Doggy Mentor

Archive for February, 2009

Akita dogs are the cutest of all pet dogs but with untrained pet Akita, it could be a threat and not a treat for next door neighbors. Leaving your dog running and leaping and toppling over garbage bins around the community could end up with angry and irate neighbors. These cute beagles would sometimes find themselves in the front lawn of somebody else’s house and before you could blink your eye, your dog is sitting in a potty position on your neighbor’s grass. Now, you wouldn’t want that to happen. So, if you ever get to thinking about getting a Akita for a pet, you have to teach yourself first some helpful advices like an appropriate Akita training on how to care and train him. There are lots of training guides you will find on the Net which can be applied. So, instead of heading out to your vet, why not try some of these virtual pet stores and conveniently shop for the things you need to properly train your Akita and properly care for him?

But while you going at it, why not try to read on and get to know more about Akita dogs? To start the ball rolling, here are some little info about the Akita dogs. The Akita dog belongs to the breed of working dogs and its weight range from 75 to 120 lbs. for males and for bitches, it’s between 75 to 110 pounds. They can grow to as tall as 26 to 28 inches. Although they are temperamental, they do hunger for human attention. Maybe that is the reason why, if you don’t want it to be very temperamental and very annoyed, you always need pay more attention to it, touch it often and learn how to take care and how to train it.

According to vets, it’s best to buy them when they are still Akita puppies. That way, training them would not be very hard. You don’t have to hire some dog trainers to do the job. The fact of the matter is, you can teach yourself how to train and care for them with the help of nothing but a training module. Try to find one on the Internet today and you will really have a good time doing it on your own. Your children, if ever you have your own, can assist you out with training the Akita dog. Akitas are gentle animals toward children and they don’t bark that excessively but if you’re a stranger and you are about to step inside somebody else’s house and they have an Akita, you better watch out. They are very efficient and attentive guard dogs.

Golden retrievers are one of the most well liked breeds of dogs today.

But what do you know about this dog? the Golden retriever dog was first developed in the 1800s Although we up in the UK. The breeder, Lord Tweedmouth, wanted a dog that was devoted, kind, enthusiastic, and energetic. He also has a desire for a dog that enjoys water and prides himself in the power to retrieve. the Golden retriever dog is the perfect mixture of brains and beauty.

as they are specified as a sports dog, the typical golden retriever dog weighs anywhere from 65 to 75 LBS, if the male. And the female smaller at 55-65 lbs. Male golden retriever dog stands, around 23 to 24 inches tall on the flip side female stand about 21.5-22.5 inches. Goldens’ coats are assorted shades of gold. The firm, resilient outer coat will either be straight or it can be wavy.

The tail and legs are feathered with longer hair whilst the under coat is dense and soft in texture.

the color of the coat may very from gold to cream. The Golden is a heavy shedder. The Golden Retriever is a giant, and energetic reproduce making them the planet’s foremost family pet and companion. the Golden retriever dog will be very smart and flexible to your training. You will find them to be kind, generous and great with the children around the house.

Looking for some more in-depth help, might I suggest the site golden retriever breeders

They exude charm and confidence however they don’t do well if left alone for extended periods and may become mischievous and destructive. Their dogs with a lot of personality and excitement to go right along with that. They get along with other pets. In reality, they will enjoy them play well with everybody. They have a tendency to bark as a type of greeting. The Golden Retriever isn’t well suited for a 2 career family as they need an inordinate amount of human interaction and friendship. They excel in obedience and are popular care and service dogs. Also, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and skin allergies so regular veternarian check-ups are necessary.

The Golden retriever dog would be excellent inside Pat as long as they get proper exercise. The Golden Retriever needs daily exercise and they enjoy play sessions with their family, retrieving balls and other toys. Golden Retriever puppies should be acquired from credible Golden Retriever breeders who should be in a position to provide paperwork from the Yank Dog house Club or similar registry organization.I love them you love them yes, the golden retriever breeders

Ideally, you should be in a position to view the folks. An alternative to buying a puppy is to take on a Golden Retriever from a Golden Retriever rescue or other rescue organization like the Humane Society. Mow you may be thinking, you know all that there is to know about Golden retriever dogs. Remember that like any pet, owning a Golden Retriever is a long term, heavy commitment.

