Each year we humans like to give each other presents and cards to mark Easter, Christmas and Birthdays amongst other things. As we also consider dogs as a member of the family it is only right that they join in the merriment, for that reason a range of dog gifts have been designed specially for them. You can now purchase greeting cards that you can send from your dog and also edible cards that can be sent to dogs, in addition to a whole host of other dog gifts.
You’ll be delighted to know that dogs are not interested in the hottest electronic gadgets or laptop computers so you don’t need to break the bank when buying a dog gift. Dogs have no concept of designer labels or value, and are just as contented with a toy costing a few pounds, as an expensive gift. While not being concerned about style or designer labels they do enjoy food and fun, there’s no happier sight than a dog playing with a new toy.
When it comes to choosing a dog gift you have heaps of products to choose from, ranging from edible greeting cards to toys or even clothing. If you are thinking of buying a gift for your own dog or a friends dog, I’ll list a few items you might like to consider below:
Edible Greeting Cards – The majority of these are made from natural rawhide so they are a safe treat for dogs to eat. As well as the rawhide card itself you also receive a paper label that you can write a message on plus an envelope so that you can put it in the post if want to.
Dog Toys – There is a vast range of toys offered for dogs these days, so you will have no problem finding one for any type of dog. If you are buying for a non destructive dog then soft plush toys or vinyl squeaky toys will make dog gifts. If on the other hand the dog is an keen chewer then something like rubber Kong toys or a Nylabone chew toy would probably be a better choice.
Dog Treats – Not too long ago the choice of dog treats was restricted to natural products such as pigs ears or a variety of dog biscuits. Today however there is a far larger variety that includes such things as dog chocolate and even cakes made just for dogs such as birthday cakes.
Dog Beds – These make great dog gifts and need not cost a lot of money. Simple items of dog bedding such as mattresses begin at roughly £10 and are terrific for taking with you when visiting friends, or handy to store in your home if you have a friend that often pays you a visit with their dog. Travel dog beds can also be purchased relatively cheaply, or if you are feeling generous there are a great variety of novelty and luxury dog beds on the market.
As I write this Christmas is just a couple months away and Christmas gifts are appearing in the shops, some of these include dog gifts. Festive plush and vinyl dog toys, as well as delicious festive dog treats such as dog Christmas pudding, and even dog clothing in the form of Santa or reindeer suits.
No matter what the size of your budget you can always locate a gift for the dog in your life so that he/she can join in the celebrations.
In this article I am going to discuss clicker training and its use in training dogs. Most people have heard of clicker training but have no clue what it actually is, in this article I will discuss what clicker training is, how to start using it as well as just how powerful clicker training can be. Most dogs take to clicker training very easily and enjoy learning through the use of a clicker.
What Clicker Training Is
Clicker Training is a positive method of training a dog new behaviors. This means there is no correction for the dog getting anything wrong just reward for when it gets the new behavior right. Unlike some other dog training clicker training does not rely on baiting where the dog is simply bribed into performing a certain behavior. The problem with baiting is that its a very dependent on the owner and takes a lot time to become an independent behavior without many cues. As well as allowing you to teach your dog an independent behavior much quicker than with baiting or other conventional dog training it also allows your dog to learn at a fast rate because its being given much clearer instruction.
How Clicker Training Works
The principle behind clicker training is that the click noise given off by the clicker means correct. So the soon learns that the exact position its in or behavior its performing when the clicker goes off means that’s the correct position/behavior. When a dog is use to clicker training and is clear when its doing the correct behavior new behaviors are formed very quickly.
The main things to consider when clicker training are rate of reinforcement, timing and motivation. Rate of reinforcement is all about how often your reward and how much of a reward you give. When first starting you should reward often and always remember quickly. You need to reward as soon as the dog has performed the correct behavior this way the message that’s right is crystal clear. As your dogs understanding increases the rate of reinforcement can be decreased and your dog should be holding the correct behavior longer. Timing is extremely important in any dog training you must use the clicker the millisecond your dog performs the correct behavior. Clicker training is all about timing the quicker you click and reward the faster the dog will learn the new behavior. The next major thing to consider is motivation without motivation you have nothing a dog must love to work. Unmotivated dogs have no go about them and they simply do not want to work. If a dog does not want to work then you have a serious problem its one hundred percent the training responsibility to make the dog love working. There are many ways to motivate a dog these include treats, toys, fuss and just play in general. Always keep your training short and fun ten to fifteen minutes at a time is perfect any more than this and the dog will get fed up. Remember that you should always finish training when your dog is keen and enjoying the training, never finish when your dog is bored and unmotivated as this produces nothing except a dog who does not enjoy working.
