7 Tips to Keep Our Dogs Safe On City Streets

1.      Use a fixed-length leash.

 

 The use of a fixed-length leash is, without doubt, the most significant safety tool a person walking a dog has. Retractable leashes which are able to alter their length at the click of a button can alter the radius in which a dog can move. And that really defeats the most important reason for having your dog on a leash in the first place. Many of these retractable leashes have very thin cords which can possibly snap or become entangled with the holder of the leash causing in some cases very serious injury. These leashes normally have the ability to rewind if not in a locked state, which means that if accidentally dropped, they can automatically rewind causing the big plastic handle to fly uncontrollably towards the face of the dog. This at the very least can spook a dog and in so doing cause it to run in fright, whereas if a fixed length nylon leash is dropped accidentally it can be picked up quickly. Retractable leashes may be ok when giving a dog some independence when on a rural trail I don’t believe they are at all suitable for use when waking your dog on city streets. If however you still wish to use this type of leash when walking your dog in the city, you must use it whilst in a locked position.

 2.     Attach the leash to both a harness and a collar

If using a collar and harness, the dog’s leash should be clipped to both. This is a technique used by many responsible dog walkers because it offers a safety factor insomuch as the leash is attached at two points, some even use two leashes in case one fails. This may be considered a bit of a drag, but just think, it is far less of a drag than losing your dog.

  

3           If necessary, walk your dog with a muzzle

 

Should you have a fear that your dog may bite, or that your dog may eat garbage then it is important to purchase a muzzle. Many of us do not like to muzzle our dogs, but unfortunately our city streets may very well be places where the unexpected could occur and dogs which are afraid are far more likely to bite. If you feel that there is even the slightest possibility that your dog may bite another dog or person whilst being walked on the street, or even if you are worried that your dog may ingest cigarette buts or the like, then a muzzle is an absolute must-have.

  

4.               Select the path you choose to walk carefully.

 

You will know just how stressed you might feel when attempting to navigate your way down 6^th Avenue at lunchtime. Just try and think about how your dog is feeling trying to undertake the same at ankle level. To try to minimise the stress when walking your dog, choose walks along walkways that are as exposed as possible. There are just so many situations that can occur on city streets that might possibly startle a dog, many of which we are unable to control. The simplest thing you can try and do is to attempt to determine what is going to be the calmest route to take.

It is always generally better to walk your dog on the building side of the sideway, as opposed to the curb side, for if your dog does manage to get loose, it will hopefully give you a better chance of being able to get hold of him again, before it rushes into the traffic.

5.               Always ask your dog to “sit” at the curb.

Your dog may have a variety of cues for “sit”. One may just be the word “sit”, one may be a had signal and one most certainly needs to be a visual environmental cue. Every time when arriving at the curb, cue your dog to sit (use a food treat if needed, or no matter what is needed, get them to sit). Then you can reward with a food treat if needed  when starting out, or once the sit at the curb is mastered, the reward can be the chance to stand up and  keep on walking when you say “Okay.” With sufficient repetition, your dog will connect the curb with the act of sitting and it will no longer be a behavior that you will have to ask for. The objective here is that if your dog takes the chance to cross a street off-leash, it will first sit at the curb and await your signal to go again.

6.               Carry treats. 

When owning a dog, it’s not just a case of training your dog to conduct themselves correctly on the streets, you will find that you have to train people as well to behave correctly. Some people would never allow just anyone reach out and touch their dog saying, “would you allow just anyone touch a baby?” That may appear somewhat severe and I would like my dog to have the ability to socialize with people. But, I would like my dog to have the opportunity to socialize with people. However, I do believe that people today perform a wide range of inappropriate things whenever they greet an unfamiliar dog on the streets. They frequently get into a dog’s face, which is intrusive, or try to pick them up, both of which could be dangerous and most certainly is irritating to the dog. These people also squeal and kiss neither of these in the “dog world” is seen as a polite action. An easy way to politely prevent these types of interactions is whenever someone displays an interest in your dog, is to give them a treat that your dog likes and suggest that they offer it to your dog. It should be offered without your dog having to sit or do anything to receive it. They are  just being rewarded for good behaviour when co-existing with a stranger. This will assist in building a good interaction with that particular type of person, be they a boisterous child or a man with a walking cane, and it will allow the person a safe way to connect with your dog. 

7.     Communicate with others on the street before letting them or their dog interact 

        with yours.

Dog’s don’t talk, but we can. So just before you allow your dog greet another dog check with the owner if their dog is friendly towards other dogs. Unfortunately, that with a number of dogs on the street, safe leash meeting with other dogs just is not safe. Fortunately, that does not apply to everybody, but for safety just ask.  

When meeting just ask if it is alright if my dog says Hi to your dog. If the owner says “NO” it’s most likely that they are watching out for their’ s and your dog’s safety. That type of person is just being sensible.

Similarly, a lot of dogs just don’t wish to be stroked by strangers. The easiest way to judge if a situation is safe or not is to just simply thank people when they ask “May I pet your dog?” This behaviour by people should be rewarded, and by so doing more people will do it, and by so doing we will all be rewarded by building a world where we keep our dogs safe on city streets.

