Archives for January, 2010

How To Teach A Puppy Not To Bite - 7 Steps To Remember

One of the first things you will want to do with your new puppy is to teach it not to bite This behaviour if not stopped can become an act of aggression in your adult dog, possibly leading to a situation where he would seriously injure a child, even if unintentionally.

Be Consistent

Every one will have to be consistent in this training. Teach your children to treat your puppy exactly as you do. It is a natural thing for a puppy to bite. Play biting is what puppies do when they are with their litter mates, so it is only natural that they will want to do the same with you and your kids.

Act Like A Puppy

It is easy to stop them when you understand how they behave with their brothers and sisters. They stop if one of their litter mates yelps, so any time he nibbles on your fingers all you have to do is yelp just like him. He will stop and you can move your hand away. Don’t play with him for a while after he bit you. When you playing with him and he doesn’t bite, reward him with a few treats.

Keep Your Training Short

It’s important that your training sessions don’t go on for too long. Puppies don’t have a long attention span. Do keep the training positive and your voice happy. Always give plenty of praise and make sure you pet him when he gives attention to what you say.

Provide Lots Of Toys

When you are working on how to educate a puppy not to bite make certain your pup is given toys to bite and chew on. Should your dog bites your hand say ouch or even yelp. Remain consistent in this. When your puppy backs off let him know this pleases you.

Give Plenty Of Love And Attention

All puppies require loads of love and attention. They also enjoy plenty of play time with the correct toys. Puppies like texture. Therefore, always keep lots of different types of toys on hand for your puppy to play with. He will pick his favourite one. Use that one when you are teaching him not to bite.

Avoid Giving Your Puppy Old Shoes And Clothes

Nonetheless, do not provide your old boots and shoes or clothes to the puppy to have fun with. He has no understanding what is new and what is not. He might believe this indicates it is Acceptable to chew up all your clothing and footwear. Puppies can become confused very easily. He needs to realize that your things are not his playthings.

Stick To The Program

Ensure everybody sticks with the program. Don’t have the kids let your puppy nip or hurt them in play, this will confuse your puppy. Teach them to yelp and stop playing too. Make sure your puppy is provided rewards for good behaviour and not for bad.

Remember, it is a natural thing for puppies to bite and nip at their playmates so it takes a little time to unlearn the behaviour. No one would like a dog who is aggressive towards anyone so it is really worth putting into practice these instructions on the best way to teach a puppy not to bite.

Hannah Clapham is an enthusiastic writerwith a particular interest in the field of dog training. Her latest website discusses the benefits of using a Citronella Anti Bark Collar to prevent nuisance barking. For more information, visit the Citronella Anti Bark Collar website

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Jan 30, 2010 | 0 | dog training

Flea Allergies And Your Dog

If you have a dog that is driving you crazy up all night chewing and itching, then he most likely is suffering from an allergy to fleas. Sounds ridiculous but it’s more common than you think. For some dogs, this can turn into a serious problem, especially if left untreated.

This allergy can start as early as a puppy but can also manifest itself at any time in a dog’s life. Adult fleas do the biting but they cannot live for long if they are not on your cat or dog. Well, that makes me feel just a little bit better.

The adult flea makes the initial bite but when it falls off it dies. The eggs left behind will hatch and continue the process. Getting control of the infestation is critical to curing the problem.

If you want to keep your dog flea free, then you need to continue treatment. The symptoms can be painful to the dog and an annoyance to the owners. This chronic condition left untreated can lead to behavioral problems in your pet as well.

Constant itching and chewing is a sure sign of fleas on your dog. You can also search the dog to see if you notice the fleas themselves or flea dirt. Your vet might also want to test a skin scrapping for mites if no fleas are visible.

Fleas can also bite humans so if you think you might have an infestation in the house or yard, it’s best to treat those areas as well. Really it only takes a couple of bites to set your dog’s flea allergy in motion. Treating the dog without treating the home or yard can just lead to another infestation.

