Dog parks are a great way to allow your dog to socialize with other dogs. Letting your dog interact with other dogs under your supervision is very helpful in taming your dog’s wariness towards other dogs that he may meet while walking. Allowing him to get used to meeting strange dogs in a setting that you control will alleviate his anxiety about meeting new dogs.

Always keep an eye on your dog at the dog park. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by chatting with other owners. By the time you realize what your dog is doing, it may already be too late to stop a fight from breaking out.

Keep a calm demeanor while introducing your dog to other dogs, even if you are nervous about what will happen. Your dog will naturally pick up on your calmness, helping to reduce his anxiety level. It can be stressful letting your dog interact with other dogs when you don’t know if the other dog has aggression problems, or if you know or suspect your own dog tends to be aggressive towards other dogs. Showing tension via your body language will just cause your dog to be tense in kind. Keeping calm will help your dog understand that meeting new dogs can be a positive experience and that he doesn’t have to be on his guard all the time.

Select a dog park that attracts courteous owners. If other owners don’t pick up after their dogs, don’t watch their dogs while they’re at the park, or don’t have well-behaved dogs, you should consider going to another dog park where the crowd is more conducive to socializing your dog. Neglectful owners are more likely to ignore the behavioral issues their dogs have, which will make going to that dog park more dangerous for your dog.

Go to the dog park at a time when it isn’t especially crowded, especially when you are first taking your dog to the dog park. If there are too many dogs around or too many humans around, your dog may become overwhelmed by all the new sights and smells. Taking him at a time when there are less people and fewer dogs at the dog park will allow him to get more used to the idea of socializing with other dogs at a slower pace. Another bad sign is if there are many more dogs there than there are people, as this means that owners may be distracted and not able to carefully watch all of their dogs. This will lead to an increased chance of fights and other negative incidents for your dog.

If you think that a dog fight may be brewing, quickly distract your dog as much as possible. You may consider bringing a loud whistle in order to momentarily distract your dog so that you can get his attention and take it off the other dog. What sometimes seems like it could end in a fight to humans is perfectly fine for dogs, so you should take some care in deciding whether or not to break things up.Article provided by Crissi Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies, search for current discounts on dog fetch toys online.

On the other hand, you could have just taken in a dog of dubious history. This is an older animal. It may have built-in insecurities and issues you do not know about. They soon manifest themselves. It may not be a pleasant experience.

There are several basic behavioral problems you and your dog may face. They range from barking to chewing to biting. Many have simple solutions. Others are more complex. In the following articles, we will consider some of the more common issues facing dog owners.

Barking

The very first thing you need to ask yourself is “Why?” Why is the dog barking so much? Is it behavioral? Is it the breed? Is it from any specific trigger mechanism?

You must remember that barking is one way a dog expresses him or herself. It is natural. It acts as a warning mechanism for its people. However, when purposeful barking evolves into constant yipping and yapping, you need to look at the rationale behind the behavior.

Some dogs exhibit this kind of misbehavior because they are bored. The dog could also be anxious, excited or wanting attention. A dog may also bark because, like some people, he or she simply likes the sound of their own voice. It is important you understand the why of the bark before you can work to correct the behavior.

There are various approaches to solving the issue of constant barking. It is easier to address if the dog is barking from boredom or anxiety. The solutions frequently boil down to the following:

• Spend more time with your dog. Make sure it is quality time. Socialize, play and simply “hang out” with him or her. It may be he or she has been alone too often as everybody goes about their busy lives.

• If you are very busy during the day and/or you need to spend time away from your dog, have someone come in. Have a neighbor or friend drop in. You can hire a dog walker or dog sitter to help out. This will reduce boredom and decrease anxiety. Your dog will receive stimulation. Your dog will realize someone will always be there for them.

• Enroll your canine companion in doggy day care. This solves the boredom during the day. If you pick a qualified day care facility, your dog will have a great time. Doggy day cares are a good way for your pet to socialize and have fun. Moreover, if you drop off and pick up within a certain time frame, it reduces anxiety levels.

