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%KEYWORD CAPS%, Feature Article 5 Surefire Ways to Show Your Dog You�re The Boss Author: Charlie Lafave Do you have problems at your house with who�s in charge? By that I mean, does your dog think he�s the boss? In your effort to form a stronger bond with your dog you may have inadvertently told him he�s the Leader of the Pack. Here are 5 simple and effective ways to correct that. You Must Be The Alpha Dog First, let�s take a look at what a �pack mentality� means. Dogs are born into packs � in the wild, packs are the essential social order. Unlike humans, who use a variety of political processes to determine leadership and rank, dogs sort out their social order by dominance and power. In a wolf pack, there is a Top Dog � a clear leader who is the dominant, Alpha male. He�s the Big Dog, with pride of place at the dinner table (well, if wolves had a dinner table!), first in mating, first in decision making for the pack. Whether you realize it or not, your dog views your household as his own personal wolf pack. The pack mentality is so engrained in your dog�s psyche that he will either view you as a leader - or a follower - depending on your actions. If you are to have a well-trained dog, you must establish that you are the leader, and he is the follower. Your dog has to know in his heart that you are the Alpha Dog, the Head Honcho, the Big Dog, the Top Dog � call it whatever you want, but your dog needs to know you�re in charge. Dogs are a little like children in one respect � they�re looking for someone else to be the leader � they want rules and regulations because that makes their role in the pack more clear-cut and understandable. It�s scary being the leader � if you�re not up to it, your dog may assume the role � because someone has to be in charge! If that�s what�s happened at your house, you need to re-establish your position as the Top Dog, or �Leader of the Pack.� But here�s an important note: being the leader of the pack has absolutely nothing to do with harsh punishment. It has everything to do with consistency and setting limits. A simple rule to remember (and one people have great difficulty keeping in mind) is that you are the leader, not your dog. 1. You Go Through The Door First Even something as straightforward as who walks through the door first can reinforce your position as �dominant dog.� Leaders lead. Followers follow. If you allow your dog to charge through the door ahead of you, he perceives that as asserting his dominance over you. Put your dog on the leash, and make sure you�re the first one through the door. 2. You Eat Before Your Dog Who gets fed first in your house � you or your dog? In a wolf pack, the leader eats first, and when he is done, the rest of the pack can dine. Do you feed your dog first because he pesters you when you�re cooking your dinner, and it�s simply more convenient to have him quiet and out of the way when you�re eating? Food is a powerful motivator that can be used to clearly demonstrate who is the ruler of the roost at your house. In no way, shape or form am I suggesting that you withhold food from your dog � that�s cruel and unusual punishment any way you look at it. What I am suggesting is that you control the timing of the food � you should eat first, your dog second, after you�re done with your meal. 3. Don�t Walk Around Your Dog Does your dog lie on the floor and expect you to walk around him? In the wild, dominant dogs lie wherever they want, and dogs lower in the social order go around so they don�t disturb the Big Dog. If you walk around your dog, he will assume this to be an act of submission on your part; therefore he must be the leader, not you. If your dog is lying in the middle of the hallway, or right in front of your easy chair, make him move. If he�s on the couch and you want to lie down, make him move. Don�t step over him. Just gently nudge him and make him get out of your way. You�re the Big Dog, remember? 4. You Determine When Your Dog Gets Attention Even asking for attention or affection can be seen as an act of dominance from your dog�s point of view. Dogs that demand attention are asserting dominance, so if your dog gets pushy, ignore him. When you�re ready to give him attention or affection or pet or play with him, ask him to sit first. Don�t run after him just so you can pet him. Make him come to you when you�re ready to give him attention, or play with him. And when you play with a toy, make sure that you end up with possession of the toy, and then put the toy away when you�re done. (Note: I�m not talking about his favorite toys that you leave in his crate. I�m talking about play toys that the two of you use for games.) 