Playing is Important For Your Puppy or Dog!

Playing is as important for your dog as breathing and eating. In order to have a dog that is properly mentally and physically developed, it is essential that play is part of its growth process. 

Without a chance to play, whether it is with people, other dogs or even just a puppy playing with itself, a dog will not grow into a fully developed adult dog. Play is a very important requirement in order to produce a dog that is emotionally, physically, mentally and socially ready to function as a socially acceptable adult dog. 

Puppies at play are learning to communicate with each other, they are learning how to fight without hurting the other dog, they practice hunting techniques and they have fun. 

There are two schools of thought on puppy play. Some trainers think that a puppy should be allowed at least 30 minutes of free play each day. It is thought that this helps develop the puppy's brain, while the other school of thought believes that a puppy should receive training and direction as soon as possible in order to avoid learning bad habits. 

How do puppies play? Puppies generally jump around from one form of activity to another with chewing, nipping, tugging and play fighting being the chief forms of play. In many breeds there are certain characteristics that stand out, as in hunting dogs the idea of stalking and hunting seems to be easy to observe. 

A play bow seems to be an important way a dog communicates with another dog. A play bow is when the front legs are down in front of the puppy and the hind quarters are up in the air with a tail that wags or not. This is an invitation to come and fool around; I want to have some fun. The muscles should be loose and relaxed and not tight and stiff. The play bow also tells the other puppy/dog that if I accidentally nip or bite you I am only fooling and I am sorry. 

A play bow with the puppy running means chase me. If the puppy/dog has a toy in its mouth it is an invitation for the other dog to chase and try to get the toy. 

Wrestling and nipping during play is a way for a puppy/dog to learn how to control its bite. If the puppy continually bites too hard its playmate generally will leave the play and the biting puppy begins to learn a valuable lesson. 

Puppy play is usually mock fighting, it is a way to learn how to fight and protect themselves, but also a lesson in controlling their bite and ferociousness. 

At times the puppies may get into a pinning match where one dog places its head or body over another dog. In play the underdog can usually wiggle out, but once in a while it gets into a growling match as the top dog begins to feel dominant. In this case it maybe necessary for the owners to separate the puppies and get them to calm down. 

A sign of play is loose muscles and joints and they are moving a lot, however a sign of stiff joints and muscles can relate to an over-excited dog that may start a scuffle or fight. In this case redirection of the dog's attention is necessary. 

Puppies/dogs do not have hands and as a result everything must go into their mouths. Chewing is a puppy's way of life and is an important factor in their growing up. As the humans in the equation it is up us to supply proper toys for the puppy/dog to chew on. 

Puppies learn proper behavior when allowed to stay with its littermates and mother until they are at least 8 weeks to 10 weeks old. During that time mom and the siblings have a chance to correct any improper nipping and biting. 

A tug of war is a game puppies/dogs love to play as it gives them a feel of resistance against their teeth and is beneficial in helping to develop jaw and neck muscles. Use and old sock or bandana the goes limp when you or the other puppy lets loose, this is one way to have the dog bring it back to you for more play. Be careful between the ages of 3 to 6 months and do not play too rough as the puppy is getting its adult teeth and you could damage them. 

It is suggested that you play with your puppy/dog for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day and stop when the puppy/dog gets tired or becomes bored. 

Some other things to keep in mind are offer your puppy/dog a fair amount of toys to play with. Do not allow your puppy under a year to jump on couches, beds or on agility jumps as their bones are still fragile. Do not physically punish you puppy by throwing it to the ground or pinning it down if it misbehaves in play. Sometimes an older dog that will play with your aggressive pup can teach it more by a simple growl or snap. Physical punishment is not necessary to teach anyone anything, puppy or child. 

Puppies need to have new experiences and see new things in order to grow into a socially acceptable dog. Do not force your dog to do or face anything it is afraid of. Use treats and praise to show the dog that thunder, yelling children or any thing else it seems fearful of is not scary. 

And most of all let your puppy/dog have at least 30 minutes of free play everyday, having fun is good for us all. Be happy and enjoy your dog and you will have a friend for life.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Playing-is-Important-For-Your-Puppy-or-Dog!&id=2167306

How to Play Tug Games With Your Dog in a Way That Is Fun AND Safe

Forget the Myth!

