Free Dog Training Tips And Videos

Why The Best Number Of Dog Agility Jumps Are 4 To 8

We are often asked, “How many jumps should I start with?” You can never have too many single jumps to practice agility. A good starting place is four jumps. This is the absolute minimum number of jumps that we recommend.

It is possible to teach your dog a wide range of exercises, skills and drills with four jumps. The four jumps will make it possible to work on short jump chute or jump grid. You can also setup a “box” with the jumps and teach collection, handling and 270 degree jumps.

You can learn your dog to jump left and right. You can handle it from the inside the box or you can be outside and send your dog. Or you can setup the jumps in a horizontal line to practice treadles and serpentines.

After the four jumps come the eight jumps. In this variation you can setup two boxes and have one introductory jump. Now you can train your dog with multiplied drills. And your jump grids can also be of suggested size and quantity of jumps.

Another variation is to setup the jumps in a circle with jump bars vertical to the circle or on the edge of the circle. This variation can teach the dog a lot of new skills.

Now you can think about double and triple jumps. You can choose to setup two or even three single jumps to make your extended jump, but the real value of practice comes when doubling or tripling the jumps. You see it every time; the dog runs a clean course until the last triple jump obstacle, and then the dog is not ready for it. The result: the bar comes down.

Two sets of eight jumps will really set you ahead of the pack. It is the ultimate in practrice because you can have a jump grip up that is separate from your course training, and have eight single jumps for course training. And when you then include the double and triple jumps, you can really train all the jumping skills and drills needed to get you those “Qs”.

Martin Elmer is the editor of Hundefan - a website about hunde tilbehoer. Here you can also read about hundesele.

categories: dogs,agility,dog agility,dog training,training,practice,equipment,agility equipment,dog agility equipment,jumps,pets

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The Proper Use Of Dog Cages For House Training.

A lot of dog owners nowadays are struggling to solve housebreaking problems. While the most effective methods are humane and gentle, some pet owners will become impatient and begin to use more drastic methods - but frustration will not make training your pet any quicker.

In order to get the behavior the dog owner wants, he/she has to find a training method that is right for the dog. It could be training through constant supervision or training with the use of housebreaking aids such as paper or cage. Although, using both also produces results.

Effective as it is, there are quite a few issues buzzing around cage training. There are people who believe that this form of training is inhumane. They feel that no matter what training you are trying to accomplish you should not use a cage on a dog. Contrary to this thought patter, cage training has been shown to be one of the most efficient and effected methods for training both dogs and puppies.

Why? First, because dogs are den dwelling creatures. For centuries dogs have been known to go to a den if they wanted warmth in cold weather or to cool of in the heat. They consider their den as their home in which they are safe from harm. Therefore a cage should feel like home for them - not a cage!

Second, dogs are naturally clean animals and will try not to soil their cages as much as possible. Placing your dog inside the cage will help your dog control his bladder or bowel until he is taken out to potty at the appropriate spot. Since puppies are still young, they should be taken out regularly and more often than an older dog since they only have a limited control over their bladder and bowel movements. Taking these steps will help your puppy establish a schedule for bathroom trips.

Cages come in various styles and materials. You can buy one from your local pet supply store, hardware or pet section in some department stores. When you purchase a cage for your pet, consider their needs and consider why you are buying the cage. If you travel, consider purchasing a cage made of plastic for your dog, as wire cages will not protect them from extremes of temperature. Another thing that you want to take into consideration is the size of the cage. Buying a new create when he has outgrown the old one costs a lot of money. So that is why it would wise to purchase a large crate, that way you can block the excess section so that your dog doesn’t soil it, that way you can place your dog in the other half during the night for him to stay in.

It is important to be consistent when using a dog cage for housetraining. Your housebreaking issues will soon pass if you do this properly.

Karen writes many pieces on the large dog cage and about how to train your pet with large dog cages fast.

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Dog Fleas Are a Hassle

Being a responsible pet owner means that you must take your pet’s health and welfare seriously. One such aspect that must be taken very seriously is the inevitable experiences with dog fleas. Dog fleas can seriously affect your pet’s health. Your dog’s ability to get a good sleep will be hampered. In addition, the itching and biting can take a serious toll on your dog’s coat and skin.