As a promised the resource we can get the best up to date knowledge on golden retriever breeders

When a dog growls, this is a clear warning which should be taken seriously. People often do not understand a dog’s warning signals and do not retreat; a dog will growl to help you better understand his message.

Under normal circumstances, dogs will only be aggressive when they feel threatened or in danger.  They will only attack after having displayed progressively more explicit warning gestures several times.

For an excellent dog training guide which will show you how to handle a growling dog, I strongly recommend that you look at: Growling Dogs.

Sometimes, dogs growl to communicate their needs. When dogs find out that this works, they are likely to try it again. It is hardly surprising that dog growling is a frequent problem because some people foolishly think that this is a sign that their dog will defend them. The reality is that the dog is more likely to be protecting himself and his stuff.

Growling dogs may be considered dangerous according to some legal definitions so may need to be confined accordingly. This could mean that he has to be placed in a crate, kept in a separate space, or confined to the back yard.

If your dog growls and he ends up getting what he wants, he will rapidly come to the conclusion that this is a very useful tool to get his own way. Understanding your dog’s requirements is a definite benefit in putting an end to this behavior.

Just a reminder, if you are looking for a great free site to help you handle growling dogs, you should take a look at: Dog Growls.

Here are just a few of the reasons why a dog growls:

1. He’s hungry. This is an excellent opportunity to show a dog how to convey his needs. In order for the food dish to be placed in front of the dog, he would need to behave correctly.
2. He wants to eliminate. Although some owners like the idea of their dog asking to be let outside to eliminate, this is an unreasonable expectation for a puppy, old or sick dog. So a dog dosn’t have to worry about getting his owner’s attention to let him outside, it is much better if regular outings for elimination are scheduled.
3. He is making sure his food is safe. Dogs may protect their food against a seeming threat (you!). Children must be taught to allow the dog to eat in peace and never try to remove the dog’s food. Adults must do the same thing; dogs need to understand that people provide them with food and don’t remove it. When it is safe to do so, food should be added to the dog’s bowl while he is eating.
4. As with food guarding, dogs may also safeguard their toys. Growling when someone approaches is frequently the first indication that a dog will bite if the warning is ignored. In this instance, the simplest thing to do is take the toy away from the dog permanently or only give it to him when he’s in his crate.
5. He has taken something and wishes to keep hold of it. Never chase your dog if he has taken something that belongs to you. So your dog will come to you on command, it is important that he receives obedience training.
6. Sometimes dog growling is an indication of his fear of being groomed or clipped. Considerable skill is necessary to groom some dogs and you should not try it yourself without the appropriate training.
7. Dog growling also occurs when the dog feels the need to protect himself from abuse or pain. An example might be that a child has constantly tormented the dog under the fence or hit him when his owner wasn’t looking, so the dog would growl when he came in contact with a child. Unfortunately, the dog will most likely be blamed for growling under these circumstances.
8. It can be fun for a dog to see his owner jump backwards when he growls. He must not be permitted to become accustomed to this behavior as he is likely to show aggression when his owner doesn’t jump if he growls. It is important to nip this behavior in the bud from the get go.

To learn more about what to do when dogs growl at you, I recommend that you check out the top selling dog training guide, Secrets to Dog Training.

Many first time dog house buyers are a little overwhelmed by all the options out there. It can be hard to determine what a dog house really needs. This first thing you will need to determine is if you need an outdoor doghouse at all.

A dog that is used to being indoors most of the time will not take kindly to moving outdoors even to the best dog house. Dogs are pack animals and single dogs will probably find life with you indoors more attractive. While your dog may not live outdoors you may want to buy an outside dog house which can be a temporary shelter for times when your dog must be outdoors.

