Dec 14 2009

How To Stop Pets Jumping Up On The Furniture

Anyone who has had pets will testify to how hard it is sometimes to ensure they don’t jump all over your furniture. Like it or not, pets seem to have a fascination with jumping on your bed, lounging on your sofa and even exploring your wardrobe every now and then. It would be fine if they just sat nicely and were clean, but as we know this is often not true of pets. Instead they claw at your bedding, chew up your couch and get mud all over your lovely white-wardrobes. Don’t keep pulling your hair out though, here are some tips on keeping the pesky pets off.

Training. When all is said and done, investing the time in training your pet correctly will stop it ruining your lovely living room and bedroom-furniture. If you can train your pets early in their life then you stand the best chance, because as the saying goes, ‘you can’t teach and old dog new tricks’. If you can teach them that the furniture is not their plaything, but instead for their owners to use, that is great. However, many people do let their pets on certain pieces of furniture, in which case your pets should know which ones they are allowed on, and which are forbidden.

Pet repellents. If your lovely pets don’t listen to you and have no respect for your property whatsoever, you may need to be a little bit craftier in your approach. Available from pet stores are products that you spray or sprinkle on your furniture to repel pets. These tend to have quite citrusy smells that are pleasant to humans but are too much for animals with sensitive smell.

Discipline. If you have trained your pet then they will respond better to discipline, but any animal will learn if you go about it the right way. This doesn’t mean that you should hit your pets every time they jump on the chair or bedside cabinets, but instead be consistent with how you react when they do. There is nothing more confusing to an animal than being told off for something one day and allowed to do it the next without being told off. Use loud short noises to tell them no, and praise them when they don’t jump up.

Oct 26 2009

Dog Training Hand Signals – Make It Fun

Dog Training Hand Signals should be a chapter in every dog training manual. Training your dog to respond to hand signals can be fun to teach and very easy for your dog to learn, understand and obey.

Hardly any equipment or materials apart from a hungry dog and a few pieces of choice treats are the requirements to get you started and well on your way to training him or her to obey the ’sit’, ‘down’ or ‘come’ commands issued in the form of hand signals instead of verbal commands.

The first thing to do is to choose a specific and clearly identifiable hand movement or gesture to associate with each command. Getting your dog to respond to that gesture is merely the act of repetition till you succeed.

You start with issuing the verbal command performing the chosen gesture at the same time. You reward the dog with a treat each time the command is obeyed.

When there is clear and spontaneous response to the verbal command and hand signal combination, you then drop the verbal command and start over again only with the hand signal, rewarding the dog with a treat each time the hand signal is obeyed.

Repeat continuously till there is a spontaneous response to the hand signal. Drop the food reward and continue only with the hand signal till there is a clear and spontaneous response.

Now you have mastered dog training hand signals, and will be having your dog, coming to you, sitting down, or lying down near you all on the movements of your hand.

Sit.

Begin the training session by standing your dog in front of you, with your hands hanging normally and loosely by your sides and with a treat in the hand that you have chosen to use in the signal.

Begin the dog training hand signal by bringing the hand slowly and deliberately up, folding it at the same time as if you are about to throw something over. Let your movement be gradual and reward the dog with the treat as soon as it ’sits’. Repeat till there is no hesitation by the dog in responding to the command.

Repeat hand signal without verbal command till the dog responds without any hesitation, rewarding each time with a treat. Then repeat the hand signal with intermittent rewards, then one reward every three to four commands and finally no rewards at all.

Test hand signal for spontaneous response without any reward.

Down.

Begin this session by sitting your dog in front of you, with your hands hanging normally and loosely by your sides with a treat in the hand that you have chosen to use in the signal.

The hand movement for this signal would be the raising your hand above your head. Follow the same procedure as you did in the ‘Sit’ command and test finally for spontaneous response without any reward.

Come.

Begin this session with the dog in front of you, and your hands hanging normally and loosely by your sides with a treat in the hand that you have chosen to use in the signal.

The hand movement for this signal would be raising your hand to touch the opposite shoulder. If you are using your right hand touch your left shoulder.

Follow the same procedure as you did in the ‘Sit’ and ‘Down’ commands and test finally for spontaneous response without any reward.

You are now a master of Dog Training Hand Signals.

Dog Training Hand Signals and Dog Training Hand Signals
Dog Training Hand Signals

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Oct 26 2009

Does Your Dog’s Diet Need To Contain Supplements?

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?

Occasionally, some low-quality dog foods will increase the need for extra supplementation. Your vet may recommend that you give your dog’s diet a little boost. Consider supplementing your dog’s diet with a hard boiled egg a couple of days per week. This simple step will add extra amounts of vitamins A and D to your dog’s diet. Such vitamins help to maintain good bone structure and healthy eyes.

If you have decided to personalize your dog’s diet by customizing a raw diet, cooking at home for your pet, or just want to make sure your dog’s diet is at its best, you will want to know about the benefits of other supplements. Your dog’s diet can be supplemented with whole grains, green vegetables, and nuts. These items will increase your dog’s intake of vitamin B. Other ways to supplement your dog’s diet to increase the amount of vitamin B take in beans, yeast, and liver. Your dog needs vitamin B in a healthy, balanced diet to support healthy skin and muscles.Depending on your dog’s age and health, you will want to devise a feeding schedule that supports your dog’s diet and nutritional needs. Adult dogs may only need to eat at one time during the day, but two mealtimes are preferred.

To ward off immune system deficiencies, supplement your dog’s diet with additional vitamin E. Good sources of vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, bran, and vegetable oil. Vitamin K can be another important nutrient in your dog’s diet. Liver, fish, leafy greens, and seeds can provide vitamin K to your dog’s diet. This vitamin will help to enhance your dog’s blood clotting abilities.Glucosamine can be a great supplement in your dog’s diet. Glucosamine has been proven to improve joint health and ward off arthritis in your pet.Supplementing your dog’s diet can be risky if not done correctly. You may think you are providing your pet excellent vitamins and low calories by tossing your dog a few grapes or raisins. Some dogs have been known to die from renal failure due to consuming such fruit. Always seek advice from a professional before supplementing or changing your dog’s diet in any way just to be on the safe side.

Calcium supplements can be dangerous when used excessively in your dog’s diet. Although calcium is good in moderation to form strong, healthy bones, too much calcium can create trouble. Large breed pups given too much calcium may grow large bones, but these bones lack the strength they need.

Always talk to your vet about the supplements you are considering. Your vet can advise you on the appropriate amounts of each supplement to add to your dog’s diet. Both you and your vet care for your pet and want what is best for your dog. Providing a healthy and nutritious diet is one of the easiest ways to ensure good health for your furry friend.

Dog Training Hand Signals and Dog Training Hand Signals
Dog Training Hand Signals

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