Qualifying For Success

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most basic and important dog training commands you can teach. With an active and younger dog or puppy, it can be especially difficult, but with patience and consistency, it doesn’t really have to be that hard to train your dog to heel.

The best time to practice teaching your dog to heel is before you’ve begun going on walks. Your dog is easily distracted out on the street and you will need his attention to properly teach the heel command. Also, you want to be in a patient and pleasant mood. Do not begin this, or any other dog training session, if you are angry or in a testy mood. You should not train your dog in an unkind or rough manner. Furthermore, it is best to teach the heel command after your dog knows his name and the “Sit” command.

You will want to limit the heel training session, as with other dog training sessions, especially for young puppies to about 10 or 15 minutes and to 2 or 3 times in a day. Make sure they’ve gone to the bathroom and have eaten and had some water. You want their full attention for this.

For this training session, you might want to use a dog training collar, but it is not necessary. In the backyard or garden put a lead on the dog, and keep him on your left side. Hold the leash in both hands, your right hand through the loop and your left hand holding the leash with your elbow by your side and out straight.

You want to keep your dog’s neck about even with your left leg, and as you begin to move that is the signal for the dog to begin walking. Your dog or puppy will initially not understand what to do and either try to run ahead or around. Simply make gentle corrections, say “Heel” and keep them on your left side. Try to keep the lead slack and if your dog begins to tug on it either stop or gently correct with the leash and stop moving. Do not pull your dog forward or yank the leash back violently. Continue moving only as your dog is on your left side. Try not to move if the leash becomes tight as this teaches them to tug and pull on it.

You will want to vary your direction and speed, turning in circles or doing figure eights. As your dog goes in the correct direction on your left side, remember to give lots of praise. You might use a dog training clicker or a treat, but try to keep your methods consistent with other dog training commands you use. Try to end the dog training session on a positive note with something the dog has done correctly, followed by lots of praise.

Dog Training HQ provides dog training articles and resources to help dog and puppy owners learn to train their pet effectively. Please visit http://www.dogtraininghq.com for more helpful dog training and puppy training advice.

New kittens can be very scared and shy at first. While some are gluttons for affections right from the get go, others may be more cautious and might shy away from you. Some might want to find a secluded corner or closet to hide in. If your new kitten is acting this way, don’t feel bad as this is not uncommon behavior. Here’s some things you can do to get your kitten used to interacting with humans.

1. Put the kitten in a small room where there are no hiding spots. Be aware that kittens can climb into very small spaces (I once had one climb in a cabinet hole nex to the dishwasher!). They should be in the room by themselves with no other pets. Start them off in a cage with enough room for them to run around a bit. Put a box in the cage to allow them to go into if they need to a little security. The cage can be partly covered with a blanket or towel to help them feel safer. Using a pheromone spray like Feliway at one spray per day will help too - just do not spray it around the litter box.

2. Remember that the kitten is a small scared animal and you need to act according to the animal world. This means that you should not stare in at the kitten. Staring is predatory behavior and will scare your kitten. When you look at him, make sure you blink a lot and turn your head often. Practice trying to touch the kitten after he has been in the cage a couple of days. If he is not receptive to your hand right away, try using something like a back scratcher to rub their fur. Attempt to move your hand down the back scratcher to get closer to the kitten as you try this.

3. Spend just a little time with the kitten at first and increase that time as the days go by. A kitten needs at least two hours per day of interaction time with you. One person should do this at first, probably for the first 5-7 days you have had the kitten. Then one or more other people can be added to help the kitten get used to being around more people. Use a toy in your hand to play with the kitten and get him used to being close to your hand. Move your hand closer to the kitten when you hold the toy until you can touch him. Giving the kitten a special food treat also helps them get used to you being close to them.

4. Playing a talk radio station softly can help the kitten get used to human voices.

5. After the kitten starts letting you touch him you can start to let him run around outside of the cage. You may take the litter box out of the cage now and put the litter box and food at opposite sides of the room. Spray the Feliway around the room now. Do not spray it near the litter box. Start playing with them by using toys they like such as newspaper balls and string toys. This play time will turn into them looking forward to your return to play more with them. Do not forget to touch occasionally and pet them during play time.

6. After a time, just sit in the room with the kittens and do what you want to - like read, watch TV or use your computer. This will help them get used to people that are not there just to pay attention to them. Then after a while, start to play with them. Try to bring in other people in the room with them more often and for at least 30 minutes at a time. The other people should try to play with the kittens and also try to pet them.

If you have a shy kitten, it’s important to make an effort to help him come out of his shell. If you do nothing, the kitten may never get used to people and grow up to be a cat that hides all the time.

Lee Dobbins writes for E Pet Center

where you can learn more about pets and caring for kittens and cats.

