Submissive Urination Easy Steps To Cure Your Dog

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Friday 17 October 2008 5:12 am

Submissive urination is dog behavior problem that is an annoyance and a hassle to deal with. But, you can fix it and save yourself a lot of cleanup and your dog a lot of anguish with some easy steps.

Let me start out first by defining what this dog behavior problem is. Submissive urination is when your dog urinates seemingly without control. He may be excited with his tail wagging and jumping up and down, or he may show humble body language with a drooped head and a curled up tail.

My favorite part with dealing with dog behavior problems is to discover what the core or root of the problem is. I like to try to get inside the head of the dog to understand what he is feeling. My experience tells me that if I can understand the cause of the problem, then fixing it will be a cinch. The same is true for submissive urination, so lets determine why your little guy is doing it.

Dogs operate on a hierarchal system. There is an alpha leader and submissive pack members. Dogs that submissively urinate see themselves as the subordinate pack member. They see you as the owner as someone above them in a hierarchal sense. This is a good thing. All responsible dog owners should be the Alpha member of the pack. The problem is that a dog with a submissive urination problem feels too deeply that you are the leader. In other words, he is overly submissive and it manifests itself through submissive urination. To reiterate the point, your dog should feel submissive to you, but if it leads to submissive urination then he feels too submissive.

The key to fixing this dog behavior problem is to show your dog that, yes, be submissive, but not so much. Follow these steps:

First of all, dont scold your dog for submissive urination. I know, this is tough, because it makes you upset. But look at it from your dogs point of view. He is submissively urinating in a demonstration of, Hey, I know you are the boss and are my leader. If you then scold him it will be more confusing to him, I already showed you that I am submissive, what are you yelling for? Scolding your dog for this problem will actually worsen the behavior.

Dont stand or bend over your dog. This is a dominant and sometimes threatening pose for your dog to interpret. This can lead to submissive urination.

Be calm at your dogs trigger times. You probably know when your dog is most prone to submissive urination. It is probably when you come home from work, when you approach him and he has a toy, or at other such times. The key is to act calm at these times and to actually ignore your dog. Up until now your dog has been in a pattern of behavior that has triggering events. You come home, your dog feels submissive as you lean over to pet him, he feels submissive and urinates. Change the pattern. Ignore him. Give him something else to do. For example, as you come home have a treat waiting and throw it away from yourself. This way, instead of your dog feeling the need to be submissive he is now seeing a calm, aloof owner, and is thinking about the treat on the other side of the room. With this mindset he doesnt see the need to act so submissively.

Understand what triggers this behavior in your dog and diffuse the trigger point. I once trained a dog that submissively urinated when you spoke loudly. He also was a fanatic for a tennis ball. So what I did was take a tennis ball, yell at the top of my lungs, and immediately throw the tennis ball for him to go catch. In doing this I broke his pattern of thought. He previously associated loud speaking with feeling submissive. After my training sessions, however, he learned that when someone spoke loudly it wasnt cause for submission; instead there was a chance that it would lead to play! Do this with your dog. Find out what causes or triggers his submissive urination and use his other desires like food or toys to diffuse the situation.

Good luck. With some solid training and consistency you can quickly rid your dog of his submissive urination problem.

Author Ty Brown is a renowned dog trainer whose training adventures and clients have taken him to 18 states and 5 countries to teach others how to properly train their dogs. Go to dogbehavioronline.com for more dog training articles, advice, tips, and answers from a professional dog trainer.

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Protection Dog Training Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Friday 17 October 2008 1:12 am

Is a protection dog mean?

A well trained protection dog is social with everyone. A well trained protection dog does not interpret situations to show aggression, but rather waits for his owners command before using force.

Will a protection dog also be a watchdog and bark at everyone who comes to my door?

This depends on the training. A good trainer can develop a dogs natural tendencies to customize the training to your situation.

Is a protection dog good to live in the house?

Dogs trained for protection such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Rottweilers are very adaptable and are just as capable living in an apartment as they are on a ranch. Regardless of where they live they should get adequate exercise.

Will a protection dog be good with my kids?

Some dogs are better than others with kids. Work with a qualified trainer to make sure that your dog will be fine with your kids. It is also important to note that children should be taught proper dog etiquette and should be supervised when around any dog.

Will a protection dog bite someone without my command?

