Dog Bully Behavior How to help protect your dog from getting picked on

I recently wrote about this situation in my weekly doggie advice column on the Noozhawk. "Anxious in Austin" has a cocker spaniel that seemed to be terrorized by the neighbor’s "nightmare of a Pomeranian". When situations like this arise, it is important to be able to recognize appropriate dog play…

Venture to any off-leash dog arena and these are the types of behaviors you’ll likely see being displayed: 

• dogs chasing after other dogs 
• dogs being chased
• mouthing
• nipping
• tugging
• chest banging
• pinning
• wrestling
• rolling
• mounting 

But when it’s “play,” it’s reciprocal and consensual! Those are a couple key factors! Reciprocal and consensual! Other notable elements of proper play are:

• Big, inefficient movements amongst all involved. Think “Three Stooges” versus Muhammad Ali. 
• Self-interruption: One dog will stop for a second or two to take a break, others follow by taking a break as well. 
• Good “listening” skills: If one dog no longer wants to play, they will communicate as such, and the other dog will comply and go in search of another playmate. 

When dogs arent exhibiting healthy dog play behaviors, there are several things you, as a responsibly aware dog guardian can do. 

The goal: to help your dog build trust and self-confidence. You can easily do this by rewarding your dog for being brave. EX: your dog looks at, approaches gently, or investigates another dog, he or she gets a yummy food reward, and lots of "cheerleading happy talk". You can also reward with food and praise if another dog approaches your dog to say *hi*. This is similar to encouraging young children to make new friends. As humans we use encouraging verbal language and praise to help children deal with shyness and novel experiences. We can do the same for our pet dogs too. Through food, your dog learns to trust, while making positive associations with other dogs they meet. 

Additional techniques that may come in handy…

• Manage your environment or “avoid” if necessary: This is for when you don’t have the right kind of rewards handy, you don’t have the time to train, or you just don’t feel like dealing with the situation. 
• Come up with your best “spin”: “I’m so sorry, I’m running late today and don’t have time to stop. How about another time?” “Oh geez, wouldn’t you know it, I’ve only got a couple of minutes to get my dog exercise, so I’m gonna have to take a rain check. Thanks though!” 
• And with the convenience of modern gadgets, you can always be tied up on the phone, or even pretend to be on the phone - just make sure the ringers off so you don’t get a call while you’re faking it. I know, it’s a white lie, not very ethical. But hey, you’re doing it to protect your family and your sanity! 
• In the case with "Austin", maintain a friendly relationship between you and your neighbor: You can use some of the same techniques with your neighbor’s dog too. Bring a basket of muffins for your neighbor, and treats for both dogs. You can reward the Pom for being nice towards your dog, while continuing the treat plan with your Cocker. If the Pom begins to “act up” the rewards stop, and you suddenly remember you have to leave. You can also explain to your neighbor that you’re trying to help your dog overcome her shyness. Many people love to help and feel needed, so it’s a good time to fill her in on your plan and ask for assistance.
• Dog training classes and doggy socials: even for dogs that are already trained, getting into classes helps build up or maintain trained skills, but also helps to keep dogs socialized. Sometimes classes are the only time dogs get to be around other dogs. 

It’s important to be consistent when helping your dog learn to successfully conquer difficult situations. With a little patience, understanding, and time, even the shyest of dogs can make new friends, eventually leading to lots of play-dates!

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How to teach your dog to scratch your back

Newbear95 from youtube has some really inventive tricks that she does with her chihuahua. Here is a tutorial on how to teach your dog to scratch your back.


I gave the trick a try with Kiko, she simply loves scratching my back now!

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Crate Training Your Dog Creating a Home Sweet Home atmosphere

Ive been working with many new puppy parents, as well as families that have recently adopted adult dogs. From each and every one, Ive received the proverbial crate question: "What do you think about me crate training my dog?" Fortunately I have an answer: I think you should. Why? For a few reasons.

1. Bedroom: Just like us humans, our domestic dogs need a place to call their own. A safe, comfortable, warm, cozy environment where they can be by themselves. 
2. Retreat: A crate can also be that safe-haven "den" (or bedroom or crib) where they can retreat in times of stress. For instance, if youre having lots of company, and your dog is overwhelmed, they can go off on their own, with a yummy chew toy, and chew until they fall fast asleep. 
   
3. Management: Those times when you dont have time to train your dog, or supervise and monitor their behavior, a crate can act as confinement to help set them up for success. If theyre in their crate, theyre not roaming about eliminating on the new rug or chewing up furniture. 
4. Pet Preparedness: You never know when you might need to put your dog in a crate. Crate training is a huge part of Pet Preparedness. If you even need to evacuate because of disaster, many places will require that your pet be in a crate. As I mention in all of my dog training classes, dog training workshops, and private dog training clients, you want train it before you need it! 

So, what are some of the best ways for you to get your dog used to their "sanctuary"? The training steps are pretty simple actually, but just like any new behavior, you need to teach them slowly, helping them create a positive association. 

Creating a Home Sweet Home For Your Pooch: Crate Training Overview

• How to make the crate the best place to be: The "Dos"
• Take the time to teach your puppy or newly adopted adult dog that their crate is a fun, safe, relaxing place to be. Make it comfortable with bedding the individual dog finds comfortable (not what we humans think is)
• Make sure the crate is large enough for your pup to be able to stand up turn around, and get comfortable. 
• Teach your pup to associate their crate with all good things. 
• Start slow and easy - treats for looking at the crate, going into the crate, then staying in the crate - for only a few seconds at a time. While youre still there with them. 
• Keep the door open until your pup is going in their on his own. Once your pup is going in on their own, you can begin closing the door, feed treats through the door. Let your pup out, then all treats stop. Hell soon learn that being in the crate is much more fun than being outside of it. 
• Feed him his meals in the crate 
• Chew bones in the crate 
• Food toys in the crate
• Crates can still be used for a "Time Out" since the punishment is more about losing out on something the dog wanted, like freedom or playing with a family member or friend. A Time Out for a dog should only be for about 20 seconds. And, if they already have a positive association with their crate, and 99% of the time good things happen in their crate, then they shouldnt end up hating their crate. Just like when children are sent to their room, its not the room they hate but the fact that they lost out on participating in some other activity. 

