Archive for April 2009


Puppy Barking is Puppy Communication

April 30th, 2009 — 05:31 am

Puppy barking is totally normal for dogs. Be prepared for puppy barking, whining and howling when you bring them home as it is what they do! If you own a dog, you realize that it is inevitable that there will be times when your dog will bark, whine and howl. It would be totally impossible and unfair to wish to train your puppy to stop barking at all. It is best for all, including your dog, if the barking can be controlled.

Here are the Reasons for Why Barking Begins

Dogs that do not get a lot of socializing or that are spending most of their time alone need something to do to spend all that saved up energy. A dog who is alone all day is more likely to take up barking as a hobby because there is nobody to control him and make him stop. Pretty soon, barking will become an enjoyable habit for him or her. Many dogs, once they start barking, do it because they think it’s fun and enjoyable.  

Unintentionally, you may have trained your dog to bark excessively. When your dog speaks, you go up and obey. They bark and you let them out.  Then they bark and you let them in. If he barks, he gets his tummy rubbed; therefore, barking is a behavior that is rewarded. A puppy gets attention from you by barking.  For this reason, it is easy for barking to become a habit.  After all, the puppy wants your attention, and if he barks, he gets your attention. And sometimes, it is very easy to forget to provide positive reinforcement such as praises and treats for your dog when they are not barking.

Puppy Barking and Exercises

If you want to reduce the amount your puppy barks and give yourself, your household, and your neighbors a little peace, it is important that you understand why your puppy barks.  Usually a puppy will bark because it is afraid, bored, lonely, or frustrated. These entire situations can be eased and improved when you spend more time with your puppy. While you are away, a puppy will generally spend most of the day sleeping as long as it is content and well-exercised. Try to take the time to give your puppy exercise, playtime, and proper training.

Puppy obedience training is as tiresome a mental exercise for dogs as it is for humans. Most puppies and dogs enjoy, wild rapid paced and exciting games such as “come here,” “sit,” “stay,” “heel,” but you can make it more rewarding by saying come here for a hug, a massage and other praise and treats. Try to think of new training ideas for your puppy so it won’t get bored.

Dogs that live in a backyard also need some socializing time. Puppy barking will lessen if you walk them around your neighborhood. Puppies find daily walks an adventure because of all the exciting sounds and smells they can investigate when they are outdoors. Dogs and puppies will run around outside and have fun, but this is not necessarily exercise. What they are doing is equivalent to the human’s pacing and fidgeting as well as other nervous activities. Be sure your dog or puppy has something to do to keep busy. Puppies love to have chew toys for puppy biting, and big dogs enjoy a digging pit.

Dogs, like humans, are naturally social animals. Dogs are much like their human owners in that they enjoy companionship. Take your dog to a dog park daily or weekly and let them mingle with the other dogs. Romping, playing, and dog training together all day will tire them out easily and will help them sleep happily while recovering from the hard play and great exercise session.

Comment » | Dogs

Going Through an Animal Rescue Group

April 29th, 2009 — 06:03 pm
pet rescue
Animal rescue organizations or groups offer you a great place to get your next family pet. These groups are all different, but they do have common goals. These groups work hard to locate a permanent loving home for unwanted or misplaced cats and dogs. Many of these rescue groups rely on volunteers and donations to care for these pets while they are between homes.

When you begin looking for a rescue group to work with, you will find that most of these groups do rely on their hard working volunteers and support from the local community to operate. You will also find a wide variety of animals available through these rescue groups. Many of these groups handle all types of animals and you will find kittens, puppies, and even older pets available for adoption. You might be surprised to learn that some groups even offer exotic pets such as reptiles, pot bellied pigs and even guinea pigs.

As you begin looking at pets available through rescue groups, keep in mind some of these animals have had very hard lives. You may find a dog that was abused by its owner. You may find a female cat that has just given birth. Their owners have relinquished many of the animals offered by rescue groups because they are moving or can no longer care for them. In addition, some of these groups take animals that live in kill shelters or as strays living on the streets. Some programs also offer spay and neuter release program for feral cats.

