How To Dog Proof Your Home

A dog can bring amazing joy to your life and become your best friend. However, a dog can also destroy everything you own and tear your house apart! Before you bring a new puppy or dog home, it's a good idea to dog proof your home to avoid some of the worst things that can happen. Then you can think about training your dog to teach him good house manners.

Before you bring your new puppy or dog home

If you are bringing home a new puppy, then it's a good bet that your puppy is at the stage when he wants to chew on everything, investigate everything, and he could be a little clumsy, too. If you are bringing home a new dog, of any age, you might not know much about his background. He might or might not have any house manners. In either case, you can't take any chances. You need to protect your home and dog proof it.

Dog proofing

To dog proof your home you need to look at your house from your dog's level, literally. That means paying attention to things that your puppy or dog can reach on the floor, such as electrical cords and shoes. It means putting away items on your coffee table that are in easy reach of a puppy such as remote controls, candy dishes, breakable objects, eye glasses, purses, and magazines. If you have anything valuable sitting around, put it away because either your puppy will try to chew on it or your new adult dog will knock it over and break it.

If you have CDs or DVDs sitting where your puppy can reach them, your puppy will chew on them, so put them in a cabinet

where your he can't get to them. If you have books in a bookshelf at your puppy's level, he might be tempted to chew on them. If your puppy shows interest in them, you can spray them with bitter apple spray or place a section of glass or plywood in front of them until your puppy grows up a little.

If you have anything remotely interesting in your floor, your puppy will investigate it and possibly try to eat it, so beware. If you value something, put it away until your puppy is older. This includes fluffy cushions on your sofa and anything your puppy can play with. Many owners have come home to find their puppy has turned their living room into a romper room.

You can tape electrical cords down so your puppy can't chew on them or buy inexpensive plastic casing for cords to prevent your puppy from chewing on them. Put shoes and anything else in the floor away. Most dog owners learn to do this rather quickly after their new puppy has chewed on a shoe or two.

If your puppy is clever, he might learn to open the cabinets under your sink or other cabinets. You can install child-proof locks on these cabinets to prevent your puppy or new dog from opening them. Some dogs even learn to open the refrigerator. You can install a child-proof lock on the fridge, too. If your puppy or dog starts lifting the toilet lid to drink, you can install a child-proof lock here, too.

If your puppy is interested in chewing on woodwork or wooden furniture, you can buy bitter apple crème or spray at your local pet store or online and apply it. It tastes terrible and it will deter most puppies from chewing on wood. It can also be applied to other objects that puppies try to chew on, such as computer cords.

Puppies are very smart and inventive. They will explore your home from top to bottom and notice anything new so keeping your home dog-proofed is an ongoing process. Keep an eye on your puppy as much as possible and notice what he's doing. Remember that if he's too quiet, he's probably doing something he shouldn't be doing! The good news is that puppies do outgrow this stage and you can gradually relax again.

Training

While your puppy is going through this inquisitive, destructive stage, you can help matters by going to training classes. Teach your puppy basic obedience lessons and set him on a good path for learning. Teach him basic house manners so he will know to "leave it" when you tell him to. Make sure he is thoroughly house trained. Teach him to "go to his place" when someone comes to the door. The more your puppy learns, the better he will behave. These lessons will help him as much as dog proofing your home.

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Detection Dogs

Known as man's best friend, dogs have been helping humans securing their own lives for hundreds of years. With their unique abilities they have been serving as more than just mere extensions in the arsenal of security tools.

The most popular of these have been of course the German Shepherd, a breed traced back to the bavarian village of Grafrath, but many other breeds are also used. They are trained for such specific task as detecting drugs, explosives, cadavers, accelerants at sites of suspected arson, cell phones, and money. In some states certain police K-9 units have been trained to sniff out invasive species such as Quagga Mussels.

Of all these, drug dogs may be the most well known. Various breeds have been used and various methods developed to help the animals detect the drugs.