What is the best way to get rid of dog fleas? There are different answers to that question. You must get rid of the actual fleas on your pet plus you must get rid of the fleas in your pets environment. If you do not pay special attention to getting rid of fleas in your home, your pet will quickly get re-infested. Once you have gotten rid of the fleas on the animal and in your home, you would be wise to engage in some preventative steps. Some easy flea prevention steps will go a long way in preventing future bouts with fleas.

As recently as 10-15 years ago, getting rid of fleas was a tedious and arduous process that involved a lot of combing and picking. Thankfully, the pet health industry has made getting rid of fleas much easier. There are a number of commercially available flea medications that work quickly and effectively. Some of the better known brands include Advantage and Frontline. Your pet will have some relief from fleas within the first 36 hours after taking the medication and the fleas can be totally eliminated within 3-4 days. These solutions are applied topically and are non-toxic to your pet.

There are also ways to get rid of fleas naturally. More common methods include rubbing olive oil on to your pet’s skin. Working from the head to the tail, the olive oil drowns the fleas. Of course, this method can prove to be expensive for larger animals. A similar method uses baby powder or talcum powder.

Pay close attention to the areas in your house in which your pet sleeps or passes his day. These areas will, most definitely, have fleas. Vacuum every surface your pet may have come into contact with. If feasible try to steam clean your furniture and carpets using the hottest water possible. Make sure you wash all of the bedding, throw blankets, pillow covers etc. Once you have vacuumed, make sure you seal the vacuum bag and take it out of your house.

An ounce of prevention is the best remedy and the same can be said for getting rid of dog fleas. Some dog owners add some crushed garlic to their pet’s food and swear this is the best flea prevention method. Other people do not want to give their pet’s garlic for health reasons. Speak to your vet about what flea prevention methods might be right for you.

To find more about how to get rid of dog fleas , visit http://my-dog-has-fleas.com.

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Is Acupuncture Right For Your Dog?

Acupuncture is a method renowned for its healing effects. But did you know it works equally well on animals? Canine acupuncture is a common form of therapy used by many pet owners to help their dogs.

Acupuncture has been around for over thousands of years and is known to have originated in China. This method of treatment is implemented by entering thin needles into specific acupuncture points in the body on pathways called meridians , to provide relief for various troubles. This is based on the theory that in order to heal, the energy in the body needs to be well-balanced.

If you are thinking about canine acupuncture for your dog, you would want to visit a canine acupuncturist, who would commence canine acupuncture treatment after asking you several important questions relating to your dog, and will also check to see whether the animal shows any external signs of illness. It is important that you go to a canine acupuncturist who is licensed, so as to ensure safe treatment. It is best that you first take your dog to its regular doctor who will then be able to let you know of a good acupuncturist. Several websites online also have lists of veterinarian acupuncturists.

Canine acupuncture is said to be relaxing and may therefore make your dog drowsy. Canine acupuncture is said to be relatively painless. Pet owners therefore need not worry about their dogs suffering while canine acupuncture is being done.

Canine acupuncture could handle other disorders such as arthritis, various allergies and problems with regard to fertility, among others. Canine acupuncture treatment does not last very long. It lasts a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes. Based on your dogs condition and other important matters regarding your dogs health, the number of sittings will be specified. Usually it would take around 5 sessions to cure the dog of its ailments. Not only does canine acupuncture help deal with physical ailments, but is also known to help improve psychological and emotional ailments. What better way to keep your dog healthy!

Lee has fun when writing about animals, pets and travel. His latest work can be viewed at his website that features leather duffle bag luggage for sale at value prices.

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Who Else Wants a Healthier Pet?

There are many responsibilities that go into owning a pet of any kind. Many factors play a part in your pet being healthy. If your pet has ever been ill you know what heartache you feel. I remember how I felt the time my dog was ill; all I thought of was helping her get better. Do You Want a Healthier Pet?

The main thing you need to watch with your pet is the food you feed them; make sure it has the right nutritional value to it. Be certain the food is designed for them. This type of food will include all the nutrients your pet’s body will require to be healthy. It doesn’t matter if you own a hamster, cat, or dog, they all require the right food for their systems.

