Rabu, 22 Oktober 2008

Top 6 Dog Behavior Problems and Solutions

Are you tired of your dog behavior problems?

Do you get angry and frustrated because of bad dog behavior problem of your dog and end up hitting your dog?

You are not alone. I did an survey and found 87% of people are not aware of common dog problems and reasons behind it.

Here you will learn 6 common dog behavior problems. You will also get tips on how you can fix all those problems using dog training, equipments, harness, collar and lead etc.

1 Chewing

Four most common reasons for chewing are puppy teething, anxiety, curiosity and loneliness. You should a give a toy to chew and keep personal items away from your dog. If you ever catch a dog chewing the wrong thing, stop him with a loud "no".

2. Digging

Dogs dig because of hunting instinct, nesting, hiding possessions or to gain access of something. You should try to determine the cause of the digging, then work to eliminate that source. Best recommendations to stop digging are extra training and identify a certain area for your dog to dig.

3. Separation Anxiety

Symptoms of separation anxieties are vocalization, chewing, inappropriate urination and defecation. Normally it starts within first 15-45 minutes after owner leaves. You need to provide separate dedicated training for your dog behavior modification. You should consult your vet before taking action to treat acute this type of behavior problem.

4. Chasing

Normally dog chase any moving things because of its hunting instinct and this is dangerous for your dog. You should train your dog to sit, stay and come on your command. If your dog has this tendency, you should use leash and harness always to avoid any mishap.

5. Biting

Dog biting is a bad dog behavior problem. Dog bites because of fear, hunting instinct, to protect property, sickness or for dominance assertion. You need to control this type of aggressive behavior by proper training and socialization. You should use muzzle or other tools while you take your pet to public place.

6. Barking

Most dogs bark, howl and whine to some degree and it is canine natural instinct. Dogs normally bark to warn you or want to draw your attention to play with you or from fear.

Training your dog not to bark requires special training and you can get quick result by using proper dog collars.

I am a dog lover and professional dog trainer. I documented my experience in training a dog of different breeds like Newfoundlands, German Shepherd, Border Collies, pugs etc in my blog edogtrainingtips.com. You can also read other dog training articles on how to train your dog at my blog.

Solve Your Dog Barking Problems Through Dog DNA Breed Test

Every one of us knows that a dog barks when it speaks. But, fewer people know the reasons on why do dogs bark. There are few possibilities why your dog barks that has given you unwanted noise disturbance:

  • Some dogs were bred to bark only when a threat is perceived.
  • Some were bred to use their voices as a tool of sorts, to assist their owners in pursuit of a common goal.
  • Some dogs can use their voices as a means of manipulation.
  • When they are nervous and coupled with agitated demeanor - the kind she gets from not getting enough exercise.
  • They need your plenty of attention and interaction.

If your mixed-breed dog had received complains from your neighbors about the intolerantly noise of unpleasant dog barking during late night, then it is time for you to seek a proper solution of this particular problem.

How do I solve this intolerable noise caused by my mixed-breed dog?

It is much easier to solve this particular problem if you are able to identify your dog breed. For example, if your dog's primary breed is Beagle or Bloodhounds; they normally use their voice to assist their owners in order to achieve a certain goal. For instance, they are well-trained to 'bay' when they scent a quarry.

It is important to understand their temperament based on their distinctive breeds. Most guarding breed dogs were bred to bark only when a threat is perceived including Rottweilers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds. These particular breeds need more ample time for exercise that can avoid excessive vocalization due to boredom or lack of attention from dog owners.