How To Get Started Clicker Training
To get started clicker training all you need is a clicker, a reward and a willing dog. If you have these three things then you have everything you need to start clicker training. Experiment and have fun it’s the best way to learn about clicker training and training dogs in general. There’s no substitute to a good working relationship with your dog. When you have that great relationship you will find training so much easier because you already know exactly how your dog is going to react to everything you do.
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There are many different techniques you can use to train your dog, and it is important to find one that works for you and your family in order to have the most loyal and well-behaved pet possible. All successful styles of dog training emphasize the bond between dog and owner, and the basis of a successful training program is earning the dog’s respect. It is fortunate that dogs are innately programmed to submit to a leader, it allows them to follow commands and make training easier.
This article will discuss one of the more common types of dog training –leash/collar training. Other articles will examine other common dog-training techniques, known as reward training or positive reinforcement.
Both the leash/collar styles of dog training and reward-based dog training have been proven to be effective methods of dog training over time. The method of training that is most effective is dependent on the dog’s breed and his temperament. Each dog has its own personality, which is emphasized even further by many years of selective breeding.
The personalities of individual dogs can be very different, even within the same breed. It is up to you, as the owner, to determine which method of training will work best for your dog, so it is important to work with the trainer in order to attain your goal of an eager, well-trained and friendly dog.
Leash/collar training is the best way to fulfill many factions of dog training, especially in circumstances where the dog must be very dependable. For example, certain working dogs, such as police dogs, rescue dogs or guard dogs, tend to gain from leash and collar training.
In leash/collar training, different levels of force can be used, varying from light modifications with the lead to firmer corrections. The level of correction used should be relative to the situation, as too much correction, or not enough, can prove unproductive.
In a leash/collar emphasized dog-training program, the dog is first taught a desired behavior on the leash. Once the dog seems to understand the command, the leash is then used to modify incorrect behaviors. The leash is used as the main form of control and communication with the dog in this form of training.
With leash/collar training, the dog must learn to trust the handler and follow commands without any hesitation. The dog is considered fully trained when the handler is able to show that the dog will follow a command even if he does not want to. While this does not mean using brute force, it will likely necessitate some physical handling. This type of handling is most effectively completed by use of the leash.
Anyone attempting to train his or her dog should understand that the leash is merely a device. While the leash is necessary for this style of dog training, it is important for the dog trainer to strive for the same results using whatever gear are nearby.
No matter what device the owner uses for training, such as the owner’s body and voice, the dog should be eager to comply. Building a trusting relationship between owner and dog is vital, and it is important that the leash is used as a tool rather than a crutch. A properly trained dog should be eager to obey with or without a leash.
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Although your new puppy will likely squirm and maybe even cry when getting his shots, it is just as important for your dog as it is for your children or yourself. In fact, by keeping up on your dog’s vaccinations, you could be saving his life.
Vaccinations are injections of a small dose of a disease, which will prevent your puppy from developing that very disease. Just like immunizations in children, it is required by health departments and is the right thing to do for your dog.
Two different types of vaccinations exist. They are a Killed Vaccine and a Modified Live Vaccine. A Modified Live Vaccine is the live disease being injected, while having been altered by the drug company to be unable to cause the disease it is protecting against. A Killed Vaccine is when the virus itself has been killed before any injection occurs.
Once vaccinations are given, your dog’s immune system will recognize the presence of a disease and will then create barriers or reinforcements (antibodies) to fight it off, should it appear. These barriers only last from six months to a year, which makes regular appointments extremely important for your dog.
A few of the more commonly heard of diseases that affect dogs are often at the top of a vaccination list. These include: Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Rabies and Corona Virus.
Regular vaccinations can prevent your dog from contracting these diseases; however you should still be aware of what they are. Canine Distemper is caused by a virus that attacks the body and can be damaging to the dogs central nervous system. 50 percent of dogs who contract this disease will have a fatal outcome. It mainly affects middle aged dogs. Puppies and older dogs are usually safe from contracting it.
Another vaccination, which is important to your dog’s health and should not be confused with the human disease, Hepatitis is Infectious Hepatitis, which is a life threatening viral disease. It is transmitted through urine, saliva and feces. All ages of dogs are at risk for this disease. Luckily, it’s not contagious to humans.
