Archive

Posts Tagged ‘classes’

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

May 19th, 2010

Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always easy. Dogs can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well adjusted and well trained dog.

Providing random positive stimuli during the day is a great way to keep the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are great ways to keep the dog's attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After the dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the treat. This can be either the afore-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.

Providing some sort of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a good method to maintain your dog's motivation while you are dog training.

If your dog knows something good is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training.

When training any dog, it is vital to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be trained to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These kinds of distractions can even be used as rewards when training your dog to come when called.

For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in the local park or with the neighbour's dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or garden and call your dog.

When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to return to playing with his pals. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes to you.

The dog will soon learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being removed from the park).

So-called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach, because dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the hardest things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you when you call may take some creativity on your behalf at first. For example, waving one of his favourite toys, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog's attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well in dog training.

Once the dog begins to become used to coming when called, you can begin to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to obey your voice alone. It is vital that the dog obeys voice commands alone, since you will not always have a toy or other lure to hand.

Does your dog need training? If you need more information on dog training, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

Dog Names

May 14th, 2010

Dog owners will say that there is no proven method for choosing a good name for a new dog. Whether they have to think of girl or boy dog names, usually they will choose something that sounds cool or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name really means. Popular boy dog names have a variety of meanings, but more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Below is a quick guide to the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

In general, one of the first things you have to do when you get a new dog or puppy is pick a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just choose a dog name out of thin air and that is the name by which the poor hound will be known forever. However, there is something you ought to think about when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose the right one.

First of all, dogs sense attitude and tone of voice better than we can. If you pick a dog name for comic effect or after someone you don't like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. The result could well be that, their attitude may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs' names should mean something but should not be detrimental to their training, so you ought to take your dog's name seriously.

Despite dogs being very clever animals, they can't process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will improve your probability of training them successfully.

However, dogs' names should help them form an identity of their own. Common names don't really allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

Max: This is perhaps the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is probably why most people choose it for their pooch. It literally means "the greatest". After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the greatest.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means "conqueror". This is an apt boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the house within moments of setting foot inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a variation of Budd, which means "messenger". This boy dog name would be apt for a farm dog or one you might possibly train to retrieve the newspaper from the porch in the morning. It is a very popular boy dog name throughout America.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means "steward". This is fairly suitable if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is apt for a Newfoundland or collie puppy.

Sam: Sam apparently means "an answer to prayers". This is a great name for dogs that are obedient, easy to train and are very little work!

Not many people consider a name's meaning when picking boy dog names, so instead of just going with your first thought, it may be worth taking the time to find a dog's name that is actually apt for your dog. After all, it doesn't cost anything to spend some time thinking about your dog's name.

Does your dog need training? If you need further details on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Why Do Dogs Snore?

April 6th, 2010

It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, allowed their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can't be given by any other kind of animal. But this doesn't mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs often have complete trust in their owners, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In deed, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

For sure, many of us have already witnessed a dog paddling during sleep or, at times, barking with his eyes closed too. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For example, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe as heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to evaluate which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to some allergic reactions that cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog's anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog overweight? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they will have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around their throats, which can cause blockages. Once this problem has been fixed, the chances of snoring will be reduced. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, but you may actually enjoy a decent night's sleep too.

Snoring also has something to do with the general facial features. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more work to control breathing and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact it is best to accept the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then visit our web site called Successful Dog Training

Is She A Lady Or A Tramp?

March 28th, 2010

So you may wonder, what is in a dog's name? Just what does it matter what your female dog's name is? The answer is a lot, because your dog's name defines him or her in the eyes of your friends, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind's eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very joyful dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it reduces the masculine image that male dogs should have. Still, there are some male cute dog names out there. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do need to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be handled. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

While dogs are quite intelligent creatures, they cannot really process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should not be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is seldom that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can improve your prospects of training them.

Moreover, dogs names should assist them shape a character of their own. Common names do not encourage them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to obey a command.

I am quite willing to bet money that most pet owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if for no other reason.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Trendy Dog Names

December 19th, 2009

Fashion appears to decree everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is decreed by the need to be cool. Cute dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because as soon as something is in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to choose a cool dog name that may not be fashionable next year? So, people usually play it safe, which is why the same names have been around for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cool dog names are given below with the reasons why you should pick one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cute dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is rooted in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cool dog names because it has so many connotations that you can have a hard time finding out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that excels in a particular field. It is a high form of praise and thus is definitely a cool dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cute dog names because of the Disney cartoon film, Lady and the Tramp, which was a massive hit. The film made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case, popularity comes second to cuteness.

Elvis: The coolest of cute dog names. Elvis Presley was undoubtedly cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to name your dog after an icon who never goes out of fashion.

Shadow: There is a dark and mysterious quality about Shadow that makes it a cool dog name. It would be used to best effect on a big dog however because it wouldn't have the same strong effect with a small breed.

Whatever cute dog names you consider for your mut, it is one sure way to give your dog an identity of their own and make your dog unforgettable to others.

Does your dog require training? If you require more details on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training

The Reasons Why Dogs Snore

August 17th, 2009

It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In deed, one third of pet owners have at some point, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can't be given by any other breed of animal. But this doesn't mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather much like our own. Dogs usually have complete trust in their owners, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In deed, once a dog enters this stage, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

For sure, lots of us have already seen a dog paddling during sleep or at times, barking with his eyes closed. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. For example, there are breeds which breathe more heavily while there are those who breathe very lightly. The heavy breathers are much more prone to snoring than those who do not breathe as heavily.