A common but false assumption is that drug dogs sniff out drugs because they're addicted themselves. Simply put, to the dog finding drugs is all part of a game. Trainers spend a lot of time playing tug-of-war with the animal and it's favorite toy. Eventually the toy is tainted with the smell of a drug. The dog then associates the smell of the drug with its toy. Thus, when sent to sniff out drugs, all the animal really does is look for its toy. As the training progresses various drugs and chemicals are used until the animal is able to sniff out a variety of substances.

There have been some arguments concerning the reliability of K-9 units, as it is true that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a dog's alert may be enough for a warrantless search based on probable cause. After all, it is possible that you sat next to someone who had smoked pot recently and some of that odor may have rubbed off on you. The dog can detect this and may then sound the alert, causing you to be called out for a search. It should therefore be note that K-9 drug dogs are usually trained to only alert when there are significant quantities of drugs, not just residues.

Police K-9 drug dogs are also trained to give certain signals once they find possible hints of drugs. These can be passive or aggressive alerts. Aggressive alerts are the classic Lassie reactions: digging and pawing at the spot where they smell drugs, although all they are trying to do is to get at the toy they suspect underneath.

However, sometimes these aggressive alerts can be dangerous to the animal and the trainer, if for example it involves finding explosives. You wouldn't want an excited dog scratching and pawing at a live bomb. It could also alert suspects nearby, and so many are trained to simply 'sit'.

Remember, next time you're in line at the airport and a police dog sits down next to you, you may want to think about what you packed: they also can find fruits and vegetables.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Detection-Dogs&id=8162583

Tips To Train An Older Dog

If you have an older dog that is untrained and is experiencing behavior or training problems, this article is for you. Perhaps you've recently adopted an older dog from a local shelter or rescue group.

Maybe you've heard the term that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I'm here to tell you that isn't true, you CAN teach old dogs new tricks. Hopefully these tips will help.

1. The first thing to keep in mind is that the training needs to be fun not only for you but for the dog as well. In fact a good way to make your dog enjoy it more is after each training session give him five minutes of something that he really enjoys. That could be as simple as throwing the ball, going for a walk or even getting his belly rubbed for five minutes.

2. Always keep your training sessions short. I tell my client to never train their dog for more than 15 minutes at a time. However with your older dog you may need to start with a shorter period of time, let's say 10 minutes in the beginning. Trying to train for longer periods will simply cause problems because you'll lose the dog's attention. If you haven't noticed already they have short attention spans.

3. Consistency is very important to any dog. You want to make sure that you always use the same commands, and make sure you only say them one time. In the beginning make sure your training area is free of distractions. The kids and other pets shouldn't be there to distract your dog. In fact when we talk about consistency that includes the trainer. During initial training your dog should only have one trainer because body language is very important and they actually pick up on body language before they pick up on the verbal command.

4. Patience is very important and is considered one of the basic principles of dog training. Make sure that you are patient with your dog and give him time to learn. You will not have a trained dog overnight, I can guarantee that. However with patients and consistent training you will have a trained dog quicker than you might imagine.

I hope these tips will give you a head start in training your older dog. If you'll be patient and give him time to learn you will have a happy dog and a welcome addition to your family.

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3 Different Ways To Train A Dog

Contrary to what you may have read or heard there are many different ways to train a dog. As expected some of these methods are better than others. Some methods require more time on your part and some actually require less of your time.

1. Private In-Home Lessons. I'm going to start off with what I feel is the best way to train your dog and that's private in-home lessons. Besides being the best method to train your dog it's also my favorite because I see such good results in the end.

There are several reasons that I believe it's the best method including the fact that your dog isn't distracted by a bunch of other dogs in a group class. Your dog is comfortable in his own surroundings so we have little or no distractions. Probably the best reason to do in-home private lessons is the fact that you and the trainer will be working on problems that pertain to your dog.

