Living in Portland, Oregon in the beautiful Northwest has its advantages. There are many artists of all genres living and working in this inspiring part of the country.

When looking for an artist to render a likeness of your pet, you may want to consider the following tips:

1. Build a rapport with the artist of your choice by meeting them in person or via e-mail. Be sure they have a real love and devotion to animals, as this will come across in their artwork.

2. The artist will most likely ask for a deposit of half the cost of the painting up front, and the remainder due upon completion. Ask that a scan or photo be sent to you for approval and to make any needed changes before the painting is shipped to you, or that you?re able to pick it up at the artist?s home. This will assure you that the painting is to your liking before you receive it. The cost is usually based on the size of the canvas requested and the complexity. Most artists have many sizes and styles to choose from. They may provide a simple background for a painting, a head shot only, or two or more animals in the same painting, and a more complex background.

3. There are many types of media that an artist may use, including acrylic, oils, pastel (both chalk and oil pastel), watercolor and colored pencil. Paintings done with acrylic and oil may not need framing. Artwork done in pastel, watercolor and colored pencil usually do need to be framed under glass, so be sure to consider this additional cost when commissioning a painting. Some artists recommend which frames will look best, while others leave the framing to the client.

4. A photograph will need to be provided for the artist to work from. He or she may request additional photographs to be sure to capture a likeness of your pet. If you live in the same area as the artist, they may offer to photograph the animal for you. Photos can be provided to the artist either by regular U.S. Postal service, or via e-mail. The artist can give you tips on the best way to photograph your animal for his or her painting.

5. Be sure to discuss the time frame involved for your receipt of the painting. Some artists have a backlog. If you have a deadline for your painting because of an anniversary, birthday or holiday, be sure to let the artist know. Sometimes they may be able to accommodate your deadline. Remember that they can always give you a gift certificate if the painting will need to be completed a few days after the time you would like to receive it. Once you have decided on which artist you are going to work with, it?s been my experience that the short wait to complete your portrait is definitely worth it!

6. After your painting is completed, ask if the artist also provides greeting cards of the portrait image, or other services that you may want.

7. The copyright for the finished work belongs to the artist, but you can discuss with them any special needs you may have. You may want to use the painting for your business cards or company logo.

? Connie Bowen

Note: this article may be re-published freely as long as the following resource box is included at the end of the article and as long as you link to the URL mentioned in the resource box:

Pet Portrait Artist, and Professional Illustrator Connie Bowen creates stunning pet portrait paintings on canvas from photos. Specializing in capturing the spiritual nature of dogs, cats, horses and other animals in a realistic fashion with impressionistic backgrounds as seen on Oregon Public Broadcasting?s TV show, Art Beat. Over 250 pet portraits completed and counting! Visit http://www.conniebowen.com to view exquisite samples.

Keeping the attention of a shih tzu while training is not always easy. Shih Tzu can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making training fun for the shih tzu and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well adjusted and well trained shih tzu.

Providing random positive stimuli during the day is a great way to keep the interest of the shih tzu. Doing things the shih tzu enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, is a great way to keep the shih tzu?s attention and reward him for small successes.

For instance, in order to reward the shih tzu for coming to you, for instance, ask the shih tzu to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats. After the shih tzu has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the reward. This can be either the aforementioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the shih tzu likes to do.

Providing some kind of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the shih tzu does something you want, is a great way to keep your shih tzu motivated. If the shih tzu knows something great is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training

When training any shih tzu, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training. The shih tzu must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These types of distractions can even be used as rewards when training the shih tzu to come when called.

For instance, if your shih tzu enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in a local dog park or with the neighbor?s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or yard and call your shih tzu. When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the shih tzu to go back to playing with his friends. Repeat this several times and praise the shih tzu each time he comes to you. The shih tzu will quickly learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being taken away from the park).

If the shih tzu does not master this particular type of training right away, try not to get discouraged. So called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach. Dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the most difficult things you can ask your shih tzu to do. Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist.

Training the shih tzu to come to you may require some creativity on your part at first. For instance, waving a favorite toy, or a lure, is a great way to get your shih tzu?s attention and put the focus back on you. If your shih tzu has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well.

