Goldens, they just melt my heart. Any Golden Retriever just needs look at me with those expressive eyes and I go all soft inside. It’s true, I do.

The Golden Retriever stands tall and proud in its golden hue. When you see a Golden outside, in the fall, among the trees and the leaves it is a scene of beauty and elegance.

The male usually weighs between 65 – 75 pounds and the female 55 – 65 pounds. Although I have seen some much bigger than this.

The Golden does not make a good guard dog. It is not a protector. Its best points:

Playfulness

Affection

Friendliness to people and other dogs

Easy to train

A joy to have around

Loved by everyone

Lord Tweedmouth, who lived just north of the Scottish border along the Tweed River is responsible for these nuggets of gold. The AKG did not register them as a separate breed until 1927. The breed was valued for their hunting abilities. I tend to think they should be valued for their “talking” abilities also. I am just being funny here.

Temperament

The Golden Retriever is just everybody’s friend. They have a heart of gold and are totally devoted to their families, and the rest of humankind. I have two Black Labs, but, I could never be without a Golden. Golden Retrievers are extremely communicating dogs. My Golden is forever coming up to me and “talking” to me while my Black Labs are sound asleep.

The Goldens good nature is appreciated by all, however; ignoring its powerful physique and it’ and its active nature can lead to behavior problems. The Golden Retriever needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. If they receive both of those consistently they are the perfect dog. All good bred Goldens love to learn. It is a big part of a Goldens nature to constantly learn, be trained and do mentally active activities.

The Golden Retriever is wonderful with children. You must watch the small children when they play with a Golden. Because the Golden loves to play, they can get boisterous and may bump the little child in the nose or head.

The Goldens achievement in competitive obedience games is remarkable.

Upkeep

The Golden needs lots of exercise; including mental activity. The Golden is an amazingly social dog and functions well when it lives inside with its family. The coat is not difficult to keep nice if you brush it once a week. Also, Goldens can get ear problems, so be sure to learn how to clean its ears consistently.

Also, the Goldens can have issues with skin problems. They usually live 10 to 13 years, longer if you take care to feed it good quality dog food.

Dog Therapy Visiting has been a passion of Ruth?s for 5 years. She has three dogs, two black labs and one golden retriever.

Ruth first became involved in this work while visiting a friend in the hospital. A beautiful big golden retriever, Tasha, silently walked into the room and she instantly fell in love with the dog and what the dog represented. Both Tasha and the owner became Ruth?s mentor.

Ruth visits two senior homes on a regular basis with two of her three dogs. Her third dog, Dukie, is blind.

Ruth has been married for 27 years with her husband Chris. Chris is currently fighting the monster, MS. You can reach Ruth at her website. Her Pet Blog http://www.happypetstop.com/blog Her home page: http://www.ruthsinformationabout.com and her people’s health page: http://www.mimfreedom.com

The Airedale Terrier is a medium 45 to 65 pound dog that usually reaches between 22 and 24. Known as the King of the Terriers, they are largest of the Terrier breeds recognized by the AKC. It is a compact little powerhouse that is all terrier when it comes to chasing little animals or appeasing its curiosity.

Airedale Terriers are typically tan on the ears, head, chest, undersides, legs, and sometimes on the shoulders. They are black or grizzle on the sides and upper parts of the body. Sometimes they have a red mixture on the black or white markings on the chest. Certain strains of the breed also have a small white patch on the chest. Their wiry, dense outer coat requires regular grooming.

If you are looking for a dog with plenty of stamina and energy, look no further. The Airedale Terrier is full of energy and needs daily exercise and play. Generally speaking, they do best with older well behaved children and are not ideal for homes with smaller pets as terriers have the tendency to chase small animals and vermin. They can do well with other dogs, especially if they are socialized from puppyhood. They are loyal and protective if their family. They love to learn and can be trained easily provided training is fun and not monotonous.

The breed dates itself back to 18th century England. The breed is a cross between an Otterhound and a Waterside Terrier. They were bred for hunting small game and were later used in big game hunting, police work and as an army dog in WWII. The Airedale Terrier is now considered more of a family pet than working dog. However, they do love to work and have tasks to do and still make good hunting and tracking dogs

For a family that enjoys outdoors and exercise, the Airedale Terrier is an excellent choice. Although they can work with other pets and dogs, a one pet household seems more ideal for their needs unless they grow up with other family pets. The Airedale Terrier is a great pet for the family on the go.