2. Group Classes is a method that we are all familiar with. In a group class you can learn all the basics like sit, stay, down, calm and walk nicely on a leash however I feel that it is the worst way to train a dog for several reasons. The main reason is distraction. For example you may be in a class with up to 10 or 15 different dogs. Your dog is so distracted by all the other dogs that he can't pay attention to what you're trying to teach him. You will be so busy trying to control your dog that you won't be able to pay attention to what the instructor is teaching. If course if money is an issue then this is the route you may need to take because it will be the least expensive.

3. The Board and Train method is a great option for the person who either doesn't have time or a desire to train their own dog. Of course with a board and train program you have an experienced trainer who will be working with your dog. Most training facilities actually offer a guarantee on the training and include a couple of private lessons at the end of where they teach you what the dog already knows.

Beware of companies that are offering a two week board and train program it simply isn't enough time for your dog to learn. Humans and even dogs require 28 days to learn and change a habit. So don't skimp on the learning by only doing a two week program.

Anyone of these three methods will give you a trained dog in the end it simply depends on how much time you're able to devote to the training.

I hope this gave you some information that will help you choose the method that is best for you and your dog.

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6 Reasons You Should Neuter Your Dog

It's a common well-known fact that neutered dogs make better pets. What I'd like to do is discuss some of the reasons you should neuter your dog. Hopefully this article will give you the information that you need to have your dog neutered.

Here are some of the reasons that a neutered dog makes a better pet:

1. Let's start off with the fact that it neutered dog will be less likely to mark in your home as a mature adult. Keep in mind that the number one reason dogs and up in shelters is because there are marking are under house trained.

2. Another reason to have a neutered male dog is because of aggression. Depending on the breed some dogs are much more aggressive when they are left intact with all that testosterone.

3. Of course ask any vet and he'll tell you that one thing that can happen to an unneutered male is testicular cancer. Of course with no testicles that isn't going to happen to your dog.

4. I think most trainers will tell you that unneutered dog seems to be much easier to train. If you're considering ever sending your dog to a doggie daycare keep in mind that most daycare's will not accept unneutered males.

5. Another good reason to neuter your dog is to avoid having unwanted litters with the neighbors female. A neutered dog can't add to the unwanted pet population.

6. One of the main reasons to have your dog neutered is to keep him from wandering the neighborhood in search of a girlfriend. Neutering removes that desire and that's a good thing for everybody.

Have I convinced you? If not why don't you talk to your veterinarian and ask him about reasons he feels that you should neuter your dog.

Having a discussion with your vet about neutering is very important. You can ask him about the pros and the cons as well as any health ramifications dealing with neutering. While you're at it discuss what the proper age is to neuter your particular dog.

One last comment, here are three reasons you may not want to neuter.

1. If you intend to show your dog in AKC confirmation keep in mind that your dog must be intact, no neutering.

2. If you intend to be involved in the sport of Schutzhund you want the dog intact for the testosterone needed for the protection part of the sport.

3. And of course last but not least if your dog will be used for breeding.

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Keeping Your Fearful Dog Calm During Storms

Do you have a dog that shows fear with thunderstorms or maybe even fireworks on 4 July. Watching your dog suffer with anxiety is no fun. There are some things you can do to help your dog during these difficult times. Let's talk about a few of them and see if we can find one that will help your dog.

One of the options it's available is what's called a Thunder Jacket. A thunder jackets actually wraps around your dog's torso. It's important to make sure that it's fairly snug. Thunder Jackets seem to work great with some dogs and have absolutely no effect on other dogs.

Thunder Shirt

Some of my clients have had great results using audio as in an audio CD or recording of thunder, lightning or fireworks to help desensitize their dog. These recordings are commercially available online. Simply go to Google and type in desensitizing your dog to thunder and fireworks CD, you'll find many options to choose from.

The key to these CDs is to start with the volume low and over a period of time raise the volume so that is very loud. Hopefully your dog will become accustomed to the sound and it won't be something that causes fear.

You can also try some herbal remedies and aromas. A product that is used quite often is called rescue remedy and it's a popular treatment for noise phobia. I've had some clients recommend D. A. P. Which is a pheromone from a lactating mother. It is a smell that he remembers from being a puppy and is supposed to calm your dog. Like everything else these remedies work for some dogs and not for others.

