Free Dog Training Tips And Videos

Can You Curb Your Dog’s Boredom?

Many of the annoying habits canines’ display are due to boredom. Chewing, barking, improper elimination, jumping, and even aggression can be traced to a lack of mental stimulation. This often happens when owners leave their pets home all day by themselves. If dogs have nothing with which to occupy their time, they become bored, and look for alternative ways to entertain themselves. This can lead to a host of behavioral problems.

The key is to prevent your canine from becoming bored in the first place. We’ll offer a few suggestions in this article. The following tips will not only curb your pet’s boredom, but will also make him a more pleasant companion.

Provide Plenty Of Stimulating Toys

Toys give your pet something with which to play while he’s alone. There are many different types, and they serve different purposes. For example, chew toys are designed to withstand vigorous chewing, which canines find stimulating (for a short time, at least). Other toys offer puzzles for dogs to solve, forcing them to use their minds. Still others combine puzzles with treats; if your pet is able to solve the puzzle, the toy will release a small treat as a reward (you pick the treat).

Note that these toys stimulate your canine’s mind. In doing so, they give him something on which to focus his attention, and thus help him stave off boredom.

Teach Him New Commands

When you teach your canine to respond to new commands, you’re engaging his mind. He’s forced to focus and learn something that is new to him. He needs to think ahead to respond quickly and appropriately. Many dogs consider this a welcome challenge, and will strive to respond in the way their owners desire. If you provide your pet’s favorite treats as a reward, he’ll be engaged in multiple ways.

You can also enroll him into professional obedience classes, or specific training courses. Most obedience classes will include activities that work your canine’s body and brain. Training courses can vary from therapy training, agility classes, and Search and Rescue (SAR) classes. These, too, stimulate your dog’s mind as well as his body.

Give Him Exercise

One of the surest ways to bust your pet’s boredom is to provide him an outlet for exercise each day. A daily 20-minute walk is helpful. Two daily walks is better. The benefit of exercise is that it gives your canine an opportunity to expend the energy that builds within him. It also engages his mind since he’ll be able to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of his neighborhood.

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends largely on his normal activity level. He may be content to sit around the house all day. Or, if he is naturally energetic, he may need more daily activity to keep the boredom away.

Provide Opportunities To Socialize

Owners often forget that dogs enjoy the company of their own kind. Interacting and playing with other canines is both fun and stimulating for them. For this reason, consider meeting other owners to schedule play dates for your respective pets. You can also visit dog parks where your pet can socialize and play with others while you mingle with the other owners.

If you’re away during the day, and unable to provide an outlet for socialization, dog daycare may be a good solution. It works in the same manner as daycare for young kids. You can drop your pooch off on the way to the office, and pick him up on the way home. He’ll have a chance to interact with other canines while you’re at work.

There are plenty of ways you can help your dog keep boredom at bay. The suggestions above will engage his mind, and prevent many of the most common behavioral problems from emerging.

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Dog Training Basics

Dog Training Basics

There is never a perfect age to train your dog, but there can be a perfect time - right now! A dog of any age can be trained no matter what the kind of behavior you are looking for from your pet. The longer you put off training, the harder it will become for your pet to adapt to that learned behavior. While many people try their hand at training their dog on their own, others seek out a professional dog trainer in their area in order help guide them and reach the results they are looking for.

Finding a dog trainer can be an extensive search depending on what types of problems you want to avoid with your pet. No matter the behavior problem training will help. Potty training, eliminating aggressive behavior, barking or just leash training can all be helped by the use of a professional dog trainer.

No matter if this is your first pet or one of many, each dog is different and no personality is the same and may require additional help from an outside source. Seeking out a dog trainer is not an admission of being an inadequate owner, but rather an owner that is serious about having a well-behaved dog that is desirable to be around. Working with a trainer will keep you on coarse and make the job easier.

When using the services of a local dog trainer you too can become informed about the benefits of having a structured regime for your pet. Not only will your pet become well behaved, but also it will be a joy to have around and spend more time with at home, out in public or with other dogs. There is less anxiety for both owner and pet when a dog knows its boundaries and limitations of what is expected on a daily basis.

Potty training your pet can happen in a variety of ways depending on how you wish to approach it personally. Often the more time you spend one-on-one with your pet for potty training, the easier it will be for both of you and the desired results will come faster.

Just like any part of dog training, the more effort you put into potty training the more you will get back from your pet. Using the skills from a local dog trainer can help the process so that you do not become easily frustrated with your new dog before they are fully trained.

