Saucy Pet

This is the next step in puppy crate training.You want to start closing the door for short periods of time, when your pup gets used to going inside and outside of it’s crate.  Start with staying in the room with your puppy for short periods of time while praising him for being in the crate.After that begin to leave the room and come back to place a goody through a slot in the crate to praise your pup for remaining in the crate.

You will then want to gradually extend your time out of the room to get your puppy used to you not being there.  Some puppies will scream there heads off when you close the door, this is normal and should just be ignored.  If you open the door when your puppy is screaming or whining then it just teaches them that all they have to do is scream and you will let them out.

Remain patient for the time when your dog is queit inside the crate, and then open the kennel door.Your dog will eventually start to like the crate while calming down inside and cease the hollaring.I realize that is it difficult when your small pup is whining to get out, do your best to not give in and you’ll be happy you did.   Puppy whining is definitely one of the harder aspects of puppy crate training.

Most puppies learn to love their crates in a very short time and you will see them going in on their own to take rest or take a nap.Don’t forget, the kennel should not be employed as a place to punish your puppy.To have your puppy love it’s crate and be safe and secure inside is your main goal.  You also never want to leave a puppy unattended in your house for any period of time.

Most puppies are very mischievous and will quickly start exploring things that you don’t want them to.This can be problematic for your puppies, and a nuisance to the owners as well.  If you have to do something in the house and can’t keep an eye on your puppy, such as taking a shower, just put the puppy in the crate for a short period of time.

Immediatley take your puppies outside and let them use the bathroom after they have been in the crate for some time.When your pup uses the bathroom outside, make sure to begin praises it right at that moment.Your need at this time is to let your puppies learn that this is what you want them to do.

Here you can use another command such as “Good Potty”, “Good Bathroom”, or “Good Outside”.Your dog should begin to link this command with relieving itself outside.Bring your pup back inside the house when it is done.  Remember puppies can only go so long without using the bathroom so repeat this process frequently………consistency counts when puppy crate training!!!

Many people have dogs that are constantly jumping, as it is a typical issue. When a dog is a puppy and jumps, many people find it cute and endearing and so the problem is allowed to continue unchecked. Eventually, you won’t be able to control the behavior because it becomes so normal to the dog as they age, and they could hurt someone else in the process.

It is crucial that you begin training your dog as soon as it arrives in the home. Puppies are undoubtedly easier to train and that is why it is ideal to start early, however a patient and consistent owner can train any dog of any age. If you begin to train your new pet as soon as they come to your house, you become the master, or alpha, and your dog may never act badly if you keep it from happening right from the start.

Ways to Stop Dog Jumping

Step #1 – Institute an Off Command

The first item is to institute and off command. When your dog jumps on you or other people, you want to have a single word Off Command that you can use to remind your dog not to jump. The word “off” is good, but you can use “down” or another word of your choice. At every instance of the dog jumping on you, forcefully use the off command. Your dog will learn at an even quicker rate if you have other people use the same commands when your dog jumps up onto them, showing your dog that no one approves of that type of behavior.

Step #2 – Teaching Sit

Training your dog to sit is a fundamental training command and it can also be advantageous when dealing with jumping. When the dog is coming towards you, before he even has the chance to jump on you, command him to sit. As the training proceeds, you will soon have your dog sitting when he greets you, rather than jumping on you and ruining your clothing or knocking you over.

Step #3 – Eye Level is Best

When you are greeting your dog, you should bend or stoop down to be on the same level as your dog. Not only will this make your dog feel happy and well-loved, but it will also take the point out of jumping since you will already be eye to eye. Your dog will have no need to jump if you bend down to see him. When you finish acknowledging your dog, if it jumps up for more attention, demonstratively use the off command and then the sit command to make it known that jumping is not allowed.

Step #4 – Use a Time Out

You can use a time out with your dog if they don’t pay attention to your commands of off or sit, to make training a bit easier. You can put your dog in time out in their crate if you feel your dog is blatantly misbehaving and not listening to your commands. The dog really only wants your attention, so a time out is very effective in negating the bad behavior by having the dog associate the constraint with the denial of your attention.

