Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Early Puppy Training and the Benefits


As anyone who has shared their life with a dog will attest, little compares to the loving companionship they offer. Many people choose to invite a dog to join their family when it is a young pup as the expectation is that doing so is likely to bring you love, laughter and fun in endless ways. While this is certainly true, choosing a young pup over a more mature dog may also bring with it some added responsibilities and potential for frustrations.

For many, life with a new pup is far more daunting than they had expected as it is often filled with days and nights trying to entertain an energetic pup who responds to time left alone with barking and howling, nips in play, and is skilled at finding some of your most valuable objects to use as choose toys!

The easiest way to ensure you enjoy your pup as much as you had expected (and that you keep them as safe and happy as possible) is to consider training for you and your puppy as early as possible. Some consider training to be something you do when you are trying to resolve a behavior issue in an older dog. In fact, early intervention in the form of training is the best way to prevent predictable behavior problems that may become progressively more difficult to resolve as your dog matures.

When a pup leaves its canine family it is yearning to reattach to a new family (yours!) who will take care of them. This includes providing food, water, shelter, love and, of course, an education. Pups under the age of five months old are like sponges ready to absorb as much information about the world as they can. Early puppy training means you can ensure that they absorb all the information you deem necessary for them to become a wonderful canine companion. This includes (but is certainly not limited to): when and where to eliminate, what to chew, how to greet people, how to spend time alone, how to respond to your requests for him or her to come when called, sit, and lie down.

Unfortunately, far too many people regret to provide their pup with this early education. In far too many cases this dooms both pup and human family members to loads of unnecessary frustrations and doesn't bode well for the long-term canine-human relationship. Puppies will eliminate where most convenient (sometimes on your rugs), bark (to the detriment of your neighborly relations), chew (on your personal belongings), nip (as a way of playing with you as they would other pups), dig (because it's just plain fun), and jump (even if they have muddy paws). These are not behaviors your pup will just outgrow. In fact, the more they are practiced, the more they become habits which are progressively more difficult to resolve.

Behaviors which were possibly frustrating, but tolerable, in puppyhood often become unbearable as the pup moves into adolescence and adulthood. This results in a deterioration of the relationship and in far too many cases, in the dog being banished from the home for the simple fact that nobody taught him in puppyhood how to behave.

In addition to being a preventative for behavior problems, early puppy training is also a valuable way to bond with your pup. By teaching your pup where to eliminate you eliminate the chance that you might reprimand (and scare) your pup for going in the wrong spot. By teaching your pup to inhibit puppy mouthing and nipping you ensure that you and all your family members will enjoy playing with the pup...which means you will all benefit from more puppy play time! Likewise, by teaching your pup to walk nicely on leash, you increase the odds that your pup will have a lifetime filled with loads of fun walks which is a superb way to provide your dog with mental and physical exercise and prevent an almost endless list of behavior problems.

Many trainers offer puppy training classes in addition to private lessons. Both should be designed to help you learn to become a superb teacher for your pup; who focuses on preventing problems and/or resolving them quickly to prevent deeply rooted and difficult to resolve behavior issues in the future.

An added benefit of attending a puppy training class is that it is a terrific way to expose your pup to other puppies and to dog loving people outside of your home. This is a vital foundation for socialization. Puppies who are well on the road to proper socialization before 16 weeks of age are far less likely to suffer from the stress and potential behavior issues later in life that plague many under socialized adult dogs.

There is clearly an almost endless list of benefits of early puppy training. By taking the lead and learning how to properly teach and communicate with your puppy you are ensuring that your pup has the best chance to reach his or her potential as a wonderful canine companion. Puppies are ready, willing and able to learn loads of important information. By taking the lead and finding a great trainer to show you how to communicate with your puppy you are surely doing one of the kindest things you can for your puppy...ensuring that he or she becomes a wonderful canine member of your family for his or her entire life.

Online Dog Training and the Advantages


There are plenty of online dog training resources available, all designed to help you learn some effective dog training techniques. The best part about taking some online dog training instruction is that you can learn in your own time and at your own pace as your dog is ready for each new stage.

Online dog training can do far more than simply teach you how to teach your dog to be obedient. You'll also learn a lot about understanding dog psychology, which is the key to communicating properly with your four-legged friend.

Perhaps the most convenient aspect of using online dog training tips and resources is that you can refer to them whenever you need a quick reminder about a technique that your dog may have regressed with. After all, dogs sometimes get bored or get distracted and it's easy to forget specific tips you might have heard when you haven't needed to use them for a while. Using them as a refresher course for you can mean catching up quickly when you need it most.

Online manuals and resources can also be great in case you introduce a new puppy into the house. If you have an older dog already at home and you bring home a new puppy, you have to think about puppy training, but most people forget that the older dog may start to exhibit attention-getting behavior that will also need to be corrected at the same time.

There are many different types of online training resources available. It's possible to find a huge array of video lessons, e-books and tutorials as well as step-by-step instructions from professional dog trainers all over the world.

