Why Does Your Dog Completely Ignore You Around Dogs?

Why Does Your Dog Completely Ignore You Around Dogs?

• By Kevin Salem

Have you ever wondered what "exactly" could be the reason why does your dog bark, pull on the leash, lunge, growl, attack, shiver, whimper, shy away or is dying to play when faced with other dogs that he is not familiar with?
Here are all the reasons:
o You don't have the right timing, right technique, or the right training tool that can get your dog under your complete control. If a certain tool stops working or doesn't even seem to faze your dog anymore, try another one. Use what works!
o You never thought socializing your dog with other dogs was really important or even possible. So you kept putting it off and now you finally admit that this has become a serious issue!
o You have been avoiding any dog you came across by changing routes on your walks, or by walking your dog really late at night or super early in the morning.

o Your training foundation is weak or even worse, you have no foundation. Meaning, your dog doesn't even listen to you that well in private or in your home. So why would he all of sudden behave like a perfect angel around dogs that he doesn't know or doesn't feel comfortable with?
o Your dog USED to be friendly around dogs, but you slacked off on being involved on dog activities, daily walks, etc. And now, all of sudden your dog doesn't know exactly how to behave around dogs he hasn't met before.

City Dog Walking Advice

City Dog Walking Advice
By James T Phillips
City dog walking requires 360 degree awareness at all times
Dogs love cities! What they lose in wide open space is made up for in the volume of sights, sounds and smells which envelop a dog during their time outside. Many owners who have moved their suburban or rural dog to the city have found that they develop a new level of confidence, both with other dogs and with people.
But with this stimulation comes the potential for mishap. Walking your dog in the city demands your utmost care and attention at all times. It's a good idea to bear a few things in mind during a city dog walk:
Never unleash your dog on a city street
For most people, this is common sense -- yet it's surprising how many dog owners think it's no big deal to walk their dog off leash in the city. Such people will tell you that their dog "would never do anything crazy", but the simple truth is that all dogs have the potential to react unpredictably when provoked or startled. Here's why you should never walk your dog unleashed on city streets:

Finding and Hiring a Dog Walker

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If you work more than 6 hours a day and own a dog, you need a dog walker!
Urban life can be hard for dogs. Many of us keep pets in cramped city apartments and work long hours, resulting in a dogs life which is a far cry from that of a rural or suburban dog who usually has an outside yard to roam during the day -- or if they're really lucky, acres of open land in which to frolic.
Yet there is no reason why a city dog cannot enjoy a fantastic quality of life. Living in the city has its disadvantages but also brings with it levels of stimulation -- sights, sounds and smells -- which suburban or rural dogs never get to experience. City dogs are also also blessed with far more social opportunities, whether they be with other dogs on the street or with a pack of their buddies at the local dog park or dog

Impostor" Service Dogs - Is Your Business Prepared

"Impostor" Service Dogs - Is Your Business Prepared?

• By Kimberly Carnevale

I am an international access consultant and disability advocate. For the past ten years, since first becoming partnered with my own service dog, I have fought for the rights of service dog handlers who experienced illegal access denial (the illegal refusal of an establishment to grant entry to a partnered team).
The common denominator in all access denials is lack of education. Unfortunately, many businesses do not make it a priority to educate their employees in disability rights and sensitivity training; and as a result, suffer very costly lessons for their oversight. An employee's ignorance of access rights does not excuse the denial of those rights, and will not prevent incurring the stiff penalty that violating them carries.


Access denial is a huge, widespread problem throughout the service dog community, and not surprisingly, handlers with invisible disabilities have the most issues with access denial. However, just because you can't see someone's disability, doesn't mean that they don't suffer from it; and all the challenges that it presents. Persons with invisible disabilities cannot be denied the same rights as someone with visible disabilities; education and sensitivity training are key to the prevention of this type of disability discrimination.

For ten years I've been advocating for handlers' rights, mediating in pre-court cases, and educating businesses about disabilities and their rights and responsibilities towards their disabled clientele. I've worked tirelessly to preserve the rights of service dog handlers everywhere, and to promote the wonderful benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilities in order to help foster a more compassionate and accepting attitude towards these incredible canines. My work has opened many doors previously closed to service dog teams, and I am fully committed to opening many more.


Recently, I've gained a new and unexpected clientele-business owners who believe that their establishment had been visited by (and in many cases, damaged by) "impostor" service dogs.
"Impostor" or "fake" service dogs are a growing problem throughout America. This is the canine version of illegally parking in a handicapped parking space. Many people have forgone any type of morality and have obtained vests and attached patches to illegally gain entry to public places with their pet dogs.

As unbelievable as it sounds, some offenders believe that their dog should be allowed to go with them everywhere and can't see the harm in passing off just one dog, others know it is illegal, but do it anyway because they lack any sense of wrongdoing; and still others believe that they are truly justified because they have an emotional disorder and having their pet dog with them eases their symptoms. Many of the latter have notes written by their doctors testifying to the fact that their dog helps to ease symptoms of emotional disorders; and so, they feel fully justified in having their dog in a public place, claiming it to be a service dog.
No matter what the reason, the simple fact of the matter is this: passing off any dog that is not specifically trained as per the Americans with Disability Act, state, and local laws is illegal (a federal offense) and carries federal penalties.


In the case of the emotional support dog, these dogs (while serving a great and positive purpose); are not service dogs. Many people have taken the ADA's version of the law and twisted it to fit their own situation---but they've missed a very important fact: In order to meet the legal requirements needed to earn the title of service dog, the dog must be individually trained as a service dog, and the dog must be specifically trained to do tasks. If a dog does nothing more than accompany a person into an establishment to "keep them focused" or "ease anxiety", they are not in compliance with federal law that specifically requires task training.


It costs $15,000-$20,000.00 to train a service dog. The high cost reflects intensive and high level training that takes hundreds of hours that ensure the dog to be obedient and able to perform its job in a variety of situations. Pet dogs are simply not equipped to deal with many unforeseen public distractions that service dogs have been carefully and meticulously prepared for. Owner-trained service dogs who have not met the same training standards are ill-equipped to deal with such stressors, and oftentimes, their handlers have not been educated in all of the laws and responsibilities that they are required to adhere to. This combination is an accident waiting to happen.


It is infuriating that while most service dog handlers invest the large cost and countless hours to properly train their service dogs, a growing number of impostors are simply mail ordering vests, slapping on patches and claiming their pet dog to be a service dog-then having the audacity to dare anyone to confront them on it; claiming protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the very law that they themselves are in violation of.
In the past week, several "faux" handlers, claiming to have had their "rights" violated by a business or establishment, have contacted me for access representation. Upon closer inspection in each of these cases, the dog in question damaged property (one bit several people), created a disturbance, or defecated and was asked by management to leave. None of these dogs had task training, and none had any formal training of any kind on record. These were pet dogs whose owners decided one day that now they were going to be service dogs, got a little note from their doctor (who is not versed in service dog law), and illegally sited the ADA as protection from eviction from a public place-and then contacted me to advocate for them! Guess what? Doesn't work that way.


Congress is fully aware and outraged at such behavior and is currently working on a bill that tightens the ADA's definition of a service dog and increases the severity of penalties in response to this growing, and potentially dangerous problem.
Pet dogs that have not received the proper socialization, high-level obedience, distraction and task training are apt to misbehave or even bite in high stress environments. Their ill behavior gives real service dogs a bad rap, and service dog handlers are having even more difficulties with access. In addition, business owners who have had experiences with "impostor" service dogs are less than jubilant to see a real service dog come into their establishment, and the business-client relationship is strained.


This is not an article that I could ever have imagined myself writing. I am a staunch advocate for service dog handlers; and have a reputation for my successful access award cases. To imagine myself on the "other side" representing Corporate America against a handler simply boggles my mind---but then, I could never have imagined that people could be so untruthful and so morally corrupt as to take advantage of a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities.
To think that many people are "cheating," by passing off untrained (or barely trained) pets as service dogs when so many handlers are spending incredible amounts of money and taking the time to properly train their service dog to the level of a highly-obedient and task-trained canine, is infuriating. The immorality of this issue propels me to set out on a new mission to right a tremendous wrong that is being played out against real service dog handlers throughout this country; ones who have taken the time and expense to abide by the law and painstakingly trained their dogs (and themselves) to the letter of the law.


For business owners who feel you may have been invaded by an "impostor" service dog, feel free to contact me for consultation and rectification in this matter. You are not expected or required to sit idly by while an untrained and illegal impostor causes your business damage or threatens the smooth running of your establishment.
There are legal steps that can be taken to stop these impostors in their tracks, and assistance in helping you to recoup damages. Current law provides for stiff federal penalties-even for first time offenders; and I'll be more than happy to assist bringing each one to justice on behalf of service dog teams everywhere.
If you are in doubt as to whether a dog is a real service dog, you may legally ask the following:
1. Do you have a documented disability? (Note: you may not ask what the disability is)
2. Is that a trained service dog? If the answer is yes, and you still doubt the validity of the team; you may ask what the dog specifically does for the person with disabilities.


