A Happy Dog

Tips to Housebreak a Puppy

2006-12-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

Perhaps the first and most important thing any puppy owner wants to do is to housebreak their new puppy. This cannot only be a very positive learning experience for the puppy, but also for the owner, particularly for first time dog owners.

When preparing to train your puppy to do what comes naturally outside, rather than inside, it's very important to understand that dog's are habit animals. Everything they do as they grow older is born from habit, the choice the dog owner has is whether the puppy is going to create it's own habits or if the habits are going to be taught.

Another important factor to keep in mind that until after three months of age a puppy cannot physically control the muscles needed to keep from going, it just happens. To overcome this in the early months, take the puppy out often or confine your puppy to an area of the house where it's easy to clean up any messes. Be sure to keep the area the puppy stays in clean; it can be very difficult to train a puppy to go outside if he or she can smell the scent of urine inside.

Once the puppy is old enough to start the housebreaking process, it is vitally important to remember one of the major keys to training a puppy is promptness. When you display your disapproval for an action the puppy has taken, the puppy relates that disapproval to whatever it is doing at that exact moment.

For instance, if you come by a few minutes after the puppy has done it's duty on the floor and do your scolding, the puppy will not relate the scolding to the duty but to either the mess itself or whatever he or she is doing when you come along. Thus, all that will happen is your puppy will become scared and not learn a thing about the housebreaking you are trying to teach.

The easiest way to handle this process is to actually catch the puppy in the act of going inside. Yes, the way is easy but doing it can be quite difficult because there is no set timing or pattern to when a puppy my have to go.

At the times you are able to catch your puppy in the act of relieving him or herself in a place you don't want this to happen, scold the puppy appropriately and take him or her to where you would like them to go. Wait there with the puppy until nature takes hold again then be prompt and very passionate with your praise.

To housebreak a puppy will take time and patience on the part of the owner. With that being said, with proper timing of the scolding and the praising it will indeed happen.

How Do I Choose A Dog Breed

2006-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

Being a dog owner can be one of the most rewarding things in life and can be even more rewarding if you choose the right dog breed. When you decide to bring a dog or puppy into the home you will soon realize what superb, loving and fantastic companions they will make for your family. However, if you choose the wrong breed of dog for your living situation, it can easily go the other way. Hopefully these quick tips will help you on your way to choosing the right dog for you.

Time and Exercise

Before even beginning your search for a dog, you need to first decide whether or not you have the time to devote to dog ownership. Dogs are extremely social animals and desire your companionship as much as, if not more than, you desire theirs. If your life is busy and hectic right now, dog ownership may not be for you.

For those of you that do live a busy life schedule, and are still determined to choose a dog, then going for a smaller dog breed will be much better than a larger dog breed. Smaller dog breeds, or less active dog breeds, will require less exercise to stay fit and healthy. One caveat you should be aware of is that not all small dog breeds are less active dogs, nor are all large dog breeds more active dogs.

Space and Comfort

The amount of living space you have and the amount of space you are prepared to allot for your dog is a major contributing factor in choosing the breed of dog for you. The most important factor to consider in regards to space is: How active is your dog going to be? If your living space is small, for instance, you may still choose a larger less active dog breed. In contrast, if you choose a highly active small dog breed, you will need to provide the space for them.

In addition to have the space for your dog to reach the activity levels he or she will require, you will also need to choose a dog breed that will live comfortably within your living arrangements. A couple of simple, yet often overlooked questions, one might ask themself when choosing a dog breed are: ‘Do I intend on having my dog live outside, am I able to provide a dog house or other means of shelter?’ and ‘Do I have the extra living space to provide my new dog with his or her own area?’

Available Funds

Yep, money also is a contributing factor to choosing the right dog breed for you. Firstly, can you actually afford the dog itself? Some dog breeds are far more valuable, in a monetary sense, than others. A quick look through your local classifieds will easily inform you of the going rates of particular breeds in your area. Another place you can find information on the prices of dogs is a simple search on the Internet.

