Stop Your Dog From Chewing At Once

Title: Stop Your Dog From Chewing At Once
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso

Chewing constitutes a common trouble wherever dogs are
pertained, and it's an issue that you want to address and
control before long. Do not delay in controlling this behavior
in your dog until it is too late, or you will pay a high price
for it. My dog chewed my couch, and I did not recognize that his
chewing had turned into such a big issue until I actually sat on
the couch! As I looked at the region where my dog had chewed, I
was astonished on how much damage he could do, in such a short
amount of time. That was when I decided that dog training was in
order.

Chewing is a normal activity for dogs, and they perform this
act for a number of different reasons. If you can figure out
what these reasons are,you will be halfway there to eradicating
the problem. Dog chewing is natural and absolutely normal for
dogs especially when they are young puppies. You need to realize
that no punishment will suppress the behavior.

The problem with your dog chewing not only, is related to the
damage they can cause to your property, but it could indeed be
dangerous for the dog. For example, dogs will all nibble
household plants, and care should be taken when this happens
since some poinsettias and mistletoe can make your dog ill.

Among the reasons that a dog will chew virtually anything,
particularly if it's a young puppy, is that they're teething.
Yep! Even as a human baby will begin cranky while they are
teething, a young pup responds in a similar way. Chewing aids
with the pain caused by the teething process, and so the dog
will chew and chew on anything that it can find.

An easy way of combating this, is to allow for your dog to chew
certain things. In the particular case of a teething dog, he
will enjoy rawhide. Rawhide is obtained from the skins of
animals, like cows, pigs, goats and even water buffalo.

Your dog will love a cold rawhide chew, straight from the
freezer. It obliterates the pain even as cold soothers or
dentition aids alleviates a baby who's teething. If your dog is
easily distracted, then attempt placing a number of rawhide
chews in the freezer. Take half the amount out on one day and
allow your dog chew freely on them. Place them back in the
freezer and put the others out the following day. If you change
them in this manner, your dog will note that the odor on for
each one is a little different each time, and this will preserve
his or her attention on the chews and not on your furnishings.

Make sure to oversee your dog as he's chewing the rawhide, to
prevent any possible choking.

An additional reason why dogs chew on objects is out of
boredom. As a matter of fact, boredom is frequently the root
reason for a lot of behavioral problems such as chewing things
in the home, destructing furniture, digging out holes, auto--
mutilation or even constant barking. Exercising and keeping your
dog active will preclude this sort of behavior.

Toys are an additional way of training your dog not to chew the
furniture. Play with your dog with their toys frequently, and
they'll before long learn that the toys are fun, and that you
don't get bothered with them when they chew them!

Never, but never, allow a dog chew on one of your old shoes, or
article of clothing. This will be puzzling for the dog, and
they'll assume that all items that smell of `you' will be fine
for them to chew on. This will sooner or later turn into a bad
habit, and it you give your dog your old shoe to chew on he will
not recognize why you're disturb after he amused himself
masticating on your new shoes.

This is what I found it helped me the most, my "secret weapon".
Every time I found my dog masticating on something that she
wasn't supposed to have in her mouth, I would take the object
away from her and quietly substitute it with one of her toys. It
took some time, but finally she came to realize what she was
permitted to chew on and what not.

Keep in mind, that when you're not there, your dog will become
bored, and this is another reason to keep plenty of toys around
for him or her to play with. So, you may trip over a couple, but
think of your furniture!

Some of the times it's a huge struggle to get your dog to stop
chewing in the wrong things, but with perseverance and patience
you'll be able to control, if not completely stop his bad
chewing habits.

About The Author: Increase the happy years of your dog by
checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've
used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's
http://www.cooldoghalloffame.com/dogs/dog-training-my-great-secret-weapon-for-breaking-him-of-chewing/2536
dog training blog right now…

.

__,_._,___

Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy

Witches have black cats. Dogs are "man's best friend."
Hamsters and gerbils are cute as they can be, and some
people even like snakes.

I picked Frankie the cat up from the pound last week and
carried her to her new home. She immediately ran for cover
under the bed and wouldn't come out for 24 hours. When she
began tentatively venturing out she would run back whenever
she got spooked, often just because someone was walking by,
leading to the conclusion she may have been previously
abused. A couple of times now she has let me stroke her and
scratch her head and then I get my reward: the magic motor
of her purring starts and doesn't stop, that is, until she
runs back under the bed again. Thank god she came knowing
how to use the cat box.

I just found out on the Internet that back in the Middle
Ages during the holocaust of women and gays they designated
"witches," they also perpetrated a huge massacre of cats.
The Church was afraid of these "familiars" of the so-called
witches because it was believed that cats had psychic
powers and could help perform spells. There was even a dog
that was tried and hanged as a witch in the Salem witch
trials. When you look deeply into Frankie's mysterious blue
eyes, you can almost believe they were right -- she knows
something we don't.