There are other dogs, however, who need to live outdoors full time. Dog houses for these types of dogs must be very sturdy and have additional comfort. No matter how long a dog is left outdoors always provide frequent supervision to ensure his safety.

Don’t think a dog house will be more comfortable simply because it is larger. This is an important point for those who live where the weather gets cold. A dog house which is exceptionally large will not allow your dog to produce enough body heat to warm up the dog house. The perfect dog house for your dog will be just large enough for your dog to turn around and stretch out without touching the walls. The door should have enough room to allow your dog to enter without crawling.

The floor should be at least several inches off the ground to prevent water and moisture from entering. Inexpensive straw makes a good bedding although you will need to change it regularly. To prevent the buildup of snow the roof should be sloped. Some of the chemicals used in pressure treated wood are harmful to your dog so it should never be used for building a dog house. Be sure your dog is built for the weather conditions before you move your dog outdoors. Many of the smaller breeds are not hardy enough to live outdoors while the larger dogs, especially those bred to be working dogs, should have no problem.

Orthopedic dog bed video clip

Most dogs, by nature, are pretty tough and seldom complain about much of anything. But this same behavior can also be a detriment sometimes. For example, your pooch isn’t going to tell you that he isn’t getting a good night’s sleep on his old dog bed. You can tell, however, if you look for the signs, and then you can do something to help your faithful old friend get the rest he needs. With older dogs it is even more important that they have a quality dog bed due to the onset of ailments like hip dyslpasia that can cause him a lot of pain. The best way to help him sleep and to assuage his aches and pains is by purchasing an orthopedic dog bed for him that will allow him to sleep well all night every night.

Why Is a Orthopedic Dog Bed Any Better?

Most dog beds consist of nothing but a large pillow. Puppies might be all right with a bed like this, but older dogs need more support for their limbs and joints. Orthopedic dog beds are more like the mattress that you might sleep on. These mattresses offer firm support, are easy to clean, and retain their shape far longer than pillow-like beds do.

If you’ve ever slept on a bad mattress yourself, you already know what it can feel like. A mattress that is hard or unsupportive keeps you from getting the rest you need, so you can be at your best. It also won’t give you the support you need, and you’ll wake up feeling achy and tired. The main reason for these problems is that without getting the support you need from your mattress, your spine must do the work to support your body while you’re sleeping. Dogs, like people, feel the effects of poor mattresses and will benefit just as much as people do from having an orthopedic dog bed.

Can’t a Dog Just Sleep on the Floor?

You have no doubt noticed you dog drop down somewhere in the middle of the floor for an afternoon nap. This is fine for a nap, but sleeping on the floor just isn’t adequate to provide the kind of sleep he needs at night, especially if he has arthritis or other mobility issues. Enen if the floor is carpeted, it won't offer the kind of proper sleep that he needs, so don't fool yourself. You won’t hear him complain, but an observant owner will be able to tell when their pet is feeling the effects.

To start with, floors are too cold and drafty for sound, cozy sleep. Try napping on one sometime, and you’ll soon get the point. In addition, they are far too firm, put too much pressure on various parts of the dog’s body, and don’t give him the comfort he needs to sleep soundly.

Should You Spend Your Money on This?

Some dog owners are reluctant to spend the kind of money it takes to buy the right orthopedic dog bed for their pet. Many of us are quick to spend foolishly on ourselves when our dogs are sleeping on the hard, cold ground or worse, a concrete pad? Adopting a dog involves making sure he is taken care of and overall responsibility for his well being. He gives you a lot of companionship and joy. You know you owe him the courtesy of a really good nights sleep?

Housetraining

No training is more basic for pet owners than that first important lesson: Do it outside!

Teaching your pet to eliminate outside the home, not in it, usually starts between six and eight weeks of age. Dogs as young as four weeks can start house training, but at that age few have the muscular control to succeed.

Like any dog training plan, trainer patience is as important as the dog’s temperament. ‘Sit’, ’stay’ and other behaviors can often be learned in a few days. ‘Potty’ training your puppy sometimes takes weeks – maybe as short as two, often a month or more.