You can show your dog that you don’t approve of jumping and keep him from continuing that type of behavior if you are consistent with the plan. It is natural that some dogs will learn this faster than others, so you may also need to be patient. If your dog doesn’t seem to listen, be persistent, patient, and do not give up. You can always ask a professional dog trainer to help you if you feel that your dog isn’t gaining anything from the way that you are training, as they may help you to improve your methods.

Along with teaching your dog to respond to verbal commands, one can also teach them to respond by using hand signals.  When it comes to learning, the different types of dog training hand commands these in the beginning will need to be taught in conjunction with the verbal ones as well.  In this article, we take a look at the way in which such commands can be taught to your dog.

Teaching a dog how to obey hand commands rather than verbal ones can be achieved very simply.  It will require some patience on  your part, but having a few treats available when they do react in the right way can help things progress a lot more quickly and smoothly.  

It is important that in the beginning when you are teaching your dog to react to hand commands is that you use the words as well.  Therefore, you will need to decide which hand signals relate to which commands you will be giving to your dog.  Only once you have made a decision on which verbal commands go with which hand signals can you then start your dogs training.  

When you first start your dogs hand command training you will need to say the word and show them very deliberately the hand movement at the same time.  This you will need to repeat several times to them before they start to understand what it is that you would like them to do.  Immediately you notice that they have reacted as you begin to raise your hand and say the word then this is the time that they should be rewarded.

With this kind of training you will need to repeat the verbal commands every time you do the hand signals in the beginning, then as time progresses you need to start eliminating the verbal ones.  Although you should be still praising your dog and offering them rewards these should only be offered when they actually respond to the hand commands and not the verbal ones as well.  It is a good idea to very slowly and gradually stop using the verbal commands and replace them with hand ones only.  

Then when you start to notice that your dog is reacting purely to your hand commands only then this is the stage when you start to stop giving them food as a reward.  However, you should never eliminate the rewards immediately from the training and if you want praise, them slightly for doing as commanded instead of offering them food.

When you are going to be teaching your dog to respond to hand commands rather than verbal ones it is a good idea to start of with the most basic commands that you want your dog to respond to.  Most owners will start of with the ones we all learn in the beginning with our dogs, which is sit, stay, down and come.  Only once you feel that you and your dog are ready should you be moving on to commands that are far more elaborate.

When it comes to getting advice on the right ways for you to do dog training hand commands there is plenty of places where you can get help.  The internet is a great source for finding advice and information on the correct dog training hand command techniques to be used.

You can start off by asking yourself some simple questions.

1. What size is your saddle?
2. Does my horse have a short or long back?
3. What is my preference on the look of my tack on my horse?

Size of Saddle:

What is the size of your saddle in length. Is it a barrel, roping, cutting, etc saddle? If your saddle is a roping or cutting saddle, stay away from the short saddle pads (32″ and below). Your saddle may just barely fit on the saddle pad. On the flip side if you have a barrel saddle then you probably want to stay away from the long (34″) saddle pads.

Does my horse have a long or short back?

A lot of people don’t think of this when choosing a saddle pad. If you have a short backed horse and decide to go with a saddle pad that is 34″ long – it may be too long for your horse. It will probably end somewhere in the middle of the horse’s rear. However things could be reversed as well. If you have a long backed horse and decide to go with a 30″ saddle pad – there may be a lot of the horses back that is still exposed after the saddle pad and saddle are on the horse. It may look weird to you or other people. That is where this next section comes into play.

What is my opinion of how my horse looks when saddled?

Ultimately the decision comes down to your personal preference. What do you think looks good? Do you think that your saddle pad should cover the whole back of the horse and come right before his hindquarters start?

People have different styles and ways that they like their saddle pad, saddle, and horse to look. A shorter (28″ or 30″) saddle pad is good for a short backed horse with a barrel or youth saddle. They may use a larger saddle pad (33″) if a roping saddle is used on the same horse. On a long backed horse if a roping saddle is used they may use a long (34″) pad. However if the same long backed horse is used and a barrel saddle they may use a long (32″ or 33″) pad to cover the horses back.

What it really comes down to is what is your personal opinion, your type and size of saddle, and your horse all as a combination. There really isn’t a “correct” answer to this question. There are only opinions.

