Article Title: Potty Training A Puppy Without Going Crazy
Author: Gray Rollins
Getting a puppy is a wonderful decision for just about
everyone. However getting a puppy also means that you will soon
be taking on the task of having to potty train it. While potty
training a puppy can seem like a rather rotten chore to take
on. It really does not have to be as difficult as it often
seems.
One of the most popular methods of house breaking a puppy is
the crate training method. Like most all animals dogs will most
like avoid soiling their homes or "dens". By giving them a dog
crate to stay in when it is not possible to supervise them you
are creating an artificial den for them. As this particular
instinct is very strong in most all dogs, crate training is a
hugely successful method to utilize when you are going to be
potty training your puppy. Keep in mind that a puppy needs to
be taken outside several times a day to be able to defecate and
urinate for crate training to be truly effective.
If you catch your puppy trying to eliminate anywhere in your
home you need to make a loud noise that will be enough to get
their attention and make them stop what they are doing. Take
them outside immediately and give them plenty of praise anytime
that they successfully use the bathroom outside.
Generally puppies can control their bowels one hour for how old
they are currently. For example if your puppy is six months old
it should be able to hold its bowel movements for at least six
hours before needing to eliminate. You should take your dog to
the vet immediately if they cannot manage to hold their bowel
movements for proper periods of time. For instance say your dog
has reached one year of age and is only able to control its
bowel movements for about an hour then it's likely that your
dog is having some type of medical problem.
Please remember that potty training your puppy can often be a
long process. Try very hard to become discouraged should your
puppy not take to your potty training methods right away.
Negative training methods such as yelling at your puppy are
rarely an effective manner in which to potty train your puppy.
Positive reinforcements such as plenty of praise and petting
when your puppy is doing well with it's potty training is the
best way to have a successfully house trained puppy.
About The Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
DogTeachers - a site dedicated to helping you train you dog.
For more info on potty training a puppy, visit
http://www.dogteachers.com/pottytraining/ and for basic
commands like stay, visit http://www.dogteachers.com/stay/
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Potty Training A Puppy Without Going Crazy
Dog Training Just How Good Is It?
Article Title: Dog Training Just How Good Is It?
Author: David Peters
Dogs aren't really stubborn. But they often do not clearly know
what is wanted. Make it clear by quickly establishing alpha
(dominant leader) status.
Be willing to exercise the patience and modest, firm forceto
get the desired behavior. This can be particularly challenging
when training a 'dog'.
Dogs naturally want to explore the environment. They sniff
everything, turn things over, dig and snatch small objects.
As with any dog training session, minimize the distractions by
arranging to be as alone and far from other voices as possible.
A backyard with a clear area or a large room with few small
objects on the floor is best.
Take advantage of spontaneous behavior by observing when the
dog is heading toward you and execute a voice-command/
gesture pair that's unique for this behavior.
Try to select a hand-gesture and word that you wouldn't
normally use except during training.
Start by facing the dog, putting it in a sit. Execute the
'stay!' command, then back away a step or two. Issue the
hand-gesture and voice command. Praise lavishly for the correct
behavior, but never reward 'partial' or incorrect ones.
Repeat, stepping further away. If the the dog comes too soon,
put it in a sit/stay and try again. If the dog won't come at
all, encourage with a treat or favorite toy.
For the very slow learners or the, well let's not say stubborn
but just reluctant, leash and collar training can be a useful
supplement.
Put the dog in a sit/stay and back off a few feet reeling out
the slack leash. If the dog refuses to come, give a gentle but
unmistakable tug while executing the voice command and hand
gesture.
For the dog who comes a little to readily, get a long leash or
rope and wrap around a tree or post. As the dog lifts off too
early, give the leash a tug and execute a 'stay' command.
If you do not have a tree handy, try to find a partner to help
with the training. The downside to using a partner is the dog
will more readily become confused about whom to obey. Focus on
a single person is always more efficient.
As with any training, patience and consistency are essential.
Dogs don't spontaneously understand the usefulness of 'come' or
any other human-induced behavior. Speaking harshly when the dog
commits errors or is willful is usually counter-productive.
Establish alpha status by firmness of voice, body posture and
willingness to wait for compliance. Physical restraint or
leading is a less helpful technique.
Most dogs quickly prove themselves eager to please and
responsive to praise following the correct behavior. Just make
sure they're the ones 'coming', not you. If necessary, prove
that you're the stubborn one.
For more great information on Dogs Visit:
http://www.doghealt
About The Author: David Peters is a writer for
http://www.doghealt
find dog links, For more information go
to:www.doghealthrev
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Description & List Of Popular Designer Dog Breeds
Article Title: Description & List Of Popular Designer Dog
Breeds
Author: Kelly Marshall
If you have been following the latest trends and changes in dog
breeding you may have come across the term "designer dogs".
