Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Tips For Choosing the Right Dog As a Pet
Dogs happen to be one of the best pets - there's a reason they are called "man's best friend." Of course, if you want a pet of your own, you'll want to make sure that you will get a dog that will fit your personality, living style, and more. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your canine pet.
You may want to consider going with a purebred puppy for your new pet, and there are many different breeds out there that you can choose from. The great thing about choosing a puppy that is pure bred is that you will know how your dog will turn out in the end. You can even research how easy that breed is to train, the grooming the breed needs, and how they behave. This can help you to better choose a pet that will adapt with your lifestyle.
Assuming that you are going to go with a purebred pet dog, you'll definitely want to consider the shedding that you're pet will do. Every dog is going to shed some hair, but some will shed more than others. If you plan to keep your dog in your home and want to avoid having hair everywhere, then choosing a dog breed that does not shed is going to be your best option.
You'll want to consider how easy your dog will be to train as well. If the dog is easy to train, you won't need as much time to train him. Another thing to think about is the grooming that your new pet is going to require. Dogs that have long coats usually require a lot more grooming than short haired dogs.
Ask yourself if you are looking for a pet to hang out with and cuddle with, or do you want an athletic dog that can keep up with you when you go out jogging or you engage in other activities with your dog. There are some breeds of dogs that have a lot of stamina, and if you want to go hiking, jogging, or walking with your dog, choose a breed that has plenty of stamina.
Another important tip to keep in mind when you are trying to choose the right dog as a pet is whether or not you have children. There are some breeds of dogs that are well known for being great with kids, and you'll want to choose one of these dogs if you have young children that will be around your dog on a regular basis. There are a couple dogs that may not be as great with children, and they should be avoided.
Choose the right dog and you'll have a faithful friend and pet for life. However, if you choose a dog that isn't suited to you, chances are that you and the dog will not be happy. Before you get a new dog as a pet, always keep these considerations in mind to ensure you make the right choice.
Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top source for organic dog treats online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Make Your Home Welcoming and Safe for Your Puppy
Unlike bringing home a newborn child where you have some time to make your home safe, bringing home your new puppy means you need to puppy proof your home right away. Puppies are just like toddlers with lots of energy and ready to get into everything. They have an insatiable curiosity that makes them check out everything including those things that might not be so safe for them. As the puppy's new owner, you must puppy proof your home.
One good step to take towards puppy proofing your home is to look at it from the dog's perspective. Get down on your hands and knees and look around. You might be surprised at what you see down there that could look so tempting to a puppy in his new home. Remember your puppy will want to check out all this new stuff as he has never seen it before and it just might be dangerous to him.
Be very aware of electrical cords that your puppy can access and chew on. Just think of what a puppy chewing on an electrical cord, in use, could lead to. Place the cords where the puppy can't access them. Place them behind furniture or up high where he can't reach. Try laying them under something like a rubber mat.
Stairs can provide as much danger to a puppy as to a toddler. They can have trouble getting up and down them. In their boisterousness, they can even fall down a flight of stairs. Best to just block off the stairway until the puppy has grown and is more capable of navigating them. Stairs might also lead to a place you do not want your puppy to be such as the basement. If you have a door, then you must be sure the door is always closed.
Another step in making your home puppy proof is to be sure there are no hazardous household chemicals where he can get into them. Such are usually stored under the kitchen sink or even the bathroom sink. Can your puppy get ready access to these places? You may even have to go so far as to use those plastic cabinet locks that are used for toddlers.
These are a few steps to take in making your home puppy proof. Keep in mind the level of your home your puppy lives at and what he sees and can get into at that level. Having a puppy proof home can go a long ways to having a happy and healthy relationship with you puppy.
copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson
Author Resource: Visit our Puppy Training website at http://ezpuppytraining.com/ for a free course on "Welcoming Your New Puppy Home and Puppy Training". Find more puppy training and care tips at our website.
Article From Article Directory
Are You Interested in Becoming A Professional Dog Trainer?
If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:
Dog Obedience Training - Professional Or DIY?
Having a new puppy as an addition to the household can be very exciting. Although it is easy to get caught up with this excitement, it is important as a responsible dog owner to ensure that your dog receives proper socialization and obedience training.
Dog's are not humans, and whilst this statement may seem obvious, it can be suprising how much we unconsciously expect them to behave or learn as we might. No matter how much a part of the family they may seem, they communicate in a different way to humans, and this is why obedience training is so important. The right obedience training can help to make your life easier in terms of relating to your pet, and it can even help keep your dog safe when there are hazard around. A good example of this is being able to make him stop if he escapes the leash and heads for the road during his daily walk.
Getting the right obedience training
There are a number of options available when it comes to obedience training, but do bear in mind that training - particularly for the novice dog owner - may not be easy. Each dog will respond differently to obedience training methods. Some dogs tend to be very responsive to training, whereas others can be stubborn, strong willed, and determined, which can make training difficult. However, you are not alone, as there are plenty of resources and help out there.
