Posts

Are You Making These 10 Dog Training Mistakes?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Are you making these 10 dog training mistakes?

Many people say that there is nothing better than having a dog. That is certainly true but do you know what’s even better? Having a trained dog. Many people try to train dogs themselves and that is perfectly fine if you know how to do it and how to avoid making some typical mistakes.

You should always be consistent! Avoid using various words for the same command. It will only confuse your dog and he won’t know what he has to do. For instance if you used “Heel” you can’t expect the dog to listen to you if tell him “Walk by me.”

dog training mistakesStart small. Just because you see a dog on TV do a trick doesn’t mean you can expect your dog to know it or learn it in a day. Be patient, start with some simple commands and then work toward the more complicated ones. And be realistic of your dog’s abilities.

In any scenario, not just dog training, one of the worst things you can do is to physically punish your dog. It will only make the dog afraid of you, start acting aggressively toward you or people in your surroundings,  and it will ruin your relationship.

Start early, when he is just a puppy. It will make it easier as you won’t have to put a lot of obedience training.

Don’t give up after one try. It might take some time but your dog will get the hang of the trick eventually. Look at yourself, you don’t learn everything at the same pace, some things you can learn faster and some take time.

Giving your dog treats when he does what he’s suppose to is the best encouragement. If you fail to reward him he won’t know if he did something right. Ignoring bad behavior is just as bad; you shouldn’t overlook it or even worse give him a treat while hoping he will do better next time.

Dogs pay a lot of attention to the sound of your voice and if you’re in the bad mood while training them they will notice. They will notice that your tone of voice and body language are different and he won’t be able to connect the command with the action.

Some people think that rubbing a dog’s nose in urine helps with the learning process but it doesn’t. The only thing it does is hurt your dog’s nose.

You want your dog to learn who has control so don’t let him eat at the same time you do, give him food after you’ve finished.

Puppies don’t have a large attention span so it is best to keep the lessons short. About 15 minutes a day will do the trick and make your dog learn its trick.

So, keep it short, have patience, talk cheerfully, do it consistently and your dog will in no time learn when to sit, be quiet and when to jump in your arms and kiss you.

 

Overweight Dogs – How to Manage Your Dogs Health

/0 Comments/in , /by

Obesity is a problem that is often encountered in dogs of all breeds and ages. It inevitably leads to health problems such as diabetes, various heart diseases and osteoarthritis.

Overweight Dogs – How to Manage Dogs HealthAs a mindful dog owner you have probably already asked yourself if your pet is overweight. And that is a completely justified question.

With today’s lifestyle and feeding habits it’s not only people who suffer from obesity, it is more frequently seen in pets. It is believed that every third dog is overweight. Increased amount of fat tissue affects general medical condition which can significantly reduce lifespan as well as negatively impact your pet’s mood.

To find out whether your dog is overweight or not, look at him. If he is short-haired, you should see and feel his ribs easily. If you are able to do that, there shouldn’t be any problems. However it is always best to take your dog for an exam.

If the checkup found your pet is overweight, it is recommended to introduce him to a diet. For eight weeks give him food based on reduced caloric intake and increased intake of crude fiber. There are many products on the market which will provide the desired intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals and such reduced diet won’t have any harmful effects on your dog’s health.

After about two weeks of such regime you should get your dog for another checkup and see if there are any improvements. If nothing has changed, think about introducing exercising to the program. By having the two week checkup, you’ll be able to see the results of a diet, get some new guidelines in nutrition and the other extremely important factor – implementation of intensive workout regime.

Obesity is something a lot of dog owners face without even realizing it. It starts with giving your dog treats believing it to be an excellent way to show your love. Coincidently, you don’t have much time to help your dog spend all the extra energy.

Dogs get used to this form of “love” really quickly, so they can even act insulted if you miss to “treat” them. In addition to that, they learn which pose, gesture or sound can “break” the owner’s resistance in the shortest time, if there is any. How many times did someone show you “just how cute” their pet is while begging for food?

