For most people, buying a puppy is an exciting event. Puppies are cute and fun to be around. However, without proper training, your cute, fun puppy can turn into a dog that you wish you didn’t have. Puppies that have not been taught manners and basic commands can be very difficult to manage as they grow into adult dogs that have no respect for you or anyone in your family.
I believe that most dogs want to make their owners happy and that even some of the most unruly dogs can be turned out with a lot of patience and proper training. I’m not talking about dogs that are truly dangerous for one reason or another. Most dogs that are considered unruly or unmanageable have never had any type of training whatsoever. A little training in basic sit, stay, down and leave it can do wonders for many dogs.
Before you decide that today is the day that you start training your dog, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you start. I personally believe that only training methods based on positive reinforcement should be used. Hitting your dog or causing him pain while “training” him doesn’t work. You end up with a dog that is resentful and has no desire to listen to you or respect you. Hitting your dog can actually backfire and make your dog very aggressive and prone to attacking you. Dogs that are prone to being submissive may begin to pee any time you get near them as a sign of submission.
If your dog is behaving in an unacceptable manner, don’t just ignore the behavior because he will only continue to act in this manner. If you catch your dog doing something you don’t want him to do get his attention and tell him no. Then try to redirect his attention to a more acceptable behavior. For example, call him to you and reward him when he comes to you.
Get in the habit of rewarding positive behaviors when you see them. For example, if your dog barks at every noise he hears, get his attention and tell him quiet the next time he begins to bark. If he listens, tell him good dog. The more you can find good behaviors to reward, the more your dog will try to get your attention with his good behavior.
Remember to not ever punish your dog when he comes to you. The fact that your dog will come to you is positive and you want to keep it that way. If you call your dog to you and then punish him when he comes or you always do something unpleasant when he comes, like administer medicine or clip his toenails, he will stop coming to you at all! This could be a serious safety issue if your dog ever gets away from you or you need him to come to you quickly in an emergency.
Remember, the most effective way to train your dog is to reward him for good behavior. Punishing your dog rarely works and can lead to a dog that won’t listen to you and doesn’t want to interact with you.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Clicker Training Your Dog
Clicker training is becoming a popular way to train dogs. This type of training is versatile in that it can be used train show dogs, pets to do tricks and family dogs to stay, sit and heal. Clicker training is based on the fact that your dogs want to make you happy and is willing to learn. I have personally used clicker training with my three dogs and it is a fun way to train them.
Most dogs enjoy the opportunity to interact with their people and as long as it is fun, they can actually enjoy the training process. The biggest problem when training a dog is that they don’t speak “human” and that is where the clicker comes in. By clicking when the dog performs the wanted behavior, it tells the dog “Yes!! You did what I wanted!” and the sound of the click is the reward for the correct behavior. With repetition, you dog will understand what you want and will have fun trying to get you to click again.
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement type of training. There is no punishment and the goal is to keep it fun and positive for everyone involved. Because your dog is happy to be with you and is having fun, he is never afraid of you.
Before you start a training regimen, be sure the entire family is on board. When training your dog, everyone needs to be involved, even any children in the family. Before you begin, you will need a secure, safe area to work with your dog, a clicker, treats that your dog loves and lots of time and patience. The beauty of the clicker is that even young children can participate with supervision and gain the respect of the family pet.
At first, start slowly with your dog and reward any type of effort that is close to what you are asking for. This provides positive reinforcement and tells your dog “What a great try!” Be sure and use the correct word for the behavior that you are trying to get and stick with that word. For example, many people will interchange down and off and they are two separate commands. Everyone in the family needs to be as consistent as possible so that your dog is not confused. The more time you spend working with your dog, the more quickly he will improve. As he improves, you can ask for more precision before you click.
Clicker training is something that you need to spend some time doing with your dog. Remember, your dog doesn’t speak “human” and he may be a little confused at first. Practice as much as you can but don’t drill the poor dog to death. This training should be fun and allow you to bond with your dog.
Eventually, your dog will begin to understand what you want. If you are teaching your dog the “down” command, initially you will reward any attempt to lower his body to the ground. Once he appears to understand what you want, get pickier and only reward him when his belly is flat on the ground and he is relaxed. You can use a command like “again” to communicate that it is almost what you want, but not quite.
