The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According to Dog Training Experts

10) When trying to settle a puppy into a new home, providing them with a warm hot water bottle and placing a ticking clock in the room where they sleep will help to replicate the body heat and heartbeat of their litter mates and can really help them to relax in their new environment.

9) When taking your puppy to the Vet for its first inoculations, health checks etc, it is good practice to sit with your puppy on your lap and not have him or her on the floor. Apart from being able to comfort and re-assure the puppy easier in this position you must also consider the fact that there may be a number of sick animals in the surgery and your puppy is vulnerable if they come into direct contact with infectious animals that may also be in attendance at the same time as your pup. Make a very deliberate effort to ensure your puppys trips to the vets are as fun as you can make them. Dont allow your puppy to think you are nervous or concerned, instead make a game and even take a toy to amuse the puppy with whilst they sit on your lap.

Always ensure from the earliest possible moment that your puppy is given his or her own, private sleeping place that is not used by anyone else in the family or another pet. Your puppy will benefit from short periods left alone in his or her den with you always returning to reward the pup when he or she is relaxed and quiet.

7) Try to make sure your puppy is entertained adequately for short but regular intervals during the day. Long periods of being left unstimulated may lead to destructive or disruptive behaviour later in life. Little games playing fetch with the pups favourite toy will have the beneficial affect of stimulating the pup, increasing his or her bond with you and allowing the pup to expend short, sharp bursts of energy.

6) Dont over-train your puppy. Remember, a one-year old dog is, effectively, the same as a seven-year old person. It is a good rule of thumb to keep reminding yourself would I expect a three, four, five or six-year old child to accomplish some of the tasks I am asking of my pup? Manners, house-cleanliness and the very basics (including socialisation) are all you should really seek to instil in your puppy until such a time, as they are mature enough to undergo a more formal training regime. Puppies can deceive you into thinking they are ready for training but will ultimately rebel against discipline as they get older. Ensuring you have taught your puppy to respond to his or her name, what is and is not acceptable in terms of house-manners and establishing an uninhibited relationship with your pup is more important than any other discipline in the early stages of any dogs life.

5) OWWWW! Teach your puppy that biting or nipping is not a pleasant experience for you by reacting as if in pain to their playful nips. Rather than scold the dog, let him or her know that nipping is not a pastime that you wish to engage in. Letting out an over-exaggerated expression of pain will more than likely shock the puppy into ceasing this behaviour. You will be glad you put an end to this behaviour early on instead of confronting a playful 2-year-old with a full set of adult teeth!

4) Decide early on what is and is not acceptable in your house. If you dont want your pup to use the living-room sofa as a raised dog bed when they get older then dont encourage him or her to come up for fuss when theyre young just because they look sweetly at you and are small enough to pick up.

3) Jumping up. All puppies love to jump out when greeting anyone. Rather than reprimand the pup, simply ignore the behaviour and wait until he or she settles down and is not jumping up before lavishing any attention on them. Above all else, dont encourage the behaviour by patting or praising the dog when they are in the jump-position or you may run in to problems as the dog gets bigger and views jumping up as an easy way to receive attention.

2) The puppys name will be with them for life, make sure they know it by associating it with all things pleasant and fun. In the same way dogs cotton on in a very positive way to words such as walkies, biscuits or dinner-time they should be given the same association with their own name. Too often the only time the puppy hears his or her name is when they have done something naughty. Jasper, stop doing that! Buster, leave that alone! Its tough but try to ensure that you NEVER use the puppys name in a negative scenario only positive ones. Instead of Jasper, leave that alone! simply, Leave that alone! or better yet No!. And instead of walkies, biscuits or dinner-time try Jasper, biscuits!, Jasper, walkies!, Jasper, dinner-time! Golden rule. Your puppy should associate his or her own name with all that is pleasant and fun and nothing that is negative. The word no is negative and it is enough to cover all undesirable behaviour.

1) From the moment your puppy comes into your life teach him that coming to you when called is nothing short of being the best thing in the world. Puppies cant resist humans who sit down on the floor with legs spread apart so, while theyre easily persuaded to come by this very simple gesture, make the most of it by using their name, sparingly, but making a huge fuss when puppy arrives. Try it at times when pup is pre-occupied with something interesting and make coming back to you the most enjoyable and rewarding experience in the world for him or her. You will really see the benefits as the dog gets older.