Vaccinations for Rabies are probably the most commonly talked about vaccine. The disease itself is the most well known in animals and can quickly affect humans through saliva and bites. Aggression, excessive salivation and erratic behavior will follow the onset of rabies, although it may not be as clear as “Cujo”, the famous rabid-infected dog in the movies.
Another disease that is commonly confused and is important to have vaccinations for is Corona Virus. This disease affects young dogs and is usually mixed up with Parvo, which is a totally different type of disease. Corona Virus is contagious and is passed through feces ingested by another dog, causing trouble with the intestinal system. This disease is usually treatable before Parvo sets in.
As you can see, there are many diseases that can affect, sicken, or even kill your precious family member. Vaccinations are extremely important to yours and your dog’s health and it is your responsibility as a dog owner to have regular visits with the vet. For all the happiness he brings to you and your family, he deserves to be healthy.
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WOne of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa Apso. The puppies especially are just irresistible but before one decides to purchase a Lhasa just because the kids are begging for one, there are some things that should be known about this particular breed. Historically, Lhasa Apsos were kept by the monasteries and nobility in Tibet as indoor watch dogs. They would sleep by their masters and with their high intelligence plus keen sense of hearing, would warn of any intruders. Lhasa Apsos were never bought or sold in Tibet. Instead, the Dalai Lama sent Lhasa Apsos in pairs to the emperors of China as gifts. High ranking visitors to Tibet also received them as gifts.
They are also referred to as the little bark sentinel lion dogs since fully grown Lhasa Apsos could resemble small lions with all their hair. Lhasa Apso dogs can also behave very much like lions exhibiting no fear when confronted by strangers or even larger dogs. Despite its small size with adult females reaching 12 to 16 pounds and adult males ranging from 14 to 18 pounds, they are extremely hardy as well as rugged. Having existed in the extreme temperatures of Tibet for centuries, they are well suited for and actually enjoy romps in the snow. They are also long lived. Both of my Lhasa Apsos lived past the age of fifteen years. I have heard reports of others living even longer. In appearance, the Lhasa Apso is very similar to the Shih Tzu breed. The face of a Lhasa Apso is not as flat as that of the Shih Tzu. It is believed
that the Chinese crossed the Lhasa Apso with the Pekinese which resulted in the Shih Tzu with its flatter face.
One thing that all prospective owners should definitely know is that having a fur ball like a Lhasa Apso will require lots of maintenance. The long hair of this breed requires constant care. If left unattended even for a few days, the Lhasa Apso hair will mat up in clumps that cannot be untangled. Their floppy ears are also prone to infections and their eyes can develop problems. If a prospective owner is not willing to make a commitment to the high maintenance of a Lhasa Apso, a shorter hair breed is recommended.
The Lhasa Apso is considered by some breeders to be more stubborn and difficult to train than other dogs. Do not let all that cuteness give you the wrong impression as they are the little lion dogs after all. This breed has been revered and highly regarded for centuries in Asia. The genetics may have resulted in some arrogance in them. One must be assertive in the proper training of the Lhasa Apso as this breed will test the new master. Lhasa Apsos are completely loyal and affectionate with their masters but many will not be fond of strangers no matter how obedient they are. This may be part of their watch dog tendency. One of my Lhasa Apsos was quite friendly with visitors but the other one wouldn’t even acknowledge their presence.
The breed may also not be appropriate with small children. Small children may get clumsy and accidentally poke Lhasas in the eyes or squeeze them too hard. Lhasas will not take this behavior lightly as they are not as patient with kids compared to say Labrador retrievers. Some Lhasas have been known to bite clumsy kids. Lhasa Apso dogs can be very good with children as long as they are treated with respect and care.
Despite these characteristics of the Lhasa Apso, they are excellent dogs to have as they can be one of the most loyal companions as long as it is recognized that they are high maintenance and may not be suitable for some families.
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“Dad, the ball just went into the dog doody again!” Isn’t this ridiculous? Ridiculous that we have to worry about a domesticated animal that is owned by a human-being crapping on our property and not having it picked up!
We all know about “pooper scooper” laws- and how the majority of dog owners abide by them. However, we also know that the fines are small, and how the law is often inadequately enforced. For instance, in New York City in 2004 there were only 471 ticketed dog-waste violations! (Source: The N.Y. Times- 10/2/05)
When dog waste remains on our streets or sidewalks, rain water picks up harmful pathogens from the waste and delivers them into our waterways. This water pollution leads to risk of infection and viruses, unsafe drinking water, beach closings and unhealthy boating and fishing. (Source: Hemp- stead Harbor Protection Committee). DNA sampling of all licensed dogs has been proposed in Austria (Source: MSNBC.com- 5/23/05). But we all know that this problem will likely continue to persist worldwide.