There are simply lots of thins to learn about your dog's common misbehavior like for instance excessive dog barking. It is much easier to deal with this particular problem if you are able to identify the breed of your mixed-breed dog. For more information about dog DNA testing as a breed identification tool, visit http://dogdnabasics.com

7 Ways to Recognize a Dog Urinary Tract Infection

Have you ever wondered if your beloved canine can suffer from illnesses similar to the maladies you may deal with in a lifetime? The answer is an unqualified yes. In fact, just like the human version, your pup can be miserable with a urinary infection. Unfortunately, he cannot articulate the symptoms and ask for a trip to the vet. So, it is incumbent upon you to be aware when your faithful friend is under the weather. So, here are 7 ways to recognize a dog urinary tract infection:

  1. Excessively thirsty
  2. Goes potty a lot
  3. The volume of urine is increased
  4. He does not want a belly rub
  5. Forget the walk to the park
  6. Lethargic
  7. Housebroken regression

Certainly, in the summer months, your pooch is going to drink more than normal. So are you. It is hot. However, when his thirst is seemingly never quenched, it is time to consider the possibility of a more serious problem. With a canine urinary tract infection, it is important to determine whether other symptoms are also present, before jumping to conclusions.

For example, does you furry friend ask to go outside much more frequently than normal? Does he seem to be going potty a lot, and taking forever to empty his bladder? For a single day, it may be no big deal, but if the signs do not go away tomorrow, your pal may have a dog urinary tract infection.

If your canine does have a dog urinary tract infection, he will probably not want you to give him a belly rub. Now, what dog on the planet hates a good tummy rub? Of course! A sick pooch will back away from the normally loved activities. For instance, he will be less likely to run to the door, when you offer that much coveted trip to the park. Why? Chances are his back is hurting, which would be similar to a human counterpart who also has an infection.

Will you want to go on a romp to the park, if you are suffering from a comparable complaint? Of course not! Instead, just like your furry friend, you will want to lie around and not do much of anything. Understandably, lethargy is a common symptom of a dog urinary tract infection. Coupled with a probable fever, your pet is just trying to get away from the discomfort and make it through the day.

However, just in case you have been really stressed and busy, and unable to discover whether the other symptoms are present, a dog urinary tract infection will eventually progress to the point of causing your smart and adorable companion to regress and start going potty in the house.

Naturally, the first response is to yell and make him go outside. However, in your state of befuddlement, consider the possibility that your faithful friend cannot help himself. Anyone with a serious infection will admit incontinence. No matter how hard he tries to hold it, urine simply escapes and nothing will hold it at bay. So, before sending him to the doghouse, go to the vet first and fast.

In conclusion, dogs are normally faithful and loving no matter what. His attitude toward you has not changed. But, he is counting on you to care for him now, and recognize he is in trouble. Then, after you get the necessary medical attention for a dog urinary tract infection, you can both go back to enjoying companionship and all those activities that have been postponed.

Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University.

For more information on a dog urinary tract infection, please go to http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

How to Care For Urinary Problems in Dogs

If you are like me, you probably have a hard time imagining your beloved pet being anything but his rambunctious self. But, there will be a day when your canine companion is really sick. When that time comes, it will be up to you to recognize the symptoms. For example, most people do not realize they will one day have to know how to care for urinary problems in dogs.

In truth, the malady is quite common, especially in the smaller breeds. Since your pooch will not be able to articulate his pain and discomfort, it will be your job to recognize the symptoms, and take him to the vet, especially if he is suffering from canine urinary incontinence. Instead of simply succumbing to the natural response to get angry and banish him to the doghouse, see if he has been exhibiting the signs of infection.

In addition to incontinence, urinary problems in dogs will be manifested in several ways:

  • He is drinking an abnormally large amount of water
  • He is asking to go out all the time
  • He seems to take forever to go potty
  • He is in pain
  • He does not want to play
  • He just wants to lay around

Naturally, your canine companion will have a day, here and there, when he simply does not feel up to par. He might have eaten something disagreeable, have a cold, or a myriad of other problems. However, if the symptoms of urinary problems in dogs persist, the best thing you can do for your pal is to seek professional help.

After all, what fun-loving pup does not run to the door when the leash comes out? An offer to go for a walk, go to the park, or take a ride in the car is simply too good to pass up. However, if he is the poster pup for urinary problems in dogs, chances are he will not want to do anything other than lie around, unless he needs to go potty for the tenth time in an hour.

