"MY DOG wont come when I call him." "My dog barks so much that the neighbors are complaining." "My dog is always jumping on me and on my visitors." In all such cases, frustrated pet owners are asking, "What can I do?"
The answer is probably to give your dog basic obedience training - teaching it to respond to simple commands. Of course, it is best to begin while your dog is still a puppy. But even older dogs can learn. One professional dog trainer said: "The minimum age of dogs that we receive for training is four months, and the maximum is five years. But I have taught basic obedience to dogs that are even ten years old."
Dogs are intelligent. They have been trained to sniff out drugs and explosives, assist the handicapped, and perform search-and-rescue missions. But how can you train your dog to obey you?
Genetic Makeup
First, you need to know about the genetic makeup of your dog. Like wolves, dogs are hierarchy conscious. They instinctively gravitate toward living in a pack under a leader, or alpha dog. Your family is your dogs pack, and it needs to understand that you are the leader.
In a wolf pack, the leader chooses the warmest, most elevated spot to sleep. It also eats before the others. So if your dog is allowed to sleep on your bed or get on the furniture, it may conclude that it is the leader. The same might happen if it is fed tidbits from the table at mealtime.
Even as a puppy, your dog can learn that it is subordinate to you. How? Try holding its gaze with your eyes until it looks away. Also, rubbing the dogs belly while it is on its back is a good exercise, as this puts it in a submissive position. If your dog is being a nuisance and does not stop when you say "No," try ignoring it or leaving the room.
When your dog responds to your commands, it is acknowledging that you are in charge. If you as the owner do not establish your position of leadership, your pet may conclude that it is equal or superior to you, and this might affect its behavior.
How to Teach Simple Commands
To teach your dog basic commands, you will need a collar, a leash, and plenty of patience. One training manual recommends the following: (1) Give a simple, one-word command, (2) demonstrate the desired action, and (3) immediately give praise when the action is performed. Your tone of voice is more important than the words you use. A command should be given in an affirmative tone, and praise should be given in a happy, affectionate tone.
Physical punishment, such as hitting or kicking, is not necessary. Simply say ‘No in a sharp tone, prolonging the vowel, so that the dog will know that you are displeased with its performance. A dog is intelligent enough to know when you are rewarding and when you are reprimanding.
If anything more drastic is needed, you might grasp the dog by the scruff of its neck and shake it lightly while saying "No." Reprimands should be given during or immediately following the undesirable behavior. Remember, a dog cannot discern why it is being scolded if the scolding occurs minutes or hours after the act. Neither does it understand why a certain action is acceptable on one occasion but objectionable on another. So be consistent.
The foundation for all obedience is the command "Sit!" If your dog knows this command, you can control it when it becomes overly active. For example, you can tell your dog to sit when it begins to jump on visitors. To teach your dog to sit, put the leash on it, and give the command while pushing down on its hindquarters and gently pulling its head up with the leash. Give praise immediately. Repeat these steps until the dog obeys the command on its own.
To teach your dog to remain in the sitting position, use the command "Stay!" while standing in front and putting your hand out with the palm facing flat toward the dog. If the dog moves, say "No" and place it back into position. Repeat the command, and praise your dog when it stays sitting for a short period. Gradually increase the time it sits and then the distance between you and your dog as it responds to the command.
The best way to teach a dog to come to you is to use a long leash and give a gentle tug while calling your dogs name and giving the command "Come!" Back up as the dog moves toward you, and continue giving it praise. Soon it will respond to your call without being prompted by the leash. If your dog gets loose and will not respond to the command "Come!" call it and run in the opposite direction. Often, a dog will instinctively give chase.
A word of caution: Never use the word "come" for a negative reason, such as to give a reprimand. Your dog must learn that responding to "Come" will bring pleasurable results, whether praise or a food treat. If you lose your patience while teaching this command, your dog will learn that coming is unpleasant and is to be avoided.
You can also teach your dog to walk by your side without pushing ahead or lagging behind. To do this, use a link-chain training collar and a short leash. With the dog on your left, give the command "Heel!" and step out with the left foot. If your dog attempts to push ahead or lag back, give a quick, sharp jerk on the leash and repeat the command. Give praise for compliance.
How can you keep your dog from jumping up on you? One method is to back away while using the command "Off!" followed by "Sit!" Another is to catch a forepaw in each hand and step toward the dog, repeating the "Off!" command. Give praise when it obeys.
A Loyal Companion
Remember, a dog is a social animal. Long periods of confinement can lead to hyperactivity, excessive barking, and destructive behavior. With training, your dog can become a delightful, loyal companion - instead of a nuisance.
Tips for Training a Dog
1. Be consistent in your use of words for commands.
2. Dogs like to hear their name, and it gets their attention. So use your dogs name along with commands. ("Rover, sit!") But do not use your dogs name in conjunction with a reprimand, such as "No!" Your dog must learn that responding to its name brings positive - not negative - results.
3. Use liberal praise as a reward. Many dogs will do more for affection than for food.
4. Keep training sessions short and pleasurable.
5. Do not inadvertently reinforce negative behavior by giving your dog a lot of attention when it misbehaves. This will only result in repetition of the undesired behavior.
Housebreaking Your Puppy
A puppy can be housebroken when six to eight weeks old. According to Dog Training Basics, the keys to successful housebreaking are confinement, training, timing, and praise. A dog does not normally like to soil its sleeping area. Therefore, keep your puppy confined when unsupervised. Know its schedule, and teach it a designated toilet area. Take it (on a leash) out to this area immediately after it wakes up, after a meal, after a play session, or before bedtime. Praise it as it eliminates. You may want to teach it a trigger word. When your puppy is not confined, be alert to signs that it needs to relieve itself, such as an abrupt stop of play, circling and sniffing, and running out of the room. If you catch your puppy in the act of eliminating in the house, scold it, and take it outside immediately. Again, no good will come if you give correction long after the act. Clean up any accidents with vinegar water to remove the scent; otherwise, the dog will continue to use that place to eliminate.