5. Don�t Let Your Dog Sleep In Your Bed This is a tough one for a lot of people, but when you let your dog share your bed, at best you�re making him an equal to you. He should have his own bed, either a dog pad or his crate that he feels comfortable in � you can even put the dog pad next to your bed if that makes both of you happier � but don�t let him take over the sleeping arrangements. Before you know it, he�ll be trying to make you sleep on the floor! Again, reinforcing or retraining your dog to recognize you as the Head Honcho has absolutely nothing to do with harsh discipline. These are changes you can make that will change the way your dog thinks about you. And making even small changes like these can have an enormous impact on the way your dog views the social hierarchy in your home � all without a harsh word being spoken! http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj About the Author Author, "Dog Training Secrets!" To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit: http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj PENDTAG ... Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Dog Training Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP 8 dog training tips for you and your dog. Author: Fayola Peters You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. fayolap@yahoo.com Dog Training Tips 8 dog training tips for you and your dog. By Fayola Peters Dog training requires simple persistence to be a successful and delightful experience for you and your dog. Here are 8 dog training tips to guide you along the way. 1. Dog Training Tips - Get your dog's attention Before you can start training your dog you first need to get its attention. You can do this by talking to him and offering him a small treat. 2. Dog Training Tips - Use the correct dog training supplies If you have a well behaved dog a six foot training lead and a regular buckle collar will do. However if you dog is uncontrollable you should use a training collar. For the right collar size measure the dogs' neck and add 2 inches. 3. Dog Training Tips - For safety in vehicles Before you introduce your dog to the inside of a moving vehicle you should teach him the 'down!' and 'stay!' commands. This ensures that he spends the ride on the floor of the vehicle. 4. Dog Training Tips - Elimination When your dog got to go it got to go. To prevent your dog from getting busy on the carpet you should train him to eliminate on command. 5. Dog Training Tips - Praise Always praise your dog when he learns a new command. 6. Dog Training Tips - Reprimand Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog is engaging in bad behavior, use the opportunity to teach him the 'stop!' or 'no!' command. Using the 'stay!' command can also be effective in these situations. 7. Dog Training Tips - Play with your dog This will help in building the bond between you and your dog. 8. Dog Training Tips - Do some dog training everyday Don't rush dog training. Teach your dog one command at a time and don't move on until he gets it. A little dog training everyday is all that's needed. Well that's it for my dog training tips. Enjoy training your dog and remember that it takes simple persistence. About the Author Fayola Peters is the webmaster of The-Dog-Training-Guide.com (http://www.the-dog-training-guide.com) ... Sunday, October 08, 2006 Dog Training Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Dog Too Spoiled To Walk On Leash Author: Adam G. Katz Dear Mr. Katz: I have a 4 month old female pup, AmStaff/Boxer (we think - she was a rescue). She responds well to all training, EXCEPT for walking and heeling. We've practiced the loose-leash "turning on a dime" technique described in your book and audio tape at length, but she refuses to cooperate. It's not a matter of distraction - when I attempt to train her in this style, she pulls back with all her strength. When the loose leash is snapped, she sits, paws braced, or lays down on her back. These responses are immediate. I've tried instantly righting her, and continuing the training, but she responds as above just as quickly. This can go on indefinitely. I've tried correcting her with a low "No," and praising her if she responds correctly for even an instant. I've tried using treats to get her to at least walk with me briefly...... all to no success. What else should I try? Thanks, Geoff Dear Geoff, It's a good question you've asked. First, you DO NOT want to work the dog around distractions at this point in the game. Second, you should not be telling the dog, "No!" and jerking the leash for this behavior. Instead, you need to simply glue the leash to your belt and keep walking. Now here's where your problem will arise: You've already inadvertently taught your dog that if she kicks and screams long enough (or rolls on her back and throws a tantrum)... that eventually you will stop walking and come to see what's wrong. The only problem is... NOTHING IS WRONG! It's like if I take you in a helicopter and drop you off in the middle of the desert and tell you that I'm going to leave you there, but will eventually come back and pick you up in half an hour (or 2 hours, or a whole day!!!) ... you will simply sit there and not attempt to remedy your situation, as you know that I'm coming back to pick you up. Eventually, this situation will end and I'll come back and your problems will be over. However, if I instead drop you off in the middle of the desert and tell you that I'm never coming back... then all of the sudden you're in a position where you MUST START TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO BETTER YOUR SITUATION. Maybe you start to look for some twigs you can start a smoke fire with, to draw the attention of