Any properly trained team has been fully versed in the law, knows their rights and responsibilities and will have no issue answering such questions. Alternatively, if a person balks at answering these questions, or becomes unreasonably defensive; you may be dealing with an impostor. You may want to consider phoning the police to intervene.


If the dog enters your establishment and exhibits any type of behavior not expected of a service dog (urinating/defecating, damaging goods, sniffing/bothering other customers, barking, growling, snapping, etc...) you are well within your rights to ask them to leave. If the dog or its equipment is not clean (visibly dirty or emits an unpleasant odor), you are within your rights to ask them to leave. If the handler gives you any trouble; call the state police barracks nearest your location (state patrolmen are trained in the ADA whereas most local policemen are not).
For illegal handlers with "impostor" or "non-task trained" dogs; beware---Uncle Sam, the entire service dog community, and myself are onto you, and we're cracking down.
--Kimberly Carnevale
Canine and Abled, Inc.
About the author: Kimberly Carnevale is an author, disability advocate, and motivational speaker. She is the President and founder of Canine and Abled, Inc. (the award-winning program featured on TV, magazines and her first book). She is invited to speak nationally on service dog law, business service dog education (including policy and procedure revision/implementation), and corporate motivation.
Kimberly presents her award winning educational and character-building assembly to schools, scout troops and other youth organizations throughout the country, and has been published numerous times nationally and internationally as an expert in her field.

Ms. Carnevale is available to advocate for the rights of service dog handlers (who fully meet the requirements of " disabled" and "service dog" as per the ADA), and to businesses who feel they have encountered "impostor" service dogs in their establishment.
Kimberly also consults in service dog training/acquisition and plans to build a training/provision center in the near future. She can be reached through her organization's website: [http://www.canineandabled.com]
Copyright 2008 by Kimberly Carnevale and Sarah Lynn Communications, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
About the author: Kimberly is first and foremost a proud, single Mom to four-year-old, Sarah. She is a successful author and motivational speaker. In 1999, Kimberly founded Canine and Abled, Inc., an award-winning program that advocates for service dog handlers and educates about the benefits of service dogs. Her first book, "Canine and Abled, Taking The Dis Out of Disabled" was published in 2004 and details Kimberly's former career as an Olympic hopeful to the founding of the much acclaimed educational program. To contact: http://www.KimberlyCarnevale.com
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Choosing the Right Dog Food to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy

Choosing the Right Dog Food to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy

• By Ian Westynn

There are 72,114,000 dogs in the United States, according to the 2007 census. With over 72 million dogs in a sales demographic, you can see why there are so many different types and varieties of dog food. The dog food industry definitely has some competition.

With so many different dog food companies vying for your dog food dollar, how do you know which dog food to choose to keep your dog healthy? Do you choose dry, moist, or a combination of both? High protein, low protein, other nutrients, what exactly do you look for?
You want the best for your dog that your money can buy. You want to keep your dog healthy and satisfy his hunger at the same time. What do you do? Do you go with what everybody else is buying? Do you ask your family and friends?

• THE DOG, THE DIET, THE FOOD.

The real issue when choosing a dog food for your dog is that every dog is different. I am not just talking about breeds, though they differ to, but two dogs of the same breed may not even have the same eating habits. There is no single silver bullet cure unfortunately.
So to find the right dog food to keep your dog healthy, you are going to have to do a little detective work.
Breed. Start with the type of dog you have. Obviously a small lap dog is going to have different requirements than say, a Great Dane. Size is a large factor in energy levels and digestive systems.
Age. Puppies are growing and require lots of good stuff to help them grow and to keep their energies up. They should be feed small amounts many times throughout the day just like a baby. In the dogs prime, say 3 years old to about 6 years old, they might have a very healthy appetite at each feeding, but only eats maybe twice a day. On the other hand the older adult isn't running after everything he sees anymore and like the "early bird special" older humans, they eat earlier in the day and not so much. Then bed time is much more craved than a bowl of food after 7pm. Just saying.

Activity. Is your dog one of those hyper sort of dogs that seems to be able to run all day long until they collapse at the end of the night? Or do you have a dog like mine whose greatest ambition is to stretch after laying on the bed all morning to walk 20 feet and go lay down on her favorite chair until she is hungry or has to relieve herself.
Stage in life. Sort of like age, but much more specific and maybe not lasting. Things like growth spurts, recovering from an injury, recovering from a major surgery, extreme hot day, pregnancy, nursing, dieting, training, change in location like vacation or having to stay at a kennel, and other things that are a major change in their normal routine, but is only temporary.

• WHAT DO I LOOK FOR?

Even though every dog is different, there are some basic ideas to sort of use as a guideline. You want to pick a high quality dog food. You will know it is high quality if while reading the nutrition facts, you are seeing some pretty high numbers. One thing to look at is serving size when doing the comparisons.
What you are looking for is a food that will provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and some essential fat content in the form of acids. Dog foods have varying levels of protein in them. Some have more filler than anything else. If you are around 25% protein content, give or take, it is a real good start.
Look to see if the dog food is recommended for active or in-active dogs. Most dog foods will even tell you if they are for puppies, adults, or older less active dogs. Most will also tell you if they are easier to digest for dogs of certain ages than others. An older dog may not be able to digest a food designed for dogs leaving the puppy stage and moving into adulthood.

You might even be looking for a dog food that helps a dog loose weight. Overweight dogs are a common issue in the United States. So it is no wonder that there is a whole line of diet dog foods to keep your dog healthy and save them from being overweight. Serious heart and other health conditions, including joint pain and other body issues can be associated simply to the dog being overweight.
Another point is that just because it is a much better overall deal, sometimes large bags of dog food is not the correct choice. For example, it does not make sense to buy a 50 lb bag of combination moist and dry dog food for a toy or lap dog. The chances are the food is going go bad before the little dog can get through it. On the other hand, you are going to go broke trying to buy little individual cans of moist food for a Mastiff.
If you just do not have a clue what to do. Then contact your vet. Discuss with him or her your issues and tell him or her all you can about your dog, their activities, age, weight, and other things you can think of. This will help your vet decide the best type of food for your dog. Just be leery if he only recommends a certain brand and you can only get it from his office. It does happen. And I am not saying the dog food is not a good choice, but their choice might be motivated by keeping them in money, not to keep your dog healthy.

• SUMMATION

There are several dog food brands to choose from. Even grocery stores have entire aisles now dedicated to pet/dog food alone. Choosing the right dog food depends on what sort of dog you have, what their activity is like, their age, and other special things going on at that time in a dog's life. The bottom line is you are going to have to do some reading of the labels, looking for around 25% protein and as many vitamins, nutrients, and digestion types. Size of the dog should be considered when purchasing the amount of dog food at one time. And finally, if you feel completely lost, then contact your vet and ask their advice as to which dog food would be best for your dog giving them any information you can to help them determine it.
Ian Westynn considers himself a Renaissance man who likes to speak on many subjects. He loves to learn new things daily and has just recently found an outlet as being a web author. The above article can be used freely as long as this resource box is with the article. Ian occasionally writes for a blog too, you can visit it by going to [http://mipetblog.com] For the cost of one vet visit you can have Dog Health [http://bagvenus.info] a great overall guide to keep your dog healthy at home.
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How to Make Your Rescue Dog Comfortable in Your Home

How to Make Your Rescue Dog Comfortable in Your Home

• By Vikki Gigante

You have done your research and found the perfect dog for your home. He or she is a shy but sweet little or big bundle of fur. You have brought your dog home. The first thing you do is to let your dog sniff around and get used to you, your family and your house. Now comes the fun part. How do you acclimate your rescue dog to your home and your family? Hopefully, you found something out about your dog's situation before you picked the little girl or boy out. A good rescue society should tell you if your dog was just neglected or abused or both. They may not tell you exactly what the situation was that your dog faced or for how long, but they should let you know how traumatized the dog was.


Depending on what your dog faced before it was rescued, you are going to have to handle your dog with care. In order to get your new friend acclimated to your home and your family, you are going to need to have lots of patience and lots of love. Once the people from the rescue society who have brought your dog to you have handed you the leash and left, it is reality time.


The first thing you want to do is to get your dog familiar with its new surroundings. First of all, take your new pet outside so it can relieve itself. Then come back in and take the dog to the parts of your house or apartment where you are going to allow it to roam and let it sniff around to get familiar with its surroundings. The next thing you need to do is to let the dog get used to each member of the family. Let the dog spend some time with each person. If you have little ones, teach them not to jump or make fast movements with the dog. That might frighten the dog and he or she will instinctively either jump at the person or shy away and perhaps relieve itself on the floor. Teach them to stay very still and extend their hands, palm up, to the dog and allow the dog come and sniff. Then, they can slowly extend their hand to pet the dog or give it a treat. Find out from the rescue society if the dog likes a particular treat so you can make sure you have them on hand when the dog is brought to your home.


Now, the next thing to do is to just relax and get to know your dog. If you haven't purchased a set of bowls, dog food or a crate your dog can call home yet, now is the time to do it. Take your dog for a ride to the nearest pet store. All of the major chain pet stores allow you to bring your pet in on a leash. This is a good first outing for you to try with your new pet. This is a good idea for a number of reasons. First, you will find out how your pet behaves in the car. Some dogs love to ride in a car. Others aren't so good. They shake, whine, shiver, bark and generally are very uncomfortable. A short trip to the pet store is a good way to check this out before you commit to taking a long trip with your dog.