A well trained protection dog will bite only on command. Unfortunately, there are many dog trainers who do a sub-par training job with protection dogs. Make sure you are getting your protection dog from a reputable trainer

How much does a protection dog cost?

If you buy a trained dog the cost will vary greatly. Factors will be age of dog, titles the dog has earned, look of the dog, amount of training, etc. A young dog with basic training can be bought for a few thousand while a dog with working titles and extensive additional training may cost $20,000 and up.

I dont have any particular threats. Should I get a protection dog?

Many people that purchase protection dogs havent had break-ins or stalkers or previous violent attacks. They value the benefits of a great pet who would be able to handle a violent situation were it to ever arise. People that shouldnt get a protection dog are people that want to use them as an offensive weapon. These dogs should only be owned by responsible, mature people who want the dogs as a crime deterrent and last line of defense.

Are there specific laws that deal with protection dogs?

Yes. Certain cities require a special registration for protection dogs. Certain areas also have breed specific legislation which deals with restrictions for certain breeds. Check with your city and county offices for specific laws and ordinances.

Author Ty Brown is a renowned dog trainer whose training adventures and clients have taken him to 18 states and 5 countries to teach others how to properly train their dogs. Go to dogbehavioronline.com for more dog training articles, advice, tips, and answers from a professional dog trainer.

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House Training Your Dog … Doesn’t Have To Be Difficult

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 16 October 2008 9:12 pm

House training dogs is probably the biggest challenge I hear about from dog owners. People ask all the time – How do I teach my dog to go to the bathroom outside – not in my house?!

First let’s clear up a few myths –

Your dog is not eliminating in your house to be revengeful to you! Nope – it doesn’t work that way. The reason your dog is using your house as his bathroom is simply because – he has to go to the bathroom and thinks it is OK to use your dining room rug!

If you have a puppy — you need to be aware that he/she does not yet have bladder and bowel control. Think of a child – you would not be expecting a 1 year old to be potty trained – they just don’t have the control at that stage of their lives! The same is true with a puppy — they have to develop the control over time.

Older dogs do have the capacity for bladder control — but — if they have not been trained correctly – they are using your home as their bathroom!

If you are expecting your puppy or dog to hold their bladder for very long periods of time – then the problem is you – not your dog! Sorry to be so blunt — but dogs have to go to the bathroom just like you do!

I have had an incident here and there that has kept me away from my house for 12 hours. I am happy to say that my dog did hold his bladder all that time — but — as I was coming home – I knew if he had an accident in my house – it would have totally been my fault – not his!

I totally believe the only way to house break a dog is by crate training. Dogs are not dirty animals – they do not want to lie or sit near the area where they have gone to the bathroom. Using a crate – is creating a den for the dog – dogs will not use their den as their bathroom.

Some people think that crate training is cruel but actually many dogs like dens – so to the dog, the crate becomes their den – the area in the house that is their spot – their den.

Let’s start with puppies – Puppies are babies – they need lots of attention and they also need periods of sleep.

Get a crate for your puppy that is appropriate for their size. If you have this tiny tea cup poodle and you put them into a 12 foot crate — they will go to one end of it and relieve themselves and go stay on the other end. Keep in my mind that your puppy will grow — and they do grow fast!

Puppies usually have to go to the bathroom at these times;
When they wake up – in the morning and after a nap
After they eat
After a robust play time

The more time you spend with your puppy – the more control you will have on their bathroom habits. You will start to be aware of their schedule and if you pay attention – you will see them starting to sniff around when they have to go to the bathroom.

So – in essence – at first – You are the one who is trained – you are trained on when your puppy needs to eliminate and you respond by taking them out. The more success you have in this – the more you imprint in the puppies mind that outside is where they go to the bathroom. When you take them out and they start to go to the bathroom – say Go Potty — or what ever phrase you want to use – then praise them.

The puppy will start to connect it all — outside is for going to the bathroom — and Go Potty means to go.

If they have a mistake in the house – do not punish them – just clean it up. A few mistakes are normal – think of when a child is learning to go on the potty – they usually have a few mistakes before they get it 100%. When you are cleaning up the mistake – It is best to use an enzyme cleaner that is made specifically for this so that the smell does not stay in the house.

When you are not home – or when you are busy and can not keep track of the puppy – keep him/her in their crate. This will prevent any accidents from happening that you are not aware of.

Do not expect a puppy to hold their bladder for hours and hours – this bladder control needs to be practiced and their holding power will increase as they get older.

