes flaky and either extra dry or extra oily. There are two causes for this condition, it can be hereditary or it can be caused by an allergic reaction to yeast, bacteria, or fungus. You should check with your vet to find out which form your dog has. The treatment options may vary so it is important to make this determination.
Malaseb shampoo contains an ingredient which acts as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal which can remove the main cause of the seborrhea in the first place. It also contains an additive to work against the attack by yeast from the ears. Constant scratching can cause irritation and inflammation so it also acts as a hair loss product by allowing the dog relief from these problems.
This shampoo should be applied after your pet has been completely washed down with water and then left on the coat for ten minutes. Be very careful to keep it out of the eyes and ears as it can burn. Rinse the coat and then allow him or her to dry normally. You can retreat twice a week as needed to continue to offer protection. This shampoo will not remove any essential oils from the dog’s coat and it will make it more lush and healthy by removing the irritation agents. If your dog is scratching all the time this may be the problem.
Technorati Tags: hair loss product, how to use malaseb, malseb shampoo
Posted on Jul 01, 2010 under Guest Post, collars |
A dog is a man’s best friend. As our best friend, we want to give the best for them such as good food, shelter, grooming and accessories. Seeing them happy and in good condition gives us joy. So in giving back for their loyalty and unconditional love that they give us, we give them the love and care they deserve.
One form of showing how we love our dogs is to pamper them with accessories. Like any other accessories such as clothing for dogs, a dog collar is an essential accessory. It does not only give your dog the fashion statement to show off its beauty but also the identity that they are owned and loved. Most often, dog owners buy a collar with name tags to ensure that when their dogs get lost, they can be returned to them. For whatever purposes it may serve, for beautification or security, nothing else matters as long your dog gets the right one.
Oftentimes, we commit mistakes in choosing and buying a dog collar; we only get what we think that is good enough for them, not knowing that it may not suit their needs. For instance, your large and stubborn dog is in training, you need a collar such as the prong or the choke. If you want your dog to bark less during outdoor hunting, you need an electronic collar. There are also collars for your dog-walking and simple activities that will not required too much running. The most common of all the collars for dogs, is the buckle. Buckle is used for the everyday activities of your dog; it comes in different forms such leather, bejeweled, embroidered, and many more.
Whatever dog collar you choose, make sure you put a dog tag on it to ensure your dog’s safety.
Technorati Tags: Cats and Dogs, Dog, Dog collar, Dog tag, Pets