Using clicker training with your dog is a great way to spend fun time with your dog and make your bond stronger. Training your dog in general will instill good manners in him that makes him a pleasure to be around instead of a pest. Have fun with him and he will love spending time with you.
CLICK HERE to check out this great book “Clicker Training – The 4 Secrets Of Becoming A Super Trainer”
Most dogs enjoy the opportunity to interact with their people and as long as it is fun, they can actually enjoy the training process. The biggest problem when training a dog is that they don’t speak “human” and that is where the clicker comes in. By clicking when the dog performs the wanted behavior, it tells the dog “Yes!! You did what I wanted!” and the sound of the click is the reward for the correct behavior. With repetition, you dog will understand what you want and will have fun trying to get you to click again.
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement type of training. There is no punishment and the goal is to keep it fun and positive for everyone involved. Because your dog is happy to be with you and is having fun, he is never afraid of you.
Before you start a training regimen, be sure the entire family is on board. When training your dog, everyone needs to be involved, even any children in the family. Before you begin, you will need a secure, safe area to work with your dog, a clicker, treats that your dog loves and lots of time and patience. The beauty of the clicker is that even young children can participate with supervision and gain the respect of the family pet.
At first, start slowly with your dog and reward any type of effort that is close to what you are asking for. This provides positive reinforcement and tells your dog “What a great try!” Be sure and use the correct word for the behavior that you are trying to get and stick with that word. For example, many people will interchange down and off and they are two separate commands. Everyone in the family needs to be as consistent as possible so that your dog is not confused. The more time you spend working with your dog, the more quickly he will improve. As he improves, you can ask for more precision before you click.
Clicker training is something that you need to spend some time doing with your dog. Remember, your dog doesn’t speak “human” and he may be a little confused at first. Practice as much as you can but don’t drill the poor dog to death. This training should be fun and allow you to bond with your dog.
Eventually, your dog will begin to understand what you want. If you are teaching your dog the “down” command, initially you will reward any attempt to lower his body to the ground. Once he appears to understand what you want, get pickier and only reward him when his belly is flat on the ground and he is relaxed. You can use a command like “again” to communicate that it is almost what you want, but not quite.
Using clicker training with your dog is a great way to spend fun time with your dog and make your bond stronger. Training your dog in general will instill good manners in him that makes him a pleasure to be around instead of a pest. Have fun with him and he will love spending time with you.
CLICK HERE to check out this great book “Clicker Training – The 4 Secrets Of Becoming A Super Trainer”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Neuter Your Cat
Male cats that are not used for breeding purposes should be neutered so that they can no longer impregnate a female. This is especially crucial for cats because there are thousands of kittens and full grown cats every year that are put down because they cannot find homes. There are several advantages to having your male cat neutered and the process itself is quite safe. Everyone should strongly consider having their male cats neutered.
A “tomcat” is a male cat that has not yet been neutered. An unneutered male cat can be difficult to live with, no matter how well trained he may be. Male cats that are not neutered want to go outside to mate with female cats that are in heat. This can be a catastrophie if your cat is not used to being outside or if you live in a busy area with lots of traffic. Tomcats by nature like to roam a lot and they can go quite far away from home in the search for female cats. Cats that are unfamiliar with the outdoors may not be able to find their way home. They may also fall victim to larger predatory dogs that can kill them. Your tomcat may also enjoy being able to roam at will and may just not want to come home and be confined inside your home again.
Tomcats are very territorial and become aggressive if any other male cat enters their territory. They will fight with any male cat that roams into their territory and attempt to drive them away to prevent them from mating with female cats in “their” territory. A cat that feels threatened will fight to the death. Even if death doesn’t occur, these fights can be quite serious and can seriously injure the cats involved. Wounds that are inflicted can also spread diseases like the FeLV virus, which can be fatal. Neutering your cat may not stop an aggressive cat from being less hostile toward humans, but it will prevent your cat from actively seeking fights with other male cats in the neighborhood.
The neutering process is very simple and involves removing the male cat’s reproductive organs. These organs are easily accessible in most tomcats. Occasionally, a more extensive surgery has to be done because they have not developed and descended correctly. Removing these organs causes changes in male hormones through a cat’s body and changes his behavior. Most male cats will settle down and not be as prone to wandering and aggressive behavior. The younger your male cat is neutered, the easier it will be for him.