Some sites might offer training videos you can watch. These can be a great way to get an idea of the type of behavior you, as the trainer, need to adopt in order to get your dog to respond positively to your commands.

Always choose the training resource that suits the level of training your dog is at so you'll be in a better position to understand the best ways to communicate your training intentions to your dog so he's happy to do as you ask. Then you'll move gradually through the difficulty levels as your dog becomes more aware of what's expected of him.

Online dog training can mean giving you the freedom to choose when you have the time and energy to spend time training your dog, rather than sticking to a training schedule that might not suit your time table.

When you're choosing the right online dog training method or program for you, always be sure you choose a program that is presented or given by a qualified, professional dog training instructor so you can be sure you're getting the best possible advice for your dog's needs. You should also double-check the type of method you'll be taught, as not all instructors use the same methods.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Some Dog Training Tips

As the name implies, Dog Training is simply a process of teaching a dog to perform certain actions in response to certain commands that the Dog is trained to understand.

The fact that some dogs are hard to train does not mean that something is wrong with them and most of these dogs usually exhibit some intelligence in their acts.

To enjoy training or grooming your dog, you need to understand them well. There are certain traits that can make your dog training job a tasking one but once you understand these traits in your dog, grooming your dog would be a lot easier.

These Traits are:
Intelligence
Dog intelligence is the ability of a dog to learn, think, and solve problems on their own. Intelligence dogs are usually hard to train due to the fact that they are smart and they mostly rely on their brain power to survive.

Independence
An independence dog usually wants to do things on his own and refuses to obey commands.

Dominance
A dominant dog may stare, bark, growl, snap or even bite when you give him a command or ask him to give up a toy; He may also refuses to move out of your way when required.

The following tips would help you in grooming your Independence, Dominance and highly intelligent dog to what you want.
  1. Get your Dog's Undivided Attention: Training a dog requires a whole lot of patience, persistence and perseverance, what it means is that before you can succeed in training your dog effectively you have to keep trying no matter how hard it may seem at the beginning and do not give up on him easily. Also ensure that you have his full and undivided attention by pampering and giving him treats once in a while.
  2. Play with your dogs often: No matter how busy your schedules are, always create time to play with your dog especially the young ones and create a bond between both of you. It also helps in teaching them.
  3. Crate Training: Crates may be plastic (often called "flight kennels") or collapsible, metal pens for putting your dogs in check. Crate training your dog usually take some time and effort but can be highly useful. The use of crate allows you to limit the access of your new dog or puppy to the house until he learns all the house rules. A crate is also a safe way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as a way of taking him where he may not be welcome to run freely. If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he'll think of it as his safe place and will be happy to spend time there when needed.
  4. Don't hesitate to teach them how they can answer the call of nature when he is in a hurry and let him know that the right and correct place to answer such calls is outside and not inside as he's used to. This is possible if a proper grooming is carried out on your dog by you.

There are several other free tips on the ways to groom your dog the way you want so that they can be useful to you and guarantee you rest of mind. You can get some of these free tips in my user guide.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Benefits of High Fiber Dog Food

The benefits of high fiber dog food are far-reaching and it could be the solution to a number of health issues your dog is dealing with. If your dog is suffering from obesity, diarrhea, diabetes mellitus, or a number of other medical conditions, keep reading to learn more about fiber-rich diets and how they can impact your pet.

While fiber is not one of the most discussed nutrients in pet food, nearly all dog foods contain some amounts of fiber. The fiber content of these products is provided by various grain-based ingredients including bran, rice, wheat, and corn. Brands advertising high fiber dog foods will feature higher amounts of these ingredients. Unfortunately, as fiber content increases, other key nutrients may suffer, so always consult your veterinarian to make sure a fiber-rich diet will be healthy for your dog.

The most common ailment that can be combated with high fiber dog food is obesity. Just like in humans, fiber adds "substance" to food without adding calories. Your dog will feel satisfied and stop eating earlier, but the indigestible fiber ingredients won't be converted to unhealthy fat by its body. High fiber diets can often be coupled with other weight loss programs to help your dog safely return to a normal weight. Additionally, as your dog processes the fibrous material in its digestive system, helpful bacteria are released which can fight off harmful bacteria and aid in colon health.

Also similarly to humans, dogs suffering from constipation can benefit from the addition of fiber to their diets. Undigested fiber adds bulk and mass to stool, which can literally "clean out the pipes" of your dog's digestive system. This bulking up of stool, as well as the ability of fiber-rich ingredients to absorb excess water in the digestive system, means that high fiber dog food is also a good option for dogs suffering from diarrhea.

Finally, diabetes mellitus is another condition that can be lessened by the incorporation of high fiber into your pet's daily routine. Studies have shown that a diet rich in fiber can regulate the intake of sugar into your dog's blood stream, leveling out spikes in their blood sugar level. Although insulin therapy is often still necessary for diabetic dogs, an increase in fiber can be a beneficial step toward managing the condition.

High fiber dog food may be an effective answer to the questions you have about your dog's health and medical conditions. As mentioned earlier, always consult your vet before making changes to your dog's diet to ensure that your pet stays healthy and active.