So, now you know he is in trouble. What can you expect, when you take your furry friend to the vet? Well, the doctor will probably start out by asking a few pointed questions like:

  • What breed is the dog?
  • How old is the dog?
  • How often does it urinate?
  • How much urine is produced?
  • Anything unusual about the appearance or odor of the urine?
  • Is the dog excessively thirsty?
  • Has the dog broken house-training?
  • When were the symptoms first noticed?
  • Has the dog been treated for previous urinary tract infections? When and how?
  • What has the dog been eating?

The questions are designed to help the vet determine if it is like all common urinary problems in dogs, or whether your canine companion has something else going on, as far as illnesses are concerned. Unfortunately canine urinary incontinence can also be a symptom of other health issues as well.

However, once it has been determined that your pet has joined the club for urinary problems in dogs, the vet will likely prescribe an antibiotic for you to give as recommended. In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised to see how fast your friend bounces back after a dose or two. Nevertheless, finish the medicine, so the infection is long gone and not likely to return.

Your next step? To take what you have just learned, and discover whether your ailing pet is indeed suffering from common urinary problems in dogs. Otherwise, store the information away, so if he ever begins to suffer from canine urinary incontinence, instead of getting mad, you will know immediately to get help right away!

Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University.

If you want to know more about urinary problems in dogs, please visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

How to Stop Your Mixed Breed Dog Whining Problems

Most dogs grow out of whining in the early age around the six-month age. If your dog is still whining after this period, it means your dog is either doing it unintentionally, or he has learned a method to get him something that your dog needs.

There are a variety of reasons as to why your adult mixed-breed dog might be whining:

  • Suffering pain - physical or emotional pain.
  • Bored or feeling lonely.
  • Needs to go outside.
  • Feeling afraid or anxious.

Your response to her whining really depends on the cause of it. Sometimes whining is acceptable, and does require a response - and sometimes, it is merely manipulative. Other times it may be tolerable, but the response that comes most naturally will not necessarily help your dog. Therefore, your dog keeps on whining during late night and it causes disturbance to your neighbors.

It is important to know that which particular whining means pain. Stomach discomfort and arthritis are normally making your dog call out for help. If whining still persists within long period of time, it is time to seek consultation from your veterinarian.

Some breeds are quite playful and demand for more accompany. This particular type of breed like Terriers, Pointers and Beagle requires more attention from its owners. These dogs need to be trained to play alone when you are not around.

Other than that, some breeds are very fragile in terms of getting anxious easily. These particular breeds are afraid of thunderstorm, heavy wind blow and rattling window panes. You need to intensively encourage him to overcome his fears and do not punish him for being afraid.

It is less stressful to train your mixed-breed dog if you able to identify your dog's breed via dog DNA breed test. By knowing your dog's breed, you are able to seek for opinions from your veterinarian about setting up a diet and exercise plan for your mixed-breed dog


No matter what kind of dog you rear, you just could not stop them from digging your backyard or your favorite garden. Dogs like to dig for one main particular reason - they treat it as a rewarding pastime. They dig when they feel extreme boredom or they want to work out - as another option for running and walking.

Dog breed often plays an important role in any given dog's personal valuation of digging as a rewarding pastime - like Terriers and Nordic breeds in particular in which includes Huskies, Malamutes, some members of the Spitz family; seem to predominantly enjoy digging. If you rear these particular breed dogs, it is best that you minimized your landscaped designs or decrease the size of your garden. This is to ensure that your garden will not be ended up with potholes.

Most dogs dig when they have lack of exercise. When this happens, they choose to dig because it is a good way for a hyped-up, under-exercised dog to burn off some of that nervous energy. In addition, this particular mischief is due to boredom. They just want to pass their time playing around and they need to do an interesting task and something rewarding. In order to solve this problem, dog owners are encouraged rewarding them if they are able to place their legs at the right place.

Bear on your mind that some dog breeds are indeed fragile or aggressively stubborn. You are required to identify your dog's breed before you plan a set of training for your mixed-breed dog. Concurrently, you are required to seek consultation from your veterinarian for more professional opinions.