The latest research shows that overweight significantly shortens your dog’s lifespan. Even though I can’t actually give any numbers you should take this quite seriously!

Altered food regime and increased physical activity are the only natural ways to regulate your dog’s obesity. As well as with the obese people, it is best to regulate food intake right away and gradually increase physical activity so that your pet’s heart doesn’t suffer any more than it already has.

So be patient, regulate his food, take your dog outside more often, play fetch with him and you’ll most certainly have a much happier and healthier dog.

Chihuahua Owned By Paris Hilton: Celebrity Pet of the Week

/0 Comments/in /by

Paris Hilton with her dog in the couchThe most favorite pet of Paris Hilton – Chihuahua Tinkerbell, who has already been named the most popular and most discussed animal in America. This pup is going with Paris everywhere: to the TV shows, interviews and filming. Paris is dressing her favorite pet in a fabulous clothes – not at all worse than she would dress herself. Tinkerbell’s costumes are always in harmony with the dresses of Paris, and they do not cost less. For example, at Christmas this cute little pup was dressed in a red velvet Santa’s suit and he was looking just great beside the Christmas trees and Paris herself.

The tiny dog disappeared during an apparent dog-napping way back in 2004. Tinkerbell was returned to Hilton, but little explanation was offered for how it all happened. Posters pleading for the return of Tinkerbell had been plastered all over West Hollywood shortly after Hilton’s home was burglarized. Paris already has a Yorkie named Cinderella, another Chihuahua named Tinkerbell, and she used to have a kinkajou named Baby Luv which she was forced to give up. I just think it’s funny she picked out a dog with the same wonky eye as her. Although it’s too bad she didn’t get one with the same IQ. I’ve always wanted to see a dog walk around in circles, fall down confused, and then try to eat its own feet.

Everyone seems to be looking for information on Chihuahuas these days. The search term “Chihuahua” is the number one dog search on the Internet. Paris Hilton is always in the top 10 for celebrity searches. Paris owns a Teacup Chihuahua named “Tinkerbell”. This pet is almost becoming as famous as the owner.

The Current Must Have Dog Accessories

/1 Comment/in /by

What Are The Current “Must Have” Dog Accessories?

There’s no doubt that we all love our pups and every dog owner is pretty proud of his four legged pet. But, is there a way to make a cute doge cuter? The answer is definitely positive. Things that can make your bowwow even more adorable are dog accessories. There are plenty of cool accessories that can upscale your dog’s style. Keep in mind that accouterments can make your dog look cuter, but don’t exaggerate with them so you wouldn’t end up with a dog looking like a Christmas tree. Every loving pet dog deserves a gift from time to time, besides the basics such as food, water and shelter. Great gift for your puppy can be some of the following accessories.
dog accessoriesDog collar is a basic and essential accessory and they are designed according to the type of dog. But collars can be very trendy. They can be made from various materials such as leather, metal, plastic or even nylon. Important thing to mention is that many of new trendy dog collars are washable. At the market you can find unique dog collars which can bring out the personality of your pooch.

Dog clothes can be really beautiful and, at the same time, extremely practical. A wide variety of dog clothes are available in every better pet shop. A wide range of dog clothes goes from various costumes to lovely sweaters which come in handy during the long and freezing winters. Don’t expose your dog, especially if he has light layer of fur, to low temperatures and watch him shiver, get him a nice coat or sweater. Jackets for dogs with a waterproof outer layer can be ideal solution for long walks on rainy days. High quality dog clothes have maximum durability and allow your pet to move around easily. If you are a fashion freak, you can improve an already cute look of your dog with little socks.

Our furry friends simply love soft and cozy dog beds. Top notch dog beds have exclusive design, provide ultimate luxury and they are comfy-chic. Dog bed is a perfect place where he can relax by himself. If you have decided to buy a bed for your pup, you should also consider buying him a blanket. This fabulous accessory isn’t only for your dog, both you and your pet can enjoy warmness of the blanket and stay snuggled up under it.