As with other learned behaviors, it helps to notice signs of the desired actions and enforce and direct them with a voice command followed by praise. In this case that technique works even more to the trainer’s advantage, since all dogs will naturally eliminate. The goal is to get them to do it when and where you want!

Watch for circling or squatting, then scoop up the pup, say ‘potty’ and quickly dash outside. The puppy may circle some more, but will often squat quickly. As she starts, say ‘Go potty’ ( or some other unique phrase) in a clear, firm (but not angry) voice. Wait until it’s finished and praise lavishly.

You won’t always be able to catch the puppy about to go, but don’t become angry or impatient when the dog eliminates indoors. It takes some time for the dog to learn to tell you it’s time to ‘go outside’. It also takes time for the muscles needed to control bladder and bowels to develop control.

Usually, puppies will need to eliminate every 2-3 hours. If you haven’t spotted pre-elimination behavior within that time, take the dog outside anyway. Issue the command ‘Go potty’ and wait. At first, usually, the dog will have no clue what you want.

Especially, even when outside, it helps to wait and watch for the desired behavior then issue the command. That helps the dog associate the command with the behavior. If your puppy still has not relieved himself after a few minutes and a few ‘Go potty’ commands, take him back inside for an hour. Of course, if you catch the pre-elimination behavior in less time, go outside again immediately.

Puppies have a surprising capacity to quickly learn what their ‘alpha’ (the leader of the pack) wants. This is almost always accomplished by associating a verbal command with behavior, followed by praise. Punishment is usually counter-productive, and nowhere more so than in waste elimination training. Never rub your pup’s nose in the accident.

Paper and/or crate training is preferred by some. A pup can be trained to potty on a newspaper, or on one of the chemically treated pads designed for the purpose. Some small breeds that live all day in apartments may not need to go outside at all.

The technique has a couple of downsides however. Unlike cats, dogs will hardly go in a perfumed litter box. Newspapers (even with the top layer removed after the dog goes) will eventually create an unpleasant smell in the house.

Also, long before the odor becomes perciptible to humans, dogs can smell their own distinctive aroma. Dogs don’t find the odor unattractive – quite the opposite. So that spot continues to be the problem.

Paper trained dogs will prefer to eliminate indoors. Occasionally they’ll miss the paper by only an inch, creating a mess to clean up.

Once the smell is in the carpet, the dog will continue to seek that spot out as its proper ‘place to go’. This makes training the dog to eliminate outside even more difficult. Best to suffer a few accidents than to create a hard-to-overcome habit.

Patience, praise and consistency are the key elements for successful dog training. Elimination training is the first challenge for you and your dog.

Get more tips and advice on housetraining or dog training at Luvurdog.com/dogtraining

Dog obedience training is one of the best services you can do for your fox terrier and yourself and your family. This is both rewarding and fun and will enrich your relationship with your new dog. Fox terrier obedience training is an ongoing process that occurs during specified training sessions and through the rest of your fox terrier’s day. The lessons taught during training times should be reinforced at all times. Fox terrier obedience is just as important as food and water. That lovable and cute puppy can turn into an uncontrollable full grown dog if not given the proper guidance.

Fox terrier obedience training is not about performing party tricks; it is essential training to keep your dog safe. Your little ball of fur will learn to sit, stay, lay down, heel, leave it and drop it just because you said so! Fox terrier training is both art and science. There are many videos and books written on the subject and a lot of good information can also be found online. Training is vital to teach your fox terrier what is acceptable behavior and what is not. A dog that hasn’t been given any instructions or limitations will not know what is expected of him.

Fox terrier obedience training is a very important key to having a happy, healthy, pet. Obedience training can help your fox terrier stop excessive barking, biting, and whining and is an important component of responsible dog ownership. Proper fox terrier training teaches your dog how to exist in a two-legged world, strengthens the bond between people and dogs, and keeps your family and your dog safe.