It is less stressful to train your mixed-breed dog if you able to identify your dog's breed via dog DNA breed test. By knowing your dog's breed, you are able to seek for opinions from your veterinarian about setting up a diet and exercise plan for your mixed-breed dog. For more information of dog DNA testing as a breed identification tool for mixed-breed dogs, visit http://dogdnabasics.com

Stop My Dog From Chewing My Stuff - 5 Tips

Most dogs have a natural desire to chew, and that's not a bad thing unless they're chewing on your favorite pair of shoes and leaving teeth marks on the legs of your dining room table. Why do dogs chew? They may be anxious or bored, or both. Here are 5 dog training tips on how to stop your dog from chewing:

1. Dog-proof your home. Your dog can certainly learn not to chew on your stuff but why put temptation in their path, especially while they're still young and in training?

When deciding if your things are safely out of reach, take into account the height of your dog and whether he will jump up on furniture in order to get something.

Dogs love your:

pillows
candles
shoes
garbage
cell phone
remote controls
garbage
socks
books
garbage

2. Don't allow your dog to taste the forbidden fruit. It's better to train him from the start regarding what's chewable and what isn't - before they get attached to the particular taste of your shoes or couch pillow.

3. Don't confuse your dog. Don't let him chew some old household items such as old shoes or old towels, but not others. He won't understand the rules of this game. Hmm... why is this sock okay? Maybe all socks are okay now?

4. Let him chew. Since your dog loves to chew, give him owner-approved chew toys so he'll hopefully leave your things alone. Put a couple of safe choices out for him, and rotate the toys to keep things interesting.

5. Supervise your dog's playtime. It might be tempting to keep your dog penned up and in the "safe zone" until he's old enough to stop chewing everything in sight, but how boring for him. He needs the chance to explore and learn his boundaries and your expectations. He needs to have the chance to learn right and wrong while spending time with you.

It's perfectly natural for your dog to like to chew, especially if he's under 3 years old. Keep that in mind and put your most valuable possessions out of reach until he understands the rules. Be consistent with correcting him when he starts chewing on the wrong thing. Catch him in the act and replace it with an acceptable chew toy. When he's chewing the acceptable toy, heap on the praise to help him understand. With these tips in mind, you should be able to train him on what's appropriate to chew.

Want to stop dog from chewing? Got other dog behavior problems? It's about time you checked out http://dogintraining.info Be sure to sign up for your free ecourse too!

Stop That New Puppy From Chewing

One effective training tip is to have an acceptable chew toy or other item readily available at all times to substitute for the "bad" item you catch the puppy chewing. Anytime you catch the puppy chewing something you don't want him to, calmly replace that item with a chew toy. If the puppy tries to bite your fingers, place the chew toy in his mouth. Don't use any type of old clothing or old socks for the puppies chew toy. This will only confuse him in the process of teaching him what is acceptable to chew, and what is not.

Another effective tip If you see your puppy chewing something he shouldn't is to make a sharp sound like a yip a bark, a loud "no", or even a loud clap of your hands to get his attention. Then, replace the item with an acceptable chew toy. Always use the same sound when you catch him, so he will always associate that sound as a demand to stop. Never hit or slap the puppy to get his attention. If you see the puppy choose an appropriate item to chew on, be sure to pet and praise him.

Until the puppy has been trained, do not let him roam freely around your home. Keep him in a confined area with several appropriate things to chew. A dog crate is a great place to contain the puppy when he is unsupervised. Dog's like to have their own "den" area, so once he is familiar with his dog crate, he will be happy when confined to that space. There are several types of chew toys available, including flavored rawhide. There are even toys where a treat can be hidden inside to keep your dog occupied while trying to extricate the treat. Give your puppy a variety of choices to keep him entertained while in his crate. This will get him used to the items he should be chewing.

Some dogs chew because they are lonely or bored. Make sure you exercise and play with your puppy daily. A good game to play, that will also reinforce the non-chewing training, is to fill an area with acceptable and forbidden items. Watch the puppy, and when he chooses a forbidden item, use your sound (the yip, "no" or clap) and remove the item from him and replace with an acceptable chew toy. When he chooses an appropriate item, pet and praise him. Spending ten minutes a day, playing this game with your new puppy, will teach him quickly, and reinforce the other training you are providing.