• If you do not have the time, make it. Play, train and ensure your dog gets adequate exercise. This will wear him or her down. It will make your dog feel happy, content and reduce anxiety levels. If your dog is aware that, no matter what, you are coming home to walk and play with him or her, it helps reduce stress.

• Train your dog. Enroll him or her in a training class. They will learn the commands of “Speak” and “Be Quite” or “Silence.” This will help them differentiate between the right and wrong times to vocalize.

• If your dog is trying to get attention by barking, do not reward him or her.

• Reward your dog for suitable barking. Always praise and give treats to the canine who barks when he or she should.

There are 2 other methods for controlling undesirable barking. Both are extreme. Both are cruel. Neither are recommended for use. Avoid anti-barking collars. They are inhumane. Also do not even listen to anyone who says the best way to controlling barking is to remove the vocal cords.

Article written by Alex Tate of Oh My Dog Supplies, search for new deals on discount dog beds online.

This is all part of being a responsible owner. This section looks at another common problem – failing to come when called.

Not coming When Called

The very first thing you need to discover is what works for your canine. This is true whether you have a puppy or a mature dog. What will motivate your dog to come back when you call? Is it a special dog treat? Is it praise? Is he or she happy with a scritch behind the ears, a hug or a body cuddle? Will a toy or a ball or some other object work? Find out what will draw him or her back, and you will have the tools to ensure the dog returns.

Do not stint on this.

It is very important to have your dog come back on command. If they do not actively recall, the dog may end up injured or dead. But, mind your approach. Teach him or her a positively reinforced recall. Reward the return. This is a win-win situation for you and your dog.

Food is often the favorite way to lure a dog back. Many are motivated by their stomach. You can start using treats or kibble as a training tool at a very early age. Play hide-and-seek with your pet. When they find you, he or she gets a treat. Move from playing hide and seek indoors to the yard outside. Here, you can let the dog off a leash, let them explore, then call him or her back.

Every time your dog responds, reward with a treat and praise.

You then expand to larger enclosed and safe areas. This includes dog parks, particularly leash-free parks. Allow the dog to investigate. Supervise their movements. At certain times, call him or her back. Reward, then let off to play again. Calling and releasing will encourage the dog to come back.

Some dogs learn more quickly than others. Several dogs, unfortunately, have had bad experiences regarding failure to return. When he or she has come back after disregarding the owner’s command for a while, punishment has resulted. This only discourages the canine from coming back at all. For this reason, NEVER punish a dog for a late return. Even if it is hours later, do not strike or yell or berate the animal. If you do have problems, attend an obedience class.

Conclusion

There are many possible snags along the path running from a puppy to a senior dog. If you want to alleviate the load on you and other dog owners, train your pet. Make sure he or she is versed in basic manners.Information written by Sharon Robertson of Oh My Dog Supplies, the top spot to buy unique dog collars online.

Many approaches to a dog’s training exist during our time and by choosing either one of them you won’t go wrong. Regardless of the training grounds you choose for your dog, be it at home or at a dog training center, both options are available and you will not regret the decision you will make. The dog should never remain unsupervised because there is the risk of him chewing down your furniture, clothes and making an overall mess of things. The best way to teach your dog potty training is by placing him in his dog crate before leaving the home so he may become accustomed to being alone and to hold when he has to go in order for him to do it in the right place.

There are people who don’t agree with this method of dog crating so when you make your decision you should take into account your own needs and the personality of your canine. The behavior change will certainly help the canine adjust to a clean and healthy life, without you having to worry about him all the time or wasting precious time cleaning the house you live in every single day. There are canines that comply with their master’s wishes and are more obedient therefore learning by the crating method does not affect their attitude one bit. There is one rule to keep in mind when crating your dog, he should never be placed in the crate as a form of punishment otherwise he will adopt this behavior all the time even when you are in the house and you will be unable to move him from that spot.