Obedience training is more than just commands. When taught correctly it becomes the common language between you and your dog. It transforms your relationship from one of frustration, to one of mutual harmony. Obedience training is a part of the social setting defined for your dog in your home. Changes in that setting and how the dog perceives his position in the rank brings about desired behavior changes.

Fox terrier obedience training will be the foundation of your pet’s acceptable social behavior. It will give you and your dog a happy and stress-free life together. Fox terrier obedience training will prevent many problems from occurring and can assist in removing bad behaviors that may already exist. Many people think that obedience training is something that is carried out to make a dog perform some artificial activity on command, whereas in fact, obedience training for fox terriers that like to jump up is very helful. When your dog wants to jump up, have him sit instead. Then your can reward him with praise and attention for sitting instead of jumping up.

Aggression in dogs can be a serious behavior problem for some dog owners. Aggression includes any behavior that is intended to harm or intimidate another animal or person and can include biting, jumping, barking uncontrollably and not obeying commands. Once a dog grows from a puppy to an adult, it will become much harder to train. Fox terriers rarely display aggression towards people although they can occasionally display aggression towards other dogs. Training will remedy this situation.

Having a pet can be quite expensive especially if you live in the metropolis. Dog food, vet care and grooming supplies all these cost a good deal of money. Dogs make lovely pets but they also need vet care more often compared to cats. Since your dog’s health is very important, you need to make sure that you get the best vet care for your pet. You need to find a good vet that you can trust with your pet’s life. Yes, the best vet care will cost you some money but if you get pet insurance coverage, you do not have to worry about paying for emergency vet care for your pet. By investing a few dollars in monthly premiums, you can render your dog with the best vet care.

Choosing The Right Pet Insurance Coverage

Choosing the right pet insurance coverage is very important. There are a number of things that you need to look into before you get an insurance policy for your pet. First, you need to make sure that the pet insurance policy gives comprehensive coverage for you pet. Note that different breeds of dogs have different needs. Before you get an insurance policy for your pet, study the vet care needs of your pet. Read literatures about the common health care problems of certain breeds of dogs. Pure breed dogs often need more intensive vet care compared to mongrels so if you have a pure breed at home, consider getting a comprehensive insurance coverage for your dog.

The second thing that you need to consider when buying insurance policy for your pet is the cost. Some types of pet insurance policies are more expensive than the others. However, just because an insurance policy is expensive, that does not mean that such policy can cover for all the medical needs of your dog. Some expensive insurance policies are loaded with useless features that are only designed to increase the price of the policy. To make sure that you are acquiring the best value out from your money, before you sign it always read the fine lines on the insurance policy first. You may also ask the insurance underwriter to explain to you in full the fine print provisions on the insurance policy. Unless you are satisfied with the explanations given to you by the insurance underwriter, do not sign the policy first. You do not really want to end up paying for something that does not give your dog the right coverage.

Though dogs and human interactions stretch over centuries, communication between the two sometimes is still out of sync. The human half of the pair is usually the smarter party, but watching the usual training sessions one can have legitimate reason to wonder.

Dogs understand and respond at roughly the mental level of a human two-year-old, but there the similarity ends. Their senses operate differently – their color vision has a different response pattern to reds and greens, for example, and obviously their noses are infinitely more sensitive – and their minds process information differently as well. Anyone training dogs has to take this into account in order to avoid human frustration and canine misbehavior.

Dogs are by nature pack animals. Descendant from wolves – where even the ‘lone wolf’ is an anomaly – they’re social and function best with active interplay and within a strict hierarchy.

So, set aside half-an-hour per day, an hour would be better, for at least the first few months of training. Start your training as young as possible. Puppy training sometimes can be started as early as four weeks old.

Elimination (’potty’) training details we leave for elsewhere, but all training follows similar guidelines.

Establish dominance early on. Dogs have a natural hiearchy- there are alpha dogs, beta dogs, and the bottom dog is the omega. For a sane household, and a well-adjusted dog, the human (whether male or female) must always be the alpha male of the pack.