Dog toys are perfect choice to keep your pet occupied and out of mischief. Best toys for dogs are those that constantly keep his mind stimulated. Brainy puzzles and other interactive dog toys are made to entertain and challenge your pet. Some of the best interactive dog toys are so interesting that many pet owners play with them. Old wise saying “A bored dog is a destructive dog” is telling us to keep our dogs busy as long as possible and that way prevent numerous behavioral problems.

Correct Way to Groom Your Dogs Coat

/0 Comments/in , /by

What is the Correct Way to Groom Your Dogs Coat?

If you don’t want to spend money on professional grooming, it’s good to learn how to do it properly at home. Although it may seem easy, grooming your dog takes time and nerves. Best way to keep your dog neat is to bathe him, clean his ears, trim his nails, brush his teeth and groom his coat on a regular basis. Many dog breeds are not thrilled when it comes to bathing. But who wants a dirty and stinky dog?
Correct Way to Groom Your Dogs CoatThe similar thing is with grooming his fur. If you own a dog with a long coat, it’s necessary to give him a haircut during hot summer days. Haircut will bring a feeling of comfort – something every dog is longing for. On the other hand, if your dog has very short hair, the scissors and other haircut tools are not a must. Remember, you don’t groom your dog just to improve his looks. By doing this, you’ll make his coat shiny which means you’ll spend less time cleaning and vacuuming the house.

For the start, you have to know which tools to use. You’ll probably need a dog brush, comb, dog grooming scissors, thinning shears, electric trimming shears, dog tweezers, and dog toenail clippers. Pick a quiet spot in your house and make sure you have all the tools to get started. The first step is brushing your dog. Brush down the neck toward his belly and tail. Be very thorough. If your dog is calm and stands still during the brushing, reward him for his good behavior.

Once you have finished brushing your dog’s coat, it is time for trimming. Be sure to remove the hair mats from your dog’s fur since they can cause problems during bathing. It is interesting that preparing your dog for bathing takes more time than the bathing itself.
The health of your dog’s ears is a vital part of his overall wellbeing. So, clean the dog’s outer ears with a cotton ball soaked into a pet ear cleaner. By removing the dirt and earwax from your dog’s ears, you are minimizing the chances for an infection.

Proper dental care will protect your dog’s teeth from decay, malocclusion and gum disease. Prevention is the key to health, so brush your dog’s teeth to keep them strong and clean. They should be brushed at least two or three times a week with a toothbrush and canine toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start taking care of oral hygiene in your pet from his puppyhood, so that he can get used to the procedure.

Avoid enormous claws by clipping your dog’s nails with a nail clipper or grinder. Don’t use human shampoo on your pet because it can cause skin irritation and hair loss. There are special dog shampoos on the market, adapted to suit your pet’s skin. Don’t forget to wash out and dry your long haired baby the best you can. With a proper care and grooming, your dog will stay healthy and clean for a long time.

10 Dog Facts

10 Interesting Facts About Dogs

/3 Comments/in , /by

Here are the 10 Interesting Facts About Dogs

This friendship between dogs and men lasts for more than 15,000 years or from the moment the dogs were first domesticated by cavemen in the Paleolithic Age. Today, humans live side by side with more than 700 types of pure bred dogs in the world. According to statistics, estimated number of canines in the world is around 400 millions. Here are some interesting facts about dogs that most of the owners should know.

dog
1. Dogs descend from wolves. Approximately 15,000 years ago dogs diverged from their ancestors – wolves. In the year 1993 dogs were classified as a subspecies of the grey wolf (Canis Lupus).