Older Dogs:

The only reason it is a bit different to housebreak and older dog is because they have already developed a bad habit of using your house as their bathroom.

The absolute first thing you want to do is to make sure you have removed their bathroom scent completely from your home. If your dog has used your living room rug as a bathroom for quite some time — you may need to get rid of that rug! The least you have to do – is get under the rug – it is not good enough to treat just the rug – you need to get at the wood underneath – with a good enzyme cleaner made specifically for this.

After you have gotten their scent out of your house. You want to set up a den for your dog – just like we did for puppies.

Get a crate which is appropriate for the size of your dog. Make sure they have enough room to lie down comfortably – put in a blanket and a toy. Set up the crate and leave it open — put a treat in their and they will go in to investigate. Let them go in and out while you are around so they get use to the crate and do not become afraid of it.

Never, ever, ever should this crate be used for punishment! You want your dog or puppy to be comfortable with their den – you do not want them to associate it with something bad!

**Note – if you are dog is alone for long hours everyday – you might want to try a playpen gate instead of a crate.

Older dogs have greater bladder control then puppies and can safely hold their bladder for 8-10 hours. But — at first you should only be looking for about 6 hours – as you are teaching your dog.

If you catch your dog as they are going to the bathroom in your house – Yelling No loudly – very loudly — many times can stop them – if you are fast – you can then get them outside and tell them Go Potty

Catching them in the act — is probably the best thing that can happen — as you can make an impression on their minds right away!

After a few days – if your dog or puppy is using their den as their bathroom. Here are a few suggestions;

First check the size of the crate – if they crate is too big – they are able to use one area and move away from it.

Are you keeping them confined for long periods? Remember – puppies do not yet have good bladder control. When they are young it is important to allow them to get to their bathroom area often. Even though older dogs have the capacity for longer bladder control – if they had been able to go whenever they wanted – they will need to have a readjustment period.

Finally and very important — if all of they above is OK — it is very possible your dog or puppy has a bladder infection. A check up at the vet will be able to determine that.

So really it is not difficult to house train your dog — it takes some time, some patience and some understanding of your pet.

This article has been supplied courtesy of Ellie Walsh of DogTrainingTipsandTricks.com – For more Dog and Puppy Training, Tips and Articles – Visit http://DogTrainingTipsAndTricks.com/

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Keeping Your Poodle Safe From Hot Weather

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 16 October 2008 5:12 pm

Living in the South with all the hot weather in the summer can be an extremely dangerous time for your Poodle. Dogs dont handle the heat as well as humans do. Were able to stay outside quite a long time enjoying the heat and soaking up the sun. Our way of cooling down is to sweat. Dogs cool themselves by panting, which is often inadequate and can place them in a life-threatening situation if they become overheated.

Dogs can develop heatstroke quite quickly. Just going on your normal walk or letting your dog play in the yard is enough to get your Poodle overheated. The best time for walking your Poodle or for playtime during hot weather is in the early morning or evening.

Never leave you Poodle in the car unattended during hot weather. It doesnt take long for it to turn into an oven, even if you leave the windows open a little. If my husband and I are in the car with the dogs and we need to go to the store, one of us stays in the car with the air conditioner on with the dogs.

If your Poodles hair is long, it is more susceptible to overheating. If your dog is overweight, has heart disease, is old, or a young puppy, they can get heatstroke easier as well. If youre not showing your Poodle, having it clipped in a nice short summer clip will make it feel more comfortable during hot weather.

Try to stay off hot pavement during hot weather. It can burn your dogs feet as well as raise its body temperature faster. Check the temperature of the pavement with your hand. If its too hot for your hand, its too hot for your Poodle! Try to walk in the shade or on the grass.

If your Poodle is kept outside during the day, make sure it has plenty of shade. Our kennel has a roof and shade cloth all around it. It is also situated under shade trees. Make sure your Poodle is provided with lots of clean drinking water. Our kennel has an automatic water dish. If youre traveling with your dog, bring plenty of water along.

Some Poodles like to play in water. You may want to get one of those plastic wading pools for it to play in. My Poodle Bob, likes to bite at the water coming out of the sprinklers! Make sure they are supervised before doing either of these activities.

Recognizing Heat Stroke

Be alert to your Poodles body temperature during hot weather. A dogs normal temperature is around 101 degrees, much over that can cause problems and is an emergency! If it gets up to 108 degrees, the internal organs start breaking down and can cause permanent long-term damage or death!