Once the shih tzu begins to get the hang of coming when called, you can begin to reduce and eliminate the visual cues and focus on getting the shih tzu to respond to your voice alone. It is important that the shih tzu respond to voice commands alone, since you will not always have the availability of a toy or other lure.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

In this guide I will go through general dog care for a first time dog owner..

Grooming your dog

Dogs require regular grooming, how much grooming depends on the type of coat. Some breeds of dog only require grooming once every few weeks. Other breeds require daily grooming. Breeds such as poodles must have there coats cut as there fur never stops growing so this is a big issues when considering one of these breeds. When having your dogs coat cut its always best to go to a professional dog groomers as they usually don?t charge all that much and make a good job, its not as easy as it seems.

Cutting your dogs claws.

Dog claws usually need cutting around every six months. To clip your own dog?s claws you will need dog claw clippers. The biggest factor in deciding if to clip your own dog?s claws or have a groomer do it is the color of the claws. If you dogs claws are white its easy to tell where the nerve is where as if there black it?s very hard to find the nerve. In white claws the nerve will appear pink making it easy to avoid when cutting the dogs claws. In white claws the nerve will be showed as pink as long as you do not cut with in 1mm of this pink the claws will be clipped fine. If you cut the claws closer than this they will hurt the dog and bleed.

Brushing your dogs teeth

The main reason to brush your dog?s teeth is to keep them healthy in later life. Many older dogs have teeth and gums problems witch can be very painful. To brush your dog?s teeth all you will need is a dog tooth brush and some dog tooth paste, Please note brushing with human tooth paste can be very dangerous to a dog.

Bathing your dog

Dogs should be bathed around every six months. Bathing your dog to much can cause problems and make the dog smell more than it would without being bathed. The reason for this is dogs coats contain naturally oils to help clean and protect there coats. Excessive bathing can cause these oils to be removed from the dog?s coat. You must use dog shampoo or just water when bathing your dog. As human shampoo can damage the coat or if it gets into the dogs eyes be extremely painful. I hope this guide has covered some basic dog care tips and techniques that will help new or existing dog owners to care for there dog.

Ashley Peach – owner of Dog toys, Dog accessory and Dog coats.

The term dog training can mean many different things – this is an important fact to remember when deciding what exactly you need to do with your dog.

First, there is behavior training.

This is the kind of dog training in which a dog is taught to be good. Usually this would include house training, good behavior around other people and dogs, and other small things that make a dog a much more pleasant companion. A well-behaved dog attracts no special notice from members of the public (apart from occasional comments about their good manners).

Next, there is obedience training, which is teaching the dog how to perform specific activities.

This can include traditional obedience exercises such as heeling. The emphasis here is on prompt and precise performance. While there can be many overall benefits to this kind of dog training, the training is not necessarily used in order to improve the dog’s behavior.

Dogs that have been obedience trained will perform tasks when their owners ask them to do so. (Although, some obedience trained dogs may well behave poorly!)

Activity training refers to dog training for specific activities – this could include hunting, herding, search and rescue or any of a number of activities designed to show off the abilities of the dog and his handler. These days, such activity also includes sports such as frisbee, flyball and agility.

At times, these dog training methods can cross over somewhat.

A certain amount of obedience training will help with behaviors, for example. A dog that is heeling will not pull on the leash.

You will still want to keep this in mind when selecting a training class, however, so that it best matches your needs. For many pet owners, the behavior-oriented classes are the best way to learn how to understand and control your dog. For those of you who want to enjoy a sport or compete in an activity with your dog, you will need to move along to more complex dog training.

You need to be fully aware of whether or not your dog needs behavior modification (where you will have to find out the underlying reason why your dog digs holes) or obedience training (to understand commands).

The two may be related: a dog that digs because it is bored may become less bored with obedience training and stop digging. It is important, however, to understand that the dog stopped digging because it was no longer bored not that it now knows how to heel. You will need to modify your approach, or select a trainer to help you, with behavior vs. training in mind.

Please also remember not to punish the dog whilst training. Punishment is not a training aid. It does little to foster willingness to learn and achieve. Limit yourself to a firm no and to using your hands to block the dog’s negative actions. Refrain from hitting or physically abusing the dog.

