By Kelly Marshall

When looking into training your dog you will notice that there are quite a few different ways in which you can do it. Each different dog training school teaches differently, so how do you know which ways are right and which ways are wrong? Also what skills are actually needed to make you a god dog handler?

The Skills You Need to Be a Dog Handler

Whilst professional dog handlers may make it look easy, it can actually be a lot of hard work. This means that first of all you will need a dedication to your dog and you will also need a lot of patience. It is so easy to become agitated and frustrated throughout training but if you are to train your dog properly, you are going to have to learn to be more patient than usual and encourage them as much as possible instead of snapping and dragging your dog around.

Another thing many people do not think about is that their body language is also actually quite important in dog training. So not only do you have to be aware of what your dog is doing, but you also need to know what your body is doing too as this is what judges look at during obedience competitions. Three important tips to remember include:

· Hand Signals should be used

· Always be consistent

· Know Your Dog

Both of these tips are important and you will find that in proper dog training you will mainly be using hand signals to tell your dog what is expected of them. However in order to teach hand signals you need to first teach voice signals. Once your dog is comfortable with voice commands, start introducing hand signals into the training. At first you may need to make your signals overly enthusiastic. This will help to grab the dog’s attention and they will start associating certain commands with certain hand signals. However as the dog becomes more experienced you will need to gradually stop giving such enthusiastic signals and make them a little more subtle. In competitions dog handlers give slight signals only and it is all about subtle control of over your dog.

Consistency is also an extremely important thing to remember when training any dog. You have to be consistent in order for the dog to learn anything. All dogs are different but mainly they do take a while to learn things and training sessions should be kept short. By making lessons short and fun your dog will soon start to look forward to the sessions and they will be eager to please you also. So if in the beginning your dog does not always do everything that they are told, do not show your frustration and simply gently correct the dog and be consistent. Your consistency will pay off in the end and you will end up with a trained and happy dog.

Finally the third tip is to know your dog. You need to know how your dog will react in certain situations and you need to know if they are capable of doing what you are asking them to do. There are different training methods available and not all of them are suitable for your dog. For example, if you have a gentle dog then it is certainly not a good idea to treat them rough and firm as they will soon become scared of training and they will not want to know about what you want from them, they will simply not want to do it because they are frightened of the consequences.

Overall remember these tips and you should find that you have a well behaved dog who is capable of competing at a professional level.

Visit Oh My Dog Supplies for great deals on dog beds & car seat covers for dogs

For more articles by Kelly Marshall on EzineArticles.com, see this interesting article on dietary needs for your dog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall

Labels: Dog Care

By Emma Everson

It is always better to opt to train your dog personally, though there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional dog trainer to handle the task. Here are some strategies to get you started on the right path. Body and Hand control can be of great value to use body and hand movements as signals, but you must be conscious of their useful application.

You can later minimise these signals or cut them out when no longer needed. A lot of repetitions and praising your dog each time he does it right will reap results. Use of Food as Reward should never be used in place of other forms of reward or encouragement, but rather to back up or reinforce encouragement and praise.

A dog is used to being allowed outside when he whines at the door, but is suddenly no longer allowed out when he whines. Dog training can be quite a challenge, but if you follow the tips here, the task will be much easier. If he does something you like and you know he loves a belly rub, then fuss over him while you rub his belly, telling him that good dogs get their bellies rubbed.

“positive”, “negative”, “reinforcement” and “punishment” are technical terms that scientists use when discussing Operant Conditioning.

“Positive” means to add something. We add the reward, or add the punishment. By contrast, “Negative” means to take something away. We take away the reward, or take away the unpleasant stimulus.

“Reinforcement” is when we increase or maintain behavior. The behavior happens more often, more intensely, for longer periods, or it continues to happen without reducing in frequency, intensity or duration. By contrast, “Punishment” is when we decrease or eliminate behavior using consequence. We reduce the frequency, intensity or duration of the behavior.

For a greater insight into training your dog why not take a look at "How To Train Your Dog In One Evening".

My name is Emma Everson and I specialize in providing dog training solutions. I have been training dogs for 20 years and have researched extensively in all areas of dog behavior. How To Train Your Dog In One Evening is an outstanding collection of dog training secrets for training your dog quickly, it has entries from experts who collectively have 80 years experience, from Police dog handlers and show dog trainers to veterinary technicians.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Everson

Labels: Dog Training

By Sergei Tsoganov

The interest in Perro de Presa Canario was revived in the beginning of the 70´s, when the group of Spanish dog-scientists, which was working on the revivement of ancient national breeds, collected several remaining thoroughbred species of Canary dog on isolated farms, which became the beginning of all modern species.