2. Dogs have amazingly good sense of smell. While humans have around 5 million smell-sensitive cells, dogs have 40 times more, nearly 220 million. With powerful sense of smell, dogs can determine odors at concentration level that is 100 times lower than any man can sense. That’s why many dogs are used for finding missing persons or illegal materials such as drugs, bombs and explosive. Studies show that some dogs can even smell our diseases. Four legged buddy can be the first to notice thet you have cancer, epilepsy or diabetes.

3. Dogs have an incredibly good hearing. Once again, dogs are far better than humans in detecting sounds. Dog’s ear can catch frequency range from 40 Hz up to 60,000 Hz. Their amazing hearing capacity is helped by head muscles which can detect exact position of the source of the sound. That’s why some dogs have ears like rabbit and they use them as radar. Also, dogs can hear ultrasonic sounds.

Read more

Find Out How Police K-9 Dogs are Trained

/0 Comments/in , /by

How Police K-9 Dogs are Trained?

For thousands of years dogs and humans live in together. One of the smartest things humans did after the invention of the wheel is domestication of the dogs. Side by side, dogs and people made it through many centuries, wars, even space programs. Furthermore, in addition to being the most beloved pets, helpers around the farm, family guards, and leaders for the blind, dogs can be more than useful in police and other law enforcement units. The police dog, also known as K-9 (homophone of canine, a play on words), in most major cities is used for the things that human police officers can’t do. Police forces use K-9 to track criminals, sniff out drugs, explosive and other illegal materials, to find missing people or objects and many more. Intentional killing or injuring K-9 is considered felony in many countries. Today, a full police funeral is given to the police dog killed in the line of duty. A growing number of police units outfit their dogs with police badges and bullet proof vests.

Find Out How Police K-9 Dogs are Trained

All police dogs have to complete basic obedience training. K-9 Police dogs must obey the commands of their handlers without hesitation. Besides the obedience training, police dogs must go through the agility training, protection training, scent detection training and endurance training. They have to be prepared to jump over the obstacles such as walls and to climb the stairs. Police dogs must learn how to act and remain calm around people in daily life. So, dog socialization is very important thing. The dog that is tense and jumpy when among other people can’t become a good police dog.

Most of the k-9 police dogs are trained to enjoy their work. They comprehend trainings as a game. When it comes to practicing how to chase a suspect, they are trained to grab and hold on at all costs. They hold suspect very tightly until the handler gives command to let go. They are trained to wait for the verbal warning first and attack only if the suspect doesn’t halt immediately. Some police units prefer a bark tactic. Police dog barks to intimidate suspect and alert his handler to his whereabouts. The dog barks till a police squad arrives. Only in case of a suspect trying to run, the dog grabs and holds the fleeing suspect.

Drug training contains a trick with a white towel. The handler rolls up a bag of marijuana inside the towel and removes it short after. Then the dog is playing with the towel so that he can recognize the smell of marijuana. After a while, the handler hides the towel in various places stimulating the dog to look his favorite toy up. The dogs aren’t addictive, they won’t swallow any drugs, they just want to play with their toys. The same method is used for bomb and explosive detection or to locate other illegal materials. A dog’s sense of smell is very powerful, it is almost 50 times more sensitive than human’s.

The most popular breeds in police dog units are German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Argentine Dogo and Labrador Retriever.

Looking for the Best Dogs for House Guards?

/0 Comments/in /by

Looking for the Best Dogs for House Guards? Here Are Our Top 10.

Since they were first domesticated, dogs served men as guards. In the whole animal kingdom, dogs are at the top of the affection list. A good guard dog should be loyal to the owner, intelligent, strong and courageous.  Many dogs will alert you to approaching strangers, but few can handle an intruder. Small breeds like Chihuahuas and Terriers are considered to be brave dogs; still what are their chances against the heavyweight dogs? Exactly – none.

BullmastiffHere is our list of 10 best watch dog breeds:

10.   The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was made to fight bulls and bears. This short-haired medium-sized English breed is similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier, although much smaller. Staffordshire Terrier can be very aggressive and, like all the other terriers, has powerful jaws that can bite with immense force.

