Dog Training - Pet Advice

Pet Advice

follow this blog

60 followers

965 daily readers

rank of 41

E-mail Subscription

Receive an e-mail notification of new posts on this site:

Stats, Links, & Widgets

goReptiles * Quality Reptile Breeder

Cheap Pet Supplies, Care Books, Etc.

Pet Advice

Google Privacy Policy

Site Information

[ more ]

Pet Tips and Information

Laws & Regulations

Pet Names

Pet Stains

Pet Tips

Pets & Kids

Veterinary Care

[ more ]

Pets

Amphibian

Arachnids

Birds

Cats

Chinchillas and Degus

[ And ] Dogs

Dog General Care

Dog Grooming

Dog Health

[ Not ] Dog Training

Ferrets

Fish

Guinea Pigs

Hamsters and Gerbils

Hedgehogs

Insects

Livestock

Monkeys

Pot Bellied Pigs

Rabbits

Rats

Reptiles

Skunks

Sugar Glider

[ more ]

Pictures and Videos of Pets

Pictures

Videos

[ more ]

Wildlife

In Captivity

In The Wild

[ more ]

Dog Training - Pet Advice

Next Page (11-20)

Importance of Socializing a Puppy

May 3rd 2010 15:35

No matter what age puppy you get, it is very important that you remember that puppies need socializing. Puppies need socializing with other dogs, other animals, other people, and even different situations.

The idea is to socialize puppies with anything and everything that you can. This will help improve the puppy's ability to bounce back from new situations, as well as increase the pup's knowledge about the world. Socializing puppies is much like socializing children, and the benefits are about the same.

When you're socializing puppies, you will find that those who were introduced to more than those who were secluded will have overall better behaviors and an increased tendency to train.

Plus, you will find that dogs of certain breeds will have more tendencies to stress, become anxious, and fearful of new surroundings, changes, and new people. These dogs whether pure bred or mixed need to be socialized early-on, starting with the breeder or shelter that they are at.

Puppy mills generally generate pups that are fearful, anxious, and potentially aggressive in new situations because they are not socialized. Socialized puppies are those who grow up as the most well-rounded dogs.

When socializing your dog, you want to introduce it to new people, animals, other dogs, sounds, weather (hot, cold, wet, dry), body positions (sit, down, lying on the back, etc.), feelings (touching gums, toes, etc.), and just about anything you can think of.

When you socialize a dog or puppy, you are doing the canine a good bit of good. Socializing dogs benefit them because the more socialized they are, the better behaved they tend to act.

Socialized dogs are not as fearful. They do not try to run away and hide when in a new situation. They won't try to pull away. Socialized dogs are much more pleasant to have around the house, as you won't be as likely to have to shoo them away when company comes over.

When you socialize your puppy early, you are more likely to have a better time with your dog as an adult. The trips won't be nearly as stressful, frustration, and potentially dangerous as if you hadn't socialized your puppy.

Just remember that even with socializing, you want to start obedience training early, as socialization isn't going to be the end-all-be-all to a well behaved dog.

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Dog Dominance or Submission

March 26th 2010 17:19

In a lot of cases, dogs are a little bit of both, which really doesn't make since as you would think that a dog will either be dominant or submissive. Well, in all reality that is true, but dogs will show signs of one or the other in different situations. A dog who is normally quite submissive to adults, may be a little dominant to children if in the situation or position.

The breed of the dog, age, or gender isn't going to pre-determine whether the dog will be dominant or submissive. Not all Mastiffs and Bull Terriers will be dominant, and not all Poodles will be submissive. The temperament of the dog will vary on the individual dog.

Just make sure that you are prepared. Those pet parents who have little experience training, socializing, and caring for dogs do not have any business caring for a dominant dog. A dominant dog will feel out the worry and inexperience and could quite possibly become more dominant.

The same goes for people who bring home a dog that is a breed or mix of a breed commonly referred to as a "bully breed." Even if the dog itself is very docile and submissive, if the dog feels that he can overpower the owner because the owner is showing fear of he dog's breed, the dog may take it. Not all breeds are for all people. Poodles, yorkies, labs, terriers, and retrievers will also assert their dominance over a person who they see is more submissive than they are. Breed does not determine whether or not the dog will try to assert any dominance (even on a typically submissive dog).

