Dog training helps dogs to fit into their family home in a much better way. Dogs feel much more comfortable with a stable structure to their family life. Because they are descended from wolves, dogs have the same pack mentality as their ancient wolf cousins. They look up to a leader to guide them. Believe it or not, most people also live their family lives under such conditions. This is why dogs and humans are so well suited to live and get on together.

All types of dogs are suitable for dog training. Different breeds are more suited to different types of training. And different breeds fit in well in different types of households. Most people would not like to have a fierce Rottweiler around, but some people do. Some prefer poodles or Pomeranians. Different breeds of dogs are better able to become guide dogs and hearing dogs. While other dogs make good guard dogs. But almost any type of dog can be trained to fit into a loving family home.

Dogs can be amazingly helpful in our working lives as well as our family homes. Already mentioned are the wonderful guide dogs for the blind, but now we even help dogs who help hearing-impaired people. They can hear a door bell, or a telephone ring, or more importantly, a smoke alarm and they can alert their owners to the sounds. Dogs have been known to be able to reach people after an avalanche and bring much needed supplies.

It is usually more useful to choose younger puppies if they are to do one of the more specialized jobs. Usually, younger dogs are more eager to learn because they see it as more fun. They can get used to a new owner better and pick up their training more quickly. With an older dog who is much more set in its ways, you could probably train it new tricks, but it would take much longer with many more repetitions.

It sounds easy doesn’t it? Training a dog takes a lot of hard work. A firm voice should always be used so that the dog knows exactly what you want it to do. When it does something right you can reward it A reward can be a doggy biscuit, or a play with his favorite toy. Another good way to reward a dog is to pat him on his head and say ‘Good Dog’ in a really happy voice. They are surprisingly receptive to your tone!

When your dog does not do the right thing, however, you must not punish him. Your dog will not understand why he is being punished and will only become confused. The best method of training is to use positive reinforcement – that is to reward the good behavior and ignore the bad.

Who knows what a dog could be trained to do. Some dogs can fetch sticks, sit up and beg, roll over. I knew a dog who’s owner would put a coin in its mouth and send it to get the evening paper. Now that’s what I call useful!

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/why-dog-training-is-so-important-754376.html

If you’ve owned a dog for awhile, you most likely are aware of the benefits of a healthy and nutritious dog diet. With so many excellent dog foods on the market today, how do you decide which are the best?

It’s a difficult question to answer because dog food scientists are more aware that dog diets are equally as important as our own. Dogs need proper vitamins and minerals every day. They need a balanced diet, one that contains meat and vegetables.

We often don’t think of it, but dogs are carnivorous, but they also eat berries and vegetables if necessary for survival in the wild. These products provide nutrients that are not readily available from protein-rich diets.

Researchers also know that certain ingredients can produce negative reactions in dogs that are sensitive to them. As dog food manufacturers improve on their products by adding more of the nutritious elements and less of the harmful ones, dog owners can rest a little easier.

Many excellent products are on the market today. They come in a variety of forms, including canned, bagged and as individual treats that provide extra benefit such as teeth cleaning. Chain stores that once focused more on providing moderately adequate economical food are now beginning to offer dog foods that are higher in quality yet still at a low cost.

While economical food is better than it once was, it still doesn’t match up to the superiority of premium dog food that has a price to match.

If you would rather not risk your dog’s health, consider stores that sell feed for other animals and that regularly deal with customers interested in excellent nutrition for their pets. They would undoubtedly be able to help you decide on a specific brands that suit your dog’s particular needs.

Look online and you will find companies that specialize in organic and natural dog diets. Some of the merchants will deliver the food right to your door, making it extremely convenient for you to find and purchase the best option for your dog.

Some people are still reluctant to buy online which is always a risk unless the company is well known and established. Take whatever steps you can to check them out. See how long they have been online and in business. Look for reviews of the company and their products to see what users might be saying.

Barring the internet, do not overlook your veterinarian as a good source of information. He will be able to make a recommendation based on your particular dog’s breed, size and any health conditions that might exist. The food you choose can help or hinder your dog’s condition, especially if he is in a weakened state.

Many vets sell specific brands and varieties of dog food from their office. The price might be a bit higher, but the value is worth to your dog’s health is worth it.

Buying from your vet is handy as you can collect the food during your pet’s check-up or when going to get your dog’s monthly medication in the case of heartworm or other condition. If the vet recommends a particular type of diet for your dog due to health reasons, he likely will be the best person to talk to about finding the exact food your dog requires.

Of course, what better way to guarantee your dog gets only the freshest food than to grow your own. Since dogs require vegetables as well as meat and grain, you can prepare some recipes yourself from your own garden stock. Choose green beans and carrots which provide are excellent food value.