In this beginning a great role was played by cross-breeding blood of different types of Presa of the first decade of the 20 th century, which were left on the Islands and other representatives of the Moloss group. This began a slow but continuous recovery of the breed.It was especially difficult to strengthen genetic traits, i.e. to give stability and typicality to the breed. With the aim of uniting forces to revive the Canary dog, the group of the breed-fanciers on Tenerife, which is by the way responsible for the major part of the currently existing population of Perro de Presa in Spain, in 1982 founded the Club Espanol del Presa Canario. Due to their purposeful work, in ten years the number of the breed increased so much that nowadays the dogs show up on the exhibition circuit regularly and gain popularity in other countries, first of all in the USA, where its appearance and spread is due to Karl Semenchik.

This long work culminated with the approval of the Official Standart of the Presa Canario on January 24, 1986. And since 1993 registrations of the breed have extended within the Canary Archipelago to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Without any doubt this popularity was promoted by traditional annual national specialised shows, which are aimed at the analysis of morphological and temperamental aspects of the present generation for further improvement of its breed signs. Official recognition of Perro de Presa influenced its further breeding: if until that moment the numerous breeders reproduced continuing with their just personal, valuing of the temperament of the animal, the good structure, good head, good front, good bone etc., now the standard became the guiding principle. Nevertheless, Presa Canario remaind polytypic, which was explained by non-co-ordination of its use.

For example, there is an amount of tension between specialists from Canary Islands and Tenerife, where was concentrated the most important nuclei of the population. Canary Islands insisted on using the best species, which could be successfully used in dog-fighting: in the selection powerful, brave, aggressive, persistent and large size animals dominate. It mettered to them less the phenotype and they looked for the strong character of the animal mainly. In order to strengthen these qualities, for some time it was considered possible to cross Canary dog with distant and foreign breeds, for example: English and Neapolitan Mastino, in smaller part Great Dane and others.
The most important defects were coats where there was an excess of white, oval eyes, with conjunctivas open to the air, excesses in the sizes and flat ribs. As for Tenerife, local scientists are more concerned about recovering the biotype of the breed, which had began in the prior decade and gaining the antique outlook of Canary dog. Their work ruled by a model that was formalized through historical photos, oral history of all time breeders and the population of the most representative examples of the time.

Attention was paid to head structure, coat (where the special brindle color named "Verdino" was preferable), good movements. The typical or racial expression should dictate above everything. They wanted to be Presa Canario a medium animal, been accustomed to right propotions, rectangular, with balanced character. However, crossing with foreign breeds, like Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, Staffordshire bull terriers, Dogue de Bordeaux and others also took place. Nowadays the Perro de Presa Canario, as a result of all the crosses we have talked about, lacks of a precise phenotype. This is not a big problem because it could be solved by the passing of time with working in the right way.

All Presa breeders should be very responsible breeding their dogs. Selecting the crossings must be accomplished carefully in order to obtain a dog with the precise phenotype and balanced but very pronounced character with the natural working qualities of excellents guardians, man-stoppers and attack-dogs. Of course, should not breed Presa with lack of temperament or health problems like HIP and should test their dogs before using them in their breeding-programs.It is very important to remember that Presa Canario is a dog, which is more suitable for experienced trainers than for exhibition shows and prestige lovers.

Visit this site for more info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sergei_Tsoganov

Labels: Dog Breeding

By Sandra McNeal

If you're going to keep a dog outdoors in the State of Minnesota, there are some specific requirements you need to be aware of. Minnesota State Statute 343.40 addresses the subject:

Minnesota State Statute 343.40 Dog Houses

Subd. 1. In general. A person in charge or control of any dog which is kept outdoors or in an unheated enclosure shall provide the dog with shelter and bedding as prescribed in this section as a minimum.

Subd. 2. Building specifications. The shelter shall include a moisture proof and windproof structure of suitable size to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat. It shall be made of durable material with a solid, moisture-proof floor or a floor raised at least two inches from the ground. Between November 1 and March 31 the structure must have a windbreak at the entrance. The structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding material consisting of hay, straw, cedar shavings, blankets, or the equivalent, to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness and promote retention of body heat.

Subd. 3. Shade. Shade from the direct rays of the sun, during the months of June to September shall be provided.

Subd. 4. Farm dogs. In lieu of the requirements of subdivision 2 and 3, a dog kept on a farm may be provided with access to a barn with a sufficient quantity of loose hay or bedding to protect against cold and dampness.

Subd. 5. Zoning. All shelter required by this section shall be subject to all building or zoning regulations of any city, township, county or state.

Subd. 6. Penalty. Whoever violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

In order for your dog's outdoor shelter to be in compliance with this statute, here are the key points you need to understand.

1. A dog house with windows, a leaking roof, slats in the sides, or an open doorway are all in violation.

2. For the dog house to be of 'suitable to size to retain the dog's body heat', the following is recommended: the door height should be at least 3/4 of your pet's shoulder height (from the ground to the neck), the length and width should be at least equal to but not more than 25% larger than the distance between the nose and the base of the tail, and the height of the house should be at least 25% taller and no more than 50% the height of the pet when standing.

3. The dog house floor must be 2 inches above the ground. Standing water or mud do not qualify as ground. If the house stands in water or mud, or leans into water or mud, then it must be relocated to a dry spot, where the entire floor of the house will be 2 inches above dry ground.