Is my Dog Dominant or Submissive?

Vote

Comments (2)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Agility Jumps and Hurdles for Big Dogs

January 27th 2010 20:39

When it comes to watching small or medium-large dogs in an agility competition, I'd much rather watch the larger dogs. The larger dogs seem to have more of a challenge with the jumps and hurdles because they are set pretty high, of course all adjusted to the height of the dog.

The main hurdles that you'll find include the single bar jump, double bar, triple bar, and the panel jump. These can be purchased for practice at home. But, you'll also find water hurdles in the ground and other hurdles that the dog may have to jump over; but you can't really purchase a hole in the ground filled with water.

The below agility equipment are sized for medium to large dogs according to the AKC and USDAA standards. The equipment is made of a rust resistance metal and is easy to break apart. Each obstacle comes with its own carrying case so that you're not toting around several poles and bars.

You can purchase the obstacles in different colors, but for the most part red and white is the general standard.

Agility Single Bar Hurdle For Large Dogs/Red and White
119.99- The height of the large dog single bar jump adjusts from 4 inches to 36 inches, and it has an overall height of 48 inches. The basic design is pretty simple. It's made of a rust resistance metal frame for outdoor use, but you can use the jump inside as well.

Agility Double Parallel Bar Hurdle For Large Dogs/Red and White
149.99- The double bar jump includes two bars that the dog must clear without knocking over or touching. The bars adjust from 4 to 24 inches for larger dogs.

Agility Triple Parallel Bar Hurdle For Large Dogs/Red and White
169.99- The triple bar has three bars that the dog must clear without touching, making it a little harder. The bars adjust from 4 to 24 inches high, according to the dog's height.

Agility Panel Jump For Large Dogs/Red and White
139.99- The panel jumps are pretty simple and very similar to the single bar jump in terms of ease of clearing. The panels are set at 2 inch increments, and adjust from 4 to 24 inches for larger dogs, which are the AKC and USDAA standards.

Dog Agility Tire Jump
89.99- Like he other jumps, the tire jump is foldable. It's made of PVC coated metal and includes a carrying case for easy portability. You'll receive two tires with two different apertures- a 20 inch and a 22 inch. The tire jump doesn't come in big and small dog versions, because it is fully adjustable so that you can adjust the height of the tire for the height of the dog.

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Dog Hurdles and Jumps for Small Dogs

January 23rd 2010 19:58

When training my dog to run agility obstacles, I found that the jumps were the easiest to train. You start them low and you slowly raise the bar to the appropriate height, but when training small dogs, it's hard to start too low. The best thing is to start with the bar on the ground, then work your way up. Although, depending on the size of the dog, you may not be working too far up.

The bars are raised in 2 inch increments, and if you have a Yorkie or Shih Tzu sized dog, you're not going to be raising the bar up to 10 inches.

When training the different jumps and hurdles, you'll want to start simple. Start with the single bar jump, and work your way up to the triple bar and then the tire. The flat panel hurdle is similar to the bar jump, so once the dog masters the single bar, go ahead and check out the flat panel, and then move to the double bar agility jump.

If you're just looking for something to run the dog around while outside, you don't necessarily need all of the agility obstacles. One or two jumps would be perfect to run off the energy in your hyperactive Jack Russell Terrier.

Agility Single Bar Hurdle For Small Dogs/Red and White
99.99- The single bar jump consists of one bar the the dog must clear without hitting it. When it comes to small dogs, the height is much less than it is for a big dog. Small dog jumps are about 4-18 inches high at 2 inch increments. The total height is 36 inches. This particular obstacle is easy to set up and break down; plus it comes with a carrying case for easy storage.

Agility Double Parallel Bar Hurdle For Small Dogs/Red and White
119.99- The double bar jump has two bars that the dog must clear without knocking over or kicking either bar. It adjusts from 4 to 18 inches depending on the height of the dog.

Agility Triple Parallel Bar Hurdle For Small Dogs/Red and White
139.99- The triple bar hurdle includes three bars that the dog must fully clear for a good jump. For small dogs, the height varies from 4 to 18 inches at 2 inch increments, which is hte standard for both the AKC and USDAA.

