The Yorkshire Terrier Is Loyal
August 30, 2008
The Yorkie puppy, or Yorkshire Terrier puppy, are a toy breed of dog that have long hair and which are of a very playful nature while also sporting a coat of blue and tan in color. In fact, when you first get yourself a Yorkie puppy, you will be amazed at how small it is and it also how little it weighs also. Yorkshire Terrier puppies are the second most sought after of the major dog breeds after the Labrador Retriever, if available information on registrations from the American Kennel Club is to be believed.
Normally, fully grown Yorkshire Terriers won’t grow to more than six to seven inches in height and also won’t weigh more than seven pounds. Though even when they are puppies, they will still sport a long as well as fine and silky coat. Yorkshire Terrier puppies are highly active, though not very good at learning. However, they are energetic as well as loyal and brave, and in addition, they are not well suited for being guard dogs, though they are better at being watch dogs and the average Yorkie puppies can be expected to live up to a ripe old age of between twelve and fifteen years.
The Yorkshire Terrier puppy is generally compact in size and will grow up to have an athletic build that is well suited to an active lifestyle and it is also quite upright in its stance while exuding plenty of confidence as well. In fact, Yorkie puppies are known to possess free as well as jaunty gaits and they generally are seen with their heads and also tails held high. However, though the Yorkie puppies are not very big in size, they are still not frail or even fragile.
Yorkie puppies come with a long hair though without an undercoat and thus they do not shed quite as much as would be expected from long haired breeds. In addition, Yorkshire Terrier puppies will not carry much dander on their coat and thus don’t usually smell foul. Also, their hair does not fall out very often and in fact will grow non-stop unless it falls out because of brushing or breaking. They also usually will have coats that are black and tan with the black hair mixing with the tan.
Before you are able to choose the right puppy from a litter ofYorkshire Terrier puppies you must know of certain qualities that can help you distinguish the better puppies from the less than satisfactory ones. Thus, you need to ensure that the coat color is right and that the coat is of good quality in terms of its texture. The hair should be glossy while also being fine as well as silky.
Also, the hair at the base of the neck of the Yorkie puppy should be of dark steel-blue color and not silver-blue and it should also not get mixed with fawn or bronze and not even black hair.
Nevertheless, a sure sign that your Yorkie puppy is a suitable one is when you notice that their lips, nose and also paw-pads, eye-rims and nails have a dark pigmentation.
The better Yorkie puppies will generally have hair that is absolutely straight, though their coats do need a lot of maintenance work to keep them clean and in good order.
Learning Behavior Training for Dogs
August 28, 2008
Dogs look up to you and want to please you. A puppy or youthful dog should start training immediatly. If they start forming bad habits. It will be more difficult to train away these habits.
When you start training enviorment is important. A place where there is little to no distractions can be key. Chaos during a training session can cause the dog to get overly excited and not listen.
A person should be chosen for their ability to bound with the dog. If you want more than one person training the dog. Introduce each person slowly. Who ever is going to work with the dog must use the training methods as the other people that are training.
One of the most important parts of training is attitude. If the trainer exudes confidence. The dog will feel more relaxed. Using the proper tone can go a long way to accomplish this goal.
Looking at a dog as an individual will help during training. Some dogs learn quickly while others take time. Using love and patients will be rewarded by a well trained dog.
When working with a dog consider the breed. You may have some breeds that want to play a lot. Others like the german shepard are very easy to train. Find there strong points and develop them.
Decide what training method is best for your dog. Some trainers use food and others may use clickers. Other methods are also available. Find out which method the dog responds to best.
Trying to develop a training schedule that works for your dog is important. Do not try to teach too many things at once. The key to success is focusing your effort on one behavior at a time.
The steps I have explained to you will go a long way to a well behaved dog. Love your pet is the most important step of all.
Dog Training Techniques For Small Dogs
August 11, 2008
One of the most effective dog training techniques smaller dogs is reward training. Because choke collars and other aggressive forms of training are ineffective with small breeds like Poodles, Pugs and the Pomeranian due to their small physical stature, reward training has been commonly used as an alternative.
Reward training is used for many purposes. Along with police and military work, this training teaches dogs to perform all kinds of actions and is even used to train dogs for films and advertisements. And, of course, it works just as well on your pet for basic obedience.
It’s pretty clear from the name that this type of training is based on giving some kind of a reward as a response for obedient behavior. However, the reward doesn’t have to be an actual thing even a pat or or a “good boy” can make your dog feel special.
You can teach your dog nearly everything by using rewards based dog training techniques. All you need is consistency in training, and your dog will eventually do the desired task.
