4 Dog Etiquette Tips

Most people just don't realize how important doggie etiquette can be. They just don't get the fact that as a dog owner they have certain things that they are responsible for about their dog's behavior. So let's talk about a few of those doggie do's and don'ts. 

Jumping On People 

This is a big one! It is just really wrong to allow your dog to jump on people. Your dog could knock them down if it is a big dog and even scratch them or get them dirty. It's just plain wrong. 

So how do you keep it from happening, simple, training? Yes, training your dog not to jump on people is really not difficult and will allow your dog to be welcome in more places around people. If you just simply are not going to take the time to train then KEEP your dog on leash and far enough away from people so it cannot jump on them. This is the doggie etiquette #1 rule. 

Pick Up The Poo 

Yes for those dog owners that walk their dogs through the neighborhood be a good neighbor and pick up your dog's poop in the neighbor's yard. As a dog owner I am sure that you wouldn't want strange dog poop in your yard so simply do unto others and pick up the poop. It's easy and your neighbors will love you. 

Barking Dogs 

Does your dog bark all day in the backyard while you are at work? If so you probably have some unhappy neighbors. It can keep the person that works nights awake during the day and the neighbor's baby can't sleep, you get the idea. 

So how can you fix it? Here are just a couple of ideas. Bring your dog into the house while you are gone. You can use a crate if you are concerned about your dog being destructive. The second option is a quick fix by investing in a bark collar. Bark collars are much more sophisticated than in years past and it can be an easy solution that will have your neighbors loving you again. 

Dog Parks 

This is a big one and has a lot of dog owners concerned at the dog park. When you bring your dog to a dog park keep an eye on it. Dog parks are not a place for you to bring your dog so that the other dog owners have to watch it and scold it when it gets out of line or a bit too aggressive. It's your job so take it seriously. 

These are just a few tips that you should consider if you really want to be a good thoughtful dog owner. Your family, neighbors and friends will love you and your dog for taking the time to do these things.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?4-Dog-Etiquette-Tips&id=9209090

Do You Think That Your Puppy's Growl Is Cute?

Quite often I hear people comment that their puppy growled at a stranger and they thought it was so cute. Actually, it isn't cute at all and in the future it will become dangerous as the puppy gets older. The problem is that your puppy should be friendly because it's a baby it shouldn't be growling at people.

This is something that I see quite often especially with single young ladies that buy a dog for a feeling of protection when they go for a walk. They get that German Shepherd or Rottweiler puppy at eight weeks of age and don't bother doing any obedience training nor do they do the things that are needed to socialize it properly during the socialization period before 20 weeks of age.

Then somewhere around six months of age they realize the dog is doing some inappropriate growling and barking at not only strangers but maybe even some friends who come to visit the house. The really bad stuff starts somewhere between 12 and 24 months of age when the dog owner realizes they have a fearful aggressive dog.

In this article I am going to concentrate on how to keep this from happening not on what to do when you end up with an aggressive dog. So how do we keep this from happening?

Let's start at the beginning. When you bring that new pup home it's time to start the socialization process. You have until week 20 to accomplish that goal so don't waste any time.

At 16 weeks of age it is time for obedience training and your pup is ready to learn. At this age their little minds are like sponges and ready to absorb anything you can teach them.

Quite often new dog owners and think that obedience training is only for show dogs or maybe only big dogs. WRONG! All dogs big or small need obedience training because that is what establishes the dog / master relationship. An untrained dog is like a loose cannon you never know what it will do.

In conclusion if you want a dog that you can enjoy and not have to worry about poor behavior or aggression start early with socialization and training. With as little as 15 minutes a day you can have a dog that you can enjoy for many years in the future.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Think-That-Your-Puppys-Growl-Is-Cute?&id=9012992

Your Dog Requires a Strong Leader, You!

When you buy a dog or obtain one through other means, you will likely go through what is known as the 'honeymoon' period in which your dog simply can do no wrong. This, however, will fade rather quickly, and before you know it, you will be wanting to make a change. As a dog owner, there are certain things that you will need to understand about your new canine companion. First of all, they require discipline, and second, they require a leader. As descendants of wolves, dogs are used to the family unit, and they are used to an alpha male leading the pack. If no one is stepping up to fill that role, then your dog will be more than happy to do so. You will, in fact, be run by your dog, and that is not a pleasant situation for anyone to be in.

Taking charge of your dog requires not only discipline, but consistency in those disciplinary measures. There are many 'dog owners' who feel that being a disciplinarian is too harsh or too controlling, but your dog requires that structure, and will otherwise be very confused.