• How to teach your puppy or newly adopted dog to hate their crate: "The Do NOTs" 
• Refrain from shoving your pup into the crate and slamming the door, and walking away. 
• Refrain from pushing your dog into the crate and leaving them there on their own, after never being left alone before. 
• Refrain from leaving them in the crate for so long that they soil their crate. 
• Refrain from using the crate for punishment only. 
• Refrain from using the crate as a "Time Out" because of house soiling or some sort of house destruction. The crate can and should be used for confinement when house-training. But, if a dog soils the carpet, its the humans fault, not the dogs. You dont want to inadvertently punish your dog for greeting you when you get home. 

With time, patience, and consistency you too can get your dog to love their crate. You might create such a wonderful environment youll want to crawl in there too! 

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How To Deal With Your Dogs Housebreaking Issue

If your dog accidentally eliminate in the night, consider the following:

Do not let your dog have any food or water at least two hours before bedtime
Take the dog out for his final walk and elimination as late as you possibly can
If need be, put him in a crate. Remember the size of the crate should be just enough for him to stand up, turn around, lie down and comfortably stretch out but no bigger than that.



Crate training is effective since most dogs do not like to eliminate where they have to lie. If the crate is large enough, he may eliminate if there is a clean spot for him to lie down.

For an effective housebreaking training, it involves:

Positively reinforcing the correct behaviour – praising him when he eliminates in the proper place
Managing him by preventing him from eliminating in the wrong place until you take him out to eliminate at the right place.
To do so:

Confine your dog in a crate
After a few hours, take him from the crate to the location you want him to eliminate in.
Remember to take your dog out the same door to the same location every time you want him to eliminate
Wait for 10 minutes for him to eliminate
When he does it within 10 minutes, praise and reward him (with his favourite treats)
Wait for an extra 2 to 3 minutes to make sure he completely empties himself
Take him back in the house and give him 20 to 30 minutes of supervised free time
Use a timer to ensure that he is not allowed for more than 20 to 30 minutes of freedom
When the timer goes off, you can either:
Take him back out to eliminate again. When he does so, remember to praise him and give him his free time
Put him back to his crate
Mistakes are made when owners give their dogs too much free time, fail to take the dog out again, fail to confine the dog when the time is up, or fail to wait the extra two or three minutes after he eliminates the first time

Remember if your dog fails to eliminate within 10 minutes, he should be confined again. This is not a punishment. It is simply a way of preventing the dog from going to the wrong place for elimination.

Remember that consistent feeding and watering schedules is important to effectively train your dog in his housebreaking. Free food and water will make it unpredictable when your dog needs to eliminate. Bear in mind the following points in planning your feeding and water schedules:

Your dog should be fed at fixed times
He should be given only 10 to 15 minutes to eat.
After that, remove any unfinished food.
Free feeding should be avoided
Water should only be given during his free time and when you take your dog to eliminate; and sparingly when he is confined in his crate
As a thumb of rule, a good guide to estimate the duration your dog (if he is a puppy) needs to eliminate is by adding an hour for every month of his puppy’s life, ie if he is three months old, he can only hold for about 3 hours before eliminating.

If your dog accidentally eliminates in the house, correction after the event is not only a waste of time but can be counter productive as it only confuses the dog.

To correct the situation, identify the possible cause of the accidental elimination in the house and take action to avoid it. For example, has you given too much free time to your dog in the house before you take him out to eliminate?




In situations where you cannot take your dog outside to eliminate, consider using a potty training kit (like Puppy Go Potty). Such kit contains absorbent paper (‘litter’) and a waterproof tray



To train your dog to use the potty:

Put your dog in an exercise pen – this is a metal collapsible pen
Place the potty on one side of the pen
When your dog can no longer control his urge to eliminate, he will most likely go to the tray to do so
During the housebreaking process, avoid any dietary changes. If change is essential, avoid possible stomach upset by:

Feed your dog with two-thirds of the old food and one-third of the new food for the 1st week
For the 2nd week, use one-third of the old food and two-thirds of the new food
Only completely feed him with the new food from the 3rd week onwards




And remember to praise your dog abundantly when he does the right thing
To your success in dogtraining

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What not to do when training your dog

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Dog Training Getting Your Dogs Attention part2

Welcome to the second part of training your dog to "pay attention". Continue with the same protocol and after fifteen minutes, get down on one knee to your dogs level and untie the long-line from his collar, but dont remove the collar yet.

Just take a few moments to tell your dog what a great job hes doing. Give him a good pet on the head and talk to him in enthusiastic tone of voice. A good praise and a pat on the dogs head are all you need at this time to help shape his attitude for the next lessons that will follow.

Time For A Break

When you have finished your few minutes of praise, casually remove the training collar and give your dog a little privacy to take a break and think things over. Do not leave the training collar on your dog when hes unattended because the ring can snag objects and cause strangulation.

Your first fifteen minutes of training may have seemed unremarkable to you. However, if you followed the instructions accurately, your dog began to realize that when hes tied to you, he must move with you. If he failed to learn that on your first day, you can be sure that hell learn it, and more, by the fourth day, since it takes the average dog four days to learn an average thing.

At the same time, your dog is going to learn something else that is equally important. He is going to learn that you have the ability to use sound judgment as well as demonstrating a will thats much stronger than his. Confidence and respect in your actions will begin to grow.

Day 2

Your second day of training should be same as the first day, except for the direction of your pattern. From your starting point the pattern could be the reverse of the day before, so that your dog will not know ahead of time which direction you intend to take.

Depending on your particular dog, you may or may not have struggles on your second day. If you do, handle it as you did the first day. Ignore all distractions and just walk!

Day 3

On the third day of training, even the most stubborn and uncooperative dog will begin to realize that nothing he does is going to deter your from going in the direction you want to go, and when you want to go. He will also realize that the line of least resistance is to follow you.

You will also notice, as you repeat the procedures of the first two days, that your dog will be watching you just a bit more closely. He is learning that he must move with his owner when on a leash. He has learned that you wont direct him of your intentions. And since he must move with you, theres only one way hell be able to be aware of your movements, and that is to pay attention to you.