You might also try one of the products on the market that can be sprayed on furniture, door moldings or other items that attract your dog to chew. These sprays leave a bitter taste on the item. This will discourage your puppy from chewing where you have sprayed.

Along with training your puppy, you also have the responsibility of keeping your puppy safe at all times. Do not buy chew toys with squeakers or pieces that can be chewed off and cause choking. Teaching your puppy what is appropriate to chew can protect him from chewing things such as electrical cords, poisonous plants and even inappropriate "people" food such as chocolate. These items can be a major threat to the safety of any pet.

Chewing is a natural and healthy behavior of a dog. It is one way they learn about their world. By training your puppy what is appropriate to chew, you will not only save your personal items from destruction, but also keep your puppy safe. You can enjoy that soooo cute face for many happy years.

Berritt Wryder is a writer for our website http://www.condosforcritters.com CondosForCritters offers a large variety of dog crates and other products for your pet's comfort. We are always adding new information on crate training and new products so visit our site often.

Senin, 13 Oktober 2008

Dog Skin Problem - How to Tell If the Problem is Parasitic

Your Dog's Skin Problem May Be Parasitic
When you dog can't stop scratching, licking, and biting, there can be many different causes including, environmental, bacterial, neurogenic, nutritional, and allergic causes. The symptoms for a parasitic dog skin problem ranges from biting, scratching, licking, bald patches, inflamed skin and small scabs. If your dog has all or some of these symptoms, the cause could be caused by various parasites including fleas, ticks, chiggers, deer flies, gnats, Cheyletiella mites, Sarcoptic mites, and Demodex mites. The symptoms and treatment of each of these is slightly different so we will look at them individually.
1. Fleas - Symptoms include - constant scratching, hair loss, and sores on skin. Fleas are usually easy to spot. Place your pet on his back and check his belly and groin areas. You can see the fleas running and in the rare case where you don't see the fleas but still suspect them as the problem, you can see flea "dirt". Flea dirt is actually flea droppings of dried blood that they have sucked from your pet and expelled as waste. If you take one of the flea droppings, place it on a paper towel and dampen it, you will see the blood spread as it absorbs the water. Unfortunately, repeated exposure to flea bites can cause a hypersensitivity in your dog and he will have an abnormal or excessive reaction. Even if no fleas are seen, the dog reacts to the saliva from the fleas.
Treatment - Bathing your dog with flea shampoo, treating the indoor and outdoor area where the dog has access.
2. Ticks - Symptoms are usually an ulcerative lesion. Be aware that dog skin problems aren't often caused by ticks but it is possible.
Treatment - Remove the tick and treat the bite with ointment.
3. Chiggers, deer flies, gnats - Symptoms - small bites and minor irritations. These parasites don't usually cause significant problems.
Treatment - first aid ointment
4. Cheyletiella mites - Symptoms include hair loss, dry, flaky skin. Sheyletiella mites are often called "walking dandruff". They look like little spiders when looked at under a microscope but look like flaky dandruff with the naked eye.
Treatment - Flea shampoo will usually rid your pet of Cheyletiella mites but you must be careful because they can be transferred to humans and cause the same symptoms and problems as in your pet.
5. Sarcoptic mites - Symptoms include severe itching, hair loss, inflamed skin, multiple small scabs. Sarcoptic mites are known as scabies.
Treatment - If you suspect that your dog has scabies, you must take him to the vet. Scabies can only be diagnosed by a vet. They are often misdiagnosed as an allergy because they burrow down into the skin. You vet can give you medication to treat the Sarcoptic mites.
6. Demodex mites - Symptoms of Demodex mites, or mange, don't cause the dog to itch very much therefore, you won't see a lot of scratching. The most obvious symptom of mange is the bald patches. Demodex mites live and reproduce under the skin in the hair follicles and oil glands.
Treatment - These mites can be seen on a skin scraping performed by your vet and proper medication will be given.
A parasitic dog skin problem can often be hard to diagnose because there are many different parasites in addition to fleas, ticks, chiggers, deer flies, gnats, Cheyletiella mites, Sarcoptic mites, and Demodex mites that can disturb your pet. When in doubt, take your dog to a qualified veterinarian and he can properly diagnose the problem.
For more information on dog skin problems, the symptoms, causes and treatments, go to http://www.DogSkinProblem.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Proctor

Dog Skin Problem - Could the Problem Be Neurogenic?

