Why use a crate:

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

Plastic or metal?

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

What size?

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

Accessories:

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

For more information:

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

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

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You know what it’s like. You see a cute curly haired puppy in the pet store, with big brown eyes begging for your attention. Next thing you know, you’re walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket buying dinner for your new puppy. It’s not hard to get sucked in by a puppy. However, sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Adopting a dog is a big decision. Dogs require lots of time, money, and commitment, as they can live from 9 to 15 years, depending on the breed. Owning a dog can be very rewarding, but you must think it through before adopting one.

Things to consider when looking at puppies for adoption

Adopting a dog or puppy from an animal shelter shows that you’re a responsible and caring person. But first take a moment to think over these important questions:

Why do you want a dog?

… not many people ask themselves this question. Don’t forget that your new dog may be with you for up to 15 years.

Do you have time for a dog?

… you can’t ignore your dog just because you’re tired or busy. You have to provide food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. You can’t just take a day off if you feel like it. A lot of the dogs in the shelter or rescue are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.

Can you afford a dog?

… the costs of dog ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food,and other expenses add up quickly.

Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a dog can cause? … flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, and unexpected medical emergencies are all unfortunate aspects of dog ownership.

Can you have a pet where you live?

… if you rent you may not be allowed to have a puppy or a dog. Find out before you consider looking at puppy’s for adoption.

Do you have young children?

… if you have kids under six years old, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a dog. Dog ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible.

How much room do you have at home?

… the size of the dog is not the only thing to think about here. Some small dogs, such as terriers are very active, and require a great deal of exercise to slow them down, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, quite a few big dogs are laid back and just couch potatoes. Before you adopt a dog, do your research. That way, you can be sure you choose a dog who will fit into your particular lifestyle and your living arrangements.

What will you do when you go on vacation?

… you’ll either have to rely on your friends and neighbors or have the money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.

Are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? … when you adopt a puppy dog, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Well, that was a long list of questions, however if you take a look through an animal shelter, they will help you understand why you need to answer each of them honestly.

Most of the dog shelter’s and dog rescue’s homeless animals are puppies and dogs that are the result of irresponsible breedings, or owners who simply could not manage their pet.

Please, please, don’t make the same mistake! Think it through before you consider puppies for adoption. Sharing your life with a dog can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love, for the life of the dog.

Russell Savige has been breeding and rearing dogs for 18 years. He is the owner of Training Dog Breeds, a website dedicated to the breeding, training and rearing of dogs and puppies. Training dog breeds includes a massive Directory of over 16,750 dog related websites.

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Many people view a kennel or crate from a human perspective – a cage, or prison. Yet, if it is properly introduced, a dog crate provides a sense of security for your pet; a place of her own. At the same time, a dog that is comfortable in a crate is easier to housebreak and travels well.

It is important to get the right size crate for your dog while she is a puppy. It is best to get a crate that will fit her as an adult – she’ll quickly grow into it! Ideally, the crate should be large enough to allow an adult dog to stand up and turn around, with about four inches of extra space in length. Its important that you find out how large your puppy could grow to – there are plenty of books or websites that can give you this information.

Very young puppies should not be crated for any length of time as they will not be house trained and will soil the crate. If your puppy messes in his crate do not punish him. Simply wash out the crate using a pet odor neutralizer. The odor of ammonia-based products resembles urine and your dog will attempt to urinate in the same spot again.You will need to teach your dog that the crate is hers. Some dogs take longer than others to catch on to their special place. This is not an indication that the dog doesn’t like the crate, just a result of unique personalities each dog has. Training your dog to use the crate requires a number of small steps, as well as patience. The kennel should always be associated with pleasant moments. If you force your dog into the crate or get angry at her, she will see the crate as a bad thing. Spend time with your dog while she is inside so that your dog does not associate being in the crate with being left alone or abandoned.

To introduce the crate to your dog, sit beside it with treats in your hand and call her to you. When she comes to you, give her a treat and lots of verbal praise in a happy voice. Place a treat at the entrance of the crate, and after she takes it, toss one into the crate. Each time you place a treat inside, give a unique command so she begins to associate the behavior with the command. This will help your dog to associate positively with the crate.

End the session before the dog loses interest. Once your dog enters the crate easily, begin using a ball or toy – if you keep using food your dog may develop behavior problems.