Some professional dog trainer programs use a clicker in order to get an animal to generate a desired behavior. You may find that this type of training works well for your pet and you can continue the use of a clicker as time goes on to help train them in different areas as well. The only way to see if this type of dog training will work for your pet is to try it for yourself.

There are no set rules that if a clicker does not work for you that there are no other options for your pet. There are lots of resources available to you. The benefits of training are that there are many different methods used by local dog trainers, and you are free to choose which ones will work for you and your pet.

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How To Choose The Best Flea Medicine For Your Dog

Dog flea medicines today are a far cry from the harsh chemical dips and messy powders pet owners used to use to combat fleas. The easy to use topical spot on products such as Frontline Plus are popular with pet owners as they are inexpensive and they kill fleas for up to 30 days. For owners of multiple pets, Frontline also offers a flea killing spray that will treat several dogs.

The price of flea killing pet meds goes higher when other parasites are also killed by the product. You may choose to provide wide ranging protection or may only be focused on killing fleas. No matter which product you choose for your dog, you can find significant savings by purchasing online from a site dedicated to discount pet medicines.

If you live in a hot, humid climate, flea control is a year round pet health care necessity. Such locations have heavy flea populations as well as ticks, heartworm and other nasty parasites that pose dangers to your dog’s health. Advantage flea medicine was one of the first topical products with residual killing power and has been gratefully accepted by pet owners as a real solution to fleas. The newest addition to the Advantage line of pet products is Advantage Multi which kills fleas and also protects your dog from roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and heartworm.

Frontline Plus kills fleas and flea eggs and also kills brown dog ticks, American dog ticks and lone star ticks as well. The spot on treatment lasts a full 30 days and remains effective after bathing your dog. Frontline Plus controls chewing lice and helps control sarcoptic mange for dogs 8 weeks and older. K9 Advantix is a good choice for flea prevention where high mosquito populations are present. K9 Advantix kills both adult fleas and larvae to break the flea life cycle. Ticks are killed and the product also repels mosquitoes. K9 Advantix should not be used on dogs that come into physical contact with cats or on pregnant or nursing dogs. For older or sick dogs, consult your veterinarian before using K9 Advantix to control fleas.

Available by prescription, Revolution for dogs kills fleas and flea eggs, the American dog tick, treats ear mites and controls sarcoptic mange. Revolution is also a heartworm preventive pet med and save to use on nursing or pregnant animals and on puppies as young as six weeks.

Capstar is a unique flea product that is meant for specific occasions. Capstar is a single dose of one pill given to the dog that kills all adult fleas present on the animal quickly. This pet med does not kill flea eggs or have a residual effect. It is a good solution for dogs that have adult fleas as it kills the fleas quickly and can followed 24 hours later with a topical, long term flea medicine. Capstar is useful for dogs that are shown or boarded, or for a newly adopted animal brought into your home. The newest flea medicine for dogs is Comfortis. Unlike spot on treatments, Comfortis is a beef flavored wafer your dog will eagerly accept as a treat. This new product begins killing flea within 30 minutes of ingestion and keeps your dog flea free for 30 days.

Before buying flea medicine for your dog, decide what level of protection you need. What parasites does your dog need protection from in your area and which method of administering the medication do you prefer. Most flea prevention products (except Revolution) are available without prescription and can be purchased online directly from a veterinarian at discount pet med sites.

Fleas are adaptive little critters and can quickly become immune to flea killing products. Pet owners who live in states where flea protection is a year round task should change the brand of topical product every 6-12 months. By rotating the flea medicine treatments pet owners will hinder the ability of fleas to develop immunity to flea killers.

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Are Pet Insurance Companies Stealing Your Money?

I am sure you have thought about whether to have a pet insurance for your pet or not. will it be worth it in the end and will the insurance company even pay when an accident happen to your pet or will you be left with the bill and have nowhere to file a complaint?

Sometimes you’re just not covered and there is nothing to do about it. Maybe the policy where difficult to read or maybe you didn’t read it as closely as you should but other times the company should pay but they will try to avoid it. You might have been able to find that out beforehand.

In the paragraphs below I am going to tell you some simple but effective strategies that can help you find a pet insurance company that will be more likely to pay when your pet is in an accident and needs treatment. These are just the simple things and if you want more high level information, be sure to go check out my website.

Starting off you should search your own mind for anything you might already know about the insurance companies in your area. Have you read anything in the paper or did you ever hear somebody you know talk about any of them? First hand info is very valuable.

After that you should seek to talk to some professionals. Vets will know a lot more about pet insurance companies than you might think. Every time a pet gets injured they will be involved in one way or another and they are therefore more likely to know who pays and who don’t.