4. Between November 1 and March 31, it is not sufficient to have an open doorway on the dog house. A dry piece of carpet may be used, however it is preferable that the dog house be equipped with a clear plastic door to allow the dog the ability to see light, approaching people, and other movement.

5. Dry bedding must be provided within the dog house. Damp or wet bedding is not acceptable.

6. June 1 - September 30, the house must be located in shade, whether man-made or natural.

The statute is very specific and overlooking any one of these steps is a violation of the State Statute. The fine for a petty misdeameanor is approximately $300 per occurrence, plus any applicable surcharges.

So let's say you agree to all of the above and have complied on every point ~ you're now ready to house your dog outdoors, right? NO. You are now only in compliance on the minimum standard for the dog house itself. However, there is still State Statute 346.39:

Subd. 1. Food. Dogs and cats must be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth or the maintenance of body weight. Feed standards shall be those recommended by the National Research Council.

Subd. 2. Water. Dogs and cats must be provided with clean, potable water in sufficient quantity to satisfy the animal's needs or supplied by free choice. Snow or ice is not an adequate water source.

Snow or ice is not an adequate water source. This is possibly the most important item to understand, considering that water left in a bowl may turn to ice in mere minutes on a Minnesota winter's day, and will most certainly freeze overnight. A heated dish with an electric coil is the only practical solution, and these may be purchased for as little as $30. However, you will want to investigate various heated bowls, as not all bowls are capable of maintaining the proper temperature when the mercury drops to 30 below zero. Additionally, puddles, and stagnant or dirty water do not qualify as "potable" under the statute.

It is also important to remember that your pet may require additional calories in the winter months as it takes additional energy to keep body temperature regulated. Consult your veterinarian to determine the appropriate daily calorie intake your dog will require to spend the winter outdoors.

Even though you provide adequate housing, warm water and food, and despite the fact that your animal has a fur coat, animals that are kept outdoors in freezing temperatures are still at risk for hypothermia and/or frostbite. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, slow or shallow respiration, and lethargy. If you suspect hypothermia, the animal should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. If you attempt to warm the animal yourself, it is essential that ONLY the pet's abdomen and thorax are warmed; warming paws, ears, or other extremities first can cause the animal to go into shock.

Frostbite occurs most commonly on ears, paws, and tails. Frostbitten body parts are unlikely to have sensation until they begin to thaw, at which time they may become very red, swollen, and painful. It is not uncommon in Minnesota for dogs and cats to lose ears and tails due to extreme frostbite. Again, treating hypothermia or frostbite should not be attempted at home, these conditions require prompt attention from a veterinarian.

If you must keep your dog outdoors, particularly during extreme temperatures, there is much to consider. Your local humane society will be able to assist with any specific questions you have regarding dog houses, appropriate kennel space, and State statutes. The most important thing to remember is that protecting your pet against the elements is not only humane, it is the law.

Sandra McNeal is a former Minnesota State Humane Agent, whose focus is on humane legislation and spay-neuter initiatives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_McNeal

Labels: Dog Outdoor Warning

By Sandra Cundy

Bob is the name of our dog. When we went to pick a dog out, we took my granddaughter with us because it was important to us that the granddaughter and the dog be compatible. Bob looked like a perfect fit. She was gentle, obedient, and seemed genuinely to want to go with us. At that time Bob was three years old. After we got through with all the formalities, we took Bob to the car, put her in the back seat with the granddaughter and headed home. About half way home, I turned in my seat and told my granddaughter, “We don’t have to call her Bob anymore. We can give her a girl’s name, like Misty or Bonnie or Sally. My granddaughter looked me right in the eye and said that Bob was a perfectly fine name. So Bob it is.

Once we got Bob home and over the ten years that we’ve had her, she has proven not to be the brightest puppy in the litter. But that’s okay with us because we really don’t expect much from her. My mother-in-law gets upset when we talk about Bob’s intelligence level. She is always asking why we would suggest that Bob is not very smart. We tell her because when the Domino ad comes on the TV, Bob goes to the door. When it rains, she sits out in the rain and gets wet and miserable. After ten years of my going to work at least 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday, Bob still runs all over the house looking for me when my husband gets home from dropping me off at work.

Now that she is 13 years old, she is getting a little deaf and doesn’t hear as well as she use to. So now every time we go out somewhere and come home, Bob gets busted lying on the sofa. The sofa is actually two rocking recliners and we always knew that Bob was laying on it when we left the house, because quite often when we returned from going out and walked into the house, one side of the sofa would still be rocking. Now I can walk right up to the back of the sofa after returning home and there’s Bob, lying there listening intently for some noise. But I really don’t mind, because Bob has been a loving, loyal, gentle companion for us and I am glad that we rescued her.

http://www.my-grammys-attic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Cundy

Labels: Dog Names

By Pam Mitchell

I have had many dogs in my life time and one thing I can day is true is that a dog that is not trained is hard to keep. It is extremely frustrating when you own a dog and they are not well behaved, they are not house trained and they don;t know any tricks. You can't let them inside because they will make a mess by getting into everything and anything they can get into and they will defecate on your floor.

