Doggy Mentor

Archive for March, 2009

You and your dog will enjoy and bond with dog agility training. People lack patience when it comes to dog training. They feel it will be too difficult a task or take too much time to properly train a dog. It’s a snap to teach your pup to love the agility courses.

Even when you are training the dog, you will need the training for yourself as wel. It’s within normal human behaviour to scold when someone does something wrong, but dog’s don’t speak ‘human’, so they don’t always understand what they’ve done wrong.

When you train any type of dog no matter what age, keep in mind that dogs will do anything to please you. Without having proper understanding of how to make you happy,then of course they won’t be able to do the things that you want them to do.

When you are showing your dog rewards as well as punishment for his behaviors then you are becoming the master.

Training a Dog with Rewards

Even at a very early age, puppies are able to understand praise and reward. puppy goes to the toilet in the yard on his own When the puppy has done his business where you like it to be done, offer him a treat, a cuddle and plenty of praise.

Soon your puppy will like to do it’s business in the same place evey day and it will find that he/she goes their by instinct every time.

Reward is true for every action you want your dog to achieve.

Dogs will attempt to get praise and affection from you by performing each of the behaviors it remembers eliciting a good response from you.  Unfortunately if all a dog hears is “NO” and sees you rushing at him, he’s also going to learn that these bad actions also get your attention.

To teach your dog that a certain behavior is not acceptable, turn around with your arms folded. The dogs feel the worst form of punishment from not getting attention, so they realize bad behavior is not worth it.

How to train agility to a dog.

As with any other time you’re training your dog, praise and reward are vitally important. Dogs enjoy the opportunity to play all the time. Dogs are naturally curious and playful.

Showing your dog that an agility course is a source of fun and reward that will gain him plenty of praise means your dog will love jumping over the various obstacles on any agility course.

To successfully accomplish agility training you must have patience. An agility course in a local training class for dogs might be your first step. It is best to verify that your dog has gone beyond the growing stage, around a year old, before starting agility training which could cause a pup injury.

Learn more about Training Dog for Agility here.

Use the agility course like a game and run around with your dog. If you have the option, lower the bar on the jumps so they’re not threatening. Food awards are used for when he does something correctly, also praise him when he has completed a goal.

If you see this course as fun your dog and you will enjoy agility better. Your dog loves to be rewarded so once he figures out which parts of the agility course he is meant to aim at, he will soon be running around the course like a professional for his rewards.

Learn more about Training Dog for Agility here.

When you first set out to teach your pet dog or puppy to come, there are a few tips and tricks that Im going to share with you, to make it more successful!

I have adapted these free techniques from the outstanding ‘Secrets to Dog Training‘ by Daniel Stephens. Jump straight to it here, if you wish to read more.

“Come dog”

Firstly, and possibly the most crucial, is that you should never call your dog over if you are going to do something that he might class as ‘negative’ to him.. Some prime examples are include tying him up, bathing him (if he hates that!), telling him off, smacking, hitting or generally disciplining him..

Dont call over and punish your pet for running away, when he comes over. You dont want your dog to learn that doing as you say, is a punishment.If your dog already knows bad associations with come, like he thinks it equals 'run now!' or if he becomes oblivious to it you may have to use a different command with a new sound. 

Forget your old come command and teach this exercise using a new, clear word. ‘Here’ is a popular one, as is 'oi', but you can make up any command that suits you or that you think your dog might respond to.

Ideally, your dog should hear this new command, stop whatever hes doing and sit in front of you! For best results, you should master teaching this exercise as two seperate pieces.

The two processes can be taught seperate till the dog has them both mastered, when this happens you can bring them together.

“Come sit in front of me”

Start with putting your dog on a short ish leash. Get the attention of your pet and position the treat at nose level. Now walk back 3 or 4 steps with the treat held up.

With your waiting dog in front, you can hold up a tidbit of food so that he is motioned to sit and wait.

Command him to sit, and when he sits to your satisfaction, give him the treat by lowing it to his mouth. Never let him jump up to get it!

Next time, do the process standing in place and holding your ground, instead of moving back. Try to eliminate the treat part of the exercise, and change to a reinforcing command. Doing this helps your dog to accept your praise as a reward.

You can read part two of this article, for free, as my website (that has hundreds of other free dog training tips) here, at dog commands.