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How To Deal With Your Dog Jumping On Furniture

This is a common problem and the method of dealing with this behaviour is very similar to that of jumping and stealing food from the counters.

Three approaches are used:

Consistency
Your dog should never be allowed to jump on the furniture

Counter-conditioning

Create a spot for your spot near your furniture (couch), which can be a blanket or doggie bed.
Put his favourite toys or special treats at the spot
For the first two months, whenever you sit at your furniture, leash him to the spot to avoid him from wondering off
After two months, walk your dog (on leash) to the furniture.
When he does not jump up to the furniture, praise and reward him.
If he jumps up to the furniture, immediately say ‘No’ and pull him away from the furniture
Repeat this exercise several times a day.

Correction

By the fourth month, your dog should learn not to jump on the furniture
If he still persists in this behaviour, it’s time to apply the booby trap to correct the behaviour:


i. Put a motion-sensitive sound alarm near the furniture so that alarm will trigger and sound when your dog jumps onto the furniture

ii. Make sure the alarm does not sound when he is near the furniture; only when he jumps onto the furniture

iii. Bring your dog near to the furniture and leave the room immediately

iv. If he jumps onto the furniture, alarm will sound and you should return to the room immediately and say ‘No’ to him followed by pulling him on his leash away from the furniture

If your dog is not deterred by this booby trap, it’s time to put a Scat Mat on the furniture. This device will send out a very small electrical shock upon touching it. No dog will want to repeat this behaviour after experiencing such an unpleasant zap. Rest assured that the electrical shock experience is harmless to both human and animal.





And remember to praise your dog abundantly when he does the right thing!


To your success in dogtraining

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Taking Your Dogs Meal on the Road is a Win Win For All

Ive been taking Poncho out to Kimball Park and the Ventura State Beach a lot lately, training him to run for longer periods of time while on leash... Yes, running for a sustained period of time is new for Poncho the dog... no "marking or sniffing", just exercise... 

Trust me, being a dog trainer I know I need to fulfill Ponchos dogginess, Im not a tyrant. I make sure I take him on separate outings for sniffing, marking, chasing things, and rolling in dead stinky stuff etc... But for the running/exercise part, its all about training those slow-twitch fibers...keeping his heart-rate up, and getting his yah-yahs out so hell want to relax at home, and have better concentration for when he sits at his computer and blogs. 

What I have found to be quite unsettling is that it seems Im the only doggy guardian out there using any kind of food rewards for rewarding those behaviors I want! For a dog, I would think going outside into the big beautiful world is like going to Disneyland! And if I want to keep Poncho motivated to run with this old slowpoke, vs romping and playing like a dog...then Im more than happy to pull out the leftover lunch meat. Not tons of it mind you, I dont want him to get sick,  just little nibbles every once in a while, and only for the action of "running". 

I witness all other dogs either be yelled at, choked, or completely ignored by their guardians - usually because theyre into their own world - however, their dog is straining to get to us...just to say *hi*. How horrible this must be for the other dogs. And I must say, I think this behavior on the humans part is hypocritical. We brings snacks for ourselves and/or for the kids. We stop at coffee places, fast food places etc...for our own "rewards", but yet being stingy with our dogs is a good thing. Well, I think not. 

So, I ask you, if youre spending time taking your dog out for walkies, try this experiment: bring some of their meal with you on the road, instead of giving it away for free out of a bowl. They might enjoy walkies more, and you might get those behaviors you want! Oh, and if youre already doing that, then you deserve a treat too! 

If you want to learn more about walking or running your dog with simple successful techniques, you might want to join in on one of my classes at the inquisitive canine studio or Ventura College...its rewarding for everyone. 

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Think Your Pet Is A Lost Cause Try These Tips For Any Well Mannered Pet!

Huzzah! What occurs next? Both your and also you closest friend will be really be happy together if he is properly trained. These tips will provide you with each of the tools you should train the family pet.

The most effective tip you can now offer in relation to puppy training is end up being the alpha. Dogs are searching for their human masters being the rest leader. At all expense displayconfidence and firmness, and do not, under any circumstances demonstrate to them weakness. They naturally would like to stick to a strong leader, so ensure that you present yourself as a result.

Utilizing a crate when youre not at home can be extremely effective, especially for a young puppy. The crate keeps your puppy safe, and also protects your property from chewing and bathroom accidents. Your dog can learn to feel comfortable and guarded in their crate home when you are away.

Only use a similar words when giving commands to the dog. Using different phrasing for basic commands can confuse your pet. Saying "Come" today and saying "Come here" the subsequent, within the dogs mind, is like teaching two different commands, however, the behaviour is anticipated to become a similar. Keep it simplistic whilst keeping it consistent.

Watch what sort of activities you are encouraging your pet to complete. Sometimes we may perform actions with this dog without realizing they are training those to do something we dislike. If every time your pet dog chews something up you send him outside, you happen to be teaching him that chewing something up is extremely important to obtaining outdoor time. Be careful with the actions you are taking, especially ones that are typically consistent practices.

When seeking to house train your pup, take into account that whatever goes in, must step out. To help keep your pet regular, feed him quality food a couple of times daily at the same hour. This ensures your pet dog wont have accidents as youll know the best time to expect a getaway outside.

Let your pet dog acquire more freedom as she or he begins to listen and behave to commands more. This balance between obedience and freedom will offer your pet by using a very satisfying life. Dont give an excessive amount of at anyone time, obviously, or it might take your training back a step.

Only work towards one command at a time. Working on one command allows your pet dog to truly hone that skill and acquire it right. By trying to learn an excessive amount of right away, you risk confusing your pet dog, and so they could possibly have more difficulty remembering which behavior accompanies which command.

Learn to read the way your dog is feeling. Youll have the capacity to guess be it feeling nervous, agitated, aggressive, or calm, by studying your pets body language. When you can predict every time a dog is about to behave badly, it is possible to remove it from a poor situation before a difficulty develops.

One tip to be aware of when training your puppy, is by using its name properly. This is significant because control over your dog is the number one priority in discipline and training. Say its name often, only for direct orders. If you intend on inflicting punishment on it, never call your pet dog for you.