Display extreme levels of patience and persistence, and never give up; if you do, you are relinquishing your status as the dominant one. The dog is bound by nature and genetics to test how far he can push you or get away with disobeying you. You must display a stern and stoic attitude and do not pat, praise, or reward the dog if he does not pay attention or refuses to do as you have asked. Only yield once your commands are followed. If you heel instead of your dog then he will soon know who is the boss.

Use rewards and praise as often as required. Praise should immediately be forthcoming when a dog responds to any command. The pet will associate responding to commands with praise/rewards (treats) and will try and respond quicker to reap his rewards. Once a command/trick has been mastered then the treats can be withdrawn. You will find that obeying a command becomes second nature to your dog.

Keep the lessons simple. To begin with, the lessons should be fairly easy and such that the dog can complete it within two-three actions. As his level of learning increases the lessons could be more complex. Just as our children go, at first to play school, then to kindergarten, and then to the first grade so also in the case of our pets.

Whether you are a first time dog owner or a seasoned veteran, your learning never stops as far as it comes to training your dog. Each and every dog presents different training challenges, and the more equipped you are to handle these training issues the more likely you are to prevent any permanent and long term future behavioral problems.

Visit David’s site at http://www.dog-training-for-idiots.com to learn very useful tips on how to train your dog.

The Basset Hounds we all know and love today have bloodlines that descend from England in the middle-to-late 19th century. However, the Basset breed actually got its start (best as anyone who has delved into it can ascertain) much earlier, and in France, of all places. This was in the 16th century. Now, I know what you?re thinking? how can such a magnificent and flawless dog breed as the glorious Basset Hound have had its origins in France? I have to confess that it does makes things a bit more complicated for me emotionally, since I detest that snooty, has-been nation (kidding, sort of), BUT?

My love for Bassets wins out every time!

The AKC officially deemed Bassets ?worthy? in 1885 by recognizing them. I guess they didn?t realize that Basset Hounds are all BORN perfect and, thus, are beyond such trifles as being ?recognized? by the almighty AKC (oooh!). But I?ve learned to forgive such human errors.

You may be wondering why French folks would concoct such a funny-looking dog breed. The answer is pretty boring, actually (as are most things French?ok, enough!). Nobles of that time liked to hunt. A lot. But the French countryside featured a lot of dense brush and thickets. The hunters? prey (deer, rabbits, etc.) routinely escaped into nearby cover. Hunters didn?t like being stymied by mere animals.

Enter Monsieur Basset Hound (say it like this: Misssssssure Bass-ay Ound). Developing a dog breed that could smell and hear just about anything from one side of the nation to the other, and who would fearlessly bound into the thickest of brush, became essential. Being low to the ground made them more efficient hunting machines.

So, now you know why Bassets are funny looking. But isn?t the way they look the very reason why you find them adorable and huggable? *NOTE: If you do NOT find them both adorable and huggable, stop reading now. I mean it. Go away.

Basset Hound Characteristics

The name ?Basset? is a play on the French word for ?low? ? bas. The English, clever devils that they are, combined that word with the English word for how something is positioned ? ?set.? Bas-set. Low set Hounds. Cool, huh?

Basset Hounds typically come in combinations of the following colors: brown, black, white, and red. So-called ?tri-colors? are the most common nowadays (brown, black, and white).

Quick! What?s the first thing that comes to mind when you visualize a Basset Hound? The long ears, of course! Do you know why they were bred to possess such ridiculously long ears? I do. OK, I?ll let you in on it. It was NOT primarily to improve their hearing (the common myth). It was all about picking up the prey?s scent.

Imagine if you walked with your head a foot or so off the ground all the time. Now imagine having ears that dang near dragged the ground. Ears flopping back and forth with every step. Besides never getting any dates, you?d also catch a whole lot more of every scent in the vicinity with those tremendous lobes.

For a hunting dog, a finely tuned ability to pick up faint scents equals success for the master. And now you know why Bassets have those trademark ears. You must promise to use this information only for good?never for evil.

The tale continues?

Basset Hound Temperament

When you picture a Basset Hound?s daily activities, what do you see? Most people imagine a lazy, sprawling, sleeping and eating machine. And that?s pretty much right on target for most Bassets. Every now and then, some mutant Basset will spring forth who actually becomes delusional and thinks he?s a Jack Russell Terrier, all wired up and full of pep. But those types are few and very far between, thankfully.

