In our last blog we looked at how to manage your dogs behavior while out on your walks, specifically what techniques to use to prevent pulling and jumping towards strangers or other dogs. Once you are managing your walks, it’s time to start training. You are going to begin at home, with no distractions and gradually move to harder and harder situations.
You are going to work on 3 concepts: keeping focus on you, loose leash walking, and sit to greet or leave it.
If your dog can master these 3 training skills, she will be a polite walker regardless of.........
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One of the great things about your relationship with your dog is their ability to communicate with you. Just as we can form sentences and change the pitch of our voice to mean different things, your dog too can change her bark depending on what she's trying to tell you.
K9 Magazine recently described the Top 10 Barks and what they mean. You’ll find a summary below.....
View full article →The dog is one of the most popular pets in the world. It ordinarily remains loyal to a considerate master, and because of this the dog has been called man's best friend. Class distinctions between people have no part in a dog's life. It can be a faithful companion to either rich or poor.
Dogs have been domesticated for most of human history and have thus endeared themselves to many over the years. Stories have been told about brave dogs that served admirably in war or that risked their lives to save persons in danger. When Pompeii--the Roman community destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79--was finally excavated, researchers found evidence of a dog lying across a child, apparently trying to protect the youngster.
A dog fits easily into family life. It thrives on praise and affection. When a master tells a dog that it is good, the animal happily wags its tail. But when a master scolds a dog, it skulks away with a sheepish look and with its tail tucked between its legs.
People in the city as well as those in other areas can enjoy a dog. Medium-size or small dogs are best suited for the confines of the city. Large dogs need considerable exercise over a large area.
When a person decides to own a dog, he or she should be prepared to care for it properly. For a dog to stay healthy it must be correctly fed and adequately groomed, and its medical needs must be met. For a dog to be well-mannered it must be properly trained. It should never be ill-treated or mishandled. Otherwise, it will bite in its own defense.
The wild ancestors of all dogs were hunters. Wolves and other wild relatives of the dog still hunt in packs for their food. Dogs have retained the urge to be with the pack. This is why they do not like to be left alone for long. Some breeds of dogs still retain the hunting instinct.
Dogs exist in a wide range of sizes, colors, and temperaments. Some, such as the Doberman pinscher and the German shepherd, serve as alert and aggressive watchdogs. Others, such as the beagle and the cocker spaniel, are playful family pets, even though they were bred for hunting. Still others, such as the collie and the Welsh corgi, can herd farm or range animals. Each of the dogs just mentioned is a purebred. A mongrel dog, however--one with many breeds in its background--can just as easily fit into family life.
Dogs have been with humans since prehistoric times. Over the years they have performed various services. They have pulled sleds over snowy tracts. They have delivered messages, herded sheep and cattle, and even rescued people trapped in the snow. Soviet scientists launched dogs into space to test the ability of mammals to survive the rigors of space travel before people were sent up. In the past dogs have even been worshiped as gods.
Dogs are trained as guard dogs in peacetime by law enforcement agencies and military services. Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs are used by police at times to track down escaped prisoners. Law enforcement agencies also rely on the dog's acute sense of smell to uncover illegal drugs. And specially trained dogs serve as the "eyes" of the blind, guiding the steps of their sightless masters around obstacles and hazards.
Perhaps few of the millions of dogs in the world are heroic or hardworking, but they are still a source of genuine delight to their owners - and that, after all, is why we love them so much.
Did you realize that your dog could suffer from stress just as we can? In addition to occasional events such as thunderstorms or fireworks, recent studies have shown even the most pampered pets have daily stressors that can affect their long-term health. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, obesity, gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat), noise phobias and separation anxiety have all been linked to chronic stress in dogs.
CAUSES
Just like with people, there are many stressful events within a pet's world. Holidays, storms, traveling, boarding, grooming, and separation anxiety can all create stress for your pet. Animals can become very upset when they aren't sure what is happening, which is often the case with loud fireworks or thunder. There is also reason to believe that the way a mammal responds to stress and chronic disease is directly related to nutrient deficiencies, imbalances and toxicity.
PREVENTION
The most important thing you can do for your pet is to provide balanced nutrition.
They don’t appreciate fireworks or thunder! Keep them inside with music, and be sure to stay calm around them. Yelling at them only reaffirms their thinking that bad things are happening.
Use treats or a favorite toy to diffuse negative feelings associated with leaving or loud noises. Give them a favorite toy that they only get when there is an issue. A good option for dogs is a Premium Bully Stick. This will distract them for hours and get them through stressful times.
Taking steps to calm your pet is worth the effort. The goal is to help pets cope with stress. Over time, they will learn to tolerate these stressful situations and live a longer, happier life.
Extracts From Original Article in Revival Animal Health
Author : Dr B. Article
The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of a qualified veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy or medical attention.