Learn more about dogs and dog care at Dear Doggy. You can also visit our Airedale Terrier page in the dog breeds section of our website for more information.

The Anatolian Shepherd is usually a fawn dog with black points and mask that is quite striking in appearance. In the United Statees the standard is not quite as strict and the color may be a light cream with or without a facial mask. It was used as a guardian dog in Turkey for the flocks of sheep and goats and is a bold dog that will fend off predators without any fear or hesitation. The dog originally was known as the Anatolian Karabash until it was entered into the registry of the Kennel Club of Great Britain. It is a large mastiff type dog without any heaviness to the jowls as with some mastiffs, being of clean lines and heavy boned and solid in appearance through the body. This is a dog that can and should prevent predator attacks and also humans who have a bad intent towards its flock, but should not be overly aggressive, simply watchful and alert. He should be reserved when away from his own territory and not at all possessive or aggressive in those circumstances.

The Anatolian Shepherd has a tight, dense coat about one inch in length all over, although there is a variety called the rough coat with longer hair, it is much more rare and not as well known. The Anatolian has been known in Europe and Great Britain for many years but only recently (1996) was the Standard approved by the American Kennel Club. The A.K.C. has registered this dog as a member of the Working Group.

His movement is rangy and well balanced. The dog is a large dog, standing 27-29 inches at the shoulder with a weight of 110 to 140 pounds, but in movement he should be light on the feet and agile. This is a dog that is an easy care breed, relatively free of genetic problems and easy to groom, (especially the short coated variety.)

The Anatolian is an independent breed and not necessarily a house pet, although he is a faithful guard dog in the house he becomes bored easily and is happiest when doing outside work. He is a dog that should have a job to do. Most of the people who own an Anatolian, if they are not showing him, are actually using him for his intended purpose. He is becoming more popular in the southwestern and midwestern United States since his prowess as a coyote killer has become evident.

This is a breed that needs a great deal of socializing as a puppy since he is a thinking dog and not a follower. He is highly protective of his own people or flock. With children he may not recognize them as little people and may treat them more as members of his flock, this can lead to problems when strange children come over to play. It is necessary that the person who owns an Anatolian recognizes that this is a breed that has a purpose and a job, this is not a dog who is intended to be just a pet.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely Manageable

Canine diabetes is a serious disease that causes there to be too much glucose in the blood. If your pet has any of the signs, a dog health exam will help you find out with certainty. Canine diabetes symptoms usually include the following:

- drinking excessive amounts of water
– frequent urination
– weight gain (or weight loss in some cases)
– increased lethargy during the day

A simple blood test can tell the vet if the glucose counts look suspicious. You should have a full physical exam done on your dog annually, even if he seems perfectly healthy. Be sure to ask your vet to include a full blood work-up, to rule out diabetes (as well as many other diseases). It?s well worth the added cost!

If your pet has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, don?t panic. While it is a ?special needs? issue that will influence many daily decisions, it is a manageable disease in dogs. You just have to learn some simple steps and stick to a schedule.

The first goal after a canine diabetes diagnosis is to get the glucose levels down to a normal (or only slightly elevated) level. This will not require thorough dog health exams like the original blood test. The vet can draw some blood and test the levels fairly quickly, with minimal cost to you.

Canine diabetes means someone must administer insulin injections (in most cases). They are easy to do and will quickly become routine. One person in the family should be responsible for the shots, but everyone should know how to give them (age teen and up) in case of a dog health emergency. I highly recommend posting a printout of how to give the injection to your pet in every room in your house, just in case.

In our house, where we have a diabetic dog, we made a canine diabetes ?Dog Health Cheat Sheet? for potential problems, like these:

- too much insulin is accidentally injected
– the needle breaks off while in the dog
– there?s a seizure (not common, but can happen occasionally)

The cheat sheet includes the vet?s emergency number and some basic actions to take in each scenario. We made several copies to be posted all over the house, but especially by the phone, the fridge (where the insulin is kept), and the bed (where our dog hangs out a lot).

The other goal with canine diabetes is to maintain the glucose level (with your vet?s help). It is crucial to take your pet periodically to the vet for a whole day (8-hour period at least) so they can check blood sugar levels throughout the day. Just as in humans, blood sugar levels fluctuate in your pet throughout the day. Having your vet monitor and take several blood readings during a longer stretch of time helps ensure that your diabetes treatments are actually working as intended.