Rescue groups do a good job of screening animals before adopting them out to new homes. They also screen potential pet owners. IF you find a pet offered through a pet rescue group, you will be asked to sign a contract saying that you agree to care for the pet long term. You will also be asked several questions about your home, your children and other pets you may have. This is not to be nosey-it is simply to help match an owner with the right pet. If the animal suffers from a medical condition, such as diabetes, the new owners know this up front before adopting. Having the animal’s health history at the time of adoption helps the animal find a permanent home.

You can gain a lot of personal satisfaction by adopting your next pet through an animal rescue organization. You know you have done something to help and your new pet will show its appreciation. If you are interested in adopting through one of the many rescue organization, it is easy to find one in your area. Your vet can give you the contact information for organizations near you. Most of the time, these pets are kept in private homes (foster homes) until they are adopted. This gives the animal time to be socialized with other pets, children and time to get used to living in a home. Sometimes, animal rescue groups will bring their animals that need homes to pet stores or other locations for interested people to see and meet the animals on certain weekends.

When you choose a pet in a rescue program, be prepared to go through an interview and application process. The organization wants to know these pets will be well cared for the long term. You will probably be asked about other pets you may have, the age of your children, the size of your yard and your thoughts on a cat with claws if you are looking at a cat. This is to help match the pet with the right owner. Adoption fees vary by each organization, but you can expect to pay $100-$200 for a rescued animal. These groups do not make a profit. These fees cover the cost of the animal while it was in the care of the organization. This adoption fee usually covers vaccinations, medical exams, spaying, and neutering.

Getting your next pet through an animal rescue organization is a responsible way to get your next family member. You can also find many volunteer opportunities through these organizations.



By: Jay Schindler

About the Author:

To read about tiger facts and cat facts, visit the Animals Facts site.



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2 comments » | Pets

What are Mixed Dog Breeds

April 29th, 2009 — 05:05 pm
dog rescue
start let me just declare my view which is that a mixed breed dog can be a wonderful addition to a family. They typically cost much less than the purebreds, and they are usually unique and delightful dogs.

A mixed breed dog is what is commonly known as the mongrel, mutt, or sometimes and rather unkindly I have to say ‘the Heinz 57’. The mutt is in fact a mixture of several dogs and qualifies when bred with more than 2 different breeds in it, otherwise they are called cross-breeds. If you are wondering whether your dog is a purebred you can work on the basis that unless the dog has registration papers, it is safe to assume that the dog is a mixed breed. Even mixed breeds can closely resemble a purebred.

So, it follows that mixed-breed dogs vary enormously in size, shape, color and personality, making them almost impossible to classify physically. Historically, all purebred dogs have been selected from a mixed-breed population way back in time…

As we have just said mixed-breed dogs can be any size, weight, or colour, but some colors are more common than others. No matter what their parents\’ colors were, mixed breeds are often a light-to-medium brown or black, frequently with a white chest and other white markings. Mixed-breed dogs, however, don’t classify except according to height; there is tremendous variation in physical traits such as coat, skeletal structure, gait, ear set, eye shape and color, and so on. When conformation standards are applied to mixed-breed dogs, such as in events run by the MBDCA, the standards are usually general traits of health, soundness of nature, symmetry, and personality.

Anyone who appreciates how genetics works will understand that mixed-breed dogs are more genetically diverse than their pure bred cousins, due to the more haphazard nature of their parents\’ mating. Happily also, as would have been predicted by Darwin, he offspring of such matings are less likely to express certain genetic disorders because there is a decreased chance that both parents carry the same detrimental recessive alleles.

Purebred dogs are those dogs which are the recognized breeds of the national kennel clubs (for example the American Kennel Club, and the UK Kennel Club), and are of course, more predictable as their personality traits and health issues are more predictable and for certain breeds which have developed a bad reputation are well known.

Purebreds may be less hardy than mixed breeds, both physically and often emotionally, as a result of inbreeding. Inbreeding has become a big issue especially in the UK where Crufts will not be screened by the BBC this year due to a feeling that not all that absolutely could be done to preserve and enhance pure bred genes is being done by the UK Kennel Club.

Purebred dogs will also have to some extent a predictable temperament, if you are looking for a friendly dog with lots of energy then choose a breed which is known for this character trait. That had to be by far the best way to buy a puppy which will result in an adult dog with those traits.