Here is a link with a variety of saddle pad to help you in your decision.

Having a well trained dog is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have with your pet. The problem is that with all the techniques available, how do you know which one is the best one for your dog? In this article I will be explaining one of the most popular techniques available today: Positive Dog Training.

Positive dog training is a training method that focuses on praising and positive reinforcement every time the dog performs the task correctly. In other words, you only reward the dog for good behavior.  Studies have shown that most dogs respond better to this tactic.

This tactic does not involve hitting, spanking, or punishing a dog when a task or command is not performed to your satisfaction. This is considered a “negative” approach, and it has been found to work unsuccessfully with dogs in general.

There are many types of rewards you can use with your dog, such as doggie treats, kind words, a quick rub, a pat on the head, etc. Studies have shown that dogs respond better to this type of training using positive reinforcement.

For example let’s look at the “sit” command. After you ask the dog to sit and he sits, immediately follow up with a treat and praise. Do this every single time so that the dog makes the association between sitting and praise (positive reinforcement).

Another instance in which this technique can be very helpful is during potty training. Use the same approach as described in the paragraph above every time the dog goes to the bathroom when and where they are supposed to. Soon enough the dog will make the connection between the reward and going to the bathroom where he or she is supposed to. Training the dog this way will speed up the potty training process.

Another important aspect of this training involves the tone of your voice. When giving a order, your tone of voice must be firm and with authority. Don’t scream, yell, or use a high-pitched tone of voice. Be firm so the dog knows you mean business. When praising the dog use a happy and pleasant voice. Dogs love to be praised and rewarded, and they can tell from the tone of your voice.

If you are interested in more information about Positive Dog Training in Fort Lauderdale, or Positive Dog Training in Miami, check out our links.

There are many dog training methods available today. One very popular technique is the “clicker training” method.

This system uses a clicker, a small plastic box with a metal button which makes a clicking sound when pressed. This has become one of the chosen methods used by trainers because it parallels the Positive Dog Training method.

This technique reinforces natural occurring behaviors  on dogs, such as sitting, standing, barking, etc. It is also used to teach new tricks to your dog, such as play dead, roll over, high five, etc.

The assumption behind this system is that the noise given off by the clicker means accurate. As soon as the dog performs the command accurately, you use the clicker followed by positive reinforcement and lots of praise. This makes it clear to the dog that the behavior is correct.

Timing and consistency are two critical factors to make this technique work. Make sure the clicking signal is given as soon as the command is finished correctly. If this is performed at the same time every time, the dog will make the association between the command, and the fact that he did it correctly.

Once the dog starts making the connection between the clicker and the “right behavior” signal, it will learn new commands faster and easier.

Dogs are very smart, and they prefer training that reinforces the positive aspects instead of the negative. Old school used negative methods, such as hitting, yelling or spanking to correct bad behavior. Studies have shown that this type of negative training does not work, and can cause secondary unwanted behaviors.

As with any type of training, consistency and patience are essential. At first it will take longer to train the dog, but as time goes on the dog starts understanding the method and training will be easier and faster.

Clicker training is relatively easy, and can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. Get yourself a clicker and start experimenting. If you need more information on Clicker training or Positive Dog Training in Fort Lauderdale, check out our links.

Scientists have succeeded in sequencing the dog genome, an accomplishment that could lead to better health for humans as well as canines. An international team of researchers have published their detailed analysis in the journal Nature. Not all is linked with dog food secrets when talking about how to care for your dog.

“Of the more than 5,500 mammals living today, dogs are arguably the most remarkable,” says senior author Eric Lander, PhD, director of the Broad Institute at of MIT and Harvard. He is a professor of biology at MIT and systems biology at Harvard Medical School, as well as a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

“The incredible physical and behavioral diversity of dogs — from Chihuahuas to Great Danes — is encoded in their genomes. It can uniquely help us understand embryonic development, neurobiology, human disease and the basis of evolution,” Dr. Lander notes.

Powerful Tool

“When compared with the genomes of human and other important organisms, the dog genome provides a powerful tool for identifying genetic factors that contribute to human health and disease,” says Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which supported the research.