Crates and kennels are comforting for dogs and excellent tools for housebreaking, but they should be used carefully. Puppies will need to be taken out of the kennel during the night to relieve themselves. Never leave any dog confined to a crate for more than 6 hours – they will become bored and can develop behavior problems as a result.

Never use the crate as a punishment, as you will be unable to use it when you need to – your puppy should be happy to go into the crate at any time.

Making use of these simple tips and suggestions will make your life, and the life of your puppy, much easier in the future.

Best Pet Health Information is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keep your dog happy and healthy. Dog News Center publishes news and articles about dogs and puppies.

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.

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1. What is heat?

Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs may get pregnant. Its equivalent to human menstruation.

2. What are the symptoms?

Females bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Dont expect bleeding comparable to a human female.

For small dogs, its usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Other than the bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be male dogs hanging around your house.

3. When does a dog come into heat?

The average female dog has her first cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months.

If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If shes 14-months old and still hasn’tt been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian.

4. How long does the heat cycle last?

The average is three weeks or 21-days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks.

5. How often will she be in heat?

Most female dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. Its quite typical to be in heat twice a year.

6. When can she get pregnant?

She can get pregnant only when in heat. Some breeders test for progesterone levels to identify the most fertile days but the rule-of-thumb is that the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle.

Note when shes in heat, the average dog will permit any male dog to mount her. Few females, however, will accept a male when theyre not in heat.

7. Can she get pregnant her first cycle?

Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you need to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not show up until a dog is approximately 2-years of age.

8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle?

Yes with care. She has no problem with the exercise but shes a walking magnet for male dogs.

Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones. You cant trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby.

For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, its a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for the walk there and drive back home. Otherwise, the scent of her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail to your home.

9. When I can have her spayed?

The answer to that one has changed continually over the 25-years Ive been in the dog business. People used to be told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter.

Today, veterinarians are doing it much earlier. Some vets spay as early as 6-weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog and the vets preferences. The state of veterinary medicine also is much improved over the past 25-years.

10. If I dont have her spayed, will she go through menopause.

No. Her fertility may decline but she will not go through menopause comparable to a humans. She wont lose her ability to become pregnant even as a senior so if you dont want to her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and the creator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com, your online resource for Toy breed dogs.

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The reported sales for Yorkshire Terriers is phenomenal. Over the past few years, the popularity of this breed as a family pet and as the dog to breed has seen tremendous growth. In fact, the requests for adorable Yorkie puppies is greater than the supply. This fact has many Yorkie owners wondering if they should look into the possibility of breeding their pet.

While breeding Yorkshire Terriers is a worthy goal, it is not for everybody or every dog. There are many things that should be considered before making the decision to breed your Yorkshire Terrier, the least of which regards whether or not you have the time and space to devote to breeding the energetic Yorkshire Terrier.

Many experts reserve the right to breed dogs to the professional breeder, and they will discourage anyone who has a idea to breed Yorkies from doing so. Though this may sound manipulative, there are good reasons why they discourage casual breeding. While I believe that there are many people who should not even consider breeding their Yorkie, I also feel that there are many intelligent people that can incorporate breeding into their lifestyle responsibly. To find out which category you fall into, consider the following points.

Pedigreed and registered doesn’t equal breeding material

Yes, a pedigree and registration are requirements before breeding any purebred dog, but their presence does not mean that you have a Yorkie worthy of breeding. Let me explain. The AKC and other registry organizations certify pedigrees and registrations that guarantee the authenticity of your pet as a purebred Yorkie; they do not certify quality. What this means is that an AKC registered Yorkie can have certain traits that are undesirable for breeding such as congenital health defects which are not discernable to the eye and undesirable behavioral traits, which can become more pronounced in the dog’s offspring.

Even breeders that possess dogs with Yorkie bloodlines of the highest quality do not breed all of their puppies. In fact, only a very select few ever get used for breeding. The ones that do are carefully evaluated for health quality, behavioral traits and breed standards in an attempt to continually improve the quality of the Yorkie breed. Randomly breeding registered Yorkies does the exact opposite, often resulting in sickly and below-standard puppies.

Breeding Yorkies is not an income opportunity

Breeding Yorkies for monetary gain is not a good reason to pursue breeding this exceptional breed. First, finding a bitch and sire of high enough quality to breed can be an expensive undertaking. Caring for your breeders and puppies until they are old enough to be sold can also be very expensive.