an airplane overhead. Or perhaps you climb on top of a rock, to look for a nearby highway so that you can hitch hike to a nearby pay phone. But the point is... you start actively looking for a solution because you IMMEDIATELY REALIZE THAT YOUR SITUATION WILL NOT SIMPLY END BY ITSELF. And this is the same thing you need to teach your dog. And it's a lesson that will extend beyond this one exercise. Your dog must learn that just because she does not want to do something DOES NOT mean that you will give in and let her not do the exercise. BECAUSE THIS CREATES A SPOILED DOG. So... what should you do? The answer is really quite simple. Just keep walking. No matter how much the dog kicks and screams and throws a tantrum, remember: You're not asking her to do anything she cannot do if she chooses. We're asking her to SIMPLY WALK WITH YOU. Now, in light of everything you've already taught her (remember, every action you do teaches your dog something)... you may have to keep walking a quarter of a mile before she finally realizes that you're not stopping and that it's easier to walk alongside you than it is to be dragged on her rump. Trust me... it won't be a pretty scene for your neighbors to look out their window and see you dragging your dog on her rump down the street. But when you will be able to take that same dog out for a casual stroll later that evening, your neighbors will wonder if you didn't trade your dog in for a different one and will gasp at how well she walks alongside you on the leash. To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer! About the Author Author, �Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!� which you can read more about at: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq ... Dog Grooming Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Dog Grooming and Dog Care Author: Michele Elward Dog grooming is relatively simple for most dogs. I have a greyhound and spend about 5 minutes per day on dog grooming. For dogs that have short hair, they need to be brushed, maybe once per week. For dogs with long hair, the grooming is more time consuming. This is an important consideration when selecting a breed. Beyond regularly brushing your dog's coat and giving him or her periodic baths, you may want to consider a few other things. Certain dogs' nails grow faster than others and need to be clipped. It's not enough to walk your dog on the street in hopes that the nails will wear down. If the nails get too long, it could be uncomfortable for the dog and might make it difficult to walk. Either clip the dog's nails yourself, but be careful not to clip too much off, or go to your local groomer who will clip the nails for roughly $5. Lastly, think about cleaning your dog's ears every so often. Dust, dirt and wax can accumulate. Take a tissue and clean the ears, but don't go too deep. This is also a good idea if you see your dog scratching his or her ears or shaking his or her head. Lastly, a few dog breeds are predisposed to having poor teeth, e.g., greyhounds and whippets. Therefore, brushing the dog's teeth every other day is crucial. Otherwise, your dog might be uncomfortable and you may be facing some costly dental bills. My above comments are focused on basic grooming, but you have to make sure you are providing your dog proper nutrition and medicines as well. With medicines, don't forget to regularly get your dog inoculated - especially for rabies and don't forget to give him or her monthly heartworm pills - if you don't opt for a veterinary shot. http://thepetman.com/" target=_new>http://thepetman.com/ ... Saturday, October 07, 2006 Dog Training Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP DOG GOES BALLISTIC WHEN JOGGING WITH OWNER Author: Adam G. Katz Dear Adam: My dog, Chance, we think is a Golden retriever mix, but he's mostly white with gold patches. Also he's about 2/3 the size of a Golden Retriever. He's 18 months old and has been loose-leash trained pretty well as long as you don't let him get distracted. The thing I don't know how to handle is that some dogs that we meet when we're out jogging or walking, he goes ballistic. We have used a choke chain to train him, and it seemed to work well. But there is that occasional dog that we meet will get him so riled that he pulls, then spins, then pulls backwards, then jumps up and down, then spins again - all to get loose to go attack the other dog. What are my options? - Greg Dear Greg: My first question is: Why aren't you using a pinch collar? This is advocated ad nausea in the book� Furthermore, distractions should not be avoided. They should be actively sought after. Distractions make your dog better. They allow you to teach your dog that you are going to make him behave EVEN AROUND A DISTRACTION. My hunch is that he�s not listening to you because you�re using a choke chain collar and you�re not able to get a good correction. If you WERE getting a good correction, he wouldn�t be throwing a tantrum. He can�t be watching the other dog and watching you at the same time. If he has to worry about you sneaking off and getting caught at the end of the leash (where he gets a correction from the collar)� then he�s not going to have enough room in his brain left to think about going after the other dog. To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer! About the Author Author, �Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!