As you can imagine, this condition can be very painful for your dog with the chronic itching. Diagnosis and immediate treatment is critical to relieve these symptoms. Flea dips and shampoos can be used as well as a topical applied to the knap of the neck used monthly are extremely useful.

Along with the chewing and itching, your dog might start loosing hair. If your pet is suffering an allergic reaction to flea it can also have lesions all over its body. It’s horrible to watch a dog suffering so be diligent with treatment to provide you beloved pet some much needed relief.

More serious infestations might require multiple treatments before results are noticed. Continued monthly treatments will eventually take affect ridding your dog of those nasty little nuisances. And you will see a happy healthier dog for all your efforts.

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Jan 29, 2010 | 0 | Dog Health

How to Stop Dog Jumping

We have all been there, you get home from work or the grocery store and the first thing you get when you open the door is an over excited dog jumping on you to say hello. He knocks the groceries out of your arms and leaves scratches down your legs and torso. Or even worse, a small child get in the way and is knocked to the ground.

Sorry to say this, but you probably taught him to greet you in this manner.

Many unsuspecting dog owners encourage this behavior way before it be comes a problem and the next thing you know you have a dog with an unacceptable behavior problem. You see, you would encourage your cute little fluff ball of fun (when he was a puppy) to come running to you and jump on your leg. At that time he could barely reach your knee cap, if that. And then, like most everyone, you would reach down and pet him of maybe pick him up.

You have just taught your puppy a very nice lesson, if he runs up to you and jumps on your foot or knee he can get praise and affection. Fast foreword a few months and now that little puppy is as much as 5 or 6 times the size that he was, but still thinking like a puppy, (”if I jump on my owner he will give me love”). He does not know the difference between his puppy size, of say 4 or 5lbs and his new size of maybe 30 or 40lbs or more, not to mention he is taller now and can reach up to your arms or chest. All he knows is that he wants the praise and affection that he has missed all day long and you taught him how to get it, by jumping.

Is it bad manners to have a dog jump on you?

You have to put your foot down and make it clear that jumping is no longer an accepted behavior. When is jumping O.K.? Many owners of toy breed dogs or smaller dogs expect their dog to jump up. This is totally up to you. But, when any dog jumps on an unsuspecting guest, it can cause a bit of an awkward moment. This is why teaching your dog the “off” command is also a good idea. You can train your dog to jump on your command; we will get into that later.

For larger dog breeds, there really is no debate on this matter. You should either never allow him to jump or at the very least work the “off” or “no jump” command in to their regular training. After all it is one thing to have to deal with scrapes or soiled cloths due to your own dog, it is quite another to have to deal with him jumping on a guest or stranger.

Generally, there are two reasons why dogs jump.

The number one reason dogs jump is most likely out of pure excitement after a long separation (returning home from work) or during playtime when adrenaline is running high.

A much more complicated and serious reason dogs jump, is to display his dominance over you. Centuries of the pack mentality are still evident in all dogs and if there is doubt in who is alpha in your dogs pack (your family) he may try to exert his dominance over you. One of the behaviors dogs use to show physical superiority is to place one or both paws over a lesser animals shoulders.

Well, how do you know if you have an over excited dog that likes to jump on you or a dog that is trying display is dominance? This is fairly easy to determine, if your dog only jumps on you upon returning home from a long absents, you needn’t worry, this is just a bad habit that can be corrected. If you find that your dog jumps on you or others in many different situations, then you have a communication problem with the hierarchy in your house and it might be a good idea to brush up on your alpha dog skills.

On the other hand, if he jumps in a variety of situations, you could be dealing with more of a dominance issue and symptoms of a more complicated problem of communication and attitude. The longer this type of behavior is allowed to happen the harder it will be to regain control of the jumping issues. At this point and time I would highly suggest that you study alpha-dog techniques (tip: you can find more great information on dealing with a dominate dog over at Ez Dog Training At Home, you can find the link for this web site at the bottom of this page)

How to Stop Dog Jumping Fast

This means sticking to your training plan every day until there is not longer a problem. Your dog will not stop jumping on you if you allow it one day and not the next or allow him to jump on you but not your children. If you send this message to your dog he will jump when ever he feels like it.

