Some Important Suggestions Pets Care

Archive for February, 2011

If you are using clicker to train your dog the first thing you need to do is associate the click, or the marker with the reward. Once they understand what the click means you are half way there! This dog clicker training stuff is going to be fun! That is the key… FUN!

You will need to decide early on what you will use as a reward. Food is probably going to be the best reward as dogs love to eat. You can use their favourite toy, try both and see which works best. Its sometimes a good idea to vary. If using food treats don’t use anything too rich or fatty. Try to use their favourite food or treats that are already part of their diet, so you are not adding extra calories and naughtiness. Chicken roll is ideal. It is processed meat pre-cut into 15 or so very thin slices. It’s cheap, lean, tastes good (to dogs at least!) and can be cut into inch squares. It fits easily between your fingers so you can lead your dog’s movements with your hand. This works well in the twist and spin lesson.

Let’s start… You have your clicker and you have a generous quantity of treats. Find a quiet place without distraction so it is just you and your dog. There are a couple of ways to start.

1. Click to get your dog’s attention then immediately give them a treat. Repeat this until they get the idea.
2. Scatter some treats on the ground and let your dog start eating them. Start with about 10 or so. As they begin to eat each one click. Keep clicking until they are all gone.

Either way, your dog will begin to learn that click = food in mouth. So we will tell them what to do for another treat, or at least that is the plan!

This process is often referred to as ‘charging’ the clicker. For the first few sessions at least you should charge your clicker to get your dog into the mindset. Also, make a fuss and use some familiar phrases at the beginning of each session. Get excited, ask them “Are you ready?! Are you ready?!” They will start to know when they are about to get clickered!

You may find the first method best as each time you click, your dog’s attention will be caught intentionally by you. That is part of what dog clicker training is about – you telling the dog what to do then rewarding them, not the dog doing what they want expecting a reward. If you use method one, reward immediately then turn away to allow them to continue sniffing around, or whatever else they were doing. Click again to get their attention before immediately giving the treat.

Note the word ‘immediately’ a couple of times so far. Timing is everything with clicker. Whatever the desired action or movement it must be clicked at the specific point it begins. As you will learn from the sit lesson the click comes as your dog decides they will put their back end to the ground, not after they sit and not before they sit but as the movement to sit begins.

As you practice you will start to see how your dog reacts to the clicker. It may take a couple of sessions, a day, maybe two, depending on your dog, your patience and how often you train. The key thing here is getting your dog to consistently react to the clicker and for them to show you they are ready to progress.

You want to buy or adopt a dog. You have even decided that you want a small dog. However, it is wise to research the different small dog breeds, before you make this lifelong investment. Small dogs typically live longer than large dogs: usually about 12-20 years. After all, great things can come in small packages. So what are the best, most popular and most adorable small breeds of dog?

Yorkshire Terrier- The pointy ears and long bangs of hair make the ‘Yorkie’ a distinctive dog. They require regular grooming. This dog is a spirited and playful little dog. Its spunky nature is seen as an asset by some. These lap dogs make excellent, loyal companions, and like lots of attention. They travel well. It is no coincidence that the Yorkie is one of the most popular breeds.

Dachshund- The highlight of Picnic Day, an annual event at UC Davis in Davis, California are the dachshund races. There is nothing more entertaining than watching these little dogs race across the Rec Hall floor. Of course, not every dachshund actually makes it to the finish line. Don’t mistake the look of this little dog; they actually make good watchdogs. They require regular grooming and are not good around small children. However, they are loyal family dogs with the right training.

West Highland White Terrier- The handsome ‘Westie’ is a spirited, yet intelligent dog. They are legitimate terriers: energetic and a little feisty. Westies are playful and devoted dogs. They make good watchdogs. They are not for a home with small children and other pets. Westies require regular grooming and would prefer having a backyard.

Poodle- There are 3 varieties of poodle: standard, miniature, and toy. The miniature and toy poodles are small in size. Poodles should not be judged by their covers. The dignified poodle is actually one of the world’s smartest dogs. They require both regular grooming and exercise. Poodles make excellent watchdogs. They are good around other pets, but not around small children. Fancy haircuts are optional.

Shetland Sheepdog- The ‘sheltie’ has the look of a small collie. These dogs are affectionate and loyal. They are also energetic and protective. Having a herding instinct, they like to chase things. Shelties can coexist with children and other pets. They are intelligent and highly trainable. Shelties have a shedding season, and need regular grooming.

Shih Tzu- The adorable little shih tzu makes a good indoor companion. This breed does well with other pets. They like lots of attention. These dogs also require regular grooming. The shih tzu is spirited and has decent watchdog ability. This affectionate breed comes from China, though they have become a popular pet in the West.

Scottish Terrier- You may recognize the distinctive look of the ‘Scottie’ from the old Monopoly piece; having a beard, brushy eyebrows, and pointy ears. This breed is dignified, yet energetic; intelligent, yet independent. With the right socialization and training, Scotties can be a family dog. They require regular grooming and exercise.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel- This distinctive looking dog is associated with Kings Charles I and Charles II who owned similar spaniels. These pets are both lap dogs and sporting dogs. Even though they have the abilities of a retriever, they are content as companion dogs. They do well indoors and are affectionate and gentle. They require regular grooming and exercise.