For quality meat and ideal bones, check with your local butcher who will have fresher food than you will get from processed dog food. Once you have decided on a specific diet for your dog, take advantage of the healthiest and most convenient method available to you.

Francis N. Tressler
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dogs-training-series-where-to-find-the-best-food-for-a-nutritious-dog-diet-694430.html

To house train a dog and especially a puppy is very easy and only requires patience, consistency and awareness. Nobody wants a dog that messes in the house, so many people just leave their dogs in the backyard – never allowing them in the house. These backyard dogs many develop undesirable behaviour which is caused by a lack of attention. If you are the new owner, you might have a dog that has never been house trained.

House Training a Puppy

A puppy does not yet have the ability to wait for a door to open if it wants to toilet. You as owner are responsible for being aware of when the puppy needs to go out. Listed are few definite situations and times when you should take your puppy to the area in your garden where you want it to toilet:

• The moment it wakes up, in the morning or during the day when it was sleeping.
• Just after feeding times
• When you see the puppy sniffing around and turning in circles
• When you see the puppy going behind furniture. (It is not playing hide-and-seek!)

At these times, pick up your puppy and take it outside. Wait there, sunshine or rain, until it has done everything. Do not go inside, the puppy will just follow you and do it in the house. And it will be all your own fault! Never scold your puppy if it had an accident in the house, it was NOT his fault.

You can be very successful in the dog training basics if you are consistent. Your patience will pay off and very soon you will notice your puppy start going outside all on its own. Remember also to praise your puppy everytime it does its toilet outside. It is also a very good idea to take your puppy to a dog training school for puppy classes and basic dog obedience training.

House Training an Adopted Dog

To house train a young and even older dog is basically the same as training a young puppy. It will even be quicker, but you need to be very consistent. Make sure to praise you dog when it is doing right. You can even train your dog to touch a bell when it wants to go out. You can do that by using the method of clicker training.

In all your dog training, be it house training, basic obedience training, dog agility training, always use positive reinforcement methods and you will achieve your goals much faster and both you and your dog will enjoy it.

MS du Toit
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-house-train-a-dog-easy-steps-722320.html

I have a sliding glass door and I really want to get a dog door for it but I’m not sure how this will work or how to install one. I live in Australia so if you’re going to suggest Dog Doors and stuff please make sure you name brands that are here because otherwise I don’t know what you are talking about.
It’s a sliding glass door. So there is one plane of glass that slides over another plane of glass.

I’m not sure about brand names down there but there are some really cool products for just that purpose. They have inserts that go in the door and the existing door just closes on them, and others that actually replace the sliding portion of the door itself, and still others that just work for the screen in the outer section of the door.

Try checking out petsmart.com to see what kinds are available, you might even check ebay, If you’ve got a used pet supply place in your area those are fantastic too, the one here had several last time i went to see what kind of new stuff they had.
Sorry i can’t be much more help, brands and types of products are so different in different places.

Dehydration is caused by the excessive loss of fluids. The condition must be treated by the replacement of fluids. It can result from a dog being kept in hot conditions for too long or from illness. Vomiting and diarrhea or a high fever will all cause dehydration.

When a dog becomes dehydrating the electrolytes in the dog’s bodily fluids get out of balance. The electrolytes are mineral salts such as sodium, potassium and chloride. This can result in damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver. Ultimately this can prove fatal.

Dogs do not have sweat glands like humans so they cool themselves by panting. This can lead to dehydrations just like excessive sweating can lead to dehydration in humans.

A dog must always have access to clean, fresh water. Keep a bowl of water accessible to the dog at all times in the house, yard and dog pen. If you use a dog pen in the house make sure there is water available there too. Change the water in all the dog’s bowls at least every day.

Never let the dog become overheated. Do not let it stay out in the yard in hot weather unless it has shade. But it is better to bring it indoors especially if you live in a warm climate. Dogs with a heavy coat are very prone to overheating. It may be best to have them clipped for summer.

Dogs should not be left in cars. Even with the window open slightly a car can quickly overheat. This can happen even in winter because the car acts like a greenhouse. So if you need to leave the dog, when you go into a store say, tether it somewhere shady. Encourage local stores to have a dog tethering spot at which water is available.

When you take your dog for a walk and especially if you take it jogging with you make sure it has access to water. Many dogs will happily lap water poured from your own water bottle. You can pour some into your hands if the dog can’t drink from a jet of water. It’s a good idea to keep some water and a bowl in the car.

Dried food is best for a dog’s dental health but always make sure it has plenty of water too. If your dog is drinking from the toilet bowl this is not a good idea because there can be unpleasant chemical cleaners used in the bathroom. Give the door more water in its own bowl.