The answer for people who have had enough? The only reasonable solution is the posting of a lawn sign that will deter dog walkers from letting their pooches defecate on your property, or at a minimum, at least guilt them into picking up after their dog.
The key however is what kind of lawn sign. What will the sign say, and how psychologically these words will make the dog walker who may be dog-duty delinquent feel? How they feel, will no doubt impact upon their actions or lack thereof.
The lawn sign must not be insulting or disparaging, or it quite possibly can have opposite of the intended effect. A sign that may strike a chord psychologically with the dog walker is what will be most effective.
For example;
• What if the signs’ text was tied to children- and the innocence of youth? Most dog walkers either have, or have had kids, so certainly this may resonate well with them. Thus the sign may read “Kids @ Play, Please Keep Poop Away”.
• Or how about a sign containing a subtle dig, conveying that your lawn is important to you?- One that gently let’s the potential culprit know that you take care of your lawn and that you care about your property, such as “Thanks, But We’ve Already Fertilized”.
• Who doesn’t remember the slogan “Keep America Beautiful”? In these patriotic times, a sign that reads “Keep America Beautiful, Please Curb Your Dog!” is certainly sure to make most offenders think twice before committing an irresponsible and inconsiderate act.
• For those that the only deterrent may be the fear of getting caught in the act, the sign “Area Patrolled By CrapCam” plants a seed of doubt that maybe someone is watching them.
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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 training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making 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, is a great way to keep the dog’s attention and reward him for small successes.
For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you, for instance, 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 reward. This can be either the aforementioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.
Providing 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 great way to keep your dog motivated. 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 any dog, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be taught 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 even be used as rewards when training the dog to come when called.
For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in a local dog park or with the neighbor’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or yard and call your dog. When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to go back to playing with his friends.
Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes to you. The dog will quickly learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being taken away from the park).
If the dog does not master this particular type of training right away, try not to get discouraged. So called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach. Dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the most difficult 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.
Training the dog to come to you may require some creativity on your part at first. For instance, waving a favorite toy, 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.
Once the dog begins to get the hang of coming when called, you can begin to reduce and eliminate the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to respond to your voice alone. It is important that the dog respond to voice commands alone, since you will not always have the availability of a toy or other lure.
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The come command is a very useful and very important skill as it can get your dog quickly out of a difficult or dangerous situation. If your dog will instantly turn away from what it’s doing and return to you, then you have a safety mechanism continually at your finger-tips. As with all training, you should begin in a quiet location with few distractions (probably inside your own home), then increase the distractions as the new exercise becomes more familiar to your dog.
You should have lots of treats ready for this training technique – it is essential to reward your dog IMMEDIATELY he exhibits the correct behaviour. He will not remember what he’s just done if you leave it too long, by searching in your pocket or a bag, so you should have the treat already in your hand, anticipating his obedience. When he masters the command, you should give him his favourite treat straight away and praise him.
This exercise is best carried out with two people. (If this isn’t possible, a long training leash can be used, along with the stay command.) One person should hold the dog’s collar, the other should show him and let him sniff his treat. Then close your hand over the treat and back away from your dog while your companion holds his collar. If your dog already knows how to sit and stay (and he should do!) then use this command while you back away from him to about ten feet distance. Now stop and call your dog’s name followed by the word “come”. You must be consistent, always use the same word in the same tone of voice. Later, if you want friends or family to use your dog’s commands, you must teach them how to say them and use them correctly. Inconsistency will confuse your dog and undermine your training techniques.
Once you have called your dog’s name and the word “come”, your companion should release the collar and your dog will almost certainly return to you. Give him his treat and praise him enthusiastically. Repeat the exercise many times, increasing the distance between you and your dog and even going out of his line of sight. He will soon have learned the exercise and associate “come” with a nice treat and praise.
The next part of the training is to take your dog outside to a quiet location. Your companion should hold your dog on it’s leash and run over to you with the dog when you give the “come” command. Once it is clear that the dog is responding well to the command and responding to the positive reinforcement of the treat, you can try the command with the dog off the leash in a safe environment.
Remember to always use positive reinforcement for this exercise – don’t call your dog to you to tell him off or to do something he dislikes, like putting his leash back on. If you want to get him back on the leash, you can trick him by calling him to you, playing a little game where he stays close to you, then putting his leash on, so he doesn’t associate the command with something negative. Some dogs don’t see the leash as negative and therefore you can just call him as normal and give him a treat or praise him.