Think about it this way. The average Yorkshire Terrier litter is from one to four puppies. Now, you may be able to sell these puppies for $1,000 to $1,500, but Yorkies require veterinary attention and breeder care for the first three months of their life. Add on to this the cost of a possible Cesarean section and the fact that you cannot whelp more than one litter per dam per year, and you may find yourself in the hole rather than coming out ahead.

Time and dedication

It is estimated that the average breeder spends 120 hours per month caring for their Yorkies and pups. This 120 hours cannot be scheduled around other obligations; other obligations must be scheduled around your puppies. The small size of Yorkie puppies make them extremely susceptible to hypoglycemia and instant death during the first three months of life if they are not cared for properly. So, having a litter of Yorkies pretty much takes a considerable chunk of time and independence from your life.

And it doesn’t end when they are three months old. A good breeder will carefully screen and interview all potential buyers to ensure that their puppies get placed in only the best homes. They will also offer support to the puppy’s new family to make sure that they are properly prepared to care for the Yorkie, and they will stay available to help out any purchasers in need, even if it means accepting the puppy or full-grown Yorkie back into their home if problems arise.

If you are still not deterred after considering all of these breeding realities, you may just have what it takes to successfully breed Yorkshire Terriers. The next step is to find out all you can about Yorkies and how to breed them. The AKC is a great place to start. Good luck!

By Rose Lenk
Learn the 7 things you need to know about Yorkshire Terriers at
http://www.goodyorkie.com

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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.

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The purpose of a tracking dog is to follow the scent of a person or thing and locate it in a timely manner. If you would like to train, your dog in tracking techniques be prepared for a long journey but one filled with many great rewards. Whether you want your dog to learn tracking for recreational (hunting) purposes or as a working dog (search and rescue), the training process will tune you into the subtle signals that your dog will give to you when they have located the target.

The overall purpose of testing the dogs is to see if they are able to first recognize a human scent and then follow the scent and locate the target. The test will also show if the dog enjoys doing this type of activity and is eager to track. The majority of dog owners enjoy the sport of tracking because it allows them to spend time with their dog and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors at the same time, to say nothing of getting fresh air and exercise. There is not a specific dog that is better than another in tracking is because they all have an amazing sense of smell. Some dogs, however, are more trainable than other dogs. The only prerequisite is that the dog be in good health.

If you want to train your dog for tracking by yourself, you will first need a healthy dog. The equipment that you will need includes a tracking harness, a long lead (at least 25-feet), a few articles, some treats for rewards for the dog, and several flags to mark starts and turns of the tracking route. You want to begin in some open fields or grassy areas. You will need only a couple of acres in the beginning. As you advance in the training process, you should consider going to where you have at least twenty acres or more. Just as it is important that your dog is healthy, you will also need to be in good physical condition. You will be doing a great deal of walking in uneven terrain. Of course, this is a great way to get exercise and fresh air.

For a dog to track they use tremendous mental concentration and this added stress may keep the dog from getting as much endurance training as he needs. While you are training for tracking, you also want to include going for walks right after each tracking training session. The reasons for this are to reward the dog for working during the very intensive workout. The dog loves to run and will find this very rewarding for his efforts. If you are able to let him run freely with other dogs this is even more motivating. Another benefit to talking the dog for a walk or letting them run is to relieve any stress the dog may have after an intensive session. The most important reason is that it continues to build endurance in your dog.

While you have the pattern down for your tracking training sessions, how long should your endurance training sessions be. They may not be as long as the tracking sessions. Most tracking sessions (once the basics are learned) is once per week and that is for the high-spirited dogs. You may want to schedule your endurance training sessions at least three times per week and not on the same days as the tracking training sessions. It is important not to overwork your dog. Once your dog loses the enthusiasm for tracking and does not consider it fun anymore you may never get them back to the sport.

Zahid N. Sindhu is a dog enthusiast who, after noticing the lack of an online resource for dog lovers in Pakistan, decided to launch http://www.DogsPK.com The site features a comprehensive list of breeds, breeders, veterinarians and online classifieds. The site also has a forum where people meet to discuss their canine friends.