There are six main causes for dog skin problems: Environmental, Parasitic, Bacterial, Allergies, Nutritional and Neurogenic. Of these six, Neurogenic is often the most troublesome disorder and the hardest to treat. Lets take a look at the symptoms, causes and treatment of these Neurogenic problems.
The symptoms for this problem includes obsessive, persistent licking of one particular spot. The dog will pick one part of his body and seems intent on destroying it, chewing it relentlessly until a sore has developed or he has, in extreme cases, actually maimed a part of his body. This disorder is considered to be a nerve or a "mental" problem of the dog. Some of the different causes could be boredom, loneliness, separation anxiety, being confined and not enough exercise. This is seen happening a lot in cases where the owners of the pet become too busy to give the dog the proper attention that he needs. Dogs are meant to be dogs and all have different personalities and traits that are common to their breed. High energy dogs just cannot tolerate being confined to small apartments or even to houses with small backyards. They need plenty of exercise. The same is true for working dogs, collies, herd dogs, shepards, and hunting dogs. Confine these dogs without proper exercise and you could have a neurogenic problem develop. Before you try to treat your dog for a neurogenic dog skin problem, take your pet to a veterinarian to rule out the possibility of any other causes. The first treatment you should try is to identify what is causing your dog emotional distress - boredom or loneliness? Not enough attention and exercise? Confinement or separation anxiety. Address these problems and give your dog what he needs. This will usually take care of the problem. In more severe cases, you may need to take your dog to a Behaviorist to train him out of the problem. Whatever the cause of your dog skin problem, once you discover the cause, it is easy to treat. Love your dog and give him the care he needs and he will pay you back many times over.
For more information about dog skin problems, go to http://www.DogSkinProblem.info - We have articles on many different types of dog health issues.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Proctor

Dog Worms - 3 Factors to Consider

Dog worms are unfortunately a fact of life if you own one or more dogs.Since dog worms are parasites, they have an interesting relationship with the dog. On the one hand, they depend on the dog to supply nutrients and protection so that they can multiply and survive as a species.On the other hand, if they are too successful at this they might kill the dog, thereby depriving them of what they need to survive.
The result of this is that they mainly toe the middle line and ensure that both they and the dog survive. What does this mean to you the dog owner?
Well firstly it means that some worm infestations will not be evident to you as the dog will not show many physical signs of having a worm problem.This is particularly true in adult dogs, whereas puppies tend to be have heavier worm burdens and show signs of ill health.
Secondly, in all likelihood you will need to have a stool sample tested to determine the worm load present in your dog. Again there are exceptions - puppies may vomit up adult roundworms for all to see, while tapeworm segments can be observed in the stool of dogs of all ages.
Thirdly, because they are supreme survivors, worms have a few tricks up their sleeve to increase their chances of surviving as a species. One of these nifty little moves is that part of their lifecycle takes place outside of the dog's body. So even if you treat your dog for worms, there is a good chance that it will be re-infected before you have put the deworming medication back in the cupboard!
Le Doc is a veterinarian. He has written a Free Report entitled "Does Your Dog Have Worms?"
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Le_Doc