Urination during an excited greeting is an involuntary, natural behavior in dogs. Sometimes called submissive urination, it can mean that the dog recognizes that you are the leader, or in the alpha position. Reprimanding your dog in this situation may only worsen the problem, as this may cause it to urinate more in order to show further that it views you as the one in charge. Usually, this behavior stops by the time a dog reaches two years of age.
Selasa, 31 Mei 2016
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| Allison with Sensi in Benzie |
My dog loves Alan and Allison, who put in some serious work to become Sensi’s most beloved friends. Read about that here: Introducing my fearful dog to new people, a summer of hard work and great success
Having them with us made me all the more comfortable with bringing Sensi to a campground for the first time ever. Bringing a dog with fear issues into a busy place like a campground is a full-time job, and the more people you have with you to help out, the easier it is for everyone.
Alan and Allison have a big truck. The two guys towed our outrageously heavy pop-up with that (it’s a
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| The 1970s Rockwood pop-up |
Allison and I drove together in the Jeep, which left the backseat open for Sensi. Sensi has mixed emotions about car rides.
He knows that cars take him places he loves to go, so he loves to go into cars. But the actual ride he does not care for so much.
He is not so anxious on car rides that he needs medication, as some dogs do. He just has a hard time settling down. Every bump makes him nervous (can you imagine how upset he must’ve been when we moved down a perennially-bumpy dirt road?), so even if you finally get him to lay down, he pops up with every bump the car hits.
Sensi grew up riding in my old Cutlass Ciera. It had a bench seat in the front and a bench seat in the back. Sensi grew accustomed to having a bench seat, and after a good long walk at the park, he’d get tired enough to sometimes lay down during the car ride home.
After the Cutlass died, we only had Brent’s truck, which has fold-down seats in the back. This means Sensi has to stand on the floor of the vehicle when riding in the truck. Every little vibration becomes that much more noticeable to him. He hates riding in the truck.
But when we brought the Jeep home a couple years ago, it was like Sensi knew, right away, that it was ours and he was pumped about it. He had a friggin’ bench seat again, and my goodness, what a difference it makes for him.
Earlier this year, I bought a dog hammock for the backseat. It’s a great investment. Loops strap it to the
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| The backseat hammock |
On top of that, we piled up all his bedding (and remember, my dog is the king of comfort) on the hammock.
In total, we brought one dog bed, one body pillow donated to the dog and three blankets — one fleece, one microfiber (his favorite) and his special afghan.
Allison got to experience the joy of a nearly five hour car trip with my dog. She was the designated behavior guide for him — meaning, it was her job to dispense treats in order for successful lay-down commands. And those commands had to come after every single little bump in the road.
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| Sensi on our way up north |
It was pretty ridiculous, but all things considered, it was also the best Sensi has ever been on a long car ride. With the help of some treats, he did lay down for most the ride — of course, we stopped along the way for potty-and-stretch-the-legs breaks.
And I found myself thanking God for the Jeep.
And for Allison.
I’m moving. So right now I’m completely displaced like all of the time. One week I’m here, the next week I’m somewhere else, and the next week I’m somewhere else again. Right now (until about next Tuesday), I’m at my parents’ house which is complicated for a couple of reasons. Number one – I’m at their mercy which means it’s pretty hard to do anything since I’m used to doing things on my own and I’m living back at home again. Number two – there are tons of animals. Two cats, 1 large dog, and with my two dogs. And it’s only a three bedroom, two bathroom house. It’s not made for a zoo. So I have to grapple with how to deal with three dogs and them being drastically different sizes. It’s hard for me to give my little ones treats when the big dog will just take them and gulp them down without a care. But then I don’t feel like it’s fair that the big dog is the one that stays in the crate all the time and the younger ones get to do whatever they want just because they’re more house trained and stuff. And the big dog really really stinks. Like really does because my parents don’t take care of him like they should. He’s overweight and he smells horrible.
I like to let them all roam the living room, but the little ones bark at Pico and Pico uses his muzzle that probably weighs the same amount as my girl (9lbs) to just push them over as he’s trying to play with them. And then I’m so terrified that he’ll step on them and break their leg or something. He actually is very gentle with them usually, I just wouldn’t trust him around them with food because he has over the years of being with my parents, which is particularly unfortunate, but that’s the way it is.
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I like to let them all roam the living room, but the little ones bark at Pico and Pico uses his muzzle that probably weighs the same amount as my girl (9lbs) to just push them over as he’s trying to play with them. And then I’m so terrified that he’ll step on them and break their leg or something. He actually is very gentle with them usually, I just wouldn’t trust him around them with food because he has over the years of being with my parents, which is particularly unfortunate, but that’s the way it is.
I didn’t know people really had a big problem with this. I had it once before but I fixed it by not allowing my dogs free access to the front door until I had them successfully trained to not rush outside. Other than that I’ve never had a problem. However, apparently it’s a really big deal.
The first thing you need to know about door dashing is that the dog probably needs exercise and that’s why they run outside in the first place.
The second thing you need to know is if you punish them for coming back to you when they finally do, they’re going to be more and more reluctant to come back.
Door dashing is scary because your dog can get hit in a split second. It is a behavior that needs to be stopped immediately. Immediately. Because any one time it happens, it could be the end of your dog and then you’ll be sad and insist that the dog shouldn’t have ran out when you just didn’t take the time to fix the situation. Dogs don’t know not to do things, but people do. And it’s a person’s job to teach the dog what it can and cannot do. I rarely give my dogs the opportunity to rush out before me, for one thing, and that is a pack behavior leader situation. They do not walk outside before I do, so there is no time for them to dash through the door. However, if you haven’t gotten your dog into the habit of waiting for you to walk outside first, or your dog is simply a puppy doing puppy things, you need to stop door dashing.
