Training Your Dog to Understand Your Words
July 29, 2008
A lot of people don’t realize how smart dogs are. They pay more attention to the tone you use rather than the words you speak. They are not capable of understanding words alone.
This will result in many dog owners writing us to share how their dogs know everything and understand all their words.
The English language is not understood by dogs.
Dogs do understand words after time being exposed to them. Some actually have lots of verbal commands stored in their brains. They learn the signals that they associate with the words.
Pay attention to that, it’s important.
That does not sound like it means much; however, it really points out what separates dog brains and human brains.
Dogs hear words - dogs don’t recognize sentences or phrases.
If you could hear yourself speak with a dog’s ears you would hear mostly noise with occasional interruptions of concrete signals. They hear you mention things they are interested in, like food and going out, but they don’t hear anything else you say.
They understand the character of your voice.
It’s simple. They hear different levels of voice better because it is how they correspond with one another. Dogs interact by both sound and signal.
An inviting greeting and a cautioning greeting can be the difference.
That’s also why it is so important to control your tone when you are training your dog. If your words aren’t ones that he already knows then he won’t be paying attention to them. He will be paying attention to your tone, trying to determine if you’re happy with him.
If your tone is negative, your dog will hear that and take it to heart. If you give him a negative tone, he will feel like you are upset with him (even if you want to reward him).
If you desire authority over your dog then pay attention to your voice.
The Pug: Generally A Healthy Breed
July 29, 2008
To prevent common Pug health problems, you need to make sure before obtaining or buying your Pug puppy or dog that you first of all try Pug breeders of good repute who will at least help to minimize the chances that the Pug you obtain from them will not be suffering from breed specific health problems. All too often people choose to go to a puppy store or other less than reliable breeders for their Pug and thus have to contend with some unwanted Pug health problems.
With proper Pug care you can also ensure that other problems such as skeletal, breathing and eye problems will be less likely to affect your Pug, even if you were not careful in where you obtained the puppy from. Among the skeletal problems that can affect your Pug, are hip dysplasia as well as inter-vertebral disk disease or IVD and there is also patellar luxation to be worried about.
One of the more common Pug health problems that you will encounter once you have brought home a new puppy or dog is the one known as Pug dog encephalitis which is really a brain disease that is of an inflammatory kind that can effect both male as well as female Pugs. In fact, this is a unique disease among the Pug breed though it may also affect other breeds including the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Pekingese.
Among common Pug health problems you will find some that affect him because of his structure while others are due to other reasons. Thus, you should be aware that the Pug is liable to develop anal sacs, conjunctivitis, colitis and also ear infections and he is also prone to suffering from flea bite allergy.
Pug dog encephalitis may last for varying periods of time including from a few days to as long as six months and even more. It most often begins as acute and rapidly progressing pain with common symptoms being depression, seizures as well as blindness and even an abnormal gait.
In addition you may even notice that he has begun to shake his head in a violent manner and there may also be an accompanying offensive smell along with fluid purulent discharge.
Tracheal collapse will cause your Pug’s windpipe (trachea) to narrow and its symptoms are coughing, noisy breathing as well as gagging. Portosystemic shunt alludes to an abnormal vessel that causes blood to not go to the liver and in fact bypasses it.
By taking care to learn about how a Pug’s health can deteriorate, you can then take preventive measures to ensure that he lives to a healthy old age without suffering from Pug health problems brought on by neglect or carelessness on your part.
What To Expect From A Chihuahua
July 29, 2008
Many individuals want a small dog that they can raise in their home, and this is especially true for individuals that live in an apartment or condo setting where space is limited. Many of these individuals choose to purchase or adopt Chihuahuas since they are the smallest breed of dog on the planet. However it is important that these individuals understand what to expect from Chihuahuas before they bring them home.
