Does Your Dog Belong Inside Your Home Or Should It Remain Outdoors?

There's nothing more exciting than getting a new dog. Humans are known to love dogs, their friendly and loving nature makes them the number one pet. However, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether a dog should stay inside or outside the home.

Some would say that dogs belong outdoors because they are dogs. Many dog owners have considered letting their dogs in but the dog start to wreck things, poops and even pees inside the house, while also destroying some of the furniture. However, you need to consider the reasons why your dog is doing these things? The most logical reason is the fact that your dog has never been trained.

Most true dog lovers feel the dog should not be left outside alone, because are pack animals and they need the love and attention of their pack, you. Quite often I refer to dogs that live outside as living lawn furniture. Typically what happens with the living lawn furniture is we run out and make sure it has water, open the door and stick its food on the porch, then run back inside before the dog jumps on us.

Wouldn't you and your family prefer to have a dog that you can actually enjoy. A dog that knows right from wrong and has been obedience trained as well as properly house trained. I know your dog would enjoy it and prefer to be living in the house with you.

Training a dog to be a part of your family and living in your house is actually very simple. You can accomplish this by simply starting from the time that you bring the puppy or dog home. You will start the house training process immediately. Of course as with any young creature it has lots of energy so if you have a young dog that needs an active lifestyle you'll need to get outside and play with it and take a prolonged walks.

Training at this point is a must. Find a local dog trainer or AKC dog training club to help guide you through the process. Having the help of a professional trainer makes the whole process so much easier. Their experience can give you answers to many of the questions that you may have about your dog.

Take the time to train your dog and you and your family will have a companion that you can enjoy for a long time. A companion that you can be proud of and trust to be a good member of your family.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Your-Dog-Belong-Inside-Your-Home-Or-Should-It-Remain-Outdoors?&id=8955578

Be The Leader Of Your Dog's Pack

Dogs are pack animals and, as a result, they are respectful of the leader of their pack. Typically, it is a puppy's mother who is their first pack leader. She trains them to obey from the moment they are born by controlling when they eat. When you are a dog owner, you must assume the role of pack leader. Otherwise, your dog can become disobedient and controlling.

The way to claim your role as pack leader is to exert gentle control the moment your puppy or dog enters your home for his or her first day of living with you. Get to know your dog's disposition. This should be easy enough, as you can tell when some dogs are natural people lovers, dog lovers or both.

Whatever your dog's nature appears to be, you let him or her know you are in charge. After all, you are going to be the one feeding them. They understand, instinctively, that they need to you to survive.

One way to enforce your pack leader role is to try to walk your dog before you give him or her a feeding. You will notice, while out on a walk, your dog wants to claim ownership of territory. Try not to let your dog "claim" every inch of grass or sidewalk. A firm, but gentle "Leave it" command will teach your dog you intend for him to walk.

Once you are home, go ahead and introduce the meal to your dog. Be sure he or she is not jumping or begging for food. Never give your dog a meal or a treat, especially, unless the dog is behaving calmly and with respect for you.

Another useful command to teach your dog is the "Wait" command, which can also be signaled using your hand. Simply put your hand up with your palm facing your dog, as if you are directing traffic to stop. You tell your dog to "Wait" and see to it that he or she does before resuming your activities.

If your dog gets excited about playing or walking, sometimes he or she may beg for you to take him or her out. A simple "Wait" will remind your dog that you are the one in charge and that the dog must be calm and well mannered before anything else. Be a true pack leader for the sake of your dog and everyone else.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Be-The-Leader-Of-Your-Dogs-Pack&id=8952839

Dealing With A Hyperactive Dog

Generally, when we are talking about a hyperactive dog we are talking about a puppy or an adolescent dog that hasn't yet achieved maturity. Just like human children dogs can be very hyperactive when they haven't been stimulated with lots of exercise. Let's talk about some of the ways that you can cut down on the hyperactivity of your young dog.

If your dog is at least four months old you can start obedience training. Training is not only physical but it also works the mind and can cause you dog to be tired. I have always said that "A Trained Dog Is A Happy Dog And An Exhausted Dog Is Happier" so lets talk about some methods that will help keep you dog busy and less likely to be hyperactive.

Going for long walks is probably the easiest way to exercise a dog. If you are not able to go for long walk consider hiring a dog walker or maybe even a young person in your neighborhood that can do the walking for you.

Swimming is another excellent form of exercise so if you have a pool or a lake close by some frequent swimming sessions will be fun and provide the needed exercise.

If you have a breed that enjoys retrieve games it can be an easy way to get your dog the exercise it needs with out you having to walk for miles. The same is true if you have a dog that enjoys catching a Frisbee. Either one can provide a tremendous amount of needed exercise without too much work on your part.

I have a bunch of clients that really enjoy taking their dogs to a doggy daycare. Make sure the one that you go to pre-screens all the dogs to make sure they are not dog aggressive. Doggy day care can provide hours of non-stop exercise for your dog and you will reap the benefits of that exercise for the next few days. Everybody says that usually 2 or 3 visits a week is adequate to calm a hyperactive dog.

Here is one last idea that you may find more affordable. Put together a group of 3 or 4 of your friends that have dog friendly dogs and do a doggy get together 2 or 3 times a week in different people's backyard. You get the benefit of doggy day care without the cost and you get to enjoy the companionship from some other dog lovers.

I hope these ideas will give you some inspiration to get that dog out and exercise it. I know you will both reap the benefits that come from the effort.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Dealing-With-A-Hyperactive-Dog&id=8538398