For example, dangling the treat over your dog’s head and moving it backwards, repeating the word “sit” over and over, until he naturally sits on his own will teach the dog to sit. After he sits, give him the treat and praise him. It won’t take long before he knows to sit down and he will be rewarded when he hears the word “sit.”
One type of reward training is clicker training which allows you to teach your dog without using voice instructions. A simple clicker is used to communicate with the dog. The dog will eventually learn the meaning of the click sounds and associate it with the reward. The trainer just snaps the clicker every time the dog does his job, and then gives the dog a treat.
If you have patience and energy, you can train your dog to perform difficult tricks and tasks by using reward training, a technique that is often used in the field of entertainment. One thing that works well is to get the dog to perform the action naturally. As soon as the dog succeeds at the task, his success is reinforced with a reward.
Smaller dogs respond well to a rewards based dog training techniques. This method allows you to bond with your dog and avoids harsher methods which might harm your four legged friend. Using this type of rewards based training, you can both enjoy your training sessions!
Remedies for Dog Separation Anxiety
August 6, 2008
Dog separation anxiety is a real problem for many dogs and their owners. Some dogs will bark incessantly when you leave, while others will destroy items in your home as a result of their anxiety. Dog separation anxiety can range from mild to extreme, but there are measures you can take to help alleviate dog separation anxiety. Many holistic remedies can be very effective.
One way to reduce separation anxiety is to avoid fawning over your dog when you arrive and depart from your residence. A dog will experience separation anxiety when he is used to constant attention. Perpetually providing a dog with constant attention as you come and go will make the dog upset when your return is delayed. So, reducing some of this attention will make any separations easier for the dog to handle. Also, walking in and out the door in short intervals will teach your dog that when you leave, you will invariable come back. When you mix a few of these “pretend” departures and arrivals into your regular routine the dog will slowly become less anxious. Mainly, this is because the dog will begin to understand when you leave it is not forever.
Boredom combined with excess energy can also expedite separation anxiety. Exercising your dog regularly can circumvent this. If the dog receives a decent amount of regular exercise then the dog will not bristle with energy that might manifest during a separation period. The huge benefit to this is that the dog will not exhibit any potentially destructive behavior. However, it is also wise to secure the dog in an area where it can not do any damage. Rather than having the dog destroying the living room of a home, placing it in the basement is a wiser option. Or, if you lack such a room placing the dog in a decent sized crate/cage will work. Also, leaving the radio on while the dog is alone in the room might aid in making the dog feel less lonely.
Separation anxiety is not due to disobedience or lack of training. It is an instinctive behavior and should not be punished. The key to treating this problem is to gradually train or condition your dog to get used to your absence. When you leave home or return home make it a low key event.
There are many different holistic alternatives for the treatment of dog separation anxiety. They can be found in most health food stores and are widely available on the Internet. If you are interested in finding the best treatment for your dog, you may want to discuss your treatment options with your veterinarian or holistic practitioner.
Your Perky Pomeranian
July 30, 2008
The Pomeranian is a popular breed, and no wonder. Most dog breeds in the toy group make wonderful pets. Some domesticated dogs were bred to provide some kind of labor service to humankind. Dogs like the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Doberman Pinscher provide useful services like water rescues, snow rescues and property guard duty. Appropriately enough, these dogs are all members of the working group.
Examples of this group are the Newfoundland and the St. Bernard. The sporting group hunts by pointing, retrieving or setting. Irish Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers and Spaniels all belong to the sporting group. The herding group controls the movement of other animals, like sheep. Collies and Border Collies are members of the herding group.
Then there is the toy group. Although there are small dogs in every group, the toy group specifically includes such dogs as the Maltese, the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian. Dogs in the toy group are bred for one thing and one thing only, to provide human companionship. Your Pomeranian wants to be at your side at all times, except of course, when it’s in your lap.
Pomeranian dogs are quite confident and have even been described as cocky. They are secure in their position as top dog in the household. In fact, it takes a confident owner who is not afraid to show the dog who is boss to take charge of a Pomeranian. Your Pomeranian will demand a fair amount of your attention, so be ready to deal with interruptions and disturbances while you try to read the paper or watch TV. These are little dogs with huge personalities. Pomeranians are inquisitive and intelligent, animated and alert.
Pomeranians become extremely attached to their masters, and can be very protective in situations where they perceive their master is being threatened. Because of their protective nature, Pomeranian dogs tend to be suspicious of strangers and treat new people with caution, and they often voice these suspicions by yapping incessantly when meeting new people, especially on their home turf.