For decades, dog owners have been told never to play tug-of-war with their dogs because it increases aggression. This isn't true. Every study done refutes the notion. Playing tug-of-war doesn't turn your dog into a predator; your dog already is one. The game simply provides a safe and enjoyable outlet for the behavior.

Playing Tug-of-War

Why it's a good idea

Tug-of-war is:

· A tremendous cardio workout (exercise) and brainteaser for your dog (mental stimulation).

· A great way to teach your dog to listen to cues when excited and distracted.

· Exercise that can happen indoors and outdoors, in short sessions and with little space.

· Likely to lessen any behavior problems resulting from under-stimulation and boredom.

· A potent motivator for snappy obedience.

The Caveat

Tug-of-war should be correctly trained and always played by the rules. Remember: Control the game and you control the dog. Follow the method and rules laid out here and you are in for a great time with your dog!

If your dog hoards the toy

Show zero interest. If, or when, your dog "wins" (i.e. you let go of the tug toy, dog leaves and hoards the toy), play hard to get. Never chase your dog or get into a battle involving speed or agility. You won't win and psych-outs work much better, so pretend you couldn't care less.

Observe and reward steps in the right direction

If your dog tries to re-engage you in the game by dropping the toy in front of you, praise and try again. The goal is for your dog to learn that the tug toy is infinitely more fun when brought to life by you than when dead. Patience is key here, especially with toy hoarders.

Before Playing Tug-of-War

Put the release on cue

Decide on a release cue such as "Drop it", "Out", "Give", or "Let go". Before getting your dog excited about playing tug-of-war, practice some low-key exchanges with him. The sequence is:

1. Give the cue to release

2. Your dog releases

3. Give a food reward

4. Give the cue to re-take

Troubleshooting

If your dog doesn't take the tug toy in its mouth to begin with, practice the exchanges anyway (or use a clicker to shape the behavior!).

Give your dog the toy (put it down in front) and then take it back, give the reward, and then replace the toy. Rehearse dozens of reward-for-toy exchanges. The release cue should be trained before you continue with the game. If your dog becomes possessive about toys, you can toss a tasty treat off to the side, at a safe distance, to reclaim the toy safely.

If your dog grabs the toy and runs away, instead practice the exchanges without completely letting go of the toy. The important thing is that your dog experiences having something taken away, getting a reward, and then having the thing presented again.

If your dog won't let go of the toy with a bit of encouragement, try first having him sniff the food treat. Once this has worked a few times, hide the treat and try again. If your dog is reluctant to release, reward every exchange until he releases without hesitation on the first command every time. Eventually, getting to take the toy again will become the reward for releasing on command, but using food early on helps break your dog's focus on the toy. Experiment with a variety of different food treats if your dog is very reluctant to part with his tug toy.

Consequences for Penalties

During actual tug-of-war games, apply the following penalties:

30 Second Time-Out

For any failure to release the tug toy, stop play and leave the room for 30 seconds.

End The Game

For any unintentional or intentional misconduct, such as even the slightest tooth contact (grabbing your clothes or hand with mouth) stop the game altogether.

Send a clear message that tooth contact means no fun. When your dog knows, loves, and is hooked on tug-of-war, ending the game abruptly is by far the most potent motivator against rule breaking. Your dog will curb their behavior in order to keep playing with you.

4 Essential Rules

1. Your dog has to release the tug toy on cue.

Since you have thoroughly trained the release cue, any failure to comply should result in a time-out penalty.

2. One tug toy only and the game only happens when you say so.

Designate a tug toy as the one-and-only tug toy, reserved for this game and nothing else. Then decide on a take command like "Get the rope!" This rule prevents your dog from misfiring in day-to-day life: you don't want someone innocently picking up a tug toy and being enthusiastically jumped by your dog and you don't want to have him grab some other thing you are holding because he thought he heard the cue.

The easiest way to train this rule is to practice it while playing. If your dog goes for the toy before you have invited him, give a No Reward Marker ("Oh! Too bad!"), and do a time-out followed by an obedience break (see the next rule). Then invite your dog to take the toy.

This rule infraction is extremely common in tug-of-war games, so don't sweep it under the rug. If your dog goes for another retake before being invited, i.e. makes the same mistake twice in a row,end the fun.