He will be there by your side, as your loving companion - he will offer you protection if ever the need arises. Pet dog owners in turn must know how to look after their pet dog, and be responsible for it. The dog’s needs are simple and easy to follow. When puppies come home they need lots of love and attention. They may stress a little at first, as this is probably the first time they are away from their mother and their littermates. It is important that you begin the process of socialization, generally integrating your new pet into your family and teaching it to relate to people and other animals through gentle play, interaction and having pleasant encounters with family friends and pets

A stress free environment for your puppy

Try and avoid sudden loud noises such as children screaming or doors slamming. Also limit the visitors your new puppy has - gradually allowing it to get used to more and more strange faces.

Provide a warm comfortable bed - or alternatively a cardboard box with many layers of newspaper and a washable blanket on top. Make sure your puppy will still fit into it as it grows. Place the puppy’s bed where you want it to sleep as an adult or grown dog - usually the best place would be a quiet, private corner. For the first few nights - settling period - a fluffy toy and a warm (not hot) water bottle placed beneath the bedding will help. The puppy may be noisy and stresses at night immediately after separation from its littermates. A low radio or ticking clock can help sooth it.

When the puppy is awake during the day - give it lots of body contact and talk to your puppy in a soft voice to express friendship and a gruff voice to express disapproval of any of its unwanted actions.

Keeping your puppy safe
The following are things to consider when preparing for the arrival of a new puppy. Lock away household and garden chemicals.- Make sure electrical cords are out of biting reach.

Be extra careful when using lawnmowers, skateboards, roller blades or any other similar thing.

Make sure the puppy cannot get thru’ any swimming pool fencing.

Teaching your puppy the house rules
The newest member of the ‘family pack’ must learn that you are the pack leader and that it is the bottom dog in the pack. Once the new puppy recognizes its place in the family hierarchy it will be happier and easily trained to obey commands. The puppy will look to its pack leader to protect it and make decisions for it.

Nutritional needs

It is best to start by feeding your puppy the same diet it ate before it joined your family. You can introduce any changes slowly over several days to avoid causing digestive upsets. Commercial puppy foods are recommended and later commercial adult food - a well balanced good quality dry food is essential. A constant supply of fresh clean water should be available. A deep stainless steel or earthenware bowl will keep the water cooler and in summer ice can be added to the water.

Play time with your Pet Dog

Puppies love to play and this helps them to grow and learn. In the early days when they play among their littermates, it gives them exercise and is the way in which they compete for their order in the pack. Don’t be rough with your puppy - but it’s also important in these early stages that your puppy learns that family members are dominant. Chewing helps puppies through teething - but it is also a way of investigating their environment. This need is easily satisfied with chewable objects and toys. Make sure they don’t resemble objects that you don’t want chewed, for example how does the puppy distinguish between his old shoe and all of the other shoes in the household?

Puppy Dog Potty Training

Anticipate toilet needs. Take your puppy outside as soon as it wakes up, as well as before and after every meal. Go right outside with your puppy - this is very important. Take it to a specific area of the garden and wait until it has finished - always praise the puppy afterwards.

The importance of Exercising your Pet Dog

A retractable leash is ideal for a puppy, in this way you can’t force the puppy to over exercise. Adult dogs also need exercise and play - walking a dog everyday is great, or play in the park with a ball or stick. If everyday is too hard to manage, try at least four times a week.

Grooming your Dog

Get your new dog used to being groomed, handled and examined as soon as possible. Your grooming equipment should include a dog brush and comb. Establish a daily routine where you examine your dogs mouth, teeth, eyes, ears, abdomen, paws and other parts of its anatomy, and although it may not need grooming do it anyway. If your dog is regularly groomed you will only need to wash it if it gets really dirty or smelly. It is best to use lukewarm water and give the dog a brush out first. Use a proper dog shampoo and dry it off with its own special dog towel, before it gets cold. Nails should be clipped as needed depending on the breed of the dog and the surface that the dog usually walks on. If it’s a hard surface they walk on the nails will wear down naturally. Special dog nail clippers are available - if you are not confident with this process ask your vet or a dog groomer to show you the process.

Following these simple steps will ensure you, your family and the newest edition to the family will have a happy, healthy and rewarding time together.
http://www.pet-library.com

(c) By Katharine Logan, 2005

Katharine Logan is the Pet-library.com content author and manager. She conducts research on specified subjects to help people with day to day issues. For more click here:
http://www.pet-library.com

Pets can often become an integral part of our everyday lives and
we cherish and appreciate the relationship that is forged over
the years together. That’s why the death of a loved pet can be
an important event in life. And there is certainly a grieving
process that one must go through to be able to carry on with
life after such a loss.