When I was young my parents never had the time to train our dogs. My siblings and I weren't quite sure how to train our dogs. We taught them a few basic tricks that they would perform once in a while if they felt like they wanted a treat, but that was the extent of their performance. We weren't quite sure how to house train our dogs so they stayed outside most of the time. The outside made them a little more wild than if they would have been kept inside. They started running away for a few days once in a while. Eventually they would run away for longer and longer periods of time and eventually they ran away and never came back. This is the reason why I decided to train the dog I have now.

Dog training is truly fantastic. It's amazing that you can get a puppy that doesn't have any behaviour training and "relieves" themself anywhere they want to having a dog that is so well behaved that not only can they do tricks, but they can make your life easier. For example if I want to sit down and relax after a hard day and I can't find the remote, I trained my dog so that he will bring me the remote if I am to lazy to find it. It also feels good having a dog that doesn't run up to people, bark and scare them when we go on walks.

I highly recommend taking the time to train your dog. With all the online books about dog training, it's really not that difficult and does not take a lot of time and effort. Plus it is great having a dog that knows how to behave themselves and can come inside your house without you having to worry.

For a review on the same ebook (electronic book) I used to train my dog go to http://trainapup.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pam_Mitchell

Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Training, Dog Trix

By Cindy McKie

Do you like eating foods laced with preservatives, fillers and potentially dangerous chemicals? I’m going to take a safe guess and say no—but most dog owners serve this to their beloved pets every day.

Death Due to Dog Food

Commercial dog food health concerns are being raised as more and more people are exposing the potentially harmful practices of commercial dog food manufacturing. On Friday March 16th a major dog and cat food recall was announced by Menu Foods, the company that makes 48 brands of pet foods including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba pet food. The Menu Foods recall was announced after it was discovered that 10 dogs and cats died and an unknown number affected from kidney failure as a result of eating these pet foods.

Do you know what’s in Your Dog’s Food?

The truth is many commercial dog foods have ingredients that would shock you.

Your Dog’s Food Could Contain:

Worms

Rancid Animal Fats

Diseased or cancerous meat

And…

Sodium Pentobarbital used to euthanize animals!

Yes, I’m sorry to tell you but dead animals could be in your dog’s dinner bowl. According to author Ann Martin, author of “Protect Your Pet” and “Food Pets Die For” it is a common practice that euthanized animals are routinely rounded up from veterinary clinics and sent to processing plants to become your dog’s food.

Now tell me—would you knowingly feed your beloved pet this type of food? Of course not! But commercial dog food health concerns stem from the fact that the manufacturers don’t have to tell you what happens to the meat before they get their hands on it.

Discover How To Feed Your Dog a Healthy, Life Enhancing Diet

The key to providing dog food health benefits is to feed your beloved pet the nutrients and vitamins they need—without the preservatives, fillers and tainted meat. Just as you take care to cook healthy meals for you and the rest of your family, you can easily create healthy recipes for your dog. Making homemade meals for your dog isn’t expensive, it isn’t difficult and it will dramatically improve the health and well being of your dog.

On the days that you may not be able to “cook” for your pet you can substitute a safe brand of kibble. You will have to study up on your pet food labels but there are a precious few commercial dog foods on the market that are designed with your pet’s health in mind…but you need to read those labels to be sure you’re giving them the correct brands.

Feed your dog a healthier, chemical free diet and they will:

Have stronger immune systems

Suffer less skin conditions

Better all over health including less chance of heart conditions and kidney failure

Live much longer

If you have a dog you know what a cherished member of the family they become. What you may not know is that you may be putting them at risk for disease and a significantly shorter life span every time you serve them their dog food. Health and happiness for your dog can be as simple as taking the time to learn the truth about commercial dog foods and learning how you can better feed your four legged friend

Cindy McKie is a freelance writer and owner of a 15 year old Bichon Frise named Molly. Learn how to start feeding your dog a healthier diet today with the 5 Free Tips to a Better Dog's Diet mini-course.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_McKie

Labels: Dog Food, Dog Health

By Jim McKiel

In this article we will discuss behavioral training for the newest member of your family.

Obedience training was discussed in an earlier article titled "Obedience Training for Your New Puppy". It has been shown that obedience training is very important for a puppy and behavioral training is just as important. In some puppy/dog training camps, behavioral training is considered to be training a puppy/dog to be "good" or "well behaved". In other training camps, behavioral training is considered to be "correcting a puppy/dogs bad behavior". For the sake of arguments, we will describe behavioral training in this article as training a puppy or dog to be well behaved as in house training and good manners when around people and other animals.

