Dara Solomon asked:


Escaping is a serious problem for both you and your dog, as it could have tragic consequences. If your dog is running loose, he is in danger of being hit by a car, being injured in a fight with another dog, or being hurt in a number of other ways. Additionally, you’re liable for any damage or injury your dog may cause and you may be required to pay a fine if he’s picked up by an animal control agency. In order to resolve an escaping problem, you must determine not only how your dog is getting out, but also why he is escaping.

Why Dogs Escape



Social Isolation/Frustration

Your dog may be escaping because he’s bored and lonely if:

• He is left alone for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction with you.

• His environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys.

• He is a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn’t have other outlets for his energy.

• He is a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting breeds) who needs an active job in order to be happy.

Recommendations:

We recommend expanding your dog’s world and increasing his “people time” in the following ways:

• Walk your dog daily. It’s good exercise, both mentally and physically.

• Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often as possible.

• Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks. Practice these commands and/or tricks every day for five to ten minutes.

• Take an obedience class with your dog and practice daily what you’ve learned.

• Provide interesting toys (Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box toys) to keep your dog busy when you’re not home.

Sexual Roaming

Dogs become sexually mature at around six months of age. An intact male dog is motivated by a strong, natural drive to seek out female dogs. It can be very difficult to prevent an intact dog from escaping, because his motivation to do so is very high.

Recommendations:

Have your male dog neutered. Studies show that neutering will decrease sexual roaming in about 90% of the cases. If, however, an intact male has established a pattern of escaping, he may continue to do so even after he’s neutered, so it’s important to have him neutered as soon as possible.

Have your female dog spayed. If your intact female dog escapes your yard while she’s in heat, she’ll probably get pregnant. Millions of unwanted pets are euthanized every year. Please don’t contribute to the pet overpopulation problem by allowing your female dog to breed indiscriminately.

Fears and Phobias

Your dog may be escaping in response to something he is afraid of if he escapes when he is exposed to loud noises, such as thunderstorms, firecrackers or construction sounds.

Recommendations:

• Identify what is frightening your dog and desensitize him to it. You may need professional help with the desensitization process. Check with your veterinarian about giving your dog an anti-anxiety medication while you work on behavior modification.

• Leave your dog indoors when he is likely to encounter the fear stimulus. Mute noise by leaving him in a basement or windowless bathroom and leave on a television, radio or loud fan.

• Provide a “safe place” for your dog. Observe where he likes to go when he feels anxious, then allow access to that space, or create a similar space for him to use when the fear stimulus is present.

Separation Anxiety

Your dog may be escaping due to separation anxiety if:

• He escapes as soon as, or shortly after, you leave.

• He displays other behaviors that reflect a strong attachment to you, such as following you around, frantic greetings or reacting anxiously to your preparations to leave.

• He remains near your home after he’s escaped.

Factors that can precipitate a separation anxiety problem:

• There has recently been a change in your family’s schedule that has resulted in your dog being left alone more often.

• Your family has recently moved to a new house.

• There’s been a death or loss of a family member or another family pet.

• Your dog has recently spent time at an animal shelter or boarding kennel.

Recommendations: Separation anxiety can be resolved using counter-conditioning and desensitization techniques.

How Dogs Escape

Some dogs jump fences, but most actually climb them, using some part of the fence to push off from. A dog may also dig under the fence, chew through the fence, learn to open a gate or use any combination of these methods to get out of the yard. Knowing how your dog gets out will help you to modify your yard. However, until you know why your dog wants to escape, and you can decrease his motivation for doing so, you won’t be able to successfully resolve the problem.

Recommendations for Preventing Escape

For climbing/jumping dogs: Add an extension to your fence that tilts in toward the yard. The extension doesn’t necessarily need to make the fence much higher, as long as it tilts inward at about a 45-degree angle.

For digging dogs: Bury chicken wire at the base of your fence (with the sharp edges rolled inward), place large rocks at the base, or lay chain-link fencing on the ground.

Punishment

Never punish your dog after he’s already out of the yard. Dogs associate punishment with what they’re doing at the time they’re punished. Punishing your dog after the fact won’t eliminate the escaping behavior, but will only make him afraid to come to you.