Now, once you are at the store with a good, secure leash on your dog, wander around, let your dog sniff at everything and ask one of the associates there what they would recommend as far as supplies go. We were told to use ceramic or metal bowls for food and water because they would be less likely to become contaminated then plastic. Then, we were told to get a crate because our dog had been crate trained. Make sure the crate gives your dog enough room to turn around and lay down comfortably. Who needs to be cramped? Crates are used to give your dog a place they can call their own where they feel safe and secure. Of course, our dog has chosen a section of our sectional which we have put her for her. Make sure you get a pad or pillow for the bottom of the crate so your dog has a nice soft place to lay down. The only other things you absolutely should get at this time are whatever type of dog food your rescue society recommended and some treats for training purposes. A chew toy or two are also a good idea at this point. Another necessity are doggy potty pads. They sell them at just about any pet store and until you and your dog are used to each others routines, they can keep floors and carpets from having to be shampooed on a regular basis.


Okay, so now you have completed your first adventure with your dog and you are back home. You have spent some time getting acquainted. Now, while one member of the household is busy figuring out how to put the crate together, one of the others should give the dog some food and water. Keeping your dog hydrated is very important. Make sure that water dish is at least half full and it has fresh water in it. I made it a habit to change the water in our dog's water dish at least twice a day. You don't like stale water either, now do you?
If the first type of dog food you get your dog doesn't seem to work out, as in, your dog refuses to eat it, don't worry. Sometimes you will have to try several different types before you hit on the one your dog likes. It took us about five tries to get it right. That is why you should purchase small quantities at first until you find the brand your dog will eat. The only thing you want to make sure you do is avoid anything with lamb meal in it. Lamb is difficult for a dog to digest.


The first day your dog is home with you, it is a good idea to keep the doors closed of any rooms that you do not want your dog exploring. Until you can determine the level of housebreaking your dog has experienced, it is best to confine them to a certain, preferably uncarpeted, area of the house. Put those potty pads down near doorways. If your dog has had any level of housebreaking, it will probably do its business on the potty pad if it hasn't been taken out for a walk in a while. It is a good idea to take your dog out every couple of hours at first for two reasons. The first is to get it used to walking with you on a lead. The second is so the dog can relieve itself outside and not on your favorite rug. You will get to know how often the dog really needs to go out after a short period of time, probably a couple of days.


The first night your dog is home with you can be difficult. I recommend trying to get your dog on the weekend so you are not having to get up to go to work or school the day after you get your dog. It may be difficult to get this beautiful bundle of fur to sleep the first night. He or she may want company because of being in a strange place. You can put a treat in your dog's crate and very firmly but gently tell your dog to go in the crate and stay. Let the whimpering begin! If you are very lucky, your dog will go into its crate and go right to sleep. If not, your dog will begin whimpering or outright barking as soon as everyone has gone to bed. Come back to the crate and pet the dog for a minute to reassure it that everything is okay, then say stay and go back to bed. The next time it whimpers, ignore it for a while and see if it will settle down. Normally they will. If not, you repeat the going to reassure it routine a couple more times and then eventually, it will settle. The first night our dog was with us, my son and I took turns keeping her company. After the first night, she was okay though and settled down and went to sleep without any problems. Guess it was just that first night in a new home with a new crate. Our dog has not slept in a crate in a long time now. She pretty much has the run of the house since she has shown she can be trusted. She sleeps in her own little doggy bed which is on the floor of my daughter's bedroom. This is perfectly acceptable to us, but everyone must do what is most comfortable for them and their dog.


The first days with a rescue dog are challenging as they are with any new puppy that you bring into the house. The dog has to get used to a new routine and new people and is probably still suffering ill effects from the situation it had to be rescued from. Your dog may be skittish, it may relieve itself any time you or some other member of your family come near it, assuming a submissive posture, rear end down on the floor, looking up at you with a pitiful look and before you can tell it that everything is okay, well, there is a puddle on the floor. If your dog starts to assume the submissive posture, grab it and put it outside or on the potty pad to relieve itself. Either that or tell that cute dog to come to you. That is sometimes all you need to do to keep the floor from getting wet.


Your dog may have learned behaviors that are not acceptable to you and your household. When your dog does something that is unacceptable, move it from the place that it is doing that behavior and put it in a different location. Then tell or show the dog what you want it to do. When it responds correctly, offer positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement of good behaviors through giving treats and saying, "good dog" when the dog is doing something you want it to do will keep it from resorting to those bad behaviors after a while. Remember, your dog wants to please you. It just needs to learn what pleases you and displeases you. It also needs help to break negative behaviors it might have learned as a method of survival.


Rescue dogs are wonderful. They are so happy to be given a second chance at a good home that they will work very hard to please you. They do require a lot of patience and love. If you are patient and caring with them, they will give back to you ten fold. After a year and a half with our little rescue, I hardly have to explain any more that she is a rescue and doesn't play well with others. She has developed a sense of self through love and caring and now she is beginning to act like, well, like a self-confident little dog who is well loved and cared for. We wouldn't trade her for anything and we are so glad she came into our lives. Have fun, be patient and give lots of love! You will be rewarded greatly.


Vikki Gigante is a business owner from Frederick, Maryland who has been the proud owner of Cocoa, a rescue dog, for a year and a half now. She is a true joy and a welcome addition to the family. [http://www.ilovethisbusinessonline.com/rescuedogs]
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Do's and Dont's of Dog Training

Do's and Dont's of Dog Training

• By Dr. Mayra Alfonso

When it comes to training a dog, every dog trainer, been the dog owner or a professional dog trainer needs to be aware of the do's and don'ts of dog training. Just because you decided to train your dog it means that immediately will have a well trained puppy, it takes consistency to train a dog, but it is not that difficult, if you can figure out what are the initial steps you need to take into account to start training your dog. Read below to learn more.


There are different advances to dog training and these techniques are proved to be effective in training your dog to become the well-mannered, refined dog you always desired her to be. There are some do's and dont's of dog training that you must be aware of before training your dog. These do's and dont's of dog training are imperative to be taken note of so that you can distinguish the positive and negative elements that can bear upon how your dog is responding to training.

The do's and dont's of dog training are not truly something so elaborated or complex and these may be well understood by even the simplest pet lover and dog owner attempting their deal at dog training.
First of all to take in consideration are the dont's in dog training. You must keep in mind that dogs are living things and as beings, they've dissimilar attitudes and so training different kinds of breeds might differ somewhat. In general, when training dogs, you shouldn't put your dog nor yourself in a position where both of you are not ready to manage, in order to avoid any mishaps or frustration from occurring. Besides, if you're training your puppy in your home with lots of older dogs, you must not permit them to mingle particularly if the grownup dogs are impatient of the younger ones. In respect to this, you must not expect that your dog will like all the dogs she will meet as well.


Furthermore, you must not let your dog to become overexcited as the inclination for dogs when overexcited is that they'll have no control over how they act. As the pet owner, you must not tolerate other dogs to be rude to your dogs and so it's best to keep an eye on them. You should also not dismiss your dog when you feel that she's attempting to tell you something especially if you acknowledge something awry in her behavior. Never impose your training goals to your dog and never penalize a dog for doing something wrong.
Now, let us consider the do's of dog training. First in line is to acknowledge that dogs need of his own space. You must be able to respect this fact so that in turn the dog will respect you as well. It's likewise of essence that your dog must socialize with other dogs therefore that she will be aware of the presence of other creatures as her. Some of the times, when dogs have uttermost dislike of some other dog or matter, you must become capable to understand her for having this kind of attitude. Likewise, you must be able to build your dog's tolerance levels by putting her through positive and rewarding experiences.


Be sure you make your dog feel that you as owner and trainer likewise functions as her guardian. A significant matter to recognize when training your dog is that occasionally you will not see eye to eye as to your training goals, so if it takes time for the dog to be in the same boat as you are, and so you must be extremely patient in understanding this fact. An efficacious way into positively rewarding your dog during training is to put your dog's needs, fears and concerns first on the list. Because you desire your dog to learn, then it's of essence for him to feel that you really care about them by showering them with much attention.
If the dog owner follows the above dog training tips, he will have the opportunity of developing a strong bond with the dog. One of the most crucial aspects when training a dog is to be able to connect with the dog and with further training that bond will become even stronger. It does not matter if you decide to train your dog at home, or if you decide to bring your pet to a dog training facility you need to be aware of how important is for your dog to acknowledge and recognize you as the alpha. If he does not yet recognize you as the alpha, dog training will help him to do so.


Increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's dog training blog [http://www.cooldoghalloffame.com/dog-training/dog-training-the-does-and-donts/2690] right now...
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Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog to Pass the Canine Good Citizen Test

Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog to Pass the Canine Good Citizen Test

• By Eric Letendre

The American Kennel Club describes the Canine Good Citizen Test as: "The purpose of the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC) is to demonstrate that the dog, as a companion of man, can be a respected member of the community, and can be trained and conditioned always to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the dog. The CGC Test is not a competitive program, but rather a program of certification; it seeks to identify and recognize officially those dogs that possess the attributes that enable them to serve effectively as personal companions and as members in good standing of the community."
Dogs will be evaluated on the basis of Pass-Fail. In order to quality for the Canine Good Citizen Award, a dog must pass each of the 10 test categories. The dog needs only to pass this test once in order to receive a CGC certificate. Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed.

The commands that your dog needs to do really well to pass the test are: sit, down, stay, walk on leash come when called. The following steps describe the 10 test categories and include tips on how to prepare your dog for each test.

Test #1: A trained dog is a happy dog. Appearance & Grooming Demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, such as a veterinarian or his assistant or someone other than the owner to do so.
Spend time handling your dog's paws, brushing your dog, checking your dog's teeth. If your dog has a problem being handled in any way, spend time making it a positive association. For instance: If your dog does not like his paws being handled, spend time holding a treat close to your dog's nose as you handle his paws.

Let him nibble on the treat while you are doing this. As soon as you finish touching your dog's paws, release the treat. Over time your dog will accept his paws being handled.
Test #2: Accepting a Stranger The evaluator and handler will shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go for the evaluator. This is where your dog needs to do a rock solid sit stay. Practice your sit stays as a friend approaches you. If your dog gets up immediately, place your dog back into the stay position. Keep repeating until your dog does not move as your friend comes to you and shakes your hand.


Test #3: Walking on Loose Lead or Out for a Walk Demonstrates that the handler is in control. The dog must be on the left side of the handler. The dog need not be in the "heel position" as required by AKC Obedience Tests.


Test #4: Walk Through a Crowd Demonstrates that the dog should have no difficulty in moving about in pedestrian traffic. The dog and handler will walk around and pass closely by several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers, but should continue to walk with the handler without evidence of shyness or resentment. The dog should not be straining at the leash. Practice walking your dog in a busy section of your town. Go to a shopping area and walk your dog through the traffic. Make sure you have good control on the leash before you attempt walking though a busy area.
Test #5: Sit for Exam Demonstrates that the dog will allow the approach of a stranger and permit petting. The dog must not show shyness or resentment. * Another part of the test where your dog has to do a good solid sit stay.


Test #6: Sit and Down on Command Demonstrates that the dog has had some formal training and will respond to the handler's command. The evaluator must determine if the dog responds to the handler's command. The handler may not force the dog into either position. The handler may use more than one command.
Test #7: Stay in Position (Sit or Down) Demonstrates that the dog will assume and remain in the position commanded by the handler. The dog must maintain the position in which he was left until the handler returns and until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog.


Test #8: Reaction to Another Dog Demonstrates proper behavior when in the presence of other dogs. The dogs should demonstrate no more than casual interest in the other dog or handler. You'll need to attend a group obedience class or have a friend help you practice with this one. Approach your friend and her dog from a distance. As you approach, if your dog gets too excited, reverse direction and get control of your dog. Once you have control, start to approach again. Keep repeating until you can walk up to your friend's dog and have your dog sit at your side.


Test #9: Reactions to Distractions Demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with distracting conditions. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and may startle, but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark. During this test the evaluator will drop something close to your dog as you walk past. Or they may have your dog do a sit stay while someone runs by. If you have spent some time teaching your dog to do the commands with minor distractions you should have no problem with this test.


Test #10: Dog Left Alone Demonstrates that the dog may be left alone, demonstrating training and good manners. The dog should not bark, whine, howl or pace unnecessarily, or register anything other than mild agitation or nervousness. If your dog panics when you walk away, you'll have to spend some time developing your dog's tolerance to being away from you. This can be done by gradually leaving your dog alone. Start by leaving your dog for 10 to 15 seconds. Then gradually increase the amount of time that you leave your dog.
Passing the Canine Good Citizen test is a great thing to do with your dog. Classes and tests are held all over the United States.


Eric Letendre the author of The Amazing Dog Training Man invites you to visit http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com for leading edge dog training tips, instructional video clips and articles that will help you train and understand your dog. You can also get free dog training updates with a free Smart Dog Newsletter subscription, available at http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com
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Adopting an Adult Dog

Adopting an Adult Dog!

• By Audrey Frederick

Adopting an adult dog, is a wonderful thing to do. Our animal shelters are filled with beautiful and loving dogs that are in dire need of a home.
If you are looking for a dog to adopt and do not want to go through the puppy stage, look for an adult dog. Many of them are well trained and some are not. But, with an adult dog the chances of having a dog that with love, you can train quite easily, is a good bet.


One of the things, that is the most important is, if you are a family, the whole family should be involved in the process of adopting the dog. This way everyone has a voice in choosing the right pet for the family.
Choose wisely, taking under consideration the family's routine and schedules. The more prepared you are before you take the dog home, as far as schedules and distribution of duties concerning the care of the dog, the better the whole experience will be.


When you find the dog of your choice, play it cool when you first meet, let the dog set the tone for the meeting. Some dogs prefer quiet greetings and others might go for a bit louder and wilder type of greeting.
Keep in mind that when dogs meet each other, they do not look into each other's eyes, they keep their eyes averted, and they also take time to sniff each other out. Not that that I am suggesting you do that, but refrain from hugs and deep looks into the eyes some dogs, may take that as an act of aggression.
Next watch the dog's body language. If the dog stands tall and has a forward leaning posture, it means he is confident and assertive.

If he wags his tail gently and has a gentle interest in what is going on around him, the dog is probably an easy going, friendly type of dog.
If the dog hangs back and appears a little worried, he is probably timid and is lacking in confidence.
Knowing your dog's personality at first will help you to know what to expect from him/her and you can take steps to keep the dog from being overwhelmed.


Secondly, once the choice is made and you are getting ready to bring the dog home from the shelter, make certain the dog is wearing some kind of ID that has your address and at least two phone numbers on it. A new dog in a totally different atmosphere may get scared and somehow escape from you.
Most animal shelters will give you some sort of ID when they hand over the leash. I suggest getting a microchip or a tattoo as soon as possible. Also make certain your new dog is wearing their rabies tag.
Once you have your dog home, do not let him/her off leash until you are certain the dog is familiar with its new home. Even in a fenced in yard it is suggested that you supervise the outings until you are certain there are no escape routes to be found.


Some dogs will bond with one person and seem to stay with that person no matter what, other dogs take more time to bond with family members and need to be supervised for a while.
My feeling is when you bring the dog home, assume the worst, that means assume that your new dog does not understand any of the house rules.


It is safe to say that maybe the reason the dog was at the shelter in the first place was because no one took time to teach the dog the rules of the house.
Disregard the dog's age and treat him/her as a puppy. Dog proof your home; teach the family members to keep all "good" things out of the dog's reach. Make an effort to do potty calls outside frequently, until you can see a routine being established. In order to have a happy life with your new family member plan ahead before you bring him/her home?
Remember this is a new thing for your dog, he does not know you or you know him/her. The transition if possible, should have someone home with him/her for the first few days. If you or a member of your family can be home to supervise the dog's activities and find out how much he knows and understands it will lead to a much happier experience for all concerned.
It will also help with the feeling of isolation and prevent damage to things in your household. Dogs that have had several homes are somewhat prone to depression when left alone at first. They need to establish for themselves that they are in their "forever home.'
If you can get your new dog into a frame of mind to accept being crated, crate the dog and leave it alone for a few minutes. During the time you are at home, gradually increase the amount of time that the dog is crated and you leave. This will then assure the dog that when you leave, you will come back and then when you go back to work, it will not be a shock to him/her.
The same procedure should apply if you are not using a crate and have given the dog some freedom in the house.


Dogs live and love routine and will follow rules as long as they are rules that do not change on a whim. Before you bring a dog home, establish rules beforehand if you are a family.

If the dog is allowed on the furniture one-day and not the next, the dog will not understand and become stressed. Establish what furniture the dog can be on and set it as a rule.

Decide who is in charge of feeding the dog and checking the water bowl.

Decide who is going to walk the dog and establish rules for the time and where to walk the dog.

Who is in charge of potty-training at least until the dog is comfortable in the home?

Where is the dog going to sleep? A dog needs to know and to have its own place if possible.

Who is the primary trainer (though all members should have some part in training?)

Discuss what other rules there should be and how to handle them.

Socializing the dog is very important and needs to be done from the very start. Discuss what methods and situations are to be followed.

Keep in mind dogs need attention, love, toys and training. A busy and tired dog is a happy and less mischievous dog.