Surprisingly, Pomeranians are perfectly willing to share the household with other dogs, even another Pomeranian dog. If you have never had a Pomeranian dog before, you may want to consult an obedience trainer with your dog to learn how to correct any problems early on.
The Pomeranian, like other dogs in the toy group, has a very fragile bone structure and must be treated with great care to avoid injuring the dog. Therefore, it is essential to learn methods of discipline that do not involve physical punishment or force. Housebreaking may be particularly difficult, but modern tools of the trade like housebreaking pads, along with diligence, will lead to eventual success.
The majority of Pomeranians, puppies and adult dogs alike, can be trained and socialized to be loyal, manageable companions. To be sure, your Pomeranian will provide you with endless entertainment and more than enough companionship to ward off loneliness. If you decide to get a puppy, ask your breeder to suggest an obedience trainer. If you are getting an older dog or a rescue Pomeranian, spend some time with the dog to see what its temperament is like, and seek professional training help if you run into obedience issues.
Diet for Bacterial Overgrowth in Dogs
July 30, 2008
Do you occasionally give your best friend a treat from the table or a rawhide to chew? These treats may seem like a simple snack or tidbit, but they really can add up. You may not have considered it before, but any and all treats that you give your pet are a part of your dog’s diet. The question now becomes, how significant are treats in your dog’s diet? Do you give your dog a treat once a day in the evening while watching television, or do you scatter Milk Bones throughout the day for each cute look or adorable pet trick?
Ice cubes, small bits of apple, and baby carrots are terrific healthy treat ideas to consider when choosing a healthy diet for your dog. Such treats make little difference overall and make monitoring your dog’s daily intake much easier for you. This way, you can focus solely on the food consumed during mealtime. A dog’s diet needs to be healthy to ensure a long and happy life for your pet.
Looking at the Importance of a Feeding Schedule in Your Dog’s Diet
What your dog’s diet consists of is very important. Your dog’s overall health and well being is fueled by excellent food and resources. Did you know that your dog’s diet should be following a feeding schedule?
Puppies require more mealtimes throughout the course of the day. Nursing pups should be permitted to nurse on demand. As you alter your puppy dog’s diet from milk to dog food, you will need to offer food four or five times per day. Once the puppy has become weaned and used to the new diet, you may reduce the feeding times to three occasions during the day.
Do not be surprised if your dog starts getting antsy at 5:45 in the morning in anticipation of breakfast. Your dog’s diet is important to him and he is anxiously awaiting its arrival.
Take control over your pet’s health by making your dog’s diet at home. Avoid processed food that is not as healthy for your pet. Many natural diet options are out there. Speak to your vet about which natural dog diet is best for you and your pet. When the quality of your pet’s health is important, a natural diet for your dog is the best way to go.
The Proper Way to Switch Your Dog’s Diet
When consulting with your vet about the change to your dog’s diet, you will want to consider all of your options. Upon making the final decision, you will want to make the change gradually and over time. Do not stop feeding one type of diet on Sunday evening and begin a completely new regimen on Monday morning. Such a drastic change will undoubtedly create some serious results.
Day 1 of the switch you would feed your dog 3 and 1/4 cup of the original kibble and 1/4 cup of the new dog diet. This total amount should be portioned between the number of meals during the day. Day 2 you would feed 3 cups of the original diet and 1/2 cup of the new diet. On day number 14, your dog’s diet will have been completely changed over.
Once you find a dog diet that works well to promote the health of your pet, it is best to stick with it. In fact, you should allow several weeks, and preferably months, on a new diet before assessing the results. This is true unless otherwise directed by your vet. Some instances may arise when this is not a plausible plan.
How to Remove Pet Odor From The Carpet
July 30, 2008
If you have dogs, you know how that unpleasant odor can stick to carpets. It’s not that you don’t love your dogs, you can love them and not the smell! Wet dog odors are particularly stubborn and tend to get right into carpet fibers. Then they release that nasty smell all the time and turn your home into a “dog” house.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with that smell in your carpets. Carpet tends to pick up nasty odors far easier than any hard floor surface in your home, and it also stores them easier. With a hard surface, you can simply use a detergent that also eliminates odors, but with carpet, you’ll need to put in a bit more elbow grease.
Odor Prevention
The first thing to keep in mind is that prevention is far easier than fixing the problem after the fact. There are several ways to prevent dog odor from seeping into your carpets in the first place.