How do you stop it? Easy – teach them the “come” command.
First – do not use come if they do not know it. If you use it and they don’t know it, they won’t come and you are teaching your dog to simply ignore you.
Second – if you say come; they have no other option but to come. If you say it and they don’t come, then you are once again reinforcing the behavior of ignoring you.
Third – how to actually teach this command. It is best to get a long leash, 30 ft or so, and attach it to your dog’s collar. Start in your house before you move outside with this, but make it clear that if you say come, the dog is absolutely obligated to come. When you say it, give them a second to respond and then start reeling them in, still reward them as if they did it on their own.
Read More..
The first thing you need to know about door dashing is that the dog probably needs exercise and that’s why they run outside in the first place.
The second thing you need to know is if you punish them for coming back to you when they finally do, they’re going to be more and more reluctant to come back.
Door dashing is scary because your dog can get hit in a split second. It is a behavior that needs to be stopped immediately. Immediately. Because any one time it happens, it could be the end of your dog and then you’ll be sad and insist that the dog shouldn’t have ran out when you just didn’t take the time to fix the situation. Dogs don’t know not to do things, but people do. And it’s a person’s job to teach the dog what it can and cannot do. I rarely give my dogs the opportunity to rush out before me, for one thing, and that is a pack behavior leader situation. They do not walk outside before I do, so there is no time for them to dash through the door. However, if you haven’t gotten your dog into the habit of waiting for you to walk outside first, or your dog is simply a puppy doing puppy things, you need to stop door dashing.
How do you stop it? Easy – teach them the “come” command.
First – do not use come if they do not know it. If you use it and they don’t know it, they won’t come and you are teaching your dog to simply ignore you.
Second – if you say come; they have no other option but to come. If you say it and they don’t come, then you are once again reinforcing the behavior of ignoring you.
Third – how to actually teach this command. It is best to get a long leash, 30 ft or so, and attach it to your dog’s collar. Start in your house before you move outside with this, but make it clear that if you say come, the dog is absolutely obligated to come. When you say it, give them a second to respond and then start reeling them in, still reward them as if they did it on their own.
Senin, 30 Mei 2016
You may remember a couple of days ago I mentioned a program that I watched called “The Dog Whisperer” .........
It is a National Geographic Channel series that began showing in 2004. Central to the program is a person called Cesar Millan who rehabilitates and restores balance to dogs with problems.
His specialty is working with aggressive dogs.
Cesars specialty is the application of rules, boundaries and limitations. He advocates the use of Pack leadership, as a means of controlling the basic instincts of the dog to exist in a content calm state. His whole theory is based on demonstrating to the owners how to obtain and maintain this.
During the show, we are introduced to difficult dogs and their owners and home movies are shown to indicate their misdemeanors. Having chatted with the family Cesar then offers suggestions how owners may alter their own behaviors to become a pack leader for their pet. In the vast majority of cases, it is the people who need training, more than the dog!
Read More..
It is a National Geographic Channel series that began showing in 2004. Central to the program is a person called Cesar Millan who rehabilitates and restores balance to dogs with problems.
His specialty is working with aggressive dogs.
Cesars specialty is the application of rules, boundaries and limitations. He advocates the use of Pack leadership, as a means of controlling the basic instincts of the dog to exist in a content calm state. His whole theory is based on demonstrating to the owners how to obtain and maintain this.
During the show, we are introduced to difficult dogs and their owners and home movies are shown to indicate their misdemeanors. Having chatted with the family Cesar then offers suggestions how owners may alter their own behaviors to become a pack leader for their pet. In the vast majority of cases, it is the people who need training, more than the dog!
Teach Your Dog to BOW!
This trick looks impressive but is quite an easy to learn.
If your dog is driven by food this is the method you should use.
Make sure you use a treat that has a tempting smell and your dog really likes, for example cheese, liver cake, sausages etc.
Get your dog to stand, while you kneel next to him. Then place a treat in between his front paws. Your dog’s attention should be on the treat so he should look done to between his paws to try and get the treat. If he tries to lay down instead of bowing then while he is standing place a hand on his tummy. This should stop him laying down.
Repeat this 3 times a day also using a command at the same time “Bow”, as he starts to bow on command reduce the amount of treats till he performs by command and hand action.
Read More..
This trick looks impressive but is quite an easy to learn.
If your dog is driven by food this is the method you should use.
Make sure you use a treat that has a tempting smell and your dog really likes, for example cheese, liver cake, sausages etc.
Get your dog to stand, while you kneel next to him. Then place a treat in between his front paws. Your dog’s attention should be on the treat so he should look done to between his paws to try and get the treat. If he tries to lay down instead of bowing then while he is standing place a hand on his tummy. This should stop him laying down.
Repeat this 3 times a day also using a command at the same time “Bow”, as he starts to bow on command reduce the amount of treats till he performs by command and hand action.
Have you ever looked at our world through a dog’s eyes? An understanding of dog behavior can be amazing. Even documentaries on wolves (also canines) or wild dogs give incredible insight to the canine mind and with this Im not implying that dogs and wolves are the same like some so-called TV behavior specialists may claim.
When we ask a dog to come into our world and adapt sometimes we don’t fully understand what we’re asking of them. The dog left to his own devices roams a certain territory, looks for opportunity of a free meal and is active for most of the day.
By contrast a dog in our home adapts to get up and we leave, while they stay home to a much smaller ‘territory’ and often snooze during the day until the family comes home for activities.