If your dog becomes seriously dehydrated you will notice that is nose is dry, its eyes look sunken and its skin lacks elasticity. A good test is to press the gums and if the colour comes back quickly after you release the pressure then the dog is hydrated. But if the colour comes back only slowly then the dog may be dehydrated.

A seriously dehydrated dog should only be allowed to drink water in small amounts slowly. Too much water all at once and it will vomit which will only add to the problem.

The same electrolyte solutions that are used for children can be used for dogs and puppies. This can be useful in cases where the cause of dehydration is illness.

If there is no obvious cause of the dehydration such as heat and exertion or a known illness for which the dog is already undergoing treatment than consult your vetinarian.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/treating-dog-for-dehydration-first-aid-tips-for-dog-dehydration-753311.html

Am thinking about installing a Dog Door – but I have a large dog. How do you keep a person from entering your home while you are away if you have a dog door?

My aunt had the same problem, until they got this wonderful cover invertion. On the inside of their dog door there are slots sticking out of the door. When they want to block the dog door at night they simply slide the cover board into the placement slots. You dont even have to lock it because from the outside there is no way to remove the cover. If I had any links or more info on these I would share them with you but unfortunatly i don’t sorry! Best of Luck on finding your solution!

There is nothing worse then a dog that jumps on anyone who walks in the front door, barks all day long, doesn’t listen to your commands, or relieves himself in your house. These are just a few examples of the sorts of bad dog behavior that drives owners crazy. If you are having these types of behavioral problems with you dog then it might be time to try some basic obedience training.

Dogs are very social creatures and they love attention, even if it’s for doing the wrong thing. Dog obedience training is the best way to re-program the way your dog goes about seeking attention because it them a positive outlet to please you. It also teaches them the difference between good and bad behavior because once they understand what you want from them they will always work to earn your praise.

There are two ways to approach training your dog to correct bad behavior; you can do it your self or you can sign up for a dog training class. If you are having a particularly hard time with your dog’s behavior then a class run by a professional trainer may be your best bet. Not only do you get their years of experience working with just about every kind of behavioral problem you also get a chance to find out exactly how to best deal with your dog’s problems. Dog obedience classes also give you the opportunity to socialize your dog with other dogs, which is a big part of solving many of his behavior issues.

If you don’t wish to train your dog in a class setting then you can still use the services of a professional trainer. Many trainers will provide private lessons, either at their place of business or at your home. Again you will get their experience working with all sorts of dogs but it will be more cost prohibitive.

If you would rather train your misbehaving dog yourself there are plenty of resources available to help you. Your local pet or book store will have plenty of books on the subject, some even specific to your particular breed. This can be important because not all breeds respond as well to the same training methods. Getting a better understanding of the intelligence level, mood, and temperament of your dog can give you insight into why he might be misbehaving.

There are also good training methods available on the internet. Most of these are downloadable ebooks written by professional dog trainers. They cover a wide variety of bad behavior problems and give you the insight of a pro without having to pay to see one in person. One of the nice things about going this route is the ability to email the trainers with questions and problems you may be having. This personal touch makes the low cost of these products a good way to go.

Bad dog behavior in the majority of cases is simply a case of a lack of proper obedience training. No matter which training option you choose your chances of turning your misbehaving dog into a model doggy citizen are greatly increased if you take the time to train him properly.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/obedience-training-resolves-bad-dog-behavior-in-most-cases-711188.html

She seems to understand the concept. She will let me know she needs to go out and use the Dog Door when I tell her to. But I can’t seem to get her to understand that she can simply go out when she needs to without checking with me first.

Once she’s comfortable going out on your command, try leaving a tasty treat outside the door without telling her to go out. Maybe as she discovers these treats when you’re not around she’ll be more comfortable going out on her own

Some people are driven to acquire the fastest possible car. Or amass wealth. Or get the corner office. Others are driven to build a strong family unit, or to find the perfect romance.

What drives you?

Humans are composed of many drives and desires. We humanoids are complicated creatures. Dogs, however, are much simpler in their major needs and desires, or what I’ll call drives.

A dog’s most important need is the desire for social order, to follow a strong, compassionate leader. I call this Pack Drive. Pack drive can be best summed up like this; it is the desire to follow and collaborate with a clear leader. You can see this drive in action when you notice your dog trying to please you.

But dogs do possess other drives as well. Here is a list of the other most important instincts that literally drive dog behavior…

Prey Drive: the urge to chase, catch, kill and consume moving animals. You see this in action every time your dog chases a squirrel. Unfortunately, you may also see it when your dog chases your cat.

Play Drive: a modified form of Prey Drive, Play Drive is the urge to engage in mock hunting behavior. Play Drive is at work when your dog pounces on a squeaky toy and pretends to shake it to death.