On the downside when you compare the mutt with the purebred recognized breed, the purebred dog is generally more prone to disease and ailments than the mixed breed. This is mainly as we have earlier indicated down to genetics in the breeding. Mixed dog breeding however results in a good deal of the overpopulation among dogs, and most of the dogs you will see looking for owners in any dog rescue centre will normally be the mixed breeds. Each year, millions of homeless pets are killed, and by your choosing to re-home a mixed breed dog you would be taking an animal which is much less likely to gain a new home than a purebred in the next dog pen.

By: Steve Evans

About the Author:

Steve Evans is a dog lover who writes frequently on dog breeds and great subjects such as mixed breeds of dog. He also runs the very active blog site with subjects like the included.



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Comment » | Pets

Puppy Training With Patience

April 29th, 2009 — 02:35 am
puppy training
You can start training your puppy as early as 8 weeks of age. The earlier you start, the more quickly your puppy will adapt to the approach and soon will begin to respond to your command. When you take on the task of puppy training, keep in mind that puppies are full of energy and they are just learning how to act. This means that training may take some time and a little extra patience on your part, but your puppy will thank you for it.

When they are little, pups love to chew on anything and this includes your shoe or pants leg. If you want to deter this action, gently push down on your puppy’s backside and say “no”. Your puppy will soon learn that this is not acceptable and will mature into a dog that knows not to roughhouse with you.

All puppies love to play and it’s important that you spend time with them and enjoy their cute little habits and hilarious actions. While playing, it’s important to realize that the way you interact with your puppy now will have an impact on how he/she behaves with you in later years. Never play in a way that would make your puppy want to compete with humans for an object, such as tugging on a rope, which teaches your puppy aggression. Instead, playing fetch or letting your puppy chase you will be a fun way of puppy training that will show your pet how to play with people and not against them.

Some forms of puppy training can be a lot of fun, such as teaching your pet to ride in a car. If you are like some people, leaving your pet at home is just not an option. When your puppy reaches maturity, it may be a struggle to get him/her into the vehicle unless they are already familiar with the process. Most dogs behave well when riding in an automobile, but it may be a good idea to place them in a special seatbelt designed for pets just incase they become overly curious. If you practice this type of puppy training when your four-legged friend is young, he/she will be eager to jump in the car and go for a ride at anytime. This will be especially helpful during visits to the veterinarian. Otherwise, you may end up having to hoist a very large dog up into your vehicle simply because he/she is afraid and unfamiliar with the joy of a car trip.

When puppy training your furry little friend, it’s important to maintain patience and never yell at your pup. He/she very much wants to make you happy and, in order to accomplish this, they must be taught how to understand and respond to your instruction. It is also important that your puppy not be subjected to physical discipline, which may result in harm or fear. Puppy training will take both time and patience, but the end result will be a well-behaved dog that anyone will be glad to be near.

Additional information on puppy training can be found in published books, programs and videos. The best way to decide which one is right for you and you puppy is to read product reviews and compare prices to find the perfect puppy training guide.



By: Brian Dolezal

About the Author:

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com, a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top dog training programs compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.



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Comment » | Pets

How can I make sure my cats and dogs get along OK?

April 28th, 2009 — 05:15 pm
puppy rescue
Rover asked:


I have a young kitten (been in the house for a month now) and will be getting a young rescue puppy on Wednesday of a similar age to the kitten.

How can I make sure, if at all, they grow up together without trying to kill one another? Thanks!

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5 comments » | Other - Pets

pug puppys/ min. pinscher breeders/rescue dogs near lincolnshire?

April 28th, 2009 — 04:26 am
puppy rescue
meow22 asked:


I would really like a puppy or rescue dog, really dont mind which one, of a pug or min. pinscher…
If anyone knows of someone planning a litter or knows of any rescue dogs needing a home, please can you *** there info on to me please!! I live in lincolnshire but am willing to travel pretty much all over the uk for one…

I have been waiting 4yrs to get one of these lovely dogs, and now I have finished my trainingand have a decent job I can get one!!!

thanks
Im very experienced with both small breeds and large breeds….. I have had a pickenese, chow chow, and lately a st bernard, I am very well aware of the bad pasts some dogs can have, but thats the past and I am fully able to accept a dog with such a past and give it an amazing future….. and nower days as long as you have experience of a similar sized dog and pass the home check then rescue centers are happy to let you adopt one…
please just infomation if you know of anyone who can help me.. thanks!
yes i am very aware of there needs and life styles, and both suit me fine thanks!!! I know alot about the breeds and am not going in to this lightly..!!!!