“This milestone is especially gratifying because it will also directly benefit veterinary researchers’ efforts to better understand and treat diseases afflicting our loyal canine companions,” Dr. Collins adds.

Humans domesticated the dog, Canis familiaris, from gray wolves as long as 100,000 years ago. As a result of selective breeding over the past few centuries, modern dog breeds present a model of diversity. Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which supported the research.

Such breeding practices preserve preferred traits of one generation in the next, but they also predispose many dog breeds to genetic disorders, including heart disease, cancer, blindness, cataracts, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and deafness.

The research group found that while different breeds show amazing physical diversity, they often share large segments of their DNA, likely reflecting their recent shared origin. As a result, genetic tools being developed at the Broad Institute and NHGRI for any one breed of dog are likely to be useful in genetic experiments in nearly any breed.

Evolutionary Tree

While dogs occupy a special place in human hearts, they also sit at a key branch point, relative to humans, in the evolutionary tree. It was already known that humans share more of their ancestral DNA with dogs than with mice. The availability of the dog genome sequence has allowed researchers to describe a common set of genetic elements -- representing about 5 percent of the human genome -- that are preferentially preserved among human, dog and mouse.

Rather than being evenly distributed, some of these elements are crowded around just a small fraction of the genes in the genome. Future studies of these clusters may give scientists the critical insight needed to unravel how genomes work.

Elaine A. Ostrander, PhD, chief of NHGRI's Cancer Genetics Branch, is a co-author of the Nature paper, along with postdoctoral research fellows, Heidi G. Parker and Nate B. Sutter. In addition, Dr. Ostrander is the lead author of the white paper that sets forth the biomedical rationale for sequencing the dog genome.

Dr. Ostrander’s laboratory maps genes responsible for susceptibility to cancer — including breast and prostate cancers — in canines and humans.

“The leading causes of death in dogs are a variety of cancers, and many of them are very similar biologically to human cancers.” says Dr. Ostrander. “Using the dog genome sequence in combination with the human genome sequence will help researchers to narrow their search for many more of the genetic contributors underlying cancer and other major diseases.”

Genetic Compass

Efforts to create the genetic tools needed for mapping disease genes in dogs have gained momentum over the last 15 years, and already include a partial survey of the poodle genome. More than two years ago, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, PhD, co-director of the genome sequencing and analysis program at the Broad Institute, and colleagues embarked on a two-part project to assemble a complete map of the dog genome.

First, they acquired high-quality DNA sequence covering nearly 99 percent of the dog genome from a female boxer named Tasha. The boxer was chosen as a representative of the average purebred dog to produce what has become a reference sequence for the dog-genome community.

Using the sequence information as a genetic "compass," they navigated the genomes of 10 different dog breeds and other related canine species, including the gray wolf and the coyote.

The researchers identified roughly 2.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, sprinkled throughout the dog genome. SNPs are variations in the DNA code, some of which contribute to diseases or the overall health of a dog.

SNPs also can be used to create a set of coordinates with which to survey genetic changes, both within and across dog breeds. These efforts revealed that individual breeds have maintained a large amount of genetic variability, despite their long history of restrictive breeding.

In practical terms, this means that future efforts to locate disease genes in dogs can be much narrower in scope than comparable human studies, requiring a smaller number of genetic markers and DNA samples collected from the blood or cheek from only a few hundred dogs. You might also want to read secrets dog training and more about Animal Care

Searching for answers about outdoor dog kennels? You have come to the right spot. Here is a listing of the top frequently asked questions regarding outdoor dog kennels.  

Are outdoor dog kennels safe for pets all year?
If you live in a environment that experiences severe heat or cold you may not want to keep your dog in an outdoor dog kennel all the time. Make sure you learn what temperatures your dog can endure and take them in the house when it is too cold or too warm.

How large is the outdoor dog Kennel?
The outdoor dog kennel could be no more than 6 by six feet and as huge as 15 by 15 feet. There are various dimensions for sale on the internet nowadays. In addition, it’s possible to have outdoor dog kennels custom made for your yard.