In terms of getting along and playing well with others, Basset Hounds are among the best. It goes back to their breeding, again. They are pack animals by nature, so docility among the pack was an especially advantageous and much sought after characteristic. Yes, individuals will vary, but you have a much better than 50-50 chance at raising a low-key, unassuming pet with this breed. And this includes how he gets along with other pet dogs. Males and females share this trait.

There is a vicious rumor floating around about Bassets being hard to train because they?re stubborn and strong-willed. Slanderous! OK, actually, that?s true. But nobody?s perfect, and I bet you weren?t exactly the model child! So stop being so critical, miss or mister high-and-mighty.

Among Basset trainers, you hear this sentence a whole lot: ?Bassets are easy to train, as long as you?re trying to get them to do what they wanted to do in the first place.? That?s as close to a truism as you?ll find in the dog universe. If you adopt a Basset with the intention of making an obedient little trooper out of him, prepare yourself for years of frustration. Be happy that he?s loyal and allows you to feed him and give him lots of toys. Enough said.

Some Basset Tips

First, you have to keep Basset Hounds on a diet pretty much from the time they?re grown until they pass away. This is much easier said than done, as any Basset owner will attest. They have faces that just beg to be given treats for any action, including waking up, looking around, yawning, and the other major accomplishments of a typical Basset?s day. Resist that urge!

Basset Hounds are naturally heavy, and it?s very easy to make it worse if you don?t stick to a pretty strict dietary regimen. Obesity in dogs leads to canine diabetes at an alarming rate (just like humans). This breed is particularly susceptible, so be careful. A daily walk is a terrific idea as well.

Staying with the health rant for another minute ? clean your Basset?s ears often! Their huge size makes them ideal breeding grounds for all kinds of nasty little critters on the insides; and the outsides tend to collect dirt, food from bowls, and water (which turns the dirt and food remnants to a mushy mess). Not exactly hygienic.

Finally, never ever, under any circumstances, let a Basset Hound run around loose outside without a fence that is well maintained. They?re specialized hunters – bred to find their way into (and out of) tiny openings. And they?re intelligent. That?s a potentially lethal combination for your pet, especially if you live near roadways. A Basset believes he has the right to be in the middle of the road if the scent led him there. Vehicles be damned! No need to endure that kind of tragedy. Keep your Basset INSIDE (or at least behind a fence with no possibility of escape).

? John Schwartz http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com (All rights reserved – article may be reprinted freely, providing the author section is included and all links are intact and clickable.)

About The Author: John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for safe dog toys and supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Visit his website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for general dog information, some funny stories, and lots of dog ownership tips.

Separation anxiety problems are diagnosed in around 15% of all behavioural cases. When left alone, most dogs will find a familiar spot and go to sleep. However, a dog when suffering from separation anxiety may become extremely anxious. Not understanding where you or your family have gone or if you will ever return, this dog may exhibit behaviour which can include chewing, barking, salivating, urinating, defecating, vomiting or escape behaviour such as chewing through walls, scratching through doors or exit points, breaking out of cages or trying to dig their way out of gardens and enclosures.

In some cases, the dog can become extremely ill, stop eating, or suffer from depression. I often find single dogs kept in kennels can become morose or lethargic. This can be a major problem with some of our working dogs who are often kennelled and therefore do suffer accordingly. I personally believe that if you intend to kennel your dog then you really should have more than one dog in that environment.

Dogs are conspecific that means that they can generally only form a true pack with their own kind, They do create a loose pack type alliance with us and are integrated into our family unit, however that normally does not happen when dogs are not allowed indoors and are restricted to a kennelled area. These dogs do need the companionship and company of other dogs when in this situation. If we were to look at it in human terms, it would be equivalent of solitary confinement.

Possible Causes

Factors at the root of Separation Anxiety can include, genetics, insufficient early learning and handling, lack of socialisation and owner behaviour, sometimes we reinforce an overbonding relationship that causes the dog stress when we are not around. This type of dog will follow you everywhere and that includes the toilet. We can often exacerbate the problem by making a big scene when we leave. Was it Shakespeare that wrote, ?parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow?.?

Your dog is a social, pack animal that relies on others for individual protection, it finds safety in numbers, and will feel ostracised from the pack if not allowed to mix freely with its extended family, which includes humans and other dogs. In wolf packs, an individual that is forced to leave the pack will often die if it cannot join another pack. Often these dogs are males that have been usurped from the Alpha position or have challenged for top position and failed. Making it unlikely to be accepted into another pack and will be unable to hunt as effectively on its own.