Without the proper social structure established within your pack, your dog will begin to develop behavior problems. Notice that we called you a 'pack'. Yes, we meant to say that, and it might not be what you signed up for. Your dog views you as his or her family, though you can be rest assured that their definition of family is far different from yours. That being said, it is important that you learn your dog's body language, their mannerisms, and what they like.

In order to establish consistency you can start by providing treats for good behavior but discipline for bad behavior. This is a great start, though it becomes much more complex than that later on. Any good dog trainer knows that it is useless to attempt to train a dog before establishing themselves as the alpha and it is important for you to establish the same line of logic in handling your own four legged companion.

Every dog is different, but many of the training methods are roughly the same. Give it a try, and perhaps even consult with a professional dog trainer for more advice. Remember, your dog needs a strong leader, you! So get started and establish yourself within the pack.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Dog-Requires-a-Strong-Leader,-You!&id=8808367

8 Pet Care Tips for Dog Owners

Being a dog owner is a real joy. It promises years of pleasure and companionship to owner and dog alike. But it is also a heavy responsibility and a long-term commitment. Below are eight tips on how to care for that "friend" to which you have made such a commitment.

1. Keep Up-to-date on Rabies and Other Vaccinations

This is vital to your dog's well-being. Rabies is still a threat to our pets. Every summer brings reports of findings of rabid bats or other wild animals. Rabies is especially prevalent if you live on acreage or in a wooded area more populated by wild animals.

Owners do have the option of getting a one year or a two year rabies shot -- or, if they are concerned about the side effects of a rabies shot another option is to get their dog a titer test, a blood test that indicates whether the animal's previous vaccine is still active or sufficiently protecting him. This prevents the owner from having to get a vaccine before it is absolutely necessary. Heart worm too is a very real threat to your dog and can be avoided by a heart worm pill taken monthly.

2. Regular Vet Check-Ups

This can be combined with your dog's vaccination appointment. A check-up will help the vet identify any problems while they are still in the early stages, whether it be a tumor or fleas.

3. Healthy Diet

This is not to be taken lightly as we hear so often about dog foods that contain melamine or are somehow contaminated. Many dog foods are not nutritionally balanced and fillers such as ground corn and other grains are added simply for volume. The primary ingredient in your dog's food should be meat.

4. Proper Training

A well-trained dog is a happy dog. He knows what is expected of him. He doesn't annoy guests with a display of bad manners or repel them by jumping on them or slobbering on them. Good obedience training also keeps him safe.

5. Socialization

It is important that your dog learn to play well with other dogs, not being the aggressor or snarling at his canine companions. The more quality time he spends with dogs, the better behaved he can be counted on being. So, go to the dog park, go to dog events, walk him in your neighborhood and let him visit with his neighbors. It will make him a confident

6. Grooming

Grooming is important to you dog's health. If he is matted or his nails need cutting, he is uncomfortable. He will be constantly chewing on himself and panting out of agitation. Also, a good groomer who grooms your dog on a regular basis is going to detect abnormalities or signs of distress or disease. If caught early such discoveries do not have to equate to a death sentence.

7. Exercise Your Dog

If he gets enough exercise he won't be an unholy, hyperactive terror. He will sleep well when it's bedtime and not be agitated and excitable. Exercise is also good for his overall health.

8. Obey the Leash Laws

They are for your dog's protection. His training will enable him to walk with you and obey your commands.

These are just a few of many tips to help you ensure that you have a happy, healthy dog and one with impeccable manners! Follow them and you will be exemplary as a dog owner.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?8-Pet-Care-Tips-for-Dog-Owners&id=8747543

5 Common Dog Behavior Problems

If you are a dog owner then at sometime or another you've experienced some type of behavior problems with your dogs. In this article we will talk about 5 of the most common dog behavior problems.

1. Okay let's start with jumping. You may have a dog that's jumping on you, on the kids, or maybe visitors that come to your home. No matter what, jumping can be very annoying and actually dangerous when it comes to small children or senior citizens.

2. Barking is another problem that you may have experienced. It seems that most people don't mind their dog barking to let them know that somebody is at the door or even somebody is outside that shouldn't be. However none of us want that nonstop barking that annoys the neighbors and keeps you from being able to enjoy the peace and quiet of home. Teaching your dog to stop barking on command is the answer.

3. House training is another huge issue for some people. If your dog has not been properly house trained then your dog is probably soiling in your home. Let's face it that just isn't acceptable. In fact the lack of house training is the number one reason dogs end up in shelters.

4. Chewing is one of those habits that we want to eliminate quickly. If you have a puppy that's chewing on things you'll have an adult that does the same thing unless you break that habit early.