One of the very first training sessions will be house training. You want your puppy to do his business outside. If you are committed to this training, you can have a puppy housebroken in as little as three weeks. There may be a mistake now and again but the main process will be complete and the puppy will be going outside to do his business in the yard. A crate for the puppy to sleep in will aid in his house training and also protect him/her when you are unable to closely observe the puppy. Put your puppy on a feeding schedule and make sure you take them outside as soon as they are finished eating. Talk to them and praise them when they relieve themselves outside. If they do have an accident inside, tell them "no" sternly and take them outside immediately. Do not punish them for any accidents inside but praise them abundantly when they relieve themselves outside. Make sure you regulate their food and water before bedtime and take them outside before putting them in the crate for the night. Be consistent and determined in your training and it will pay off.

Training your dog not to jump up on people is a must. Teach them the correct way to greet people when they are small so you don't have a 90 pound dog jumping up on grandmother or anyone else who visits your home. Many people are frightened of large dogs because a large dog can cause injury if they jump up on people. One way to train a puppy not to jump up on people is to keep the puppy on a leash when someone comes to your house. Step on the leash so the puppy can't jump up as you open the door or greet the visitors. Command the puppy to sit (they can't do much else with you standing on the leash) and when he/she does reward them with a treat or pat on the head. Have a friend or relative practice with you and the puppy until they realize that if they sit when someone arrives, they will be rewarded. If he/she does try to jump up on the visitor, reprimand in a stern loud voice and start over. Never hit the puppy or yell at him/her.

Do not let your puppy or dog on the couch or bed unless you plan to let them on the furniture at all times. An animal doesn't understand that they can sleep on the bed or couch only on certain days or certain times. It is very unfair to them to let them do something on one day but refuse them the same privilege on another day. Make up your mind what the rules are before enforcing them with your puppy or dog. It is much easier to train a little bundle of fur not to get on the furniture then a big 120 pound Rottweiler who happens to like sleeping on your bed or couch. Consistency is the key.

Behavioral training will be an on going process just like obedience training. Yes, your puppy will learn the basics and yes they will still remember these as adult dogs but there may be new situations which the animal faces and new rules for the animal to learn. Also, the obedience training the puppy/dog receives will cross over to behavioral training. Sometimes the difference in the training is miniscule. You can not have a well behaved dog that is not obedient and an obedient dog will be well behaved.

Jim McKiel lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Doris and their pet family members Buddy and Buster. They have devoted their lives to the betterment of pet ownership. For more information, visit LargeBreedFamilyDogs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McKiel

Labels: Dog Behavior, Dog Training

By M. Bruno

Whether you and your new dog have come together as a result of a dog adoption, dog rescue or other means, one thing is certain…you must take the best care possible of your dog to assure the dog’s health and a long and rewarding life together.

Your new dog will need time to adjust to his new home and family. He just left a kennel or shelter where there were strange sounds and people.. Now he is in a new place with another set of new people and an environment that he needs to get comfortable in. He’ll want to explore. He’ll want to get to know his new home.. He’ll probably have some accidents as he gets to know his surroundings and will chew a few things. Keep on eye on him but expect this to happen. It’s all common during the adjustment period.

Here’s a few tips on dog care to get you started:

• Make sure your dog has been micro-chipped . This is a simple little device injected under the skin and will help identify your new adopted dog in case the dog ever gets lost and is brought to a dog shelter or dog rescue.

1. Another important accessory is a soft dog collar with an id tag attached. The id tag should have your name and a current phone number that you can be reached at in the event someone finds your newly adopted dog after a doggy adventure. Many careful dog guardians have discovered that their pal has slipped out a door, through a fence or run out to play only to get lost. Proper identification will enhance the probability of a quick and safe return home.

• Make sure you keep your dog on a leash at all times when you go for a walk . This will protect your dog from potential dangers such as cars and other dogs. It also will help you control your dog and protect her in the event the dog becomes excited at the site of other dogs or people.

• Spay or Neuter your Dog- Spaying and neutering is a very basic procedure that will help your dog live a longer and healthier life. Spayed or neutered fogs have fewer behavioral issues such as aggression . And finally, spaying and neutering helps control the exploding dog population. This will reduce the stress on overpopulated dog shelters and help reduce the number of unwanted dogs that are euthanized annually.

• Choose the Perfect Veterinarian- Your adopted dog should receive regular vet checkups as a preventative medicine function and to treat any problems that may arise. Certain vaccinations are required by law such as one for rabies. When you choose a vet, ask the doctor what his/her philosophy is as to vaccinations, nutrition and general treatment protocols. One you select the vet that you feel is best for your dog, you will be started on a lifelong relationship for good canine health.

• Feed a high quality dog food.-There are a number of different philosophies on the best type of food to feed your adopted dog. Some believe that dogs should eat RAW food as they would in the wild. Others believe that kibble is the best way to go. Yet others decide to cook meats, veggies and rice as a diet. Talk with your vet as to what is best for your dog nutritionally and as to quantity and frequency of feedings. If you choose a commercial dog food make sure that it is not mostly filler. You can determine this by looking at the first agreements on the package. When you see grains and by products mentioned and the price is a bargain…leave it behind. Your adopted dog needs a nutritionally based diet that will help keep him healthy, not junk food. When in doubt, ask your vet.