You should always contact your vet to explain the procedure in more detail. If you don’t intend to breed your cat, neutering him is the best choice for his health and well-being. It also helps to prevent more unwanted kittens being born.
A “tomcat” is a male cat that has not yet been neutered. An unneutered male cat can be difficult to live with, no matter how well trained he may be. Male cats that are not neutered want to go outside to mate with female cats that are in heat. This can be a catastrophie if your cat is not used to being outside or if you live in a busy area with lots of traffic. Tomcats by nature like to roam a lot and they can go quite far away from home in the search for female cats. Cats that are unfamiliar with the outdoors may not be able to find their way home. They may also fall victim to larger predatory dogs that can kill them. Your tomcat may also enjoy being able to roam at will and may just not want to come home and be confined inside your home again.
Tomcats are very territorial and become aggressive if any other male cat enters their territory. They will fight with any male cat that roams into their territory and attempt to drive them away to prevent them from mating with female cats in “their” territory. A cat that feels threatened will fight to the death. Even if death doesn’t occur, these fights can be quite serious and can seriously injure the cats involved. Wounds that are inflicted can also spread diseases like the FeLV virus, which can be fatal. Neutering your cat may not stop an aggressive cat from being less hostile toward humans, but it will prevent your cat from actively seeking fights with other male cats in the neighborhood.
The neutering process is very simple and involves removing the male cat’s reproductive organs. These organs are easily accessible in most tomcats. Occasionally, a more extensive surgery has to be done because they have not developed and descended correctly. Removing these organs causes changes in male hormones through a cat’s body and changes his behavior. Most male cats will settle down and not be as prone to wandering and aggressive behavior. The younger your male cat is neutered, the easier it will be for him.
You should always contact your vet to explain the procedure in more detail. If you don’t intend to breed your cat, neutering him is the best choice for his health and well-being. It also helps to prevent more unwanted kittens being born.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Flu And Your Dogs And Cats
Flu season is here, for humans and cats alike. Yes, you heard right. Just like humans, dogs and cats can also catch a strain of the flu. Flu in dogs and cats is due to an upper respiratory infection and can affect pets of any age, but is especially found in young or old animals.
It is best to try and prevent your pet from getting the flu in the first place. Your dog or cat can be vaccinated for the flu which will drastically reduce the severity of the flu if caught. During flu season it is best to not let your dog or cat roam around the neighborhood where he could come into contact with an infected pet.
The flu in a dogs and cats will look similar to the flu in a human. Depending on what agent is causing the flu, there are a wide range of symptoms and severities. Signs that your pet has the flu include inflammation around the eyes and nose, discharge from the nose, an elevated temperature, weakness and loss of appetite, sneezing, and coughing. It is important to get treatment for your dog or cat immediately so that he is not left with chronic diseases.
If one of your pets starts showing flu like symptoms, call your vet immediately to discuss treatment options. Most dogs and cats recover with no problems, but as with people, some pets will die.
While the flu itself cannot be treated, the symptoms of the flu can. It is important for your pet to get plenty of liquids to keep him hydrated. Since your pet may feel too bad to eat or drink you may have to get creative and try different types of treats to keep him hydrated. If your notice that your dog or cat’s illness seems to be getting worse or if it is very severe from the beginning, it is extremely important for you to take your him to the vet. Your cat may need to be hospitalized to ensure that it stays properly hydrated.
If you have multiple dog or cats in your house, you should try to isolate the sick pet as it is very contagious and will spread quickly. Don’t take your dog or cat out in public where he could come into contact with healthy animals and possibly infect them. All food and water bowls will need to be washed and disinfect often. Be sure and wash your hands and clothing after handling the sick pet prior to touching any of the well pets in your home.
Check out my website for more information.
It is best to try and prevent your pet from getting the flu in the first place. Your dog or cat can be vaccinated for the flu which will drastically reduce the severity of the flu if caught. During flu season it is best to not let your dog or cat roam around the neighborhood where he could come into contact with an infected pet.
The flu in a dogs and cats will look similar to the flu in a human. Depending on what agent is causing the flu, there are a wide range of symptoms and severities. Signs that your pet has the flu include inflammation around the eyes and nose, discharge from the nose, an elevated temperature, weakness and loss of appetite, sneezing, and coughing. It is important to get treatment for your dog or cat immediately so that he is not left with chronic diseases.