As with all training exercises, the key to success is repetition, patience, consistency and positive association. Your dog will be a happier, healthier, safer dog for accomplishing this simple task in a variety of environments with differing degrees of distraction until it is an automatic response.
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Buying a collar and lead is probably one of the first things a new dog owner does as they are a necessity for proper control of your dog and an essential piece of equipment when training a new dog or puppy.
If you have a puppy then it’s likely they will quickly outgrow a collar or lead, so it is perfectly acceptable to buy non-expensive and lightweight equipment during this early stage of their life.
Many people like their dogs to wear a collar all of the time, but some ornamental collars will not stand up to a sudden movement or constant straining. You should therefore consider having 2 collars; one for ornamental purposes and another one for training your dog or puppy.
Even though puppies get plenty of exercise through play you should try and get your puppy accustomed to wearing their collar and lead at the earliest age possible.
Even if you do not intend your dog or puppy to wear a collar all the time you can buckle a light collar around their neck and leave it there for a number of days until your dog or puppy ignores its presence.
Do be aware that the neck hair of a long haired dog will be permanently marked if it wears a collar at all times so use common sense depending on your breed of dog or puppy.
A bolt and spring clip is best on the end of a lead and you should buy clips where the opening does not come at the point of most strain as they are liable to come apart.
Leather and nylon leads are a good choice and although many owners think chains would be stronger they can be very uncomfortable from the owner’s point of view.
If you are serious about training then you will be using a slip collar as this will provide you with much more control. A slip collar consists of a chain with a ring at either end, the chain is dropped through one of the rings to form a loop, which is then put over the dog’s head.
A pull on a slip collar is slightly uncomfortable for the dog providing focus for training, but when the lead is slack the collar is loose. The slip collar will only work well if the collar is put on correctly so you should practice to ensure the fit is best for you and your dog.
When using a lead take it in your right hand and ensure your dog walks on your left hand side. If using a slip collar the ring through which the chain is slipping should be underneath. Practice as much as possible with your collars and leads so that both you and your dog or puppy become familiar with them and you can both use them in the best possible way.
Once you have the right equipment you can begin basic exercises and lessons to train your dog for obedience, competitions or shows, providing pleasure and companionship for you and your dog or puppy.
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The Boston Terrier has been nicknamed the American Gentleman because of its wonderful, gentle disposition and its tuxedo like coat. One of the few breeds that is truly “made in the USA”.
Boston Terriers are rated by the American Kennel club as one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs; making housetraining simple. Over time, they have evolved into a gentle breed that is content to sit on your lap and be petted.
Originally bred down in size from pit-fighting dogs the Boston Terrier was much larger than it is today, weighing up to 44 pounds.
It seems difficult to believe that these little dogs were once tough pit fighters. The Boston Terrier resembles the Staffordshire Bull Terrier with its strong fighting instinct. The Boston Terriers of today are a far cry from the proud fighting dog of the past.
The Boston Terrier resulted from a cross between the English Bulldog and a white English Terrier. Around 1870 an imported dog known as “Judge” was sold to Robert.C.Hooper. The dog became known as “Hooper’s Judge” and was a prize stud dog who was mated with many females. He was a heavy dog weighing in at 30 pounds. He was bred down in size. He is believed to be the ancestor of many of today’s Boston Terriers.
These offspring were bred with some French Bulldogs and these matings provides the foundation for today’s Boston Terriers.
In 1889 the American Bull Terrier Club was started. In it’s infancy it only had 30 members and called the dogs Bull Terriers. In 1981 the Boston Terriers club was formed to showcase these dogs. The American Kennel Club only admitted them into their stud books because of the constant persistance of the breed fanciers.
In the early years, the color and markings were not as important as they are today. By the 1900’s the breeds markings and colors were an essential part of the breed feature. According to the breed standard, the characteristic markings should be marked white in proportion with a black, brindle, seal or combination of those three. ‘Seal’ is a word used to describe specifically a color found on Boston Terriers – a black color with red highlights. The white should cover the chest, muzzle and a band around the neck, halfway up the forelegs. In show dogs, symmetrical markings are preferred. A new breed of colors (red) Boston Terriers is not seal.
In comparison to other breeds this is a relatively new breed. Most of the progress in the breed has been made in the 20th Century.
In 1979 the Boston Terrier became recognized by state legislature as the state dog of Massachusetts.
The Boston Terrier of Today is not considered a fighting type dog but can hold its own. The Boston Terrier makes for a wonderful companion for everyone.
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