Dog Care - Who Does Your Dog Think He Is?

A tongue-in-cheek discussion of having and understanding a dog

Some dog owners insist that their dogs think they're people. There really could be something to this. When we think that dogs are chasing cars, maybe they're actually chasing ambulances because they think they're lawyers. We've always discouraged dogs from car chasing. Lately, this has become more important than ever with the possibility of your dog catching a Smart car. Obviously, the worst case scenario would be your dog catching a Smart car driven by a lawyer.

Hopefully, you don't live next door to a toy poodle who thinks he's Pavarotti. If people want a pet with a voice that high, why not just get a bird? As a rule of thumb a dog's too small if he has to stand on a phone book to drink from a toilet. Small dogs in posh neighborhoods are so stuck up they'll only drink from a toilet if there's no bidet. If you happen to meet such a dog on the street, be polite. Resist the temptation to ask if he's afraid of real dogs. On the other hand, the advantage of toy poodles is that they can be caught with Velcro.

Maybe the dog's “finding himself” because he's still a puppy. By the way, if you'll be house-training him with newspaper, don't forget to clip the coupons first. Some puppies become paper trained very quickly. The real challenge is grasping the difference between newspaper and wallpaper.

Pet dentistry is getting very popular. It may be hard to take it seriously if you're still trying to get your kids to brush after meals, but your vet will expect you to brush your dog's teeth. Couldn't somebody just invent a fluoride Frisbee?

Regardless of who your dog thinks he is, you'll probably want to train him. If you're teaching him to catch, you may want to start with pieces of liver. Some people can put a biscuit on their dog's nose, and the dog won't take it till the owner gives a spoken signal. Initially, this works better if the dog's sleeping. Dogs can also be taught conditioned response. At the sound of a bell, they salivate. At the sound of a bath running, they actually spit. Most dogs have the ability to eat on command, which is not great if that's all there is to show from the $200 spent at obedience school. But it's worth some effort, because a smart dog will bring you a paper every day. A really smart dog will get it from next door.

Dogs will definitely learn, though. When a dog wants to go for a walk, he gets his leash. When he wants to eat, he lights the barbecue. Dogs like people food, but it shouldn't become a habit. If you're a good cook, your dog will beg. If you're a bad cook he'll beg, specifically to go for a walk. You know you burned a burger badly when you drop it on patio stones and the dog puts it back on your plate with his paws.

There may come a time when you decide on some family planning for your canine Casanova. Unless your dog's a part of a controlled breeding environment, you'll probably want to get him neutered. Dogs seem to be able to understand a great deal of what we say, so if you're in front of him, don't refer to him as being “fixed.” After all from his point of view, he was never “broken.” If you want to be sensitive to his condition, you could refer to his surgical alteration as his “vasectomy.”

People who love their dogs demonstrate it by buying toys, clothes and specialty food for them. But know when to draw the line. Love your dog, but don't throw him birthday parties. He'll just think you're a jerk for only remembering every seventh one.

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Dog Training - Boundary Training For Dogs

How would you like to be able to trust your dog to stay in the areas you designate, indoors or out? You can train your dog to respect the boundaries you set with this simple method.

Imagine how convenient it would be to trust your dog to stay within the boundaries you set! In the house, your ideal pet would go only in the rooms or areas you’ve designated. No more copious pet hair in the bedroom or muddy prints on your best rug. Outdoors, your well-behaved pooch would stay in the yard or a special part of the yard. The dog would keep away from the road and leave your garden alone. Sound too good to be true? It’s not only possible to train your dog to respect boundaries; it’s actually a fairly easy process!

As with any complex behavior, boundary training relies on the lessons learned early in puppyhood. Basic obedience training is a must. Your dog needs to have a foundation of respect for you, the owner. It must understand the simple commands “no,” “come,” “sit,” and “stay.” Ideally, the dog should also be trained to heel and walk on a leash. These basic skills can become the necessary tools that will allow you to train the dog about boundaries, indoors or out.