This means that you must fallow your stop jumping techniques always. You can’t expect your dog to understand the difference between playtime and greeting, nice cloths and play cloths, rainy days or sunny days. If you let your dog jump at anytime, he will feel free to jump whenever he feels like it.

Here is the best way to stop dog jumping.

When your dog jumps on you or is about to jump on you, turn your back to him and ignore this behavior. As soon as he has all four paws on the ground praise him. If he goes to jump again turn your back, cross your arms and face away.

This technique works really well because dogs actually study and understand body language more so than the spoken word.

Again, as soon as he has all four paws back on the ground praise him lavishly. Don’t worry that you may be confusing him, dogs have a very short “training memory” and they can only comprehend the reaction you give to his behavior at that moment.

Reinforce the good behavior, as soon as he keeps all for paws on the ground, reward him. If he gets excited again and goes to jump, give him the cold shoulder again. Don’t worry if the cold shoulder and the praise are within seconds of each other, dogs have a very short training memory and are only capable of associating the reaction you give with the behavior he is presenting at moment. So, it will work really well if you give extreme affection when he keeps his paws to himself and the cold shoulder a half of second later.

To learn more about dog training basics Stop by Matt Closson’s site where you can find out all about leash training a dog and how you can get a free 6 day training course.

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Jan 28, 2010 | 0 | dog training

Best Puppy Training Secrets

Ever since the beginning of time, dogs have been the most preferred choice as pets by most households. Many have proven that they are proficient, steadfast, smart and trainable in diverse farm duties and simple household tasks. They can be charming and submissive to their owners but vicious to total strangers. These qualities make them an ideal escort for those who are single in life as well as to couples who are just planning to start their own brood. Babies to older adults will not have a hard time adjusting to their presence.

It has been said that a dog’s behavior only reflect his breeding and training. Obviously, there is nothing that you can do anymore to change his breeding. However, there is still a lot you can do with his training. You can still teach new tricks. Now, if you are thinking of getting another puppy as a pet, here are some of the best-kept secrets of puppy training that you should bear in mind.

The first thing that you have to do is to make your pet feel secure in your company. Spend some quality time by playing with him after you have gotten home from your office. This process will ensure that you have established a good rapport. It’s a no-no to start implementing difficult tricks that would boggle his mind because it will not lead to any learning. After making your pet comfortable, slowly impose discipline by taking away his comfortable lifestyle.

There are a lot of ways to do this but the most common includes putting a leash around his neck, placing him inside a kennel or positioning him in a crate. It is expected that your dog would howl in protest. At times, it may be too annoying that you would want to stuff his mouth with a ball of socks. However, remember that all this seemingly vicious acts will gain benefits. Try to be immune to this kind of suffering. Remember, you only want what’s best for your dog. The end justifies the means, as they often say.

Second, teach him a simple trick followed by a nice reward. The treat could come in the form of a chicken or pork meat. As exemplified by Ivan Pavlov, the famous Russian psychologist, this method will make the dog associate good behavior with food. This will be stored in their memory for a long time if done repetitively.

Third, you can go the opposite way of the second step and let your dog learn through the negative conditioning process. Instead of giving a nice reward, teach him the power of the words no, stop and don’t in a strong and authoritative tone. They will distinguish that it is something significant in relation to your voice.

Fourth, you have to be unswerving in your reward or punishment. When you either of the two, make sure that it is appropriate to the excellent job or the awful deed. Variety should be avoided at all cost or else your dog will develop some kind of a crisis. The same premise applies to all the people in your household.

Lastly, give choices. If there are tricks or tasks that he can’t easily act upon like not digging the front lawn or backyard, then provide another alternative like another digging space beside the dog house yard.