Pets seem to have been put into our lives for one purpose
and one purpose only: to love and be loved. There's plenty
of well-documented research that being around animals
reduces people's stress levels, lowers blood pressure and
even helps us live longer. Animal assisted therapy has been
used with at-risk teenagers, folks in nursing homes, AIDS
patients, and heart attack victims. I got a call recently
from a prospective patient who wanted to know if I had a
"therapy dog," which was the first time I'd heard the term
(and no, I don't, although I'm thinking about training
Frankie). On a brochure for an expensive recovery center I
got in the mail they list "equine therapy" as a treatment
modality which really means, it makes people feel better to
ride a horse.

I guess the gist of this is that lonely people everywhere
could benefit from owning a pet. There's something about
that unconditional love that's harder to get from flawed
human beings. Also, here in LA, it's a way that people shop
for lovers -- going to the dog park to meet other dog
owners. It's easy to talk to someone with a dog, right? No
ulterior motive other than just being friendly. Guess we'll
need to get them to set up cat and gerbil parks for
everyone else.

© Catherine Auman 2008

About the Author:

Catherine Auman, MFT is a spiritual psychotherapist based
in Los Angeles, Calfornia. She has advanced training in
both traditional and alternative methodologies based on
ancient traditions and wisdom teachings. Visit her online
at http://www.catherineauman.com

.

__,_._,___

The Dog Owner's Guide To Survival

Title: The Dog Owner's Guide To Survival
Author: Alexey Baskakov
Word Count: 543

Welcome to the world of dog ownership. If you've done your due
diligence and research, then you probably are confident that you
have selected the right breed for your home. Guess what? The
education is about to begin. Let me introduce you to what I
refer to as the "Dog Owner's Guide to Survival." It's not a
book, but it is a common sense approach when it comes to canine
ownership.

Making a few common sense decisions regarding your new dog can
be critical when it comes down to laying the foundation to a
good relationship with the animal. One of the first
considerations is the position that dog will occupy from an
interaction standpoint. You should also think about that when
it comes to the animal's relationship with friends, neighbors,
and (especially) strangers who show up unexpectedly at your
home. You will find that in most instances, the relationship
will work if the dog and owner adapt to the situation that the
decisions have mandated.

Another point here is that you need to treat this relationship
the same way you would treat any other relationship, especially
relationships that you have with loved ones. Use the philosophy
of making the relationship work for all parties concerned and
you will have a much easier time of things. The key aspects are
adaptation to the relationship, amending the rules, and the act
of decision making.

To reflect back momentarily, what if you haven't decided on the
breed of dog that you want and are just starting to do your
research? Here's some suggested reading for you:

•Choosing a Dog for Dummies
by Chris Walkowicz/Trade paperback/2001

•Your Purebred Puppy : A Buyers Guide
by Michele Welton/Paperback/2000 (second edition)

•The Complete Dog Book (20th Ed)
by the American Kennel Club/Hardcover/1997

These three books are excellent reading. The one published by
the AKC is my first choice if you are getting that dog as an
investment (as in breeding) as well as a pet. The origin of the
breed, reasons for its development, personality, and physical
attributes is what I call critical need-to-know information. So
the first consideration is to select the breed based on studying
it from all angles and making sure that it will adapt to the
family lifestyle and temperament.

Personalities of breeds come in all shapes and sizes. Do you
want a dog that can hunt or pull a sled? Or do you want a dog
that is calm and loves to just hang out and relax? How about
the coat --- long-hair or short-hair? Obviously, if you really
love that animal, grooming will always be an issue. And by all
means, think about the climate zone that you're living in.
Here's a thought. If you live in the dessert, don't get a sheep
dog. Do you catch my drift?

Just remember that the physical and psychological aspects are
everything. Never take them for granted. Never assume that you
are doing all you can do for that animal's well being. Their
mental health controls their physical health, just like with
humans.

About The Author: Alexey Baskakov is a dedicated expert on pets
and canine health. Check out his dog supplies site at
http://www.dogsuppliesonsale.com for more information on how to
keep your best friend healthy.

.

__,_._,___

5 Tips to Slash Your Veterinary Bills

Title: 5 Tips to Slash Your Veterinary Bills
Author: Luke Blaise

Did you know that your veterinary bills are rising at two to
three times the rate that your salary does? One way to lower
your pet costs is to become a more educated consumer. Most
people spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year on their
pets, so if you can find a way to lower them by even 20% you can
save yourself a lot of money.

There are so many ways to lower your veterinary bills, but here
are just 5 quick tips for you.

1. Be nice to the technicians and the veterinarian when you are
at the clinic. A lot of people are just nice to the
veterinarian, but then are rude to the technicians. This is a
big mistake, because if the technicians like you they will
likely do some free stuff for you, like trimming your dog's
nails. If they don't like you, you can be sure that you'll be
charged full price for everything they can think of.