Only feed them people food if the vet says you can and only what the vet says. Caffeine is not good for dogs so they need to stay away from it. It can affect a dog’s heart to the extent of a heart attack. A dog doesn’t need to eat sugar either.

Animals can pack on extra pounds too if fed too many calories. This why the standing recommendation is to leave off scraps from the table. Fish that eat too much can die. Just like humans your pets are prone to bad health because of overeating. Most pets need enough water taken in daily to keep hydrated. Now when the pet of choice is fish, then they need certain water conditions to live healthy. So check the water often for any problems.

Be on time with your pet’s annual checkup with the vet if this is relevant to your pet’s health. Cats and dogs both need periodic vaccines to keep from contracting certain diseases. Rabies vaccine is especially important to them. This is even more important if you live in a location where your pets can come in contact with wild creatures.

Every pet needs exercise even fish. Fish do of course get a lot of exercise swimming constantly like they do. Cats and dogs should be ran, played with, and walked be certain that they receive enough healthy exercise. This helps keeps their bodies strong and their weight at the right point. It also helps your pet’s heart be healthy. Walk your cat or dog when you go for a stroll. This is how both of you can get healthier at the same time. Provide a hamster with a wheel to run on for their health, if that is your pet of choice. This way it gets enough exercise for its health.

Your pet also needs your attention and love to have good emotional health. We should all talk to them and pet them to show how much we love them. Grooming is even part of showing this love. Cats and dogs shed hair or the fur they have can get all matted without correct combing and brushing.

Following the above suggestions will help you have the healthiest pet you can have. Is this not what all of us pet owners want? So have a healthier pet today!

Being a pet owner is wonderful. But you must notice two things that you need to know about. One is quality pet health insurance because unless you have it your pet is not safe. The next key thing is that using cheap pet meds can hurt your pet terminally if you purchase poor quality of medication.

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Ways To Keep Your Dog From Drowning

Estimates have the number of dogs and cats in North America at 58,000,000 and 62,000,000, respectively, and it’s a painful truth that thousands of them are victims of accidental drownings annually. Due to the fact that many people do not report these drownings, there is no way to know exactly how many pets actually die this way. Although, 99 % of dogs can swim, we have a false sense of security when we see our dogs running and jumping in and out of the water at the lake or our back yard pool. A significant percentage of dogs and even some cats are only able to swim a little while before they become fatigued. With this in mind, these animals go into a panic state when they are unable to quickly find a way to get their paws on solid ground. This panic is what causes them to drown. But it is more than just a problem for pets, for loving pet parents will selflessly and without hesitation dive into a frozen lake or rapidly flowing river in an attempt to rescue their animal.

How can we prevent our pet from suffering this horrible fate? Here are a few valuable tips:

1. Never take for granted that your dog knows how to swim.

2. Keep a close eye on your aging pet. They cannot swim as long or as far as they once did.

3. Never throw a dog or cat in water. This will cause them to panic from the surprise.

4. Obtain a canine flotation device (CFD) or a pet life jacket for your pet. Ensure that they are wearing the device whenever they are close to the water. There are many times that a pet has fallen of a dock or moving boat without anyone knowing.

5. Solar blankets and pool covers look like solid surfaces to your pet. If your animals are around the pool, it is a good idea to remove them if possible to avoid them walking onto it.

6. Install a pet safety gate near the pool area.

7. Check to ensure that your pet does not have an entry into your neighbor’s pool area.

8. A pool alarm is a good idea for your pool or pond.

9. Don’t let your pet play or walk near fast flowing water.

10. Make sure your pet stays away from frozen lakes and rivers.

Seeing your pet drown and the awful guilt that is associated with it can be overwhelming and very difficult or impossible to recover from. I strongly encourage you to have a look around your property for obvious water hazards. Whether it is summer or winter, you need to drown proof your home as well as your vacation property NOW. If your pet is going to be anywhere near water, make sure they are wearing a canine floatation device or pet life jacket.

Jake writes articles on the large dog life jacket and many dog life jacket reviews.

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Dogs Can Get the Flu Too!