Some dogs have a hard time with this adjustment and their frustration can result in undesired behavior. This might be chewing, destroying things, getting into food (“opportunity!”) or barking. Many dogs are given up for such destructive behavior. The good news is that there is always available help. Dog behavior training programs target common problems that arise when pet parents and dogs cant communicate with each other. The ultimate goal is to teach the human to see the world from the dogs point of view.
A couple weeks ago, I received a HUGE box filled with treats and toys to review from a new company called Bartleys. Better yet, I get to give away a box of the same toys and treats that I received! (Many thanks to Bartley’s for sponsoring this very generous giveaway!) I also have a discount code for $5 off and free shipping!
I’ve enjoyed trying out the toys and treats, but I think the coolest thing about Bartley’s is that every time you purchase a Bartleys product, a portion of the proceeds go directly to a dog in need. Each item has a code on the back of the tag and you can enter that code on their website, and see exactly which dog you helped. You can even check back for updates and see when that dog finds a forever home. Bartley’s works with rescue groups and shelters, and commits to providing whatever care a dog needs, no matter how long it takes, until the dog is adopted. For more information about this, see How It Works.
The Bartleys Story - Bartley’s was inspired by a dog named Bartley who was rescued from an overcrowded municipal shelter by a rescue group, and then adopted by the owner of Bartley’s. Bartley’s was formed to help rescue groups like the one that rescued Bartley.
We entered the code on the tags that came on our Bartley’s products, and learned that purchase of these products helps a dog named Mic. Poor Mic has had a difficult life, and we’re so glad Bartley’s is stepping in to help him out until he finds a forever home.
THE REVIEW
I LOVE LOVE LOVE toys and treats, and I LOVE trying new ones. Bartley’s sent me a West Paw Designs Tizzi, a Jax and Bones Rope Wheel, a Simply Fido Organic Plush Bunny Toy, a package of Peanut Butter Flavor Buddy Biscuits, and a package of Blue Bits Chicken Treats. They even thought of my mom & dad, and sent them a set of Dog Is Good coasters.
Simply Fido Organic Plush Rabbit Toy
When mom opened the box from Bartley’s, I immediately tried to grab the bunny, but she insisted we take photos first. When she finally let me play with the bunny, I had the BEST time. The bunny is from the Simply Fido Organic Plush Toy Collection. It’s very cute and it squeaks, and it has held up well to all of my biting and thrashing. It’s my new favorite indoor toy.
Simply Fido Organic Toys are made with certified organic cotton fabric, dyed using a low eco-impact die process, and are filled with recycled fiber. They’re certified non-toxic, which is very important for something that I pick up with my mouth.
West Paw Design Zogoflex Tizzi
Next we tried the West Paw Tizzi toy, which is shaped kind of like a ball with legs. It has a hole where you can put treats, and you can twist the legs to make it easier to throw or harder to get the treats out. It floats, so we took it to the river to try it out.
We also played with it in the yard, with and without snow. And I’ve chewed on it -- A LOT. It bounces all funny, which makes it extra fun. This is my new favorite indoor-outdoor-all season toy.
West Paw Zogoflex Tizzi toys are non-toxic, 100% recyclable, BPA- and Phthalate-free, and dishwasher safe. West Paw Design toys are made in the U.S.A., in Montana.
All Zogoflex toys are guaranteed against dog damage. This is my first West Paw Design toy and we’re very impressed by its durability. It doesn’t even have any teeth marks. This was my favorite of all the wonderful things in the Bartley’s box. When I posted a photo of me playing with the Tizzi on Facebook, several of my friends commented about how much they love West Paw toys.
My friend Cally has a Tizzi and it’s one of her favorite toys. She calls it Mr. Wiggles. She especially likes when her momma twists its legs, she paws at them, and they pop open! Her momma says the only toys they have are West Paw toys because they are the only toys Cally can’t destroy. She has a West Paw Bone, Ball, Mr. Wiggles, and Blob (these are Cally’s names for the toys, not the West Paw names). Cally says 4 Paws Up for West Paw toys!!!
My friend Riley is also “brutal on toys” but has several West Paw toys that have lasted 3-4 years now.
Jax and Bones Good Karma Rope Wheel
The Jax and Bones Rope Wheel is designed for aggressive chewers (like me). It’s made of chemical-free, naturally-dyed rope and tested in the U.S.A. for pup safety. The Rope Wheel is shaped like a ship’s wheel and designed to naturally fray, so it helps clean my teeth. I like to chew on it and retrieve it.
Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter Flavor
Buddy Biscuits are soft and chewy, so they’re perfect for training. They’re shaped like little gingerbread men, and can be broken into smaller pieces. I got peanut butter flavor (I LOVE peanut butter). I think they’re yummilicious and will do all kinds of tricks for them. Buddy Biscuits are corn free, and made with no artificial flavors or colors. Made in the U.S.A.
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| Demonstrating impulse control with Buddy Biscuits on each paw |
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tasty Chicken Treats
Blue Bits treats are also excellent for training. They’re small, soft, and chewy, and shaped like little hearts. I think they’re super yummy and I come running whenever momma opens the bag. The first ingredient is real chicken and they contain no chicken or poultry by-products, no corn, wheat or soy, and no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Made in the U.S.A.
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| Theres something on my paw |
Dog is Good Coasters
Dog is Good coasters are made in the U.S.A. from recycled materials and are decorated with quotes from wise doggies.
Overall Rating of Bartley’s:
Four Paws Up, with a Waggy Tail. (I’d give it more if I had more paws!)