Simple Dog Obedience Tips For Dog Training at Home

Dog training at home is possible because today there are a number of resources that provide you with dog obedience tips and tricks to easily train your dog at home. The arrival of a puppy is a time of great excitement. The amount of attention the puppy receives can actually spoil the puppy.

Follow these simple steps for successful dog training at home:

The first thing to bear in mind when you embark on a dog training program is to ensure that use only positive methods like rewards, reinforcement and encouragement. Start right from the time the puppy is brought home. Make sure that you develop habits that you want the puppy to display and discourage any behavior that is undesirable. It's better to nurture good habits from the beginning rather than correcting them at a later stage.

Keep the lessons short and simple. Begin by giving the puppy easy commands and when the expected behavior is exhibited it should be rewarded with a pat or any other kind of reinforcing word. Don't always use food as an incentive.

The training session should be based around building trust and love and respect and not punishment and harsh methods. If you follow some of these dog obedience tips you will soon find that your dog training at home has been successful.

Please remember that a puppy is like a little child, playful and loves attention. Do not treat it harshly otherwise it will learn to be afraid or may display reverse behavior.

Enjoy the puppy's playful behavior and how you train it at this stage will reflect in the long term bond that it builds with you and your family.

Potty training which is usually the first step can actually be a stressful time for any pet owner. An important rule is to give food and water at a scheduled time and then take them out. Remove the water bowl at night and keep it back in the morning. Take the puppy out after meal so that it knows that this is the time for it to eliminate. To start with, fix a designated area which you want the puppy to use as a toilet and then take it there every hour to convey to it that this is the spot for it to excrete.

Leash training is also, a part of dog training at home is one of many useful dog obedience tips. Make it familiar with the dog collar so that it starts understanding that collar means it will go for a walk.

Training your dog at home is not only possible, but it's also pretty darn simple too.

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Arthritis In Dogs

Arthritis is one of the most commonly encountered forms of canine medical conditions. In most cases, it is older dogs that can have problems with arthritis. It is caused by the natural deterioration of joints throughout the process of ageing affecting the overall flexibility of joints. 

For us owners, it's a heartbreaking condition to watch ones much-loved pet, limping and moaning because of the pain. Young dogs can also become troubled by arthritis following significant injuries or accidents. As dog owners, we need to be acquainted with the signs and symptoms as well as the treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

It is important to keep a watchful eye on following symptoms, just in case you notice particular differences in the actions of your dog:

• Problems experienced when sitting or standing up
• A Loss of appetite
• Reluctance to go for walks or walking with a stiff gait
• Persistent licking of the joints
• Resistance to touch 
• Swollen and or hot joints

     As a result of pain in its joints, you might find that your dog is sleeping throughout the day. As a result of modern-day researches, there exists an assortment of arthritis medicines for dogs that can help alleviate the joint pain.

Glucosamine for Dog Arthritis

Glucosamine is effective for the treatment of dog arthritis. It is available in a variety of forms, for example, chewable pills, powder, liquid, tablets of different strength, etc.

• It assists the repair and renewal of worn and damaged cartilage by providing the matrix which is beneficial in the process of regeneration.
• A Glucosamine supplement can be the best supplement for dogs diagnosed with arthritis. It can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis and hip dysplasia.
• Glucosamine for dogs is supplied in various flavours.  No significant side effects of these supplements have been detected. Glucosamine promotes the restoring process of the damaged cartilage.

Liquid Glucosamine is often considered the best glucosamine for dogs, due to the fact that total absorption of the ingredients is possible. Moreover, you can easily feed it to your dog. The supplement is considered as a safe nutritional supplement. It can help lessen the pain as well as slowing down the progression of arthritis. However, results are not immediate. Time is needed for it to accumulate in the system.

Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs

(Vegetarian)

Prior to buying and feeding your dog medicines, it is important to check with your veterinarian or pet nutritionist. Instructions regarding glucosamine dosage needs to be strictly followed by dog owners so one needs to conscientiously adhere to the directions on the labels of the bottles.

Liquid Glucosamine for Small Dogs

Besides the giving of glucosamine, preparing a soft and comfortable bed, nutritious diet, physiotherapy, massage, etc., should be regarded as part of the treatment. Because pets are unable to explain to us what the problem is and how much pain they are encountering, we must attempt to gather as much information as we possibly can, for effective dog care. Overweight dogs are more inclined to suffer the pain of arthritis. So, always be careful with regards to their diet and exercise program of your dog.

A Clicker Trainer Is a Quicker Trainer

I am always looking for better training methods in my work with dogs. Not only do I look for the fastest way but also the easiest way for the dog to understand what I want. If you put yourself in the position of the dog you will see that pushing, pulling and even talking, praising and petting can actually make it confusing and more difficult for them to learn. It certainly makes it harder for the dog to differentiate exactly what the cue is to perform a particular action.

The truth is that your dog is often trying so hard to figure out what you want it gets confused if you're not clear and concise with your training. What your dog really needs when you train is consistency and for you to do the same thing twice. That's why clicker training is the most effective training method.