� which you can read more about at: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq ... Dog Grooming Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Dog Ear Care - Keeping Your Dog's Ears Healthy & Pain Free Author: Teresa James, Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com Importance of Regular Home Dog Ear Care Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Performed between your regular checkups with the veterinarian, it will help keep your dog�s ears healthy and pain free. If you see signs of trouble you may be able to head them off before they require an extra visit to the vet. Excessive wax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive matting of hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against other objects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs of ear problems. Inspect Your Dog�s Ears Regularly By Using Your Eyes & Your Nose! By performing a home dog ear care inspection; you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. If you need help seeing inside your dog�s ears you may want to invest in a pet scope. A tool very similar to the kind your doctor uses to check your ears. Check for redness, excessive wax build up or any other foreign matter. Sniffing your dog�s ears is another way to detect problems early. Normally a dog�s ears shouldn�t smell foul in any way. If you see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears. If you�re new to this and are unsure have the vet check your dog�s ears. Right after the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health make sure you inspect your dog�s ears. This way you will learn how your pet�s ears should normally look and smell. Is Your Breed of Dog More Susceptible To Dog Ear Care Problems? Due to the warm, damp, and dark environment, as well as poor air circulation, your dog�s ear canal can be the prefect breeding ground for mites, yeast or bacterial infection. This is why, for certain breeds, home dog ear care is even more important. Some pets may require routine applications of dog ear care products to keep their ears free of mites, yeast or bacterial infections. Some dog�s ears stand straight up which allows for more air to flow into the ear canal. Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. This hair must be routinely removed as a prevention against chronic ear problems. If Excess Ear Hair Is A Dog Ear Care Problem Learn How To Remove It If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to pluck the hair that grows inside your dog�s ears. This is a routine dog ear care task that can be performed at home and is much easier then it sounds. You will want to apply dog ear powder to the inside of both ears. Make sure that the hair is completely covered, especially at the base. Once the powder has dried start plucking a few hairs at a time with your fingers or a tweezers. Plucking just a few hairs at a time will be less irritating for the dog. You may want to stop a few times to give your dog�s ears a good rub. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and a few dog treats too. Once all the inside hair has been removed, follow up by cleaning and inspecting the ears. If you are unsure about this dog ear care procedure, have your vet or a professional groomer show you how to do it. Things You Should Know About Cleaning Your Dog�s Ears Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dog�s ears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other home dog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If your dog has open sores it's best not to use the vinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation. If your dog is prone to ear infections you may want to use a pet ear care product that is specifically formulated to clean and dry up excess moisture in the ear canal. A dog ear wash containing Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the ear canal is an excellent choice. Tea Tree Oil�s natural antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties can help keep your dog�s ears problem free. It�s also a good idea to use a pet ear-drying agent after bathing or swimming especially if your dog's ears retain moisture and don't dry promptly. There are many good pet ear care products available for routine ear cleaning that will dissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. There are also home dog care treatments available that will kill pesky ear mites and ear ticks. A dog�s ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and it makes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum. Even though your dog�s eardrum is better protected than a human�s, you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything into the ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actually push dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handled properly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal. Start cleaning the external part of the ear by swabbing inside the earflaps and all around the gnarled area at the entrance of the ear canal. If you choose to use a cotton-tipped swab you will need a long type since a dog�s ear canal is much deeper than ours. If your dog will tolerate it, gently and carefully swab the inside of the ear canal. A much safer method is to fill the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution and gently massage the outer ear. After a few minutes allow your dog to shake his head to help clear the ear canal. If you�re using a commercial pet ear care product be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Make Ear Inspections An Important Part Of Your Home Dog Ear Care Routine Checking your dog�s ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dog�s ears need a cleaning don�t put it off. Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful for your dog and could even damage your dog�s hearing. About the Author Article courtesy of: href="http://www.dog-supplies-advisor.com/">Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com a website dedicated to providing dog care advice on a broad range of dog-related topics. Includes informative articles, frequently asked questions, recommendations, and href="http://www.dog-supplies-advisor.com/free-dog-ezine.html">Free Ezine. Copyright 2004 Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. ... Dog Breeding Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Dog Breeding Author: Mark Woodcock So you have a female pedigree dog with papers, you want to make some extra cash, so you think you'll go ahead and mate her with a stud so she'll breed and have some puppies. Not so easy! Proper breeding needs time, education, experience and of course money. Dog breeding does not make you money. If you are a good dog breeder, after postnatal care costs and proper veterinary care costs, there is little money left. Inexperienced dog breeders could end up with unwanted puppies which will just contribute to the growing dog overpopulation problem that exists. There are some 3 million plus unwanted dogs and cats in the United States, around 25 per cent of them are purebred. Of course there has to be some breeding, as without breeding we would have no puppies to grow into dogs. Good reasons to breed your bitch is to perpetuate good qualitities of certain breeds of dog and to perpetuate a specific breed. If you breed puppies which are in demand, then you will usually be able to find them good homes. You should consider several things first if you are seriously considering breeding. Is your bitch of a good quality to be bred? Does your bitch fit her breed standard? Have your bitch examined by a veterinarian for her suitability for pregnancy and therefore avoiding inheritable abnormalities. If your bitch can match up to these things and fits her breed standard, is healthy you may want to breed her to pass on her good traits. You should start by finding a reputable breeder to mentor your, attend dog shows and educate yourself by reading about breeding. You should also develop a good relationship with your veterinarian, one who could be called upon for any pregnancy and whelping problems you may encounter. Getting your bitch pregnant is not as simple as you may first think. You should choose a good stud dog, check out its pedigree. cycles also vary from breed to breed and individual to individual to the timing of mating is also crucial to ensure pregnancy and in some cases may have to be repeated if mated to early or too late in your bitches cycle. Some people assume that dogs don't have problems during pregnancy or whelping, in the case of purebred dogs that have been unnaturally selected, this is not the case and some breeds may be prone to complications. It is common during whelping to lose some puppies and therefore it is essential that you work along with your veterinarian to laern how to identify and handle any problems that may arise. Breeding is not a light undertaking, it's not just a hobby and does not always make you money like a business should. You should therefore take your time, you should have some money to invest along with plenty of energy. If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this live link to: http://www.1fleacontrol.com" target=_new>http://www.1fleacontrol.com ... Friday, October 06, 2006 Dog Breeding Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Designer Breeds: Will You Remember Me? Author: Steve Allison Designer dogs have been around for many decades already. A once underground movement towards better breeds is becoming big business for those willing to experiment with the creation of designer mix breed dogs. The designer dog club is spear headed by increasing numbers of celebrities and famous people are bringing their dogs into the limelight. And the picture is becoming increasingly bizarre. You have most likely heard about the Labradoodle, Puggle or the Maltipoo. The variations that breeders are coming up with are increasingly strange. Ever wondered what a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian would look like crossed? Your little Shih Pom would undoubtedly be tiny, cute and a loving companion � but what about all the various health risks that will become exaggerated with a cross such as this? The experimentation doesn't seem to have any