Never punish your dog if the escaping is a fear-related problem or is due to separation anxiety. Punishing fear-motivated behaviors will only make your dog more afraid, and thus make the problem worse.

Punishment is only effective if administered at the moment your dog is escaping and if he doesn’t associate the correction with you.

 

Outside sources for pet help:

FunAdvice.com Pets

Humane Society of the United States



ALDEN

Kayye Nynne asked:


The prevalence of genetic disease in dogs today can only be described as alarmingly common which is bad news for dog owners and dog lovers alike. The following is a list to illustrate the magnitude of the problem:

1. On average all dogs carry at least 4-5 defective genes.

2. Over 500 genetic diseases have been identified in dogs.   

3. Hip Dysplasia (HD) (an inherited orthopedic disease that may result in the dog becoming lame) commonly occurs in 60 dog breeds and occurs less frequently in another 110 breeds; thus this disease is seen in over 170 breeds of dog.

4. 119 dog breeds are commonly afflicted with progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a disease that quite often leads to blindness in the affected animal.

5. Of all the dog breeds the Poodle suffers from the most number of genetic diseases…145! The reason why the Poodle is predisposed to so many genetic diseases is because not only are there 3 distinct sizes of Poodle in this breed, the large count of disease is a reflection of the popularity of this dog breed. By and large a good rule of thumb is, the more popular a dog breed the greater the number of genetic diseases inherent in that breed.

6. Several popular dog breeds are linked to over 100 genetic diseases.

7. These days dog breeders spend well over $500,000,000 annually in an effort to address this disturbing trend of genetic disease in man’s best friend.

As it is all the various dog breeds that exist today were artificially created; in other words each and every dog breed was selectively bred for a particular trait, be it coat color, coat length, sniffing ability, shortness of stature (miniatures), ****** appearance and so forth…the list is virtually endless. The means by which those desired traits were obtained was to selectively breed that population of dogs that most strongly exhibited the desired trait; a breeding strategy that is otherwise known as inbreeding!

Gene Pool And Population Factors

A population may be described as a breeding group that possesses gene continuity from one generation to the next. Currently a growing body of dog experts believe that the dog evolved as a new species from the wolf to occupy a developing niche about 15,000 years ago. That developing niche revolved around human waste dumps; opportunistic wolves began inhabiting those waste dumps for easily available food supplies.

All told, 15,000 years on the evolutionary scale is an extremely brief period for a new species to evolve from another, suggesting that there must have been a considerable amount of inbreeding amongst those opportunistic waste-dump-frequenting wolves to propagate the tameness trait in so short a time span! Compounding this issue of limited genetic pool, a growing number of dog researchers now believe that the original genetic ancestry of the dog evolved from only three female wolves that inhabited China several thousand years ago (the so called eves of dog evolution).

The important point to note here is that even before mankind began his intensive trait-specific breeding program of the dog, and due to its unorthodox super-accelerated evolution, the dog gene pool right from the get go was rather limited!

Development Of A Dog Breed

By its very nature the development of a new dog breed involves a considerable amount of inbreeding to magnify and evolve the desired trait(s) characteristic of that new breed. However this process results in a considerable number of undesired results. If we consider the Dalmatian, a breed of dog characterized by its distinctive pattern of spots, somewhere along the line during that process of selecting for the spotted pattern trait, Dalmatian dog breeders unknowingly and unintentionally also bred this dog for an abnormal uric acid gene!

By the time people realized that there was a very serious problem in the Dalmatian, this dog breed was homozygous for the abnormal uric acid gene! (Homozygous refers to identical pairs of genes that manifest as an observable trait as opposed to non-identical gene pairs known as heterozygous that confer no observable trait; i.e., recessives). This unwanted side effect means that Dalmatians are perhaps the only breed of dog that is predisposed to urine stones (from excessive levels of uric acid), a debilitating urinary tract condition. In an effort to rectify this problem the Dalmatian line was subsequently crossbred with various Pointer breeds to eliminate the inherent homozygotic uric acid gene whilst still maintaining the spotted pattern that defines the Dalmatian dog.