If your dog starts breathing rapidly, has a rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, nose and gums that turn dull grey or red, these are signs of heatstroke. You need to cool your Poodle down immediately, by putting him in a tub of cool water or cooling him off with the hose, then get to the vet fast! Your Poodle can still be in danger even if he looks OK on the outside.

By following the advice above, you and your Poodles can have a fun and safe summer season!

Sandy Riordan

Creator of the website: Standard Poodles USA

Everything you need and want to know about Standard Poodles

http://www.standardpoodlesusa.com

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What Is The Secret To Dog Longevity? Dog Food

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 16 October 2008 1:12 pm

Dog Food

Have you ever heard of a dog living into his late teens? I personally have never met such an age-defying dog but it does happen. Did you know, however, that many veterinarians and scientists today estimate that the life span of a dog should be into the late teens and even into the twenties? It is a wild idea, but many see it as attainable.

Science advances rapidly. It seems as if every day we read of a new advancement, a new wonder-drug, a new technique for improving both the quality and the longevity of our pets and ourselves. These advancements are wonderful. It was only a generation or two ago where simple infections could mean certain death for our pets, where a difficult labor would be the downfall of both mother dog and puppies, where diseases were common due to lack of vaccinations and proper treatments. I applaud science and hope they continue in their march toward a higher quality of life.

With all these dog health improvements and human life spans increasing, why the heck arent our dogs living up to their true potential life spans? I believe that the factors are many. The main factor, in my opinion, is the nutrition that we give our dogs.

Did you know that the pet food industry is largely unregulated? The pet foods that you pick up at the grocery store are made by companies owned by some of the largest companies in the world. These mega-companies make largely human consumer products and their dog foods and pet foods are manufactured from the by-products that werent fit for human consumption.

I know, I know. This sounds like a conspiracy theory, but its true. What kind of things are they able to get away with? Dog foods are made with leftovers. It is well documented that these dog foods are manufactured with dead and rotting carcasses. These are often carcasses from animals that were diseased, sickly, or otherwise not fit for human consumption so they were used in dog food. These carcasses are gathered and sit around a lot rotting and putrefying often for days before it is their turn to make it into the dog food bag. Other non-nutritional products like hooves and horns are also ground up and thrown into the mix. Have you ever wondered what happens to all that grease and oil that fries up those potatoes in fast food joints? Yup, its true. Dog food companies buy leftover grease by the ton and use it as a coating on dog food that you may be giving your dog. Why would they do that? Well, that grease is pretty tasty (albeit nutritionally abominable) to your dog. The dog food companies know that the unpalatable product they make will be eaten if they cover it with this leftover fat.

Thats not all, though. Most commercial dog and cat foods are full of fillers, preservatives, baked in a manner that strips the food of nutrients, and so chemically treated that they resemble Twinkies more than they resemble nutrition for your pet.

What is the solution? Well, there are many but the first step is to switch to a premium food. Feed your dog a food that uses human grade ingredients, doesnt cram the food with fillers, and leaves out the chemical enhancers that give commercial dog food the shelf life of uranium.

DogBehaviorOnline.com is an official partner of one such food. Click here to find out how you can start turning around your dogs health today.

Author Ty Brown is a renowned dog trainer whose training adventures and clients have taken him to 18 states and 5 countries to teach others how to properly train their dogs. He is dedicated to improving your dogs health. Click here to learn more about feeding your dog a better food.

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Westie Dogs Please Consider Adopting An Older West Highland Terrier

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 16 October 2008 9:12 am

Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable, but new dog purchasers often do not realize the commitment they are making when they bring a puppy home. For those want the companionship of Westies dogs, but do not have the knowledge or patience to endure the training process, rescuing an older Westie dog may be the right alternative.

When considering an older West highland terrier dog, the first thing that many people think is that they would be getting a dog with problems, either genetic problems common to Westies, or behavioral problems from improper training. The truth is, many Westie dogs go to shelters for reasons that have nothing to do with the dogs’ inherent qualities. Every year, dog owners die, move to retirement homes, change jobs, get divorced, have new babies, or, unfortunately, simply tire of the responsibility of caring for a dog.