limits either. What about a Puggle, Cock a Poo or Peke a Poo? Sound cute and adorable right? Shorkies, Pugaliers, Puggles, Schnoodles and English Boodles. Starting to sound like a bizarre nursery rhyme? It's unfortunately much more than a cute collection of ideas about dog breeding. It's becoming an increasing problem as pseudo registries and organizations start taking the place of the widely recognized and respected more established club. Unfortunately these fashionable dogs are all too often the result of exploitative breeding for profit. People who buy these designer dogs are often told it�s unique. Many of these dogs have a genetic make-up that cannot be reproduced again. You can be guaranteed that your dog is unique, so unique that he probably won't even resemble his parents or litter mates. And the wide range of health problems he might experience later in life will also be unique. Your Veterinarian won't have any prior list to consult when trying to diagnose your dog. Canine Medicine is tricky enough without adding the mix-breed wild card. If you buy a dog from an established breeding line you can be assured that your vet will have a long list of possible diseases that are common in the breed. If you own a designer dog you cannot be certain of any of the kinds of qualities that he will grow up with. This can be likened to Russian roulette with dogs. One bad gene somewhere along the line your dog might have picked up some aggression or equally feared qualities. If you have your heart set on a mixed breed dog then consider getting one at your local humane shelter; in reality you would be getting the same exact thing for a low few. Many of the fashionable mixes are now in pounds and shelters. Unfortunately with mixed breed dogs you can never tell what kinds of health or behavioral problems might surface later in life. You can make an educated guess as to what kinds of disorders your dog is genetically predisposed to. By looking at the most common ailments of each of the parents you might be able to work out what kinds of illnesses your dog is likely to get. Designer dogs are becoming more and more popular. One only needs to look at the amount of media attention these dogs are getting lately. Dogs have been subject to various fashions throughout the ages. It is almost certain that many of the changes are going to make a difference to dogs as we know them today. Who knows maybe one day nobody will even remember where the Puggle came from! Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu�s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide ... Dog Grooming Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Brushing Up On Dog Grooming Author: Margaret Svete, Ph.D. Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great outdoors a little too much? Here are some simple tips for helping your dog put her best paw forward. It all begins with the brushing: - Brush your dog regularly. Daily is best. Be sure to also brush against hair growth direction to check for fleas and ticks. - The right tools. For short-haired dogs, most groomers recommend stainless-steel combs because they slide through coats very easily. For medium to long haired dogs start with a slicker brush and then follow with a stainless steel comb. In hot months consider investing in a flea comb to make sure your dog has not become a flea hotel. To make your dog's coat really shine, finish with a soft bristle brush. - If your dog hates being brushed it sometimes helps to brush after play time. Start by brushing in the hair growth direction. When you are finished, reward your dog with a treat. Each day brush your dog a little longer. And if you are lucky, your dog may even begin to like being brushed. Now for the bath: - Brush your dog from head to toe making sure all mats are gone. For small dogs a sink works great. For medium to large dogs, a tub or shower works best. Use only warm water and a good shampoo made for dogs. People shampoo is too harsh and can irritate your dog's skin. Most groomers recommend working from the back end forward, lathering the head last. - Rinse, rinse, and rinse again to make sure you have removed all shampoo. - Short-haired dogs dry quickly and only need to be dried off with a towel. If your dog has long hair, you may need to brush him while he's drying to avoid tangles. The Grand Finale: - Finish by giving your dog a treat. - Then celebrate! You and your dog survived the bath, and you have a clean dog. Margaret Svete, best-selling author, television and radio personality, and dog rescuer helps dog owners discover easy dog care tips. Subscribe to the premiere dog care ezine, The Dog Enquirer, at http://www.allaboutdogcare.com " target=_new>http://www.allaboutdogcare.com ... Dog Training Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Body Language Before Dog Bites Author: Adam G. Katz Dear Adam: After catching up on doggy email, I've noticed your reference to submissive posture. Your book helped more than a professional trainer I hired for my adopted Golden. We went through biting and dominance issues. The problem I am having now is I still do not trust him 100%. When he bit there really wasn't any sign it was coming (that I noticed). Even now, the only sign that he doesn't like something is a lowered head and sometimes a low growl (the groomer told me this). This dog growls sometimes when he is happy. It is almost like someone taught him not to make any other noise in doors. Outside he will bark. I guess the big question is how do you read a dog's face, body, etc.? Thanks, Mark. Dear Mark: It's a tough situation you've got. You've really got to just pay close attention to the dog at any time you suspect she may display the aggression. The most common indicators that I used when working with clients who had aggressive dogs was to watch: 1. The mouth. A dog will always pull has mouth closed tight just before he bites. 