2. Don't let your pet become overweight. It is estimated that
over 40% of America's pets are overweight. Being overweight puts
your pet at a much higher risk of acquiring a large number of
diseases. Some common problems experienced by overweight pets
include diabetes, cruciate damage, heart disease, heat
intolerance, and liver problems. Also, if you pet does need
surgery there is an increased anesthetic and surgical risk as
well. Just like people, healthy pets require less medical care
and live longer lives.

3. Avoid pet insurance. Both Reader's Digest and Consumer
Reports both agree that pet insurance is rarely worth the price.
In fact, they say it can often times add hundreds to even
thousands of dollars to the cost of owning a pet. They know it
is better to save money in a pet emergency fund, but they know
that most people don't have the will power to do this. Prove
them wrong.

4. Buy pet medications online. Buying some of your pet's
medications online can save you a lot of money for things you
use on a regular basis, like flea and tick prevention, heartworm
prevention, etc. But sometimes it makes sense just to get them
from your veterinarian, either because there are no shipping
charges, or you need the medication right now.

5. Pet Proof Your House. Your house can be filled with objects
your pet could easily eat. For dogs, small toys can become
lodged in their throats, and for cats, something as benign as
dental floss can be deadly. By taking steps to prevent this you
can easily save hundreds even thousands by avoiding emergency
room visits with your pet.

By becoming an educated consumer you can empower yourself to
make better financial decisions veterinary bills. Veterinarians
prefer to work with educated clients because they can do so much
more for you when you understand what your pet needs. While
these 5 tips can help you lower your pet costs, there are so
many more ways to lower them dramatically.

About The Author: If you are interested in learning more about
how to lower your veterinary bills, check out
http://www.slashyourveterinarybills.com

.

__,_._,___

How to Avoid Puppy Accidents

Title: How to Avoid Puppy Accidents
Author: Mikael Rieck

Bringing a brand new puppy into your household can be a very
fun, and exciting adventure. Taking care of the puppy and making
sure that he reaches healthy adulthood is a very rewarding
experience, however just like any other thing that makes you
grow as a person, raising a puppy is a very enjoyable yet
complicated venture.

Just like a newborn baby your puppy will need your constant
attention and care. One of the most important challenges that
you are going to face is housebreaking your new pet. Making your
puppy accident free is the first milestone in the time line of
upbringing the newest member of your family.

Think of your puppy as you would a new born baby. The puppy
just like the baby doesn't understand the importance of
relieving themselves in the proper place. The do however know
that they do not want to dirty their sleeping or eating area.
You have to remember that at first the puppy is going to have
accidents, for the same reason that you don't potty train a baby
as soon as they are born, they can not comprehend the skill that
you are trying to teach them.

The most important thing that you need to do before you start
to train the puppy is to realize that you are the boss and that
you are going to set the rules. Choose the spot that will be
designated as the puppy's bathroom area. Assigning the area and
sticking with it will save your yard when the puppy becomes a
full grown dog. Once you have chosen that spot it is very
important that the puppy is reintroduced to it at least once an
hour.

Make special trips if your puppy has just woke up from a nap,
or has been eating or drinking. Pay attention to the puppy if it
is wondering around with it's head down and sniffing at the
floor, there is a very good chance that it is looking for a
place that it can relieve itself. Try making a bathroom schedule
for you and your puppy. Make sure when it is potty time that you
take your puppy to the spot and tell it in a stern voice that it
is "potty time". Using the same training words each time you
take your puppy to the bathroom will help it understand what you
are expecting from it.

In a perfect world you would be there with your new puppy 24
hours a day and 7 days a week. In the real world however, there
will be a lot of times throughout the day that you will be gone.
It is very important that you keep the puppy in a crate.

First off, crate is not a bad word. Not only will it help
ensure that your puppy does not have an accident on your floor,
it will also help to keep your puppy secure and out of harms
way. As far as the accident avoidance in the crate, make sure
that your puppy sleeps in the crate every night. Soon the puppy
will realize that the crate is a place for sleeping and by
instinct a puppy will not go to the bathroom anywhere near where
they sleep.

Remember to be patient and that accidents do occur. Most
accidents are the fault of the owner and not the puppy. If you
keep a close eye on your puppy, walking here on schedule and
make sure that anytime you have to be away from the puppy that
it is in the crate, then your puppy will remain accident free.
Enjoy every moment that you have with your puppy; this is one of
the hardest stages you will face with them, which by definition
also makes it one of the most rewarding when you conquer it
together.

About The Author: For more free information about cat health
issues and to find out how to get cheap pet insurance with a few
simple steps go visit http://www.petinsurancepro.com/.

.

__,_._,___