3. Stop the game for random obedience breaks.

Tug-of-war is one of the great recyclable rewards for obedience training. Alternate back and forth between the tug game and obedience to spot-check your control over your dog during the game and to teach him obedience when he is excited and distracted. Every initiation of the tug game is a potent reward you can use to select a particularly nice obedience response. Your dog will try fanatically hard to improve his obedience to get you to restart the game. What's more, through repeated association over time, the two activities will blur in your dog's mind, eventually making him love obedience training.

4. Don't tolerate sloppy jaw control

Your dog will sometimes make contact with your hand or other part of you by mistake. Sometimes he might even latch on to you or your clothing as though you were a tug toy. Don't let this go unnoticed. Say "Ouch!" even if it didn't hurt and abruptly end the game (NOT in a loud, sharp voice). This is game misconduct every time. Dogs can control their jaws with great precision if given a reason to do so.

With this rule you not only remind your dog of the sensitivity of human skin and the great necessity to keep his jaws off people at all times, you have also trained this while he is excited, which is where sloppy jaws are most often a problem.

HAVE FUN!

If your dog isn't breaking any of the rules, let him get as excited as he wants. This includes head shaking, strong tugging, and growling. Vocalization is normal, just don't allow it to get too intense. Maintain the rules through consistent and patient practice.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Play-Tug-Games-With-Your-Dog-in-a-Way-That-Is-Fun-AND-Safe&id=8989439

5 Things You Should Not Do With Your Dog

When people get their new dog they are always hearing things that they should do and sometimes must do to have a well-behaved dog. I decided in this article to go a different direction and tell you a few things that you should NOT DO with your dog.

Before we get started let me say that some of you might say that the things I am talking about are not a problem with your dog. Consider yourself lucky. These are all things that can cause huge problems for the majority of dogs.

1. The first thing you should not do is allow your dog in your bed. There all types of behavior issues that can popup because of this habit including what we call aggression in the home. Putting your dog in your bed makes it an equal and that is not good for you as the pack leader.

2. Tug of war is not a game that you should play with a dog, especially children. You see in tug of war somebody wins. Most dog owners allow the dog to be the winner by releasing the tug toy. That teaches the dog that it can beat you and that does not help your ranking in the pack.

3. No people food is another thing not to do. Giving your dog treats from the table can create a really troublesome habit that you will wish you never started. If you want to give your dog some good food from your plate do it after you eat by placing the food in the dogs bowl.

4. Do not, never, allow your dog in an unprotected environment without a leash. There have been many great, WELL TRAINED, dogs that get hit by a car when they are out without a leash and see a squirrel or rabbit. Yes, their prey drive is so intense that they cannot resist chasing the creature and not seeing that car.

5. Do not allow your dog to show any aggression as a puppy. That cute puppy growl will grow into full-blown aggression because your dog feels that is what you want. It assumes that if you did not want it you would have made them stop.

Of course, there are a bunch of other things you should not do with your dog however these 5 things will get you started with your dog. Keep in mind that every dog needs to be trained well and must be properly socialized for a happy life for both of you.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Things-You-Should-Not-Do-With-Your-Dog&id=9137322

Understanding How To Keep Your Dog Happy

Your dog relies upon you for care and feeding. You'll want to give your dog the best possible care and the highest quality food that you can afford.

Give your dog love, care and devotion. Take time every day to spend time with your dog. Pet him, take him for walks and give him a lot of affection.

Your dog will respond in kind. He will give you love and affection back. Dogs want to be a part of the family and a loved and treasured family member.

Your dog will need play time, walking time and rest time. He will love a day with plenty of exercise so get him a few toys and teach him how to play with them.

A good game of fetch or tug of war should be ideal for getting things started. After play time he will need a small snack so have a few dog treats handy to give him.

Go into some rest time and take an afternoon siesta before the evening meal. An after dinner a walk will round thing out nicely.

When you treat a dog with plenty of love and affection you'll be given love and affection in return. Your dog wants to please you and given the opportunity, he will.

When dogs are puppies it can be more challenging to keep him happy. Puppies seem to have boundless energy so it's important to have plenty of activity to keep him going until he is worn out.