The advantages of older dogs are many. They have already finished teething, and no longer feel the urge to chew holes in your shoes, rugs, and furniture. Westie dogs that are older have grown used to sleeping through the night while their people sleep, as opposed to westie puppies, who wake up and whine. Older pets will have already been housetrained and also should know the meaning of the word ‘no,’ making their continued training that much easier.

When you encounter a Westie puppy, you only have the breed standards to give you an idea of what kind of dog it will grow into. Although Westhighland dogs have a typical personality type, there are variations from dog to dog. The full-grown Westie is a know quantity. The Westie dog you meet is what you will get, and you can quickly determine if it will fit into your home.

It may seem like rescuing an older Westie provides you with an ‘instant dog,’ but that is not the case. At first they might become confused, upon arriving at a new home, and need to be reminded of their basic training. However, even allowing a few weeks of extra special care is easier and less stressful than the rigors of training a puppy.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

Jeff Cuckson
webmaster@madaboutwesties.com

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Want To Know How To Have The Healthiest
Happiest and Most Well Behaved Westie Puppies
You’ve Ever Dreamed Of! Then Click Here NOW!
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Dog Breeding When Is It Okay To Breed Your Dog?

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 16 October 2008 5:12 am

Every year hundreds of thousands of dogs are put to sleep in the United States. These are shelter dogs. Dogs that ran away from home, dogs that were dropped off at the shelter because their owners didnt want them, and dogs that were taken from neglecting owners.

This is a tragedy. What a horrible way to treat who we call Mans Best Friend. I believe that most of this needless death could be avoided through a few responsible practices on the part of dog owners.

The main and number one reason that we have so many euthanized dogs every year is due to poor breeding practices. To put it simply, there are far too many unwanted dogs born to far too many irresponsible dog owners.

In my years working with dogs I have come across many dog owners who want to breed their dogs. I often ask them why they want to breed and the answers, in my opinion, are crazy.

Well, I want my kids to be able to witness the miracle of birth. I have heard this one a number of times. This is one of the worst reasons you can have to breed a dog. If your main desire is education then buy a book about animal reproduction. Rent a documentary about animal breeding, dont bring more animals into the world. Bringing an entire litter into the world just so your kids can see a birth is irresponsible. What often happens to the poor puppies is that they are given away to friends and neighbors or out in front of the local Wal-Mart. The potential owners are never pre-qualified to determine if they would be a good dog owner. The net result is often a new dog owner who is completely unprepared for a puppy. How many of these puppies end up at the shelter when their owners decide they cant handle a puppy? There are no accurate statistics but the hundreds of thousands of dogs in shelters are a testament to this practice.

I think it is only fair to allow my dog to have a litter. She is such a sweet dog she should have the chance to be a mother. Ahhhhh! I scream inside every time I hear this phrase. Just because you have a sweet, female dog doesnt mean that you should allow her to have puppies. Your dog doesnt have a ticking biological clock urging her to be a mom. Sure, instinct kicks in when she goes into heat but if you spay your dog she wont come into heat. Besides, as the human owner with a better and more elevated level of judgment, you should be the one who determines if she should be a mom, not her.

I am a huge advocate of responsible breeding practices. I support dog owners and dog breeders who breed dogs in order to improve their chosen breed. That is to say, breeders who recognize a fine representative of a breed and breed that dog with another fine specimen in order to theoretically improve the breed. These breeders then responsibly screen potential owners to make sure that their puppies will be raised by good dog owners.

The consequences of poor breeding are ugly. Please, dont breed your dog for the wrong reasons.

Author Ty Brown is a renowned dog trainer whose training adventures and clients have taken him to 18 states and 5 countries to teach others how to properly train their dogs. Go to dogbehavioronline.com for more dog training articles, advice, tips, and answers from a professional dog trainer.

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Puppy Motivational Training

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Thursday 16 October 2008 1:12 am

When you are obedience training an adult dog there is a balancing act that you must perform. You should motivate your dog to perform the correct behavior and you should correct your dog (e.g. a jerk on the leash) for disobedience of a behavior. Using this formula your dog learns that obedience is fun, but it is also necessary. Too much compulsion and not enough motivation leads to a depressed dog. Too much motivation and not enough compulsion leads to a dog that enjoys obedience, but will only be obedient when he feels like it. When training puppies the formula needs to be altered.

Because they are young, puppies are much more sensitive than adult dogs. Corrections, or compulsion, should be used very sparingly. You must rely heavily on motivation when teaching your puppy obedience.