Write the rules down and post them in various places so that all members of the family become familiar with them. Training your dog starts the moment it walks in the front door not two or three days later.
Many families have more than one pet and so it is necessary to follow proper rules to introduce the pets to each other. This needs to be done with extreme care especially if you have a cat or other small animal. As dogs are predators by nature and problems could become serious.
Adopting an adult dog is not only a kind thing to do, it is saving a dog's life. If you are not familiar with dogs and would like to become better informed, may I suggest you visit my website, check the dog index and the blog index and read some of the informative articles that are there at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
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How To Stop Your Dog From Barking, Growling, Howling, And Whining

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking, Growling, Howling, And Whining

• By Eileen Michalczyk

Do you have a noisy dog? Is it driving you crazy? When I was growing up we had a dog that was noisy from puppyhood. He just loved to bark! Luckily, he was an outside dog. However, our neighbors were none too happy. We tried everything! At that time, we couldn't afford dog training classes, so we had to make do with our own limited knowledge of dog training. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. After several months of trying and several phone calls from Animal Control, we ended up finding another family for our dog. I was heartbroken and never wanted to go through that again. Luckily now there has been a lot of research done on the subject of why dogs bark, and we can benefit from the knowledge of others. My personal research deals with why dogs are vocal (not all vocalization is barking) and how to get to the root of the problem. Ultimately our goal is to create harmony within your family, within your neighborhood, and to create a happier dog.

Hiring A Pet Dog Trainer? Why Would You Need To? How Do You Select The Best Trainer For Your Dog?

Hiring A Pet Dog Trainer? Why Would You Need To? How Do You Select The Best Trainer For Your Dog?

• By Karen Duet

Why would you need to hire a dog trainer anyway? This is a question that many people ask
when the subject comes up. You often hear people claiming to have managed to train their
old dog without such help. These same well meaning folks will often go on to tell you
about the antiquated methods that grandpa handed down such as hitting "Old Trusty" on the nose with a rolled up newspaper, or hanging a dead chicken around his neck to teach him not to kill animals.
The person educated in the correct use of dog training and canine psychology when hearing these
types of tales will secretly be thinking, it was amazing that old "Trusty" survived grandpas abuse.
Maybe he did by avoiding being around grandpa at any cost. "Trusty" probably saw grandpa and ran in the opposite direction or low crawled his way to him with the anticipation of more abuse. Beating a dog into submission is not training! Training, when done properly, uses the intelligence of the human race to manipulate the dog into desired behavior, not our barbaric caveman side.


So back to the original question of "Why would you hire a pet dog trainer?" Most people do so when they run into problems that they fully understand they lack the knowledge to solve. Usually frustration has built up when the dog is constantly having house breaking issues, or he is destroying items in the home or yard. He may have a running away issue, or just be unruly in general. Dog training is often the last effort owners make in saving the dog from being delivered to a shelter. The most intelligent of owners however, will use dog training to solve these problems BEFORE they ever become issues. As a dog trainer, my favorite clients are the ones that call before they get the puppy. They know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. They often will ask questions about the tendencies of their breed of choice BEFORE making the selection. This in and of itself can prevent them from starting off on the wrong foot or making the wrong choice for their situation. A good example of this is the 75 year old grandmother who lived in a condo who wanted to know if I thought it was a good idea for her to take on the Alaskan Malamute puppy that her grandchildren had bought and now no longer wanted to keep. The issues with the puppy were unruliness, destruction, and jumping up on people. The last of which would obviously been a problem for a 75 year old woman. We finally resolved the issue by deciding that the appropriate thing to do would be for the grandchildren (who were teenagers) to keep and train the dog. Grandma paid for it. The puppy kept his now happier home. Grandma lived a happier life than she would with the possibility of a broken hip caused by a well meaning but overly zealous puppy.


The aforementioned puppy was trained first at 5 months of age with all of it's basic obedience, problem solving, and home manners (stopping at doors, gates, boundaries, and coming in and laying in "place" in a relaxed down stay) as well as giving the owners proper management techniques such as the use of a crate and dog run area when they were not there to monitor the dogs behavior. As he became an even larger teenager of approximately one year of age, he continued his education into a more advanced level of training to insure that he remained manageable. This family was able to not only retain their dog but to enjoy him into old age, all because Grandma made a very important phone call and found out what she could do about a situation with a puppy that was getting out of control for the entire family.


So now that we know why people hire Pet Dog Trainers, the next question should be "How do I find a good one?" This is not an easy question to answer because it requires a bit of explaining as to how one becomes a Pet Dog Trainer. I keep referring to the trainer as a Pet Dog Trainer rather than just a trainer because there are many different types of trainers. The are for instance Movie Dog Trainers, Sport Dog Trainers (for specific competitions), Police Dog Trainers, Gun Dog Trainers, etc. Each of these types of trainers has in common that they train dogs but the applications are vastly different and most don't correlate well to Pet Dog Training. The Pet Dog Trainer needs to know how to train any breed of dog to be a good pet. This is more difficult than it sounds because it requires that the trainer be able to adjust their methods according to the individual dog (breed, temperament, size etc)
Although some trainers start out in a particular field such as Sport Dog Training, or Police Dog Training, and then move on to Pet Dog Training, this requires an addition to their education. Unfortunately many of these types never get that education and try to apply their old techniques that may have been applicable on a Sport Dog (take shock collars for instance) a clients pet Maltipoo. In our opinion, the best education that a Pet Dog Trainer can get is working for another Pet Dog Trainer for a minimum of one to two years. It is true that there are courses around that offer certification in training but few of them provide any substantial experience with numbers of dogs.


So where do you start when looking for a Pet Dog Trainer for your dog? As with most services a word of mouth recommendation from someone who has already used a particular trainer and was satisfied with the service is best. Asking your veterinarian, groomer, or other pet professional for a
recommendation would be second. Whether or not you get such a recommendation you can start with an Internet search in your area to narrow down the possibilities. Call several places but make sure you have a list of questions prepared ahead of time that you ask all of them. This helps you narrow down your field of possibilities by comparing the same issues rather than different ones. If the web sites have already given you the answers to certain questions you don't need to ask them unless you have a reason to doubt the information. Here are some critical questions you should always ask and receive satisfactory answers to:
1. How long have you been in the business of Pet Dog Training?
Make sure that you are clear that you are asking about the BUSINESS not about how long the
person has been training dog, or combined experience with their staff. This is important to
know for two reasons. First, you don't want your dog to be an experiment for an inexperienced trainer. Everyone started somewhere but I don't know a single client that wants to volunteer to
be the a first where their PET is concerned. Also, you want to be as sure as possible that your
trainer will be there for you when you come back for help or more training at a later date. Many
dog trainers hang their shingle and then go out of business in 2-5 years due to a lack of
experience in running a business or other factors.


2. What kind of methods do you use and how did you develop them?
There are three main schools of thought in dog training. The person you are talking with will
likely reveal their methods right away by how they describe them to you. First at the far left
of the spectrum you have your head halter and click and treat style trainers. These methods
are generally best suited to dogs with naturally subordinate natures. This method relies on
the giving and withholding of reward as a base method with the clicker to "mark" the correct
behavior. While there is nothing "wrong" with this method it does not work well for producing
practical daily behavior in a large number of dogs. It is best used as an introduction to commands
with young puppies and dogs with compliant temperaments. People are usually not willing to have
a clicker on them at all times. In addition head halters may look more humane than training collars
but if they are not used properly they can wrench or even break a dogs neck. Head halters
are good for controlling the head of a dog who may be aggressive, or an extreme puller but
there are other methods that work for these situations as well.


The second school of thought is the better known training collar method which can include
various types of collars dependent on the needs of the dog. Standard jerk and release training
methods are applied here. Generally ritual behavioral parameters will be set for the dog
around the house and corrections utilizing sound, taste, and smell associations will also be
applied. There should never be abuse such as kicking, hitting, or hanging, associated with
this method. There should be reward associated with this method as well. Such rewards
can be intermittent food, toy, verbal, and physical praise. This is a centrist style of training.
The third and final style of training is the far right extreme of using a shock collar as the basis
or part of Pet Dog Training. Shock collars are tempting to people simply because you push a
button to to correct the dog and do not need the physicality of using a manual correction.
The basic problem with this is that shock tends to make such an impression on the dog that
it effect the entire nervous system. Dogs with weak nervous systems to begin with can become
extremely nervous anticipating the next shock and can shut down all together. It is a sad
fact that the same pets store chains that will not allow their "trainers" to us any sort of correction
for fear of legal repercussions will sell a shock collar to an unsuspecting customer in a heart beat
simply because it is a high ticket item.


It is true that there are uses for shock collars in more advanced applications such as sport and
police dogs but the difference here is that they are utilized in most cases by seasoned trainers
and not shock happy owners who have no understanding of the proper use of this device, let
alone the consequences of using it on the wrong dog or improperly. It is our opinion that shock
should never be used by Pet Dog Owners. The possible exception to this rule is extreme dog on
dog aggression. Even in this situation the collar should be first utilized by the trainer, and the follow up training with the owner should be extensive.


3. Once you determine the method that is right for you a type of training must be selected.
There are 4 basic types of training available: Group Classes, Private On Field, Private In
Home, and In Kennel Training (this should always be followed up by lessons for the owner
preferably on the trainers field and in your home).


Group Classes: The least expensive but typically also the least effective. The reason that group
classes are less effective is that you share time with several other people and dogs. There is
also a high drop out rate due to the fact that life happens, people get ill, something comes up
with the kids etc., and the class goes on without you. Past a certain point it is hard to rejoin the
class.