How high must the outdoor dog kennel be?
The height of any outdoor dog kennel will depend on the type of pet you may have and how high it can jump. When you have a really small pet a 4 feet high outdoor dog kennel may be suitable. However, a large pet needs a kennel that is no less than 12 feet tall. You should also consider whether or not the dog can climb on anything else to jump over the top of the kennel.

What is an outdoor dog kennel made from?
Typically outdoor dog kennels are made of chain link fence or wire. This allows your dog to get a lot of air and sunlight. On the other hand, certain outdoor dog kennels have roofs made of other materials that will keep out the rainwater or hot sun.

My question about outdoor dog kennels did not get listed in these five faqs. Any suggestions?  
Unfortunately, there are not a ton of sites that supply answers to your questions about outdoor dog kennels.  One web community that I do suggest for outdoor dog kennel info, however, is http://outdoor-dog-kennel.bidandblog.com .  Inside their free discussion board (that is purposely about outdoor dog kennels), you’ll find every answer to every question that you could likely possess.  The web community also offers live auctions for outdoor dog kennels along with a no cost email service that will email you each time a new outdoor dog kennel auction is posted.  Not to mention that it is pretty fun to have a chat with other folks who are also selecting a outdoor dog kennel  

If you’re thinking of buying a new 48 dog crate, you are possibly asking yourself a few questions. This brief article will supply you with five quick answers to 5 commonly asked questions regarding the 48 dog crates that are currently available for purchase.  

What are the advantages of the 48 dog crate?
A 48- inch dog crate provides several positive aspects over all other, small dog crates. Even if you four-legged friend is still a pup, getting a 48 dog crate will mean that you won’t have to order one more dog crate when your pet becomes bigger. For small puppies, for instance Chihuahuas, a 48 dog crate will leave your pet a lot of room to move.

Is it okay if ever the dog chews on the 48 dog crate?
A 48 dog crate is generally created from galvanized metal which enable it to endure being chewed on. Though there are 48 dog crates that are covered with chrome or vinyl, the dog should not manage to chew his/her way out since the galvanized steel base are designed to withstand this.

What breeds of canines will 48 dog crates support?
48 dog crates can hold any k9 breed that could fit into it comfortably. These include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians and many different dog breeds.

When would I need a 48 dog crate?
You will need a 48 dog crate when you take a trip along with your pet. A lot of airlines have requirements you should comply with when traveling with your dog, and 48 dog crates are constructed in line with these specs.

I have a additional 48 dog crate question that was not listed in this article. Are there other internet sites on 48 dog crates?  
Decent websites are next to impossible to come across.  Nevertheless, you are not the only one with an interest. A huge number of folks who either have or are contemplating purchasing a 48 dog crate visit http://48-dog-crate.bidandblog.com .  Within this website, you will locate a boatload of free, visitor-provided answers to common questions.  In addition to a ton of faqs, the site also offers live auctions for 48 dog crates; a free 48 dog crate instant message alert service; and a free of charge auto-bidding service.  There is virtually always a user on the discussion board who will be able to answer any question about 48 dog crates.  

One of the most important changes we can make to improve our health is to increase or levels of physical activity and to lose weight. Making changes to our lifestyle can seem daunting at first, and it is a big commitment. Experts often recommend having a friend to partner you in your exercise regime, so that you can motivate each other. But a friend is prone to temptation just like you are. Their warm cosy bed can easily be too much to resist and your exercise regime may quickly disappear. I suggest you go one better, what could be better than an exercise partner who always wants to work out? A dog.

You can easily combine your health with pet health. Those of you who already have a dog should be walking him every day anyway. But there is always scope to do more. It’s easy to fall into the trap of a short walk morning and night, but what else could you do. We’re lucky in Britain that even in the cities we’re never really that far from a park or some countryside. There are so many super places for dog walks. The countryside is more inspiring than the number 30 bus route.

Both you and your dog will feel great after country walks. Exercise improves the mood of both people and animals. It could also help you shift those awkward few pounds. It’s also a great way to enjoy your dog’s company; and your family’s if they join you, or to get some peace and quiet. Another advantage is that days out walking your dog won’t cost you a penny.

Pet health and your health are so very important. So is your bond with your pet. I can’t think of a better way to take care of each other than to exercise together.