Before you get a dog there are many factors to consider. First of all, you should examine why you want a dog in your life. You must be willing to share your life with an animal, care for it and be responsible for it. You also must be prepared for what a dog will require.

Dogs require exercise, discipline and affection, in that order. Notice that exercise is the most important requirement. If you’re the type that has a hard time getting up before noon on days off and you don’t like to get off the sofa too much, getting a dog probably isn’t for you. Even small, indoor lap dogs need exercise and physical interaction. The key aspect here is that you need to actively interact with your dog and make certain that they are getting the exercise they deserve.

Many breeds need intense exercise. If your idea of exercise with your dog is a leisurely 10 minute walk, then a retriever for example, is definitely not for you. Retrievers are a breed that will require intense interaction with hikes in the woods, swimming, running and fetching. This breed will better suit people who love the outdoors and are quite active.

Something else that is very important to consider is that puppies up until two years of age will demand your constant attention and supervision. It’s extremely similar to having a baby. You will have to plan to feed your puppy at regular intervals, clean up various messes, ensure that that they are given the opportunity to do their business, provide them with chew toys, get out of bed early on your days off, take them out in bad weather and so on. It’s not that these are bad things, just part of the overall picture.

On an emotional level, you must realize this unavoidable truth. Dogs have a fairly short life span compared to humans. You will fall in love with your dog, become totally attached to him and one day have to say goodbye to him or make the impossible decision to end his life. This can be too much for some people to take. One way to look at it is the love you shared enriched both your lives so you were both better off because of your relationship.

In this day and age most of us haven’t had a lot of experience in living with or raising animals. So you should be prepared to educate yourself regarding dog training by reading, attending classes and consulting trainers. There is no one absolute best method to train dogs but generally speaking, avoid methods that involve abuse like hitting, slapping or yelling at your puppy. Choose motivators such as praise, treats, or play instead. There are plenty of excellent trainers and training techniques out there that employ methods that will leave you with a fun-loving, well-adjusted, loving companion.

Dogs involve expenses. It’s as simple as that. Everything from vet bills to dog food to toys to fencing in your yard will take money. Be prepared to make financial commitments.

Dogs require time. You will probably be spending a minimum of an hour a day interacting with your dog. Grooming, feeding, playing, training and exercising are just a part of this picture. You will need extra time to clean up after your pet and you will have to consider that leaving your dog at home alone for long periods will have a negative effect on him. Therefore you cannot just pop out to a movie or restaurant whenever you feel like it because you have obligations.

You must match your dog with your lifestyle. This point was touched on earlier. Research breeds before you make a decision. For example, if you know that cleaning up dog hair will drive you crazy, don’t get a husky. Look at the amount of space you have in your home because some breeds require much more space than others. You must examine your situation and environment to discover what breed would be the most complimentary.

Last but certainly not least, getting a dog requires common sense. This common sense can be acquired through ongoing education, actively observing and interacting with your dog, maintaining vigilance and being observant. Being a dog owner means being responsible. A dog is not a toy that can be merely put on a shelf and brought out when you feel like playing with it. Dogs are social animals that need exercise, discipline and affection. Provide your dog these things and you will have a truly wonderful companion.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

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Snakeheads have some pretty terrible nicknames such as Frankenfish. They have gotten a lot of media attention lately since they found a breeding population in a pond in Maryland. They have since been found living in other waters in southern USA but are still not to be considered established in any area. This is largely due to massive government work to keep them from establishing themselves.

The fear for snakeheads has its basis in the fact that they are ferocious predators that can swallow fish of half their own size. This has meant that many now fear that Snakeheads could do massive damage to the eco systems if the where ever to establish themselves in the US. A result of this fear is the ban to import snakeheads that was imposed 2003. This has however not stopped live snakeheads from being available in Asian food markets and the aquarium trade.

They are originally found in Africa and South East Asia where they are appreciated food sources. Snakeheads vary in size from very small to very large. The largest species can reach over one yard (almost one meter) in length. Snakeheads differ from many other fishes due to the fact that they breathe air by using something called a labyrinth which enables them to consume oxygen from the atmosphere. This means that they can live for long periods on land as long as they can stay moist. They use this ability to walk to new areas to live and feed in. Snakeheads drown if they cant access the surface to get air.