Many dog owners ask, How soon can you start training a puppy? The answer is, right away. At 8 weeks of age you can use motivational techniques to show your dog what certain obedience behaviors are.

The best way to motivate a young puppy is with food. Most puppies love to eat so you can harness that desire to teach them obedience. Grab a handful of your puppies kibble to use as a reward, put him on a leash and lets get to work.

Pull up gently on the leash while placing pressure on your puppys rear with your hand and telling him sit. The moment his rear hits the ground give him a piece of kibble and tell him what a good boy he is. Do this A LOT. Repetition is key. The more you do this the more it will become ingrained in his little head what sit means. Until your puppy understands completely what sit means, dont try this without having a food reward ready. Once he does understand, wean him off the use of food rewards slowly.

Do the same thing for lie down. Use food to guide his nose toward the ground, while placing a bit of pressure on his back, and telling him lie down. Be consistent and soon he will understand what lie down means.

The most important command to teach him with food is coming when called. Call to your puppy and use whatever you need to get him to you, such as clapping or calling his name. When he gets to you give him his food reward right away. Make it a fun adventure to come when called. Make sure that every time your puppy comes to you he is rewarded in some way. A huge mistake that many people make is to make coming when called a bad experience. Maybe they catch puppy chewing on their shoe so they call out, Puppy, come here! Puppy, being puppy, comes bounding over where he is greeted by a spanking. Puppy doesnt know that the spanking is for the shoe chewing, all he knows is that maybe next time he wont come when called because there might be a spanking when he gets there.

Just remember, no matter what you are teaching your young puppy, use motivation to get best results.

Author Tyler Brown has been professionaly training dogs for several years. His expertise has led him to train dogs all over the world in 18 states and 4 different countries. See his website http://www.dogbehavioronline.com for more dog behavior training education.

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Dog Crate Buyer’s Guide How To Choose The Right Crate And Accessories

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Wednesday 15 October 2008 9:12 pm

Why use a crate:

When used properly and not abused, crates are the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Dogs are den animals that will instinctively seek out a small, cozy place to rest for shelter and security. Crates act on a dog’s instinct to keep its den clean and unsoiled. Keeping your dog in a crate teaches him to hold it until he can go in an appropriate place, which helps your puppy develop his bladder control. For older dogs, crates act as a bedroom where they can relax and escape the hustle and bustle of kids, other pets, and everyday family life. Also, it’s never too late to crate train! A crate can help break bad habits that improperly trained dogs may have developed over the years.

Plastic or metal?

Plastic kennels are good for travel, and are generally the only method of containment permitted by airlines. Metal wire dog crates are ideal for home use, however. They are generally roomier and more open. They’re also sturdier, so they will stand up to your pet’s movement/ activity and be able to last as your dog’s permanent bedroom.

What size?

A crate should only be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down. If the crate is too big, your puppy will have enough room to soil one side and sleep in the other, which defeats the purpose of the crate. Buy a crate large enough to accommodate your dog’s full-grown size and get a divider panel. This way, you can keep the one crate and have it grow along with your dog.

Accessories:

Always be sure to include appropriate toys and treats in the crate. This will keep your dog occupied and prevent your teething puppy from chewing on the crate’s metal bars. It is also important to purchase crate bedding. A crate cover is great for lowering the number of outside distractions your dog sees, which can reduce barking and stress in the crate. A crate pad will be more comfortable than the crate’s plastic pan. Finally, a bumper like the one included in Pet Dreams Cratewear will help protect your puppy from injuries caused by chewing or leaning against the crate’s metal bars.

For more information:

In addition to Cratewear, Pet Dreams provides a wealth of Crate Training Tips, articles, and FAQs to help you crate train your dog. Weve also recently launched Forums where you can discuss all aspects of training with others and get advice from the experts!

Visit http://www.petdreams.com for Dog crates, Cratewear bedding and Sleep-ezz dog beds.

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Trailering Your Horses Safely!

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Wednesday 15 October 2008 5:12 pm

Theres a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and youre planning on being there with your horses. However, its been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and youre a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. Theres very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

How to Ensure Safe Trailering

If youre out of practice, or if youve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

  • Turning with your trailer.
  • Backing your trailer.
  • Parking your trailer on a grade.
  • Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.
  • Ready for the Highway

    After youve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, youre ready to test your skills out on the road.

    Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, youre ready to travel any distance with your horses.

    Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

    Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

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