Mr. Moto is an expert on cats and dogs and has recent written an article on the controversial topic of locating a cheap pet insurance. Most people pay too much for the pet animal insurances and Moto can help. He recent help a group of people find cheap cat insurance on the Internet.

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Jan 28, 2010 | 0 | dog training

7 Things You Should NEVER Give Your Dog

Since humans and dogs have a different bodies and metabolisms, dogs cannot eat the same things a human can. To protect your dog from some serious problems here are the 7 foods a dog should never eat.

1. Certain bones: A lot of people believe it is ok for dogs to eat bones, but the reality is some bones can be extremely dangerous, causing obstruction or laceration to their digestive system.

Chicken bones and fish bones should never be fed to a dog. Even the famous green dental bones and rawhide bones have caused internal injury to dogs. When it comes to bones, your safest bet is to find thick bones that are unlikely to splinter. There isn’t a specific type of bone I can recommend, because all bones can be dangerous and there simple isn’t one single bone out there that is guaranteed to be safe, but basically, the thicker the bone, the better.

2. Mushrooms: You may like mushrooms, but for your canine friend mushrooms can be deadly. Mushrooms contain toxins that may send your dog into shock.

3. Raw fish: Raw fish, if given to your dog often enough, will cause seizures and can be deadly. This is caused from a vitamin B deficiency.

4. Caffeine: Products with caffeine, such as coffee or chocolate, can affect your dog’s nervous system, and can be deadly.

5. Alcohol: Getting your dog drunk is not going to be funny when they end up dying from it. Dogs can get alcohol poisoning very easily. Remember, their body size is much smaller than yours. Even large dogs are smaller than people (usually). Plus, a person can (typically) know when they’ve had too many drinks. A dog can’t. Dogs have a tendency to get into people’s drinks during parties. During parties, make sure to keep your dog somewhere they won’t have any chances of accidentally drinking alcoholic beverages.

6. Human medications: Sometimes, a vet will tell you to give human medications to your dog. When this happens, you need to be sure to only give the exact amount the vet recommended. Never give more without checking with the vet first. Remember, your dog’s body weight is much lower than yours. That tiny pill can cause major problems.

7. Macadamia nuts: It is not known what exactly is it in Macadamia nuts that is toxic. They cause locomotory problems in dogs, sometimes even when they’ve only ingested a few.

A dog’s body is sensitive to different things than a human body is and in many cases dogs are poisoned by an owner that does not know they are harming their dog. Hundreds of thousands of dogs are accidentally poisoned each year, and not just by these 7 substances. These are only 7 of the many things that may poison your dog.

Owners giving their dog something they shouldn’t have are not the only reason dogs are poisoned. Dogs also get into things they shouldn’t, accidentally poisoning themselves. Be sure to keep any poisonous foods out of your dog’s reach and learn what foods are ok and what foods are not ok to give your dog.

Thanks for reading. Go read more great tips and tricks about solving bad dog behavior at http://www.DogBehaviorExpert.com

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Jan 27, 2010 | 0 | Dog Health

How To Discourage Your Dog’s Territorial Aggression

Canines are hardwired to protect their territory from intruders. In most cases, they communicate a warning to others by barking; it’s a form of intimidation. If a trespasser fails to heed the warning, your pooch’s barking might turn into pacing and growling as if he is preparing for a physical confrontation. If the trespasser still refuses to leave, the pacing and growling may evolve into an attack.

If your pooch shows signs of territorial aggression, it is important to begin discouraging the behavior as soon as possible. Otherwise, your visitors’ safety might be at risk. This article will provide several tips you can use to discourage your dog from behaving aggressively over his territory.

Before Training Begins

There are a few medical conditions that can influence your canine’s tendency to act aggressively toward others. For example, hypothyroidism causes a deficiency of thyroid hormones and can lead to his feeling overly-anxious. If he becomes agitated enough, his anxiety can potentially prompt an attack.