They are popular aquarium fishes and many aquarists are opposing the decision to ban snakeheads and believe that snakehead import for the aquarium trade should be allowed. They believe that import at the very least should be permitted in colder states where snakeheads cant survive in the wild. They have a point in this believe since snakeheads re unable to survive in most areas in the USA due to the fact that they need warm water to survive. Allowing snakehead import in some states will however make it harder to enforce the ban in the states where they could survive which could serve to justify the nation wide ban.

There is no doubt that the Snakeheads has triggered fear, myths and controversy in the USA

Read more about the group of fish called Snakehead fish and which are called Channa in Latin.

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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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Once you have conducted your research and selected a breed that you’re interested in, the challenge now is to find a reputable breeder. You can find breeders on the internet, through word of mouth, by attending dog shows and contacting training clubs. But how can you tell if they produce good quality dogs?

The best breeders usually make their living some other way and breed dogs as dedicated and enthusiastic hobbyists. Individuals who rely on the sole income from dog breeding to support themselves are often unethical and do not have the consumer’s or the dog’s best interests in mind. It is also a great idea to stick to breeders that only breed one type of dog.

In general, good breeders have been working with the breed for more than five years. They are very knowledgeable about the breed and readily offer information regarding the breed’s problems, training issues and so on. A good breeder will ask you a lot of questions. They have an active interest in their pups and want to ensure that they are going to a good home with responsible parents.

Ask the breeder about the number of litters they have per year. They shouldn’t have more than two or three. Raising puppies takes time and attention. You want to choose a puppy that has been given proper care from day one. These pups will be better socialized and less likely to suffer from anxiety.

The breeder you are interested in should belong to a training club or have a membership in a breed club. In other words, they should have some kind of professional credentials. They should be able to tell you about or provide you with your puppies’ parent’s pedigree or genealogy.

Here is a very important point: good breeders have a written contract. This contract will include a return policy as good breeders will want their dogs back, usually at any time and at any age. The contract will also include a clause for replacement or rebate if common health problems arise within a specified time period, often two years. Ethical breeders will often include a spay or neuter clause because they do not want their dogs bred irresponsibly.

If you live within driving distance of your potential breeder, make an appointment and visit them. Do some research and come prepared with a list of questions for them. They should also have questions for you. This is an excellent opportunity to perform due diligence. Examine their operation. Meet the potential parents of your puppy. Meet their other dogs. Do the animals look healthy? Are they well behaved? Do they have room to run free? Are the breeders friendly, helpful, concerned individuals? There are many questions you can come up with. Go with your intuition as well. What kind of gut feelings did you experience while visiting the breeder?

Try to visit the breeder while they have a litter present. Observe and handle the pups. Do they appear healthy and well-cared for? If the pups retreat, urinate, or wail when you approach, this is definitely a bad sign. These pups are not socialized to humans. You want a breeder who actively participates in the raising of the litter, not a factory farm.

A reputable breeder will provide you with a puppy that has already has his initial health tests and show you documentation regarding this. You want a puppy from good stock that is well bred. If you can visit the parents of your potential puppy, do so and watch them closely. What you see is what you get and your pup will be a lot like its parents.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

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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:

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.

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Lungfish are ancient fish that can be found in Australia, South America and Africa. The group lungfish contains only a few species and no more than a total of six species are known. This six species can be divided into two different families. One family, Lepidosirenidae, contain five species found in South America and Africa. The other family is called Ceratodidae ad contains only one species, the Australian lungfish.

All lungfish share the one common organ that has given them their name. They have developed lungs which allows for them to survive in water with very low oxygen levels where other fish cant survive. The lungs also allow them to survive out of the water. The lungs found in lungfish are very similar to the lungs found in primitive reptiles.

Lungfish has been present since the Lower Devonian area which means that they have been around for more than 100 million years. The number of species used to be much more numerous in the past but all but six species are now extinct.

Lungfish are easily recognized on how they look. They have primitive looking snakelike bodies. All lungfish species can grow very big and the African lungfish can grow to be more than 2m / 6 feet long.

They are highly predatory species that eats or try to eat everything that fits into their large mouths. (Including aquarium decoration and heaters) Their natural diet consists of fish,crabs, crayfish and anything else they might find.