For the uninitiated, the clicker is just a small handheld noisemaker, which has a metal strip that makes a distinct "click" when pressed and released. The trainer clicks at the exact moment the dog has properly performed the behavior we're teaching. Since the clicker is a unique sound to the dog it presents a fabulous learning moment and speeds us to that "ah-ha" moment, that "light bulb goes off moment" where the trainer and dog are in such synchronicity and rhythm that you can actually see the dog "get it".

For this all to come together, the dog needs to know that the sound of the click signifies that they did something right, that we like what they did, and that a reward is coming. You should notice after several repetitions of a click and treat that the dog responds to the sound of the clicker by looking at you. Many people inadvertently think this is because we are clicking to get the dog's attention. But if you've properly introduced the clicker what's really happening is that the dog is looking at you after the moment of the sound because it's made an association that the click has not only identified the proper action or behavior but more importantly, that the rewards of praise and a treat will follow.

Let's begin our training with teaching our dog to sit on command. The first step is to get the dog to actually sit and let it know that it did what we wanted. With most dogs, it will be easy to lure them to sit by guiding a treat slightly above their head. Also, we aren't going to give a verbal command, just get them to sit. If it doesn't sit, move the treat a little up or down or forward or behind their head. Remember that the click is going to mark the right response from the dog so the instant their butt hits the ground you should click, praise and give them a treat. If you want to teach the dog to stay seated you can click and treat again before the dog gets up.

The second step is to get the dog to perform reliably when we want them to and this is why it's extremely important to incorporate praise into the process. We certainly don't want our dogs to mind us only when there is food. So my first rule in training with food is that we always praise our dog right before we give the treat. The key thing to remember at this stage is click/praise/treat in that order...every time. My second rule is to make the food rewards intermittent and to use them every second or third time. This is often referred to as fading the treats or fading the lure.

For now, we are going to give a treat every time. Figure on a rate of about 10-15 treats a minute for beginning training to keep the dog's interest. As the dog learns you can reduce the amount of treats but we never actually stop giving rewards entirely. Just as we like being recognized for a 'job well done,' so does your dog.

The third and final step is to put the behavior on cue or on command. At this point, we can start using a "sit" command because we are sure we can get the dog to perform reliably every time we give the hand signal. If you've done everything right so far you have already taught the dog a hand signal for sit when you raised your hand above the dog's head. The proper time to give a command is right before we get the desired behavior from the dog, so in this case right before we lift our hand is the right time to say "sit". Of course we still click/praise/treat when the dog sits on our command as well.

Working with a clicker is the best method for simply, quickly and effectively training almost any dog. It takes a little more work and coordination initially, but in the long run it's faster and easier for both you and your dog. Even if your dog already knows some commands or has prior training, using a clicker will still serve to speed up and perfect its responses in addition to helping eliminate any past training mistakes or confusion. It's also fun and a great way to bond with your dog that wants nothing more than to interact in a positive way with you. You're in this together and with proper clicker training, you'll both reap the rewards for many years to come.

Tips To Help Dog Socialization

Dogs are sometimes like humans and that they want to socialize in order that they may know and understand the skills needed to help them live well with other dogs and people. If you have only one canine it will be a little bit hard for your dog to get socialize with other dogs because it does not have any playmate. You will also need to have your dogs trained at the dog socialization clinic.

Here are some tips to help your dog increase or develop its social interaction:

1. You must have to take another dog as its companion to play and mingle with. Your dog would really love to have a dog companion that it can relate

with. It will be better if your dog has another canine to interact with and play in your household. A canine alone with no playmate or companion is lonely and feels uneasy and distraught. Not only that your dog always seeks attention if it is alone in your house. That even if you take it to the clinic for his dog socialization is not enough for the canine because it needs a companion.

2. Dogs can also socialize at the canine parks which are a good place to take it once or twice in a week. There will be many breeds of dogs roaming

around the dog park and this is the great opportunity for your canine to mingle and have the needed social interaction that your canine needs. Dog parks really promote good dog social skills and at least the best experience of being in the company of other strange dogs. This will help your canine to develop the awareness of other dogs around it and learn hopefully to live peaceably with other strange dogs around.

3. Another great way of providing dog socialization to your own canine is by taking them and letting them stay in a canine daycare or kennel. This way your canine will have every opportunity to greatly socialize or interact with every canine that is present in the kennel. At the kennel, your canine will

have plenty of time to play and run around together with the other dogs inside the kennel during their scheduled times. This will certainly make your canine happy and will have a great time playing and running and promotes your canine social behavior and will provide the needed exercise that it needs for the day.

There are still many other similar opportunities for your dog to get its dog socialization or interaction with other dogs. The above-mentioned tips or ways of providing great interaction for your own dog must be taken into consideration. By taking or following one of this will really make your dog happy and carefree as well as being loved. It will be the times wherein your canine will look up to and will really anticipate as it waits for that day to come for him to do these things. If you treat your canine properly and appropriately it will result in a happy and well-cared for canine, one that is contented and perfect.

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