If your dog is large on chewing, be sure they have lots of appropriate things to take his energy on. The main reason behind destructive chewing is inadequate or inappropriate toys. Search for rubber toys created for busy mouths, particularly those you can stick sumptuous treats inside of. Your pet will take more time chewing these, and much less time on your own table legs.

Call your dogs name a minimum of 3 x positively after you have been made to issue a reprimand. It will help your dog discover that his name could also mean something good and therefore he should not fear you whenever you call his name.

Swimming is a superb technique for your pet to expend energy. It is easy on his joints but nonetheless enables you to keeps him in great shape. Not every dogs love to swim, so make sure to take him to some nice, shallow source, up until you are certain that he or she is comfortable within the water.

Be sure to speak with your dog in order to have got a responsive dog that is certainly very easy to train. Always employ the same words to mean exactly the same things and speak in the same tone of voice when you need certain results. He will develop a trustworthy vocabulary in the event you make time to teach him, even though your puppy will struggle to understand every word you say. This will make obedience training easier.

To get a happy pup, you should start socialization from an earlier age. During the initial weeks of life, a puppy needs to be in contact with new situations, people, and animals. This will assist him to become better adjusted and friendlier down the road. This will likely also ensure that he will feel less stressed when encountering unfamiliar things and situations.

To actually train your pet, begin with ensuring that to utilize its name if you call it. Call your dog by good name for walks, play and feedings, but never for punishment. Once you begin looking for more complicated tricks this ensures that you are capable of getting your dogs attention.

Both dogs and owners are content when the dog is well-trained. With the tips in the following paragraphs, you have the details you should get started with training your dog.

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Easy Dog Training Techniques Stop Your Dogs Behavior Problem

Along with deciding to adopt a dog or puppy into your home comes the equally serious choice of dog training methods and techniques to use as well as a commitment to the dogs requirements for food, housing, exercise, health care, and grooming. Dogs should have a loving, stable, and structured environment in order to develop into loyal, talented, and trusting members of the family. Some feel that enough love and attention will solve any behavior problem, but that is not the case. It involves the use of proper dog training techniques, equipment and supplies, and above all - patience and consistency.

To your Dog Training Success

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Health Care For Your Older Dogs

Hope this entry of health care for your older dogs will not make you go away, because in the end we all will have to face our greatest fear that is to lose our beloved friend to the better place, and by friend i mean dog even though i think its not necessary but i thought ill mention it for not-yet dog lover audience.


Old age comes at different times for different breeds of dogs and different individual dogs. In general smaller breeds have a higher life expectancy than larger breeds. A strong, healthy dog will probably age later. Evidence also suggests that dogs that are spayed or neutered before six months of age ordinarily live longer than dogs that are kept intact.


Regular checkups are a must for older dogs. In addition to annual vaccinations and checkups, talk to your veterinarian about special geriatric screenings for your dog.
As your dog ages there are changes that you need to be aware of so that you can adapt their lifestyle to make their lives as happy and healthy as possible.

Weight
Metabolism slows down in the older dog. This means the dog requires less food to meet their lowered energy requirements. As a dog gets older they may also be less enthusiastic for pyhsical activities. Both of these factors can lead to weight gain in the older dog. It is very important to keep your dogs weight under control, as heart conditions, joint pain, and diabetes can all be influenced by obesity. You may need to alter the amount or type of food you are giving to your dog. There are some types of food specially formulated for the older dog. Discuss your dog’s feeding program with your local vet to be sure your dog is getting the proper nutrition for their age and activity level.


Arthritis
The most common reason older pets do not “get around” like they used to is arthritis. The wear and tear on joint surfaces restricts movement and causes discomfort and pain. A number of other anti-arthritic medications are available from your local vet. Dogs with arthritis still need exercise, this should be modified to your dog’s ability.


Eye Sight
The most obvious sign of ageing in a dog is often seen in their eyes. The cloudy appearance in the centre of the eye which used to be dark in colour is due to a cataract. Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens begins to dehydrate and reflects light back from the eye instead of trapping the light and focusing it on the retina.There are many categories and causes of cataracts. Treatment for cataracts is surgical removal and may be done in one or both eyes depending on the specifics of each patient.


Glaucoma, an increase in pressure within the eye, can have serious consequences. Glaucoma can be controlled. Glaucoma is caused by a decrease in the amount of fluid that flows out of the eye. This is a serious disease and without proper treatment it can result in blindness. Glaucoma is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in adult dogs. The treatment chosen (i.e. surgery and/or medical therapy) will be influenced by what the goal of therapy is: to stop pain in a blind eye or to preserve vision. Medical treatment consists of a number of different drugs used in combination. Some are given by mouth and effect the whole body, while others are put directly into the eye and have a local effect. The drugs that work when the problem is first diagnosed may not work forever. Therefore, the intraocular pressure needs to be monitored on a regular basis so that the medication regimen can be altered to fit the needs of the patient. Unfortunately glaucoma cannot be cured, only controlled. When medical treatment fails, surgical therapy can help prolong vision.


Be sure to have your vet give a close look at your pet’s eyes especially after they reach 8 years of age.


Healthy Teeth and Gums
Routine dental care by your veterinarian is very important since older dogs are more prone to gum disease and tartar buildup on their teeth. Diseased teeth and gums can have serious consequences for your pet. In addition to regular visits with a professional, it’s always a good idea for you to check your dog’s teeth and gums regularly.


Kidney and Liver Function

Both functions decrease as your animal ages. Regular check-ups mean these conditions will be treated with medication and appropriate diet. Signs of possible liver or kidney disease could be vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive drinking and urination, and confusion.


Healthy Skin and Fur

The skin seems to lose its elasticity and becomes thinner as your dog ages. The skin is also more susceptible to infection in older pets, especially beneath those fur mats that form if grooming is lacking. Just like humans turn grey with age, more gray hairs appear as your dog ages. If the quality of your dog’s coat changes dramatically, consult your vet. Frequent brushing of the older pet is very important, plus they like the special attention.


With your special loving care and commitment, your dog can enjoy a quality life during these senior years.


Euthaniasia

Inevitably there will be a time when you have to cope with the decision to euthanize your well loved pet. Remember that if your pet is suffering, euthanasia is a final act of caring and love. You will meet again at Rainbow Bridge.