This article was taken from K9 Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for dog lovers and is available in both digital and print formats. You can subscribe to K9 Magazine or get lots of free dog articles, features and advice at http://www.k9magazine.com

All content K9 Media Solutions Ltd & K9 Magazine.

More articles at Articles Host

1. Keep your pregnant cat indoors.
Don’t expose an expecting kitty to danger. But there are more reasons. Some queens go into heat even during pregnancy. Cats are capable of being pregnant of two different litters at the same time. And of course, a pregnant cat should not give birth in a cold place outside.

2. Give your kitty the right food.
It should be high on calcium and protein. Kitten food is specially designed to meet the need of pregnant and nursing felines. Vitamin supplements are recommended too.

3. Do not give any medication during pregnancy.
A pregnant cat should get medication only in emergency. The same goes for deworming products, or products against fleas. If she has worms or fleas, first consult your vet.

4. Make your cat a comfortable nest bed.
A box filled with newspaper usually does the trick. Put in a warm sheltered place, preferably a location your cat frequently visits. Make sure all is ready two weeks before birth.

5. Find a home for your kittens – before they are born.
It will give you peace of mind to know where the kittens will go. Finding a home for a kitty can be time consuming. You’ll have more time for that before they are born.

6. Use non-clumping litter for her box.
Sometimes cats give birth in the litter box. If a kitten is delivered in clumping litter, the mother kitty might refuse to clean her newborn off as the clump is all over the sac. And the baby drowns in its own fluid.

7. Keep other cats away from her.
You have more than one kitty? Your pregnant cat wants privacy. She doesn’t like the company of other cats during this period, even if she knows these cats very well.

8. Buy enough food for your kitty… and you.
You should have no reason to leave your kitty alone on the days before and after birth.

9. Check which vet is available.
Have a piece of paper with the phone number of the closest emergency veterinary clinic. If theres no such clinic in your area, find out which vet is available for emergency care. One phone call to a local vet is usually enough.

10. Get the right information about cat pregnancy.
Only if you understand what you see and hear, you will be able to recognize complications. Plus… there are many problems you can solve yourself, if you know how. So, do not panic. Get the right information instead.

Marc de Jong is a journalist and long-time cat lover. For his easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidebook How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat – available through http://www.pregnant-cat-care.com – he interviewed several award-winning breeders and specialized vets.

More articles at Article Database

Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most expressive about its needs. The feline loves to be pampered and cared for. Dont you just love the pretty pussy pictures they make? They can also become sulkily aggressive at times. Understanding their feelings and needs is not at all difficult.

Just like your body language, behavior, and words give away your intentions and feelings, similarly, your pets also communicate through their bodies, and noises they make. As a pet owner, it is important for you to understand the signs, scents, and body language of your pet. Other than those, the visual information is also very important for understanding what your pet wants to communicate.

No longer The Mystery Cat

The cat language can be understood by your cats postures. Cats can be lazy and furtive at the same time. Its arched back depicts the no-nonsense attitude where you need to be careful! There are various other postures like its lying on its side, and lying down with tucked paws. The former is the relaxed state, and you need to careful about the latter. It makes evident that your little pet is definitely up to some nuisance.

When a cat feels sleepy, like most human beings and animals, it adopts the fetal position.

Purrs, Sounds, and Noises

Your cats purr in various pitches can foretell the things in store for you. For cats, youthe owner is like family. They look up to you as bigger cats. Outsiders are like prospective predators and they are considered threatening. So, if your cat comes across a new face, please make sure they are at a safe distance from each other.

If you make a loud noise, your little companion might hide away somewhere out of fear. They love to spend quieter moments. They show their affection by purring politely at you. The cats love to hear female voices, as they are more attractive. Half-mews, Prrrh and trills friendly greetings when you are also welcomed with a little fluffy rub.

Your cat needs attention or food when its mews are shorter vowel sounds. The sounds without vowels can either be questions or greetings. At that instant you need to look at its facial expressions to gauge what is in your loves mind. Sounds like Mrrrheor or Ree-orh are made to seek your attention.

Sweet Emotions

Your pet recognizes your touch and loves it. Patting your cats head for a sweet hello can make him/her feel on top of the world. This strengthens your bond with your furry friend and enhances trust. Touching noses increases the level of intimacy and love at both ends.