Most families have areas of the house that they’d like to declare “off limits” to pets. These may include bedrooms, food preparation areas, or carpeted rooms. Ideally, you will make these decisions before the dog ever sets foot in the house. It’s much easier for everyone if you decide where the dog is allowed and which parts of the house will be declared as dog-free zones. If you can make these decisions before your pet comes home to live, your dog is less likely to become puzzled and confused. It is also less likely to challenge your authority and test the limits vigorously.

To train your dog, you need to start by barricading or closing off the areas that are off limits. You can use furniture, large pieces of plywood, or baby gates, as well as existing doors or other strategies. It’s important that your dog never have access to these areas when you are occupied elsewhere. The idea is to praise your pet for staying in bounds and eliminate any choice for misbehavior from the start. Of course, with time and training, you will be able to remove the physical barriers as you come to trust that your pet will not break training when your back is turned.

When you are ready, choose a time for a lesson when you feel calm and patient. You’ll want to be completely focused on the task at hand. Remove the barrier but keep the dog under control. Use a leash if need be. Keep the dog in its designated area while you praise and pet it. Make being in the right place a positive experience.

Gradually allow your dog more freedom. Lengthen the leash or stand a bit farther away. When the dog wanders across the boundary, respond firmly with the correction methods you used for other training. For example, you could pull back on the leash, reprimand the dog, or physically restrain it. Be consistent! Each and every time the dog crosses the boundary, you will need to apply correction immediately. With time and patience, you should be able to give the dog verbal correction from across the room and eventually you will be able to trust it to stay on the right side of the boundary. Consistency is your most powerful tool, so be sure to catch the dog each time the boundary is inadvertently crossed. If your dog is allowed to stray even once, you may set up a situation where the dog tries to see what it can get away with. You must convince the animal that you always know when the boundary is crossed and that you will always respond with corrective measures.

Training a dog to outdoor boundaries requires a bit more patience and effort. As with indoor boundaries, it’s important to choose the area where you want the dog to stay in advance. It will make training much easier if your dog has never been allowed beyond the boundaries in the first place rather than having to unlearn what was previously acceptable. You’ll also need to make sure that you can see the boundary clearly. It will not help the dog if you use a different boundary each time you train! Finally, make sure your dog is on a leash without fail whenever it is taken outside of the boundary area. The leash will become a signal that special permission has been given to cross the boundary.

Put the dog on the leash and keep it in the “heel” position. Walk all the way around the area where the dog is allowed, keeping it just inside of the boundary. Make several circuits during each training session. When your dog is cooperating, loosen the leash a bit. If the dog strays over the boundary, apply your correction sequence. As with training to indoor boundaries, the idea is to convince the dog that stepping over that line leads to correction.

Gradually allow more and more freedom while keeping the dog on the leash. When the animal has been respecting the boundaries on your walks around the edge of the area, give it free rein and allow it to lead you on the leash. Continue correction when the boundary is crossed. Use a longer lead and continue training in this manner. When your dog remains within the boundary consistently and without error, try leaving it off of the lead for short periods while you are paying close attention. Needless to say, the dog must be well-trained to come or sit on command so that if the boundary is crossed, you can still maintain control and can return the dog easily to the correct area.

Many young dogs will train to boundaries fairly easily and quickly, but will break training when provoked or excited. You will need to guard against this by watching carefully whenever your dog is outdoors so that you can instantly return the animal to the correct area and apply correction. Common causes for crossing boundary lines include chasing cars, visitors, bicycles, joggers, or other animals. Be sure that you are watching carefully so that you can prevent your pet from frightening or bothering others, or from getting hurt in traffic.

As the dog matures, consistent boundary training will pay great dividends. You will be able to place increasing amounts of trust in the dog’s obedience and will eventually get to the point that you can rely that the boundaries will not be crossed even when you are not right there to supervise. The dog will enjoy the freedom of roaming in the areas that you designate, and you will have the peace of mind to know that your dog is safe and where it belongs.

Read More

Dog Training - Boundary Training For Dogs

How would you like to be able to trust your dog to stay in the areas you designate, indoors or out? You can train your dog to respect the boundaries you set with this simple method.