This is where i dont wanna stop actually, but it just sad enough to know that well have to part ways with our beloved dog thats always been there for us in happiness and sad... so just to remind you one last time, read out this health care for your older dogs carefully so that maybe, hopefully they could stay a little bit longer with us ^_^

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How To Eliminate Bad Behavior In Your Dog

Dogs are like any other animal – including the human being – in that they will sometimes step over the line of bad behavior in the pursuit of enjoyment or comfort. If you are honest with yourself you must admit that there have been times when you did something wrong because the results of such action had benefits for you. Whether those benefits were active – you took something that was not yours and enjoyed using it – or passive, in that you did not do something because the alternative was preferable to you, you still transgressed.
Dogs are just the same. If a dog has gone to the toilet in the house, for example, it will have done so because it was easier than going outside. There may be many reasons why this was the case, but all the dog knows is that its action was what seemed like the right thing for it. This is not a mode of behavior you would wish to encourage, so you need to consider how to eliminate it in future. The best way of doing this may be to scold the dog sternly, or deprive it of its favorite toy – the important thing is to establish a link between action and outcome.
If a dog goes to the toilet in the house, there is little point in going to find the dog and handing out punishment there and then. The dog will not connect the punishment with the action. You need to establish this firm link by taking the dog to the scene of the action, and making clear your displeasure. Only then will the dog link cause and effect,

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7 Tips You Must Know Before Training Your Chihuahua

Training your Chihuahua to be your Best Bud

We have all seen the tiny Chiwawa, small enough to fit in the crook of your arm but mighty enough to take on an intruder ten times its size. The Chi dog is a special breed of dog that craves attention and will strive very hard to make you happy. But just like any other dog, attitude comes with discipline and puppy training is the key.

Start with the Number One Basic Rule

The first sixteen weeks of your Chihuahua s life are very formidable. Since many live to be eighteen years old, what you do in the beginning can shape them into either a personable companion or a snippy little tyrant. Dogs are all creatures of their heredity when they used to run in packs and every pack has a leader. Puppy training your Chiwawa to recognize you, as the leader is the very first thing that they need to learn to put them at ease.

How do I know my Chihuahua is Happy with Puppy Training?

The Chi dog is intelligent and attentive to its leader, which is you. Beginning with potty training, spend the necessary time, encouraging and praising your dog and reward with treats. Be careful not to fuss over your Chi dog and do not reward unless an order is obeyed. When one puppy-training goal has been reached, move on to the next. Crate training is important in establishing their territory and when praised and rewarded, your dog will look forward to learning a new lesson. Remember, when you are happy, your Chiwawa is happy.

The Chihuahua , A Social Butterfly

Socialization and obedience is part of puppy training. Your Chiwawa needs to know what is expected of them in public and around other dogs and people. This is a huge step in building your bond that will last a lifetime. You will begin to form as a team, each knowing the others moves, just like a best friend. Your dog wants to be a huge part of your life and going on outings can be a real treat for both of you when your Chi dog is trained to interact well with others.

Should I let my Chihuahua have the Run of the House?

A Chiwawa does not like to be alone but you cant take him/her to work with you or to church. Puppy training to stay alone without anxiety separation is another hurdle that must be jumped. Remember, you are the leader and your Chi needs guidance as to what his/her role is when you are away. With proper training, your dog will not be afraid, anxious or angry upon your leaving. It will just be a part of the routine to go to the crate when you need to depart.

Keeping your Chihuahua Healthy

Do not overfeed your Chiwawa. An overweight dog gets tired and sluggish and is bad for their health and attitude. Dogs are not people and their systems do not react the same as ours. You are doing damage when sharing your food or overfeeding because you think they are hungry. Get tips on the proper weight from your vet and stick to it. Having a Chi as your best bud can be very rewarding for a long time for both of you when proper puppy training is correctly put into action.

Last thing - Be Consistent in Your Puppy Training!

I cant stress how important it is to be consistent in training your Chi. If you allow your Chi to bite and tear an old t-shirt, you are actually expecting it to do the same thing your beautiful dinner gown one day. They do not know how to differentiate which fabric is allowed to bite and which is not.
to your success in dogtraining

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Train Your Puppy By Using These Simple Tips

Some dogs could be more trouble to exercise than other dogs. For example its good to begin training puppies young but they are more energetic or hyper than older dogs. Dogs that are older may currently have learned undesirable habits. An individual may still learn strategies to train any dog in the following paragraphs, however.

If you would like have got a well behaved dog, be sure that you are filling their most straightforward needs. They should have food, shelter, love and water. These are generally necessary to a healthy and happy pet, and only then will they need to or hold the energy to help you to inform them what to do.

Consistency is crucial in effective dog training. Be sure that all of your loved ones use the same commands and remain on the same page with regards to training. Your dog will better understand then commands, you can expect to avoid confusion, and it will surely take a shorter period to accomplish your training goals.

Simply because your dog is obeying you, do not assume they are done learning. Your pet is always learning. Never stop reinforcing good behavior. This is especially important if you move. A fresh surrounding can be very distracting for any dog. You could have to reteach them a whole lot.

There are several methods to train a dog. Exactly like all humans learn differently, all dogs learn differently. You need to research some different training styles to see which ones perform best for your personal specific dog. During times of doubt, talk to a professional and get their opinion or seek professional training services.

Be consistent when training your dog. Your furry buddy is going to be easily confused when you vary your routine excessive. Always give the same encouragement for the job well done. Utilize the same phrases to help you your puppy recognize what words are for which actions. Always say good dog and dont vary the tone.

To avoid your dog from chewing, you must use a smelly substance on objects your dog is not supposed to chew. Buy some chew toys for your personal dog: And some use chewing as an easy way of releasing stress a result of loneliness, some dogs chew as they are experiencing teething.

Be mindful of just what behavior you happen to be reinforcing, so stand your ground and dont give in your pets persistence. A pet dog will normally repeat whatever action has previously earned him a reward. In the event you give you a pet food in order that it will stop begging at the table one night, youre only making the dog very likely to beg for food again, the subsequent night, thus.

You will discover a distinction between anger and discipline. Thats one tip to remember when training your pet. This is important as your dog only understands right or wrong commands. Whether it isnt directly linked to a behavior you intend to modify, your anger will only scare and confuse your pet.