Dog Obedience Training in Under 2 Weeks

Are you trying to figure out how to fit dog obedience training in your life? I know I struggled with trying to figure out when I would ever have time to get it taken care of. Even weekend courses I found usually didn't work out because something was always coming up.
Did you know that you can train your dog at home in your spare time? I didn't know that and it took me a while to find something that worked. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs. I was just about at the point of insanity trying to figure out how to get him to behave like a normal dog.
I got to the point where I was dreading coming home each evening to see what surprise I had waiting for me when I walked in the door. The best was when you grabbed to table cloth and completely pulled everything off the dining room table. There was shattered glass everywhere.
I really didn't know how much longer I could take it. I signed up for some dog obedience classes but somehow life always seemed to get in the way. Then if you miss a class then all of a sudden you are that pet owner at class with the dog who is running around crazy while all the other dogs are actually making progress. I was that pet owner.
I looked everywhere to figure out something that would work in my situation. I mean there are only so many hours in a day. I am glad to say that I finally found a program that works. I no longer have to dread coming home each evening to see what kind of disaster awaits me.
It is a nice feeling. So I know what you are going through and it isn't the end of the world.
Do you like the way your house looks after your dog has been running wild? If not then I suggest you do something about. Dog obedience training in your spare time is the way to go!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_N_Jones

Housebreaking a Puppy? Or is He Housebreaking Me?

I remember my father telling me that housebreaking a puppy is a fun experience. I have no idea what the old man was thinking. I do know that he really enjoyed watching me get frustrated trying to teach my puppy how and when to do what.
It is amazing how fast that new puppy experience can fade away once the reality sets in. If you could of seen my house 1 week after I brought my puppy home. It looked like a war zone. That is no joke. There was clothing with fresh slobber all over the place. My shoes had nice teeth marks all over them. I think you are getting the picture.
I tried to get him into puppy training classes but all the ones where I live where full and I had to wait 3 months. If you are reading this then I would be willing to be you can imagine how much destruction can occur in a house in only 3 months.
I knew I had to figure something out on how to get Einstein trained. I looked online and checked out a bunch of sites that told me all the great advice. After reading it and then trying it I quickly realized why the advice they were giving was free!
The good news I can share with you is that there is hope! I finally found a product that turned Einstein from the crazed puppy he was into a well trained member of the family. It couldn't of happened at a better time. I was on the verge of losing my mind.
If you are reading this I can't possibly believe that you are happy with how your puppy is acting. Housebreaking a puppy really can be an enjoyable experience. Follow along if you want to learn how to do it the right way!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_N_Jones

How to Get Your Puppy to Stop Biting!

Dog training problems can stump many pet owners, but how to get your puppy to stop biting? Well, that one is a very common complaint among puppy owners and I'll explore it further in this article.
Biting is a defense mechanism for animals, including our domesticated dogs. A dog needs to be able to protect himself from attacks from other dogs and biting is a natural response. Dogs are also carnivores and in the past had to be able to tear apart their food to eat. Keep in mind, too, that puppies are getting new teeth and are teething. When this occurs it feels good to the puppy to bite. Puppies first learn to bite when in the litter. Have you ever noticed how rough they play? They are learning what is acceptable biting as the other puppies will squeal if the bite is too hard. This feedback helps them to learn how to control their jaw and develop bit inhibition or "mouthing" instead of biting hard.
If you want to know how to train your puppy to stop biting, you can start off by thinking like a dog. When your pup's biting hurts you, squeal to let your pup know. Sometimes that might get them more excited so if that's the case, try your own negative tone instead.
Just as with any unwanted behavior, you should reward attention to good behavior and ignore bad behavior. If your puppy is nipping at your feet, don't give her attention until she stops. Try walking away from her without giving her notice.
You can also try substituting a safe toy for biting, instead of your body parts. This will help them learn what is acceptable and reinforce the good behavior. When she starts biting you, hand her a chew toy instead.
Please do let them know that it's not okay to bite. One way to do this is to give them a tap on the nose and say "no bite" when they start biting. Eventually they will make the connection that this fun biting thing gives you displeasure and they should stop.
Remember that puppy nipping behavior does not start out as an act of aggression; it is just a fun activity for young puppies. Learn more about how to get your puppy to stop biting at http://dogintraining.info and grab your free tips while you're there!
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Tackling the Flea Problems With Your Dog