The Cat and Tail of it

A cats tail is the best way to gauge its emotions. A low tail indicates that the cat is not too sure of its environment and is ready for any happening, whereas, an upright tail suggests its confidence and alertness. A lashing tail expresses pending aggression.<.p>

Your cat can become dangerous when its hair fluffs out. This is where it means, Do not mess with me. Youll be able to make out if your pet has been engrossed in some violent sessions with its other friends when its hair is all out of place and makes noises like it is crying.

Your cats flattened ears show fear or threat. When its ears are facing forward, it shows that it is paying attention.

But, other than these indicators, you need to read your purrfect companions face and eyes to understand its emotions and what it is thinking.

Author’s Bio:
Mary Majorda of California has lived along with kittens since as long as she can remember. She got her 1st kitten at the age of 2 as a birthday gift from her dad and since then she hasnt parted from cats and kittens. Besides having a family of a husband, 2 kids and 4 kittens, her love for them has pursued her to become a vet. Get Kitten Pictures from http://www.cutelittlekittens.com

More articles at Articles Host

Do you have pets that go visiting with you? There are many people that have pets that they take every where they go. I sit and wonder if it is really fair to the pet or the people that you go visit. I have gone on trips with my pet and found that it was hard to find a motel that would accept him without a deposit on the room, just incase he had an accident. Then when you stop to eat, he had to stay in the car, you can’t take a pet in a restaurant unless it was a seeing eye dog. So here he is in the car, either in the heat or cold, depending the time of the year. The same goes with shopping, your pet has to stay in the car again, unless it is a seeing eye dog.

What about the people that you are visiting. Do they really want you to visit with your pet? Have you ask them if you could bring him or just assume it is okay.

There are a lot of people out there that consider their pet one of the family. I can understand that but others don’t. I have heard people complain about someone visiting with their dog. These people consider their dog a part of the family but don’t think about person they are visiting.

One person complained about relatives visiting with their dog. This person had a dog and cat that had the run of the house, but when relatives came with their dog, not only did the relatives dog have the run of their house but they had to lock their own dog in the laundry room and their cat in their bedroom while the relative’s dog was there. That was the only way the animals would get along, otherwise there was a lot of fights between the three of them. And if they decided to spend a few days, their pets would be locked up the whole time. Is this fair to them? No, you don’t want to upset the apple cart and upset your relatives.

I am against people coming to visit me with their pet. I love animals, but I won’t lock my pets away so someone else can bring their pet to take over my house. And if I didn’t have pets of my own, I wouldn’t want to have to put up with someone else’s pet. I believe that pets are pets and should be treated as that. If you can’t or don’t want to put your pet in a kennel or have someone come to your house to take care of it, then either don’t go visiting or take a animal carrier and keep your pet in it. Don’t expect everyone to accept your pet as you do.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

Designer dogs are the up and coming rage among Hollywood and dog lovers alike. Dogs like the puggle (pug beagle), the cockapoo aka cockerpoo or spoodle(cocker-spaniel poodle), the labradoodle (Labrador retriever poodle), the peekapoo (pekingnese poodle) and the Schnoodle (Schnauzer Poodle) are growing ever more popular today than ever before. Why are these mutts so big right now?

1.Cute Names Designer dogs have cute names that people love and make the appearance of a new breed of dog that very few have heard of. For example: the puggle.

2.Great for those with allergies Unlike some purebred dogs, designer dogs are often bred to reduce the amount of allergens they produce by not having an undercoat.

3.Sheds less Some designer dogs are bred to shed less than other dogs.

4.Genetic advantage – Believed to be less prone to inbreeding, the designer dog is thought to have better temperaments and also thought to be smarter and more trainable than their purebred counter parts.

Controversy surrounding these dogs have made purebred dog owners enraged. Its bad for there business and the qualities listed above only hold true in specific cases. The designer dog fad has also had its fallbacks.

1.Bad breeding bad breeding leads to unwanted dogs. Many people want to produce a designer dog without doing back-ground checks and without the skills needed to do so.

2.Bad owners Some believe that just because they bought a designer dog means that they dont need to train, care for or love their pet as much. This couldnt be further from the truth. Designer dogs need just as much care and attention as all other dogs do, if not more.