Dogs retain vestigial wolf characteristics, is it therefore any wonder they feel anxious in when placed in these situations? Dogs that lack confidence, due to over bonding, under socialisation, or lack of training in basic obedience, mistreatment in the past, long confinements or dogs that have been abandoned or placed in rescue centres are most likely to exhibit behaviours relating to separation anxiety.

Solution and Treatment

?No long goodbyes

When it is time to leave, just leave. Do not say a big and drawn out Good bye to your dog. In fact, ignore your dog for five minutes before you go. Paying too much attention will make your dog feel more insecure when that attention is abruptly withdrawn. You may wish to use a herbal type anxiety reducer such as Dr Bach?s rescue remedy, you can get this in any good chemist 4 drops a day in their food, and a DAP diffuser you can get this from your Vets. It plugs in the wall socket and gives out calming pheromones. DAP means Dog Appeasing Pheromone, the clever little scientists have isolated the pheromone that the nursing mother gives out to calm the little pups when she is feeding them, and have created a chemical mimic These combined can help to take the edge of the anxiety. Always discuss any herbal or natural remedies or treatment with your Vet.

?Distractions are the key

Prepare a Good-Bye bone. These are hollow cheese or meat filled bones purchased from the pet shop, or it could be a Kong. When it is empty, fill it with grated cheese, peanut butter, or other things your dog really likes. You can even make up a thick soup type mixture, fill the hollow bones with these and freeze, put it away and only take it out when you leave each day. Place it near your dog just before you close the door. When you arrive back home put the bone away. The bone only comes out when you leave. when it gets low then poke out the contents and refill. You are distracting your dog with something that he will find interesting enough to concentrate on and will ignore your leaving, he should appreciate the bone so much that he will look forward to it coming out instead of getting upset with your leaving. You can also get puzzle type activity cubes or balls these are meant to be filled with dried kibble or treats, the dog has to manipulate these to get bits of treat out .Some are quite difficult to use giving the dog lots to work at rather than thinking about your departure. Once again, only give this to your dog when you are leaving and take away when you return.

?Crate Train

Confining your dog during your times of absence has two positive results. First, a dog who is confined crate cannot do damage to your home. Secondly, a crate, when properly introduced, will act as a safe and comfortable den where the dog can relax. Limiting his movement also acts as an anxiety reducer for most dogs. However, dogs should not be locked in crates for long periods maximum during the day should be 2/3 hours and certainly only on rare occasions not every day.

?Exercise Your Dog

A dog that is lacking exercise is more likely to have stress and tension. Tiring a dog out with a long walk, run or with play goes a long way in reducing stress and anxiety.

?Leave the Radio On

Tune a radio to a talk station; not music, put it on in a room you are often in but not in the same room as the dog, and close the door. I use LBC 97.3 as the preferred station though of course not everyone can receive this. The dog will hear the human voices from another room and may not feel so alone. Some owners tape record their own voices and play the recording rather than the radio program. Dogs know the sound of your voice. This need only be a couple of hours long.

?Build up a routine

The hardest time for dogs is immediately after you leave. Their anxious, frantic, and occasionally destructive behaviour generally happens inside the first hour. You need to modify your dog’s behaviour through reinforcement training and behavioural modification. Leave your dog either in or out of the crate; get ready to leave, put your coat on or whatever routine you have when you leave, walk out as normal, come back after one minute greet your dog calmly tell him to sit, when he does, reinforce the behaviour with a food treat he enjoys.

Wait a few minutes and then repeat the exercise, this time remaining outside a few minutes longer. Continue practicing leaving and returning over the next couple of weeks, This has the effect of desensitising you dog to your exits and it will not know the length of the separation.

?Leadership is Vital

When a dog has a strong consistent leader, it has a calming effect on him. He feels safe and taken care of. In the absence of a strong leader, your dog feels obligated to assume that position in the social hierarchy of the family pack. Since a leader must control all that goes on, his inability to control you leaving causes him stress and anxiety. They sometimes exhibit dominant behaviour to try to stop owners from leaving. Obedience training and * NILIF techniques is normally the best methods of establishing yourself as a beneficial and strong leader.