You should also take precautions to ensure that you and your dog will not be interrupted by strangers during your training sessions. Close and lock your gates, especially if you’re training him off-leash.

Action Steps To Curb Aggressive Behavior

First, make sure your canine receives at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. That will help prevent pent-up energy from contributing to his anxiety or aggression.

Second, devote time each day to training your dog to respond to your single-word commands. Many professional trainers recommend a program that includes two or three short sessions (5 minutes per session is sufficient) each day. Whenever your canine successfully responds to your commands, provide a food treat.

In addition to these training sessions, make your pooch work for everything he desires. For example, require him to sit before serving him meals or giving him attention. Over time, your canine will learn that if he wants something, he must follow your commands to acquire it.

One of the challenges owners have with canines that are territorially aggressive is that their dogs often try to usurp the role of leader. This can be due to several factors, including a laxity toward actively curbing the aggressive behavior. To that end, it may be necessary to place a head halter on your pooch in situations that might provoke his aggression.

For example, if you’re expecting visitors with whom your dog is unfamiliar, a head halter will gently encourage him to submit to your authority. That gives your pooch an opportunity to meet new people, and be rewarded (with treats) for staying calm when others trespass on “his” territory.

The suggestions above are effective for canines whose territorial aggression is based on dominance. If the aggressive behavior is triggered by a fear-based mechanism, a modified approach including desensitization and counter conditioning is necessary. Training in such cases is focused on reducing a dog’s level of fear and changing the manner in which he perceives a potential threat. We’ll address those training issues in an upcoming article.

Find the best Dog Treats and Dog Chews at http://www.bestbullysticks.com

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Jan 26, 2010 | 0 | dog training

Secrets To Cheaper Pet Food

The world is currently feeling the pinch of an economic crisis. Everyone is tightening their proverbial belts in order to save money and cut costs considerably. Sadly, no one knows for how long this dreadful scenario will stop hovering over the country’s financial status. This is why it is essential to be very conscious of one’s spending habits in order to maximize your purchasing power.

The news of big firms in Wall Street filing for bankruptcy and financial bailout packages doesn’t help calm the mind of ordinary consumers. In fact, it adds fuel to the fire because it will result to lower economic growth and higher inflation rate. This is terrible news to those who are already in deep debt. This grim scenario which hovers over the country like a dark cloud is very scary to all concerned.

Even pet owners are not spared from this predicament. It is obvious that expenses for pets are not as steep as those for human being. However, that is still not a reason to be unworried and shell out tons of dollars like there is no tomorrow. Nowadays, it is vital to be more conscious of your spending habits so that you can still maintain ample savings in your bank account. Always be on the lookout on ways to set aside some precious bucks. Here is a comprehensive list of ways to save money on pet food. Hopefully, they will be a welcome solution to your pet-related food woes.

Primarily, you can slash your expenses by purchasing pet food in bulk. You may be curious as to how this is possible. Well, if you were to buy a huge sack weighing seven kilos instead of seven small ones, then it means that less money was spent manufacturing the package. The pet food firm has saved quite an amount, if this is the case. Therefore, the savings they have made will then be passed on to the unwavering consumers.

Another way to save is to buy pet food online. It is common knowledge that the online marketplace is just as good, if not better, than the real world. In the internet, you have a variety of choices that will fit your discriminating needs. Most sites offer a wide array of pet food products, from the cheapest to the most expensive, depending on the quality. Here, you can easily compare a lot of factors. After you have made a decision, you can easily purchase a product and pay for it using your credit card or PayPal account. In a matter of days, your order will be delivered right at your doorstep.

Third, visit your veterinarian. If you often purchase your food products from him, then he will almost certainly give you a reduction or a promotional price. It is also possible that he will considerably lessen his mark up if you are constantly purchasing other pet items from his clinic aside from your pet food.

Be on the lookout for pet coupons. Suffice to say, they can be found everywhere. It only takes patience and guts to discover them hidden in some items. Some pet food companies leave advertisements in newspapers along with a free coupon. Others distribute it to their suppliers or retailers. A few give their coupons to veterinary offices. Furthermore, there are those who give out these vouchers in the mall for faster distribution.