One of the most important things for individuals to know before they bring Chihuahua dogs home is the fact that they need room and space to run and play. Even though they are small dogs that don’t need as much space as a large dog such as a Labrador or German Shepard, they need to be allowed outside periodically where space is not an issue. This way they can get the exercise that they need while having fun outside playing.
Chihuahuas are dogs that don’t like to be left alone, as they prefer to be around people or other Chihuahua dogs. Many individuals choose to place their Chihuahua in a daycare facility specifically designed for dogs during the days when they are at work to prevent their dog from getting lonely.
Others choose to purchase an additional Chihuahua dog to prevent their original pet from becoming lonely while they are gone all day. This is a good option for individuals that may not be able to afford the cost of daycare for their dog. However the cost to care for an extra dog may be just as much as the cost of daycare.
If individuals decide to purchase two dogs they should do this when the dogs are young and before they become possessive. In addition, owners should also ensure all dogs are fixed when they are young since Chihuahuas are particularly vulnerable to attack when in heat.
Individuals should be aware that Chihuahuas dogs are very possessive and have a natural instinct to protect their owner even though most only weigh five to ten pounds. Not only will Chihuahua dogs bark at strangers or anyone posing a threat, but they will often bite or attack the individual. Even individuals living in the same house aren’t always safe from the attack if the Chihuahua makes a strong, special bond with one individual.
Before you purchase or adopt a Chihuahua it is important you are fully knowledgeable and aware of their possessive behavior since it is one of the main reasons individuals get rid of them after only having them for a few months.
Finding a dog that fits your family’s needs and wants can ensure that the new addition to your family fits perfectly.
5 Tips On How To Care For A Puppy
July 29, 2008
Raising a healthy dog begins with caring for him correctly from the time you bring him home. Below are 5 tips on how to care for a puppy that will keep him healthy and comfortable.
1. Comfort
In order for your new puppy to be secure and comfortable in your home, you should prepare for its arrival. Set up a special place for your puppy to sleep, with a soft, warm bed as well as toys and a convenient location for food and water.
Besides that, you should make sure you leave plenty of time to spend with your puppy in order for him to know you and feel safe and secure when around you. Make sure he knows that you are there to take care of him. Don’t forget that your puppy has just been stripped of his mother and siblings and the only home that he has ever had. In order to feel safe he is going to need a little reaffirmation.
2. Proper Food
You should remember that a puppy is a baby dog and he should be treated much the same way you would treat a young baby. You will not want to give him grown-up dog food for a while and you should check with a vet or the pet store or his previous owner to see what he has been eating. If you would like to feed him a different kind of food, do not just chance it quickly because he may stop eating or even get sick. Gradually replace your food with what he has been used to eating and he will learn to like the new food. Remember to treat him like the new baby he is and you will get along well.
Make sure that you do not start your puppy off by giving him scraps leftover from the table - he needs to be able to adjust before he can handle “people” food.
3. Medical Care
Knowledge and regular practice of veterinary care are of foremost importance when learning how to care for a puppy. You should remember that puppies often need to be wormed and adequately vaccinated. The new puppies must be taken to a Veterinarian for vaccination as well as for scheduling regular check ups. This will keep the puppy in good health.
4. Puppy-Proof Your Home
To keep your puppy safe in his new home, you should “puppy proof” your home as you would with making it “child proof” with a toddler. Areas of concern or danger should be blocked off to protect him. He also needs to be protected from children and older pets who may not realize he is not a toy.
5. Obedience Training
A dog that isn’t properly trained can be a nuisance who no one wants to be around. If you don’t want your puppy to grow into a nuisance dog, then you need to have a plan for obedience training. Not only will this make him a dog everyone wants to hang out with, it will help you to keep him safe.
The most important thing in learning how to care for a puppy is planning ahead to make sure you have everything you need for your puppies, other than that just add love and watch him thrive.