The Lepidosirenidae family of lungfish can survive in very little water and the African lungfish can survive without water for up to two years. South American lungfish survives low water levels by digging a hole in the bottom mud where they build a nest. They then wait in the nest until the water returns. The African Lungfish is an even better survivor. They dont settle for building a nest but also cover their bodies with a secretion. This secretion forms a leather like cocoon that helps keep the lungfish moist until the water returns. They hibernate during the time they wait for the water to return and can as earlier mentioned survive in tried out desert like areas for up to two years or perhaps longer.

The Australian lungfish doesnt hibernate like some other lungfishes. This makes them dependent on water but can be found and survive in very small water bodies.

All Lepidosirenidae lungfish species builds some type of nest in which they deposit their eggs. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. The Australian lungfish doesnt build any nest. They just deposit the eggs on the bottom within their habitats.

This was just a short introduction to lungfish. Read more about Lungfish. Another fascinating group of fishes you can read more about is Snakehead

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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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Goldfish are hardy freshwater fish. While most people know about them, they do not necessarily know all about them. This article attempts to tell you a lot more. They originated from the Gibal Carp. Over the past 2000 years, beginning in China, Goldfish were the result of breeding and early genetic like experimentation. Unlike many other species, various genetic traits can be changed over 3-4 generations with Goldfish.

Wild Goldfish live in an environment of ponds, lakes, and other water holes and can be found in Moving and still water ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 to 32 degrees Celsius. The largest types of goldfish can grow to be upwards of 12 inches/ 30 cm and with weights around 5 pounds / 2.5 Kg.

In the wild, their colors tend to be darker and paler which seems to be a direct result of the amount of light in their environment. Their colors actually include gold, bronze, and pink. They have a couple sub-hues of the sort too, metallic and calico.

It is time to shatter a myth, a dream about keeping goldfish. Those cute little bowls that are often sold containing goldfish are not the right environment for Goldfish. They need more room, as they can grow large and need high oxygen levels in the water. Something that is hard to maintain in a bowl. Small aquarium tanks are never wise for aquarists, as they can have more drastic (and fast) changes in the water quality. This means that the water very fast can turn toxic and kill your goldfish. You sometime hear people being proud that my new goldfish has lived for 3 or 6 month or something like that. A six month old goldfish is really nothing to be proud of as these fish can become 30 and even 40 years old with the proper care.

For a Goldfish aquarium tank, it is advisable to have a tank with a lot of surface area as that allows more water contact with the air which means more oxygen in the water. For every inch of Goldfish, you should have 30 square inches of surface area. Do not forget that they will grow, and some variety can become as large a foot / 30 cm.

Goldfish should be kept in freshwater and can in some areas be taken directly from the tap. Check with a local fish store to se if the water in your area is good enough to house fish in and use a good water preparation chemical. Make sure that new water that you add to the aquarium keeps the same temperature as the old water in the aquarium. You should always let your aquarium stand for about a week after first adding water to it before adding any fish. This process is called cycling and makes the water more suitable to support life.

Gravel on the bottom is wise, as it will help the Goldfish to feel more at home. About 1/8 inch is good. It is a good idea to avoid dyed gravel, as it might have contaminants that your Goldfish will not appreciate in terms of health.

Filtration are not, with good water changes, as necessary for Goldfish as they are with many other fish, though still a good idea and strongly recommended, as it will make your task a bit simpler and help you keep the water conditions good. The filtration will also start a current which increase the oxygen levels in the aquarium tank which is beneficial Oxygenating is a good thing as well. It will help release some harmful chemicals in the water, and helps oxygenate the water as well. A simple air stone, and pump for your Goldfish will help them live happier and healthier, and the cost are worth every penny of it.

Goldfish, like most other fish, do enjoy some environment to play in. Places to hide and find shade in. One other aspect, it is wise to have at least 2 goldfish, as they do like company. Loners in the fish world probably are not that much different from those in the human one. Do not leave your precious pet alone without someone to play with. Make sure all things in the tank are meant to be in a fish tank, and that they are clean, so they dont add harmful chemicals. Dont use any detergents to clean the fish tank and/or any part of decoration and equipment.

Lighting will help the fish to maintain the best color. Florescent Normal Output bulbs do well for Goldfish, although high output bulbs can make your goldfish colors look and be even brighter.