Imagine how convenient it would be to trust your dog to stay within the boundaries you set! In the house, your ideal pet would go only in the rooms or areas you’ve designated. No more copious pet hair in the bedroom or muddy prints on your best rug. Outdoors, your well-behaved pooch would stay in the yard or a special part of the yard. The dog would keep away from the road and leave your garden alone. Sound too good to be true? It’s not only possible to train your dog to respect boundaries; it’s actually a fairly easy process!

As with any complex behavior, boundary training relies on the lessons learned early in puppyhood. Basic obedience training is a must. Your dog needs to have a foundation of respect for you, the owner. It must understand the simple commands “no,” “come,” “sit,” and “stay.” Ideally, the dog should also be trained to heel and walk on a leash. These basic skills can become the necessary tools that will allow you to train the dog about boundaries, indoors or out.

Most families have areas of the house that they’d like to declare “off limits” to pets. These may include bedrooms, food preparation areas, or carpeted rooms. Ideally, you will make these decisions before the dog ever sets foot in the house. It’s much easier for everyone if you decide where the dog is allowed and which parts of the house will be declared as dog-free zones. If you can make these decisions before your pet comes home to live, your dog is less likely to become puzzled and confused. It is also less likely to challenge your authority and test the limits vigorously.

To train your dog, you need to start by barricading or closing off the areas that are off limits. You can use furniture, large pieces of plywood, or baby gates, as well as existing doors or other strategies. It’s important that your dog never have access to these areas when you are occupied elsewhere. The idea is to praise your pet for staying in bounds and eliminate any choice for misbehavior from the start. Of course, with time and training, you will be able to remove the physical barriers as you come to trust that your pet will not break training when your back is turned.

When you are ready, choose a time for a lesson when you feel calm and patient. You’ll want to be completely focused on the task at hand. Remove the barrier but keep the dog under control. Use a leash if need be. Keep the dog in its designated area while you praise and pet it. Make being in the right place a positive experience.

Gradually allow your dog more freedom. Lengthen the leash or stand a bit farther away. When the dog wanders across the boundary, respond firmly with the correction methods you used for other training. For example, you could pull back on the leash, reprimand the dog, or physically restrain it. Be consistent! Each and every time the dog crosses the boundary, you will need to apply correction immediately. With time and patience, you should be able to give the dog verbal correction from across the room and eventually you will be able to trust it to stay on the right side of the boundary. Consistency is your most powerful tool, so be sure to catch the dog each time the boundary is inadvertently crossed. If your dog is allowed to stray even once, you may set up a situation where the dog tries to see what it can get away with. You must convince the animal that you always know when the boundary is crossed and that you will always respond with corrective measures.

Training a dog to outdoor boundaries requires a bit more patience and effort. As with indoor boundaries, it’s important to choose the area where you want the dog to stay in advance. It will make training much easier if your dog has never been allowed beyond the boundaries in the first place rather than having to unlearn what was previously acceptable. You’ll also need to make sure that you can see the boundary clearly. It will not help the dog if you use a different boundary each time you train! Finally, make sure your dog is on a leash without fail whenever it is taken outside of the boundary area. The leash will become a signal that special permission has been given to cross the boundary.

Put the dog on the leash and keep it in the “heel” position. Walk all the way around the area where the dog is allowed, keeping it just inside of the boundary. Make several circuits during each training session. When your dog is cooperating, loosen the leash a bit. If the dog strays over the boundary, apply your correction sequence. As with training to indoor boundaries, the idea is to convince the dog that stepping over that line leads to correction.

Gradually allow more and more freedom while keeping the dog on the leash. When the animal has been respecting the boundaries on your walks around the edge of the area, give it free rein and allow it to lead you on the leash. Continue correction when the boundary is crossed. Use a longer lead and continue training in this manner. When your dog remains within the boundary consistently and without error, try leaving it off of the lead for short periods while you are paying close attention. Needless to say, the dog must be well-trained to come or sit on command so that if the boundary is crossed, you can still maintain control and can return the dog easily to the correct area.