Reviews from former clients and customers of the insurance companies will be a great resource to look into. There are online sites with review forms that will tell you a lot about what other people have had to say and why they are either positive or negative.

Finally I suggest that you call up the company that you are planning on purchasing pet insurance with. It will be of great value to talk to their customer support personnel to see whether they are treating you in a kind manor. You can even call them up and fake an accident to see how they react.

There you have it. These are some basic and truly valuable steps that you should consider before even thinking of signing anything with any insurance company. For customer reviews and some more in depth information visit the website by clicking the links below.

Mr. John Sommer, PhD. runs a very successful pet insurance pet portal that gives owners of cats and dogs get the best possible value from their pet insurance. Mr. Sommer has written several reviews of one of the largest pet insurance companies called VPI pet insurance and you will benefit from reading those reviews.

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When To Breed Your Dog And What Not To Do The First Heat Cycle

When your female dog is coming into her heat cycle, the first sign is usually swelling of the vulva. Sometimes, the swelling will happen a week before starting to bleed, or sometimes right before. In addition, your female dog might start to act weird, trying to hump other female dogs, or your legs. You will probably notice that she is licking herself more than usual as well.

If you have more than one female dog, they will often all go into heat around the same time, since one going in heat will cause the others to follow suit. If you are thinking about breeding your dog, they should never be bred the first time they go into heat, and usually not the second either. It is wise to wait until they are between a year and a half to two years old. Her eggs are not mature yet, and you want to be sure she passes every health test after her heat cycle.

Most female dogs go through their first heat cycle between the ages of 6 months to one year. When you notice this happening, you can buy dog diapers to keep any blood from getting on your carpet or furniture.

Female dogs will usually go through their heat cycle once every six months. Usually, dogs are fertile about 12 days after they start to bleed. If you are going to breed your dog by taking them to a Sire, you need to take your female to the vet so they can tell you when the most opportune time for her to become pregnant is.

Puppies are born 63 days from ovulation, and not 63 days from the time they are bred. If inseminating your female dog, the third day of the egg life cycle is the right time, since this is when the eggs will be ripe. This is a good thing to remember when learning about the heat cycle, and the need for dog diapers during this time.

Male dogs can start producing sperm at seven months old, but they usually start at 10 months. Dogs at this age have immature sperm, and just about every male dog will have sperm by the time they are one year old. Dogs for stud are at their prime when they are between18 months and 5 years old. When they get older than that, they have lesser quality sperm, and by the time they are 10, they can usually not impregnate a female.

When dogs mate, they do what is known as a tie. This is where the bulbous gland of the male’s penis swells when inside the female’s vagina. They are essentially locked together for 15 to 20 minutes, and this is when the male ejaculates. When he is in the tie, he is releasing prostatic fluid inside the female.

Becoming stuck together is normal, so breeders shouldn’t get scared if this occurs. However, it is smart to keep a close eye on them and make sure that they both stay as calm as possible. If the female is larger than the male, and moves around a lot, she can really hurt him. Some females cry as in pain when this occurs, some seem to want to get away, and some just stand there quietly.

When you know as much as possible about a dog’s heat cycle, it can make caring for them easier and less surprising.

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Ear Mites And The Issues They Can Cause Dogs

For many people pets are loved the same way as their children and it makes them miserable when a pet is miserable. Any pet is likely to be exposed to mites at any time. Ticks and mites belong to the same subclass. The name of this common species is otodectes cynotis. This mite chooses to live within the ears of various animals. Transmission of these ear mites can happen just by animals walking by one another.

Several animals are affected by these little predators such as ferrets, guinea pigs, cats and dogs. It does not happen often, but people can be affected as well. Rabbits ears are affected by a different type of mite that is larger.

The first sign that mites may be present in the ear of an animal will be a brown crusty looking material. These types of mites do not burrow like other types, so they will be seen as white specs living in the material inside the ear canal. It is one of the most common reasons that animals have ear infections, especially cats.

The mites can result in both yeast and bacterial infections. The ears of animals will become inflamed and red. It will be noticeable that the animal spends a lot of time scratching at the ear or both ears and shaking the head.

If left untreated the infection is likely to spread to other areas of an animal. It may continue to spread to areas of the neck and tail. The infected animal may end up with a serious skin infection or skin disease. Deafness is another real possibility for an infected animal that goes without treatment.