Gene Linkage

The abnormal elevated levels of uric acid in the Dalmatian associated with the spotting-pattern gene, is a classic case of gene linkage. Linkage is said to occur when genes expressing different properties are located on the same chromosome and are inherited as a unit. In fact the occurrence of gene linkage probably explains how the dog morphologically (shape wise) differentiated from the wolf so dramatically and so quickly; the gene that expressed the tameness trait was linked to genes that expressed other properties such as floppy ears, change in coat color, barking or simply put properties characteristic of today’s domesticated dog.

The bottom line here is that selective breeding for a particular trait (as happens whenever a new dog breed is being developed) carries the inherent risk of magnifying the expression of unwanted defective genes that would otherwise rarely occur under natural circumstances.



Genetic Diversity

During the process of natural selection genetic diversity is maintained, but contrastingly in selective breeding the opposite holds true; genetic diversity is reduced! Recent studies have revealed that genetic variation occurs frequently in normal populations of any species and that even those genes that are deleterious and defective are preserved in the gene pool as so-called recessive genes (recessive gene traits are not visibly apparent unlike dominant genes). It is now believed that such genetic variability confers adaptive properties to a population in the event of extreme environmental change.

Thus mutative genes that confer minimal benefit today could play a significant future role in the survival of the species in which it occurs. This could explain why defective or mutative genes are preserved as recessive genes in a population’s gene pool. A good example illustrating the beneficial role recessive genes can confer to a population is the case of the English Peppered moth.

Like a large number of insects the Peppered moth relies on its color to camouflage it from predators. The dominantly prevalent grayish color of the Peppered moth allows it to blend in with its environment which so happen to be tree trunks and lichen of like color. Although lighter and darker shades of the moth exist, few of such individuals survive for the simple reason their camouflaging abilities are less effective.

However with the advent of the industrial revolution in the late 19th century the resultant pollution darkened the tree trunks such that the minority recessive trait which conferred a darker shade of gray to the moths became dominant because such moths were then better able to avoid predation. As pollution levels subsequently decreased the tree trunks gradually reverted to their normal color and so also did the color of the Peppered moth revert back to its pre-industrialization gray. Thus once again the recessive dark-gray color in the moth reverted to its usual minority role!

Combating Dog Genetic Disease

Because almost every single dog possesses at least 4 defective genes (no matter whether it’s a purebred or mixed breed) unless strong active measures are taken the problem of dog genetic disease can only get worse. Such strong effective measures by necessity require the participation of everyday dog owners and not just dog breeders or dog researchers!

Dog Genome Project Wants Your Dog’s Blood!

The Canine Genome Sequencing Project (Dog Genome Project based at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT in Boston) has sequenced the dog genome in its entirety. One of their priority goals now is to identify the genes responsible for causing dog genetic diseases, defective genes, carrier states of hereditary disease and much more. Through using the powerful resource of the sequenced dog genome, the good folks at the Dog Genome Project hope to reverse the widespread prevalence of genetic disease in dogs worldwide.

However to achieve that noble goal they need your help! How?

Well the only means by which recessive genes and carrier states can be identified is at the genetic level (genotype) and not by visual observation of recognizable morphological traits (phenotype). To do this the Dog Genome Project staff need a large number of dog samples to analyze and that is where you, as a dog owner, can play a significant role by sending them a blood sample of your dog.

More about the dog

For more information about how to help alleviate dog genetic disease go to:

http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog



CLIFFORD

Dog Science asked:


Don’t end up with a £5,000 fine by getting it wrong, everyone should read this!

 

Many of us in the UK love to spoil our pets with various accessories like coats, jumpers, ‘doggles’ and even shoes! One of the most important things however that should not be neglected or forgotten is a Pet ID Tag.

Pet Identification not only makes sense (in case you pet gets lost) but also is a LEGAL requirement in the UK!

The law requires your to have your name, address (including postcode) and ideally phone number on the pet identification.

“The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable).” [ref Kennel Club website]

If you don’t follow the law with this, you could risk a £5,000 fine!!

In our opinion, the BEST way to get your pet identification all wrapped up, is to take our 5 step plan…

Get your pet microchipped

Get yourself a quality engraved pet ID tag disc. Ideally ensure it’s a nice thick disc, with quality engraving (not cheap scratch engraving like you might find in help yourself pet shops). Add your name and address. And hopefully if space, phone number. Also if you can, add a line like “I am microchipped”.