While an electric dog fence will not solve all your dog related problems it can be very effective at teaching your dog its boundaries. When used the right way it can reinforce the proper behavior for your dog. An electric dog fence can be a great solution for a dog that takes off from its yard to chase down things that pass by such as cars and animals. Electric dog fences use a buried wire around the boundary of your property. Your dog will wear a collar which receives signals from the wire should your dog get too close to it.

There are collars that function differently. Some give your dog a small electric shock while others will give off a sound or unpleasant spray. This teaches the dog to stay within the boundaries of the property. Electric dog fences can really come in handy if you live in a place where building a dog fence is restricted by local regulations.

Because the wire for an electric dog fence is buried underground you can control your dog without needing to put up a big fence. This lets your dog get lots of exercise running around your yard without having to constantly worry about them running away. If you have a large properly it can be much less expensive to to install an electric dog fence rather than a regular fence.

Some invisible lectronic dog fences can work in areas as large as 25 acres. It is also a good idea if you have a large breed dog that would need a very sturdy and tall fence in order to restrain it. They are also a great idea for a dog which keeps digging under your fence in order to escape. Often times installing a standard chain link fence around your property can be expensive compared to the invisible fence.

Now that you have brought your new dog home it is time to start the housebreaking. One that can only lead to confusion for the dog later on is giving your new dog a little time to get to know the family and the house before laying down the law. Your dog will be confused if you have allowed it to run free with no discipline, then all of a sudden expect it to be well-behaved.

It Is Never Too Late

If you have already allowed your dog to run free without rules you can still correct the situation. Unlike a popular belief out there, it is never too late to start dog training with a dog. Whether your puppy is young or old you can still include housebreaking into his/her daily routine. It is important to pick out the behavior that concerns you the most,whether it is dog chewing, dog biting, or dog growling that you are dealing with. It is important to work on housebreaking these behaviors first, then move on to other things.

You have to start housebreaking as soon as possible to ensure that your puppy never develops into one of those aggressive dogs you hear about on the news. If your biggest problem at the moment, especially if you have a puppy, is where the dog is and is not allowed to go potty then you will need to start with that.

Tips For Housebreaking

* Restrict food and water to the appropriate meal times
* In the event that you are utilizing pee pads, choose a single spot and make sure to place the pads only there
* When your dog is good, praise them
* Never strike or slap the dog if it misses the pee pad
* After fifteen or twenty minutes of giving the puppy something to eat or drink, it needs to be taken to the pee pad

A lot of people leave water and food out for their dog all day long. While this is an okay routine for older dogs that can hold their bladder, it is not advisable for puppies. Even if they really wanted to, younger puppies just are not able to hold their bladder until they become a bit older. This can result in accidents in the home for which you cannot really blame your puppy. Making food and water constantly available can be counter-productive to your housebreaking goal.

If your puppy always misses the pee pad and continues to go to the bathroom in another part of the house, simply place the pee pad in that spot. At this point in housebreaking, you should really just be getting the puppy used to going to the bathroom on its puppy pad. Once they are used to it, you can continue with housebreaking by slowing moving the pee pad every few days towards the spot you eventually want the pads to reside at.

Even though housebreaking can take a long time, it is very important. You definitely do not want your dog “going” everywhere. You would also like an easy process of housebreaking for your dog to prevent it becoming disinterested. Seek outside help in puppy training if need be. No matter who is in charge of doing it, just know that housebreaking takes time.

Unless you have a particular type of dog in mind, it can be hard to decide which breed to get. You should first think about the size of the dog you prefer. Can you manage a large dog where you live? Or do you only have a courtyard? Small dogs can be a great source of companionship. And there are a lot of different types of small dogs, very different in both temperament and appearance. You probably know about toy dogs, however there are others that bear more resemblance to their larger canine siblings.

I’ll run through three different breeds in this article – welsh terriers, whippets, and brussels griffons.

Brussels Griffon Dogs

According to rumors the big, soulful eyes of the brussels griffon were part of the inspiration behind the creation of the ewoks by George Lucas in the Star Wars films. And looking at pictures of them, you can see why people think this.

Brussels griffons are extremely sensitive and devoted dogs who will bond with one person in particular. They should be socialized when they are young pups. Brussels griffon are not really well suited as a family pet due to their sensitivity and one-person nature.

Brussels griffon get along well with other animals, particularly cats. You may need to keep an eye out on how they are around bigger dogs, however. They can challenge for dominance, not really aware of their small size.

The Welsh Terrier Breed

These cute dogs are fairly calm when you compare them to other terrier breeds. They are sturdy looking dogs with lots of personality, especially the males. They are affectionate, joyous, without fear, outgoing, and curious.

Historically, Welsh terriers were used to keep the rat and vermin population down, and as a result welsh terriers love to chase things – including cats. Consequently, if you own a cat, this may not be the best pet for your family.

Excellent with children,  welsh terriers need a backyard where they can’t escape as they have a predilection for digging, and may thus escape. When walking a welsh terrier, be sure he stays on the leash, because his road sense when on a quest for fun is not very good.

Welsh terriers need quite a bit of time from their owners. They have to have grooming regularly, and get bored if left by themselves for the normal workday. They are better suited to someone with a part time job rather than a full time job. When they’re bored, they can be destructive around the house.  

Whippet Information

Whippets are a type of sighthound dog, which are named because they hunt by using their sharp eyesight and great speed, instead of using smell like scent hounds. whippets are petite, elegant dogs, ranging in height from 18.5 to 20 inches for male whippets, or 17.5 to 18.5 inches for female whippets. And the whippet dog breed look just like small versions of greyhounds!

In temperament, whippets are like toy dogs, liking nothing better than curling up on your lap. These are very loyal dogs, bonding with their owner strongly, though still friendly to strangers and children. The whippet dog breed are very gentle, and as such they have been used in aged care facilities.

These dogs should be kept inside. With such thin coats, they will be too cold outside, and they have a strong bond to their owners. If you’re prepared to exercise them regularly, whippets are great for apartment living.

Pet food

Despite the sometimes zealous comments of advocates of “natural” dog food, commercial dog foods are fine and recommended for your Dachshund.  Some of those concerns are well placed, though.A diet that is not too rich and not too lean, full of healthy ingredients (balanced) is best.But that advise is fairly vague.  What does it really mean?

- Ingredients

Any commercial kibble food will have a list of ingredients on the package, starting with the one present at the highest percentage listed first.  Ensure that the ingredient listed first is some kind of animal protein.Beef, chicken and lamb are the most common.The proteins in vegetables are harder to break down into useful components and contain smaller amounts of the needed amino acids.

Like other dogs, Dachshunds are by nature, meat eaters.  But fresh meat isn’t required.  Anything that provides enough protein is fine, since what is really needed are the amino acids that go to make them up.Any protein consumed is broken down to those basic products and then “re-constructed” again by the dog.

Besides amino acids, there are a number of essential vitamins and minerals required for good functioning.

Foods rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are good not only for humans but are good for Dachshunds, too.  In both cases, those compounds help improve joint and skin health.

Antioxidants perform a role similar in a Doxie’s life that they do in their owners.Vitamin E, beta-carotene and others help protect the immune system by reducing the “free radicals” that can build up in the body.  These are elements or molecules with an extra electron that can harm cells when they exist in too-high concentrations.

Fat, far from being the villain it is sometiems (incorrectly) painted in discussions of human diet, is a necessary ingredient.  Fats provide compounds vital for good nerve function.  They are broken down to take part in forming hormones and enzymes.  They also provide a source of calories that Dachshunds need to pwer all those activities, just as people do.

- Amounts

Puppies that have been weaned should eat 3-4 meals per day.  Smaller amounts, fed more often, are preferable to large helpings at one time, even though that is a little more inconvenient for the owner.The routine is best for puppies 8-12 weeks old.

When your puppy reaches 3-6 months, you can reduce the feeding frequency to 3 or even two meals a day.Even puppies can get fat, so keep a watchful eye on the waistline behind the rib cage.  It should have a slight curve.If your Doxie is perfectly straight (no waist line) you may be feeding too much.

That advice is a little more difficult to follow in the case of Dachshunds than some other breeds, since they are a bit more tubular by nature.  Even so, the curve can be seen if you observe closely.  Aid your eye by feeling the puppy in front of the rear legs.  Get familiar with their shape and it will be easier to judge small changes.

By the time they’ve reached a year old, one meal per day is fine.  If they seem eager to eat more often two meals is fine, but divide the portions in half.

Feed your Dachshund a premium brand food.  Those contain a more appropriate quantity of calories and less “junk food” than cheaper brands.  For fussy dogs, or just for extra flavor, mixing a spoonful or two of wet food with dry is fine.

Never give your dog chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, macadamian nuts or xylitol which are toxic to dogs.

Just for Dachshund Lovers has gifts and supplies for the pampered Dachshund

Canines bark, so a puppy barking is a completely normal phenomenon. As natural as birds sing, puppies bark, whine, and sometimes howl. If you are one devoted dog owner, you’ll know you will experience barking, whining and howling at any time. Don’t even think to train your puppy not to bark as it will never work. However, it is really ideal for you, your neighbors, as well as your dog, if barking fits can be placed under control.

Why Barking Starts

Dogs that do not get a lot of socializing or that are spending most of their time alone need something to do to spend all that saved up energy. If there is no one around to tell a dog to stop, he will tend to start barking as a hobby. That is why it is not a good idea to leave your dog alone all day. Pretty soon, barking will become an enjoyable habit for him or her. And for a great number of dogs, once they start barking, they continue to do so just for the sheer fun of doing it.  

It may actually be your fault that your dog barks so much. You obey your dog when he speaks. When the dog barks, you let him out.  When he barks again, you let him back in. Barking gets them a treat, they bark and they get a tummy rub. Puppy barking gets your attention and so they easily fall into this trap because the very nature of it gets your attention and they get what they want. You need to reward your dog when they are not doing any barking.

Barking and Exercises

It is important to realize that when your puppy barks there are many reasons for this, like boredom, being lonely, mad, or scared. Behavioral problems are usually alleviated when you are spending more time with your new puppy. If your puppy is happy, contented and adequately exercised, he will probably spend the day napping when you are not at home. Be sure to give your dog some of your time.  He needs your attention and the benefit of training, exercise, and play.

The repetition involved in puppy obedience training can be as boring for puppies as it is for their owners. Most puppies and dogs enjoy, wild rapid paced and exciting games such as “come here,” “sit,” “stay,” “heel,” but you can make it more rewarding by saying come here for a hug, a massage and other praise and treats. Your puppy will take to training better if he is not bored.

For dogs living in the backyard for the majority of the time, they probably need some “social” exercises. You may need to walk them around your neighborhood to minimize the puppy barking. Daily walks will be an adventure for them to investigate and find out about those sounds and smells that excite them while they are in the yard. Dogs and puppies will run around outside and have fun, but this is not necessarily exercise. Just like humans, they pace, fidget, and have other nervous tendencies. Be sure your dog or puppy has something to do to keep busy. Puppies love to have chew toys for puppy biting, and big dogs enjoy a digging pit.

Dogs are very sociable. They are just like us.  They need companions and friends. Your dog needs to be taken for walks and exercised every day or every week as well as to let them socialize with other dogs. They will sleep great after a good hard day of playing, dog training, and exercising.

By Sandra Scott

Puppy whining comes very naturally to puppies when they are hungry, cold or tired. In response to puppy whining, a mother dog will provide milk, a safe place to sleep, and warmth.

Gradually, the puppy will start to connect the two things and will begin to whine deliberately. This tells the mother that her puppy wants something or there is a problem.

A puppy should be adopted between 8 and 10 weeks old. This is when puppies learn that whining doesn’t have any impact with their new family; or they may use whining to compel their new mother (you!) into giving them what they need.

It is for this reason that the general opinion is that a new puppy should be left alone on his first night in your home. If you respond to puppy whining with warmth, petting, cuddling, your dog is sure to believe that whining will get him what he wants.

For a top notch course to stop your pup from whining, I strongly recommend that you check out: Puppy Whining.

Obviously, this will take common sense and excellent judgment on your part. A scared puppy will require affection, reassurance and attention. It is key that you react quickly so the puppy doesn’t feel that his whining got the desired result. Your puppy should not get used to whining whenever he wants something.

You should teach your puppy to be comfortable with isolation and privacy by leaving him alone even when you are at home. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when you leave the home. As soon as you are sure that all your puppy’s physical needs have been met and you have taken the time to get him used to isolation, then you must teach him that whining is not acceptable.

This does not mean that a puppy that is really worked up, whining, and crying, should be cold-bloodedly ignored. When he has stopped whining, you should show him some attention and calm him down. As some puppies will whine for several hours, you may not be able to wait until the whining has completely ceased.

If this is the situation, you don’t have to let your puppy’s suffering drag on – open the door of the crate as soon as he stops whining, even if it’s just for a matter of seconds. This is less than ideal but is probably the best you’ll be able to do under the circumstances.

By 6 months of age, most dogs will have outgrown puppy whining. A puppy that continues to whine after this period is either doing it instinctively, or has learnt that it helps to get him what he wants.

For more details on how to deal with puppy whining, visit Stop Dog Whining.

If you don’t have the space for a large dog, there are a lot of smaller breeds that are suited to condos or smaller backyards. Yet while many love the lap dogs, there are also those that prefer the mannerisms of larger dogs. For these people, who like the temperament of larger dogs but cannot have one, small terrier dogs are an ideal pet. Small terrier dogs were bred down from regular terriers, so they retain the characteristics of their ancestors. They aren’t at all submissive like a lap dog.

Small terriers are, actually, quite the opposite of submissive. They are feisty, strong-willed, self-confident dogs that are tenacious and fearless. As a result they need strong leadership from their owners, so they always know their place in the ‘pack’. Don’t get a terrier if you can’t be firm and assertive when it’s necessary. And you can’t allow a situation to develop, even when you’re playing, when your terrier gets to win, even for a moment. – Because most terriers will challenge their owner some time anyway, even if you do everything right. But if you don’t, you set up some potentially unruly behaviour in your terrier.

Terriers are fantastic dogs. They’re affectionate and happy. As long as they’re socialized properly they should be fine with the household cat, although all other cats will be prey. This is because terriers have a high prey drive, so if you have young kids and you have or want a terrier, they should always be supervised when together.

There are a lot of terriers that come in a small size. The breeds are:

•  Welsh Terrier 
•  Irish Terrier
•  Scottish Terrier 
•  Smooth Fox Terrier
•  Border Terrier 
•  Cairn Terrier 
•  West Highland White Terrier 
•  Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier 
•  Yorkshire Terrier 
•  Australian Terrier 
•  Toy Manchester Terrier 
•  Manchester Terrier 
•  Miniature Bull Terrier
•  Sealyham Terrier
   Kerry Blue Terrier 
•  Boston Terrier 
•  Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Though terriers share the above characteristics in common, the various breeds have their own unique qualities. And the differences extend beyond how they look, to their personality Some breeds take longer to groom compared to others, even within the terrier group. That might also be something to think about when choosing a dog.

Every dog must boast a collar to include as part of their wardrobe and necessary stuff! Collars are designed for displaying lovable collar jewelry in addition to the essentially significant Pet Identification Tag. Plus, it’s so easy to make a fashion statement with some of the wonderful selection of unique small dog collars. A lot of eye-catching collar designs also offer a matching harness; this is best for small dogs whose neck is too delicate to carry their lead attached to their collar. Promenading in the park has never been more fun. Dog collars are the most common treat for dogs. Most dog owners love giving their best friend a beautiful dog collar to delight their furry buddy.

Dog collars have to be very comfortable. The dog has to feel at ease with the collar around its neck at all times. Nearly all pet owners don’t give a great deal significance to the type of collar and go for an regular one that is supposed to fit all dogs. Though, in majority of cases, this is in fact not correct. Different breeds of dogs have various sizes of neck. The collar should fit the neck rightly, with sufficient breathing room for your dog.

Dog collars are available in different sizes: small (10-14″”), small plus (14-16″”), medium (16-18″”), large (20-22″”) and extra large (22-24″”). Small collars are suggested for smaller breeds of dogs, like Maltese, miniature pinschers, Pomeranians, beagles, papillons, shelties etc. While measuring the dog’s neck for the collar, place two fingers between the neck and the tape. Also ensure that the tape is kept loosely around the neck. The collar is likely to rest a few inches below the head, but it is better to add a couple of inches to the measurement. If the length is amid two sizes, favor the larger collar. Besides choose a larger collar if your dog is growing.

Dog collars tell the dog’s personality. They may even show the owner’s personality. Dog collars are currently available in exclusive designs which vary from “sweet” to “stylish”.The most well-known designs are Classic Cordet Flowers Collar, Cordet Flower Boa Collar, Polka Dotty collars, Cherished Cheetah Collar, Captivating Cordet Bouquet Collar, Rosebud Bouquet Designer collar and several more. Other special kinds of small dog collars are Patriotic paws Dog collar, Speedway Designer Dog Collar, Lovable Ladybug Collar and others. Cost of these collars begin at as little as $6 and can go up to $35 or more for an exclusive collar, depending on the type of collar and the substance used.

Thus, if you have made up your mind to get a dog collar for your dog, the greatest way is to buy online thereby saving your valuable time and money, as they are cheap because of no warehousing expenditure and they don’t have to pay for other utilities. Also for all your efforts you will save your time and money! They also offer 30-days money back assurance.