Having a place for your dog to go during storms or fireworks can also be a good solution. An example would be his crate in a dark room are simply a place that you can burrow into as if it's his cave.

Of course you can always try to drown out the sound of the fireworks a storm by simply turning up your TV or stereo. This works in some cases

In conclusion hopefully one of these methods will work for your dog. Another option you can certainly consider to help your dog is talking to your veterinarian. Your vet may possibly prescribe a sedative that you can give your dog during these fearful times.

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How Often Should My Dog Have A Bath?

People often want to know how often their dog should get a bath. That doesn't always mean that they want to give their dog a bath, however! It's not always fun to give your dog a bath, especially if he's the kind of dog who hates getting in the tub. In that case, giving your dog a bath can be a terrible experience, for you and for your dog.

But giving your dog a bath can be a good thing. Dogs don't really like to be dirty and smelly. Dogs can't clean themselves the way cats can. When a dog gets dirty and nasty, they simply stay that way until they shed, or rub it off on your furniture. And when they shed things are bad, too, because the hair goes all over your house.

So, what do you do with a dirty, smelly, shedding dog who doesn't want a bath? How do you make your dog look and smell nice again? Actually, there are a few things to consider if you're thinking about bathing your dog. For instance:

*Grooming: Grooming is not the same as bathing. You should comb or brush your dog's coat at least once a week. This will help remove mats and it will help cut down on shedding. You should also brush your dog's coat before a bath, especially if he has long hair.

*Coat: You should consider your dog's coat when deciding how often to bathe your dog. Bathing your dog too often will remove important natural oils form their coat and make their skin dry and itchy.

Most dogs with double coats or soft undercoats, such as Cocker Spaniels or the Pekingese, should have a bath roughly every four to eight weeks. Dogs with a silky coat, such as the Yorkshire Terrier or the Lhasa Apso, should have a bath every three to six weeks.

Breeds of dog with a curly coat that doesn't shed such as the Poodle or the Portuguese Water Dog should have a bath about every six to eight weeks. Smooth-coated dogs such as the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier will do well with a bath about every eight weeks or if they are dirty. Dogs such as these need natural skin oils to protect their skin and they shouldn't be bathed too often.

Dogs with coarse, wiry coats such as the Schnauzers and the Terrier breeds need baths about every four to six weeks. For dogs that have dandruff, this schedule can be moved up to about every three weeks.

*A Dog's Personal Habits: There are always exceptions to these recommendations. For dogs that like to roll in the mud or play in puddles, the time table between baths may be much shorter. If your dog is removing the natural oils in his skin and coat with mud and dirty water, there is no reason to postpone a bath.

If, on the other hand, your dog is only slightly dirty, you can probably brush the dirt out of his coat every couple of days with a comb or brush. Dry shampoos may or may not help much and they can still dry your dog's coat out, which is not good for your dog's skin.

*Swimming: If your dog likes to go swimming whenever possible, especially in a chlorinated pool, you should bathe him afterwards with a mild shampoo. This is also true if he swims in salt water. Both chlorine and salt water can harm your dog's coat and your dog may try to lick their coat after swimming which won't be good for him.

*Allergies: If you or another family member has allergies, you will probably need to bathe your dog more frequently. This will help you keep the house free of dog dander and make life easier for the allergy sufferer.

In this case you should use a very mild shampoo for a weekly bath. This will be less likely to harm your dog's skin and coat, yet it will still remove dander.

Dogs can collect an amazing amount of dirt on their skin and coat in just one week. However, dogs really don't need baths as often as humans do. Too many baths are not good for them. It's best to have your dog on a grooming schedule to keep mats at a minimum and keep nails trimmed, but don't dry out their skin and coat with too many baths.

If you create a good grooming schedule your dog should stay happy and healthy for years, and you shouldn't have to deal with too much doggy smell over the course of your lives together.

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