We LOVE Bartley’s! Not only do we love helping shelter and rescue dogs with our purchases, we also love that Bartley’s carries high-quality, eco-friendly, made in the U.S.A. toys and treats. (Not all toys are made in the U.S.A., but you can search for made in the U.S.A. toys on their website.) When we want to find a special gift for one of my doggie friends, Bartley’s will be the first place we look, because we think it makes an extra-thoughtful gift when part of the purchase price goes to help a dog in need. Toys and treats come attractively packaged in reusable burlap gift bags, each containing a tag with a code you can enter to see the dog supported by that purchase.
DISCOUNT CODE:
Check out www.BartleysForDogs.com. If you see something you like, use the code Garth2014 at checkout for FREE SHIPPING and $5 OFF any order over $20.
And now for the GIVEAWAY:
You can enter to win a box of goodies from Bartleys just like the box they sent me. To enter, just follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Giveaway begins today and will run through 12:15 a.m. E.S.T. March 30, 2014, and winner will be announced on March 30, 2014. Winner will be contacted by email and must respond and provide shipping address by April 6 or another winner will be chosen.
Sorry, giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Disclosure: In return for an honest review of their products and service, Bartleys sent me a box of products free of charge, and they are providing another box of products for the giveaway. We received no other compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.
Minggu, 29 Mei 2016
This is the first message in a series dedicated to mans best friend.
Click here to read more about a comprehensive guide to
Dog Toilet Training.
Contact us with any dog toilet training tips on how to potty train a puppy or dog. We look forward to sharing your experiences.
Product Review Go Dog Dragon Bottle Buddies Penguin Orijen Freeze Dried Lamb Treats from Petflow com
Several weeks ago, we received a package from Petflow.com.
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Yep, its a package
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| Smells good |
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| Tastes good |
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| Nom nom nom "Spoiled Rotten" - now who could that refer to? The package contained a Go Dog Dragon Dog Chew Toy, a Winter Water Bottle Buddy Dog Toy, and a bag of Orijen Freeze Dried Ranch Raised Lamb Dog Treats.  Obligatory pose-nicely-with-the-products photo  Photo of what I really want to do In return for receiving these cool products free of charge from Petflow.com, I agreed to review them. But first I had to try them out!   I love product testing Go Dog Dragon Dog Chew Toy I got the Small Periwinkle Dragon Toy and I LOVE it! It squeaks and its all floppy, and I love to run around the house with it in my mouth and shake it all around. Momma thinks its very cute and she loves the color and the fact that I havent managed to rip it up yet. Its made with Chew Guard Technology, so its extra durable. I usually rip stuffies open in seconds, but my dragon has held up to all kinds of chewing and shaking and throwing and fetching. (My favorite new game is fetch the dragon.)  I give the Go Dog Dragon Toy my highest rating of Four Paws Up for FUN, durability, and cuteness. Momma likes that its machine-washable, extra durable, and her favorite colors. Im trying to convince her that I need the Spike the Blue Stegosaurus and Frills the Grey Triceratops too.  Winter Water Bottle Buddy Dog Toy The Penguin Bottle Buddy has a plastic bottle inside, so it makes a crinkly plastic bottle sound -- which makes it extra fun.   It makes a crinkly sound just like a real penguin The Penguin Bottle Buddy is one of the many Bottle Buddies available at Petflow.com.   I give the Bottle Buddie Penguin my highest rating of Four Paws Up for being EXTRA FUN! I really liked the plastic bottle inside. When momma took the bottle out, it wasnt anywhere near as fun. The bottle is replaceable, so if something happens to it, you can just replace it with a regular plastic bottle.  I didnt want to give it up Mom had to bribe me with an Orijen treat Orijen Freeze Dried Ranch Raised Lamb Dog Treats  These are seriously good treats Oh My Dog do I love these treats! As soon as momma opened the package I got all excited and started doing tricks cause I had to have one. These are what momma calls "high value treats" because Id do just about anything for one. (Momma uses "high value treats" when training something new or when working with me in a very distracting environment.) Theyre also small and soft/crumbly so they can be broken into even smaller pieces for training. Orijen Lamb Treats are made from a single animal source -- theyre 100% lamb. The ingredients are: boneless lamb, lamb liver, and lamb tripe. Momma likes short ingredient lists and minimally processed foods, and Orijen Lamb Treats fit the bill. The lamb used in the treats is free-range Alberta lamb, and they make the treats in Canada. Plus I go nutty over them. And since theyre only 5 calories per treat, I can have a number of Orijen Lamb Treats without taking in too many calories. I give Orijen Freeze Dried Ranch Raised Lamb Treats Four Paws Up because:
They come in lots of different flavors too. Check out Petflow.com. They have great prices on lots of different kinds of dog foods, treats, and toys, and they always have door-buster sales going on too. Disclosure: In return for providing an honest review of their products, Petflow.com sent me toys and treats with an approximate retail value of $27 free of charge. I received no other compensation for this review. |
How can I choose a kennel to put my dog in?
We all have been there, we want to go on holiday but don’t want our dog to feel unwanted or unhappy when we are away..
The first step is to look at the kennels that other people have recommended. Call all the dog owners you know and ask them what they do when they go away? Call the kennels and arrange a visit midweek, good kennels are very busy on Mondays and Fridays as dogs come in or go home. There are plenty of kennels so cross off any you cant see, unless of course they come very highly recommended!
When you do visit, do obey your instincts, if it feels it’s not a place for your dog, don’t send them there! “Cleanliness is next to dogliness” here ( allow some slack at busy times). The smell of the kennel is also important, no smells of urine or faeces should remain after the kennels are supposed to be clean, perhaps they are not that clean!
Read More..
We all have been there, we want to go on holiday but don’t want our dog to feel unwanted or unhappy when we are away..