These are, in fact, simply mixed breeds that are crossed to
produce a specific physical appearance, usually easily
identified as a cross between the two breeds. The breeders
attempt to include only the desirable traits of the two parents
while minimizing the chance of physical or health issues between
the cross.
Some of the more common or popular designer dogs are:
*Labradoodle - a cross between a Labrador retriever and a
Standard Poodle. Considered to have the non-shedding and easy
care coat of a poodle combined with the poodle's intelligence
and the wonderful, loving personality of the Lab.
*Porkie - a cross between a Pug and a Yorkie. A small dog that
is heartier than the standard Yorkie with longer hair and the
easygoing temperament of the Pug.
*Cockapoo - a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle.
Often considered an intelligent, low shedding small breed that
is great for families.
*Schnoodle - cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle, again with
an attempt to have an intelligent, non-shedding companion dog.
*Daisy Dog - a three way cross between a poodle and Shih Tzu
parent and a Bichon. These dogs are reported to be very calm
and excellent companion dogs for traveling or living in small
spaces.
*Poogle- cross between a poodle and a beagle. Small sized dog
that energetic and easy to train.
*Puggle - Pug and a beagle. These are very friendly dogs that
love to be involved in all aspects of the family.
Most of the designer dogs have a poodle in the mix simply
because poodles are know to be excellent non-shedding dogs and
also are very intelligent. The three different sizes of poodles
also make them a great breed for mixing with various dog breeds.
It is important to remember that these crosses have occurred in
the past; it is just now that they are being recognized. As with
all breeds of dogs there are good breeding dogs and dogs that
should not be crossed due to health conditions or temperaments.
A designer dog, also called a hybrid, is not recognized by the
Kennel Clubs, although many agencies are trying to develop
registries for these breeds. Be aware that many of these dogs
are more expensive than either one of their purebred parents,
but do not have any standing with breed registries. Many
shelter dogs are mixed breeds that are looking for a loving
home and are available at a fraction of the cost that some
breeders are asking.
Designer dogs may also have a variety of health concerns and
conditions. Do not mistakenly believe that all hybrids are
naturally healthy and immune from genetic conditions, in fact
they may have just as many health concerns as purebred dogs. Be
sure to check the temperament of the parents, and choose a breed
that is one you really want, not just the "trendy" dog of the
day.
About The Author: Kelly Marshall is a featured author at
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall
Dog Training And Why It Is So Important
Article Title: Dog Training And Why It Is So Important
The word 'vital' has its roots in the Latin word for life. That
gives us a clue to why dog training is so important, both for
owner and dog - it enhances the quality of life for each.
Though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they
still have much of the wild in their natures.
They adapt well to home life, but they are still dogs, not
furry small children. Training helps maximize peace and
security for both the dog and the family.
Dogs are by nature hunters and therefore are inclined to chase
things. Young dogs especially are prone to take off after
another animal, a car or a child.
Any of these scenarios can result in harm to your companion, a
person or property. Training a dog early on to listen to voice
commands from everyone in the family lessens the odds of bad
consequences.
Teach your dog to obey 'halt' or 'stop', then 'come' and you'll
be much less likely to have accidents as the dog responds to his
sudden surge of emotion.
At first, it might be necessary to use a leash so that you can
physically jerk the dog sideways at the same time you issue the
command.
Try to avoid jerking backward against the dog's throat. Then,
as they associate the command with the physical action, they
will come to obey by voice alone.
Techniques like that help ensure the security of other animals
and people, but also that of your own dog as well.
Many dogs will race after another who, in fact, can do them
great harm.
Their emotions take control - as when the other dog has entered
his 'territory' - and they don't judge, as we might, whether
they have any chance of chasing the animal away. They simply
react.
But the importance of training your dog goes well beyond the
very basic level of safety and security, or the avoidance of
physical harm and property damage. Dogs are by nature pack
animals.
They recognize a social hierarchy that is established very
early in life. You must be at the top of that hierarchy, for
the sake of your own sanity and that of your dog.
Some dogs will naturally try to take the so-called alpha role.
That has evolutionary advantages when they live in the wild.
But in a domesticated situation you have the greater ability to
forecast consequences. You and your dog will be better adjusted
if you never let even the most assertive dog be your master.
Peace of mind comes from teaching your dog that, no matter how
treasured they are, you are at the top of the heap.
That means they must come when you say so, stay when you
command and do as you wish. Among adult humans, that sort of
behavior is very dictatorial and many are reluctant to assert
themselves that way. When dealing with your dog, it's
essential.
Being the leader of the pack gives the dog a sense of its place
in the group.
It can follow your lead, secure in the knowledge that you will
keep it safe from harm and well-fed. You're acting like the
alpha dog would. Training is the only way to bring that about.
About The Author: http://Doghealthrev
place to find dog links, articles and Resource. For more
information go to:www.doghealthrev
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