- Keep dogs away from carpeted rooms. Not always practical, but very effective. - Vacuum regularly. This keeps odors from really settling. - Deal with any mess (urine, feces or vomit) immediately and spot clean the area with a deodorizing detergent. - Dry your dog completely with a towel after coming in from a bath or rain. - Use a special fiber sealant on the carpet to help protect it from absorbing odors.
However, the absolute best way to avoid pet odors is to keep your dog odor free. Bathe your dog frequently and keep him nice and clean. This will definitely help, but to really deal with the problem, you’ll want to make sure that you actually remove the odors from your dog. There are shampoos formulated especially for pets that will help prevent bacterial growth that causes those unpleasant smells.
Removing Odors
Once you have the dog odor in your carpet, even some heavy duty vacuuming won’t help matters. You’ll need something a bit stronger to get the odors that are actually deep in the carpet fibers. These are the smells that are more difficult to remove.
For short pile carpets, baking soda might be the easiest solution. Simply sprinkle a heavy layer of baking soda over the entire carpet and let it sit for two or three hours. Overnight is even better. You can then vacuum it up. The baking soda will have absorbed the smells embedded in the carpet and by vacuuming it up, you get rid of them. However, some odors are so strong that they require more than one application.
If you aren’t up to waiting and sprinkling baking powder, it might be better to just rent a steam cleaner. This will suck the bad smells and dirt right out of the carpet. It’s also a good option for longer carpets where dirt and hair and dandruff tend to get trapped. The steam cleaner will get rid of just about everything and you’ll be amazed at how clean your floor is afterwards. While you have it, run the steam cleaner over your sofa, as well and get any lingering odors out of the upholstery, too.
Owning dogs doesn’t mean you have to put up with a house that stinks. Keeping your dogs clean and ensuring that any messes are immediately cleaned with a deodorizing cleaner will help keep those odors at bay. And, for the times when things do pile up, a steam cleaner or baking soda will get your house smelling fresh and clean again, without using any nasty chemicals on your carpets.
How To Stop Dog Jumping Behavior Before Something Bad Happens
July 29, 2008
One of the most annoying behaviors that a dog can exhibit is jumping. Annoying as it may be, many experts say this is simply the dogs way of getting closer to you. Even if a large dog has the best intentions, it can be a very scary thing and it may be in your best interest to find out how to stop dog jumping behavior before something bad happens.
By getting down to your dog’s level, you may be able to stop your dog from jumping on you. However, this won’t necessarily work with neighbors or strangers that you pass. You must teach your dog a command to stop jumping for situations like those.
Many people want to learn how to stop dog jumping behavior before they have even trained their dog in the basics. When training your dog to stop jumping on you or others you must make sure that he is properly trained in sitting first. It will be to difficult trying to teach your dog two commands at the same time. Be patient with your pet and diligent, soon your hard work will pay off.
For the training you should begin with your dog standing in front of you. You can immediately determine when your dog is about to jump up. What you want to do is look for the signs - muscles tensing, tail wagging etc… When you notice that they’re thinking about jumping up command the dog to sit. If the dog jumps up on you regardless (and he likely will at first) bring your knee up to his chest and firmly tell him Off. You might be tempted to say down. However, that is the command to get your dog to lay down and should only be used for that purpose.
The goal is not to hurt your dog, but to gently raise your knee, knocking the dog off balance. This is a natural way to show him the “off” command and you should reward him when he listens. Repeat this enough times and he will associate the word off with not jumping on people.
A dog that jumps up on people with no control is an accident waiting to happen. Learning how to stop dog jumping behavior in your dog can prevent harm to others and, maybe even to your dog.
Yorkshire Terrier 101: Yorkshire Terrier Allergies
July 29, 2008
Many people buy puppies without realizing what they are getting into. Yorkshire Terrier care has its ups and downs. When you get a Yorkshire Terrier, you are ethically and legally responsible for the well being of the dog. Remember, dogs are not toys - they can suffer. A responsible Yorkie owner will do research on what they can expect to spend on their Yorkies every year and figure out in advance whether they can afford this or not.
Yorkies are known for having more health problems than many other breeds of dog, but most vets are used to dealing with Yorkshire Terriers and Yorkshire Terrier allergies. Fortunately, Yorkies on the whole are only allergic to one thing more than other dog breeds - anesthesia. They do not handle anesthesia as well as other breeds of dogs. How to find a vet for your Yorkshire Terrier should include a question about how they would handle a Yorkie needing an operation.