Miniature Schnauzer- This distinguished gentleman of a dog is recognized by his beard, bushy eyebrows and dark or grey coat. With the right training, this breed can do well with families and other dogs. However, they are not good around smaller pets like cats. They make excellent watchdogs. They require some grooming, but they shed very little. This can be a good breed for someone with allergies. They can adapt to apartments, but require exercise.

Chihuahua- This companion dog has lately become a fashionable Hollywood pet. They are the smallest dog breed and they live on average of 14-18 years. Chihuahuas require minimal grooming, but don’t do well in cold climates. Good in apartments, they are very loyal to 1 or 2 people. Chihuahuas are not good for large families and small children. They make good watchdogs.

Pug- This dog has an expressive, wrinkled face and a curly tail. They resemble little bulldogs, but are cheerful pets. Pugs do well around other dogs and are great with children. They require minimal grooming and are good apartment dogs. These loyal dogs make good watchdogs.

Pomeranian- This very little breed has a very fluffy coat that can be different colors such as gold. They are an energetic and spirited breed. These dogs do well in apartments, but not typically with small children. They make good watchdogs. Pomeranians require regular grooming.

Boston Terrier- These dogs are dark with white markings and have distinctive bat ears. Smart dogs, they make loyal companion dogs. They do well with other pets, though not always with other dogs and small children. Boston terriers can do well in apartments and with families. They require minimal grooming, but can be prone to drooling and breathing problems.

Maltese- This adorable breed is very small with a long, silky white coat. They are intelligent, playful, and affectionate. These dogs can be good with other pets, but not usually with small children. The Maltese likes to be devoted to one person. They are good apartment dogs and good watchdogs. They like attention and need regular grooming.

French Bulldog- ‘Frenchies’ might be a medium dog, but only by weight. They have bat ears and clownish, expressive faces. Playful and affectionate, they make good companions. They are good with other pets, but not always with other dogs, and typically not good for small children. Frenchies need minimal grooming, but can be prone to drooling. They are good watchdogs, and don’t like exercising in high heat.

Why you should train your dog

Many people train their dogs for only one reason. They get a dog and teach a series of commands that they think might be useful. Of course I think that teaching your dog some useful commands is a great idea, but there are two other reasons that training a dog is a worthwhile endeavor. The other two reasons are to establish dominance and to give the dog a mental workout.

Dominance in household dogs is very common and can lead to all kinds of behavioral issues. When a dog feels dominant he will do whatever it is he feels like. This can range from tearing up the house, to barking out the window, to biting you when you pet him while he is eating. A good training program based around teaching the dog respect will nip most of these problems in the bud. When you are training a dog for respect you should only use treats at the very beginning so that you do not resort to bribing the dog.

Giving a dog a mental workout is another great reason to train a dog. When dogs become bored with their daily life they tend to act out with many behavioral issues being the result. Digging, barking, and chewing are three common behaviors that result from bored dogs. When training a dog as a mental workout any command is worth teaching. You can work on the basics such as sit, down, and stay, or you can advance to the finish and off leash come command.

I hope you can see why training your dog is so important. It isn’t just about teaching a command. Training dogs is about teaching commands, earning respect, and giving your dog a job.

Anyone that has owned a puppy before has probably gone through the same stage that you’re in right now. It’s actually a stage that you simply think may never end and may even allow you to regret running a dog. Here is the stage I enjoy call ‘The Badly Behaved Dog’.

Try since you may, you merely find it hard to prevent your puppy from digging, barking, jumping around on guests, chewing or doing whatever else that generally drives you crazy.

That which you ought to make an attempt to realize this is that your pet is simply as frustrated as you are. They may be in position where these are without a doubt being shouted at by their owner many times a day, however they have no clue why. Your work is to find what it’s all about across for your closest friend and inform them why you are angry with these.

Perhaps start by toning down the shouting. Let’s be honest, whether it hasn’t worked chances are, it in all probability won’t work in any respect, why don’t we consider using a different approach. Make an attempt to talk to your dog want it can be an adult. I’m not suggesting that dogs take presctiption the same level as humans, or that you just apply your new puppy whispering approach, but merely consult him inside a firm calm tone as you would to a naughty child.

A large turning point inside a many frustrated dog owners lives is realizing that really help are at hand. There are huge amounts of dog training resources online to help you get the best from the dog. Two resources We’ve searched into recently are dog training collars and canine training books.

The first resource is sold with mixed opinions, but in my visualize it can often be misunderstood. By utilizing an electric dog collar for your pet, you can provide him the light shock when he could be doing something he shouldn’t. Lots of people find this to become cruel and inhumane, but when you discover the correct collar, the shock isn’t a shock at all. It is just a gentle vibration that alerts your dog when he’s doing something wrong. If he only feels this vibration when he’s doing a thing that he shouldn’t, he’ll soon have the message he should stop.

The other resource certainly are a series of books which can be meant to help owners train their pets. After while using the DIY method and finding that it’s not working, getting some advice from the professional is usually a real help and save a lot of frustration.