Private On Field: One step above group classes is Private On Field. These are generally offered
at the trainers field once per week but the lesson is strictly for you and your dog. Like group
classes there is very little if any problem solving because the trainer is never in your home.
The good thing about Private Field Lessons is that they are yours and therefore can be rescheduled
in most cases if you are ill or find yourself otherwise engaged. Because the trainer doesn't have to
drive to your location this is less expensive than In Home Lessons.


In Home Training: This form of training works well for problems and manners around the home
because the trainer is there in your environment to help you with these issues. As with the two
courses outlined above the training depends almost exclusively on your following your homework with
the dog daily. This training is more expensive than the courses above because it is based on
your convenience and the trainer driving to your home each week.


In Kennel Training: This form of training is the most popular with extraordinarily busy people.
It has all of the instant gratification that people want. You drop your dog off at a kennel facility,
and pick him up 3-4 weeks later trained. But it is not really that easy! First you need to make sure of the facility that you are intrusting your dog to. Make sure that the trainer actually owns
the facility or you may end up with a disappearing trainer or worse a disappearing dog if the owner
of the kennel and the trainer part ways. In addition, the trainer in this situation is only at the
kennel for a brief amount of time each day and your dog is actually being cared for most of the
day by the staff of the kennel. Since the trainer has no say in the employees performance they
can be undoing the training as fast as the trainer is training. Contrast this to the trainer who
owns the facility and is responsible for 100% of the care your dog gets. In this situation you
know who is the bottom line in responsibility for your dog, and you know that your trainer isn't
going anywhere anytime soon because kennel facilities tend to cost hundreds of thousands if
not millions.


An in kennel course should always be followed by field and preferably in home lessons for the
owner. This is crucial to the success of the owner living with the dog. The owner may wish to
have a push button dog when the trainer is finished but the reality is that the training is just
fast tracked for the owner. It is still the owners responsibility to work the dog and establish
parameters for the dogs behavior within the home environment. This can be facilitated by the
trainer but cannot be accomplished by the trainer alone.


Choosing the right type of course for you has allot to do with your own temperament and trainability
and that of your dog. As funny as that sounds it is really true. Any trainer will tell you that it is much harder to train the human end of the leash than it is the dog. Your trainer should always
want to evaluate your dog and sit down and speak with you in a consultation before helping you
decide what is right for you. Beware of people that will quote you an exact price and time frame
over the phone. How do they even know if your dog is trainable? Not all dogs are. Dogs can have
genetic issues or medical issues that render them untrainable or at least requires them to visit
their veterinarian prior to starting training. Your trainer should council you as to what type of
training is right for your particular schedule and your dogs particular issues.


One final word about interviewing potential trainers. Do so with finesse. Don't approach this
process as though you were interrogating the trainer. A good trainer should not mind answering
your questions but the conversation should have the tone of give and take. The trainer may want
to ask you some questions about yourself and the dog as well. If you approach the trainer in a
fashion that is one sided they may assume that you are a competitor doing a competition survey.
This is quite common in the business and questions that are overly sophisticated may set off the
alarm bells with the person you are speaking to. It is much more pleasant for everyone concerned
if you go about your interview by having a pleasant conversation.


For more information on how to select a trainer I suggest reading my latest book:
Dog Training 101- The Book You Need To Take Control
You can purchase it on Amazon.com or visit my web site at:
http://www.K-9Companions.com
Karen Duet is co-owner of K-9 Companions Dog Trainng and K-9 Security & Detection Int'l LLC. She is the author of 4 internationally recognized books on dog training: Dog Training 101, Advanced Schutzhund (nominated for a Maxwell Award), The Business Security K-9, and The Home & Family Protection Dog. She can be reached through her web site at: http://www.K-9Companions.com
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Train Your Dog to Sit, Lie Down, Come and Stay the Natural Way

Train Your Dog to Sit, Lie Down, Come and Stay the Natural Way

• By Eileen Michalczyk

Basic Training for Your Dog
Getting a dog can be exciting and rewarding. It can also be stressful. Whether you are getting a puppy or an older dog, you can bet that there will be an adjustment period while you all get used to each other. One of the best ways to make this transition period successful is to begin basic training with your new pet right away. Training for puppies can begin as young as 8 weeks, and with older dogs the sooner the better! Having a properly trained dog can lead to much happiness for you and your pet. Here are a few tips on teaching your dog to come, sit, lie down, and stay.
First, let's look at the basics of basic training. All dogs, especially puppies, learn more quickly with positive rather than negative reinforcement. Just as with humans, a little love goes a long way. The best reinforcements for good behavior are verbal praise, affection, a favorite toy, or a piece or two of your dog's regular food. Using treats can be motivating, but a dog can come to expect a treat if used too often, and using treats can become expensive. If you work on training immediately prior to your dog's normal meal time, your pet will usually be hungry and pieces of food as a reward will be welcomed. The reward should be given immediately following every correct response in the beginning. Once your dog has progressed, verbal praise should be offered each time, but a reward should only be given for exact responses performed in a timely manner. Gradually reduce the number of rewards given until you only give an occasional reward, but offer verbal praise each time. Dogs retain their training for the longest period of time this way. Also, you should use hand signals as well as verbal cues when you are giving your dog a command. Again, like humans dogs learn better when presented with more than one stimulus. For example, tell your dog to sit while pointing at the floor. When the dog sits, offer an immediate reward in the form of food or affection, coupled with verbal praise. These techniques apply to each of the commands discussed below.
Teaching your dog to come can be very easy. You will probably want to use a piece of food for this lesson. Hold out a piece of food between your thumb and forefinger towards your dog. Call your dog's name while holding out the food. As your dog starts to approach, say "come" and wave your hand towards your chest. When the dog reaches you give him the food and praise him. Then immediately step back and repeat the process with another piece of food. It's really that simple!
Teaching your dog to sit is an invaluable lesson. You will want to start with your dog standing. If you want to use a food reward, hold a piece of food directly in front of the dog's nose. Say the dog's name and slowly move the piece of food up over the dog's head. As the dog's nose goes up his rear end will go down. As this is happening, say "sit". Don't move the food too high over the dog's head, or the dog may jump to get it. When the dog sits, reward him with the food and verbal praise. If you want to use only verbal praise and affection, again start with the dog standing. Place your hand gently under the dog's chin. Say the dog's name and gently lift up on the dog's chin. Again, as the dog's chin goes up, his rear end will go down. With your other hand move your palm towards the floor and say "sit". When the dog sits reward him with praise and affection. Gradually your dog should learn to sit with only a hand movement and a verbal cue.
Teaching a dog to lie down takes a little more practice. This works best if your dog is on a smooth surface such as tile or linoleum. This technique works best if you use a piece of food as a reward. Start with your dog in a sitting position. Hold a piece of food directly in front of his nose. Say your dog's name and quickly move the piece of food to the floor right next to the dog's front paws. As the dog slides down to get the food say "down". Make sure you move the food right next to the dog's paws, because if the food is too far away the dog will get up to move to the food. With some practice, your dog should learn to lie down with just a verbal command and a lowering of your hand.
Finally, let's look at teaching your dog to stay. This is the most difficult of the basic training techniques to teach a dog. Most dogs love to be with people and they have a difficult time staying in one place for very long. It is best to practice this command at a time when your dog is very calm or has just had a lot of exercise. It will also be best to teach this technique after your dog has learned to sit. To get started, tell your dog to sit using only a verbal command and a hand signal. As soon as the dog sits, lean toward the dog and look him in the eyes. Hold up the palm of your hand towards your dog and in a firm voice say "stay". For the first few times you are practicing this, wait only a second before returning to your dog, praising him, and giving him a reward while he is still sitting. Practice this several times. If you attempt to walk away from your dog when you are first teaching him to stay, he is going to get up and follow you. It is best to teach him to stay when you are only one step away from him. Once your dog will stay for at least 10 seconds with you only one step away, you can begin to work on distance. It is important for you to hold eye contact with your dog for the duration of the stay time. If he looks away, lean toward him again and repeat "stay" in a firm voice. This command takes some time to teach, but it will be worth it in the end.
Training your dog can make the transition with a new pet much more pleasant for all involved. A lot of dog training involves using your common sense. On days when your dog is fidgety or training doesn't seem to be going very well, take a break and try again the next day. Dogs have off days too. Remember to be consistent and firm, but not angry. You should try to train the dog at a quiet time of day in a quiet location to minimize distractions. Only give the command one time. You want your dog to learn to obey with a single command, not multiple repetitions. Remember to always offer verbal praise as reinforcement of good behavior. Mostly, enjoy this time with your new dog and remember that any new addition to a family requires some adjustment time.
Thanks to the American Animal Hospital Association and to Dr. Wayne L. Hunthausen and Dr. Gary M. Landsberg for their contributions.
If you found this article helpful, please visit http://darnthatdog.blogspot.com for more useful tips about adding a dog into your family. Eileen Michalczyk is the mother of four gifted children and one dog, Hannah. They decided to add a dog into their family after much research about the benefits of pets for gifted children. They are now all living happily ever after!
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7 Questions to Ask When Choosing Dog Food for Your Pooch

7 Questions to Ask When Choosing Dog Food for Your Pooch

• By Mayra Alfonso

When it comes to choosing dog food for your dog, it can be a difficult decision. There are so many different dog food brands, flavors, sizes, and shapes of dog food out there that making a choice can be tough. If you are picking out food for your dog, you want to make sure that you get them the best possible food. They should get food that will help keep them healthy, fit, and happy. So, when you are choosing the food for your dog, you'll have to consider dietary needs, the brands available, your own preferences, and perhaps the cost of the food. However, before you make a final decision, the following are several questions to ask.