For treatment of the ears, it is necessary to remove all of the debris initially. Medication should then be applied that contains an antiparasitic. If more than one pet lives in the home, a veterinarian should be asked to prescribe medication which will most likely be ivermectin for every pet. There is also a drug that can be used to treat cats called selamectin and it can last for up to a month.

Rabbits are affected by larger mites that get into their ears. These mites are called psoroptes cuniculi. The material that is formed in this case is not crusty, but thick and very solid. It is also possible that it will spread to the outside of the ear and face of the rabbit. A rabbit will exhibit the same behaviors as other animals like scratching and head shaking when infected with mites. In order to rectify the situation, the cage and rabbit have to be rid of mites. Clean the cage frequently in order to prevent further infestation. The rabbit can be treated with ivermectin. Another suggested remedy is the application of olive oil. Remove all debris, and then apply the oil in order to smother mites.

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Exploring Basic Information On Mange

One of the more unfortunate issues that pets often become afflicted with is a condition known as mange. When this disease begins manifesting, the results can often be dramatic and unsettling, especially if pet owners are very close to their pets. Luckily, the issue is usually not very serious and can be treated effectively.

Mange is basically a catch all term used to address skin infestation. This skin infestation usually takes the form of mites which are small, microscopic parasites. These mites will dig deep into the skin of the animal to feed upon oil glands, hair follicles, and other parts of the epidermis.

This problem is most commonly known to infest cats and dogs. However, they have the potential to infest other animals and even humans. Although they cannot survive on humans as a host, they can infect the skin and cause discomfort. Eventually, however, they should die off within a couple of weeks.

The symptoms of this skin infestation are usually very apparent and noticeable. The animal will begin developing itchy skin and will scratch at it regularly. This scratching often leads to sores or lesions. Soon, the hair will usually begin falling out in patches resulting in a dramatic change in physical appearance. The animal can become stressed, weak, and can experience weight loss. If gone untreated this issue can result in the death of the animal.

Although prevention is the best approach to the problem, the ease at which the parasite is spread makes this very difficult. The only real tactic is to simply try and keep your animals away from strays or other animals that may have a problem. Also important is ideal hygiene and a proper diet, which boost immunity, helping animals resist such an infection.

Treatment options will vary from animal to animal, depending on the severity of the infestation. Remember to speak with a veterinarian about the best option for your situation. Often a “wait and see” approach is taken, as this condition can recede on its own. Other popular methods of treatment involve medicated dips and injections to kill off the infection.

The skin disease known as mange is a very common issue for pet owners. It is very important, however, that you take the issue seriously and speak with a veterinarian. The issue can become very serious if gone untreated, so consult a vet to discuss the severity of the issue and the treatment options that will help prevent a worsening of the issue and prevent more problems for your pet.

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How Anyone Can Successfully Kill Ear Mites In Cats

A common problem, ear mites are an irritating pest. They can cause your cat to scratch the ears, sometimes to the point of cutting and damaging the ears and surrounding areas. The are easily passed from one cat to another, and if a household has multiple cats, each one will likely require treatment.

While scratching may be one sign of the presence of the mites, another can be a thick, dark substance in the ears. Attempting to remove this substance by probing with cotton swabs should be avoided as it can cause irreparable damage to the ear canal unless done by someone trained to do so. It can also push the mites further in and make treatment more difficult.

Quite often, if an infestation has been present for some time, the cat will cause damage to the ears by scratching. There can be scabs and torn areas both inside and outside of the ears, causing pain and further discomfort. This can lead to an infection of the scratched areas. Trimming the nails on the hind feet can help, but treatment and eradication of the mites is necessary. Scratched areas can be treated with a topical antibiotic to prevent infection

It may be advisable to see your veterinarian for treatment of ear mites. Prescription medication can quickly and successfully treat them, and are only available from a vet. They can also clean the ears and remove any build up that may have resulted from the mites.

If a veterinary trip is not possible, some owners can have success using mineral oil. This oil is sparingly dropped into ears and gently massaged. It works to smother and suffocate the mites. Continued treatment is necessary to break the life cycle of the mites.

After two weeks of using the mineral oil, the mites should be eradicated. During treatment the ears can be wiped with a Kleenex to clear out build up. Treat each cat in the house to ensure there is not a cross infection between them, requiring treatment to be started over from the beginning.

Treating ear mites at home, or with the help of your veterinarian can rid your pet of this pest and stop them from scratching. If mineral oil fails to work, or if there are other problems as a result of treatment, see your veterinarian immediately.

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Examining Important Facts About Ear Mites

Ear mites are a very common problem that many pets owners will have to deal with. Though they generally cannot infect human ears, they can cause problem with our pets. It is estimated that as many as fifty percent of domestic animals have this issue. It might be worth the time for pet owners to become familiar with the problem.