3.More expensive the price for these dogs have sky-rocketed sometimes hit the $1,000 mark. Sometimes its better just to go to the humane society or animal shelter and find a perfectly fine dog. The shots and care for these dogs can make their prices higher as well.

Dont get me wrong, these are wonderful pets. However, they need wonderful owners as well. Love and care and proper healthcare and grooming are essential for a happy life-long companion. If you would like to keep your costs and concerns down when purchasing a designer dog I suggest that you check its breeding history and do temperament tests as well as get them screened for certain common genetic disorders such as hip-dysplasia and retinal atrophy. Proper preparation and responsible habits lead to a great dog.

Gage Killian – pet enthusiast, web publisher
http://www.cockapoodog.info
http://www.puggleluv.com
http://www.caninefacts.com

More articles at Articles Host

Zoonoses is the term applied to a grouping of diseases that are transferable from canine/feline to human. Basically, these diseases fall into three groupings based on their means of transmission. This also groups these, ideally, in the means of treatment and control. The three groupings of diseases are as follows -diseases spread through :1) urine or feces, 2) hair and skin contact, or 3) bites and scratches.

Zoonoses – Spread through Urine or Feces

Hookworms

Hookworms enter the German Shepherd’s body in the area that directly comes in contact with the feces-contanimated soil. Seen more commonly in the South, these parasites are unsuited to ideally live in human beings. Traditionally they die after crawling several inches underneath the surface layer of the skin. Inflammation usually occurs as a result of these parasites in humans and causes a condition called creeping eruption which may last several weeks or months depending on its severity.

Leptospirosis

German Shepherd’s may come in contact with this disease through swimming, drinking, licking their fur, or by eating food contaminated with animal urine. Many animals may carry this, though rats are most often the culprit.

This zoonoses symptom in humans include flu-like including chills, body aches, vomiting, fever and headache. Sometimes kidney damage may occur or the membranes covering the spinal cord or brain may become inflamed. This disease is not usually fatal though it does make its host miserable for weeks at a time.

Roundworms

If these parasites are swallowed by humans they migrate into the body tissues and may cause damage, including symptoms of fever and liver enlargement which can last up to a year in length including symptoms of fever and liver enlargement which can last up to a year in length.

These parasites are most commonly found in small children (2-4 yrs. of age) who mistakenly swallow the eggs and become infected. Children playing in an area in which an animal has defecated in the past, who do not wash their hands after coming in contact with the eggs and inadvertently sticks their hands into their mouth are the most common receptors of roundworm. Only rarely fatal, the disease is traditionally mild though it may be long lasting.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can easily be ingested by any German Shepherd who swallows a flea carrying the infected form when biting at or chewing their coat. Children may get it virtually the same way- minus the coat chewing.

Tapeworm infestation in humans this way is actually quite rare when compared to infestation from eating undercooked pork or beef.

Toxoplasmosis

Rarely this may cause death in humans since most people develop a resistance to it during normal exposure. It can cause many types of birth deformities in children born to mothers who have been infected for the first time without having developed an immunity before becoming pregnant. Most commonly this is picked up through contact with infected cat feces or in contact with contaminated soil.

Zoonoses – Prevention of Waste Transmitted Diseases

There are a few basic precautions everyone should take to prevent transmission of any of the above mentioned diseases – zoonoses. First, clean up all pet droppings and wash your hands each time you any come in contact with contaminated soil. It is extremely important to teach children these steps. Also, if your German Shepherd has gone wading or swimming in any water which may have become contaminated with animal urine, bathe it at once when you return home.

Zoonoses – Spread through Skin/Hair Contact

Fleas

Fleas prefer feeding on your German Shepherd though they will not turn up the chance of of making an occasional meal on humans as well.

Ringworm

Most commonly found in children (though anyone may be infected), this disease is caused by a skin/hair eating fungus which first appears on people as a round, red, scaly area. It grows outward in a circular formation and is the most common fungal disease currently reported.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Tick borne, this disease or Zoonose can cause symptoms such as fever, chills and headache though it is not usually fatal. Symptoms may last many weeks and it can be treated with antibiotics.

Most commonly this disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Also, you may become infected while pulling a tick off your German Shepherd. It is best to wear gloves when removing ticks.