For some, the simple disposal of the body in burial is fine. But
for others, a more involved memorialization makes them feel
better. For instance, there are now pet cemetaries available to
be able to allow the pet owner to return and visit the grave for
many years after the pet’s death.

However, another custom that is gaining popularity in Western
countries is the cremation of their pet and storing the ashes in
a keepsake urn or even in an attractive piece of jewelry that
can be worn by the pet owner.

Cremation is a centuries old way of disposing of deceased
bodies. It’s history goes back almost as far as written records
allow. In ancient times, the cremation process was considered a
spiritual ritual that allowed the spirit of the deceased to be
released in an appropriate way and paved the way for it’s
journey to the next world.

Today though, we also are aware of the many health benefits of
cremation as it is an effective means of eliminating the spread
of disease through decay. The first approved crematorium was
opened in the US late in the nineteenth century, and today
crematoriums have become extremely popular. In fact, the process
can now be extended not only to human bodies but those of pets
as well.

There are plenty of appropriate receptacles for storing ashes in
a cremation urn, and when choosing just remember to select a
container that will be strong enough to remain intact in it’s
surroundings. If the urn will be used for burial of the ashes,
almost any kind of solid container will be fine, but if it is
used as a displayed keepsake, it will need to be strong and
sturdy enough to survive an unintended accident.

Whatever you choose though, cremation urns are a great way to
honor the memory of the pet that brought you so much joy.

————————————————————-

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics. You can find
out more about cremation
urns pets by visiting our All About Urns website.

Every day we are looking for ways to make our life better, this includes protecting our families, and also included is the family pet. This once wild animal has become a domesticated pet and also become an integral part of the modern family, and there are many laws devoted to stopping abuses to animals. What is lacking in the modern family is proving a means to recover the family pet, if they should ever become lost. Ensuring that a lost pet will be returned to its owners should be the number one priority when finding ways to improve our lives, because the loss of a family pet can be a very devastating time in our lives.

Luckily there are companies that provide services to increase the chances of recovering a family pet if they should ever become loss. One such company that combines the pet identification tag and the internet is RecoveryPets.Com, they provide a service that assigns the pet a unique tracking number, and a webpage on their site. This webpage includes a complete pet description, a photograph of the pet, and up to ten contact numbers or email addresses. So if the pet is found by a stranger, they can quickly identify the owner by entering the unique tracking number on the website, and the contact information will be displayed.

Because the pet is considered a family member, it is imperative that the owners take the precautions needed to ensure that their pet remains a part of the family. These should include providing adequate safeguards aimed at keeping the pet in a secure location, so that they will not be able to wander off by themselves. Proving identification devices that have up-to-date owner and contact information that enables finders of lost pets with the information needed to reunite them with their families.

The process involved is very simple, once the pet has been registered for the service, the registrant will receive a metal pet tag that contains the unique identification number, and the RecoveryPets.Com website address. If the pet should become loss the finder logs onto the website, and enters the unique id number, and the pet owners information will be displayed.

The company is making efforts to partner with organizations that deal with lost pets, including the Humane Society, S.P.C.A., and various pet shelter organizations. The goal is to provide a one stop location for these organization to go to when they have a lost pet with the RecoveryPets.Com identification tag on the collar. Organizations that would like to get involved in a partnership with the company can get in contact via email sent to partners@recoverypets.com.

If you are a pet owner and would like to get more information on the services provided by RecoveryPets.Com, or would like to register your pet for their service, you can visit their website at http://www.recoverypets.com

Thaddeus Collins is the owner of RecoveryPets.Com and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets using a unique tracking number. For more information visit http://www.recoverypets.com

Dogs are a fantastic edition to any family but like all youngsters they need training. If you do not train your puppy now it will take a serious amount of help from a training school to get him to be obedient later on. Puppies just like babies learn mostly in their early years and unfortunately will also pick up the bad habits also. Early attention will save you heartache later on and give you more quality time.

House Training:

Dogs has to go to the toilet, everybody has experienced a new puppy making a mess on the tiles or carpet, not a pleasant experience but one that allows you begin training. You should allow your dog out on regular intervals; he will learn that this is the time to go to the toilet. If he happens to go in the house let him know that this is wrong by using a familiar word such as “No” and put him in the yard for a few minutes. Do not hit your dog, by doing so you will only break his spirit and make him nervous of you and others. It can by very frustrating at times but words work better long term and hitting. Never ever put the dogs nose into his urine, so many people do this thinking it is a good way for the dog to learn his lesson but in actual fact all you are doing is burning the animals nose, this is equally as bad as hitting.