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Yorkshire Terriers, Yorkies for short, are a joy to have around and make great and well-loved family pets for many homes. For these reasons, the popularity of the breed has seen phenomenal growth over the past few years. Currently, the Yorkshire Terrier is the breed to have and buy for many families looking for the perfect canine companion. But before you get caught up in the rush to buy one of these adorable puppies, there are a few things to consider to ensure that you buy the best puppy that you can possibly find.

Generally, the Yorkshire Terrier is a lively and hardy breed, but just as with all purebreds, they can be prone to developing certain health and behavioral conditions which can make them hard to deal with and expensive to care for. By doing a little research and taking a few precautionary assessments before deciding which puppy to buy, you can greatly reduce your chances of purchasing a puppy that will cause you a lot of heartache down the road.

The most important thing to consider when buying a puppy is the breeder. Before even looking at puppies you should have a good knowledge of the breeder and several referrals indicating that he or she is a top of the line breeder with the best interests of the Yorkie breed at heart. If you have any qualms about a breeder, do not buy a puppy from him or her, regardless of how cute or healthy a puppy appears to be.

Here’s why: A good breeder is conscious of the inherent characteristics that are common in the Yorkshire Terrier breed. A competent breeder will not breed all of their dogs just because they are registered and pedigreed; they will select only the best Yorkies for breeding to minimize undesirable traits, both health related and behavioral related, and to maximize desirable traits. Certain congenital birth defects are also a result of careless breeding. So, choosing a competent breeder increases your chances of having a healthy and happy Yorkie.

A good breeder also invests in the proper care for all of their new puppies. Yorkie puppies are extremely fragile when born and do not really become self sufficient or able to be separated from their dam until they are 3 months of age or older. Before this time they are very susceptible to health conditions such as hypoglycemia and allergies to vaccinations. For these reasons, it is important to never buy a Yorkshire Terrier puppy younger than this age or before it has had at least two of the three required rounds of vaccinations. Any breeder who wants to bypass the waiting period and sell their puppies earlier than 3 months does not have the health of the puppy in mind and would likely not be the best breeder to deal with.

Another must have when dealing with a breeder is a sales contract and a guarantee. If a breeder is not prepared to guarantee their puppies’ health in writing, then you may end up with an expensive puppy that only lives a few short months. A good guarantee will replace your puppy or refund your money for any congenital defects found within the first year.

Also have a thorough knowledge of the AKC standard for the Yorkshire Terrier breed before going to look at puppies. By following the AKC standard, you will have a good idea what to look for in certain puppies. Considering that most reputable breeders only have a limited number of puppies available, and then they are available only occasionally, it may take a lot of puppy shopping before you actually find a puppy that meets all of the standards. If you are planning to show or breed your dog, your wait may be even longer. So, be prepared to not find your Yorkie on the first go round, actually expect it. Then you won’t be disappointed.

Do not be fooled by breeders trying to push miniature Yorkies. There is no such thing as a miniature Yorkie, just Yorkies that are smaller than others. In most cases, very small Yorkie puppies passed off as miniature are actually the runt of the litter and prone to health problems such as thyroid disease.

Remember to keep all of these pointers in mind when looking for your new Yorkie. By doing so, you will ensure that your new puppy is a happy and healthy addition to your family.

By Rose Lenk
For more yorkie information and articles visit Pro Yorkie

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Every child when they get their first dog wants to teach them tricks. Parents delight as they watch their child trying to teach their dog how to sit, jump, and fetch. What is even more delightful is the look on your childs face the first time the dog does what they say! This article is going to look at several tricks you can teach your dog whether they are a puppy or an older dog. You will find that your dog can be very helpful as well as fun.

When teaching your dog tricks you should use positive reinforcement when they perform the right behavior such as teaching them how to turn the light off/on, shake hands, or roll over. Tricks are not only fun but also they can improve agility in your dog such as teaching them to jump through a hoop, balancing a biscuit and catching it. Dogs love to learn tricks. They keep your dog alert and energetic and give you and your dog a chance to have fun as well as get some things done around the house. You can train your dog to bring you the remote control, find your keys, or bring you the dirty clothes. If your hands are full you can train them to open the door (this can be any door or drawer) for you on command (you do not want your dog to go wandering around outside alone). If you are thirsty, you can combine a trick of opening a door and bringing an item to train your dog to go to the refrigerator and bring you a soda!