It?s a little more work to care for diabetic dogs, no doubt about it. But our pets are family members and we love them dearly. Right? They give us their devotion, protection, and love, so the least we can do in return is give them proper health care, especially if they have problems like canine diabetes. Going the extra mile for them will help them live happier lives with less pain and more enjoyment. Can there be a nobler goal?

John Schwartz is a freelance writer, webmaster, and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for dog supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Please visit my dog supplies website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more dog and puppy tips.

The sport of hunting rabbits on horseback with packs of hounds is well documented. Historians have recorded that packs of hounds were used to hunt hare and rabbit and fox as early as the 13th century in England. In 400 B.C. the Greek historian Xenophon described packs of hounds being used for hunting rabbits. it is believed that the word Harrier comes from the Norman word for hound and that the origin of the Harrier hound may have travelled to England with the Normans. In seventeenth century England, the sport of running packs of hounds of fifty or more after the rabbit or fox while the hunters followed on horseback was enjoyed by the wealthy upper class. The Harrier was the breed more commonly used by the lower classes. In actuality there is not a lot of difference between the two breeds in outward appearance. The Harrier is a dog a that is taller than the Beagle and shorter and blockier in appearance than its taller cousin the Foxhound. The specified height for the Harrier is 19-20 inches at the withers with females being slightly shorter.

Hunting with packs of Harriers or Foxhounds has always been an extremely popular sport in England but in today’s modern society, what with the legal restrictions on this type of hunting and the lack of large open spaces in which to run the horses and the dogs it is seldom seen outside of exclusive game farms or privately held lands.

The Harrier makes a friendly and gentle house dog. He is usually a quiet sort in the house, not creating much of a disturbance but preferring to lie around and bask in the warmth of human companionship. Of course like all hounds he needs plenty of exercise, this is one of the breeds that does put on weight quickly if not kept fit and trim. There is little to be done in the way of grooming, currying once a week with a rubber currycomb works well to clean out dead hairs and dirt. Also he will need a fenced area if not kept on a leash when outdoors, for he will be inclined to roam. The Harrier is a baying hound and will give voice when it gets on the scent of the prey. Like most of the hounds, this is a deep a melodious voice that will carry quite a distance so if it is going to be left alone in a neighborhood it can raise quite a noise when lonely! If kept penned it is necessary that this dog have a kennel mate. It is far happier in a home as it loves people.

The Harrier has the typical hound outline, straight of leg in the front, with a thick and well muscled chest and neck, with the typical dropped ears of the hound and a gentle expression in its dark eyes. The Harrier may be of any hound color and the coat should be hard, dense and glossy. As a general rule the Harrier has very few health problems.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

You know how annoying it can be when you have an itch, but you can’t reach it to give it a scratch? Well, when your cat has fleas it’s like your problem, just multiplied a hundred times.

If your cat has fleas or ticks, you need to take action. If they are scratching or have irritated skin, your cats need you to bring this problem under control because it can become a much larger problem if you do not.

Even clean cats can end up with fleas. All it takes is a stray animal to come close enough to the cat. Or, the cat can pick them up outdoors as well. Even just one flea can leave many eggs and cause a full scale attack on your pet.

To stop them before they start, you can use a product such as Frontline or Advantage. These are pre measured liquid treatments that are applied directly to the cat?s skin and coat. When fleas get onto the pet, these products kill them before they can lay eggs. Those who want preventative measures for keeping the cat safe should use these.

For most though, it takes seeing the fleas to get them to start fighting them. If you see tiny black or brown insects on your animal, these are no doubt that your cat is flea infested. If you do see them, realize that the problem is already a big problem.

What you need to do is make sure to check your pet for fleas all the time. You can do this with a flea comb. Carefully comb through the cat?s hair and pay attention to the hair around the cat?s head and his belly. These are the ideal places for fleas to hide including the ears, eyes and the nose. And, they like to burrow in the creases where the cat?s legs and body meet.

When combing your pet, if you find a flea you know they are throughout his body. But, if you end up with a few black or brown specks, this too is a sign that they are hiding somewhere on the pet?s body.

To find them, run your hands over the cat?s body. Look for raised spots on him. If you find one or more, check it closely to see if it has little legs. If so the cat has ticks. You?ll need to ask your vet about having the tick removed as you can not do this yourself without risking the tick?s head staying behind in your pet?s skin.