Furniture and your puppy:

Teething can be a bit of a nightmare but you can eliminate the damage caused by puppies to furniture in a number of different ways. Boredom is a common cause for dogs to get up to mischief. Make yourself available for about 20 minutes playtime per day (excluding walking). Playing ball in the yard is a great exercise for the dog and apart from exercise it bonds you and him together. Toys are ideal in the house and will occupy the dog, if there are no toys such as a chewy bone the dog will find other ways especially if you pop down for some shopping and leave him alone - the furniture will get it. Different types of sprays are available to spray on the furniture and can be very effective. Remember to change the toys around from time to time as the dog will become bored with the same toys month in month out.

Walking:

Starting your puppy on a lead can be comical. It will take some time for them to get used to being on the leash but once they do it will be no problem. A dog will try to pull you along as this is in their nature. Do not run with the dog as this is giving in and they will expect this all the time. Put the dog on a short leash (not to short) and it will discourage them from trying to dictate the pace. After a week or so both you and the dog will be at ease with one another on the walk. Remember to bring the doggy bag with you. Starting off expect the dog to be curious of other dogs and new surroundings. Do not drag him along on the lead as this is his time for enjoyment.

Feeding:

Your dog has a different intestinal setup to you. So many people feed their dogs the same type of food as they eat themselves along with the dog food. Obesity in animals is common place along with humans. Do not feed your dog chocolate or other sweet foods as this will only lead to bowl problems. Dog food is designed to give the dog all the nutrients he will need to live healthily. Dog treats are available; they do not need our junk food. Check with your local vet or seek advice online for the amount of food your dog should consume on a daily basis.

Dog Treats:

Dog treats should be used as an incentive for obedience. Training a dog can be hard work and patients are needed. Basic training such as the command to sit should be rewarded with a dog treat. The dog will begin to understand that this is a good behaviour move and will do it less reluctantly with time.

Remember dogs will obey you more lovingly if treated properly without hitting; simple words will work much better than smacking. Make time for your dog, leaving a dog out the back yard day and night is no life, do not get a dog into the house under pressure from children, it has to be a well thought out decision.

About the Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of
Pet Supplies which includes
Dog Training,
Pet Food,
and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your Pet interests.

1. Why do dogs eat their poop?

One reason dogs eat their poop is because it just plain tastes good. Another reason is it could be a vitamin deficiency. One other reason for the poop eating is that it is an instinctual behavior in the wild to eat the poop to keep other predators from tracking their movements. Some solutions for stopping poop eating are: You can put meat tenderizer on their food and it is supposed to make the poop taste bad once it goes through the body. Check to make sure your dog food is nutritous enough and they are getting everything they need in their diet. The best and most effective way is to clean up after your dog immediately.

2. How do I get my dogs to stop barking?

Dogs bark as a form of communication. Dogs will also bark out of boredom. Dogs that are not with their pack [you are their pack] will bark to get the packs attention to let them know they are lonely. Dogs will bark to alert that there is a person walking by or another dog in their territory it is a natural form of communication. If you remove the stimulant then there is no need to bark at it. The best way to stop nuisance barking is to exercise/socialize your dog. If the dog is with their pack then they is no need to get the packs attention. Dogs also
bark when they are excited it is their natural way of communication.

3. How do I get my dog to stop chewing up the furniture?

If you have a puppy it is probably teething and in some pain. The chewing is satiating to them and can possibly be soothing their gums. You can give them a cold carrot to chew on, make sure you give it to them outside it can get quite messy. You can also freeze chicken broth in ice cube trays for them to have to help relieve some of the discomfort.

You can also use Bitter Apple spray to detour them from chewing. Mature dogs usually chew out of boredom and stress. Exercise is the best way to release the stress. You can turn there attention on to something else that is more exciting then your dinning room table leg.

4. How do I get my dog to stop nipping and play-biting?

One way is to yelp very loud and startle the puppy. If the puppy was playing with another puppy and it bite to hard then the puppy would yelp to let them know it hurt. If the play stops as a result of biting too hard then the puppy will learn from being shunned away that biting stops the play time. Another solution for play biting is to have a toy and redirect the attention on to something else. You can also change the dogs environment take them outside for a walk is very helpful.

5. How do I stop my dog from potting in the house?

Once a dog start using the bathroom in the house the only method that works is PREVENTION. Every time your dog uses the bathroom in the house it takes 10 consecutively times using the bathroom outside that teaches it outside is where to go potty. So if you get to 9 times outside and then they have a mistake inside you have to start all over again. You must look at your dog/puppy as a 9 month old crawling baby with out a diaper on. Surely you would not let a 9 month old baby loose in your house with out a diaper on.

Susie Aga, Atlanta Dog Trainer

Susie is a Certified Canine Behavior & Training Specialist and a member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has four rescue dogs and donates much of her time and services to Rescue Organizations and hosts The Animal Hour Radio Show which can be heard through her site.