Agility Panel Jump For Small Dogs/Red and White
119.99- With a single flat panel, you add the panels at varying increments according to the height of the dog.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Dog See Saw and A-Frame

January 19th 2010 19:27

You'll find that when training a dog to run an obstacle course, each dog will have his favorite obstacles, and a lot of dogs like the seesaw and A-frame. But, at the same time, it can be pretty scary once you're at the top. There's just no way down but down.

The seesaw can be hard to train because dogs just aren't used to wobbly and unstable surfaces. The ground doesn't move when your walking on it, so it can be awkward. Just take your time when training, and definitely have fun.

If your dog isn't having fun, then it's time to stop for a little while and take a break.

Agility courses are fun to watch, but many people just don't realize how much work really goes into training a dog to successfully run the course. It takes a lot of training. First, you've got to make sure the dog has all his basic obedience commands down pat, and then you've got to work on the obstacles.

Not everyone is cut out to train and run a dog agility course, but if you ever have the opportunity, it's something that I think everyone should try at least once. Dogs really do enjoy taking command and being able to run around. You can really see it in the eyes of a dog who runs agility, how much he loves it- waiting for the next cue and obstacle.

Agility See Saw/Royal Blue - 12' Long, 12" Wide
599.99- The See Saw comes in 3'L x 12"W sections that unfold into a 12' x 12" agility seesaw. The frame of the seesaw is made of aluminum which is lightweight, making set up and break down a little easier because you don't have to lug about heavy equipment pieces. The surface is has a grip on it, and there's a balance device that allows the see-saw to restore back into its place once the dog runs up and down it. You'll also find that the agility seesaw has friction controls to adjust the speed.

Dog Agility A-Frame /Royal Blue - 7' Long, 36" Wide
699.99- The A-Frame includes two 7 foot ramps that are 36 inches wide. The frame is aluminum, allowing for quick and easy set up and break down.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Tunnels and Chutes

January 15th 2010 18:57

Tunnels and chutes are probably two of the harder obstacles to teach dogs how to run through. Dogs are generally pretty fearful of running through the long, dark tunnel or having the chute material fall close to their body.

When training your dog to run through the tunnel or the chute while working on agility obstacles, you'll want to work slowly with him because if you create a bad experience, the dog may be scared of the obstacle from then on

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Using a Dog Breaking Stick

August 28th 2009 19:17

Dog breaking sticks are great to have if you have a strong willed and physically strong dog, no matter the breed. Even though it is most commonly assumed that breaking sticks are for Pit Bulls, they can be used for any dog breed, and they are great to have on hand for stronger dog breeds, such as Rottweilers, Preso Canarios, Mastiffs, bulldogs, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Akitas, huskies, etc.

The only difference is that using a parting stick is not going to be the same for every breed. It all depends on placement in the mouth, and not all dogs have the exact same mouth and jaw alignment

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Michael Vick's Pit Bulls

July 20th 2009 17:14

Pit Bulls can be rehabed. They can be rehabed to go from an extreme fighting situation to a home situation with other dogs, cats, children, and people. They can be rehabed from living in small kennels to living inside a home. They can be rehabed to be pet therapy dogs or competition frisbee dogs.

The right animal behaviorist and the right trainer can turn a dog that has been through a bad situation and had a bad life into a loving pet

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Dachshunds Are Statistically More Prone to Aggression

July 18th 2009 16:56

Although it may sound silly, it's true... Or so says one study that was performed. The study tested dog aggression towards owners, strangers, and other dogs. Sadly, the Dachshund scored pretty high for all the different types of aggression. But even still, you just can't say that all Dachshunds are going to be aggressive just because those used in the study failed the tests.

Not many people may have heard or are aware of this particular study, but I can nearly guarantee and I'd bet my job that if the test showed that Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, or any other dog breed that has had problems in the past were the most aggressive of the breeds tested, then everyone would have heard about the test

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend

Litter Box Train a Dog

February 6th 2009 03:52

Although, it may seem pretty silly to litter box train a dog, it is very possible to do so. It's actually a great method of house training a small dog. Because small dogs just can't hold their bladder as long as a medium or large sized dog, this is a great way to ensure that your dog can go potty whenever he wants, even if you aren't home to take him out.

Personally, this is something that I wish that I had implemented with my Yorkie when he was younger. He was God-awful to house train, and I think that a litter box would have been much easier him to grasp. I mean he was already pottying in the house. Ha

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Dog Training

Email this Post to a Friend