Question #1 - What Size is Your Dog? - First of all, you are going to need to ask yourself about the size of your dog. Do you have a very large dog, a medium dog, or perhaps a small or toy dog? The size of your dog is definitely going to influence the type of food that you buy. When you go looking for food, look for dog food that is specific to the size of your dog. Small dogs won't be able to get their mouths around the food made for large dogs, and large dogs are going to need something more substantial than food designed for smaller dogs.
Question #2 - Does Your Dog Have Allergies? - You should also ask yourself whether your dog has any allergies when you are choosing dog food as well. If there are certain ingredients that your dog is allergic to, you will have to be cautious when making your choice. Make sure that there are no ingredients contained in the dog food that may cause an allergic reaction with your pooch.
Question #3 - What's Your Dogs Age? - The age of your dog is another important consideration when you are picking out food for your dog. Is your dog an older dog, a young adult dog, or a small puppy? There are different foods available depending on the age of your dog. You can find puppy food for young puppies, adult dog food for adult dogs, and there is senior dog food available for the dogs that are getting older. A dogs needs are different as they age, so you'll need to get the right dog foods for their age.
Question #4 - Are there Any Health Concerns to Consider? - Any health concerns that your dog may have can influence the type of dog food you purchase for your dog as well. Does your dog need some dog supplements in the food to help with health problems like eye problems, hip dysplasia, or even other joint problems? Also, some ingredients may not be easily digested by dogs that have health issues, so keep this in mind as well.

Question #5 - How Active is the Dog - You should also ask yourself about the activity level of your dog too. Is your dog very active or is your dog more on the sedentary side? There are dog foods available that are specifically for dogs that are very active. However, you won't want to give this kind of dog food to a dog that is not as active.
Question #6 - Is There Real Meat in the Food? - Another question to ask is whether or not there is any real meat in the food that you choose. The meat should be in the first couple ingredients, and good meat includes fish, lamb, chicken, and duck. If there is no meat, there should at least be "meal" listed in the first couple ingredients.

Question #7 - Is the Food Made by a Quality Company? - The quality of the company that makes the food is definitely important as well. You want to be sure that the food comes from a company that you can trust and that will provide your dog with the nutritious food that is needed. Take the time to check into the company and their history before you choose food from that company.
So, before you choose any kind of food for your dog, be sure to ask all of these questions. If you are sure to ask each of these questions before you choose the dog food, you'll be sure to get the type of food that your dog enjoys. Also, you'll get food that is quality and healthy for your dog as well.
Dr. Mayra Alfonso, the author of the new ebook "The Nature of Dog Healing, The Definitive Alternative Guide for your Dog" has compiled a very useful resource on dogs, including the challenges they face in health and nutrition. This ebook is an excellent source for all those who want to know the real facts about their dogs' health. Visit Dr. Alfonso's blog at [http://www.CoolDogHallofFame.com] ,to get the latest, fun and valuable information about dogs.

Dramatically increase the happy years of your dog by checking out my free report. I reveal all the secrets I've personally used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Go to [http://www.DogNaturalHealing.com/83percent.html] right now before we wise up and decide to no longer give this valuable report for free!
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Top Questions For Dog Adoption & Handling For Families With Children

Top Questions For Dog Adoption & Handling For Families With Children

• By Julie Bjelland

Here is a list of questions from someone who is interested in getting a dog or puppy and they have a 4-month-old baby and a 4-year-old son. It's a good list of questions and answers for anyone with children considering getting a dog. (My answers follow the A:)...
Q: What is the best age dog to get with children (i.e. puppy or older than 1 year)?
A: I think you should get a dog that is older than 2 years old. Any younger than two and you have to deal with a lot of the puppy/adolescent behavior that can be difficult with a baby and very active boy in the house.
Q: Most shelters list what is best for the dog; such as children over 10, how can I find a dog that is best for children under 10?
A: I think you should get a dog that is medium sized or bigger...a small sized dog can be injured easily with your son's age and energy and simply because your son is too young to fully understand what can hurt a dog.
Q: Purebreds vs. mutts, what's better and for whom?
A:Mixed breeds are generally healthier and get the best of both traits. But, breed rescue groups can also be great places to adopt adult dogs because the dogs are living in foster care which are more like real homes; not shelters, so their personalities are really known even better.
Q: Is there any particular breed of dog that is better with children than others? Shelters say it depends on the dog.
A:There are so many differences within the breed as to what a dog can be like so It really does depend on the dog, but shelters and rescue organizations are generally trained to know what each dogs temperament and personality is like that they have available for adoption, so they could meet with you and discuss what dogs they have available. You may think you want a high-energy dog to match your son's energy but I would NOT get a high-energy dog with a baby and a small child. High - energy, young dogs require a lot of exercise-like 3 long fast paced walks up to an hour each and can NEVER skip a walk. High-energy dogs do better with people that plan to do dog agility, dog sports, hiking, running daily, and are always on the go, etc. Playtime, even with your active son will not be enough exercise for a high-energy dog in my opinion. Think about your energy level and typical schedule as the parent and try to match it to that.
Q: For a small yard, what size dog is best? Big dog for a big yard and a small dog for a small yard? Shelters say it is the opposite. Smaller dogs have more energy.
A: In my opinion dogs that do well are the ones that go for daily walks, so the size of your yard doesn't matter that much. Again, I think at least a medium size dog could be good for you guys.
Q: Where can I go for dog training that will include a youngster, so they can learn too? You, perhaps???
A:Your 4 year old son is really too young to be a part of a professional training experience. What I would suggest is that parents first learn dog training and then teach children the VERY basic things like what they'd be allowed to do and what they aren't. For example, make the dog sit before offering a treat. Don't feed the dog at the table. Teach your children some of the family rules for the dog. Plus, when you learn command words you can teach your child, but age appropriate as it is really difficult for him to be consistent enough. The training is going to be done by you, the parent.
Q: What breed of dog can handle being alone for a portion of the day?
A: Most dogs that have been well exercised, tired out, and fed before you leave can be alone for a portion of the day. You may think about keeping them in a crate while you are away, but that will depend on the dog.
Q: Dogs and babies; introducing your dog to your baby.
A:Until you have established yourself as the dog's leader, the dog should not be allowed close to the baby. You as its leader can later introduce the baby but it will be done on-leash and after you've done some training with the dog for a period of time. Otherwise, the dog should not be near the baby in the first few weeks. When you do introduce the dog, they should be first introduced to the smell of the baby through the babies things, then later sit quietly next to the baby in a down stay with you holding the baby. The dog can be allowed to smell the baby's feet and legs but not near the babies face yet. Babies and small children need to be supervised with your dog at all times.
Q: How often should the dog be fed?
A: Twice a day is best for their health. They need to be allowed to relieve themselves after eating as well.
Q: What is the best dog food or what should/shouldn't be in it?
A: If your dog has no health concerns, some of the premium foods with less by-products are good. You can speak with your VET about this after your dog has been examined...they will know more then regarding their fur, skin, etc to recommend a food for you.
Q: What resources are there for finding a good dog-to-family match?
A: A really good shelter or rescue organization should have these resources. They should know their dogs well and be dedicated to matching the dog with the right person. If they are not, then you should not adopt from them. I am also willing to work one-on-one through my site to help people pick the best dog for their family.
Q: When an infant is in the house, can a dog be adopted soon or should there be a waiting period? Should the dog be a puppy or an older dog?
A: Personally, I know I wouldn't have been able to handle having a new dog with a newborn, because it is a lot of responsibility with the exercise, brushing, cleaning up after the dog and the extra supervising. You will not be able to let your children around the dog unsupervised for the first few months until you have established your training with your dog and your son has completely understood what he can and can't do with the dog.
Q: What should you look for when adopting a dog that the shelters may not tell you?
A: If it is a good shelter, they should be really upfront with you. Shelters are careful because they don't want to see the dog returned back to the shelter.
Q: What to do when puppies teeth and bite?
A: Having a puppy is A LOT of work! Teething goes on a long time and when they are small they have very sharp teeth. You have to constantly offer your puppy an alternative to chew on and be good with your timing and technique. I have a lot of this information on my site too in more detail and I am happy to work personally with you through the site as well.
Q: Can an old dog really not learn new tricks????
A: Old dogs CAN learn new tricks. The amazing thing about dogs is that as soon as you teach them something well, they learn it!
Good luck with your search for the right dog for you and your family!
For more information and consultations about picking the right dog for you and your family and for training and behavioral advice visit: webdogtrainer.com
Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala is founder of webDogTrainer, LLC. and has created the interactive Online Dog Training Guide and Consultation http://www.webdogtrainer.com
You can ask Julie any dog question!
"Julie had an immediately calming effect on us as dog owners. She can explain the canine perspective and how we as humans can interact with our dog in a positive way, even when disciplining. Julie was super patient with all of our questions and even fielded our email questions after training ended," said Sina and Ed of Fremont, California.
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What Kind of Dog To Adopt