You should take care bringing the Goldfish home. Darkness, room temperature, and gentleness are a great idea, as they will help lessen the stress on the goldfish during the move. Another aspect is that it is wise to dim the lights before adding them to the tank to further reduce stress. Before releasing them into the tank you should let the bag float on top of the aquarium for a while. (At least 15 minutes) you should thereafter open the bag and but about a cup of water in it and than wait another 15 minutes. You should repeat this process 4 times before you release you fish in their new home. This will give the goldfish the possibility to slowly adept to the new water conditions.

Once things are up and running, you should change some of the water in the tank weekly. This helps remove stale water and clean out some debris. You should siphon about 15% of the water out and from the bottom at the gravel where the debris fall. Then replace the removed water with the fresh water, make sure that the new water has the same temperature as the water in the aquarium. If the water changes causes big changes in the water values it might stress the Goldfish.

Goldfish have special nutritional needs that are often available as Goldfish Food. For example, Goldfish need more carbohydrates in their diet than many other fish species. It is wise to only add enough food for them to eat fully in 5 or 10 minutes. Any more will likely be waste resting at the bottom and worsen the water quality. It is better to feed them 2-3 times a day then it is once a day.

Click on the link to learn more about goldfish or some other fish species.

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Starting a saltwater aquarium is a task that can be fun and rewarding, or devastating. It all depends on if you put it together well where it provides a good ecosystem for your saltwater fish to survive in.

When setting up a saltwater aquarium you need to make a decision regarding how large aquarium tank you are going to get. For a beginner, a larger tank may be better. The reason is the more means a chemically more stable aquarium. Many experienced aquarists suggest 55 gallons / 200L or larger for a beginner when it comes to saltwater aquariums.

You will also have to choice between Glass and Acrylic aquarium tanks when preparing Setting up a saltwater aquarium. Glass aquariums will stay clearer over the years, though they do not insulate the tank as well, and are more breakable. Acrylic may scratch, but is stronger and insulates better (may require a smaller heater). Glass aquariums are usually the cheaper choice.

You should begin by deciding on the location where you will be setting up a saltwater aquarium at in your home. This is important for whether your saltwater aquarium setup will be successful or not. You do not want a location where there is too much heat changes during the day, or a location where the aquarium is subjected to large amounts of sunlight. This will not provide an environment that is constant in temperature for your fish, and might lead to too much algae (due to direct sunlight and its ultraviolet rays). You should also make sure that you place the aquarium so that it isnt in the way in your everyday life.

When setting up a saltwater aquarium you want to consider that the tank might not be easy to move once the aquarium is full. Saltwater weighs about 8.5lbs per gallon and to that weight you can add gravel decorations etc. So be sure that its where you really want it before you start Setting up your saltwater aquarium.

Make sure the aquarium tank, aquarium stand, and other above aquarium equipment fit in the space you have chosen. Leave a gap behind for access to clean behind the aquarium and maintain the aquarium equipment. Setting up a saltwater aquarium is after all only the beginning. You will have to care for the aquarium once it is up and running too. .

It is best to clean the tank thoroughly before use. Do not use cleaners, solvents, and the like as they may leave residues that can harm your fish. Tiny amounts of Pure Bleach may be used, such as one capful for 10 gallons of water, and make sure to rinse it very well afterwards.

Now you will need to decide what sort of population you want in your saltwater aquarium before setting it up. This might be Fish Only, Fish with Live Rock, or maybe a full Reef System. Fish only might be the easiest alternative if this is your first saltwater aquarium. It might however be relatively easy to upgrade to a full reef system later if you do a good and well planed job while setting up your saltwater aquarium tank. Setting up a saltwater aquarium offers many options.

Choosing an aquarium filter.

There are more then one type of filtration needed in a saltwater aquarium. These are biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration.

Biological filtration removes ammonia, ammonium, nitrite, and nitrates (some) created by fishs biological processes and other activity in the aquarium. The process involves conversion of ammonia/ammonium to harmful nitrite. Then the nitrite converts to harmless nitrate. Live Rock which can support bacteria and Protein Skimmers are among top biological filtration systems. .