Ensure the tag is attached to the collar with a high quality split ring. Don’t use one that has a cheap round metal attachment which will eventually bend and allow the tag to come loose from the collar!

Get an embroidered personalised dog collar with your name and phone number. This ensure that if for some reason the tag has come loose from the collar, or an old person who cant read the small engraving text, can still easily find your phone number from the large text embroidery on the collar!

Check the details are up to date at regular intervals, if you move, change name, or phone number then get your pet identification updated immediately.



 

Best Pet Collars sell personalised custom embroidered dog collars and have a fantastic range of pet ID tags which can be with you in less than a week from ordering.



EDGAR

Gerry Restrivera asked:


Dogs are social animals, and a friendly dog in a stressful situation would never attack or bite. However, many cases of individuals bitten by dogs belie this. Thus, it is important to know how to prevent dogs from biting.

If you want to own a dog or already own one and you want to prevent dogs from biting anyone, there are two things you need to remember: first, you have to train your dog to be friendly; and second, you have to avoid putting him in stressful situations.

Dogs feel stressed by unfamiliar objects, people or places, or by unpredictable behavior. However, the degree of unfamiliarity and unpredictability is different from dog to dog. In a crowd, some dogs are friendly to strangers while others are not. What spells the difference between these dogs isn’t breed but how well they were raised. Thus, you can prevent dogs from biting if you properly train your dog.

How to prevent dogs from biting

Although there is no guarantee that your dog will never attack or bite anyone, these six tips will significantly reduce the risks of your dog attacking or biting someone:

1. Familiarity with people and environment will help you to prevent dogs from biting. Create positive and pleasant encounters for your dog with objects, people and places within the first 8 to 16 weeks of his life, especially with those he would likely encounter during his lifetime. To prevent dogs from biting introduce them immediately to various kinds of objects in your house and outside your house (e.g. your vacuum cleaner), to various kinds of people (e.g. the postman), and to various kinds of environments (e.g. your car). Introduce him also to grooming, to the vet, and to other animals, especially other dogs. Some dogs don’t think they’re dogs. You don’t want your dog to have an identity crisis, do you?

2. Familiarize dogs to being touched to prevent dogs from biting as early as possible but supervise dogs when they are with young children as much as possible. It is better your dog realizes early on that you and others mean no harm when you hold him since you can’t avoid touching him or him being touched by other people, especially when he has to be groomed or to be brought to the vet. However, how he is held is important to him. If he is held improperly, as most young children would hold him, he becomes terrified of being touched.

3. Another tip to prevent dogs from biting is to create a home for dogs where they can find peace, safety and security and teach others to respect it. Your dog would encounter at least several stressful situations in his lifetime and that’s all but normal in a dog’s life. However, if dogs has a haven to go home to, it will prevent dogs from biting, as they would more likely dash to their dog house rather than attack.

4. Tie your dog when walking him in public but not more than 8 hours in one place. Dogs tend to get temperamental and aggressive when tied since they experience barrier frustration. They are more likely to attack and bite when approached since it seems to them their territory is being intruded and, because they cannot flee, they fight the intruder. However, when walking your dog, he is better on than off a leash. Supervised dogs are less likely to attack and bite, and also you can keep a better eye on them with a leash and can prevent dogs from biting if they encounter a stressful situation.

5. Another way to prevent dogs from biting is to teach dogs with proper and productive behavior. Though it is highly recommended to enroll your dog, including your family, in a home obedience class, it is just as advisable to consistently reinforce correct and appropriate behavior. Your dog can’t tell the difference between rough-play and real-life situations so don’t show or teach him aggressive behavior, like chasing after or attacking others even for fun. If he exhibits aggressive behavior towards other people or animals, like growling when someone comes too close to his food bowl, seek professional help. It is important to stop dogs biting and aggressive behavior as early as possible.

It’s not all that difficult to prevent dogs from biting and raise them to be friendly, especially if you see dogs as another being that deserves love and attention as much as anyone else does, as much as you do. Most often than not, dogs that attack and bite are neglected dogs. So always remember that behind a good dog is a good pet owner.