Rules Of Crate Training - How To Get Fido To Love His Crate
July 29, 2008
Dogs love routine! They seek and require structure and rules. Knowing the rules and having structure leads to a balanced mind, happy disposition, and healthy body. And a balanced dog is an asset to the family. Knowing the rules of crate training can provide the structure for balance for a new puppy, an adult dog from a shelter, or an elderly dog from a rescue organization.
In order to be successful at crate training your dog, you need to keep a few things in mind. Of course, you want to use the basics of dog training when trying to get your dog to use a crate, but there are some things specific to crates that you need to keep in mind as well. Here are 5 rules of crate training that will help you successfully train your dog:
1. Because you want your dog to feel that his crate is a place of safety and comfort, you must never send him there as punishment. Doing so will only make the crate seem like an unpleasant place and your dog won’t want to go there.
2. Gradually introducing your dog to his crate is the best course of action. Don’t push him to go in there too much at first. You might try just putting the crate out and seeing how he reacts. When your dog does go in the crate, be sure to reward him for his good behavior.
3. Do not put your dog in the crate until he or she has gone outside to do its business. It’s not fair to expect the dog to “hold it” for long periods of time in the crate and if your dog does have an accident in there it will be most unpleasant for him and may make him not want to go in the crate again.
4. Likewise as soon as you release your dog from the crate he or she should be allowed outside. Doing this can assist with the process of toilet training as it will establish a routine.
5. If your dog is stressed, anxious, or scared you should not place him or her in the crate, no matter what the circumstance. If he or she goes into the crate on his or her own accord, it is a different matter. Otherwise, don’t force it.
Stick to these rules of crate training and you may be surprised at how quickly and easily your dog takes to his crate!
How To Find Shih Tzu Breeders
July 29, 2008
It is time to add the pitter-patter of little feet to your family once again and you have decided that the pitter-patter is going to belong to a Shih Tzu puppy. The first thing you are going to need to do is find a reputable Shih Tzu breeder in your area that you are going to be able to not only get your dog from but maintain a relationship with for many years. Bringing your dog home does not mean your relationship with your breeder is over.
You will want to find a Shih Tzu breeder that you are comfortable with so make sure that you talk to many breeders and do not settle on any one until you feel like that is absolutely the person you want to do business with.
The first place you should start is the National Kennel Club. The National Kennel Club is the registry for pretty much all of the reputable breeders in the United States and they will point you in the right direction. You can give the National Kennel Club a call at (865) 932-9680 and ask them to help you find the perfect Shih Tzu breeder in your area.
The Internet may be better because a website can offer detailed information about a breeder and his business and that is the kind of information you are looking for.
The Internet is probably your best bet because if the breeder took the time to create a website then they are less likely to have something to hide and your chances of a good experience increase.
If you do not have a vet then visit your local vet for advice or ask one of your family members or friends who have pets who their vet is and take it from there.
If you do have Internet access then another really great resource for finding good hih Tzu breeders is to find and participate with various Shih Tzu online chat rooms and message boards. Shih Tzu owners from all over the world participate in these forums and this is a great chance to get advice on a breeder and any other Shih Tzu advice you may be looking for.
Finding a good and reputable breeder to buy your first Shih Tzu from is very important. A good breeder is going to be involved in your life, and your Shih Tzu’s life, for many years so you want to be sure you not only get someone you trust but you also get someone that knows what they are doing and can offer you the right advice when you have a question or concern. So take your time and choose your Shih Tzu breeder carefully as the happiness of you and your family is pretty much riding on it.
Questions For A Shih Tzu Breeder,
July 29, 2008
A Shih Tzu breeder spends a great deal of their time answering questions and getting information out to owners and they do it gladly because it is part of their job. Take the time you have with your breeder to ask them questions you may have and be certain to ask them while you are talking to them face to face. You can gauge a person’s personality by the way they talk to you so keep the questions professional and make your own judgment on the breeder’s personality based on how they interact with you.