Defensive Drive: the urge to defend himself, his pack mates, or his territory. Not all dogs have the drive to defend, and not every dog can stand up to the pressure of defending. A dog who reacts with a desire to defend, but who lacks the confidence to do so, generally shows fear before aggression. You may note this if your dog barks at the door, but runs away when you let someone in.

Fight Drive: If your dog stands his ground when confronted by threats, real or imagined, he may be high in Fight Drive, the instinct to take action to defend.

Flight Drive: A dog who does not stand his ground when facing a so called enemy or frightening situation, flees, and he is said to be high in Flight Drive. This and other drives are well explained in the works of authors Jack and Wendy Volhard.

It is important for us to understand what drives a dog, what makes him tick, in order that we may not only live with him peaceably, but also so we may train him in the easiest possible manner. To train a dog naturally, in a way that makes sense to his way of thinking, means the dog will learn to do what you want at incredible speed.

If that sounds hard to believe, think about it this way. When dogs play or interact, from the second they meet, they are exchanging information using body language. They speak much faster than humans because they can say “don’t come any closer,” merely by squinting an eye. So their language is quick and most dogs speak it fluently. This is why you’ll see dogs introducing themselves carefully at the dog park before playing. First each must know where he ranks in the pack, who he can be boisterous with, and to whom must he yield. Rarely does a dog fail to understand when another dog explains to him, “I am dominant. I would like to play with you, but please allow me to control the play.”

This happens in the blink of an eye and is the main reason there aren’t constant fights in dog parks. In fact, one of the rare times dogs do fight is when two dominant dogs meet and cannot negotiate a power sharing arrangement. This is rare, because they normally can work out a solution. Fights can also occur when a dog lacks confidence, is high in flight drive, and is cornered by other dogs.

Generally, though, dogs communicate quickly, and for a great reason. If they can instantly determine what their relationships are to be, there is limited need for fighting. And that is good for the species. Evolutionary success demands that social creatures work out their problems peacefully within the species, lest the animals expend more energy on killing one another than thriving. Dogs are a very successful species, and their drives, coupled with their ability to adapt, is the reason.

So what does any of this have to do with training your dog? Let’s go back and remember Pack Drive, the urge to follow and collaborate with the Leader. Dogs have this instinct for a good reason. If no one is in charge, chaos reigns. This means in the dog pack, no one has the authority to determine when we hunt, which deer is slow enough for us to catch, which dogs should pass along the best genes by breeding, and so forth. Lacking clear Leadership, dogs become nervous or aggressive…or both. In the wild, neurotic or unproductive aggression spells doom for the individual so afflicted, or for the entire species if those traits become common.

Dogs are born with Pack Drive so that their species does not live in chaos, thereby dying out. Instead, Pack Drive allows a Leader to emerge and keep the pack safe, content and well fed.

Training your dog is an important step in teaching him to meet your expectations. By recognizing how he his psychology functions, you’ll have a better chance of helping him understand what you want. Appeal to your dog’s need for social order by being a clear and compassionate Leader. By all means, share resources with your pet, just be sure you go first.

Here are a few tips that can help engage your dog’s Pack Drive so that he’ll see you as a Leader, and want to cooperate with you.

One, exit doors ahead of your dog. Encourage him to wait while you step through first.

Two, when walking your dog, don’t permit him to pull ahead of you. Instead, use any fair training method to teach him to walk at your side on a loose leash.

Three, ask your dog to sit before you feed him. Do not release an excited dog to his food bowl. Simply get the sit and stand quietly until he relaxes for a moment, then feed him.

Four, if you enjoy close contact with your dog, allow him to snuggle with you, but only when you have invited him to do so. If he gets in your lap without an invitation, take him off, have him sit, then invite him up as a reward.

Five, take your dog for a walk in a large open field on a 20 foot leash. If he runs ahead of you, simply turn around and walk briskly the other way. Before long, your dog will find it more pleasurable to keep an eye on you and allow you to pick the direction.

If you struggle with any of these matters, a professional dog trainer can help you upgrade your Leadership skills. Reward your dog only when he is in Pack Drive, attempting to please you. As Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan says, dogs follow a Pack Leader.

Marc Goldberg, CDT
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/train-your-dog-with-pack-drive-669979.html

I have a 95 pound Bouvier. I am thinking of installing a patio door panel style Dog Door. How easy, difficult is it to install? Effect on energy consumption. Ease of training and or use for pet. any comments, etc are welcome. Thanks!

I had one for a cat, but the product is similar, it worked well and was easy to install (the top was spring loaded so it automatically fit any door). However it certainly let in more cold/hot air both through the panel and especially through the door itself.

Also I would have serious concerns about using it at ground level since there was no good way to lock it in place.

My other major annoyance was that you had to take it out every time you wanted to actually exit the door.