2. Body language. The dog's body language will get stiff and still just before he bites. Especially watch the stillness. It's very subtle, but at the same time very noticeable once you train your eye to look for it. There are other things that you could look for depending on the dog and the type of aggression. However, you need to recognize that there are ALWAYS cues... it's just a matter of whether we are quick enough (or aware enough) to catch them. To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer! About the Author Author, �Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!� which you can read more about at: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq ... Thursday, October 05, 2006 Dog Training Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Beginner Tips For Dog Training Author: Adam G. Katz 1. What age should I start using the prong collar? [Adam replies: ] Generally speaking, at about four months of age� when you see the adult teeth begin to come in. 2. What should I be teaching, obedience wise, with 8 month puppy? [Adam replies: ] At eight months of age, there really isn�t ANYTHING you can�t teach the dog, obedience-wise. 3. When you say pop, when teaching the down command,do you mean I should pop the prong collar? So for example if the dog gets up from down/stay position and walk away, you said to say NO, pop the leash, then say NO all the way back to manhole, then pop the leash again? Do you mean to pop the prong or to guide him into down/stay position? [Adam replies: ] When I say �pop� I mean to tug on the leash. Make sure you�re starting and ending with slack. So, you say, �No!� then go to the dog and give a pop on the leash, then walk him back to the spot and reissue the �down� command� and then �pop� downward (or to the side) on the leash and put him back into the down position. 5. What's the difference between obedience training and sport training (i.e. Schutzhund)? Why do they say you shouldn't train your dog in obedience if you want him to be in Schutzhund? (I just want to know for my own knowledge) [Adam replies: ] Schutzhund is a dog sport the incorporates an obedience routine, as well as a protection and tracking routine. The obedience exercises are mostly route exercises, and are not trained in a street-smart context. As for why you supposedly shouldn't train your dog in obedience if you want him to be in Schutzhund� this is a myth. Some macho types will consistently over-correct their dog in the obedience phase� and this will kill drive. But anyone with even a shred of common sense will avoid this predicament. 6. What do you think of raw diets for dogs? Worth it?? [Adam replies: ] Not worth it. Feed the dog a high quality dog food and your dog will be fine. 7. What order should I teach the dog the commands?(first sit, then down then come?? How should I do it?) [Adam replies: ] I like to teach the �Walk on a loose leash� exercise first, followed by the curb/street/boundary training, as this teaches the dog what a correction is (if he doesn�t know already). Then you can teach exercises in any order you wish. To be honest, the order of basic exercises is largely irrelevant. It DOES become relevant in later training, when you begin chaining behaviors together, such as �Go to the fridge, open door, retrieve beer, then close door.� 8. To teach the dog to not run out of the house, when I slam the door I'm afraid it is going slam on him too hard and hurt him. How do I go about doing it? Do I shut it softly or will he be fast enough to stop? [Adam replies: ] You�re thinking too much. Just slam the door shut. Assuming it�s not a toy breed, it�s not going to kill him. If it is a toy breed, keep your hand on the door and guide it shut. The idea is that the door slams on the dog� not to injure the dog, but to be uncomfortable so that he waits and watches you for the �release� command before walking through. You are the alpha dog. You walk through first. It is your job to make sure it�s safe for him to leave the property, and he needs to look to you for the �It�s Okay� cue. If you don�t give the �A-okay� cue� then bad things could happen. Like the door suddenly slamming shut. Ever sit on a dirty chair and ruin a clean pair of slacks? Once it happens to you, you�ll always check first. It�s the same concept with the dog. To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer! About the Author Author, �Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!