Consistency is the key. You are responsible for providing food and shelter. You also have the responsibility of supplying an environment whereby the dog feels safe and secure. Leadership plays a part. lack of consistency and over-bonding can be a cause and effect of separation anxiety, though it must be said other factors may also play their part. Sometimes you may need to get another dog for company and comfort for you existing pet, especially if the symptoms are severe. Sometimes you may have to rehome the dog, as your lifestyle does not allow for a happy and contented pet and in both your best interests, this should be considered.

The NILIF technique mentioned here will be in a future article called ?The Pushy Dog?.

Stan Rawlinson

Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer, who has owned and worked dogs for over 25 years, starting with gundogs then moving to the behavioural and obedience side of training companion dogs. He now has a successful practice covering Greater London, Surrey, and Middlesex.

Stan is recommended by numerous Vets, Rescue Centres, and Charities. He writes articles and comments on behavioural issues and techniques for dog magazines including Our Dogs, Dogs Monthly and K9 Magazine and Shooting Times. He is also the founder member of PAACT The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers.

Dogs have a natural liking for enclosed sleeping places – think of how often your dog chooses to sleep under the table, against a wall or behind the settee! In the wild your dog would seek out a cosy safe den to sleep and rest up, that is all a crate is. Although their resemblance to cages or prison puts many people off. If they are properly used and introduced, they can be a helpful aid to training and toileting and a comfort and a bolthole when the dog is feeling stressed.

Once your dog is happy in the crate he can be left there to prevent soiling and chewing when you are out for a short time, he can be restrained when the kids play noisy, energetic games which are not improved by his joining in, and he has a secure familiar bed which can be taken in the car and on holiday if needed.

A dog which is thrust unprepared into a crate and left is going to associate the crate with a most unpleasant experience and be very unhappy. A dog which is carefully introduced to a crate usually finds it a pleasant and secure place to be, so it is worth spending some time over the introduction process.

HOW TO CRATE TRAIN YOUR DOG

?The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn round and stretch out when lying down. If he is a puppy, allow for growth. Cover the crate with a blanket or sheet so it is dark, den like and cosy.

?To begin with you will need to leave the crate set up all the time. Later you may prefer not to, and some crates fold flat for easy storage when not in use.

?When left in the crate your dog should have a toy or chew bone to keep him occupied when awake, soft bedding to sleep on, I prefer Vet Bed or the equivalent and a drink of water. Get a coop cup it clips or screws on the inside of the crate then you don?t get spills.

?Initially feed the dog in the crate every day, with the door open. This is an easy way to get him to like it!

?Set the crate up in a quiet corner, and put the dog’s bed into it. At this stage, leave the door pinned open so that the dog is never fastened in by mistake and never gets stressed.

?Soon the dog should happily use the crate voluntarily. When you reach this stage, (NOT BEFORE) wait until he goes in for a sleep, then close the door. Stay in the room, and let him out as he starts to wake up.

?When your dog is used to this routine, leave him for a minute after he wakes up, with you still in the room. Gradually (over about a week) increase the time you can do this. If your dog gets distressed, reassure him briefly but firmly and shorten the time on the next attempt. Don’t make a big fuss – sweet nothings and lots of attention can make him think you’re praising him for being distressed, and he’ll do it all the more. Aim for the nursing sister approach when she comes to give you a big injection, sympathetic but business like!

?When you can leave the dog like this, leave the room for a few minutes but stay in the house. Again, gradually increase the time you are out of sight till you can put the dog into his crate when you go shopping.

?Your dog should never be left in a crate for more than 3 or 4 of hours. Except overnight

About the Author

Stan Rawlinson
Dog Behaviourist & Trainer
H 0208 979 2019
M 07976 153161
enquiries@doglistener.co.uk
www.doglistener.co.uk
www.paact.co.uk

Stan Rawlinson is a Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer, who has owned and worked dogs for over 25 years, starting with gundogs then moving to the behavioural and obedience side of training companion dogs. He now has a successful practice covering Greater London, Surrey, and Middlesex.

Stan is recommended by numerous Vets, Rescue Centres, and Charities. He writes articles and comments on behavioural issues and techniques for dog magazines including Our Dogs, Dogs Monthly, and K9 Magazine and Shooting Times. He is the founder member and chairman of PAACT; The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers. He is also the behavioural expert and spokesperson for Disney.