5. Digging can be very annoying and dangerous for your dog. Dogs dig for different reasons sometimes just out of boredom, other times to find cool ground, and other times to escape under the fence. Digging holes in your backyard can be very unsightly but digging holes under the fence can be dangerous because your dog can escape and possibly get run over.

I'm sure you're asking now that we've identified some of the common behavior issues how do we solve them. The answer is actually very simple, training and behavior modification. It's amazing but behavior problems all seem to disappear if your dog is obedience trained.

Other problems will require some behavior modification. What is behavior modification? Simply changing the way you do some things at home with your dog so that it is able to learn better habits.

If your dog is suffering from these common behavior problems simply find a good trainer in your area that can guide you through the steps to eliminate the issues.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Common-Dog-Behavior-Problems&id=8490327

Train Your Dog Not To Run Through Open Doors

Dogs that escape and run through opens doors are at a very high risk of dying. Yes, it's true and I have known people that lost their dog because of this one bad habit. Don't let it happen to your dog instead train you dog to do a sit stay at the door and not cross the doors threshold until you invite it out. 

Training this exercise is one of the "Manners at the Door" exercises that every good dog should know and every good dog owner should take the time to teach their dog. It really isn't that hard to do so lets get started. 

Ideally this is an exercise that should be taught to your dog early before it learns that it can escape through the door. To get started your dog needs to be able to do a good sit-stay exercise. For this article we will assume that your dog does do a good sit-stay. 

Start the training by having your dog do a sit-stay while you open the front door and step out crossing the threshold. In the beginning you can face your dog but do not allow the dog to get up. Continue the training and if your dog is doing well step through the doorway but face away from your dog. It would be nice if you have a helper that can tell you if your dog gets up so that you can correct it. If a helper is not available you can actually use a mirror to help you see what your dog is doing. 

The next step is to come up with a word that means for the dog to come through the door. That special word can be a s simple as "Door". The next time you exit the door wait 15-20 seconds and then invite your dog out with the new door command. 

Now here is an important thing to remember. If for example you do this exercise 10 times today you should only use the door command once, maybe twice. We want the dog to expect that the majority of the time it will not be allowed to cross the threshold. 

When the training is going well with you right outside the door you will start increasing the distance that you go from the dog. For example your goal should be that you can walk to your mailbox or the curb without your dog running through the door. 

Remember that the dog's safety comes first and we don't want it running through the door. Using a 30 foot long line attach one end to the dog and the other end to something solid that can hold the dog if it decides to run. 

Now with the help of the long line you can continue the training as you are adding more and more distance from the dog. Practice this daily and you will have a dog that is reliable and will not dart out the door the next time the UPS man delivers a package.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Train-Your-Dog-Not-To-Run-Through-Open-Doors&id=8389491

The Right Dog For Your Lifestyle

Dogs make wonderful pets and companions; anyone who loves dogs, want them to be a part of their family. Most of the time, we seek cuteness and a friendly nature when buying a dog. But, today every experienced dog owner will tell you differently. It is best if you choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. Just as every individual is different, dogs are different too. Every breed has certain characteristics which should match to your lifestyle.

Different types of lifestyle-

The geek lifestyle - If you are a person who can just never leave the computer alone for a single minute and loves to play games, it is best you opt for low-maintenance dog. Low-maintenance dogs will happily watch you tap on the keyboard all day and will not complain much. Example - Pugs

Active lifestyle - In case you are a great sports fanatic, love running and live an active life, you need an outdoor dog. It will match your fitness levels and will love to play with you. Example - Golden or Labrador Retrievers

Small children in the family - For a situation like this, it is best to go for a dog that has a record of friendliness with children. They have more patience than other breeds and love playing with them. Example - Spaniels

Small space - If you live in small flat, you would need a small dog, so that the dog does not feel suffocated. It is best to buy small breeds of dogs. Example - Dachshunds

A Big House - If you have a big house, you may want a dog that can guard the house. These dogs have special skills and are trained for this. Example - German Shepherds, Dobermans

Other factors to consider-

One should also consider the following factors before buying a dog-

• The space available for the dog- Dogs love roaming around the house the whole day and just cannot sit idle. Choose a breed according to the space available

• Willingness to spend- If you have a big budget, you can look for big dogs as they have huge appetites, if you have budget constraints it is best to go for small dog

• Time available- If you are buying a dog, you or someone in the family should have time to take it for regular walks, medications and time to train them

Your desire to buy a dog, is just part of the story, the main thing is to get the priorities right. When the breed of dog matches your lifestyle, it is easier for the entire family to enjoy the dog.

Of course another decision to be made is whether you want to start with an adult dog or a puppy.

Your new dog is a member of the family, it is alive and it has feelings. It should be loved and treated fairly. After all, as the old saying goes." Dog is man's best friend!"