Lastly, you can abolish treats if they are not really needed. Remember that a regular treat for your pet may not amount when bought individually, but if you sum up your expenses in a month, it will add up to quite an amount. If you can’t avoid giving your beloved pet a treat, do it once every two months and only if he deserves it.

This Expert is valued for his quality tips for pet owners looking for cheap pet health insurance for their pets. You might also benefit from reading his latest publicly released article called Help Your Pet Stay Healthy.

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Jan 26, 2010 | 0 | Dog Food

Necessities Of Dog Grooming

Dog grooming should be a major part of your dog care regimen as a responsible owner. The right grooming helps your dog both look and feel good. Grooming embodies a few different areas. Here we have got a glance at the necessary of dog grooming.

Hair brushing is the 1st and the most important thing to do if you need to keep your dog well groomed. Not brushing your dog’s hair too frequently could mean tangling of hair which can injure your dog’s coat. Regular brushing of hair helps maintain a healthy dog coat.

However, you shouldn’t overdo the brushing my doing so each day. How often your brush your dog’s hair will depend entirely on the length of the coat. Dogs with longer hair generally need brushing more repeatedly compared to those with shorter hair.

Washing is another required of dog grooming. You can’t expect your dog to be clean and well groomed if you are not giving him a proper bath. Bathing not just helps remove all the dust from your dog’s coat but also eliminates any bacteria that might be sticking to your dog’s coat. It is these bacteria that finally cause countless skin infections in your pet.

You do not have to get your dog a daily bath. Most dogs do well with a monthly bath. if your dog has soiled himself then showering him becomes more than heavy. There are particular things you need to take note of when bathing your dog. This include the temperature of the water. Ensure that the water is neither too hot nor too cold. Also, ensure that you are using quality dog shampoos for your pet.

Another important aspect of dog grooming is nail trimming. If your dog has long nails, he could be more susceptible to various medical conditions. This is because the nails attract dust and other bacteria.

This makes your dog subject to sicknesses. So, it is important that you trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis. It’s probable that your dog may resist nail trimming. This is essentially because dogs don’t appreciate their nails being trimmed. So, you’ll have to handle your dog with great care. Try not cut the nails precisely from the sides as even a little pain can make your dog go berserk. Guarantee that you use professional dog clippers to trim your pet’s nails.

You do not need your pet to be a social embarrassment for you. Therefore , it is vital that you follow these essentials of dog grooming and make your pet look and feel good.

To know more about Dog Training and Dog Grooming visit: http://www.dogs-help.com

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Jan 25, 2010 | 0 | dog training

Understanding Why Your Pooch Chews And Controlling The Behavior

Puppies chew as a way to explore and relate to the world around them. The activity is instinctive to them. Unfortunately, if chewing behavior is focused in the wrong direction, it can result in damaged clothes, shoes, and furniture.

It’s important to realize that adult dogs also chew, but do so for a variety of reasons that extend further than mere exploration. For example, your pooch might feel separation anxiety if you leave him alone for long periods. Or, he might be bored. This happens often when canines lack an outlet through which to expend their pent-up energy. Your pooch may also chew on your belongings as a way to get your attention.

Whatever the reasons for the destructive behavior, you can control the problem. Below, we’ll provide a few tips for training your dog to avoid chewing on your possessions.

Use A Crate

Crating your puppy is an ideal strategy for confining him when you’re unable to watch him. Not only will he come to see his crate as his personal space, but you’ll prevent him from ruining your furniture and clothes when you’re not home. If you plan to keep him crated, be sure to give him a few toys with which he can entertain himself.

Provide Chew Toys

The goal is not to eliminate your pooch’s penchant for chewing; again, that’s his way of relating to the world around him. Instead, redirect the behavior toward objects that are acceptable for him to chew.