In order to get them under control, you?ll need to use one of the liquid flea and tick treatments. You can also use flea or tick collars and baths as well. If the fleas are in your house, as they probably are, then you will need to use a powder or spray for the bedding and upholstered furniture too. As a last resort, you can use a flea and tick bomb in your home. But, in this case, the animals will need to stay out of your home for at least 24 hours.

Fleas are a serious concern and you need to keep them from affecting your pet. If your pet has them, also talk to your vet about treatments he can provide as these are professional strengths that can help. Before they make your pet sick, take measures at the first sign of trouble.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong pet lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about many aspects cat health. You will also find great deals on flea medication for cats such as Frontline, Advantage and Revolution. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Known for its prowess in the field and its intense skill at the chase and known equally as well for its sensitivity and its love of people, the Scottish Deerhound is a unique breed that is highly cherished by the people who have had the pleasure to own one. The Scottish Deerhound is exactly what the name implies, a dog that was bred in the rough lands of Scotland to chase and bring down the deer. For many centuries this was a game dog that served both the peasantry and the landed gentry very well in its pursuit of the deer and doubled as a family dog that held a special place by the fireside of its master. It very nearly died out by the eighteenth century…as there was less demand for deer meat and the times were changing. It is still a scarce breed and ranks quite low on the popularity list of the American Kennel Club.

The Scottish Deerhound is a tall breed, from 28-32 inches at the withers. The dog carries a great deal of strength in the neck and shoulders and a powerful jaw, for it is a dog that is built to hunt and bring down wild game that is as big or bigger than himself. The color ranges from dark gray or steel blue to sandy red or fawn . White is strongly discouraged. The dog has a wire coat except that the muzzle itself is not bearded. The outline of the Scottish Deerhound is similar to that of the Greyhound although the form is bulkier and much more muscled. He is a dog that should have the appearance of strength and speed. His temperament is quite gentle and mannerly, although he is a fiery and passionate hunting hound, he is also a sweet and docile companion who loves to be a part of the family.

It has been noted by owners of the Scottish Deerhound that it seems to be a breed that needs to be exposed early to anything it might encounter later on, as it has a tendency to become easily upset when its environment changes suddenly. It is a dog that needs plenty of training and exposure early on and it will adapt to stresses much better if this is done. Any home that is considering a Scottish Deerhound should accept that this is a breed that does not adapt easily to change and should take this into consideration when determining if this is a breed that will fit their lifestyle. Furthermore any time a family considers a hunting breed or a hound for a companion or family dog, considerations of space and exercise are very important, for an active dog needs plenty of exercise and free running room. The Scottish Deerhound is a unique blend of gentleness and courage, stamina and sensitivity, docility and eagerness to hunt, all of these combining to make it a dog that is a very special and much loved companion for those who have had the privilege of owning one.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

Norwegian Elkhounds are an old breed, dating back to Stone Age times in Scandinavia. Fossil dating confirms its long use as a domesticated hunting companion of man. They are only moderately popular in the U.S., but as you’ll see, this breed has a lot of desirable traits that make it a good choice as a pet.

Physical Characteristics

Norwegian Elkhounds are beautiful dogs, with medium-sized bodies, a distinctive Spitz curled tail, and strong, athletic lines. Bred to hunt a variety of prey, they possess amazing stamina and can go strong for days at a time. Like all hunting dogs, Elkhounds have powerful jaw muscles and ears that move around the head to pick up sounds coming from many directions. They have wide, deep, muscular chests and front legs designed for quick bursts of speed.

Not surprisingly, since they evolved in colder climes, Norwegian Elkhounds possess a thick double coat that is darker gray on top and lighter underneath. It is superbly suited for heat absorption and retention. They also emit no ?doggie? odor ? another common characteristic of hunting dogs. This works to mask its presence when stalking prey. For us as pet owners, this makes the Elkhound a very clean dog, even in the hot summer months when other breeds can become smelly from all the perspiration.

Elkhounds stand 18-22 inches tall and generally run between 40-55 lbs. Pound for pound, they are one of the fiercest hunting dogs in existence and make excellent guard dogs for homes and businesses. They bark loudly and often, which is either a good or a bad thing, depending on where you live and what job you give the dog.

From a health perspective, Elkhounds are prone to hip dysplasia, dermatitis, and Fanconi Syndrome (rare, but can lead to kidney failure). You should also be careful not to overfeed this breed, as it gains weight quickly and doesn?t shed pounds efficiently in a sedentary domestic environment.