9.    Kuvasz, Hungarian white sheepdog was bred in order to protect large sheep flocks from wolves. Extremely brave, protective and territorial dog with strong connection to the family is easy to train by a patient master. If he is properly trained, he will defend family from any danger.

8.    Rhodesian Ridgeback, also known as African Lion Hound has strong, independent nature which makes him almost impossible to train at adult age. This breed doesn’t bark often, but when you hear Ridgeback barking, it’s time for red alert.

7.    German Shepherd originated in Germany at the end of the 19th century which makes this breed relatively young. German Shepherd is a hard worker originally developed for herding sheep flocks. His thick fur can be very useful in winter conditions to protect his body from blizzards. His ability to learn quickly makes him favorite police dog for K-9 units.

6.    Giant Schnauzer always requires strict training and constant body and mental exercise. This responsible guard dog bonds with a family for life. The Giant Schnauzer is a territorial dog whose only role is to protect and please owners.

5.    Puli (Hungarian Water Dog) is a Hungarian herding breed well known for its long fur similar to dreadlocks. Puli’s nature is not aggressive, yet he will bark vigorously at the intruder if he senses a threat. Needs bathing on regular basis without any coat brushing after.

4.    Doberman Pinscher is a medium sized muscular dog with short hair. His high intelligence makes him very easy to train. He loves human closeness and bonds easily with owners. Great family and companion dog.

3.    The Komondor has natural instinct for protecting and guarding livestock and property. Represents one of Hungary’s national treasures. This devoted breed is loyal, powerful and courageous.

2.    If trained properly, Rottweiler can be reliable and loving guard dog. His bad reputation comes from some irresponsible owners. Exposure to new people and situations in early stage of development is crucial. Probably the smartest guard dog in the world.

1.    If you want the best guard dog who’s afraid of nothing, than Bullmastiff is your dog. His protection instincts, intelligence, loyalty, mental and physical strength are the perfect combination for the best guard dog in the world. Despite his size, he is very agile and quick.

Want to know the top 10 most intelligent dogs? Read this article.

What Are the Top 10 Most Intelligent Dogs?

/2 Comments/in , /by

Every dog owner thinks that his dog is the smartest dog around (well at least a few we know!). Of course only a few of them would be right. Don’t despair if your dog’s breed isn’t on the list. Some highly intelligent dogs are very hard to train or act destructively when alone in the house. Intelligence of the dog comes in various forms.

Here is our list of the 10 smartest dog breeds.

most intellegent dog10. Australian Cattle Dog.

This smart dog is very active and in constant need for mental and physical exercise. The breed was developed two centuries ago by crossing wild dingoes with Dalmatians and Collies. These dogs are very playful, happy and they are perfect to herd cattle.

9. Rottweiler.

This dog has a fearsome reputation, but when you see Rottweiler around the kids, you will know that this reputation is undeserved. Being highly loyal and family friendly, this dog is a great choice for police or guard. Rottweiler possesses a strong character and it’s always eager to work.

8. The Papillon.

Also known as Dwarf Spaniels because they reach a height of only 11 inches. This miniature breed is one of the oldest European breeds. In order to stay out of trouble keep this dog’s mind always occupied by mental stimulations.

7.    Labrador Retriever.

This intelligent and very gentle dog represents an ideal family pet. With aristocratic looks, Labradors are very sociable and easy to train with strong will to please owners. Golden, black and chocolate are three basic colors of this world’s most popular breed.

6. Shetland Sheepdog.

Very devoted to the owner, this lively dog can be used to herd sheep and cattle. Shetland Sheepdog is medium sized dog originated from Scotland. Breed, known for great sense of hearing and tri-color fur, are very trainable. Most of Sheltie’s owners claim that this dog is as smart as humans.