The more important things you need to take into consideration are whether you are going to be able to afford to buy dog food, pay for regular vet checkups, medicinal supplies, purchase necessary equipment such as leashes or kennels and grooming. Oh yeah, treats and toys too, dogs love treats and toys.

Every person’s life is different and for every person the factors to consider for choosing a dog breed are different. In the end, the right dog breed for you to choose is the dog that best suits your life as it is now.

Tips That Helped Stop My Dog From Barking

2006-12-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

Barking is as natural to a dog as is eating, it comes with just being a dog. To get your dog to completely stop barking would not only be nearly impossible, but inhumane as well. However, controlling your dogs barking will benefit not just you, but your neighbors and everyone else who may be affected.

Use these quick tips to get a start on stopping your dog from barking.

1. Give him or her attention. Dogs are really pack animals and one of the main reasons a dog barks is because he or she is lonely and wants attention. Spend the time with your dog he or she needs, play and exercise will result in a content and happy dog, thus, a dog who barks less. This happens often when I work long hours, so to help stop my dog from barking I make sure I take him on extra long walks or after a walk play a rowdy game of tag with him.

2. Identify your dog’s fears. When a dog is afraid of something, or someone, he or she will bark in an attempt to scare this fear away. Figure out what things or people that cause your dog to bark then go about working with your dog to teach him or her that it is not something to be afraid of. By reducing your dog’s fears you will help keep him or her from barking so much.

3. Are your dogs basic needs being met. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are overlooked when trying to stop your dogs barking problem. Does your dog have plenty of food, plenty of water? Is his or her general bedding area uncomfortable? Maybe there is a health problem that is confusing your dog. One of the way’s a dog communicates is via barking, could your dog be trying to tell you something?

4. Your home environment. As previously stated dogs are pack animals, and just like human beings dogs tend to take on the characteristics of the pack. Your home and family is your dog’s pack. If your home is noisy and rambunctious, so to will be your dog. Try calming your dog’s surrounding to help stop him or her from barking so much.

5. Is your dog simply protecting his or her territory? Your dog is bark to alert you, a member of his or pack, that there may be danger. To help stop this type of barking reflex simply don’t react when your dog barks at something outside of the home. By reacting, you are training your dog that every time he or she barks you will show up.

Hope these five quick and easy tips will help with your dog barking problem. If your dog’s barking becomes a persistent problem, you may want to take into consideration a consultation with your vet.

Now, have a happy dog day!!

Click Here to learn more of what you can do to stop your dog from barking.

Preventing a Poorly Trained Dog

2006-08-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

I found this interesting article with tidbits about how to train a dog correctly and how it leads to a happier dog and a happier dog owner.

Here's a small excerpt:
"So what is the key to preventing a poorly trained dog? Simple, just start training them as puppies. Puppies don't know the difference and if you make the training fun they will be more responsive as well. Conversely, if you start them when they are older they have grown into bad habits and the training will stress both you and the dog out. Not to mention the fact that the dog will be a lot more difficult to control."

Click Here for the rest of the article

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dog training, dog tips, dog care, dog products

2006-08-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

I found these 3 blogs today that I thought might interest you:

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dog training, dog tips, dog care, dog products

2006-08-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

Quick training tip for walking your dog from a renowned dog training specialist. This is a wonderful dog training tip that will not only improve the pleasure you receive from walking your dog, but will also improve your dogs demeanor as well:

"Eliminate choke chains and prong collars. I believe devices that cause a dog pain, such as choke chains and prong collars, do not belong in dog training. Using painful tactics only teaches a dog to be fearful of our causing her pain rather than strengthening our relationship. There are better and more effective ways to communicate with her. We want our dog to want to be with us by our side — because we give her clear boundaries as well as constant praise and reward for the desired behavior." - Tamar Geller

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Give Your Dog Praise

2006-07-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Giving your dog praise, petting your dog and simply just hanging out with your dog communicates to your best friend how much you really love him or her. This, in turn, will go a long way in how much your dog loves you and how motivated your dog is to please you when it comes to behavior and training.

Now, go pet your dog!!

Welcome

2006-07-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to A Happy Dog Blog!!