These mite infestations are a common occurrence for pets, especially for cats and dogs. Essentially every mite infestation of the ears are grouped under this category, with the most common culprit being Otodectes cynotis. Many pets may have a problem but the signs of the issue may not be readily apparent.

Although cats are usually the ones who suffer from the issue, dogs and other mammals may also develop the problem. Luckily, cases of human infestation are very rare and should not be a point of concern. The parasites are usually transferred from host to host through physical contact with an infected animal.

Symptoms of this condition can be hard to identify unless the issue is troubling the pet. A pet owner will often notice the animal shaking its head and scratching at its ears. This is a sign that the animal is uncomfortable with the mites. Inside the ear there may be a dark crust or wax that is observable.

Prevention of this problem can be very difficult. The only ideal method of prevention lies in keeping pets away from sources of the parasite, including other pets and strays. It is important that you check your pets ears often for signs of the mites, and gently flush out the ears regularly to prevent breeding.

If your cat or dog seems to have developed the problem, it is best to speak with a trained veterinarian. This will give you an official diagnosis and an ideal treatment method. There are non-prescription treatments available, however, these often lack the strength to efficiently rid the animal of the parasite. Prescription medications, on the other hand, tend to be more potent and efficient.

Even though the problem of ear mites is not a serious one, it should not be ignore or mistreated. There can be long term negative effects for your pet. Although it is a very common problem, and an aggravating one for pets, the parasites can generally be eliminated quickly with no serious consequences.

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Helping A Puppy Mill Dog Feel Comfortable In Your Home

Adopting and caring for a canine is always a rewarding experience. In exchange for food, shelter, exercise, and regular veterinary care, your pet offers loyalty and companionship for the remainder of his life. Dogs that have lived in puppy mills, however, pose a unique challenge for owners. The treatment they received at the mill will likely have made them distrustful of people, and fearful of anything that is unfamiliar to them. Owners who adopt such dogs must take a few extra steps toward making them feel comfortable and secure in their new homes.

In this article, we’ll describe how puppies are treated in mills so you’ll understand the reasons such pups are hesitant and fearful of others. We’ll also describe the typical behaviors puppy mill dogs exhibit once they’re rescued. Lastly, we’ll provide a few suggestions for helping your canine feel comfortable within your home.

Inside A Puppy Mill

Puppies are treated poorly in mills. Their physical and mental health take a back seat to revenue. The mill generates this revenue by breeding the pups in their care. But there is a key difference between the breeding activity that takes place in a mill, and that which is done by professional breeders.

Professional breeders do everything possible to minimize genetic problems in the canines they breed. Mills take no such precautions. Instead, they breed pups without consideration for the likelihood that defects may pass to the litters. For this reason, many of the puppies born from this process are saddled with eye, dental, and joint problems.

The pups at the mill are usually housed in overcrowded pens. The living conditions are often dirty to the point of being unhygienic. Moreover, the dogs seldom receive the basic essentials they need to stay physically and mentally healthy. They rarely see the sun, or have access to a constant source of clean air.

When a puppy is adopted from a mill, the transition to a “normal” life can be jarring to him. You may notice behaviors in him during the first few days in your home that seem odd.

Establishing His Personal Den

Keep in mind that everything is new and potentially frightening to your new pet. When you bring him into your home, he may appear especially hesitant. This is because he has lived with fear his entire life. He has learned to dread the unfamiliar.

First, establish a room - or part of a room - as his personal den. Place bowls for food and water in this area along with newspapers on which he can urinate and defecate. Having an area to himself will make him feel safe, and slowly build his confidence.

Second, after a week has passed, begin acclimating him to a collar and lead. Place both on him for short periods, and let him drag the lead as he roams throughout your home. This will help him become accustomed to the feel, and prepare him for going on walks.

Minimizing Fear And Stress

Because your puppy’s exposure to the outside world was so limited while he was at the mill, he may be easily startled by unfamiliar noises. For example, the sound made by a vacuum cleaner may frighten him. A toaster, television, and blow dryer may also cause him stress. Desensitization training will prove invaluable for helping him become used to hearing these sounds. This type of training takes time and requires patience. But it’s the most effective way to minimize your canine’s fear and stress of routine noises that occur in your household.

Once your dog begins to feel safe and secure within your home, he’ll explore on his own. He’ll start to peek into other rooms to discover what lies beyond the confines of his personal den. Over time, he’ll gain confidence regarding his place within your life, and look to you as his best friend.

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