Temperament

The Norwegian Elkhound is both friendly and fiercely loyal. This is a great trait in a pet dog, but care must be taken to properly socialize the animal to avoid aggression toward strangers (both other dogs and humans). Having only occasional visitors can bring out the ‘guard dog’ tendency. Early socialization, such as taking the pup to crowded parks or having lots of family and friends over on a regular basis, can instill a sense of ease around strange dogs and people that will last your dog’s lifetime. The key is to help your pet Elkhound learn early on to associate your presence among others as a good thing – not a situation requiring his/her defensive posturing (barking, growling, aggressive movements).

Like all arctic dog breeds, Elkhounds have a definite independent streak. Intelligent and resourceful, they are one of the best breeds to have as an ?only pet.? They are a bit resistant to formal training, so you need to be firm (but never mean) to teach them. They respond well to praise and rewards, but are very sensitive and will remain aloof for long periods if you treat them unfairly or punish too much during training. The key is to be firm, but give lots and lots of praise and love to reward him/her when the behavior you want to instill is exhibited.

The most common complaint about Norwegian Elkhound behavior is the barking. Understand that hunting dogs need to hold the prey at bay and alert their masters to their location at the same time. This means that the more boisterous dogs were better at helping their masters hunt, so they got bred more often. As a natural result, this breed now features loud barking almost universally. Don?t get an Elkhound if this will pose a problem.

Elkhounds as Pets

As you?ve probably discerned, Norwegians need a lot of activity. They are tireless runners and need to burn that energy off. Therefore, they are not good pets for apartment or condominium dwellers, unless you can provide ample outdoor space for regular exercise. Ideally, a big fenced yard or local park with a regularly active owner is the perfect setting for these dogs.

Norwegian Elkhounds are also best suited for a cooler climate. They can overheat quickly in any region where the temperature exceeds 90 in the Summer. However, they do very well during cold winters, even when temps dip into sub-zero readings.

Finally, always exercise caution when taking your Elkhound out for a walk or jog. Use a leash! They have an independent streak and are known to ignore their masters when they pick up an interesting scent. Even trained dogs of this breed will sometimes defy their masters when a really enticing scent comes along, so don?t get complacent!

Overall, the Norwegian Elkhound is an excellent dog to bring into your home as a pet. Loyal, friendly, intelligent and energetic, they make wonderful pets for active people or working dogs for those with property protection needs.

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 more information and pet dog tips.

Some people mistakenly think that kind and firm solutions reward their dogs for bad behavior and that the only way a dog can learn is to suffer. More often than not, the solution for the dog’s misbehavior is really misplaced anger or a desire to hurt the dog for hurting you. That’s what happened with Francie, who left her new puppy Cody, an American Eskimo dog (a very attached breed who needs attention), home alone for long hours while she went to work. Her little dog was bored and teething, so he entertained himself by chewing on Francie’s shoes. Little did he know that his entertainment would make his mom so angry. When Francie walked in and saw one of her $200 shoes in Cody’s mouth, she saw red. She pulled the shoe away from him and hit him with it over and over, yelling, No, no, no! Bad dog, bad dog! Cody slunk away with his tail between his legs and hid under a chair. Francie grabbed him and threw him outside saying, You think about what a bad boy you’ve been. Right!

If Francie thought her methods would stop Cody from chewing on her shoes because she taught him a lesson, she was soon disabused of the notion when, the next day, he chewed another pair of her best shoes. No amount of yelling and hitting seemed to get through to the little pup.

The Pup Parenting Plan was very simple for Francie.

1 . The behavior that bothers me: Chewed up shoes.

2. Why change is needed: Shoes are expensive and I can’t afford to keep replacing them.

3. The mistake I am making: Every one of them. I am reactive, disrespectful, punitive, and I talk too much. When she stepped back and looked at the problem objectively, she knew that chewing a shoe is not bad behavior. It is normal dog behavior. The faulty behavior is leaving the shoe in the dog’s reach in the first place. Francie could see that it does not make sense to punish a dog for normal dog behavior, nor does it make sense to assume a dog will learn from punishment. Have you noticed that most pooch parents initially respond just the way Francie did? They punish their dogs for chewing the shoe instead of simply removing their shoes from the dog’s path.