The first step is to look at the kennels that other people have recommended. Call all the dog owners you know and ask them what they do when they go away? Call the kennels and arrange a visit midweek, good kennels are very busy on Mondays and Fridays as dogs come in or go home. There are plenty of kennels so cross off any you cant see, unless of course they come very highly recommended!
When you do visit, do obey your instincts, if it feels it’s not a place for your dog, don’t send them there! “Cleanliness is next to dogliness” here ( allow some slack at busy times). The smell of the kennel is also important, no smells of urine or faeces should remain after the kennels are supposed to be clean, perhaps they are not that clean!
Here are other things to look out for
- The yard is full of garbage or debris
- Clean and clean-smelling kennel runs, hallways,
- The building is in need of serious repair,
if the food bowls are dirty and the water bowls scummy, - Clean bedding
- Good ventilation
- Caring staff
- Is the kitchen where the dog meals are prepared clean, is the food in barrels or in the refrigerator,
- What are the feeding schedules, do they charge extra for medications.
- If you find that kennels are booked then make a reservation at several and then take your choice, do cancel reservations in good time though!
- A list of required vaccinations (many kennels now require Bordatella vaccination against kennel cough).
Good luck!
Have a dog breed (or not) and you can not decide on the name. Will give a helping hand:
A.
Ajax, Alfie, Alias, Amigo, Amsterdam, Andy, Angel, Apache, Apollo, Ares, Harlequin
B.
Bailey, Bandit, Banjo, Barbie, Barney, Baron, Baxter, Bran, Ben, Beethoven,
Bingo, Blacky, Bobo, Boomer, Buddweiser, Buster, Boogie, Bono, Bozo, Bubba, Benji, Bronson, Bullet, Buster, Bert, Biker, Bixby, Blogger, Boxer, Bronx, Buzz, Boss, Blue Blazer
C.
Champ, Charlie Chester, Corky, Casper, Chewingum, Colonel, Chico, Cookie Cruncher, Chopper, Cool White, Cowboy Cash, Caesar, Catcher, Chile
D.
Dudley, Digger, Duke, Dusty, Droopy, Dude, Dino, Diamonds, Diesel, Darcy, Demi, Dixie
E.
Elvis, Euphrates, Echo, Emy, Eritrea, Ebony, Emoticon, Espaniol, Esmeralda, Escobar
F.
Fang, Fancy, Pharaoh, Fido, Forza, Football, Frosty, Fuzzy, Freedom, Fredy, Frisby, Frodo, Fergie, Flipper
G.
Gala, Ginny, Gypsy, Gyroscope, Gomez, Gonzo, Gordon Bleu, Goober, Gunner, Gus, Gizmo, Gump
H.
Homer, Harley, Hugo, Happy, Homeless, Hank, Harley, Hero, Hotshot, Hulk
I.
India, Iggy, Ishtar
J.
Jack, Jade, Jake, Jasper, Jingle, Junior Jumbo, Joker, Jerry Jumper, Junior, Jasmine
K.
Karate, Katiusha, Khan, King, Kiriakos, Krypto, Kia, Kilroy, Killer, Katie, Khaki
L.
Larissa, Leo, Lolita, Lucky, Lumumba
M.
Mickey, Milk, Monk, Mordoch, Mozart, Monty, Max, Mister,
Mojo, Money, Mercedes, Miranda, Millie
N.
Nick Nelson, Nicky, Neo, Newton, Norman, Norton, Nemo
O.
Oscar Ozzy Otto, Oromo, Orbit
P.
Paco, Pluto, Pongo, Paddy, Picasso, Punch, Piper, Popeye, Prince, Phantom, Plato, Penny, Pickle, Polo, Pocus, Pocohantas
R.
Ranger, Rebel, Red, Rex, Rocky, Red Rover, Rufus, Rusty, Radar, Rin Tin Tin, Ringo, Romeo, Rio, Raja, Rednexr, Regis, rhumb, Rocket, Rolex, Rolo, Rugby
S.
Sam Salvatore, Sandy, Samson, Sandokan, Scooter, Scout, Shadow, Sirroco, Skeeter, Skippy, Smokey, Snikers, Sparky, Spencer, Spike, spunky, Stinky, Storm, Spock, Scooba, Sheik, Sergeant, Sinbad, Spanky
T.
Taffy, Tiny Tiger, Tango, Tank, Trouble, Tanzania, Toto, Tru (e) man, Tex
U.
Ulysses, Uruma, Hurricane
V.
Viper, Vinny, Voyager
W.
Wolfgang Woody, Wrangler, Webster, Wally
Y.
Yellow, Yo-Yo
Z.
Zanzibar, Zeus, Ziggy, Zorro, Zucchero
Read More..
A.
B.
Bailey, Bandit, Banjo, Barbie, Barney, Baron, Baxter, Bran, Ben, Beethoven,
Bingo, Blacky, Bobo, Boomer, Buddweiser, Buster, Boogie, Bono, Bozo, Bubba, Benji, Bronson, Bullet, Buster, Bert, Biker, Bixby, Blogger, Boxer, Bronx, Buzz, Boss, Blue Blazer
C.
Champ, Charlie Chester, Corky, Casper, Chewingum, Colonel, Chico, Cookie Cruncher, Chopper, Cool White, Cowboy Cash, Caesar, Catcher, Chile
D.
Dudley, Digger, Duke, Dusty, Droopy, Dude, Dino, Diamonds, Diesel, Darcy, Demi, Dixie
E.
Elvis, Euphrates, Echo, Emy, Eritrea, Ebony, Emoticon, Espaniol, Esmeralda, Escobar
F.