You want to know about your breeder and their profession because you are about to invest a lot of money in a new pet and you will be maintaining a relationship with them. Ask them how long they have been in business and why they chose to be a Shih Tzu breeder. Ask them what national breeder registry they belong to and why they decided to join that particular registry. You may also want to ask them how they feel about the dogs they release to owners everyday after raising the dogs for seven weeks. Get to know your breeder a little when you get the chance.
A reputable breeder will be offering you pet insurance when the sale is over that will extend for six weeks after you take the puppy home. Ask your Shih Tzu breeder about this pet insurance, how you are supposed to use it, how it works, and what it can do for you and your dog. If you do not get offered any pet insurance by your breeder then ask them why, because they get it for free so they should be offering it to you.
Your breeder will have a lot of information for you about the care and feeding of your new Shih Tzu puppy so make sure you spend a lot of time asking your breeder about all of this information and make sure you understand what they are giving you and how you are supposed to use it. There are never too many questions when it comes to the care and feeding of your puppy and your breeder wants to make sure you understand so don’t be afraid to ask.
It may be a difficult question to ask but many reputable breeders have a policy where they will take the Shih Tzu back if you cannot care for it or no longer want it.
Your breeder should have a policy about taking the Shih Tzu back if you cannot care for it anymore or simply do not want it. They will not refund your money but they would rather see you give it back to them so it has a chance at a new home rather than abandoning it.
Your Shih Tzu breeder expects you to have questions so be prepared to take notes because there is a lot you will need to know to properly care for your Shih Tzu dog.
It is a very good possibility that your breeder will also have this information already printed out for you to take home, which is what the best breeders do. Never be afraid to ask a question and know that there is no such thing as too many questions or a dumb question when it comes to your new Shih Tzu puppy.
Proper Bichon Frise Care
July 29, 2008
Every owner places great importance on his or her own dog’s health. You can ensure your dog remains a healthy member of your family for years to come by caring for your Bichon Frise’s health. To increase your dogs mental and physical health there are several activities you can use.
The best way to improve your Bichon Frise health is with proper training. You can help give your dog a good mental workout by giving them two or three five minute training sessions a day which helps them to be calmer and more contented. For the Bichon Frise it is best to use a positive reinforcement training method. An excellent option for training is to sign up for dog training classes to help learn the basics and then move into more challenging training options later. Even after your dog has completed training you can still come up with new tricks to teach your dog. Consider creating new obstacle courses with items you find around the house. This will keep your dog entertained and mentally healthy.
To maintain proper Bichon Frise health it is also important to give them proper physical exercise. As a small breed they need only a moderate amount of exercise and aren’t a particularly athletic dog. You should take them on leash walks as often as you can and maintain a pace that is steady and moderate in order to help their heart, muscles and joints. Two walks a day for at least a half a mile each is the minimum level of activity that you should aim for.
If you have a dog that is restless or misbehaving for no specific reason then you should either take them for extra walks or just walk a longer distance. You will also want to find a safe location where you can take your Bichon Frise off the leash and let them run free once in a while. If you live in an apartment without a yard then you can consider a friend’s property, an empty schoolyard or a dog park if it isn’t too crowded.
Lastly you should consider what goes into your dog’s mouth when it comes to Bichon Frise health. This is very important to a long and healthy life for your dog. Everyone tries to give a quality dog food at mealtime, but don’t really consider what they give their dog between meals.
Giving a few treats between mealtimes is fine if they are used to reward correct behavior or in training sessions. But weight problems can result if you give your dog too many treats and the resulting strain can lead to health problems with the muscles, joints and circulatory system.
A good option is to consider healthy treats such as small pieces of vegetables and fruit instead of cookies. Just be sure you avoid grapes since they are toxic to some dogs.
You can continue to treat you dog with cooked, fresh or frozen vegetables and enjoy the fact that you are giving them the benefit of nutrition and fiber.