The Swine Flu has caused quite a commotion lately with humans. Dogs can catch a cold or the flu as easily as humans. This type of dog Influenza is an A H3N8 influenza virus that was initially detected in horses and has been present for over 40 years. In 2004, several instances of an unidentified respiratory infection in dogs (initially greyhounds) were discovered. This virus has since know to transfer from dog to dog.

Dogs do not have a natural immunity to this virus because it is so new to dogs. Signs of canine flu are alike the kennel cough, including a thick nasal discharge and slight fever.

Canine influenza is transported through the air and through infected surfaces. The virus can remain active and infectious for up to 48 hours, on clothes for 24 hours, and on skin for 12 hours. Consequently sharing dog kennels, crates, food and water bowls, collars and leashes with other dogs are discouraged when dealing with this virus.

There are similar respiratory infections that mimic the Dog Flu. Two blood samples can confirm canine influenza. One blood sample is drawn while the dog is sick and the second 2 to 3 weeks later.

There is a vaccine for the virus, H3N8 has been confirmed to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the length of coughing and duration of the virus. The vaccine is prepared from inactivated virus and is given injection in two doses, separated by 2 to 4 week intervals. The Canine Flu vaccine may be administered annually to dogs six weeks of age or older. Owners should ask for advice from their veterinarian to establish whether the vaccine is suitable for their dog.

Presently, there is no proof that humans can contract the canine influenza virus from dogs. There are no recognized cases of humans infected with the virus. This virus is only known to infect and spread between dogs.

Similar to the Swine Flu and the Seasonal Flu, it is expected that the Dog Flu will go on spreading. Taking the necessary precautions and proper care of your pet should keep your dog in good physical shape during this flu season. No need for alarm and do not avoid dog parks, kennels, grooming or additional places you normally visit with your dog. Trustworthy Pet Professionals keep their places of business disinfected and are conscious of unhealthy symptoms of their clients.

For more information on Canine Influenza, check out these 2 websites: Dr. Cynda Crawford (University of Florida) at www.canineflu.org and information from the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org.

We as human are always worried about our health and that of our family and sometimes don’t realize that our pets may be living in unhealthy circumstances. As a expert in dog health and care Joanne Gallagher at Jake’s Dog House recommends visiting your veterinarian when you notice any symptoms of canine influenza.

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The Importance of Using The Right Agility Potty Training to Train Your Dog

Dog training is more than just obeying commands, because there is as well dog agility training in which you can teach your dog to do perform several kinds of sport as well as jumping, climbing activities and even dodging in between poles. Dog agility training is an derivative of horse show jumping and it was originally showcased in the UK in 1979 at the Crufts Dog Show, and from then on, it has exponentially grown in recognition for the entertainment value as well sports value of it.

Should Be Able To Follow Simple Commands

Dogs by and large are incredibly sprightly creatures however the dogs that are largely suitable for sports competition are those that are intermediate size and as well the bigger types. Any dog that is prepared to participate dog agility training as obligation must initially be checked by a veterinarian and he must also be able to comply with easy commands for example sit down and lie down as well as come, and it has been noticed that dogs that are well trained to follow will succeed at dog agility training far greater than those having difficulty with complying easy commands.

Dog agility training could be done in many different ways though the instructor have to ensure that the method used suits the dog the well, and the agility training should be enjoyable for the dog and it may be prudent on the part of the instructor not to become excessively disparaging of the dog or attempt and make it even more competitive.

Fundamentally, dog agility training means making the dog weave its way through an difficulty path under the supervision of a handler and there are various types of obstacles such as tunnels, poles jumps like also ramps for the dog to traverse. In the beginning, the dog begins with the simplest of obstacles and as its skills progress, the degree of training becomes very difficult, and it is also to be seen how active the dog is to begin with, since that will assist to appraise the type of agility training to teach to it.

After dogs have been taught in dog agility training, they will subsequently enter into competitions in which the moderator chooses the course of the obstacle the dog should follow which it does together with its trainer, and as soon as the dog has effectively finished a hurdle course, he is qualified to get an agility title together with lots of acclaim in addition to goodies and for sure, a lot of toys.

For More Information About the top quality Dog Training Tips, Dog Training Course, or Dog Training Techniques, visit my blog to discover how to train a dog the right way.