If one of your pets starts showing flu like symptoms, call your vet immediately to discuss treatment options. Most dogs and cats recover with no problems, but as with people, some pets will die.
While the flu itself cannot be treated, the symptoms of the flu can. It is important for your pet to get plenty of liquids to keep him hydrated. Since your pet may feel too bad to eat or drink you may have to get creative and try different types of treats to keep him hydrated. If your notice that your dog or cat’s illness seems to be getting worse or if it is very severe from the beginning, it is extremely important for you to take your him to the vet. Your cat may need to be hospitalized to ensure that it stays properly hydrated.
If you have multiple dog or cats in your house, you should try to isolate the sick pet as it is very contagious and will spread quickly. Don’t take your dog or cat out in public where he could come into contact with healthy animals and possibly infect them. All food and water bowls will need to be washed and disinfect often. Be sure and wash your hands and clothing after handling the sick pet prior to touching any of the well pets in your home.
Check out my website for more information.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Diabetes in Cats
Cats and humans may not look much alike, but remember, both are mammals. Therefore, there are a number of diseases, disorders, and other medical conditions found in humans that are also found in cats. One disease that we have in common is diabetes.
There are two types of diabetes in cats. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the insufficient production of insulin in the cat’s body. Type 2 diabetes is when a cat develops intolerance for handling the insulin. Both types can develop in cats of any age, but it is more commonly found in cats that are old, male, or obese. There is what is known as secondary diabetes as well, in which a drug or disease causes diabetes, sometimes forever and sometimes for a certain period of time.
There are some symptoms that you need to look for in your cat. These symptoms include excess thirst, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, loss of weight, breathing abnormalities, and unhealthy skin and coat. Your vet will test your cat’s blood sugar levels and urine sugar levels. Both tests are needed, as temporary blood sugar levels may be high in cats that are stressed or nervous.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, lifestyle changes are required to make sure that your cat’s health is restored as much as possible. Diet is very important. Remember, your cat should only get enough food during a meal as is necessary. Cats typically need food the size of one large mouse to be content - more will cause weight problems. Not only is the amount of food important, but you should also be concerned with your cat’s types of foods. Your vet can recommend specific cat food brands that are high in fiber and protein in order to control the diabetes.
Your cat’s diabetes will need to be carefully monitored and it may be necessary for your cat to be treated with insulin, oral mediations, and supplements. Again, your vet can tell you what is needed, as well as show you how to administer treatment to your cat daily. It is important for you to monitor your cat’s health to make sure that the diabetes is in control and that he or she is staying happy, healthy, and comfortable. Diabetes is not the end of the world, in either humans or cats.
There are two types of diabetes in cats. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the insufficient production of insulin in the cat’s body. Type 2 diabetes is when a cat develops intolerance for handling the insulin. Both types can develop in cats of any age, but it is more commonly found in cats that are old, male, or obese. There is what is known as secondary diabetes as well, in which a drug or disease causes diabetes, sometimes forever and sometimes for a certain period of time.
There are some symptoms that you need to look for in your cat. These symptoms include excess thirst, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, loss of weight, breathing abnormalities, and unhealthy skin and coat. Your vet will test your cat’s blood sugar levels and urine sugar levels. Both tests are needed, as temporary blood sugar levels may be high in cats that are stressed or nervous.
If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, lifestyle changes are required to make sure that your cat’s health is restored as much as possible. Diet is very important. Remember, your cat should only get enough food during a meal as is necessary. Cats typically need food the size of one large mouse to be content - more will cause weight problems. Not only is the amount of food important, but you should also be concerned with your cat’s types of foods. Your vet can recommend specific cat food brands that are high in fiber and protein in order to control the diabetes.
Your cat’s diabetes will need to be carefully monitored and it may be necessary for your cat to be treated with insulin, oral mediations, and supplements. Again, your vet can tell you what is needed, as well as show you how to administer treatment to your cat daily. It is important for you to monitor your cat’s health to make sure that the diabetes is in control and that he or she is staying happy, healthy, and comfortable. Diabetes is not the end of the world, in either humans or cats.
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