If I was asked to pick the cutest puppy breed on earth one of the first ones that I would have to choose would be golden retriever puppies. First of all the retrievers are possibly the most useful of all breeds of dog and the golden retriever puppies just seem to have all that the rest of the retrievers have and much more. When you look at a golden retriever puppy there is such a feeling of happiness and warmth that does not come with all breeds of dog. If you were to get a single or pair of golden retriever puppies you could expect some wonderful things as they grow up. A golden retriever puppy will grow to be a medium sized dog which will weigh between sixty and seventy pounds, not a small dog but surely not a monster. The golden retriever puppies have become one of the most popular types of dog for families because of their very good natured personality. The golden retriever is a smart and very easy going dog so it is no wonder that they are at the top of the list for both a family dog and a service animal.

Golden retriever puppies will start off with a large appetite that will not go away. They are good eaters but they need a lot of exercise as a puppy and full grown dog so they will work off the food they eat. These dogs also have quite a beautiful coat. This can be the only negative thing about golden retriever dogs and puppies because their flowing and shiny coat does demand a steady attention to grooming.

The good natured personality of the Golden Retriever has made it a popular choice for both family pet and service animal. Golden Retrievers have a large appetite and so frequent exercise is necessary to avoid the dog becoming overweight.

If you are looking for a sweet, mild tempered and very smart dog or puppy I would recommend that you give golden retriever puppies their due time and see if they will fit into your family as well as they fit into millions of others.

For more information about golden retriever puppies or to speak to fellow golden retriever lovers on our dog forum, come on by http://www.spectacularpets.com.

When it comes to choosing a breed many people have a desire for a certain breed ? a Labrador, German shepherd, Spaniel or whatever. But when it comes down to brass tacks, the economies of the situation, we can not always afford the price of a purebred puppy. Life and family get in the way, competing for the finances. This is where Dog Rescues can step into the breach and fill a need.

Dog Rescues are run by people who care enough about dogs that have been mistreated, abandoned or given up on by their previous owners. The whole aim of these organisations is to find a new home with caring parents so these unfortunate dogs can live the rest of their lives in a secure and loving environment.

Dog rescues normally cater for a particular breed of dog. This makes life easy as once you?ve found one for the breed you are interested in then it?s simply a case of registering and waiting for the right dog to come in. Usually they will have a contact list which will keep you informed when new dogs come in.

Finding a dog rescue can be as simple as looking in your yellow pages or searching on the internet. Doing a regional search by putting your city in the search terms will produce the nearest results to you.

One thing you must be prepared for with a Dog Rescue is the third degree investigation into your suitability as a potential adoptive parent. Don?t worry ? they stop short of the bright lights and the coshes.

Be prepared to give them details on previous dog ownership, your family, your house and yard and where you plan on keeping the dog. They will also want to know about your experience training dogs and how you discipline your dog. And they will also spend time talking with you, trying to assess your character and how it will fit in with the particular dog you are thinking of adopting.

Be patient ? there?s a good reason for this. All they are trying to do is make sure that you and the dog are a perfect fit. The last thing they want is for the dog to return to them at some time in the future. These dogs have already lost out once. Often they have suffered abuse and neglect and have fears and neuroses. The whole aim of the Dog Rescue is to avoid that happening again and give the dog a good chance of living a happy life for the rest of its days. So, having said all this, what can you expect from a rescue dog? The obvious difference will be the price you will pay. Expect to pay a couple of hundred dollars as opposed to the $1000 for a purebred puppy.

Why so much for a rescue dog? You?ve got to remember that these dogs have often been abused or neglected and arrive at the Dog Rescue in a poor state. They often have ticks, fleas, skin problems, worms and poor or no vaccination records.

All of these things have to be treated before the dog can be considered ready for re-adoption. So the couple of hundred dollars is easily swallowed up by vet bills, feed bills etc.

Which brings up another issue. Due to his previous ownership and possible abuse and neglect, be prepared to accept that the dog you adopt may have need for further treatment to repair the damage done by previous owners. So there may be an ongoing cost for further treatment. Over time your rescue dog may cost you more.