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How to do Dog Potty Training

Regardless of how cute your puppy is when you bring him home, resist the temptation to delay dog potty training until later. Even very young puppies can be potty trained successfully.

A Crate

A puppy crate is a very helpful tool for dog potty training. A crate gives your dog his own “space” that he won’t want to soil particularly at night. Be sure he given plenty of opportunity and encouragement to go potty before he’s crated.

The Right Food

You may be tempted to buy cheap dog food, but you will most likely regret it in the end. Cheap dog foods are full of fillers. Since the fillers can’t be digested and processed into fuel, they pass through your dog’s digestive system causing gas and creating large amounts of stool. Higher quality dog foods do not have as much filler so your dog passes much smaller stools

A Regular Schedule

Establishing a schedule for your puppy from the beginning will go a long way toward potty training him. Feeding should be done at the same times every day followed by taking him outside to relieve himself about 15-20 minutes after he eats. He should also be given the opportunity to go outside after naps and immediately upon being removed from his crate in the morning.

Clear Communication

Establish words that your dog can learn to associate with relieving himself. Use that word consistently to avoid confusing him. It’s also important to learn your dog’s signals that he needs to go outside; restlessness, sniffing around (especially in places he may have had an accident at some point) or going to the door can all be signals that your dog needs to go.

Consistent Reinforcement

When your puppy does well, praise him. Using the word he’s come to associate with elimination, “good boy to go potty outside” will help him strengthen the connection between going potty and being praised.

Successful dog potty training requires patience and persistence but the pay off is well worth the effort. Well mannered dogs are a joy both to their owners and those around them.

http://www.pottytrainingtips.us provides articles and information on How to Start Potty Training for new parents. In partnership with AbworkoutExercise.com - Search Engine Optimisation by Digitalawol.com

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One Method for Keeping Dogs Living Longer

Now that you have your dog and have it for awhile, you know how to take care of its needs. You water and feed it every day and then groom it when needed. Do you want to know how to help you dog live for more years? Here is one way to help your dog live for more years.

Make sure to be careful on what your are feeding to your dog. Their food should be carefully paid attention to, so that you are providing all their nutritional needs to them. It has been recommended for a long time not to feed table scraps to dogs. This is because it can make them gain weight.

The food that is specially made for dogs try to control the amount of fats that the dog would consume. There are various categories for the dog food which are adults, puppies, and dogs of the senior ages. Each category is made to help the dog in their development, at the age they are at.

Your dog also needs water given to it daily. They have hydration needs just like we do. On the market now are watering bowls with reservoirs attached that continuously feed water into the water bowl. This is an easy way to keep water out for your dog.

Groom and brush your dog as much as is called for as far as what breed it is. Your dog usually can be brushed everyday and then give the dog a bath maybe twice a month unless the dog requires it more often. Some get dirtier than others because they are outside a lot more. The dog having a nice, shiny coat shows how healthy they are.

Make sure your dog is getting enough doily exercise; you have a variety of activities to do with your dog that will provide the exercise. If you walk for your exercise just take your dog with you, he or she will love it. Fetching things like balls, sticks, or a Frisbee will do too; many times the dogs will run gleefully to retrieve these items. Swimming is another activity that a dog can do with you for exercise, whether it is a lake or a pool. There are various types of competitions that are regularly held for dogs to be put through their paces doing different tasks. There is now what is called dog parks, which are where dogs play with different dogs.

Make sure to take your dog to the vet for their annual checkup. A dog needs specific vaccines to prevent them from getting certain diseases as in rabies. You also need to make sure their teeth and ears are in good shape too. Without their teeth a dog has a hard time getting their nourishment. Their ears can get infected if they are not cared for properly. The vet helps you know how to take care of the special needs of your dog.

Love your dog along with following this guide and you will see that your dog lives much longer. With the dog being such a part of the family, it would be quite hurtful for you to lose it, so give it the right kind of care. This way the family can enjoy your dog for a nice, long time.

As a pet owner there are so many things you should think about. An important thing is to get pet health insurance to be certain that your cat is covered. Some cat owners will go look for cheap cat insurance and buy poor coverage. Don’t let the price be the only thing you look at.

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