Make sure to give your pet a lot of love and attention. Your puppy will eventually intentionally misbehave, by not the process. Inside their minds, any attention is preferable to none at all. Plus, your dog is really a living creature and desires love as much as any human does.

Positive reinforcement will be the proven way to succeed in dog training. Figure out what reward will motivate your pet and employ it. Strong smelling meats and cheese tend to be extremely popular. It really is imperative to also have treats handy when training. It is actually essential to watch the calorie consumption, however.

Regardless of whether its hard for you, you should keep calm around your pet. Your puppy cannot speak or understand English, and lacks the cognizance of your human. The sole thing it might understand is the tone and physical gestures. It does not know your reason for behaving in this manner. Try to stay calm and use breaks if you believe overcome with frustration.

When training your pet, avoid overlong workout sessions by training your pet dog in a number of smaller sessions spaced throughout the day. By scattering your training at different times through the day your pet will become familiar with to hear you wherever and whenever you happen to be.

When training your pet dog, it is usually very important that you just do not punish them for which they may have done. It is best to positively reinforce them whenever they make a move correct, as opposed to punish them after they take action wrong. If you punished them, should you this they will not become skittish whereas they will.

Try to command dogs with one word or possibly a small phrase instead of a lengthy phrase. Smaller commands are simpler to remember and recognize using their company people, whereas longer phrases may be confusing into a dog. Ensure everyone uses the identical phrase to command a dog in order to avoid confusion.

Swimming is an excellent means for your pet to expend energy. It is simple on his joints yet still really helps to keeps him in great shape. Not every dogs like to swim, so make sure you take him to your nice, shallow source, up until you are positive that he or she is comfortable in the water.

A pet dog might be tough to train sometimes but that does not always mean it is impossible. Any dog might be trained with the proper knowledge of the topic. Now you have gained some knowledge you can start to exercise your dog irrespective of any traits it could have.

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How To Deal with Your Dogs Digging

When you come home to find holes all over your lawn, and you have a dog, there may be a correlation there. But dont bother trying to confront your dog after the fact. Punishment after the fact is widely known as the least effective and potentially most damaging form of dog training on earth. Even if you bring your dog to the spot, hold them by the scruff of the neck, and scold them while you direct their head deep into their handiwork, they wont have any idea what all the fuss is about.


Instead, take a deep breath, and complete your after work wind-down routine. Then, calmly return to the back yard to locate your dog, with the intention of asking a few questions about their habit of excavating your property.



Question One


If you are unable to locate your dog, AND the holes in your lawn are all found right along the bottom of your fence line, then you may not need to ask the first question, which is, "Are you trying to escape?" If your pet is not "fixed" (neutered or spayed), then they may be entertaining their roaming instinct. They will return, and they may even bring a whole family with them when they do.



Question Two


Another possibility is that your dog is digging to freedom in an attempt to find you. If your dog is near or even somewhere on your property when you return from a period of absence, they may in fact have separation anxiety issues, which youll have to treat directly. Once you do, the digging will be an afterthought.



Question Three


If your dog is there, your next question to ask is, "Are you getting too hot back here when Im away?" We all know that dogs pant when its hot. But they also like to burrow, especially when there is not a spot of shade in sight. So youll need to rule this out as motivating factor for your dogs digging, and make sure they have a place to stay cool.



Lastly, youll have to ask your dog, "Are you burying your stuff?" This is simply an old habit that stems from the fact that their ancestors often killed more than they could eat in a sitting. This habit may be tough to break, but try changing the range of treats you leave with your dog when away. For instance, a massive juicy bone may be a great treat for your dog when youre around, but might be something you dont leave with them when youre gone.



You may have to change the dogs access areas, or fence off an area that youd like to keep for the kids soccer pitch. You can also try setting up a dirt area or sandbox where digging is allowed and encouraged. Many dogs are wild about sand, and you can even attract them to the area by burying treats in the sandbox.
To your success in dog training

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Dog Obedience Training How to Train Your Dog to Walk

For you all dog lovers out there, you do know that Dog Obedience Training - How to Train Your Dog to Walk is one the most important first step before you really taking your dog to the park, right? Because if you are still not convinced then ive gotta warn you that anything is possible when you take your dog to the park, they could even run away if you are not sure of what youre doing. So, always be prepared.
   

You have got yourself a brand spanking new dog and he misbehaves. Yes, to the displeasure of lots of people out there it does happen. Canines are animals after all and yes, they will behave badly naturally. How to train your dog to walk with a leash on is thing that lots of people have got no idea about; the dog starts pulling and they panic. Dont be concerned though; theres some simple ways with which you can learn how to train your dog to walk with a leash.

1. For the first few times try to walk your dog with the leash comparatively loose as your dog might pull and you would not your dog to get injured due to that. Whenever the dog does try to pull you, thing that will always help is to change the route that you have taken.


2. After sometime, take another unexpected turn. This will make him walk close to you, which is what you require at the finish of the day. Doing this will also show him who is in charge.


3. Seldom tolerate your dogs pulling. He ought to seldom be allowed to boss you around as in case you permit him to do that even one time, chances are; he is going to try to do it again and will soon forget who is boss.



4. of my favorites is the red light/green light game. What you require to do is that when you take the dog out for a walk and he starts pulling, cease and do nothing. He will fight and will become agitated for your turning in to a statue however do not give in, ever. The dog will soon learn that his behavior causes you to act like that and with time he will cease pulling on the leash as he does not require to offend his master!

5. I do know another game that works well with canines and that is going round in circles. You take the dog out for a walk and he pulls on aleash and you pull him back and spin around in a circle or two; chances are, hell get dazed and will avoid doing this after the first few times or so.


6. The point to be thought about is that you ought to always take help of rewards and praise whenever your dog does act according to your wishes. You have better chances of getting him to listen to you if he knows that his following your commands will lead to a reward from you. Nothing can beat that, keep in mind.


Gentle Leader Head Collars are nice things to invest in in case you require to fully train your dog. Though specialists recommend that you ought to train your dog in the flat buckle collar that he is finally going to wear; and not the training collars that are available in the market. As it is much probable that your dog will start behaving the way that he was before, when the training leash is off! It is not hard to learn how to train your dog to walk with a leash on however yes it does require lots of your time and energy. Be prepared to give it to your dog when you bring him home!