If you really want to prevent dogs from biting anyone, you need a dog obedience training to help you transform you dog’s behavior problems at the shortest possible time. Did you know that you can put an end to the stress and annoyance of your dog’s behavior problems by using techniques that will give you immediate results? Discover dog obedience training secrets to stop your dog’s behavior problems visit Dogs’ Corner

To know more about Pets visit All About Pets



BRANDON

Dennis Fisher asked:


Guard dogs: Can a German Shepherd be a good guard dog and also be good with  small children?

By Dennis Fisher

People thinking about getting a guard dog for their home often ask me this question:        “Can a German Shepherd be a good guard dog and also be good with small children?

Before answering the question I want to know more about the home in which the German Shepherd is going to live, so I reply by asking this question::

“Do you intend keeping the dog confined in your back yard, or  will the dog be a house dog and companion for your children?”

I then tell them:

“If your main reason for wanting to get a dog is guard your property and the dog is not going to be a house dog, then perhaps the German Shepherd Dog is not the right dog for you.”

I go on to explain that I have been breeding German Shepherds for more than 40 years and although my dogs are all excellent guard dogs, I have never ever experienced any problems with my dogs displaying aggression towards children.    The reason for this is because all my dogs, over the years, have been brought up with small children.  First with my own children and now with my grandchildren.

A German Shepherd is a remarkably intelligent, sensitive animal that thrives on human companionship, love and attention.  If the dog is left on its own and its main purpose is to guard the home, the dog will do this job satisfactorily.  But the animal will never develop its full potential.  In fact there is a distinct danger that the dog might become vicious. There is also a possibility that the dog may not be good with children.

A German Shepherd, brought up with the family and with children that has some basic obedience training, can prove to be completely reliable with children  and trustworthy in every way. It can also be a dependable guard and protection dog - an excellent dual purpose dog.

In recent times, with the huge increase of housebreaking, theft and violent crimes, it has become more and more necessary to have a reliable guard dog at your home.  A well-bred German Shepherd Dog, with a strong protective instinct, can prove to be an exceptionally good guard as well as a delightful companion for your children.

If you want a dog that will be a companion for your children and also a  good guard dog,there are some important points you must consider before getting a German Shepherd Dog.

These are questions you must ask yourself:

 •1.      Will your dog be brought up in the family and play with the children?

•2.      Are you prepared to take your dog for basic obedience training?

•3.      Have you seen both parents of the pup you intend buying?

•4.      Are you satisfied both parents have sound, stable temperaments?

•5.      Does at least one of the parents - either the Sire or Dam - show signs of having a strong protective instinct?

 This last question is very important.  It is an unfortunate fact that many German Shepherd Dogs being bred today lack the strong protective instinct that was once a very marked feature of most German Shepherd Dogs.  This applies to many top winning show dogs.

If you definitely need a good guard dog, in addition to one that is excellent with your children, there is no point in getting a sweet-natured, very friendly dog that is going to welcome every intruder like a long lost friend.

A good, well-bred German Shepherd Dog can provide you with the best of both worlds - an excellent guard dog and one that is  also good with your  children.   It doesn’t necessarily have to come from show-winning stock, as long as it is well-bred and comes from parents with sound temperaments. .

Before you buy your German Shepherd Dog pup try and find out as much as you can about the temperament of the pup’s Sire and Dam.   If at all possible, find out what you can about their  pedigree and bloodlines.   There are many knowledgeable German Shepherd Dog breeders who will be only too willing to provide you with the information you need.

You will find also find a great deal of  useful training information and helpful  advice  about German Shepherds on the following  website http://www.freedogadvice.com

 

 

 

 

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People often approach me for advice about German Shepherds because they know I have  been breeding German Shepherds for more than 40 years.  My dogs are all obedience trained and are also exceptionally good guard dogs.  They are completely trustworthy with children, because they  have be brought up with  children   I can truthfully say that I have never  ever had any unpleasant experiences with my dogs and my children, grand-children or children of friends who come to visit.



CURT

Dennis Fisher asked:


  

9 effective ways to stop a dog barking and avoid problems with a neighbor.

By Dennis Fisher.