4. A list of possible solutions: I don’t have to brainstorm for a list of solutions. It’s obvious that I must keep my shoes out of sight and provide appropriate chew toys. Instead of brainstorming, she acted:

She went to the store and found a shoe rack that hung on the back of her closet door and put all of her shoes in the rack.

She also bought a lot of soft stuffed animals at the secondhand store and set them out for Cody to chew. Each animal cost 50 cents — a bargain compared to her shoes. Francie tried rawhide strips, but Cody never liked chewing on them. He preferred something soft, like the shoes, so the stuffed animals were a great substitute and a much better solution than releasing all one’s anger at a dog.

5. Choose a solution and follow through: Having a well-thought-out plan made it easy for Francie to follow through. She kept her shoes out of Cody’s sight, and she never lost another shoe.

Try to imagine what your dog is thinking while being swatted with the shoe. Do you think he is thinking, Thank you for caring about me so much that you want to hurt me to teach me right from wrong? It is more likely that your dog is hurt and totally confused — but amazingly, still loves you.

Francie didn’t feel good about hitting Cody and yelling at him. She shook her head at how much she and Cody had suffered because she didn’t take the time to think the problem through. She liked herself a lot better when she was less angry and had a respectful plan. Kind and firm proactive pooch parenting was much more her style.

If Cody could talk, what would he say? I loved the game that Francie used to play with me. I would chew her shoe, she would give me lots of attention, I got to go outside and play in the yard, and when I came back in, she had already left another shoe for me to chew. Oh well, now I have my own special toys to play with.

http://www.positivediscipline.com/pupparenting

Reprinted from: Pup Parenting: A Guide to Raising a Happy, Well-Trained Dog by Lynn Lott, Jane Nelsen, and Therry Jay ? 2006 Rodale Inc. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at www.rodalestore.com

All training starts with taking advantage of your dog?s natural inclinations to reinforce the behavior you want. The only place your dog will not, by nature, mess, is its sleeping place. Crate training works with your dog?s instinct – he never has the opportunity to be ?bad.?

Crate training is fairly intense for you. The rule is: if you are not actively paying attention to your dog, your dog is in the crate. Period. Even if you?re in the same room. If you?re not watching your puppy, it?s in the crate. If you think ?caging? your dog is cruel, get over it. It?s worse for your dog not to know the rules of the house.

Crate training is not an excuse to ignore your dog for hours at a time. A puppy cannot go more than a couple of hours during the day without a ?bathroom break.? If your dog learns to mess in its crate the behavior is very difficult to correct. It?s one of the biggest challenges when adopting strays or rescues from shelters. It can be done, but requires patience and dedication.

Dogs should be taken out at regular intervals; after meals, after naps and after play sessions. And ?business? walks are not playtime. Put the collar and leash on, take the dog to a specific spot you want it to use for its toilet area, give your dog a command ?go potty.? If it does, reward it with praise and cookies, say ?good go potty.? Forget about public embarrassment. If you?re easily embarrassed, don?t get a dog. Of course you can use any words you want – a friend of ours used ?hit it? with her dogs. She just had to be careful not to use the phrase under other circumstances.

Your puppy should also sleep in the crate, ideally in your bedroom. Dogs are social animals, they need to know their ?pack? or family, is close by. If the dog wakes you in the night, take it out on leash. Give it 10 minutes to ?do its business,? go back in, pop him in his crate, say goodnight and go back to bed. Don?t let the dog out by itself, even in a fenced yard. Again, this isn?t playtime.

As your dog learns what?s expected of him, the next phase is to keep the dog on leash, out of the cage. Tie the leash around a belt loop so that you can go about your daily routine with both hands free. Keep one eye on the dog. When you see his ?gotta go? signals, drop what you?re doing and go. Some people are successful in hanging a bell on the doorknob. They ring the bell whenever they take the dog out. The dog learns, over time, to ring the bell when it has to go. Others teach their dogs to ?speak? as a signal to go out.

Our dogs are always crated when we leave the house. At this point, they see us reaching for their crate toys (which we stuff with a little peanut butter or kibble) and run for their crates. We don?t necessarily even lock the crates, but they are available to the dogs at all times. It?s their ?room,? a safe place they can always go to.

Just a note of caution and safety: never leave a collar or harness on your dog in the crate. It can get caught and cause problems.

Hope Saidel is the co-owner of GollyGear, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club. Check out her blog: GollyLog.