This Dog Obedience Training - How to Train Your Dog to Walk might be not the most important, but it is one of the most important especially for you first timers, so read carefully ^_^

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How to get your dogs attention

Here is a long overdue training post on what I consider the beginning of focus work.

Getting your dogs attention is the first step in building your foundation to having a really reliable recall and for focus work later if needed. To accomplish this the first thing I do is teach the dog that its name is valuable. When I say the dogs name "Fido" and they look at me I praise them verbally. "Good dog!" A happy tone of voice is important for verbal praise. Otherwise it has no meaning to the dog. If the dog comes over to me I will also add physical praise like petting and stroking if they like it. Note: not all dogs like to be handled, some are touch sensitive. Skip petting for a touch sensitive dog. Do not pet your dog on the top of its head. Most dogs dislike this form of petting. (Watch your dog closely when you do this, do they pull away or duck? If so they are trying to avoid it.) I will also have a happy facial expression whenever I praise a dog. Remember body language is our dogs first language so they learn to read our body and facial expressions very quickly. If they come over I might also add play and/or a food reward. Our goal is to build a positive association to their name and our contact with them.
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A review about using praise ~ The 5 most commons ways we can praise our dogs are:
1) verbally - in a happy tone
2) physically - if they like being touched
3) by smiling - communication in language they understand
4) engaging in play - fetch, tug, games they enjoy
and
5) using food rewards - high value treats
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Because we cant call a dog to us unless they are paying attention we need to teach the attention first. We cannot guarantee we have that attention unless they are physically looking at us. Even then remember that we are competing with things we dont smell or hear so we may not have 100% of their attention, especially if we are outside. If they are sniffing something or looking at something else they are not trying to ignore you. Most times they are just focused on what has their attention and they dont hear us. Saying the dogs name and rewarding them for looking at us is the start of building great focus.
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The next step is teaching the dog what the word "come" actually means to us. Now because I want "come" to always mean come to me and sit I teach it that way. If you want the dog to just come closer use a different word. Example: I use "lets go" to mean come along with me. One of the most important things to remember when using the word/cue "come" is to never use it for anything the dog considers a negative reason. For instance if they hate getting a bath and you call them to you and then stick them in the tub you will poison that cue. They will pause the next time you call them because youve used it with a negative association to them. For this reason I also use a completely different word for lets go back into the house or playtime is over. (sidenote tip: to get dogs to want to come back into the house or car toss some well loved treats and/or a favorite toy on the floor as you go out so as soon as the dog walks back into the house or car they get magically rewarded.)
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You can teach your recall in a few ways, this is just one of them. I tend to begin with lure reward training especially if the dog hasnt learned his name means anything. Put the treat in front of the dogs nose and back away from them a few steps pulling the treat in front of your legs so they target their nose on it. AS they are coming towards you say the cue word "come". The reason you say the word as they are doing it is to pair the word with the action for the dog. Dont repeat your cue. When the dog gets to the treat simply raise it slightly back over the dogs head so they sit. You can also say the word sit AS they are sitting. Say "yes", your verbal marker (or click) and give the treat after they sit. My hand action pulling the treat towards me, and pulling the treat up, also become hand signals later for the commands. (Lure reward training is also excellent to use with deaf dogs. Use a thumbs up signal for your reward marker signal.)
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If you teach your dog its name has meaning you will notice the dog starts coming to you before you say the actual cue word "come". It can become its own pre-recall command so make sure you separate the name from the come command with a few seconds. Otherwise "Fido come" becomes the command which isnt the goal because then when you say the word "come" alone they may not understand what you want. "Fido" should mean look at me so you can pair it with other things later, not just for the recall. Whenever my dogs come to me I always reward them in some way. EVERY time. This keeps the recall worthwhile to them. Remember that dogs are very much "Whats in it for me" creatures. Rewarding them also establishes that coming to me gets them good things and therefore makes the recall a positive association. Most people have problems getting a dog to come when called because they try calling them when the dog is engaged in a more fun behavior. If we make the recall more fun than everything else that problem will resolve.
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Now I know some clicker trainers prefer to get the dog doing a behavior reliably before they name it for the dog. This is also ok as long as everyone understands what they need to do to make that work. I find some people have a hard time not speaking to their dogs so I think this way accommodates that issue. There are some things I also teach before naming and putting on a cue, this just isnt one of them. (for me)
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Trouble shooting: If your dog doesnt look at you when you say its name add sound. Clap your hands or make kissing noises. Say the name happily when they do finally look. Shake a toy when they look. Make them want to come to you. Whatever you do do NOT get annoyed and yell at them. Remember we are making positive associations. Practice inside first where there are fewer distractions. When moving your recall practice outside the house start out closer to the dog to be sure you can get their attention. Increase your distance over time. Do NOT say come until the dog is looking at you and on its way towards you. Make sure you remember to have them sit when they get to you. Dont repeat your cue "come" but you can make other noises to encourage forward movement. Keep practice sessions short so they stay fun.
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Happy training!
Marie Finnegan

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10 Foods To Avoid For Your Dog

How would you believe these 10 Foods To Avoid For Your Dog, care to read on or you would rather not be because you dont believe it, because youve already given all there is to give to your dog, and all is well for the moment, you see it is just for the moment that all is well, you will soon realize and by then it could be too late to do anything about it, then you will regret it all, and so sad that you cant even do anything to help. 


This is a short list of foods to avoid for your dog.
They can be harmful to your pet.

Bone

Although we all look at our doggie friends in our minds that eating large bones, the truth of the matter is that the bone can not be destroyed or broken and can cause your dog to choke.

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Bean

Squirrel loves nuts, as well as dogs,
but the nuts can be dangerous for your pet.

Nuts are high in fat and can cause your dog to vomit and diarrhea.

Cigarette / Tobacco

We all know smoking is bad for us, so why should we give our pets nicotine caused him problems.

Nicotene damage through the digestive system of dogs release harmful toxins that may kill him.

Onion

They do look yummy, but if you share this delicious piece with your dog, he will die.