Many young dogs will train to boundaries fairly easily and quickly, but will break training when provoked or excited. You will need to guard against this by watching carefully whenever your dog is outdoors so that you can instantly return the animal to the correct area and apply correction. Common causes for crossing boundary lines include chasing cars, visitors, bicycles, joggers, or other animals. Be sure that you are watching carefully so that you can prevent your pet from frightening or bothering others, or from getting hurt in traffic.

As the dog matures, consistent boundary training will pay great dividends. You will be able to place increasing amounts of trust in the dog’s obedience and will eventually get to the point that you can rely that the boundaries will not be crossed even when you are not right there to supervise. The dog will enjoy the freedom of roaming in the areas that you designate, and you will have the peace of mind to know that your dog is safe and where it belongs.

Read More

Dog Behavior - Protecting Your Dogs While Traveling by Car

Your dog should learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

Dogs need to learn the proper behavior for traveling in a car. After all, not only do you want your dog to enjoy his ride, but also, you want to make sure that he is safe. Additionally, you want your dog to learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

The most successful way to teach this is to be consistent from the very beginning. Always use the same method for restraining your dog so that he learns that will be his place while traveling by car. If your dog understands what you expect of him while traveling in the car, he will be happy to oblige.

The simplest way to restrain your pet is to use a harness that has been designed for use in the car. It allows the dog owner to clip his pet to one of the seatbelts in the back seat. If you plan to have the dog in your car on a regular basis, you might want to consider getting a special window guard. The guards are designed to allow your dog, or other pets, to have access to fresh air without any risk for injury. The window guards prevent your pet from falling or jumping out of the window.

If your dog is small, a collapsible cage that fits easily into most cars is an excellent choice. The cage needs to be placed on a flat surface to provide your pet with a smooth and safe ride.

If, on the other hand, your dog is large, you can consider getting a divider that will separate the car into an area for human passengers and one for animals. If the car does not have a hatchback or open access trunk such as those found in station wagons, you can always separate the front seat from the back seat. When placing the divider in the car, make sure that it is secure and will not become loose with a little activity or jostling.

No matter how you decide to secure your dog for traveling by car, it’s important to do so. A dog that is permitted free access to the car can easily become a distraction or a hindrance to the driver. Additionally, shop around and look at the different models and styles that you have to select from among to get the option that best suits your needs.

Read More

Dog Behavior - Protecting Your Dogs While Traveling by Car

Your dog should learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

Dogs need to learn the proper behavior for traveling in a car. After all, not only do you want your dog to enjoy his ride, but also, you want to make sure that he is safe. Additionally, you want your dog to learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.

The most successful way to teach this is to be consistent from the very beginning. Always use the same method for restraining your dog so that he learns that will be his place while traveling by car. If your dog understands what you expect of him while traveling in the car, he will be happy to oblige.

The simplest way to restrain your pet is to use a harness that has been designed for use in the car. It allows the dog owner to clip his pet to one of the seatbelts in the back seat. If you plan to have the dog in your car on a regular basis, you might want to consider getting a special window guard. The guards are designed to allow your dog, or other pets, to have access to fresh air without any risk for injury. The window guards prevent your pet from falling or jumping out of the window.

If your dog is small, a collapsible cage that fits easily into most cars is an excellent choice. The cage needs to be placed on a flat surface to provide your pet with a smooth and safe ride.

If, on the other hand, your dog is large, you can consider getting a divider that will separate the car into an area for human passengers and one for animals. If the car does not have a hatchback or open access trunk such as those found in station wagons, you can always separate the front seat from the back seat. When placing the divider in the car, make sure that it is secure and will not become loose with a little activity or jostling.

No matter how you decide to secure your dog for traveling by car, it’s important to do so. A dog that is permitted free access to the car can easily become a distraction or a hindrance to the driver. Additionally, shop around and look at the different models and styles that you have to select from among to get the option that best suits your needs.

Read More