• Make sure your adopted dog is licensed. You will need to province proof of vaccinations and should get an id tag. Your vet, the local dog shelter or dog rescue can provide you with information.

• Make sure your adopted dog has a warm place to live in the winter and cool place in the summer. Your dog should always have access to fresh water. I don’t support the idea of “outdoor” dogs. Dogs enjoy playing in the yard but should have a safe and comfortable place to rest . And never under any circumstance chain your dog and leave her unattended. Your dog wants to be with you and share your time and space. Having a companion is why you brought your dog home in the first place, isn’t it?

• Exercise your dog with frequent walks and play. Both you and your dog will benefit from the exercise, making your relationship stronger . Walk your dog at least 2 times a day. Exercise and meeting other folks along the way with friendly dogs will also help you to socialize your dog. Ask your vet how much exercise your dog should receive.

• Join a dog training class. Many places offer group lessons on basic behavior and socialization. This is a wonderful and inexpensive opportunity for you and your new adopted dog to develop a solid foundation.

• Be a Pal to Your Dog- Dog behavior and care can at times be frustrating. But almost any situation can be resolved with a little information and help. Don’t approach your new adopted dog with rapid hand movements at his face. He will be scared and his reaction may be unexpected including fear or aggressive behavior as a defense mechanism. When you have a question or don’t know what to do next, consult with your veterinarian, dog trainers and dog rescue folks who have probably seen the exact same situation countless times. Your adopted dog is now a member of your family and is counting on you to be a guardian and a pal.

Dogs 4 Life offers news, information and resources on dog adoption, dog rescue, dog food nutrition and dog care at http://www.dogs-4life.com This article may be reproduced unedited and provided the hyperlink to the author’s site is displayed with the article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Bruno

Labels: Dog Adoption, Take Care a Dog

By Anna Hart

Imagine seeing this entry at an online dating site: “Avid swimmer, EBLD seeking lifetime relationship. Must haves: long runs in the park; exciting games of ball or Frisbee; constant attention. Must not haves: someone who’s too busy for me; someone who’ll put me in the doghouse.”

Who is EBLD? An Energetic Black Lab Dog! If you’re thinking of getting one, you’re going to want to know how to take care of a black Lab dog. And if you think you can take care of a black lab dog with little time, think again. This dog belongs with owners that are willing to spend time with and for it.

Attention

The most important factor in the care of a black Lab is attention. A black Lab will do without a lot of things, but it will not do without attention. A black Lab simply will not be ignored.

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most lovable, even-tempered dogs there is. He wants to share his immense supply of love with his owners, and can’t imagine they won’t take time to reciprocate.

Labrador Retrievers are also highly intelligent dogs. They can quickly sense reluctance on their owners’ part to spend time with them. They are eager to please, and use their intelligence to please you. In return, your care of a black Lab must include plenty of energetic play, and intelligent interaction.

Microchip

It is not essential to the care of a black Lab to have a microchip inserted, but it does provide a level of protection if your retriever strays.

Exercise

To provide good care of a black Lab, you will need to give it regular, daily exercise in large doses. Plan on 30 to 60 minutes daily as a minimum. Your black Lab will love to have 30 minutes morning and evening if possible.

Exercise should be varied. Include walks, on or off leash. Work in games of fetch (to allow you to breathe while he races!). Incorporate obedience or hunting training into your care of a black Lab and he will be able to exercise his intelligence, too.

Be sure the exercise is regular, as your black Lab’s boundless energy must find an outlet. If the outlet is not exercise, it may be destructive behavior.

Preventative Care

You should not limit your care of a black Lab to its present needs. You can forestall certain medical concerns, such as hip dysphasia, by giving the Labrador preventative care. Begin preventative care of a black Labrador when you first get the dog. First, check with the breeder to be sure the puppy’s parents are free of genetic problems. The puppy should have had its first shots and worming. Take it to a veterinarian for a check-up, and continue to take it for “wellness” visits.

Maintain preventative health care of a black lab by having your vet include, minimally: checks for external and internal parasites, inoculations, and heart worm preventative.

Food

The cook involved in the care of a black Lab must consider several things.

1. Black Labrador Retrievers will eat almost anything – think goat! To take care of a Black Lab, you need to guard against it eating junk.

2. The best food to give when taking care of a black Lab is real food. Give it real meat, raw or cooked: beef, chicken, and turkey. Give it fresh raw fruits and vegetables. Mix in brown rice and oatmeal for fiber, eggs and yogurt. Commercial dog foods, unknown before 1930, seem to exist as an outlet for rejected grains and meats that could not be sold to humans.

3. Watch your Labrador’s intake. If you really want to take proper care of a black Lab, you will not let it become overweight, risking heart disease, arthritis, and other health problems.

Grooming

You won’t need a professional groomer to take care of a Black Lab’s coat, but you should not assume the dog needs no grooming. Black Labradors shed a lot in spring and autumn, but they need to be groomed year-round.