A dog that keeps on continually barking – especially at night - is a tremendous nuisance and a source of problems  with your neighbor.   Your neighbor could even be a dog lover but a dog bark that goes on and on can upset even the mildest mannered person.

At one time I was training director of an all breeds training school.  A new member of my Club, who had just joined the class, explained that the reason why she had joined the obedience training school was because she had been obliged to get rid of her previous dog – that she loved dearly - because of the complaints of her neighbor, who had objected to the dogs incessant barking at night.

I told her that it was a great pity she had not started the obedience training before and come to training with  the previous dog, because unnecessary barking can be avoided with the correct training.

The same principle applies to dog training problems as with any problems,

One has to look at the situation logically.  First of all determine why has the problems arisen in the first place?  Secondly what effective measure can be taken to solve the problem.

Why do dogs bark?    Dogs have an inherent guarding instinct and the reason why they bark is because they are warning you of intruders.  Obviously you will have no objection to the dog barking for this reason, so it is important to identify the nature of the bark.

With the little bit of training and observing your dog closely you can tell from the sound of the bark, whether it is an unnecessary bark or whether there is a good reason for the barking.

In the case of incessant barking we are obviously not talking about this type of barking.   Why do some dogs bark incessantly without any apparent reason?   A very common reason is because they are bored and lonely.  The dog is a pack animal and craves company.  If you only have one dog, it is highly likely that this could be the reason.

How do you cope with this situation? 

 

Here are nine ways that have worked for many dog owners who have to deal with angry  neighbors who complained about their dog barking.

(1) Get  another dog as a companion for your dog.  If your dog is a large dog, you can get a small dog, preferably a small spayed *****.  They will soon become excellent companions.

 (2) Another solutions is to get a toy for the dog.  Dogs love their own special toys. Choose something very durably like a kong that cannot be damaged. During the day make a point of playing with the dog to get rid of excess energy.

 (3)Also make sure that your dog has it’s own special space to sleep where it can be comfortable and feel secure.  Stress is far more common with dogs than people realize. A dog needs to have it’s own area of security as much as humans.

 (4) Obedience Training is absolutely essential with all dogs.  A training school is an ideal place to train your dog because of the opportunities for socialization.  The socialization should begin early. Not only with this prevent aggression with other dogs as the dog grows older, it will also result in a more balanced temperament.

(5)If it’s not convenient to join a training class, this should still not prevent you from socializing your dog by taking it for a walk in public place.

(6) If you hear your dog barking incessantly at night, first of all establish from the sound of the bark whether the animal is warning you of danger or whether it is just barking with no apparent reason.

 (7)If the dog has had some obedience training, you can go and correct the dog with a firm “No!” in the same way as you did in obedience classes when you had to correct the dog unsatisfactory behavior.  

 (8) If you have never had any obedience classes this make the situation a little difficult.  Don’t shout your correction from inside the house, because this has the effect of giving the dog the attention it wants.  Establish your own training schedule.   Use a command that the dog understands when it does something that is not acceptable to you.

 (9)Although you may be tempted to bring the dog inside, especially if the barking continues at night,  DO NOT DO THIS.   Try and resist the temptation. The dog will obviously bark to attract this type of action from you.

You are invited to visit the following site for a great deal of useful information about dog training:  http://www.freedogadvice.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



BRANDEN

Gerry Restrivera asked:


Dogs are man’s best friends. For sure you really love your dog to the extent that you want to nourish it and make sure it is really healthy and taking proper dog diet. Initially, you might think that making your dog gain more weight can be an indication that the animal is healthy. But on the contrary, obesity in dogs is also not an indication of good health.

Different dogs have different dietary needs. The breed, the age and the overall body weight are the contributing factors that influence the dog’s dietary needs. Be reminded that in truth, there is no single proper dog diet that can be considered as ideal in general for every dog.

One proper dog diet program for one dog could be good and ideal for a dog, but definitely not for another. Thus, if you have two dogs, each has its own dietary need, which would be significantly different compared to the others.

Tips on choosing a proper dog diet

A proper dog diet is also a must among dogs. That is why you should always strive to feed your dog with healthy food. Take note that feeding a healthy diet to a dog is not just all about giving the animal nutritious food. There are so many things you should also consider.