What Kind of Dog To Adopt

• By Julie Bjelland

Thinking of adopting a dog?
This can be a very exciting time! It can be a very emotional experience to fall in love with a dog and want to take them home. Although there are a lot of factors to consider as to what kind of dog is best for you to adopt. As a dog trainer I've come across a lot of problem behavior in dogs due to owners not being aware of how important it is to meet their dogs needs. The amount of exercise a dog needs is usually one of the most important needs that often do NOT get met properly. If a dogs needs are met, you will have a great companion full of love for you. If you don't meet your dogs needs you will run into problem behavior that can be a nightmare. This article will help you to truly understand what a dogs needs will be so you can pick the right match for a successful life together!
Dogs live 10-15 years or more and adopting a dog is a long-term commitment that you should take very seriously. There is a reason why there are so many homeless dogs and it is usually because the owner and dog were mismatched and not because there is something wrong with the dog. Owners often do not realize how much effort is required to having a pet dog and are not meeting their dogs needs so behavior problems may arise. Millions of dogs are killed in Shelters every year. Bringing a dog into your home is a very big decision that should be carefully weighed out.

It is important to understand what a dog may need and to see if you can offer those things to that dog, every day for the next 10-15 years.
What kind of breed should you get? Should you adopt a puppy or adult dog? Where should you get the dog?
Just like people, dogs have individual personalities. Some dogs are highly energetic, while others are more calm and passive, some dogs are very social, and others not. So if you have your heart set on a particular breed for example, you still need to search within that breed and find the dog that best matches your lifestyle. Also, think about the option of finding a mixed breed with at least one of the breeds you may like.
But before you even consider what breed of dog, you should first examine your life a little to discover what kind of dog would best "match" you. Think of it a little like dating. If you are someone who loves the outdoors and is very athletic, then you'd probably do best dating someone that also enjoyed these same activities. If you are someone who likes to stay home and don't really like to walk very much then you wouldn't want a dog that is considered high energy and needs a lot of extra exercise.

In this sense dogs are like people, they all differ in personality and needs. Some dogs are more high energy and those dogs need to be matched with someone who plans to bring them out a lot; running, hiking, dog sports, long walks, etc. Others may want a mellower dog as a companion, who is content with hanging out with you all day and doesn't require as much exercise as a high-energy dog.

Adopting an adult dog has a lot of benefits over adopting a puppy because you already know what type of personality the dog has and if it matches yours. Plus, puppies require a lot more work with housetraining, chewing and you'll lose sleep at night caring for their needs; while adult dogs have already gone through all those difficult puppy phases. There are a lot of places to find adult dogs needing homes. You can contact your local animal shelter, or search for dog rescue organizations in your area online. There are rescue organizations for purebred dogs as well. Although adopting a mixed breed also has a lot of health benefits because they tend to get the best of their mix of breed genetics without the health problems many purebred dogs suffer from.

How old are the household members in your family?
If you have children under 8 then you will not want to get a puppy under 6 months of age because puppies have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. You also would not want to get a small, toy size dog because these dogs are so small they can be very fragile and sustain injury easily. So with small children you are better off getting an adult dog that is medium to large in size. Dogs over age two can be ideal because they have already gone through the difficult puppy and adolescence stages.
If you have elderly or physically challenged people in the household you would not want to get a large, young, energetic dog that could knock them over and sustain injury.
What needs does a dog have?
I feel it is important to talk about what actually goes into having a dog and its care. Of course it is easy to understand the benefits of having a dog and what they will bring to your life because they are a never-ending source of love without judgment. But, in order to have a good life with your dog you really need to know what you are getting into and what your responsibility is going to be. There would be a lot less dogs going to shelters if everyone understood what it actually takes to raise a dog successfully.

Dogs cannot be left alone outside in the backyard all day without attention and exercise. It simply doesn't work. If you are going to be gone all day for work as many are, you'll need to set aside an hour or so to take care of them both before you leave and after you get home. It is important to understand that you'll need to exercise them BEFORE going to work and also after returning home. If you do not meet your dogs energy needs YOU WILL have behavioral problems such as: excessive barking, uncontrollable jumping on you, separation anxiety, destruction of your property, and possibly aggression among many other possibilities.

• Here is a list of responsibilities you will have as a dog owner:

1. You have to walk them twice a day for about 30-45 minutes each. High-energy dogs will need more, and Senior Dogs may need less. If you work all day, you'll need to wake up about an hour earlier to get the walk in as well as feed them before you go as well as repeat it after you return home.
2. Lots of time with you and the family every day.
3. Feed them twice a day and always have fresh water available.
4. Dog Training. Dogs that are well trained are happier and more bonded with their owners. They also get to spend more time with their owners because they are well behaved.
5. Clean up their poop, both in your yard and on walks.
6. Adult dogs will have to do a Veterinarian exam at least annually, as well as be up-to-date on all their vaccinations. Puppies will require several more trips to the Vet the first year for additional vaccinations as well as spaying/neutering. Contact your local Vet to learn about cost, etc.
7. Puppies require a tremendous more amount of time and money their first year. You'll also have to housetrain them which requires a lot of extra time on your part then an adult dog would.
8. A well-maintained fence at least 6-feet tall if you plan to have them off-leash in the backyard at all.
9. Brush them/bathe them/grooming/nail cutting/ear cleaning.
10. Flea/tick care.
11. Extra expense. There is a lot of expense in having a dog. You need to consider: Veterinarian costs, food, supplies (leash, collar, id tags, bedding), toys, chew bones, flea care, bathing, grooming, travel expenses or dog sitting expenses while you are away, medical care should they become ill, etc.
12. Dog Hair. If you plan to have your dog inside, which is encouraged so that they feel more a part of the family and tend to have less behavioral issues than those left alone outside; you'll have to deal with dog hair. Dog hair has a way of finding itself on everything and will require more cleaning on your part.
13. Arranging for care of your dog while you are away on trips. Dogs cannot be left alone overnight.
14. Oral care for your dog. Veterinarians are recommending teeth brushing and cleanings.

• Extra Things to think about if you have children.

1. Do not expect that the children will take over all the dog-care, no matter how much they say they will. They may be able to assist you, but as the parent, YOU will have the responsibility.
2. Access your energy level. It can be a lot of work keeping up with children and adding a dog means you have one more responsibility.
3. Supervise your young children around the dog at all times. (Children can be unpredictable and do things like pull tails or whiskers and cause the dog to feel threatened.) You should not leave your child with the dog unattended, and you will have to teach them how to be gentle and what areas are off limits to touch.
4. If your children are very young, say under 8, it can be better to adopt an older, medium to larger size dog rather than a puppy, because puppies have sharp milk teeth and claws that can scratch easily. Puppies and small/toy dogs can also be fragile and injured more easily.
5. Also consider your child's friends that may be coming over and you will also have to supervise them around the dog.

• Some things to consider before adopting your dog.

1. Your energy levels vs. the dogs energy needs.
2. How much time will the dog be left alone daily? Do you travel a lot?
3. Do you have enough money to cover the dogs regular expenses as well as extra should they become ill?
4. Do you have the time and money needed to put into training your dog?
5. Do you have other pets at home that the new dog will need to get along with?
6. Do you have small children or physically challenged individuals living at home that you'll need to supervise the dog with?

If you believe you are ready to give a good home to a dog then there are a lot of resources out there to help. www.petfinder.com is a great online resource that you can type in what kind of dog you are looking for it will list the dogs available in your area. If you are looking for a particular breed there are great dog rescue groups that specialize in the breed you want. Just do an online search; typing in the type of breed you want with the words "rescue" behind it and the largest city near you. For example: Labrador Retriever Rescue San Francisco. Your local animal shelter should also be a great resource for you. There are a lot of great adoptable dogs there waiting for a good home. Whatever resource you use to adopt your dog, you should make sure that you provide them with the information that is realistic to your lifestyle and needs. A good shelter or rescue organization knows their dogs well and will be able to match a dog to your needs.
Do not get a dog based on how they look! And, Do Not adopt a dog because you feel sorry for it. You need to adopt a dog based on their personality matching yours. You need to go into the matching process knowing your lifestyle and needs and looking for a dog that will match those needs.
I hope this guide can help you make the right choice for you when deciding to adopt a dog. When a dogs needs are met they can be a truly wonderful companion for many years to come.
Julie Lokhandwala is founder of webDogTrainer, LLC. and has created the interactive Online Dog Training Guide and Consultation http://www.webdogtrainer.com
You can ask Julie any dog question!
"Julie had an immediately calming effect on us as dog owners. She can explain the canine perspective and how we as humans can interact with our dog in a positive way, even when disciplining. Julie was super patient with all of our questions and even fielded our email questions after training ended," said Sina and Ed of Fremont, California.
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