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4 comments » | Dogs

any toilet training tips for my puppy?

April 27th, 2009 — 07:24 am
puppy training
michelle1.bruce@btinternet.com asked:


i have a 20 week old yellow lab and having difficultly in tiolet training him anyone got any tips ?

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17 comments » | Dogs

The SitStayFetch Download – A Product Review

April 26th, 2009 — 03:13 am

Sit Stay Fetch (Daniel Stevens SitStayFetch) Testimonial from New Zealand

This package (Sit Stay Fetch) has dog obedience and dog training guides within it, but the main thing you get is the eBook – which can be downloaded as soon as you buy sit stay fetch. You can also print out the eBook (see Product Specs).

>> View Official SitStayFetch Report

Daniel Stevens (the Sit Stay Fetch Author) wrote this book to be a simple guide and system for anyone to learn (even complete beginers) how to train their dogs properly or change behavior problems. He is also a professional dog trainer.

Sit Stay Fetch is full of information that helps the dog owner: resolve more than 25 obedience problems including:
peeing and dog house training, dog barking, fighting with other dogs, dog biting, and jumping up among many others. It also contains a step by step guide to learn how to properly train your dog.

The Sit Stay Fetch eBook has included in its contents many pictures which assist the reader to easily visualize the necessary training methods and techniques. It is also filled with tips on the training of your dog to command prompts or word commands of any type. There is a guarantee of 2 months for Sit Stay Fetch in addition to the inclusion of 4 bonuses.

Company Information

Kingdom of Pets are a network of trainers, behaviorists and veterinarians who have set out to address the needs and solve pet owners problems, so that you can get the most out of your relationship with your pet.

The Sit Stay Fetch training resources are easily available online and are often readily available for immediate download. The company has vast resources on these subject areas as well as the general well being of your pet.

>> View Official Sit Stay Fetch Report

Product Specifications

Www sitstayfetch com is a great sit as on this site you can download the Sit Stay Fetch eBook. This book is a digital copy readable from your computer after download. On download you can read or print the book. All the information provided will enable you to train your pet and correct behavioral problems. This will lead to a better behaved pet.

The eBook file is approximately 450Kb in size. Sit Stay Fetch is over 250 pages long and in full color.

Besides the main e-book there are 7 bonus ebooks that you get with your order:

  • The House Training Book
  • The Dog Grooming Book
  • The Security Training Book
  • The Alpha Dog Book
  • A Quick Guide to Dog Aggression
  • 180 Gourmet Recipes
  • Dog Community Forum (for questions/answers and networking with other dog owners)
  • Top 20 Consultations

There are 8 ebooks available for download and you can get the audio version of SitStayFetch as well. This will enable you to make an audio copy of the book that you can listen to on the way to work or while walking the dog via a CD player or other MP3 device. SitStayFetch reviews received have been great for both the eBook and the audio version.

As a perk the Sit Stay Fetch site includes a free consultation for use by pet owners needing help with a particular issue with their pets. This can include assistance with puppy biting training as well as any other problems. The problem is posted to the Forum and answered by the team in this section so others can benefit from the advice provided as well.

Review Conclusion

There are many Dog Training programs and courses on the Internet, and we have reviewed most of them, however this one really does stand out as one of the best (at least top 2%). It really does have a rounded Dog Training package, and tackles the major obedience problems that people have – considering the resources and information contained within.

View a complete industry report on: Sit Stay Fetch.

Comment » | Dogs

Does anyone know a cheap puppy training class within london?

April 26th, 2009 — 01:46 am
puppy training
db. asked:


I Live in willesden green but am willing to travel… Have three pomeranian pups that would like to go. Please help!

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5 comments » | Dogs

Dog training. I’ve just got a puppy (2 months old) and I’d really appreciate some tips on training her.

April 25th, 2009 — 05:20 am
puppy training
Buripuk asked:


What is the best way to train her not to go to the toilet indoors and how old should she be when I start to train her to sit, lay down etc…

Also any other tips or websites I’d really appreciate also.

Thanks in advance.

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13 comments » | Dogs

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