Here are some suggested ways on how you could effectively feed your dog with a proper dog diet:

- Ask the veterinarian about a reputable and ideal dog food brand. Do not just jump into the bandwagon and choose a dog food that is widely patronized in the market. Your vet knows a lot about nutrition facts and proper dog diet.

- If the vet makes a shortlist of recommended dog food brands, make sure you select the one that is of high quality. Consider your dog’s size, weight, activity, age and level before choosing the proper dog diet.

- Balance the dog proper diet by including dry food on his daily meals. Moist canned dog food must also be included because such food would certainly help maintain cleanliness of the dog’s teeth.

-Take note of the protein ratio of the dog food you are feeding your pet. Protein is very essential to the dog’s body. Ideally, protein in dog food should consist of about 20% to 30% of each dog meal. That would make up for the recommended protein intake of the dog.

- Do not overfeed your dog. Doing so on a regular basis could make your pet obese. Just like in people, obesity in dogs could also lead to several medical conditions, like musculoskeletal problems and abnormal growth.

- Feed proper dog diet just about twice each day. There are some dog breeds that need to be fed just once everyday. Make the dog’s meal time regularized during specific and consistent times of the day. Make sure the feed is also in a very and exactly measured amount.

- Do not ever feed your dog with table scraps in or under the table and while you or other people are eating. This would make an impression in the dog that begging for food from people who are eating at the table is acceptable. If you must feed your dog with scraps, put the food in his dog bowl after people have finished eating at the table.

It would not be very hard feeding your dog with proper dog diet. But always make sure that there is genuine caring and love every time you feed your dog.

Did you know that a home-made proper dog diet increases dog lifespan by up to 134%? Discover the step-by-step guide that makes your dog live a longer, healthier life, so you enjoy up to 8.3 more yrs. of happiness and companionship with your dog visit Dogs’ Corner



ALONSO

Phil Donahoe asked:


When it comes to dog training there are two differing sides of opinion when it comes to dogs and their digging habits. Firstly, many dog trainers think that a dog is a dog, and we should permit him to express his true canine nature by allowing him free reign over the yard and flowerbeds. The other dog training experts feel that a flowerbed is a flowerbed, and no dog should even think about expression his dogginess if such an expression comes at the price of a ruined flowerbed.

Most leading dog training experts favor the middle ground for training your dog. Although many dogs do love to dig, and it is healthy for them to be permitted to dig once in a while, there’s a difference between allowing your dog to express their inner puppy, and allowing him to run rampant in the backyard. No dog training professional would agree that a dog should have to come at the price of a garden, and vice versa. When if comes to dog training, flowers and dogs can coexist peacefully if you train your dog correctly. If your dog’s developed a taste for digging, it will just take a bit of time, and some ingenuity, on your part to resolve the dog training problem satisfactorily.

To start with, if you have yet to adopt a dog and your concern for the fate of your garden is purely hypothetical, consider the breed of dog that you would like. If you’ve got your eye on a specific mixed-breed dog, what aspect of his mixed dog heritage seems to be the most prominent?

Dog breed often plays a significant role in any given dog’s personal opinion of digging as a rewarding and valuable dog pastime – many terriers and Nordic breeds in particular (Huskies, Malamutes, some members of the Spitz family for example) seem to particularly enjoy digging.

Every dog training expert will, of course, say that when you get right down to the sum and substance, every dog is first and foremost an individual, and there’s no real way to predict whether or not your chosen four legged friend is going to be a burrower or not. However, if you’re trying to reduce the likelihood of an involuntarily-landscaped garden as much as possible, It is suggested you stay away from all breeds of terrier (and for those that did not know, the name means ‘go to earth’, after all!) and the Nordic breeds.

Why do dogs dig?

Dog training professionals often agree on the following reasons, and they are in no particular order, as to why a dog will dig:

* General Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way for a hyped-up, under-exercised dog to burn off some of their nervous energy.

* Boredom. Bored dogs will find a ‘job’ to do, something rewarding and interesting, to help the time pass by.

* Digging is often the ideal solution for a bored dog: it gives him a sense of purpose, and distracts him from an otherwise-empty day.