Onion and garlic family of any of the red blood cell damage and anemia.
Raw garlic can actually cause liver damage.

Rotten fruit

Already obvious right?
we just do not want to eat it, why should we give to our pets

Rhubarb leaves

This plant is poisonous leaves oxalate and will cause problems with the nervous system and urinary tract problems.

Raw dough

raw dough could ferment in the stomach and cause alcohol poisoning.

When the dough rises and causes the gas in the digestive system.

Popcorn

Yummy snacks can cause upper airway obstruction.

Eggs

Though weve all heard that raw eggs are good for dogs skin and fur, its a myth.

Raw eggs contain avidin which is known to reduce the absorption of biotin which may cause problems with skin and fur. Eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Chocolate

Although everyone knows the dangers of chocolate to the dog, it should be stated again.

Just say no to a confection of sugar for your dog.
These methylxanthine alkaloids in chocolate cause serious problems including stroke, choking, and can kill your dog.


Beware!!! Do take seriously about these 10 Foods To Avoid For Your Dog, because the threat is real.

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Lost With Regards To Training Your Puppy Read These Guidelines!

Just like you must program your remote to manipulate your television, your puppy needs training to respond to your direction too. Such as a remote, someone must help it assist their TV, although working capabilities are there any. Though dogs offer an inner ability for training, someone must take it from them.

Small steps, gentle ways and patience are typical a part of having your puppy accustomed to their crate. Eventually they are going to become at ease with the crate and you can then attempt to shut the entrance on the crate. Whenever they enable the door to shut it is possible to give them a pleasure with the wiring. Start with leaving your pet inside the crate for roughly ten seconds, then increase that time by small increments. Should your puppy gets upset, then you may have to slow and possess more patience together.

Food and treats can be your ally in training your pet dog to get out his crate. Allow your dog to get strategically placed bits of food plus some treats every once in awhile when he returns to his crate. He will make it a practice of checking the crate out more regularly in the event something else has miraculously appeared there.

Usually do not tie up your dogs too closely. They could tangle the chains in a manner to ensure one or both of the dogs are stuck or injured. If one dog is larger than other, it may accidentally tangle the cord round the smaller dogs neck, causing it to be incapable of breath, as well as die.

While proper dog training with a leash, ensure that you are keeping the collar snug, yet a bit loose. Once the collar is simply too tight, it might can even make the dog want to pull you. A little bit slack can significantly help if you are proper dog training by using a leash.

Go on a class on training or study books and websites concerning the topic before you start to exercise your puppy. It appears to be very easy to train your dog but many things that will make sense to us wont appear sensible to some dog. Learning the proper way to train and studying the way to run a good training session will be helpful for the two of you in this process.

To instruct your pet anything, you need to be consistent. Which means you should give the same order whenever, and reward or punish your pet dog in the similar way, all the time. This helps your puppy assimilate certain concepts considerably faster than if you were using a more diverse and complex method of communicating.

To house train your pet dog, you ought to create a regular schedule for their meals. Eliminate their water during the night. You will be able to tell if it will need to go outside when your dog eats on schedule. Then you will not be able to bring it outside by the due date when you feed your pet dog right before going to bed.

To train a dog the best way to act around guests and other people at your residence, it is crucial that the dog is socialized with others. This experience of people, especially people who are new to your dog, will enable you to train the dog how he should react. This is helpful to the training process.

Monitor just how many treats accustomed to reward your pet dog each day for a healthy diet plan. Its super easy to overlook just how many treats you allow your dog, especially during a workout, however they accumulate when you dont give consideration.

Shy dogs make use of re-socializing. Oftentimes, dogs have behavioral incidents with certain situations, certain people or other dogs, who go unnoticed by us. We may not realize, however, these interactions have given our dogs a sour taste about these circumstances. Re-socializing your pet for the stimuli hes upset by, might help him overcome his anxiety.

Ensure you pay attention to your pet dog. What is he letting you know? Your dogs behavior will usually supply you with a window into his mind. Destructive dogs tend to be bored or anxious. Anxious dogs may act inconsistently with strangers. Regardless of the trouble, your puppy is letting you know how he feels as he behaves in situations.

If you are training your pet, its vital that you know that learning for dogs must be continuous, as it would be with humans. Dont cease working along with your dog when they master the commands you teach them. Cause them to work at additional skills, and this will subsequently perfect the initial skills they learn.

A barking dog can drive its owner and also the neighbors crazy! A good way to train your pet to never bark is always to offer him a reward to stop barking! As he barks, utilize a command like "Quiet! " or "No bark! " and wave his favorite treat looking at his nose. Soon he will learn that dog treats are better than making noise!

Your pet dog needs attention but you have to show him affection or play in a way that trains him to view you since the leader. It may be while he assumes he is your leader, whenever a dog tries to help you to pet him constantly or requires you to throw a ball for many hours. Ignoring his requests for constant attention, and ignoring the ball until you are ready, helps him to know who seems to be in control.

Hopefully you feel more competent to train your pet dog reading this post. Dogs want to make their owners happy, so training them is in fact enjoyable for them also.

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How Your Dog Will Communicate With You

October 5, 2009 by admin
Filed under Getting Ready to Train Your Dog

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So many people speak about their dogs in terms of how they wish they were. If you had a dollar for every time you had heard or said the words “If only he/she could talk, the stories we would hear…” you’d probably be a very rich dog owner. But if dogs could talk, would they be so special to us? The chances are that we would still adore them every bit as much as we do, but the fact remains that much of what we get from owning a dog comes from the interaction that we have because they cannot speak. It just means that we find other ways to communicate.
Dogs can tell you a lot with a look. If they are hungry, they will make it clear by very patiently following you and looking pointedly at where they know their food to be kept. They will then thank you for feeding them by wagging their tail and affectionately nuzzling you – which may or may not be welcome at the time depending on the ratio of dog slobber to the price of your outfit. But, in many ways, the truth is that your dog will train you to some extent while you are training it.
Dogs may not be able to talk, but they communicate a lot with their eyes, their tail and their body language. And of course, they will bark. We learn to read these barks. A short, sharp bark will often signify excitement. A deep, low growl will warn of danger or threat. For many owners, the inquisitive yip is the best of all – the dog wants to learn from you, and trusts you to teach it.

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