There are people who consider this method of dog training unacceptable and have adopted other means of enforcing their wishes upon their canines. Traditional methods are suitable with the only distinction that accidents are usually prone to happen while the owner is not home. A canine, just like a person will in some cases become frustrated from too much training and begin to express that anger by chewing everything in the surrounding environment. The crate method should be first tested on the canine to see if he approves and if he has given you the green light then you can adopt it.

Once the decision has been made the dog will have to be sufficiently old to be able to understand that you are placing him in his crate and there he should remain until your return. The crate should be positioned in the corner of the room, out of the regular house traffic route so the canine will not be disturbed. The dog should have some freedom as to when he may leave the crate while you are in the house. There are canines which love to be in a crate with bedding and they consider it quite comfortable.

Once your canine becomes accustomed to staying in the crate while you are absent from the house then you will manage to remain calm that your home possessions are as safe as you left them without the presence of any bite marks or scratches. When looking to purchase such a crate you should go for a plastic model because they make it easy for your home to remain clean while your canine benefits from great conditions and stays in hygienic conditions. There is the small danger of him being tempted to chew the crate if he is known to have had such habits in the past. If the canine adjusts to this method of being crated and he doesn’t develop any signs of aggressive behavior towards the crate you should be content that this specific method is working successfully.

Information provided by Kenny Richards of Oh My Dog Supplies, where you can find a extraordinary collection of dog seat covers online.

Dogs can behave quite erratic at certain periods in their lives and this can be quite a hassle if you are not an experienced dog owner with a lot of patience. They will give you a handful of trouble and they will act out every chance they get. The motives behind such an aggressive behavior are many and they all relate in one way or another to the way they feel. By understanding the reasons that stand behind their anxious behavior and determining how you can change your attitude to better influence the life of your canine, you will be able to be a source of health in his life and he will be one in yours.

When the motives behind your canine’s behavior are unclear to you there are several online materials which can come to your aid and help you solve the problem behind this mystery. Training videos are also available for download from the Internet or can be purchased on DVD. The eBooks and video materials can prove to be a decent starting point for you when you want to get going on the path to becoming a respected dog owner and to have your canine execute your commands wonderfully. The materials will emphasize how you can train your dog and at the same time when you should reward your dog with treats. You can never have enough resources at your disposal when it comes to dealing with a frustrated canine and to changing his behavior to one of a more compliant and obedient pup.

One of the most encountered reasons that support erratic behavior is your dog’s separation anxiety. The canine will regard the owner as the most important person in his life and he will constantly feel the need to be in his presence. Once he will notice you have been ignoring him and you have been absent for quite some time he will begin to feel left out and sadness will overcome him. You should resolve this matter at the earliest time possible to avoid further complications in behavior and aggressiveness.

The canine will take on additional personality traits if your lack of care continues to persist. He will bark, dig all over your yard, bite, scratch and chew the items he finds in his path. Through this type of behavior an owner should understand the canine’s frustration in not understanding what it is expected of him.

The main aspect to keep in mind at all times is the fact that dog training becomes difficult with age, therefore the most suitable time to train your canine is by starting at a fragile age. You should award your canine companion with enough attention so he should feel appreciated and loved while helping him master the basic commands. Always be prompt in praising his accomplishments and be offering him treats as rewards for his hard work. When he fails to execute a command you should not reward him at all and you should encourage him to do better next time.

The canine will have to learn that you are the one setting the rules and he is the one following them. In turn he will begin to regard you as a member of his family and the leader of the pack and he will follow your initiative. The dog is indeed the best friend a man could have and he will act accordingly if taught how.

Canine obedience training can be quite exhausting at times considering the amount of patience the owner should possess. If you are a person that lacks time and patience then you should hand over your canine to a professional trainer which will ensure he becomes a perfect specimen. A professional is the most recommended person to visit when seeking advice on how to work with a dog. They will teach you everything about canine physiology and psychology so you would well distinguish the moments when it is necessary to offer your canine a reward and when it is necessary to encourage him to perform better. Consistency is the key to turning your dull pet into an admirable companion from which you will not part too soon. He will in turn become your friend for life and protect and love you as best as he is able.