Put your favorite shoes, your slippers and anything leather such as purses, camera bags and the like up out of reach. Your puppy will require some special chew toys so that he won't be tempted to nibble on your more valuable things.

Keep him busy, walk him often, give him time to play with the kids and take a nice walk. Be sure to allow him some sniffing time, dogs have a thing about sniffing where other dogs have been and it's part of his learning to sniff and smell things.

Avoid locking the dog up in the house all day, dogs require some attention and it's not fair to the dog. Also, avoid keeping the dog on a chain all day long, it's not fair to the dog either. If you're going to be gone a lot, consider a dog sitter, a dog run or a pet care center for your beloved pet.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Understanding-How-To-Keep-Your-Dog-Happy&id=8954090

Fun Games to Play With Dogs Indoors

Whether it is snowing or sunshine your dog needs entertainment on a daily basis. You should take the time to give your pet enough exercise and mental stimulation to keep him occupied all day. By including some fun activities, it is possible to keep your dog in good shape both physically and mentally. There are plenty of games that you can play with your dog based on how much time you have available and how much space you have in your house. If outdoor conditions are not perfect for being outside inside games will work.

Hide and seek

The dog's imagination can be well stimulated through the hide and seek game. You can play this game with your dog and you will both enjoy it. In order to get your dog used to this game, you should hide in locations that are easy for your dog to find you in the beginning.

You can guide the dog slowly by calling its name (if needed in the beginning). As soon as the dog reaches your hiding spot, give it hugs and kisses so that it will be excited to play the game again. With hide and seek, you can have endless hours of play and fun.

Training your dog

When you are indoors, you should devote some time for training. By going through some training exercises, you can bond with your dog. Having a well trained dog in your home is great and for a large dog it is a must. Work on sit and down stay exercises, these are very import to establish you as the master

Tug of war

Tuffy Ultimate Dog Toy

This is a game that most dogs really enjoy. Keep in mind that during the game the dog should always allow you to win the tug item. Allowing the dog to win can create some aggression with certain dogs and remember that children should never play tug of war with the dog.

Retrieving

Retrieving or fetching is something that most dogs enjoy, of course some more than others. Using a squeaky toy, tennis ball or even a knotted rope throw it down a hall way and have your dog bring it back. Warning, some dogs will do this for hours. Of course there are dog that won't do it at all.

Retrieving is a great way to exercise your dog and build a bond between the two of you at the same time.

I hope this article will help you have fun with your dog.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Fun-Games-to-Play-With-Dogs-Indoors&id=8170425

5 Things You Should Not Do With Your Dog

When people get their new dog they are always hearing things that they should do and sometimes must do to have a well-behaved dog. I decided in this article to go a different direction and tell you a few things that you should NOT DO with your dog.

Before we get started let me say that some of you might say that the things I am talking about are not a problem with your dog. Consider yourself lucky. These are all things that can cause huge problems for the majority of dogs.

1. The first thing you should not do is allow your dog in your bed. There all types of behavior issues that can pop up because of this habit including what we call aggression in the home. Putting your dog in your bed makes it an equal and that is not good for you as the pack leader.

2. Tug of war is not a game that you should play with a dog, especially children. You see in tug of war somebody wins. Most dog owners allow the dog to be the winner by releasing the tug toy. That teaches the dog that it can beat you and that does not help your ranking in the pack.

3. No people food is another thing not to do. Giving your dog treats from the table can create a really troublesome habit that you will wish you never started. If you want to give your dog some good food from your plate do it after you eat by placing the food in the dogs bowl.

4. Do not, never, allow your dog in an unprotected environment without a leash. There have been many great, WELL TRAINED, dogs that get hit by a car when they are out without a leash and see a squirrel or rabbit. Yes, their prey drive is so intense that they cannot resist chasing the creature and not seeing that car.

5. Do not allow your dog to show any aggression as a puppy. That cute puppy growl will grow into full blown aggression because your dog feels that is what you want. It assumes that if you did not want it you would have made them stop.

Of course, there are a bunch of other things you should not do with your dog however these 5 things will get you started with your dog. Keep in mind that every dog needs to be trained well and must be properly socialized for a happy life for both of you.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Things-You-Should-Not-Do-With-Your-Dog&id=9137322