You can also expect your rescue dog to be older. Adolescent and older dogs are more liable to be rescued than puppies. There?s an upside to this as older dogs have developed their personality so it?s easier to get an idea of the dogs? temperament and match it to your needs.

This matching of dog and adoptive parent goes both ways. You have to ask yourself if you are right for a rescue dog.

Leaving aside the cost factors, there are a number of things you have to ask yourself:

?Is my life and household stable enough for such a dog. Due to the previous abuse, such dogs need a stable loving environment to repair the mental damage they have suffered.

?Can I, or my family, provide the daily care, grooming and medical care that may be required?

?Can I provide the training, or re-training, that may be required? Abused dogs often have incontinence problems that can take a long time to cure. Some dogs also need house training again. Can you face that?

?What age and sex dog do I want? Is an older dog better suited to your household? Many Dog Rescues have problems finding homes for males dogs for some reason. Could you be an exception and provide a home for a male dog?

For obvious reasons many of the best prospective parents for such dogs are older couples. Usually their children have grown and flown the nest and they have the time on their hands to give the dog the care and attention it needs for full recovery from both the physical and mental stress it has suffered.

There is one other advantage to a rescue dog over a purebred puppy. Once your rescue dog has recovered from the poor treatment of his previous owners, then you will have a dog that appreciates exactly what you?ve done for him. He?s experienced the bad and knows he?s now got it good. The result is a friendly, loyal companion for life.

Chris Davis, the author, is a freelance writer publishing and presenting information on a wide variety of subjects. For more informative articles and information on dogs, dog health, care and training from Chris visit his website http://dog-help-desk.com. This article is free to reprint provided the author credits and link are left in place. Do not use this article for unsolicited email.

What if there was a simple way to reduce stress, prolong and improve the quality of your life, banish the blues, and best of all, decrease the number of doctor visits?

There is! Get a dog. Here are nine ways that having a dog can boost your health.

Improved heart health. Dog owners have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides than non pet-owners. All these reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Recuperate from illness faster. Seniors in hospitals respond better to treatment and recover more quickly when they have contact with a dog or therapy animal.

Increased chance of surviving heart disease. A clinical research project of heart-disease patients showed that having a dog was the strongest social predictor of survival, even compared to having family and friends.

Longer life expectancy after a heart attack. The presence of a dog improved survival rate even more than having a spouse or close friend. One study showed that men who had a dog were six times more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack than men without a dog.

Reduced stress. Just sitting and petting a dog reduces your heart rate, and therefore stress level.

Regular exercise. It goes without saying that dogs need to be walked, but did you know that even seniors who don?t walk their dogs are more active than seniors without dogs?

They don?t call dogs man?s best friend for nothing. Ninety-five percent of senior dog owners talk to their dog. Over three quarters report that their dogs help when they feel sad. Almost that many say that their dogs help when they feel physically bad. In general, seniors with dogs are better able to tolerate social isolation that seniors without dogs.

Fewer doctor visits. A study of a thousand Medicare patients showed that seniors with dogs had nearly ten percent fewer doctor visits compared to seniors without dogs. Other studies put his figure over twenty percent, a strong reflection of the health benefits of having a dog.

Improved well-being. Alzheimer?s patients have fewer anxiety attacks and fewer mood disorders when allowed to have a dog nearby. Dog owners report fewer headaches, fewer bouts of indigestion and less difficulty sleeping. Studies show that elderly people caring for a dog improve their overall health compared to their peers living without animals in the home.

Need one more reason? Be a lifesaver. Adopting a dog from a shelter saves a dog?s life, too. Senior dogs are too often passed over at shelters for younger dogs or puppies with a longer life expectancy and more energy. But senior dogs have a lot to offer. They are often already housebroken and trained, they are not as active as younger dogs, and they are generally more interested in companionship than a run in the park.

Many shelters have adoption programs to match senior pets with senior people. They will help you choose a suitable dog and often provide ongoing support?sometimes at reduced or no cost.

Having a dog may not be the answer for everyone, but if you?re interested, call your local shelter to find out more. There may be a Rover, a Spot, or a Freckles ready to give you a whole new leash on life!

How to Meditate with Your Dog: An Introduction to Meditation for Dog Lovers presents a non-dogmatic approach to meditation. To fetch a free chapter from the book and the introduction from the audiobook go to http://www.DogMeditation.com.