Content written by Albert Cooper of ohmydogsupplies.com, where you can find a incredible collection of dog sofas online.

You have just met the love of your life and decide to take your relationship to the next level; living under the same roof. There is only one catch you’re a dog owner and she is a cat owner; how will you introduce them so they too will be able to live with one another.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association 32% of households are cat owners and 37% of households are dog owners. Which represents 72 million dogs and 82 million cats in the United States; with this many pets, the two are likely to be found in the same household.

Generally speaking, when either pet is brought up with the other as a puppy or kitten the relationship can be rewarding for both. If however, the introduction takes place when both are adults the experience is often stressful. There is a method, which has proven successful with most dog breeds in meeting an adult cat for the first time. Keep in mind that this is a process and one that will take three to six months to achieve a safe environment for both pets.

The first step is to understand your dog breed. If you have properly socialized your dog and their built-in instincts do not involve chasing pry then you are off to a great start. If however, this is not the case not all is lost, it will just take longer. One thing you can take for granted is your pets sense of smell.

No one knows for sure how much more scent-sensitive dogs are than humans, a thousand times-ten thousand?  Nevertheless, what is known is that a dog’s nose has many more odor receptors, and an olfactory (smell) center that takes up much more room in the brain. Cats are no different. Remember the last time you opened a can of Tuna fish only to look down and see your cat standing next to you waiting for the juice.

Over the course of your new relationship the odors from your mates pet is on your clothes and they will recognize the smell. The pet supplies you will need are a dog crate and a cat carrier along with a pet gate. Establish the boundaries in your house that is where your cat’s area will offer a safe haven from your dog as well a place to hide. Use the pet gate to separate the two spaces.

Let us assume that your cat will be the new comer in the home. Cats are more sensitive to a change in routine then dogs, so for first introductions leave your dog in his/her dog crate allowing your cat to explore the new space. The opposite should take place if the dog is the new comer, although your dog will get use to the new space much faster. Just add the familiar dog toys and their dog bed as long as they know you’re going to be around the transition will be seamless.

The next step is most critical to success, the face-to-face introduction. Always have your dog on his/hers dog leash and sitting at your side. Bring the cat into the room and allow the cat explore the space and see your dog. Your dog will be very alert at this point wanting to sniff the cat and see what’s up. That is the next step. While holding your cat ease off the dog leash and allow the dog to smell the cat. Your cat is not going to like this first greeting and that’s okay.

At night, you dog should be in their crate and the pet gate closed. This safe separation procedure should happen while you both are away from home. If you are going to be away from home longer than eight hours make sure someone is available to let your dog outside and able to return them to their dog crate.

Over the next weeks and months gradually increase the time they spend in each other’s company remembering to give praise when the greeting is nice and firm “no” when the greeting is not. Begin leaving your dog off the leash and your cat free to roam. The goal is to reach a balance when both pets can tolerate one another without using a leash, dog crate, or the pet gate.

The keys to success are:

• Patience, this is going to take some time
• Always keeping a watchful eye when the two pets are together
• Continued praise for both pets – Cats are territorial and dogs will be dominate

Following this method will produce results and your pets will be able to live together.

by Remarkable Dogs

Beaucerons are highly trainable dogs, and can be considered among the most impressive of dog breeds when successfully trained: noble, imposing, helpful toward human beings, and with few problems related to discipline.

The problem, however, is that few people actually know how to take full advantage of through dog obedience training. Worse yet, many people think that they can be trained with just a few hours of work every week, leaving the Beauceron completely alone in the house for the rest of the time. This will inevitably result in an untrained dog–meaning destructive, neurotic, and aggressive –and will obliterate many of the qualities of nobility and gentleness that make the Beauceron so attractive as a breed in the first place.