Scabies

The less commonly found version of mange (as opposed to the demodetic version), this may still cause intense itching, irritation and thickening of the skin. Animal mange may live in human skin though it cannot reproduce there. Humans have their own version of the scabies mite.

Zoonoses – Prevention of Skin/Hair Contact Diseases

Overall, proper nutritional care and health of your German Shepherd is the best defense against the chance of your dog harboring any of these diseases.

Frequent grooming and herbal repellents are good choices in combating most of these diseases or Zoonoses before they become major. Stress, roaming and contact with other dogs are the three most common points of transmission among the previous diseases.

Wash your hands after dog contact and minimize contact with any infected pet until the problem is cured.

Zoonoses – Diseases Caused by Bites and Scratches

Cat Scratch Fever

Some people will develop a fever, enlarged lymph nodes and malaise near the area of a bite or scratch from a cat a few weeks after the occurrence. Though not fatal it can be very uncomfortable and can be followed by complications. Infected cat bites may become infected with an entirely different bacteria though the symptoms are similar.

Probably best, is to thoroughly wash an area bitten or scratched by a cat and to clean it liberally on a frequent basis to prevent, hopefully, infection.

Rabies

Virtually 100% fatal once the clinical symptoms appear, this disease is carried by a virus transmitted through the saliva of an infected biting animal. Symptoms include frothing at the mouth, extreme behavioral/personality changes and convulsions which usually ends in the aggressive, staggering and bleary- eyed condition.

If you happen upon an animal showing any of these disease symptoms, get away from it as quickly as possible and call your nearest animal control unit. If by chance you are bitten, try to follow it to where it lives (if it is a stray) so that the proper officials may capture it for testing. If you do kill it, do not injure the head as this will be needed for verification. Also, if you are bitten by an animal exhibiting any of the symptoms above, thoroughly wash out the wound as quickly as possible and contact your personal physician immediately. Overall, your chances of getting rabies are rare though you can never be over cautious.

Zoonoses – Prevention of Bite and Scratch Transmitted Diseases

Best advice, keep your German Shepherd in tip-top physical condition through exercise and proper nutrition to reduce its chances of picking up any diseases or parasites from less healthy animals. Also, try to minimize your pets contact with wild animals or sick pets.

The author, a lifelong dog lover and German Shepherd owner, has been a German Shepherd breeder for over to 15 years. For more information and articles covering other German Shepherd related topics, feel free to visit: total-german-shepherd.com

Interested in other purebred dog breeds? Visit: pedigreedpups.com

More articles at Article Database

Dogs have inherent wild characteristics, often being aggressive and barking unnecessarily. Some dog owners are frustrated with the situation and frequently smack their dog or banish it to the backyard. However, treating pets in such a way conjures an image of terror in their minds, and they start fearing their owner. All this can be avoided in the first place through proper dog training.

Dog training refers to training your dog to be obedient, adhering to all your commands in a jovial manner. A dog is a mans faithful companion that saying can only be true with proper dog training.

Dog training can be accomplished at your residence, in dog training classes, or with the aid of a private trainer. Its a slow and steady process and expecting instant results is akin to being unrealistic. Dog training requires a collar, leash, an awful lot of patience, and a tender attitude towards your dog. Training needs to be a fun-filled, exhilarating experience for your dog. You should mingle training exercises with intermittent treats and praises when your dog behaves in the desired way. This way you could easily train your dog for the common commands, such as sit, stay and come.

A crucial aspect of dog training is to instill good eating habits. Fix up a few time slots in the day when you would feed your dog. This way it wont have to beg at the dining table or meander around for leftovers. Your dog should be trained not to pull the leash while on a casual stroll. A simple yank of the leash followed by a proper voice command is enough to accomplish the same. The dog should also be trained to stand still, since this allows an easy examination by a veterinarian and a trouble-free grooming session with a dog groomer.

You might face a few problems while training your dog. The ease of dog training depends largely on the nature of the dog, which varies from one of docility to one of obstinacy. While some dogs respond to tenderness and coaxing, others may not even heed to a firm command. Some are quick learners while others grasp things quite slowly. If you are faced with a hapless situation training your dog, you may consult a professional dog trainer. However, it is recommended that you carry out a preliminary research prior to choosing a particular trainer for your dog.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you dog training supplies. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center – Dog Article Directory – Submit Your Articles Now

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.

More articles at www.articles-host.com