Fang, Fancy, Pharaoh, Fido, Forza, Football, Frosty, Fuzzy, Freedom, Fredy, Frisby, Frodo, Fergie, Flipper
G.Gala, Ginny, Gypsy, Gyroscope, Gomez, Gonzo, Gordon Bleu, Goober, Gunner, Gus, Gizmo, Gump
H.
Homer, Harley, Hugo, Happy, Homeless, Hank, Harley, Hero, Hotshot, Hulk
I.
India, Iggy, Ishtar
J.
Jack, Jade, Jake, Jasper, Jingle, Junior Jumbo, Joker, Jerry Jumper, Junior, Jasmine
K.
Karate, Katiusha, Khan, King, Kiriakos, Krypto, Kia, Kilroy, Killer, Katie, Khaki
L.
Larissa, Leo, Lolita, Lucky, Lumumba
M.
Mickey, Milk, Monk, Mordoch, Mozart, Monty, Max, Mister,
Mojo, Money, Mercedes, Miranda, Millie
N.
Nick Nelson, Nicky, Neo, Newton, Norman, Norton, Nemo
O.
Oscar Ozzy Otto, Oromo, Orbit
P.
R.
Ranger, Rebel, Red, Rex, Rocky, Red Rover, Rufus, Rusty, Radar, Rin Tin Tin, Ringo, Romeo, Rio, Raja, Rednexr, Regis, rhumb, Rocket, Rolex, Rolo, Rugby
S.
Sam Salvatore, Sandy, Samson, Sandokan, Scooter, Scout, Shadow, Sirroco, Skeeter, Skippy, Smokey, Snikers, Sparky, Spencer, Spike, spunky, Stinky, Storm, Spock, Scooba, Sheik, Sergeant, Sinbad, Spanky
T.
Taffy, Tiny Tiger, Tango, Tank, Trouble, Tanzania, Toto, Tru (e) man, Tex
U.
Ulysses, Uruma, Hurricane
V.
Viper, Vinny, Voyager
W.
Wolfgang Woody, Wrangler, Webster, Wally
Y.
Yellow, Yo-Yo
Z.
Zanzibar, Zeus, Ziggy, Zorro, Zucchero
I know these two women. One has one baby and had one dog (Chihuahua) and insisted that she couldn’t take care of the dog because the baby was so time intensive. I’m not going to deny that babies are intensive, but she’s dealing with a Chihuahua which isn’t difficult. I think her problem was that the Chihuahua wasn’t trained well enough which would only be her own fault, of course. She claimed that the dog had tons of mistakes a day, but I don’t know how that’s even possible if you take the dog out at least a couple times a day. She said the dog was trained before she got the child, but mistakes following a big life change are very common, though more than one or two mistakes a day is unlikely.
Now the other woman has two babies and four dogs and a cat and I hear no complaints of her dogs having tons of mistakes and whatever else. I heard about her cat having mistakes but what I think is just she’s a different type of dog owner (the good type). Let me add that her four dogs are boxers, not something simple like a chihuahua or even cavalier king Charles spaniels.
I know having a baby isn’t easy at all, but the first woman only has *one* and she doesn’t do much of anything during the day but take care of the baby and sleep. She doesn’t do much cooking/cleaning because she doesn’t want to be domesticated so I just wonder how she spends her days and why it would’ve been that difficult to have a dog, too? Take the dog out every time the baby is asleep. It only takes about five minutes to take your dog out and since your baby wakes up like every 3-4 hours, that’s a perfect time frame for any dog.
In conclusion, this “unruly” dog lives with her inlaws where she can go in and out whenever she wants, which isn’t necessarily good for training at all.
Read More..
Now the other woman has two babies and four dogs and a cat and I hear no complaints of her dogs having tons of mistakes and whatever else. I heard about her cat having mistakes but what I think is just she’s a different type of dog owner (the good type). Let me add that her four dogs are boxers, not something simple like a chihuahua or even cavalier king Charles spaniels.
I know having a baby isn’t easy at all, but the first woman only has *one* and she doesn’t do much of anything during the day but take care of the baby and sleep. She doesn’t do much cooking/cleaning because she doesn’t want to be domesticated so I just wonder how she spends her days and why it would’ve been that difficult to have a dog, too? Take the dog out every time the baby is asleep. It only takes about five minutes to take your dog out and since your baby wakes up like every 3-4 hours, that’s a perfect time frame for any dog.
In conclusion, this “unruly” dog lives with her inlaws where she can go in and out whenever she wants, which isn’t necessarily good for training at all.
What if you show up at the train station as you have always done, allowing just enough time to buy train tickets for you and your dog from the self-service machine, validate, and board the train for your destination? Today, if you are not prepared, you will be in for a surprise. My recent personal experience can save us all some grief.
Be aware: There is a new law effective January 2011 regarding your pet traveling on the Italian trains. It isnt as simple as it once was. Tickets for your piccolo animale (small animal) are no longer available at the self-service machine. Now you must stand in line at the train station to buy your ticket or purchase your ticket from a travel agency. Why? Because the new law requires when you purchase your ticket that you show your dog registration certificate. What is a "dog registration certificate"? If you have residency or are a citizen of Italy, then the document you need is called "Certificato Iscrizione Anagrafe Canina." If you are a foreigner traveling from outside of Italy, your dog needs to have a dog passport. If you have one of these two documents, you will be able to take your dog along with you on your adventure. But you must remember to carry this document with you when you travel because, if you are asked to produce said document by the train conductor and you dont have it during travel, you will be in for an even ruder surprise. You will be fined, and you will have to get off the train at the next stop. Ouch! You are now informed, and hopefully this will not impact your travel plans.
Catch-22?
One. Mabel has her paperwork. Before traveling from the U.S. into the E.U., there is an extensive, bureaucratic process to go through before boarding the plane. The U.S. authorities told me with the documents that were issued to Mabel, she essentially has her E.U. passport and will be given one in Europe. In Italy, the authorities have told me that the U.S. is the governing body that issues the E.U. passport for animals. Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?
