A few tips to make training more successful
- Be patient: All dogs learn at different speeds and often don't grasp
concepts as quickly as we think they should.
- Plan ahead: If your dog isn't getting what is being asked of him the steps
need to be broken down into smaller steps.
- Be realistic: don't expect your dog to perform a behaviour in a different
environment to one you haven't thought him in.
- Be kind: Use positive methods to teach your dog what's expected of her.
- Reward Effectively: A pat on the head is nice but not necessarily what
she wants, treats and toys are more effective.
- Practice often: Teach your dog in short frequent sessions.
- Nothing is Free: Make sure you give your dog a job, Make her sit for her
Breakfast/Dinner.
How To Be A Good Dog Owner
Before making the decision about buying a new dog, here are some points you
should consider :-
1. Is someone at home for most of the day ?
A dog, especially a puppy, should not be left on its own for more than a few hours
at a time. If you are out at work from 9-5 don't get a dog unless you can make
satisfactory arrangements with a friend to let the dog out.
2. What about holidays ?
It is sad to say that more dogs are destroyed at holiday time than any other.
Unless you have a helpful family to look after your dog, be prepared for the expense
of boarding kennels. Because of the increase in running costs, reputable kennels
now have to make a higher charge - don't forget to book well ahead. One thing
that's often forgotten about or at least left till the last minutes are your pets,
planning their vacation should be equally important. If you have decided on kennels
rather than a pet sitter, ask questions, how often will your dog be exercised?
Will your cat have separate sleep/play area? Your pet may have a sensitive digestive
system, if this is the case it would be wise to bring the food they are most used
to as changing it quickly could make your pet ill. It is particularly important
that your pets are current on all vaccinations due; most kennels will require
proof of this at time of booking as there will be pets coming from varied homes
and possible mixing during walks. Parvovirus is an air born killer and can stay
around for quite a time after the infection is cleared. Make sure to check and
treat your dogs/cats for fleas. If you decide on a pet sitter or neighbour rather
than kennels, require that they check on cats twice daily, and if using cat/kitty
litter that it is scooped regularly. Cats are extremely clean animals and will
not use a dirty tray. Dogs need more frequent attention and exercise. If a dog
knocks his/her water bowl over a few minutes after the sitter leaves, they will
be left thirsty for quite some time. In hot weather it is imperative that dogs
have access to fresh water.
3. Are you prepared for the cost of keeping a dog ?
This includes not only the cost of food, and kennels at holiday time, but also
the cost of vaccinations and also possible veterinary fees in case of illness.
A dog, like a child, can fall ill quite suddenly and unexpectedly, so be prepared
for any eventuality. Take out pet insurance for peace of mind.
4. Exercise
To keep healthy and happy, dogs need daily exercise, and this means a good run
in a field or park, or a game with a ball, not just a stroll round to the shops
on a leash. If you love your dog, be prepared to sacrifice some of your leisure
time each day, whatever the weather. If you can't provide this kind of exercise
to a dog, consider giving a home to an older dog. Your local dogs home may have
just the right one for you.
5. Family circumstances
Dogs and children usually love each other and get on well, but don't make the
mistake of buying a young puppy for a small child. Young children can be very
cruel and a puppy may be badly thrown about. Worse still a young pup's bones may
easily broken if a child treats it like a toy. Wait until the children are older
and a little more responsible.
6. Grooming.
If you don't have much time to spare, choose a dog with a smooth or wire coat
which needs little attention to keep it tidy. Long and curly coated dogs look
beautiful, but they need daily grooming to keep them this way. Poodles need regular
trimming, as well as grooming, so unless you are able to do this yourself be prepared
for extra expense.
Author John Moore, http://www.pet-dog-cat.com
Barking dogs
The Athlone Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has received quite
a few calls with reference to barking dogs. Barking is a natural response for
many dogs and canines bark for various reasons. They have a hereditary tendency
to bark as an alarm when other dogs or people come close to their territory. This
makes many dogs valuable as household watchdogs. Sometimes dogs bark back at other
dogs or join in with barking dogs.
The most common reason for barking is when the owner unintentionally rewards
their dog for the unwanted behaviour. Your dog starts barking and when the noise
becomes frequent and loud you allow the dog into the house thus rewarding the
dog for barking. If the dog is never permitted into the house again when barking
this behaviour should eventually disappear. Some owners teach there dog to bark
after being told to "speak", then they reward their animal with food
and praise, this occasionally spirals out control and you can be left with a dog
that constantly yaps, seeking attention. In this case the Speak command should
be repeated but never again rewarded.
Other reasons for barking are harder to eradicate, such as territorial barking
and in this instance it may be worthwhile to forget about trying to recondition
the dog and change the circumstances that lead the dog to bark in the first place.
A dog that persistently barks in the back yard while the owners are out may not
bark if left inside the house. Barking dogs are, and always will be a problem
for dog and non-dog owners, it is a natural response in dogs but with effort and
training this annoying behaviour can be abolished.