� which you can read more about at: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq ... Dog Breeding Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP Before You Decide To Breed Pit Bull Puppies: Dog Breeding Advice Author: Tim Amherst - If you are contemplating breeding Pit Bull puppies, it is important that you take the steps necessary to become a responsible breeder. There is more to being a breeder than just creating puppies. It is important to be a breeder that really cares for the dogs, not just one that is doing it only for monetary purposes. You should always have the best interest of your Pit Bulls at heart. Before considering breeding any dog, it is imperative that it be up to date on all vaccinations, and should have a full physical exam to diagnose and treat any potential medical problems. You want the breeding dogs to be in the best health possible to ensure that the pups will be equally healthy. You should also ensure routine medical exams throughout the pregnancy and after delivery. It is important not to over breed the dogs, to give them a break between litters. Health tends to decline with higher numbers of pregnancies. Part of being a responsible breeder is ensuring the safety of the Pit Bulls you breed. You should always be certain you are sending your animals to a loving caring home. Try to find out about the buyers lifestyle to determine if they will have time to pay adequate attention to the Pit Bull puppy, and that it will be a good fit with children or animals already in the household. Be certain that the person purchasing the Pit Bull is knowledgeable on how to care for it, training, exercise, feeding, etc. In the event the buyer isn�t familiar with how to care of the dog, or has questions, you should be more than willing to help, or recommend her to resources that can. Inform the buyer of the specific needs of the dog, so that they can be prepared before taking the Pit Bull puppy home. Be up front about any suspected health problems, or any hereditary issues. Advise that all Pit Bulls need preventative care and vaccinations, and that they should obtain a good veterinarian to do this. Also, give any grooming or special care information as needed. Caring breeders should be willing to help in any way necessary, even years after the dog has been purchased. Advise the buyer of how they can reach you if there is any problem with the Pit Bull puppy, or if they have any questions. It is important to inform potential buyers about the aggressive nature that most Pit Bulls tend to have. Let them know that they are dogs that require a lot of love, attention, and training in order to thrive. Most of all, love the animals that you breed. Yes, you may make money from selling your Pit Bull puppies, but in the end, it is about matching loving pet with loving owner. That is your ultimate responsibility as a Pit Bull breeder. Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com To learn all about American Pitbull Terriers and training a Pitbull, visit www.pitbullsrevealed.com/ today. ... Wednesday, October 04, 2006 Dog Training Back To Snippet Back To SITEMAP 8 dog training tips for you and your dog. Author: Fayola Peters You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. fayolap@yahoo.com Dog Training Tips 8 dog training tips for you and your dog. By Fayola Peters Dog training requires simple persistence to be a successful and delightful experience for you and your dog. Here are 8 dog training tips to guide you along the way. 1. Dog Training Tips - Get your dog's attention Before you can start training your dog you first need to get its attention. You can do this by talking to him and offering him a small treat. 2. Dog Training Tips - Use the correct dog training supplies If you have a well behaved dog a six foot training lead and a regular buckle collar will do. However if you dog is uncontrollable you should use a training collar. For the right collar size measure the dogs' neck and add 2 inches. 3. Dog Training Tips - For safety in vehicles Before you introduce your dog to the inside of a moving vehicle you should teach him the 'down!' and 'stay!' commands. This ensures that he spends the ride on the floor of the vehicle. 4. Dog Training Tips - Elimination When your dog got to go it got to go. To prevent your dog from getting busy on the carpet you should train him to eliminate on command. 5. Dog Training Tips - Praise Always praise your dog when he learns a new command. 6. Dog Training Tips - Reprimand Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog is engaging in bad behavior, use the opportunity to teach him the 'stop!' or 'no!' command. Using the 'stay!' command can also be effective in these situations. 7. Dog Training Tips - Play with your dog This will help in building the bond between you and your dog. 8. Dog Training Tips - Do some dog training everyday Don't rush dog training. Teach your dog one command at a time and don't move on until he gets it. A little dog training everyday is all that's needed. Well that's it for my dog training tips. Enjoy training your dog and remember that it takes simple persistence. About the Author Fayola Peters is the webmaster of The-Dog-Training-Guide.com (http://www.the-dog-training-guide.com) ... 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