Some people find that dogs that snore are quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the throat, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with human beings.

A dog that snores very badly should be checked for various issues to evaluate which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to some allergic reactions that cause constriction in the windpipe. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing correct breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on different factors through careful evaluation of the dog's anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog obese? I ask this because, like with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more tissue surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may actually enjoy a decent night's sleep too.

The facial features of the dog in general affect the amount of snoring too. For example, some dogs have pushed-in faces which narrows their nasal passages to a greater or lesser degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are very much like humans with a cold, who have to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more effort to breathe and they are also more likely to snore loudly.

Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. However, be certain that, before you take any decision, you are well educated about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop your dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you permit. In fact, it is best to follow the recommendations provided by your veterinary surgeon.

About the Author:

Boy Dog Names

July 15th, 2009

Dog owners will tell you that there is no proven formula for choosing a good name for a new dog. Whether they need to think of girl or boy dog names, usually they will choose something that sounds cool or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name actually means. Popular boy dog names have a variety of meanings, but more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Below is a quick guide to the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

In general, one of the first things you have to do when you get a new dog or puppy is think up a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just pick a dog name at random and that is the name by which the poor animal will be known forever. However, there is something you ought to think about when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose a suitable one.

First of all, dogs can sense attitude and tone of voice better than we are able to. If you choose a dog name for comic effect or after someone you don't like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. As a result, their attitudes may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs' names should mean something but should not be detrimental to their training, so you should really take the decision of the dog name carefully.

While dogs are very clever animals, they can't understand the same amount of data that we can. Therefore, dog names should not be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the names are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will improve your probability of training them successfully.

However, dogs' names should help them mould a character of their own. Popular names don't really allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters grow a lot without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

Max: This is perhaps the greatest boy dog name and the meaning is surely the reason why many people choose it for their dog. It literally means "the most". After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the 'most'.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means "victor". This is an apt boy dog name, if your puppy has taken over the house within minutes of setting feet inside of it!

Buddy: Buddy is a familiarization of Budd, which means "messenger". This boy dog name may suit a working dog, or one you can train to bring in the newspaper every morning. It is a popular boy dog name and can be very widely found within America.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means "steward". This is fairly apt if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is suitable for a Newfoundland or collie puppy.

Sam: Sam apparently means "an answer to prayers". This is a good boy dog name for dogs that are easy to train and are largely quiet!

Very few people consult the meaning of names when choosing boy dog names, so instead of going with your first thought, it may be worth taking the time to find a dog's name that really suits your dog. It costs nothing to spend a little time in thought about your dog's name.

About the Author:

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

July 4th, 2009

Keeping the attention of your dog while training is not always an easy task. Dogs can be very easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well-adjusted and well-trained dog.

Providing random positive stimuli throughout the day is a great way to keep the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are good ways to keep the dog's attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After your dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the reward. This can be either the before-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.

Giving some kind of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a good way to keep your dog's motivation while you are dog training.

If the dog knows something great is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training.

When training a dog, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be trained to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These types of distractions can also be used as rewards when training your dog to come when told.

For example, if your dog enjoys romping with other dogs, whether it be in a park or with the neighbour's dogs, let him play with those other dogs. Then go into the park or garden and call your dog.

When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately let the dog to go back to playing with his friends. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes over to you.

The dog will soon learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being removed from the park).

So-called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach, because dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the hardest things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you may take some creativity on your part at first. For instance, waving a favourite toy, or a lure, is a good way to get your dog's attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well when you are training your dog.

Once your dog starts to get used to coming when called, you can start to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on making the dog respond to just your voice. It is important that the dog responds to voice commands alone, as you will not always have a toy or lure to hand.

About the Author:

Is She a Lady or a Tramp?

June 27th, 2009

So you may wonder, what is in a dog's name? Just what does it matter what your girl dog's name is? The answer is maybe a lot, because your bitch's name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a rather small dog. For what a small dog lacks in stature it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog's name?

Cute dog names are usually meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind's eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all speak of a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This could be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names out there. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do need to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent animals, they cant process the same amount of information that humans can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can increase your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names (can|should help them shape a character of their own. Common names dont encourage them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

I would bet money that most pet owners do not think of the factors mentioned above when considering dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are picked at random, but it really is well-worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs mental health if nothing else.

About the Author:

Is She a Bitch or a Lady?

June 27th, 2009

So, you may be asking yourself, what is in a dog's name? Just what does it matter what your girl dog's name is? The answer is perhaps a lot, because your bitch's name defines him or her in the eyes of your friends, especially if you have a rather small, puny dog. For what a small dog lacks in stature it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog's name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind's eye. Other cute female dog names are Beauty, Becky and Princess. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very joyful dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be very few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it detracts from the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are some male cute dog names about. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

While dogs are quite intelligent creatures, they cant really process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should not be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is seldom that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can improve your prospects of training them.

However, dogs names (can|should help them shape an identity of their own. Common names dont allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters no end without hurting their ability to respond on command.

I am willing to bet money that most dog owners do not think of the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at random, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if nothing else.

About the Author: