Doggy Mentor

Archive for October, 2009

You can teach an old dog new tricks but it would take much more effort to be able to do that. Training an older dog needs a proper mind-set.  Older dogs are already through with that stage in their lives where they are shaped and influenced on how they would behave or act. Older dogs, same with humans, have established their behavior already and this means a more difficult training. As a trainer or owner, you may have to display more dominance in instructing an older pet compared with a puppy because older dogs have already learned some things during the past and they can manipulate the retraining done. Some older dogs understand things better so things could run along more smoothly. It would be a little more difficult to change the bad habits. Staying patient and sticking with it will pay off down the road. This will be rewarding not only to you but to the dog as well.

There are still more things you need to consider before the start of the training. Older canines and pups are quite different. You have to understand that dogs may have some health problems. Bare in mind that older dogs compared to younger ones have different physical capabilities.

Training Older Dogs

You must make sure your dog is in good shape. Due to old age, some dogs may have developed some health problems. They could also be overweight and this will affect your training. The best thing you could do is to go to a veterinarian if you are in doubt. Some of these older canines may not be able to hear as well as they once could and their joints may be stiff. You are not dealing with a puppy here. Some dogs may experience some pain when you teach them to jump or roll over. If he does not respond to your commands, try to observe his physical condition. The reason that he may not lie down or jump is because it is to painful. Something else you may run into is that your dog may not hear very well. Some older canines don’t hear quite as well so some of the training may be affected. Using certain signals may help if you run into this problem. By doing this, even if his hearing is going he will still be able to understand. Of course, a lot of patience is needed to train dogs with this problem.

Understand that older dogs are not as active as puppies. Their physical abilities may be affected by their age. Do not forget that there are limits to what a dog with some age can do.

Train An Older Dog

Put some effor into it and make it fun.
Same techniques could be used in training old dogs and puppies, however the exerted effort is different. Invest in some training tools and join training classes for the dog. This will improve the bond between the two of you. Just like in all training programs, rewards and praises should be used while training an old dog. Show enthusiasim and support and stay away from force. Don’t get angry or frustrated when he can’t get what you want him to do. In a short while, you will have the result you wanted and all the hard work you and your dog had will pay off.

Dog Training Tips

Dogs are pack animals and very social, so once they have formed a bond with a family being separated from their “pack” is traumatic for them. Sometimes this type of anxiety can get quite out of hand, but with the proper approach it is possible to treat the anxiety in your dog.

This dog separation anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of forms. Some dogs tend to get depressed, sullen, and downright moody as many humans can get when presented with a separation. They will stop eating and drinking, and they might not leave very familiar areas to use the bathroom. This kind of dog separation anxiety can even be dangerous for the health of the dog, as it will allow itself to become ill and malnourished.

Others dogs show they are anxious by becoming destructive. They will bark and growl loudly, destroy your house, and go to the bathroom all over the place. Even though this sort of behavior is considered a common way of displaying their anxiety, it’s certainly not what any pet owner wants to be forced to deal with.

The anxiety starts for your dog with just the thought of being left alone. Dogs that are extremely attached to their owners or family seem to suffer the most. ‘Hyperattachment’ comes when dogs are inseparable from their owners, and they rarely spend time alone. They will be constantly looking for attention, and following their owner throughout the house all day. Most of the time the owner is responsible for encouraging this behavior in its beginning stages. It may be great to have a constant, loyal friend at your side, but a dog also needs to learn to be independent. Otherwise, the dog will suffer if the owner is away.

Separation anxiety is a terrible ordeal for your dog to go through. In order to fix this issue, the attachment needs to be broken to some small degree. Your dog needs to learn independence. This job can be very challenging, but ultimately, both your dog and you will be better off for the effort. Other people in the house can start taking care of the dog, you can teach the dog to play on its own more, and try not to give constant attention. While it might sound cruel to start with, you’ll find that there are benefits to you and the dog from this decision.

Desensitizing the separation is the second important part in treating your dog’s anxiety. Keep in mind a major part of the anxiety starts for the dog long before you have left. Dogs are intelligent and observant. They will realize unfamiliar behaviors, such as rattling your keys, changing your clothes and turning off appliances – all of which are signals that you’ll be leaving soon. Obviously when they see this they realize you will be leaving and fear begins to set in. You can divert this behavior by acting as if you are leaving the house, but not actually going anywhere. This will help your dog to stop associating these actions with your certain absence, and the dog will become less sensitive to these actions.

Dog separation anxiety can also be aided by a variety of other methods. A lot of people have found that dog appeasement pheromones are successful in creating a sense of calm within the dog’s environment. Though odorless to humans, the pheromones create a more relaxing environment for your dog. Since the dog has learned to associate silence with your absence, leaving the TV or radio on helps keep that level of anxiety down.

For first time pet owners, you might not be familiar with crate training. Essentially, crate training is simply the process of utilizing a crate to assist in training your puppy. This is ideal for those who can’t pay for daycare services, and wouldn’t want personal property destroyed while you’re away.

There are countless benefits when it comes to crate training puppies. A pet experiences separation anxiety and even boredom when you’re away from home. This usually results in your pet destroying some things in the house like furniture, pillows, and shoes. You won’t be worried about these types of frustrations if you have a crate for your puppy to stay in. A large benefit to crate training puppies is the fact that is grealy helps in the potty training process. It’s a fact that a puppy would not want to make a mess in the crate where he sleeps and plays. He will learn how to control his need to potty and wait for you to return.

To determine the size of the crate, you have to make it appropriate for your puppy. Adjustments to the crate will need to be made as your puppy grows. This is because when you give a big crate to relatively smaller puppy, he might want to potty in a certain area while sleep on another. Preventing urination in the crate as much as possible is important when crate training puppies. That is why it is important to buy the crate with the perfect size for your puppy. You should leave ample space for him to play though.

Crate training puppies also requires that you find the right spot for the crate. Your main concern here should be comfort. Avoid making him feel that he has been isolated from you. That is why you should place the crate in a place where most people can see or pass by. At first, there will be accidents so consider placing the crate in a place where the floor is easily washable.

Before you start crate training puppies, you have to make sure that the crate is welcoming and inviting. Choose the right bedding which should be soft and easy to clean. While crate training puppies, you will find that your pet loves to chew. Choose a fabric that would be durable enough to handle the chewing. Placing toys into the crate may help increase the overall appeal of it.

Place puppy food inside the crate after it has been prepared. With the toys, nice bedding, and food, the puppy will soon realize that the crate is a place that he loves. Crate training your puppy never works imediately. Along the way, adjustments will need to be made. Take smaller steps if you notice your puppy having difficulty adjusting to the crate. Attempt to feed him in front of the crate. Gradually move it closer and closer until he eats inside the crate. Make sure to praise your puppy once successful. Show him that you’re happy with what he has done. This would reinforce the puppy to continue eating and staying at his crate.

As time passes, your puppy will be comfortable with his crate. This means you can now leave him for hours. Remember that if you have a smaller puppy, you’ll need to come back often to allow him to relieve himself. This is because small puppies have small bladders, which make them urinate more frequently. Control over his need to potty immediately will come with age.

You’ve now learned why crate training puppies is quite helpful for you and your pet, but there are some things that you should avoid. If your puppy already has a collar, you should remove it before he enters the crate. It’s possible that the collar could get stuck in the metal cage. Avoid placing the crate in places where the temperature varies drastically. Lastly, avoid using the crate as a tool for punishment. The crate is someplace a puppy should be comfortable with and punishing him would do the exact opposite. When crate training puppies, keep these things in mind.

With all the benefits of crate training puppies, you should definitely give it a try. As in all things, it may not be easy at first. However, it can be very rewarding if you put enough effort into it. This gives your puppy a place to rest and play. You can leave him and come back finding him in his crate. This will greatly help in the development of your relationship with your puppy.

Whether a canine owner, you may locate yourself needing to provide your canine 1st help. Dogs are curious creatures & sometimes get into risky situations. When they accomplish into problem, it would be your job to assistance.  Several of the problems a dog faces are identical to those of our own. Until you can achieve your dog to a vet, he would depend on you. Having the supplies you require on hand would really assistance you to be helpful.

Rolls of gauze & tape are handy to slow or stop bleeding and are necessary in your doggie 1st aid kit. You could also find some great blood-clotting topical foodstuffs too. Hydrogen peroxide is vital for cleaning wounds. An old clean blanket is important for wrapping a dog in shock. A first support kit should also include an antihistamine for bee or wasp stings, an antibiotic gel and an eye wash. Also, absorbent cotton, gauze rolls or pads, scissors (preferably with rounded tips), tweezers, a rectal thermometer; syringes (without the needle) for giving oral treatments, elastic bandages.

Take occasion to learn the basics of 1st help. Maintain your vet’s phone number handy in case you need him. Wheter you consider your canine might require advisor treatment in the middle of the night or on a weekend, consider calling your vet and advising him. He might have a few best advice or instructions to help you reach him.  A number of cities nowadays have pet crisis centers.  It’s advisable to keep their number in your 1st aid kit whether well.

Remain in mind that an injured canine is afraid & may bite.  If you feel this is reasonable, a muzzle is one more addition to your kit.  Keep away from giving your dog Tylenol.  Discuss with your vet before it is necessary what type of pain treatment is okay & remain several of that with the rest. Read more other useful articles about dog weight, pregnant dogs and small puppies

The north of Wales has come up with a way to try and calm down pets during the loud nights of November. The question that should be asked is, is this really going to help the dog or make it even worse than it was in the first place. On top of all of this it can actually be classed as cruelty?

The CD

The CD that is offered out contains various loud noises that are there to make the dog used to loud noises. The sounds that can be found on the CD are gunfire, thunder clashes, vacuum cleaners and the very strange baby’s cry. Yet the one thing that dogs are most frightened of, fireworks, seems absent from the disc altogether.

The experts are saying that the best thing to do with this is leave the CD playing when you are out of the house. So in actual fact you are scaring your pet for a good few weeks before bonfire night when it isn’t necessary at all.

This seems like a way in which company's are taking people for a ride, if your that concerned then make your own CD. The experts are saying that the pets should not be soothed and taken care of when they are scared but they should learn their lessons and be left to be shown that they shouldnt be afraid.

Is this the way be should treat human beings?

Lets point a gun at someone and threaten to shoot them, when they are trembling in fear lets not stop lets carry it on some more to stop them from being scared.

The person behind this idea is an idiot, simple as this. One of the best things to do is to do it your way and not listen to other people. Do what we do in our house, bring the dog upstairs for one night, they feel a lot more comfortable around their owners and will not be scared in anyway.

Wales in general is actually a really nice place to visit so why not take one of those family days out to there. family holidays UK is yet another option to take when it comes to visiting Wales.

Dog incontinence is often the first sign of serious health problems for your pet.  If it seems like you’re always letting your dog out, or you’re finding puddles of urine all over the house, start paying attention, especially if the first thing he does when he comes back in is to head for the water bowl.

How Much Water Should My Dog Be Drinking?

A dog normally will drink about about three or four cups of water per day for every 20 pounds of body weight.  This means a healthy dog that weighs sixty pounds will slurp down up to three quarts of water a day. 

An easy way to see how much water your dog is drinking is to measure out a set amount of water and put it out for him in a bowl.Cut off any other access to water that he may have, like the toilet, or a leaky faucet.Measure how much water is left at the end of the day, and subtract this amount from what you began with.  Do this for several days.

A checkup at the vet’s is necessary if you find out that he’s drinking more water than normal. 

What Causes A Dog To Drink Too Much Water?

Obviously, he’s drinking a lot of water because he’s thirsty.  But if he’s too thirsty, he’ll drink an excessive amount of water.  Your vet calls this “polydipsia.”  This leads to “polyuria,” a fancy term for frequent urination in dogs.  When your dog drinks a lot of water, he makes a lot of urine, which may cause dog incontinence problems.

Polydipsia and polyuria are symptoms of some serious canine diseases.  These include:

* Canine diabetes
* Liver disease
* Kidney failure
* Pyometra, or an infection of the uterus (often seen in older unspayed females)
* High blood calcium
* Pituitary gland problems
* Cushing’s Disease

You can see that if your buddy is drinking too much water, he may have a serious condition.Your dog may have a simple canine urinary tract infection, which is treated relatively easily.

Natural Remedies For Dogs Can Prevent Dog Urinary Incontinence

Across the centuries, people in many cultures have used natural remedies to treat bladder and urinary problems, and also to support the immune system.  Now these herbal and homeopathic remedies are available for pets. 

Most people are surprised to learn how many natural remedies for dogs are on the market today.  How do you choose the best one? 

First, be sure the remedy is formulated especially for pets, not people.  Second, purchase your dog’s remedies only from a reputable company that has been in business for many years.  This company should have a reputation for manufacturing only the highest-quality products for companion animals.If other pet owners are happy with the products, you should be able to find testimonials. 

If you’re stuggling with the problem of dog urinary incontinence, click on any link in the article to learn about a natural remedy for dogs that can help.

Puppy chewing problems can turn the joy of a new puppy into a nightmare.  However, you can solve the problem of destructive chewing.  All puppies chew, but it’s up to you as the dog owner to teach your puppy which items are off-limits to his teeth.  Here are ten tips that can help. 

1. Take Time To Puppy-proof Your Home

Instead of always yelling at your pup for getting into things, it’s better to temporarily put away things you don’t want him to damage. Cover or tape down electrical wires, hide your plants where he can’t get to them, and put away the throw rugs for now. Put trash bins in the closet, along with the toilet paper and any household cleaners. Put your clothes and shoes away. Secure anything heavy that a puppy could pull down on himself to prevent injuries.

2. Give Him Only Two Or Three Toys At A Time

If your puppy has too many toys, he’ll have a hard time learning what belongs to him and what belongs to you. Plus he’ll get bored with his toys after a couple of days. That’s when you put those toys up and give him different ones.

3. Confine Him Safely To One Place

If you’re not able to keep an eye on your puppy, it’s best to confine him to a safe area where he can’t destroy anything or get hurt. Keep him in one room by using a wire-reinforced puppy gate. You may want to confine him to a crate that’s the right size for him. Puppies often feel more secure in a small, protected den area like a crate. It also gives you peace of mind because you know destructive chewing isn’t happening while you’re gone.

4. Lots And Lots Of Exercise Is Essential

Your pup needs one to two hours of active exercise outside every day. Playing fetch with a ball or other toy can help to stop puppy chewing, too, as well as using up all that excess energy all puppies have.

5. A Puppy Playmate Can Help, Too

Playing with another puppy will also use up his energy, as well as teaching him how to interact with other dogs.

6. Begin Basic Dog Obedience Training Even Though He’s Still Young

Keep the sessions very short. A young puppy can’t concentrate too long, but a 30-second “mini-session” several times a day is a good start. Don’t ignore training opportunities as they arise during the day. If you take time now to correct small problem behaviors as they occur , you’ll prevent them from becoming big problem behaviors in a few months.

7. Find An Agility Training Course For Him

These classes are a lot of fun, plus your puppy is getting lots of exercise while he’s becoming more coordinated and confident. It’s easy to make it into a win-win situation for both of you.

8. Use A Bitter-Tasting Spray

If your puppy just won’t leave the sofa leg alone, try spraying it with a bitter-tasting substance. These sprays are available at pet stores, and they can be very effective in convincing your puppy that he doesn’t want to chew on the chair leg after all.

9. Don’t Punish Him After The Fact

You can’t stop puppy chewing by punishing him for something he did several hours ago. Dogs live in the present. Your pup can’t connect the fact that he chewed up your shoe two hours ago with your being upset now that you’ve just found it.

You either have to catch him in the act of chewing, or better yet, prevent the problem in the first place. See numbers one and three above.

10. Remember that it’s up to you to teach your puppy what kind of behavior is and isn’t acceptable, right from Day 1.

You should know that investing in a good dog training course will pay dividends now, and throughout your dog’s life.  If your puppy chews everything in sight, click on any link in this article to discover how a good dog training course will help you quickly solve your puppy behavior problems.

Are you ripping your hair out trying to train your shih tzu? Learn the proper shih tzu training techniques and end your embarrassment when company comes over!

Shih Tzu training doesn’t necessarily require a large degree of finesse.  Why?  Because they can be quite aggressive.  Does your Shih Tzu cause you embarrassment by acting overly aggressive when your guests steal the spotlight?  Are you afraid because your Shih Tzu shows aggression towards your baby?  You should be!With the right shih tzu training manual, you can stop your dog from being aggressive!

If your Shih Tzu is causing you stress…

Stop wasting your efforts to go it alone, get your hands on a shih tzu training eBook today

Shih Tzu Dog Training 101

The Shih Tzu is lovable because it is so friendly.  Shih Tzu’s love meeting people.Shih tzus are pack animals.They love praise and affection.If you leave a Shih Tzu alone for long periods of time too long, he will become destructive.  So how do you get rid of their destructiveness and aggression?

Don’t leave your shih tzu unattended for too long.A Shih tzu demands lots of attention.  Second, never leave your Shih Tzu with small children or babies – they get extremely jealous and possessive of their owners and refuse to share the spotlight – which makes them act aggressively.

 Your Shih Tzu is always learning. How do you know if you’re teaching your dog good habits or bad ones?Unknowingly you may be giving your shih tzu mixed signals, so he’s not sure what you expect of him. 

So how do you get your dog to learn good habits and NOT bad habits? Dogs interpret things differently than humans and this explains why we sometimes make things worse when training our dog!If you want to gain serenity and put an end to your misery around your dog’s bad behavior… Download the best shih tzu training guide online.

Poodle training gives you the upper hand on dog owners of other breeds. The poodle is very intelligent, and it thrives on your love and praise This factor makes Poodle training easier than training another breed.

Poodle training requires that certain principles be followed.  In fact training any dog breed requires following certain basics. Regardless of whether you’re trying to teach your poodle a new trick or house train him, there are certain guidelines you need always remember and follow.

Use the Pack Hierarchy

Poodles may look cute and sophisticated, but they still carry the blood of the wolf in their veins Poodles are social animals. In the dog world, the pack is lead by what is called the alpha dog, who decides what to eat, where to hunt, when to sleep and in general, sets the standards for all of the other dogs. Once you adopt your Poodle, your family now becomes his “pack” and you must establish yourself as the alpha in order to gain and maintain your Poodle’s respect. This by no means indicates that you should administer harsh and cruel punishment. A calm but firm tone of voice, along with immediate correction for misdeeds and immediate praise for obedience is all that is needed.

Consistency is All Important

If you yell at your Poodle the first time it jumps on the furniture, laugh at it the second time, and ignore it the third, your poodle won’t know what to think Is the couch forbidden or not? Consistency means that every single time your poodle performs bad behavior he gets corrected and every single time he performs the desired behavior you reward him. If you’re consistent with your correction and praise, this will be the only way your dog knows what’s expected of him.

Set Up a Consistent Poodle Training Schedule

Make sure you train your dog at the same time every day. His training time should be clearly distinct from playtime, family time, cuddle time, and any other time you spend with your poodle Speak to your poodle in a calm, firm voice, and always praise desired behavior.

Teach One New Command at a Time

Poodles are very intelligent, but they may become frustrated if you try to teach them too many things at once Don’t move on to the next command until your Poodle has mastered the first command.

Over-training on one command should also be avoided, lest the poodle become bored with the whole thing Once it has obeyed a command several times in a row without mistakes, it’s time to move on to something else

Always Reward Him

Many trainers advocate using treats to reward desired behavior What your dog really craves, however, is your affection and approval It’s best to rub your dog enthusiastically and say “good dog” in a very high pitched exuberant manner!

Never Ever Hit Him

No matter how frustrated you get with your dog, never, ever hit him Incorporating physical violence in your Poodle training will only cause your dog to hate you and be afraid of you.

To correct your dog, all you have to do is say, “No,” in a firm voice. The poodle will easily hear your displeasure.

Now that you have the general poodle training principles mastered, it’s time to learn some techniques of poodle obedience training.

 Got Dog Problems? The GOOD news for YOU is that it’s easier than you may think to regain control of your Poodle. Discover all the latest PROVEN methods and techniques YOU can use to train your Poodle. Find out about Poodle Obedience Training NOW

Dog heated beds are the extra step you can take to show your dog how much you love him. If you care about your dog, you’ll invest in dog heated beds How Come?

Dog heated beds are a must have in the winter Your best friend gets cold too Freezing temperatures can and will penetrate your dog’s fur making your dog suffer.

Dog Heated Beds Relieve Arthritis & Separation Anxiety

Dog heated beds bring about a sense of well being in your dog. It also relieves separation anxiety. Do you have an old dog with stiff joints?

Dog heated beds relieve sore, achy muscles and joints, stimulates circulation and improves the activity level of your pet Which heated dog bed is right for your pet?

Dolce Vita Dog Heated Beds

There are so many types of dog heated beds online. Which one is the right one for your dog? Which one do you pick? That depends on your dog’s size as well as its therapeutic needs.

Do you have a large dog with arthritis or hip dysplasia Your best choice for a dog heated bed would be the Dolce Vita Therabed. How come Here are some of the benefits and features:

• Dolce Vita therapeutic heated dog bed will help relieve sore muscles, joints, and seperation anxiety
• Thick, Soft Foam Padding
• Evenly distributes heat through the bed
• Veterinarian recommended
• Luxurious, Easy Clean, MicroSuede Cover
• Pet Safe Design
• Has both Heating and Cooling Thermostat

What I like about the Dolce Vita heated bed is that unlike other cheaper quality heated dog beds, this heated dog bed distributes heat evenly throughout the bed so that your dog stays warm all over, not just certain parts of his body while the other parts of his body freeze.

The foam padding in the Dolce Vita heated dog bed provides comfort and evenly supports your dog’s weight. It’s the most highly recommended dog heating bed by vets

No More Dog Discomfort

A water and stain resistant dog bed cover is a must. Make sure the cover is machine washable. All dog heated beds comes in small, medium, large or extra large.  That means there’s something for everyone in every size!

When the heating feature is not in use, why not use it simply as a therapeutic bed. It’s also a dual cooling bed for summertime!

The Dolce Vita dog heated bed is just one of many types of orthopedic heated dog beds worth investing in this winter. For more heated dog bed reviews, you can visit Pet Street Mall.