For example, all pet supply stores sell chew toys that can keep your canine occupied. Some are rubber; others are made from durable rope; still others are designed from strong leather and rawhide. Any of these toys will keep your dog’s attention while providing the stimulation he desires.

Keep Your Departures Understated

Owners often unwittingly worsen their dogs’ separation anxiety by overstating their departures. When they return home, they’re surprised to find their furniture partially destroyed. Downplay leaving your home. The bigger fuss you make, the more likely your dog will sense that your leaving is a major event. That raises the likelihood of his chewing.

Provide An Outlet For Exercise

When canines lack an outlet for physical activity, they become bored. Moreover, their energy level remains unspent and stifled. That’s a recipe for destructive chewing. Make sure your pooch receives at least an hour of exercise each day. He’s less likely to suffer boredom and he’ll have less pent-up energy to direct toward your couch.

Offer A Swap

Puppies find chewing new objects to be irresistible. If you see your pup gnawing on something he shouldn’t be, take the item away and replace it immediately with a chew toy. Avoid getting into a tug-of-war contest with him. Instead, have a toy on hand and swap it quickly.

Some dogs love to chew almost anything they can get into their mouths. Other canines are more selective, though they can cause just as much destruction. Learn to control the problem by redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior to objects you don’t mind being destroyed.

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Jan 25, 2010 | 0 | dog training

Dog Behavioral Problems - 4 EZ Solutions

Many dog owners are faced with bad behavior in their dogs, and if you’re dealing with dog behavioral problems, it’s advisable to act as quickly if possible. If bad dog behavior is tolerated, you may end up with a bigger problem on your hands. Thankfully, there are many no-brainer ways to adjust dog behavior issues in a humane and loving way.

Dog behavioral problems can vary from cute, but annoying little problems, to full on threatening issues such as biting. Though there are many causes of behavioral problems, the solutions are pretty consistent. The old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” isn’t an excuse and with consistent training, you can address dog behavior problems. Let’s look at 4 user-friendly dog training tips.

1. Keep it Up. This is the non-negotiable piece of advice when training any pet. You may be tempted to let them slide every once in awhile, but this will only serve to undo your efforts. Be consistent with praise as well as with corrections and your pet will begin to understand that you are indeed the pack leader.

2. Positive Reinforcement is Vital. While many traditional dog training techniques, e.g.: putting your dog’s nose in their mess, may be initially effective, they may actually produce more issues down the road. Building up and praising your dog helps your dog associate good behavior with good rewards, and is a very effective means of tackling even the toughest dog behavior problems.

In brief, reinforcing good behavior means that you reward your pet when he or she does what you are training him or her to do, and deny the reward when they don’t. Even the most stubborn dog will begin to respond to these training techniques, when they are applied persistently.

3. You NEED a Crate. One of the easiest ways to stop destructive behavior is to provide your dog with clear cut boundaries. Crating them while you’re away, or when you just want some space is an effective and humane training aid. You may need to introduce them to the crate slowly, and allow them time to get used to being confined. Remember, be consistent and reward them for good behavior in their crate. A crate should never be used as a punishment, insted as a safe place for them to go and be at ease.

4. An additional cautionary note for you and especially your loved ones. Once the dog behavioral problems are addressed, and the corrective training has started, it is imperative everyone who deals with the dog use the same-exact training techniques. Everyone must be consistent in the handling of the dog. If not, your poor pooch will become very uncertain and may act out even more than before the positive reinforcement training was initatied.

Once you have these methods in place, you can easily begin to solve dog behavioral issues without undue stress to you or your pet. A well behaved pet is a happy pet and you’ll appreciate the lack of destructive and potentially harmful dog behavioral problems.

James M. Hussey loves his dog, no matter the dog behavioral problems. He freelances on Elance as “JamestheJust,” writing killer web content and SEO articles for his clients. Dog Pet Stores is one of his recent blogs, and has answers to dog behavior questions and doggie goods.

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Jan 24, 2010 | 0 | dog training

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