Despite the difficulty of obedience training for a Beauceron, it’s vital to learn how to train the Beauceron yourself–and to devote a great deal of time to this training becoming the pack leader in his/her life. Hiring a professional trainer may result in a well-trained obedient dog, is true–but that Beauceron will be well-trained and obedient when his or her trainer is around, and will be another kind of dog altogether when it’s simply you in the drivers’ seat. So if you’re interested in owning this breed, make sure that you’re willing to learn how to train him/her–and make sure that you’re willing to spend the time to train them effectively as well.

One of the keys to successfully training for the Beauceron is to train them early. This holds true for all dogs, of course–one of the easiest ways to ensure that a dog behaves in a desirable fashion is to ensure that desirable habits are formed before the dog has a chance to form less desirable habits–that is, he/she learns to chew their dog toy before he learns to chew your sofa, for example.

However, for the Beauceron, the early training policy isn’t merely a good idea, it’s absolutely vital. This breed, which was a very cute puppy of only a few pounds, will inevitably grow into a massive, hundred-pound plus dog with powerful limbs and a powerful personality. If you have not taught the Beauceron how to curb that personality early on, all of that weight and power may very well be used in a way that you will not enjoy, we guarantee.

Once your training program has begun and you have invested in the appropriate dog training supplies, remember to follow these two rules: exercise patience, and be consistent. The Beauceron’s inherent nobility and arrogance makes it less likely to obey your commands at first, or to be interested in an obedience training program.

It is vital to gain the dog’s respect through positive obedience training messages and some light firm methods– limited to no more than a stern tone of voice to discourage negative behavior, consistently applied.

Consistency is the key here: they need to know, from constant, repeated examples, exactly which behaviors are rewarded, and which behaviors will not. If your dog perceives the slightest leeway in your policy, for example, you punish your dog whenever you see him chewing the furniture. But then leave him alone for twelve hours a day to chew the furniture unsupervised–then the Beauceron won’t perceive you as the pack leader, won’t follow your commands, and will gradually become more aggressive and hostile toward the human beings who, in the dog’s mind, he or she rules over.

Does this mean that a Beauceron cannot be trained? Absolutely not–but be aware of the commitment it takes to effectively train a dog of this breed, be willing to take the time to become the pack leader in his/her life, and be patient. If you can do all of these things, it will only be a matter of time before you reap your noble reward.

by Remarkable Dogs

Dog owners whether new or experienced plan for the goal of having the most well behaved dog in the neighborhood. To achieve this goal, obedience training is the answer and that begins with the right tools. The first tool you need to embark on successful obedience training is the appropriate dog leashes.

Dog leashes come in all shapes and sizes from leather dog leashes to retractable dog leashes. Sizes vary from four feet to over 100 feet and depending the training session will determine the correct length and style. Leather dog leashes of either four feet or six feet are the right choice if training your dog to walk. While for most breeds a six-foot dog leash, works the best but for taller breeds the four-foot length is the better choice. The shorter length gives you more control as you walk with your dog.

When teaching the “come” command long dog leashes of 20 to 100 feet is the tool you need. Most of these dog leashes are made of nylon and can be attached to your dogs training collar. This is one the most important commands to teach your dog as it could save his/her life one day.

A retractable dog leash has it’s place in your collection but is one of the worst choices for training. These dog leashes offer no control over your dog most likely breaking within one or two uses. Where they are useful is when your dog is well trained on how to walk; you can let out the lead giving your dog an opportunity to sniff his/her surrounding.

Choosing a leather dog leash or nylon from a training perspective does not matter, what does matter is that you choose the right dog leash to match the training session you are trying to teach. At the very least have two dog leashes in your collection, one for walking and one long training dog leash. With these two tools used appropriately, you can achieve your goal of having the best-behaved dog on the block.

by Remarkable Dogs

The much anticipated call from your breeder has come…”Your new puppy is ready to go home.” Having a dog crate is one of the most important purchases you can make as a dog owner. Aside from speeding up the process of housebreaking and a place to sleep, a dog crate offers a safe haven and the security of a den like feel.

One the first training exercises you will embark on as the proud owner of a new puppy is housebreaking. A dog crate can cut that time in half when sized correctly. The crate should be large enough for your dog to stretch out, get up and turn around, but not so large that they can curl up in one corner while leaving three-quarters of the crate empty.