Chemical Filtration is another important aspect of Setting up saltwater aquarium. They will remove various chemicals that are dissolved in the water. Visually, these remove the discoloration of the water that might occur without filtration.

Mechanical Filtration is also important for removal of matter such as excess uneaten food, fish waste, and other debris that might land in the tank.

Mixing saltwater

Follow the instructions with the salt mix that you have chosen. Also, only add freshwater after the water is made. The water evaporates, while the salt does not which means that the salinity of in the aquarium fluctuates. You should therefore use a hydrometer to keep track of gravity(salinity), and add salt to bring up the salinity when needed. Remember; do not add salt when replacing evaporated water.

The first thing you should do when you have setup your aquarium and filled it with water is cycling the water. Let the filtration system run a week or longer before adding fish and there after introduce a few hardy fish. Damsels are one good choice for beginners.

Add fish to the aquarium at the rate of maybe 2 a week at most and preferable in pairs. You should not add more than 1 fish per 10 gallons, and remember that the amount of water will not be the full size of the tank, as other things in the tank (including your fish) take up space that are not available to the fish. Introduce new fish to your aquarium very carefully to avoid causing the fish unnecessary stress.

Good luck

click the links to read more about marine aquarium fish like the ever popular clownfish.

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Tired of your dog dragging you out the door and down the street? Are YOU the one that needs a nap after taking the dog for a walk? Maybe it’s time to leash train the dog. A little time and a bit more patience can provide a lifelong reward – enjoyable outdoor walks with your dog. But before getting started, let’s review a few basic training principles.

It is best train in an area that the dog is already familiar with, such as the back yard. Dogs have a natural tendency to explore, and things will go easier if they are not tempted by this desire. Reward good behavior with praise and treats – the treats can be lessened over time and you will find the dog is more than satisfied with just the praise. Keep the sessions short at first, and fairly often. Also, try to do the training at the same time everyday – this gives the dog an easy routine to follow. Remember to correct, not punish the dog while leash training. Punishment is only used when the dog does not behave as they have been taught, and they have not been taught how to walk on a leash yet. And don’t forget that you are learning, too!

A good collar and leash are necessities. A six-foot leather leash is ideal for training. An extensible leash is probably not a good idea for training purposes. They tend to keep a slight tension on the leash, and you want to teach the dog to walk near your side with the leash slightly loose (but not dragging). For puppies, use a regular buckle collar. If you are training an older dog, or one that tends to pull against the leash, then try a training collar. These allow you to tighten or loosen them around the neck to control pulling on the leash.

Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to start training. The first two or three sessions can be used simply to allow the dog to get used to the collar. Have the dog sit beside you while you put the leash on. Then let them roam around a little, dragging the leash. This lets them get used to the leash without having to worry about anything else. Try picking the leash up, and when it is about to tighten, give it a slight tug and call the dog to you. After the dog comes to your side, give them a treat and praise them. Repeat this a few times. Next time when you put the leash on and the dog starts walking away, call them back to your side and have them stand there for a bit. They will probably wander a little, but that’s ok – just keep an eye on the leash, and when it is about to tighten, give a little tug and call them back to your side. Don’t forget the reward and the praise. Your goal is to get the dog used to standing by your side with a loose leash.

After doing only this for a few sessions, you are ready to start walking. After putting the leash on and having the dog come stand beside you, try walking a little ways. Keep your eye on the dog, and if the leash starts to tighten, give it a slight tug and call the dog to your side. You might also try changing directions or simply stopping. If you do this before the leash gets tight, the dog will soon learn that you want the leash to remain loose. The dog will also learn that you want them to pay attention to what you are doing and follow your lead.

Whenever you feel the dog is doing well with this, then it’s time to venture into the real world. Try shorter walks at first, and lengthen them as you both get more comfortable with the leash. If the dog is not cooperating then put an end to the walk. Don’t reward their bad behavior by simply extending the walk and hoping they will improve. Let the dog explore their surroundings, but keep calling them back to your side. Over time, this behavior will become natural for both of you. Then YOU can look forward to the walks just as much as your dog!

This article was provided by Web-rover and AC tropical fish. Web rover features resources for all dog lovers and a popular Dog forum . Ac tropical fish is a large tropical fish resource with a large number of articles, species profiles and other aquarium resources. AC tropical fish also features a popular aquarium forum.

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