5. Doberman Pinscher.

This medium-sized dog is alert, incredibly smart and very loyal. If you train your Doberman properly from an early age, you can get brave dog ready to do anything to protect the loved ones. This guardian dog with a short hair comes from Germany and it is often used in military and police.

4. Golden Retriever.

One thing is very interesting with this energetic and great companion dog – it almost never barks. Golden Retriever represents everything we adore about dogs. Eager to please, loves children, sweet, loyal, carefree, easy to train. Can be used as a hunting dog, rescue dog, guide dog and drug sniffing dog.

3. German Shepherd.

For numerous reasons, German Shepherd deserves the third place on the top 10 intelligent dogs list. These dog breed is capable of doing every dog’s job there is. You name it! Their loyalty, intelligence and fierce nature make them perfect work dogs.

2. Standard Poodle.

Many people are not Poodle fans, but they have to agree that this breed deserves runner-up position. Thanks to good looks and intelligence this French breed became very popular all over the world.

1. Without any doubt Border Collie is the most intelligent breed on the planet.

In fact, on nearly every ranking of dog intelligence, Border Collie comes out on top. If you give this workaholic a job and purpose, you’ll make it happy. Collies literally live to work. They come mostly in black and white color.

Dogs Lifespan Vs Human Lifespan – A Comparison

/0 Comments/in /by

dogs lifespanDogs Lifespan Vs Human Lifespan – A Comparison

Relationship between a dog and a man is probably the closest in the pet’s world. There are hundreds of situations which confirm this theory. No man can love his golden fish, miniature turtle or parrot as much as a dog. Unfortunately, our pet’s life is shorter than ours and the hardest part of the relationship is dealing with the dog’s death.

There is an old calculation which says that one dog year is equal to seven years of human life. This ratio isn’t quite accurate. For example, two months old puppy is indeed developed like a 14 months old human baby but ratio decreases as the dog ages.  So, a one year old dog has aged about as much as a 15 years old human. Still, a 14 years old dog matches an 82 years old man, which corresponds to a ratio of only about 5.8.

Several factors can contribute to the dog’s lifespan. Depending on the breed structure, health and genetics, some dogs can live longer than others. It is interesting that smaller dog breeds live approximately 1.5 times longer than the bigger ones. It’s much easier to Chihuahua’s heart to pump the blood than the heart of a Great Dane. If we make comparison between genders, we will notice similarity to humans. Female dogs are expected to live a year or two longer than males, just like people.

The key to longer and healthier life of your dog is quality nutrition. Top quality dog food will extend dog’s life, especially if combined with neutering or spaying. These methods can reduce the risk for cancer of the reproductive organs. Mental and physical exercise on daily basis can affect your dog’s life span in a good way. Be sure to take special care of your dog’s teeth and gums. According to some veterinarians it can extend your dog’s life up to 4 years. Very good idea is to get your dog vaccinated. Just as it is with humans, many stressful situations can affect dog’s health.

Average life span of dogs is between 13 and 14 and for humans it’s about 67.2 years. Due to better medical care and food, dogs and human life span has increased dramatically over the past 100 years.  People of Japan live the longest with average life span of 82.7 years, while in Mozambique it is only 39.2, which is 40% below world average.

It’s all about the evolution – it dictates how long both humans and dogs will live. Both species have changed and developed over millions of years, with the big difference that humans have slower metabolism and for that reason live longer than dogs. In the coming future it will be possible to extend both life spans. I’m looking forward to see 1.000 year old man with 200 year old dog on the porch in front of their future house.

Average Life Span of Top 10 Breeds

·         Labrador Retriever (12.5 years)

·         German Shepherd Dog (11 years)

·         Golden Retriever (12 years)

·         Boxer (10.5 years)

·         Bulldog (7 years)

·         Poodle (12 years Standard) (15 years Miniature)

·         Chihuahua (13.5)

·         Rottweiler (10 years)

·         Doberman Pinscher (10 years)

·         Cocker Spaniel (12 years).