When your dog has fleas, it can make everyone in your home miserable. They cling to your dog's coat, biting him and sucking his blood throughout the day. Then, the fleas lay hundreds of eggs. Some remain on your dog while others drop to the floor and become nestled into the carpet. When they hatch, more fleas emerge and the cycle begins anew. Over time, your home can literally become infested, making the environment practically unlivable. In this article, we'll explain how to identify when your dog has fleas and what to do to get rid of them.
Identifying Fleas
When a home is infested with fleas, they're easy to identify. A quick walk through the house will result in dozens of them perched on your pant legs. However, recognizing that your dog has them is more difficult because they're small. If you notice that your dog is scratching himself continuously, inspect his coat. You'll need to look closely because fleas typically move toward dark, hidden areas in a dog's coat. They'll hide under the fur, around his collar, or even on his underside.
Keep in mind that fleas are brown, making them difficult to find if your dog has a dark coat. But, even if you don't see them initially, there may be signs of their presence. They leave black, pepper-like fecal matter throughout your dog's coat.
Eliminating Fleas
If you find them or the black fecal matter they leave behind, you should take immediate action to get rid of them. Fleas multiply quickly due to their penchant for laying hundreds of eggs. If you wait, you'll run the risk of an infestation in your home.
There are a few approaches to getting rid of them. A common mistake is to simply treat the dog, neglecting the eggs that have already been laid. The problem is that while the treatments are capable of killing the fleas, the eggs (many of which will have fallen to the carpet in your home) will hatch and new fleas will reclaim their territory.
Your veterinarian can provide oral medications that will effectively kill the eggs, so that new fleas will not be able to infest your dog again. At the same time that your dog is taking the medications, use a treatment that will kill the existing fleas. You can find several good options at your local pet supply store. Finally, wash the bedding on which your dog sleeps and vacuum your home thoroughly.
Fleas can quickly grow from a nuisance to a nightmare. But, once you identify them, they can be eliminated. The key is finding them early and making sure that you get rid of the eggs.
Treat your dogs to All Natural Dog Treats and Bully Sticks!!
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Dog Training - A Vital Component of Your Dog's Life

A dog is one of the best pets anyone could ever own. They are a companion, a friend, and most importantly a huge part of your family. It is extremely important to train your dog right in order to get maximum enjoyment out of your dog. Here are some tips below on how to help you easily train your dog!
1. Trainer Awareness
When you are training your dog it is a MUST to give your dog your 100% attention when training them. Focus 100% on your dog with minimal multi-tasking. If you can give your dog 100% while training them, you will get much quicker results.
2. Control Your Voice
One of the most important parts of training any dog is voice control. The trainer of a dog MUST use his/her voice in order to train a dog properly. To get a dogs attention the trainer must use a short and firm command mixed in with excitement in you trainers voice to get the dog to come to you. Use of a quick command will get your dogs attention and should be used for that purpose ONLY! Once you establish voice control, it is smooth sailing with training your dog. It is important to show your dog who is boss right away, otherwise the dog will not obey you one bit.
3. Body Language
One of the most important things to use when training a dog is body language. Using hand signals will help your dog understand the command you are telling it to do. Eventually you can do away with the hand signals and use only voice commands. When starting out, hand signals definitely make it easier to train your dog. For example, a proper hand signal to get your dog to speak is a slight twitch of your wrist. By slightly twisting your wrist, your dog should be able to speak on command.
4. Treats
One of the best ways to train your dog is using treats as a reward for a job well done. The use of treats can have a great effect on training your dog. When training your dog, you should NEVER feed them before training them a new trick. They need to be hungry and want that treat you are going to give them for listening to your command. Treats are one of the surefire ways to get your dog to listen to you in a heart beat.
Many trainers fail to use treats as a means of positive reinforcement for your dog's good job in obeying a command. Out of all the different dog training techniques, using treats as a positive reinforcement for a job well done is the best and easiest way to train your dog. If you ever take your dog to a dog training school to get your dog professionally trained, you will see that treats are the main ingredient being used in your dog's proper training success.
I wish you the best of luck in training your dog and if you use these 4 techniques listed in this article, you definitely will have great results!
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