Two. If you yourself do not have residency, a permesso di soggiorno (permission to stay), or whatever documento (document) allows you to stay beyond the 90-day touristic period, you will not be permitted to register your beloved animal even though your animal has the required paperwork. Mamma mia!
A bit of general information regarding train travel with your dog
Let us assume you have either form of the dog registration certificate and are ready to travel.
Read More..
Be aware: There is a new law effective January 2011 regarding your pet traveling on the Italian trains. It isnt as simple as it once was. Tickets for your piccolo animale (small animal) are no longer available at the self-service machine. Now you must stand in line at the train station to buy your ticket or purchase your ticket from a travel agency. Why? Because the new law requires when you purchase your ticket that you show your dog registration certificate. What is a "dog registration certificate"? If you have residency or are a citizen of Italy, then the document you need is called "Certificato Iscrizione Anagrafe Canina." If you are a foreigner traveling from outside of Italy, your dog needs to have a dog passport. If you have one of these two documents, you will be able to take your dog along with you on your adventure. But you must remember to carry this document with you when you travel because, if you are asked to produce said document by the train conductor and you dont have it during travel, you will be in for an even ruder surprise. You will be fined, and you will have to get off the train at the next stop. Ouch! You are now informed, and hopefully this will not impact your travel plans.
Catch-22?
One. Mabel has her paperwork. Before traveling from the U.S. into the E.U., there is an extensive, bureaucratic process to go through before boarding the plane. The U.S. authorities told me with the documents that were issued to Mabel, she essentially has her E.U. passport and will be given one in Europe. In Italy, the authorities have told me that the U.S. is the governing body that issues the E.U. passport for animals. Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?
Two. If you yourself do not have residency, a permesso di soggiorno (permission to stay), or whatever documento (document) allows you to stay beyond the 90-day touristic period, you will not be permitted to register your beloved animal even though your animal has the required paperwork. Mamma mia!
A bit of general information regarding train travel with your dog
Let us assume you have either form of the dog registration certificate and are ready to travel.
- Be sure to carry it with you at all times
- Keep your dog on leash and carry your dogs muzzle. The law says the dog must wear the muzzle, but I have seen it enforced one time only. Be prepared by having it available should it become necessary
- A small cat, dog, or other animal in a cage no larger than 70x30x50 cm travels free
- Espressi (Express), IC, ICN, and Regional trains: a dog of any size with leash and muzzle may travel except between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
- Ticket for your dog is in second class and 50% of the adult ticket price
- EuroStar and AV fast trains: animal transport is not allowed without special cage container
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| Mishka meets an abandoned bear cub |
Humans have raised, bred and trained dogs to perform specific jobs for centuries. Canines have been used to guard flocks, homes and families, and to perform tricks to amuse us. There are even wildlife detection dogs. When we use the talents of dogs, it not only makes a job we have to do easier, it can also be the most effective way of taking care of a problem. A biologist working for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife decided to combat a bear problem by utilizing one of the most efficient solutions to wandering bears – the Karelian Bear Dog. With the help of this brave dog breed, wildlife is being saved, and people are better protected.
The Karelian Bear Dog (KBD) is a rare and ancient breed native to Finland. They were bred to hunt elk, lynx, cougar, deer, moose, boar and bear. This fearless dog is ready to fiercely fight to the death to protect his owner, if necessary. This isnt a breed that likes to share his human with other dogs, and is dog aggressive. Nor is this a breed for someone who doesnt know how to properly train and control a powerful dog.
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| Mishka is ready to go to work! |
The Karelian Bear Dog is a natural hunter with a high prey drive, picking up both air and ground scents. A medium sized dog, standing 19 to 23 inches and weighing 40 to 65 pounds, the KBD is independent, extremely loyal, tough and an intelligent guard dog. The Karelian Bear Dog has no problem standing up to large prey, and he will not back down.
Anytime wildlife officials can find nonlethal methods to deal with problem predators getting too close to where humans live, its a good thing for the environment, the animals and people. The KBD is capable of dealing with a Grizzly bear, but Washington State primary uses the dogs to control black bear. A pilot program in 2007 was set up with one dog, Mishka, and his handler, WDFW Officer Bruce Richards. It didnt take long for both of them to prove their worth by effectively dealing with complaints about problem bears.
The dogs are used to shepherd bear, an effective way of teaching predators to avoid humans. Three other dogs, Cash, Colter and Savute, have joined Mishka, and all four work to reduce human-bear encounters. After a bear has been captured, its released in a remote area in a “hard release.” The dogs approach a bear still in a cage, barking constantly. If the bear charges the door of the cage, the dogs stand their ground. Upon release, wildlife officers shoot beanbags at the bears behind, and fire blanks into the air to scare the predator as the dogs run after the animal as a warning to never return. The dogs are called back with whistles, otherwise they would continue chasing until the bear was treed.
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| Mishka on a "hard release" |
Officer Richards, with the help of Mishka and the other dogs in the program, has a success rate of around 80 percent in hard releases, which are designed to reintroduce a natural fear of humans in the bear. Through the Karelian Bear Dog program, Richards and other wildlife officers have also initiated a public education program to help people living in bear country understand how to prevent bears from coming into populated areas.
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| Cash trees a bear |
Theres no reason why humans and wildlife cant co-exist on the land. The Karelian Bear Dogs, and wildlife officials have found a way to deal with problem bears without using lethal force. The grizzly and black bear are an important part of the environment, keeping habitats healthy and strong. Using a dog born to stand up to a bear keeps the predator in his own backyard, and out of the backyards of residents.
Photos courtesy of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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