To take proper care of a black Lab’s coat, you will need a narrow-toothed comb, short-haired rake, toenail clippers, wide-toothed comb, and a wire slicker brush. A bristle brush is nice for distributing oils when your Lab is not shedding.

Proper care of a black Lab will require daily grooming during seasonal blowing of the coat. The job is not nearly as large if done daily, and the sooner you remove dead hair, the sooner new hair can grow. Use the short-haired rake first, to rake out dead hairs. Use the wire slicker brush to get what the rake missed. Use the wide-toothed comb lightly to loosen matted hairs. The next step proves how intent you are on proper care of a black Lab. Go over the entire dog carefully with your narrow-toothed comb! Finish the job with your bristle brush to catch loose hairs.

Aside from spring and autumn’s major shedding periods, your Retriever will need to be brushed twice a week. Cut its toenails once every month to avoid foot problems.

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about the care of a Black Labrador Retriever at http://www.lovablelabradors.com Anna has posted additional information on that site about Labrador Retrievers of all colors. If you ever wondered about black and white labs, you’ll enjoy Anna’s perspective on the subject.

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Labels: Take Care a Dog

By Bob Crane

We have a six-year old boxer mix that has had a sensitive stomach since she was a puppy. Now that she is an adult the vomiting she had experienced as a puppy is rare but she still gets indigestion a lot. We have had to keep her on a dry food diet to keep her from getting sick which has worked well now for several years.

One morning when I was preparing to feed her I noticed a loud grumbling coming from her stomach. It was so loud that I heard it across the room. That was on a Saturday morning so I took her to the Vet right away. I was afraid that she may have bloat, a problem that can occur in a dog with a deep chest. What happens when a dog gets bloat is the stomach actually rotates within the chest. The Vet told us that if bloat is not dealt with quickly the animal would die. He took x-rays and found that her stomach was in the correct position ruling out bloat.

The vet at that time figured that she must have a virus because one was going around and he had had several complaints similar to ours that same morning. He prescribed some medication for the dog and we thought that was the end of it.

Around two weeks went by and the dog's symptoms had disappeared so we thought she was ok, that it was only the virus. Then one morning we were having hard boiled eggs and the dog was crazy about eggs so we gave her some. Later that afternoon she threw up everything that she had eaten all day undigested. The food had been in her stomach for at least eight hours and no signs of digestion at all. So we went back to the Vet to try to find out what was wrong with her this time. She had never thrown up undigested food before so this was possibly a new problem. Well, after another x-ray and exam the Vet saw what was wrong right away this time. It turned out that the piece of egg that we had given her earlier in the day had plugged the outlet from her stomach preventing digestion from taking place.

It was one of the tips of the egg that acted like a plug and it fit perfectly. Our mistake was thinking that she would chew the egg but she didn't. The vet also determined that the food that we feed her is too big. The kibbles for that type of dog should be no larger than a pea so if she swallows some of them whole they will be able to pass through her digestion system. My mistake was in giving her larger kibbles thinking that they would help keep her teeth clean and that probably would have been the case if she chewed all of her food. So if you have a dog that is having some stomach problems that you really can't pinpoint the cause of make sure the food is not too large for the type of breed dog that you have. Your Vet should have a chart to show you the size kibble your dog should have.

Bob Crane is the author of http://www.fordfseriestrucks.com a website that helps you find what you need for your Ford Truck. He also runs a blog at: http://www.fixnkeep.com The blog discusses preventative maintenance and corrective fixes on cars and things around the house. "Why buy new if you can fix what you already have."

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Labels: Dog Trix

By Bill Gunning

The fashion of trying to breed pitbulls was extremely famous back in the days when the pitbull was bred for the sole purpose of being tossed into a hole in the earth with another pitbull while hundreds of savage onlookers watched the dogs rip each other to shreds. It was the one who actually took the care to breed pitbulls that won all the praise and became a leader in the breeding industry. Many people whom did breed pitbulls in those days were in a constant position to always be battling for supreme breeder of the pitbull and especially the champion pitbull fighter.

Understanding Breeding Pitbulls

There are many contributing factors that play a role in a pitbulls personality and general disposition. Despite the belief that people breed pitbulls for the purpose of being mean and extremely aggressive is a gross misunderstanding because they are not bred to fight and they haven't been for a considerable amount of years. It is the people who own the dogs, not those that breed pitbulls generally that turn the dogs aggressive and mean and as a result the dogs become quite untrustworthy because they have been taught aggression. Again it is important to repeat that those who breed pitbulls are typically not to blame for a pitbull turning on a neighbor or an owner. These people are generally very irresponsible and the people that breed pitbulls didn't pick up on it.

Breeders that breed pitbulls typically watch for those potential owners that may be abusive because they don't want their dogs going out and later coming back that they have viciously attacked a young child or worse. Those who breed pitbulls are extremely responsible people and take the pitbulls reputation to heart due to the very nature of their livelihoods. While it can't and shouldn't be ignored that these poor dogs were subject to breeding for merely fighting purposes, it also shouldn't be something that intimidates you as your raising and treatment of the dog plays a very large role.