Depending on the breed, this will be either more difficult or easier. Like humans, some are simply more assertive than others. The most important training aid is your attitude, followed by collars, leashes and other training aids. Never let your dog be the boss.

You do not have to enforce your dominance with physical force. Sometimes, used appropriately, that will be necessary. Usually, simply being firm and willing to wait for compliance will be enough.

For many, placing them on their backs when young and placing a firm hand in the middle of the chest until they lower their paws – a sign of submission – will be enough. With some, reinforcing this by putting your face close to theirs, emulating dominant dog behavior, can help.

Keep a short leash to restrain the dog’s natural tendency to roam. Allow plenty of time for free running behavior, essential to dog health, but that’s before or after training, not during. At least, not at first.

Start simply by choosing short, clear commands that sound distinctly different: sit, stay, down, come. Use a firm, but not too loud of a voice. You’re in charge, but not angry. Avoid double-word commands like ’sit down’ or ’stay down’. These sound too much alike and can confuse your dog.

Be consitent with each verbal command by using the same tone, look and hand gesture. Eventually these can separate, but at first it’s essential to provide the simplest, most consistent form of communication.

Just like two-year old humans, dogs have limited capacity for grasping the subtleties of language. Assist their understanding by rigid consistency. Don’t use a single command word to mean more than one thing. ‘Down’ can mean ‘don’t jump on me or anyone else’, or it can mean ‘get on your stomach’, but it has to mean one thing only.

Be clear, be patient and be committed and the result will be a dog who trusts and listens to you. And that makes it worth the effort. Find more on dog training at Luvurdog.com/dogtraining

Housebreaking a dog usually means getting the dog to use the bathroom in the right place and at the right time. This is certainly important. But housebreaking is a lot more than just potting training. It includes all his behavior in the house. This includes his understanding of where he can go and when.

One of the most unwelcome conducts of any dog is to urinate on the carpet.  (A more exhaustive list of dog behavior problems is available in Secrets to Dog Training.) Of course, young pups don’t know any better. They do it whenever they need and wherever they are. That’s natural. Therefore, it is important to start training him as soon as you bring him home.

The best age to get a pup is about eight weeks old. However, a dog usually can’t control the muscles to hold the urine until the proper time until he is about twelve weeks old. Therefore, it is important to take your dog outside often during the first days of ownership. Set a schedule and plan to get the dog outside after every meal. You can take him for a walk if you live in the city, or let him romp outside if you live in the country. Take him out every hour at first, and reinforce good actions positively.

When the pup goes in the right place (outside or in a designated box indoors), be sure to praise him profusely. You might even give him a favorite dog biscuit. This assures the pet that he is pleasing you. So, often opportunities and much praise will reinforce his acceptable behavior.

There may be places in the house you don’t want the dog to go. A black shedding dog may not be welcome on the white couch, for example! The untrained pup may not be welcome in the carpeted rooms. Your pet must understand these places are off limits.

This kind of training, say the best dog training books, requires consistency and patience. So, if the dog goes into the forbidden area, then instruct him with words and force him out of the room or off of the furniture. Do this every time he trespasses so that he knows this is never allowed. If you make exceptions, it will only confuse him.

If you suspect your dog is trespassing when you are not watching, but not when you are, then it is obvious he likes the place but knows it is wrong. One family made it clear their dog was not to get on the living room furniture. But when they came home and felt the warm spot on the softest chair, the dog was caught. Try tricking the dog into thinking you are not watching when really you are. Then when you catch him disobeying the rule, rap his bottom with a paper and scold him so that he gets the message this is never allowed, watched or not.

Most dogs like to please their masters. Therefore, when the dog doesn’t jump onto the couch, or enter the forbidden room, words of praise should be poured on. Let him know he has done very well to control his urge to join the group. But if you give in and let him into a forbidden area, then the dog has won and has really trained you.

Hope you enjoyed this article. Learn more tips and read reviews of top dog training books at http://www.dogtrainingbible.net.