Owning A Chihuahua
July 29, 2008
Due to their loyalty and need to be close to their owners the Chihuahua makes an excellent companion and their compact size also makes them convenient for many owners. Chihuahuas have been known to ride inside the pocket of a coat, in purses or a tote bag and also simply just carried around in the arms of the owner. They are easy to travel with and enjoy outdoor activities in favorable weather.
Therefore, you should only get Chihuahuas or choose carefully before adding another breed to the household. You also have to be careful since the Chihuahua doesn’t recognize their small size and can often get into trouble when they try to spar with a larger breed dog, especially if the other dog has a dominant personality or gets too rough when playing. Therefore, either keep your Chihuahua on a leash or carry them in your arms when you are outside.
The Chihuahua dog has become very popular due to movies and advertisements such as the Taco Bell commercials. This means that you can now easily find a poorly bred Chihuahua that won’t fit in with your household. The self-confidence and easy trainability of the breed causes many families to think they are perfect for their household.
However, buying simply from pet stores, newspapers or on the internet can lead to getting a dog that was bred without a concern for their health or temperament and you will have no way of knowing whether or not it will work with your household.
The small litter size of the Chihuahua has led to a limited number of puppies available from good breeders. Therefore, before you decide if the Chihuahua is right for you it is best to carefully consider their temperament.
When it comes to caring for your Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming. At each meal Chihuahuas only need a small amount of food. About two to three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is all that most Chihuahuas require. It is best to have two or three small meals rather than just one large daily feeding.
Some larger sized Chihuahuas can eat up to a half can of dog food. Most people don’t know that the Chihuahua is actually capable of walking long distances, although they won’t object if you want to carry them around either. Typically the Chihuahua gets the majority of their exercise from playing around the house. This is why the dog is an excellent choice for the elderly.
When grooming you should rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their coat shine and use a soft brush. Trim the nails regularly and make sure you keep their ears clean.
At The Beach With Your Pet
July 29, 2008
I recently saw a very sore nose on a white cat. The cat, whose name is Johnny Cash, loves the sun. Unfortunately, white cats have very little pigment and are prone to sunburns and skin cancer. And sunburn is common in pale and short-haired dogs, usually on the bridge of the nose, the abdomen, groin, and insides of the legs.
The belly is prone to sunburn because of sunlight that reflects up from the sidewalk. Similarly, dogs that spend a lot of time at beaches can get sunburn from sun reflecting up from the hot sand.
Sunburn and excessive, repeated exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma. This is the same in dogs and cats as it is in humans. Therefore, breeds such as boxers and Weimaraners - breeds that are predisposed to cancer - need extra protection from the sun.
Sunburn also may cause skin ulceration - this can leave the skin susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections. Excessive exposure to the sun may also exacerbate autoimmune skin diseases, in which the immune system attacks skin cells, such as pemphigus and lupus.
So what can you do to help prevent these problems with your own pets?
To protect pets from sunburn and its consequences, apply sunblock on the small susceptible areas of skin, such as the bridge of the nose and the ear tips. You can also apply a line of sunblock along any part in the fur along the head or back. For cats, sunblock is usually sufficient. For dogs, sunblock is usually not effective on the abdomen, since it can rub off in tall grass, wash off at the beach, or be easily licked off by the dog or its playmates.
There are spandex-type bodysuits available that are designed to block UV radiation, and I highly recommend these for any dogs who spend a large amount of time outside, especially those dogs who visit the beach often. To many people the idea of bringing a bodysuit-clad dog to the beach or park may sound ridiculous or embarrassing - but it may be the most effective and important sun protection that you can provide your dog. Dog bodysuits are now common at some beaches, and they really won’t look ridiculous if all the other dogs are wearing one
You should be able to find sunscreen made for pets at most pet supply stores. Alternatively, you can apply zinc oxide or PABA-free sunscreen. But be careful not to get the sunblock in your pet’s eyes - it stings, just like it does with us. So now that you’re prepared, go out and enjoy the dog (and cat) days of summer.