Before you teach tricks to your dog, it is important that they have the basics down such as, sit, stay, heel. Once your dog has mastered these you can delight and entertain friends by having your dog take a bow, or sit up pretty. Remember when you are training your dog always to use positive reinforcement and lots of praise and hugs. Do not forget the special treats that they love the most! When teaching your dog new tricks do so in short intervals. You do not want to your dog to become bored and uninterested. A little bit throughout the day is good. They will learn the trick and to your delight will perform it without being asked (for the treat and loves of course).

If your dog loves to carry things in their mouth, you can very easily train them to carry a basket. When you are expecting company over you can put something special in a basket and give your dog a command to carry the basket to your friends! Make sure the basket is weight appropriate. Young children love to move around, as do dogs, so put on some music, and teach your dog how to dance and crawl. Their will be giggles and laughter throughout your house. You can amaze your friends and family by having your dog touch anything you want with their nose as well. Dancing is a great trick to teach dogs that love to jump on everything and everyone!

Teaching your dog basic commands is important because a well-behaved dog is a safe and happy dog. When you teach them new tricks you use primarily the same methods you do when teaching them basic commands. Make the command words simple one or two words at the most and make it fun with lots of praise and special treats. Make sure the treats are small you do not want to over feed your dog. A treat does not need to be an entire dog cookie. Break it into very small pieces and reward him with these smaller treats.

Zahid N. Sindhu is a dog enthusiast who, after noticing the lack of an online resource for dog lovers in Pakistan, decided to launch http://www.DogsPK.com The site features a comprehensive list of breeds, breeders, veterinarians and online classifieds. The site also has a forum where people meet to discuss their canine friends.

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There are many reasons that you should consider obedience training. One of the most important is that you do not want your beloved pet to control you. When your dog is trained, he will be much happier for the sheer fact you will have to place fewer restrictions on them because they know the rules. The more your dog is dependable, the more freedom you can give to them. It is nice to have a well-behaved dog in your home when you have company over. When they are trained, they will not go and jump all over your guests. You can tell them to go to their spot and they will.

When you take the time and effort to train your dog you strengthen the relationship between both of you. You build communication, understanding, and mutual respect. Training your dog subtly but efficiently establishes to your dog that you are the leader and they are not. It is extremely vital that your dog sees you as the Alpha dog. When you decide to begin obedience training, you may also be saving your dogs life. Obedience training provides the dog owner with the voice control necessary to prevent potential tragedies.

If your dog were to suddenly find something of great interest and there were oncoming traffic, you would be able effectively to lead him across the street safely without the worry that he may have been hit by a vehicle. If your dog, on the other hand, did not heed your commands tragedy may have occurred. There are many potential situations where you can keep your dog safe with effective obedience training.

Here are a few tips to obedience training:

• It is best to begin early when they are puppies. Although simply because your do is older does not mean they cannot be trained. The only obstacle you face is that they have their habits longer and it may take more effort and time to achieve the results you are looking for. However, the training is well worth any effort you put in to it.
• When training your dog use positive humane methods. Keep the sessions upbeat so that the training is enjoyable for both you and your dog. Your dog can sense your emotions and if you are becoming frustrated and agitated, they will respond to your emotions instead of your training methods.
• How your dog responds to you while you are in the home is a good indication of how he will respond to you while you are outside. The distractions within a home are minimal, once he gets outside you stand no chance of keeping his attention.
• When you give your dog commands, make sure that you can enforce them. If you cannot they will learn quickly that when you give a command it is optional rather than expected.
• When you are giving your dog a command, it should be only one command with one response (a gentle enforcement, if necessary). If you tell your dog to stay and repeat it several times, your dog will tune you out. The most effective method is to tell your dog to stay, for example, and then gently lure them into sitting position, and then praise them. This sequence should be repeated to achieve the desired results.
• When training your dog stay away from combined commands such as sit-down. They do not understand this. Say either sit or down. Using both words will only confuse them and they will not do either one. Keep your commands simple to achieve maximum results.
• When giving your dog commands it is not necessary to use a loud voice or to yell at them. Using a calm voice with authority is enough.

Remember, your dog will understand you when you give clear, simple commands and reward with praise and treats.

Zahid N. Sindhu is a dog enthusiast who, after noticing the lack of an online resource for dog lovers in Pakistan, decided to launch http://www.DogsPK.com The site features a comprehensive list of breeds, breeders, veterinarians and online classifieds. The site also has a forum where people meet to discuss their canine friends.

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