Online Dog Training and Obedience Tips and Techniques

A dog can’t tell you when he is feeling sick.  Paying attention to his behavior and habits will give you a clear sign when something is wrong.  Here are some common canine illnesses and ways to avoid them.

Dogs can develop flea infestation.  While fleas do not embed themselves in a dog’s coat, they do feed off of the dog’s skin.  To avoid fleas from invading your dog’s body, avoid taking the dog for walks in wooded areas or places where fleas migrate.  Most fleas may accumulate in the grassy area of your back yard.  Daily brushing using a flea comb is recommended.

Ticks are another problem that can cause illness in a dog.  Ticks carry disease and can
become embedded in the undercoat of a dog as well.  They attach themselves to parts of a dog’s body, and trying to remove them can be painful to the canine.  To avoid ticks, it is recommended that anytime you take your dog for a walk you avoid areas where ticks migrate, such as: wooded areas, parks with thick brush and shrubbery, and particularly shaded areas where ticks usually reside.

Another parasite that can be a health hazard for dogs is ear mites.  If you find that your dog is scratching his ears too frequently, check to determine if there is any brown colored mucus seeping from one or both ears.  This is a clear indication that the ear has become infected.  A visit to the vet is recommended.

There is an array of worms that can cause problems for your dog.  Tapeworms, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are among the most common.  It is important to have your dog checked for any one of these conditions since some can be transmitted to children via the skin.

Dogs can suffer from allergies, too.  Any type of bite or sting from a bug can be cause for alarm, especially if the dog is allergic.  If you notice any swelling in the area of the bite or vomiting and diarrhea, take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.

All of these common canine illnesses are caused by outside influences, not to mention interaction with other dogs that may have fleas or ticks, or ear mites. Dog feces and developing an infection from digesting fleas are the most common causes.  If you have acquired a puppy that has not been vaccinated, he may have an infection which resulted from nursing.

While you can avoid most of these illnesses, sometimes things just happen.  Whether you take your dog for daily walks, live in rural areas where the dog can contract an illness, or take the dog on your camping trip; once you know what areas to avoid, the more control you will have in keeping your dog safe.

The obvious advantages of getting an adult dog eliminates the amount of time and attention it takes to housetrain, although depending on the breed and age of the adult dog, the benefits are multiple.  Let’s take a look at the reasons why.

* One of the most advantageous benefits of getting an adult dog is that they have an established personality.
* They will not require as much time and attention as a puppy.
* You can choose an adult dog whose personality is suitable to your own.
* Adopting an adult dog from a shelter ensures they have been spayed or neutered.
* You won’t have to worry about an adult dog creating havoc in your home.
* Most adult dogs will adapt more easily to a schedule.
* An adult dog will not need to be taken out as frequently as a puppy.
* Choosing an adult dog is choosing a companion.
* You can train adult dogs more easily than puppies.
* There are more adult dogs available for adoption than puppies.
* Depending upon the breed you choose, an adult dog may be more appropriate for children.
* You can leave the dog alone, especially if you work outside the home.
* Most adult dogs have been trained in some form or another, making it easier for them to adapt to new surroundings.
* Since adult dogs are fully checked by a vet, they are more apt to be healthier than puppies.
* An adult dog will bond more quickly with its owner.
* They may also understand certain commands from the outset.

With the adult dog population on the upsurge, adopting one from a shelter is literally saving a life.  While first time pet owners may wish to acquire a puppy, you may not find as many in shelters as you would find adult dogs.

If you can take a moment to look at it from a dog’s perspective, they may have been neglected by their owners, or perhaps the owners can no longer take care of them.  This can leave them depressed and lethargic.  Living in a shelter is neither pleasant nor conducive to a dog’s emotional state of mind.

If you’ve ever gone to a shelter, you may have noticed when you walk by cage after cage that some dogs become excited, often press their noses up against the cage or try to reach out with their paws.  Others may just sit in a corner and look up with sad eyes.

Adopting an adult dog, taking him home and caring for him is all he requires, and the rewards are immeasurable.   There are so many breeds whose personalities are unique.
The advantages of getting an adult dog are many, but the bottom line is that you are not only offering them a permanent home, but giving them the opportunity to live out their life in a safe and loving environment.

Just like there are several elements to happiness in humans, the same holds true for our canine companions.  Since man domesticated the dog, the majority of this happiness depends on us and what we provide for our dogs.

Probably most overlooked element is the dog’s position in the family or in your one-on-one relationship with him. The dog’s brain is hardwired to understand chain of command. If you do not provide leadership for your dog: discipline, rules, guidance, then he feels he must be in charge, or “Alpha”.  Even though the dog may feel compelled to assume this responsibility when the human decides to treat the dog like a toy, a novelty or even a child, this is not what the dog desires. He will be happiest and relaxed when you are alpha dog.