Dogs will not defecate where they sleep or eat and having the right size crate is essential for housebreaking. This does not mean that a new puppy should be expected to hold his business for eight hours when they first come home. Successful housebreaking still takes time as new puppies will need to relieve themselves every half hour for the first week or two so be prepared.

What a dog crate can do for housebreaking is ensure that they will ask to go outside when the time comes instead using their crate or your carpet. Again, this depends on buying the right size crate. Unless you plan to buy a new crate when your dog is fully grown, purchasing a dog crate that can grow with your dog is a great investment.

Life Stage dog crates like the one from Midwest have a moveable panel that is included with the crate that allows pet owners the flexibility of increasing the size of the interior to accommodate your dogs growth. To provide that den like feel use a towel or small blanket placed on the divider so the crate “feels” the right size for your dog.

For all dogs and especially small dogs, a crate offers a safe haven. Anxiety felt for small dogs living in a lively household is the fear of being trampled. Vets have said many broken bones in small dogs is due to accidentally being stepped on by a family member. A safe haven for your dog means just that, a dog crate is never to be used for punishment. The last thing any pet owner should do is raise their voice, order their dog in their crate, and lock them in. A time-out area is for human children not for your dog.

Because of the crates den like feel they are great for relieving anxiety when traveling. Dog travel crates come in a variety of styles from hard plastic to pop-up camping travel crates. Visiting a busy Veterinary office can be a scary experience for a small dog and keeping them safe and secure in a dog crate can ease the tension they feel.

Lastly, a dog crate will keep your pooch out of trouble when they are left home alone. Depending on your breed dogs, mature at different rates. For some maturity arrives by the age of two while others it could be age three. While a dog should spend no more than an eight hour stretch locked in a crate, dog crates offer pet owners the peace of mind that their dog will not tear up the house or injury themselves while off to work or on an errand.

Once old enough you can leave the crate door open so that your dog can come and go as necessary offering you the opportunity to purchase a designer dog crate. These crates resemble a quality piece of furniture such as an end table or nightstand doubling as a dog crate. These are great for adding some style to your home while providing a comfortable house for your dog.

by Remarkable Dogs

The Italian Greyhound is a very quick learner and trains well during its puppy stages. A puppy left without support or security will have temperament problems and will have constant fears to manage during later years. Puppies left without their mothers or siblings for extended periods will have difficulty socializing, and need this attention during their formative years to become better socialized in the long term. They may exhibit behaviors such as hand biting, nipping, and excessive barking; however, with the appropriate amount of obedience training, you can turn this around.

House training is much easier during the period of 10-12 weeks; prior to that, they have little control over their body functions until they are at least 10 weeks old, and waiting until they are too old can be a problem.

Italian Greyhounds are extremely bright and paper training or litter training your dog will be the ideal choice. They are not good all weather dogs and making sure training takes place indoors will be your best option.

These dogs require attention and positive motivation. They may need frequent stroking or caressing if they are uneasy, and they do well with training in a dog crate during the housebreaking stages.

It’s important to keep a firm grip on these puppies but also keep a gentle hand. Holding the puppies by wrapping them tight can help them stay safe and secure, and setting them on the floor requires that they have all four feet on the floor before letting go. This toy dog has long, thin, and delicate legs that are easily damaged if they land too hard. The dog needs to be trained on how and when to climb furniture, and they should not be left unsupervised on a bed or couch whenever possible.

It’s important not to let the dog go unleashed in an unsecured area; they may have selective deafness where no amount of calling will let you be heard. These dogs need to be monitored on a regular basis as they can be easily distracted.

Still, the dogs travel extremely well but do need to use their dog travel crate for long car rides. They do have a tendency to leap out of cars or vehicles if they are not properly restrained so be sure to buckle them in a dog harness.

Italian Greyhounds take direction and instruction well, and will be especially obedient after only a short period.

by Remarkable Dogs