For those that intend to undertake obedience training without going to a class, there are a number of resources available, including books, DVDs, and Internet advice. However, it is important to remember that many dogs will assume leadership unless you have the confidence and assertiveness to show him who is the boss. The way you do this is important too - it should be done using positive methods and reinforcement, and not by shouting and screaming at him, as the latter can result in fear and even aggression in your dog.
If you are not confident about taking on obedience training yourself then there is help available. Properly trained and experience trainers can prove the ideal solution for your dog's obedience training needs, and can help to teach your dog the basic commands as well as more advanced obedience training. The older your new dog is, the more difficult the training is likely to be Thus, those with adult dogs, or a new young adult, should consider using a professional trainer.
With professional training you can select from non-residential training, which involves going with your dog and helping with in the training process with the supervision of the professionals, or a residential course. In a residential course, your dog goes to 'boot camp' for a specified time and receives obedience training from the experts. Many owners prefer the former method, as it enables them to get assistance with obedience training whilst still enabling them to form a close bond with their pet. Plus, it helps them learn how to handle their dogs in an environment where good feedback is possible.
Author Resource: For tips on teaching your dog to come, click here. Rebecca writes on dog training and other topics here.
Article From Article Directory
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
How to Properly Train a Puppy
There is nothing quite like bringing home a new puppy. The excitement level can be quite high, particularly if children are waiting anxiously. But before you even bring home a new puppy be sure that you are doing it for the right reasons because while puppies make great gifts they are a responsibility that lasts for their entire life. A new puppy can make a lifetime of great memories but they also require a lot of training and work if they are to become a member of your family.
Your puppies breed and temperament will go along ways in determining what sort of training may work best for him. Of course the smarter the breed of puppy the easier it will be to train, but at the same time a smart dog will probably be somewhat resistant to being told what to do at first, at least until it is determined who is dominant in the dog/human relationship.
Training a puppy is something that can take a short amount of time depending on how much time and attention you spend doing it. This does not mean that you need to spend hours a day training your puppy. Just like small children their attention span only lasts so long. Break your training sessions up into a few short sessions throughout the day and your puppy will respond in a positive manner.
When you first start training your puppy you will need to start with basic obedience training, teaching commands such as sit, come, stay, heel and fetch. As they get older and master these simple commands you can start to incorporate more difficult training.
The idea of training a puppy can be somewhat overwhelming for some people but it is really not that hard. Most puppies and the dogs they grow into really want to do nothing but please their owners. By teaching them correctly you will create a bond that will cause them to remember everything you teach them simply because they like to be rewarded.
If you choose not to train a new puppy the consequences may not be to your liking. They will learn that they do not have to listen and will essentially become the master of your house. And puppies can be very destructive. As they teeth they will chew on anything available if they don't know better. If they are taught the difference between right and wrong the damage they can do will be limited.
While you can use any number of training aids to help you train your new puppy sometimes the best approach is to just work with him on a daily basis. The more interaction you have with your four legged friend the better his response to training will be. It is also important to remember that training should be a continuing process, even as your dog gets older and grows bigger. The positives of a well trained puppy and dog are many and will make for a lifelong companion who is happy and healthy.
Author Resource: For more puppy training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here.
Article From Article Directory
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Your Poodle’s Personality
One reason may be due to selective breeding. In the past, dogs have been bred to perform certain functions and those instinctive behaviors may still remain in the specific breeds. For example, a beagle can easily follow different scents because of his hunting breed’s natural instinct.
It is important to note that dogs can also pick up on their owner’s individual personality. Dogs that are more relaxed and calm may have relaxed, friendly owners. It is interesting to know that your dog has his own unique personality, as well as the dominant qualities of his particular breed. This information may be helpful when training your dog. You may wish to read Understanding Your Dog’s Personality: "While some scientists have dismissed the idea of distinct pet personalities, recent studies prove what owners have always known—dogs really do have their own individual personalities."
So, in summary each dog has their own individual personality, but specific breeds are known to routinely have certain inherited traits. Poodles are known to have friendly, affectionate, devoted personalities and can make a great companion dog. They can usually keep up with the very active members of the family and enjoy going for walks and outdoor activities. Poodles usually enjoy being social with everyone in the family. But, they are also good with the less active family members too. They can make wonderful lap dogs because they usually love to be around people. Poodles can even become excellent "therapy" dogs because of their affectionate, gentle nature.
Poodles usually do not have much trouble bonding with new owners. Usually, they can adapt to their new environment very well. Poodles may be just as contented living with their owner in an apartment complex in a large city as they would be living with a family out in the country area.
Are You Interested in Becoming A Professional Pet Sitter or a Dog Trainer?
A pet sitter is an interesting animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet).
They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.
A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.
If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:
