The Papillon continues to be among the less popular breeds in North America. Papillon production in the United States has increased in recent years. A Papillon, Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being, won Best in Show in 1999 at the Westminster Kennel Club show. He also won many hearts. Kirby, who won the most in breed history also won the World Dog Show in Helsinki Finland, and the Royal Invitational in Canada in 1998, which has also attracted many new admirers of the Papillon.

As for the Papillon’s ability as a service dog, yes most definitely, the Papillon dog can be well-suited for service work. The Papillon has been bred for centuries as a companion dog and possesses one of the most important assets of a good service dog. This asset is how the Papillon enjoys spending the majority of time with his human partner and creates the ultimate in human-animal bonding.

Although larger dogs are required for some tasks for the disabled such as providing brace and balance, pulling wheelchairs, opening heavy doors, the Papillons are able to perform the majority of required tasks for a variety of disabilities. These tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Picking up objects dropped on the floor like pens, hairbrushes, keys or coins;

• Papillons can learn to make beds, tug clothing from the dryer, put clothing in a basket and it from room to room;

• Papillons can learn to take clothing from their human’s body;

• The breed can learn to open and shut doors, drawers and cabinets inside the home, bring the telephone when it rings, shut off the alarm clock;

• From the lap, a Papillon can activate light switches, press handicap door openers, elevator buttons or hand change purse to a cashier.

The Papillon is naturally alert. This natural ability makes the Papillon an excellent choice as a hearing dog. He may also perform well as a seizure alert dog.

As a hearing ear or signal dog, the Papillon can be trained to alert their hearing impaired or deaf owners of environmental sounds, and to take their owner to the source of the sound. The Papillon may alert his hearing impaired owner to:

• A baby crying;
• Someone calling the owner’s name in the event of immediate danger;
• A siren going off;
• A smoke detector going off;
• The sound of the alarm clock, microwave ring of completion, washer or dryer ring of completion;
• And a telephone ringing.

As a seizure alert dog, the Papillon is one who alerts his owner to impending crises, and responds in a trained way. The Papillon’s owner who has Epilepsy or a brain disorder is then given a chance to move to a safe area before a dangerous episode occurs. They can also be trained to respond by seeking help in these situations, or by aspirating fluids from their owner’s mouth during convulsions.

The uneven distribution of Papillon breeders presents a major challenge for those who are seeking a Papillon just for a pet companion. Some resources for locating a Papillon with aptitude to become a service dog are:

• Breeder lists published by national or regional breed clubs;
• The Papillon Club of America.

These organizations should be able to guide you in the appropriate direction to acquire a Papillon with the aptitude of becoming a service dog or a Papillon already performing service work.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Connie Limon
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-papillon-as-a-service-dog-140765.html

I love my dog. I love the faithful affection that my mottled mutt shows me every time I step through the door. I love the way he joyously runs to play fetch with me. I love walking him all over the neighborhood while we enjoy each other’s company. I love my dog almost as much as I love my own family. I even love old Snoopy more than some of my relatives.

As a matter of fact, the only thing that I really love more than my dog is my sleep. The unfortunate fact is that sometimes they clash. My dog is quite a barker. Even with most of the barking collars that I have tried, it is difficult to get him to shut up. If the postman comes by, he barks. If a car, truck, bicycle, or motorcycle drives by, he barks. When I first got him, I was hesitant to get a bark collar.

I always thought that anti barking collars were inhumane. But that was before three months of sleepless nights. The neighbors have stopped complaining and started calling the police. I knew that it was time to get him a barking collar.

There are so many barking collars available that it can be dizzying at first. When I first knew that I needed to train snoopy not to bark, I got him a citronella collar. I thought that this would be much less cruel than the other barking collars on the market. It may have been humane, but it did not do anything to help the problem. Honestly, of all the barking collars that I’ve tried, the citronella collar was the least effective.

The problem is, all of the other barking collars that you can get are kind of sadistic. There are a few variations on barking collars, and I do not know all of them. Most of them, however, can be fit into three types. There are the citronella collars, the electric shock collars, and the ones that make the high-pitched noises. Of all of these, the ones that make the high-pitched noise are more effective than the other barking collars.

It seemed like such a mean thing to do to a dog, however, that it took me a while to get one for him. Even once I had it, it was another week before I could bring myself to put the sonic barking collar on my dog. Once I did, however, the barking quickly subsided.

John Mailer
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/barking-mad-dog-owners-try-dog-barking-collars-109496.html

I have a dog door in the garage that was there when I moved in. My dog has been having problems with urination, and I think it’s due to being too excited when outside and forgetting to do her thing, then having to go once inside. I want to try the Dog Door as a way for her to go outside in an emergency, but I’m not sure what the safest way to use it is. I have a fenced yard, but should there be a kennel instead? I do plan on keeping her crated when no one is home.

Just remember it works both ways. We had one and the four Yorkies we had would go in and out. Well one day they had a skunk cornered close to the door. Ya guess what. In it came. After several minutes and a house full of spray. She ran out an open door with all four dogs chasing her. If anyone would have had a movie camera it would have been worth 10,000 on Home vidios.

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