There are many ways to provide this leadership for your dog. Rituals that occur the same time each day such as walks, feedings,  games and obedience training. The latter is probably one of the most important. With obedience training you are providing not only physical activity, but mental stimulation, which is something that is very often overlooked in pet ownership, but crucial to your dog’s happiness.

So often when these elements are added to your dog’s routine, you will see a decline in destructive behavior and a more balanced dog. Your dog: happier!

Just as proper grooming is important for humans, so too ensuring that your dog remains healthy is part of the grooming experience. Here are some grooming tips for the family dog.

* Depending upon the breed of the dog, that is, long-haired or short-haired, regular brushing should be part of the grooming routine. This prevents the hairs from matting and ensures a continuous healthy coat.

* Bathing a dog is usually performed on a monthly basis. However, if you have a dog that lives outdoors, you may wish to bathe him more frequently.

* Be sure to use either soap or shampoo specifically made for dogs.

* While blow drying may be recommended for specific breeds, natural drying outdoors in spring and summer months is preferable.

* Be sure to wash from front to back and not to apply any soap on the dog’s face. Use water instead. A dog can easily lose his scent if soap is applied to the nose.

* While bathing the dog, you can also check to determine if there are any lumps or bumps under the dog’s coat.

* Try not to get any water into his ears. Clean the ears with a cotton ball.

* Nail trimming is also a component of good grooming. However, one has to use the proper implement and be careful not to cut the nails so much so that it begins to bleed. The rule of thumb is to just cut the tip of the nail.

* Check the dog’s eyes to ensure they are clear. If you notice anything out of the ordinary such as mucus or swelling, take the dog to a vet. He may have developed conjunctivitis.

* Brushing a dog’s teeth is also important. This can be done once a week to ensure the dog doesn’t develop any dental problems. Use toothpaste designed for dogs.

* Another grooming tip which is essential in preventing fleas or ticks is to purchase a flea brush and use it on a daily basis, especially for dogs that spend most of their time outdoors.

* Check the pads under the dog’s feet to ensure there are no stones or thorns that may have become embedded there. If you notice your dog seems to be holding up one leg, there maybe something that is irritating the paw.

Finally, a regular check-up at the veterinarian is essential in maintaining your dog’s health. While grooming will help keep him free of germs, mites, ticks, and fleas, these check-ups will ensure he is in good condition and if a case arises wherein he does develop any of the aforementioned problems, a vet can easily help you to attend to your beloved dog’s every need.

Not every owner can hire “The Dog Whisperer” to train their dog. When a dog’s behavior is consistently bad, however, or if you are a first time dog owner, you may want to hire a trainer to teach your pet the basics. To this end, here are 10 tips for choosing the right dog trainer.

1. The trainer should use techniques that do not harm the dog in any way.

2. His methods should be above reproach and treat the dog fairly and firmly, but not in an unkind manner.

3. Does the trainer get to know the dog? Another words, does he become familiar with his personality and needs before he commences training.

4. Does the trainer keep you informed as to how the dog is progressing?

5. Does the trainer require your presence during the actual training?

6. How much does the trainer charge?

7. Does the trainer give you a time-frame as to when you will see real results?

8. Does the trainer praise the dog?

9. Does the dog seem comfortable with the trainer?

10. Does the trainer provide you with information that you can utilize after he has completed the training process?

There is another factor that you should also consider. Ensure that the trainer is certified and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. You can access this online site for additional information at: http://www.apdt.com.

While these are just 10 tips to for choosing the right dog trainer, sometimes it could be the owner that cannot seem to get a handle on the dog’s behavior. One of the things that most good trainers will tell you is that when new dogs first enter a home, they establish their territory. They become the alpha male. Thus, they want to rule the home leaving you at your wits end.

The key to the successful training of any dog or any breed, is to become the alpha male. Once the dog understands you are the ”pack leader,” he will conform to your commands no matter what they are. Of course, this will take time, but it does work and it can be done calmly, caringly, and lovingly.

Finally, there is one more consideration in choosing the right trainer. You can join group training classes. The same questions apply, but in this case you may want to ask if your dog could be given individual instruction in addition to group training.

Most owners find this an enjoyable experience and the dog does as well. When a dog is trained with other dogs, he tends to be calmer since he is part of a pack which is natural for him. The socialization of the dog is an important one and can prevent unpleasant encounters with other dogs in the future.

Most experts advise that having a personal dog trainer and attending a group session can be the best of both worlds. The personal training can help you cope with the dog, and the group training can help the dog learn how to live a more structured life.