Although Yorkshire Terriers are difficult candidates for anesthesia, successful operations happen on Yorkies everyday. They just need more supervision during the operation than the average dog. So, how to choose a vet for your Yorkshire Terrier that knows about this need and for other Yorkshire Terrier allergies? If you are getting your Yorkie from a local breeder, ask for that breeder’s recommendation. If you have friends and family with Yorkies, as them for recommendations
And you can also ask the vets in your area yourself. Ask them if they have worked with Yorkies before. Ask if they specialize in dogs (there are vets who specialize in other animals, but will do their best for dogs). An ethical vet will help refer you to another vet with more experience. Most vets refer to other vets because they are getting referral and it all works out. You also don’t have to stick with one vet all of your Yorkie’s life if a choice is available.
Yorkshire terrier care is difficult enough without having to add the care of a dog with Yorkshire Terrier allergies>. But if you start getting into the habit, taking care of a Yorkie with allergies becomes easy and part of the daily routine.
The good news is that Yorkies like to be fussed over, so getting them to take a pill or wear an Elizabethan collar is not too difficult. Most of the treatment for Yorkshire Terrier allergies is done at home, not at a vet’s.
The usual treatment for Yorkshire Terrier allergies is to do a long series of trials at home to try and identify the allergen. When chemical allergies are suspected, try not using the usual cleaner, shampoo or detergents.
If your dog’s condition improves, then you know that changing your cleaners will cure your dog. With food allergies, this trial and error method can take a long time. You must be patient. Fortunately, there a lot of new commercially available dog foods made especially for dogs with food allergies.
Teaching A Dog To Stay Can Keep Your Pet From Getting Hurt
July 29, 2008
Teaching your dog to stay is imperative not only for his safety, but in order to make him more pleasant to be around as well. However, this is not always as easy as it may seem.
One thing you need to do when training is make sure your dog knows that you are the boss. Frequently using the ’stay’ command is a good way to do this. ‘Stay’ means that your dog will have to be still in one place while you walk around, and can’t move until you give permission. If you aren’t the alpha in your home, the opposite thing will usually be taking place.
First, teach the dog to ’sit’ on command utilizing the word and hand signals. I snap my fingers while flipping my extended index finger at a downward angle toward the ground at the same time. This attracts the dog’s attention without impeding my hands with a clicker. It also indicates the correct direction for the dog’s rear. Astonishingly, it works quite well.
Then with the pup, teen, or adult dog in the sit, I thrust a hand in the dog’s direction, palm first, fingers raised, giving the voice command to ’stay!’ Not shouting, just distinct and audible over other noises. Hand motions should be exact and unique to a certain command/behavior. Take a step back.
Chances are that the dog will try to follow you, so do the hand gesture for sit and stay again. If the dog still doesn’t obey, move an attractive treat or toy over the dog’s head. It should be visible by the dog but only if his chin is facing upward. The dog may even turn around. Keep doing this until your dog obeys, and then let him know with warm praise. Repeat the process.
Teaching a dog to stay is a progressive process for your dog. When your dog will “stay” while you take one step back, begin taking two steps back. Increase that to four steps, then eight steps. Be aware that the further you move from your dog, the less likely your dog is to remain in one place. Your dog will want to move closer to you as he sees you as the alpha of his pack, and dogs instinctively follow their leader.
If your dog will not stay when commanded to, there are ways to fix this. First, put your dog on a long leash or a rope. Secure the leash to an object that won’t move, such as a tree. If no object is available, another person can be used to hold the leash stationary. However, if you use this method, the dog may not know who they should be listening to, so it should be a last resort. You should hold the leash while you face your dog. When your dog moves, tug on the leash, confidently say “stay,” and give a hand gesture telling the dog to stay. Be careful not to pull too hard, as you don’t want your dog to fall and to think he is being punished.
If your dog lies down after you step away while practicing “stay,” they will not be remaining still and will therefore not be following your command. You will have to have them sit again, and because of this, you will possibly have to teach your dog an “up” and “sit” command combination before you teach your dog to “stay.” Your dog’s breed and individual personality will play a role in how long it will take your dog to learn the “stay” command, but almost all dogs will eventually be able to learn this useful skill.
When your dog has mastered the stay for a short while, tell him to “come” in a tone that differs from the “stay” command. Use a unique hand gesture with it. Make it exact but not something you normally do. Select behaviors and attitudes should have specific commands.
Remember, teaching a dog to stay is a basic core component of his training so be sure to heap praise on your dog when he listens, and with every successive try let the ’stay’ last a little longer than last time. You’ll know when you’ve reached the end of your training when you can go inside and be completely out of sight and your dog will still ’stay’. After one minute, though, give your dog the OK to move freely.