Those who breed pitbulls and raise them always insist that pitbulls are loving dogs and they adore human interaction and human affection. The pitbull actually believes that it is a lap dog and will often try to crawl into the owners lap to smother him or her with kisses however there are also many pitbulls that can develop very severe behavior problems if they are poorly bred, abused and not socialized. Like every animal care must be taken to ensure it is comfortable and at ease with other humans as well as dogs.

If you want to learn more about Brindle Pitbulls please visit our site which is free to the public. You'll find the best tips on everything to do with Pitbulls

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Labels: Dog Breeding

By Nathan Dormello

The Pomeranian dog is a very small little dog that is largely composed of a very thick and doubled coat of hair. There are actually several layers to the Pomeranian hair, which gives some people the impression that Pomeranian grooming would be extremely difficult due to the amount of hair they have however, Pomeranian grooming is not that, terribly difficult at all. The only notable difference is that some short haired dogs don’t need to be combed every single day however the Pomeranian is one that does require daily brushings due to the thickness and constant shedding.

In order to understand how to properly perform Pomeranian grooming on your puppy, it is really important that you realize that this breed of dog can knot and form tangles very easily. It is also an imperative issue to understand because of the double coat that the Pomeranian dogs have and they tend to shed those undercoats a couple of times a year. The Pomeranian grooming on a regular basis also immensely helps the coat grow and form on these little spunky dogs.

The Pomeranian Touch

There is likely no other dog that is more frequently seen in the dog shows as the Pomeranian. These little things are extremely popular and unlike a lot of breeds that can be disqualified by certain markings, it is widely accepted that most if not all Pomeranians are show dogs. It is for this very reason that there is so much focus and concentration paid to Pomeranian grooming as well as the fact that the Pomeranian coat is very coarse and thick. If it isn’t regularly maintained, groomed, washed and brushed the coat of the Pomeranian will suffer and turn very ratty, matted and full of knots and this doesn’t look very attractive on the little critters.

There are many owners that take part in regular Pomeranian grooming and are highly rewarded by happy little dogs, as they generally adore the attention and doting of being groomed. There are many tips and tricks you can learn to help you with your own Pomeranian grooming needs and can even help you with purchasing products that are necessary to maintain a nice coat for you dog. There are many sprays and products that can remove urine stains and grass stains as well as many other stains that your Pomeranian may have gotten into. Before you begin a Pomeranian grooming regime for you dog, be sure to find out all the helpful useful information from your local Pomeranian breeder.

If you want to learn more about Pomeranian Rescue please visit our site which is free to the public. You'll find the best tips on everything to do with Pomeranian

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Labels: Pomeranian Grooming

By Abbie Frank

One of the best things about having a pet is the companionship they offer. Many of the idealized dreams of pet owners have been destroyed by the inability to properly house train a new puppy or dog. This is unfortunate because with very few exceptions, teaching a dog to relieve themselves outside is one of the easier things to do.

Understand that dogs are pack animals and in the wild, they choose to be very social and interact with a group. When you take on dog ownership, you are seen as part of the pack. Canines also prefer to sleep in a very clean, dry and warm place. This means that a dog or puppy will not purposely soil what they see as their home and sleeping area.

The key then is to take this natural preference and use it to develop a positive behavior of asking to go outside to relieve themselves. The absolute best way of getting the behavior you want is to use lots of praise and positive reinforcement.

Yelling, raising your voice, threatening and getting aggravated or physical with your puppy or dog will not nearly be as effective as positive reinforcement and consistency on your part. A dog simply has a difficult time associating an action with a consequence. It's their desire however to make you happy so anything like going outside to the bathroom should be seen as something that makes you happy. This means lots of praise will get your puppy housebroken a lot faster than getting upset.

It also means that if your dog has an accident inside your home and you do not see it while it's happening, you should not scold or say anything negative to your pup. And even better approach when you have to clean up a pile of poo is to ignore the dog completely. You don't want to show your displeasure because your puppy will not have the ability to associate your unhappiness with the bathroom accident. The reason for this is that you don't want to interact with the animal after finding something that you don't like.

You should also face the fact that your puppy or dog will have an occasional accident during the training. It's just a fact that there will be times when your puppy will not be able to control their bowels or bladder. If you catch them in the act of relieving themselves in your home however, simply pick them up and say firmly "NO" and take them directly outside to let them finish going to the bathroom.

Stay there with them and pay careful attention to make certain that they go. While outside, if they do indeed go potty, it's very important that you focus on that positive and offer them lots of praise and physical contact heading for doing a good job. This helps connect bathroom business with outside and pleasing you.

It's only through patience and understanding that you can successfully potty train your dog. Although it doesn't take a lot of time, it's important that you stay consistent with your training and realize that accidents will unfortunately happen.

Abigail Franks and her family love dogs of all sizes. Find out how to be successful with puppy potty training and crate training for your dog.

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Labels: House Training for Dog or Puppy