* The need for broader horizons. Some dogs are just escape artists by nature – no matter how much exercise and attention they get, it’s nearly impossible to confine them to an area. For a Doggy-Houdini, it’s not the digging itself that is the reward, it is the wonderful unknown that exists beyond the boundaries they were confined to and dogs love to explore a world of unfamiliar scents.

* Separation anxiety. Often when a dog is seriously pining for your company, digging under those confining walls represents the most direct path to you. Separation anxiety is an unpleasant psychological issue relatively common among dogs – but because it’s so complex, we won’t be dealing with it in this article but keep an eye out because I will be writing about that in detail in another article.

Training the habit out of your dog

Dog training experts agree that most of the reasons contributing to your dog’s desire to dig suggest their own solutions. If your dog’s not getting enough exercise (generally speaking, at least forty-five minutes worth of vigorous walking per day), take him for more walks it will help you and your dog stay fit and healthy. If your dog is bored, give him some interesting and durable toys and chews to play with during your absence, and wear him out before you leave so he spends most of the day napping. As for an escape-artist dog, they might need to be crated, or at least kept inside the house where he’s less likely to be able to break out of his or her confines.

For those dogs who just like to dig as a pastime in itself, though, here are a few basic dog training tips for controlling inappropriate excavation as much as is reasonably possible:

* Restrict your dog’s access to the area concerned. This is the most effective thing you can do: if he’s never in the yard without active supervision, there’s no opportunity for digging his own personal tunneling system.

* Use a natural deterrent. Almost all dogs will shy back, horrified, from the prospect of digging anywhere that there’s dog ****. Even the ones who like to eat **** (a condition known as coprophagia) generally won’t dig anywhere near it as it offends their basic natural, fastidious dislike of soiling their coat and paws.

* Use nature’s own protection. If the continued digging is bothering you because it’s upsetting the more delicate blooms in your garden, plant hardier blossoms: preferably, those with deep roots and thorny defenses. Roses are ideal and a natural deterrent.

* A more time-consuming, but super-effective way of dog training is to roll up the first inch or two of turf in your yard, and lay down chicken-wire underneath it. Your dog won’t know it is there until he’s had a few tries at digging, but once he’s convinced himself that it’s pointless (which won’t take long), he’ll never dig in that yard again. As we say, time consuming but very, very effective.

Accept your dog’s need for an outlet, give him a place to dig

If your dog is set on tunneling your yard into a pot marked, grassless lunar landscape, but you’re equally determined to prevent this from happening at all costs, take a moment to consider before embarking on a grueling and time-consuming preventative strategy.

Setting yourself the goal of eradicating all digging behavior, period, is pretty unrealistic. It is not fair on you (since, really, you’re setting yourself up for failure), and it’s not really fair on your poor dog either. If he’s a natural-born digging machine, it’s just part of his personality, and he needs at least some opportunity to express that in some form.

But a lawn and a dog don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The most humane and understanding thing for you to do in this case is simply to redirect his digging energy where you can live with it and he can love you for it.

The simplest dog training solution in this case is allocating him an area where he’s allowed to dig as much as he pleases. Once this zone’s been established, you can make it understood that there is to be absolutely no digging in the rest of the garden, and you can enforce your rules with a clear conscience. As set these boundaries you know your dog now has his own little corner of the world to turn upside down and inside out as he chooses and all parties are happy.

But what if you don’t have a “spare corner” of the backyard for your little digger to call his own? What if the whole thing, grass, flowerbeds, and gravel path, is just too dear to your heart? This is ok, there is a solution to this as well. You can invest in a sandbox, which you can place anywhere in the garden.

You can even make one yourself (the deeper, the better, obviously). Fill it with a mixture of sand and earth, and put some leaves or grass on top if you like for effect and get your dog interested in it by having a scratch around yourself, until he gets the idea.

Ensuring the boundaries are clear

One great dog training tip is to make it clear to him that the sandbox is OK but that everywhere else is a no-dig zone, spend a little time supervising him. When he starts to dig in the box (you can encourage this by shallowly burying a few choice marrowbones in there), praise him energetically – and if he starts digging anywhere else, correct him straight away with an extended finger or hand command and state a firm “No!” or “ahh-ah-ahhhh”.

Then, redirect him immediately to the sandbox, and dole out vociferous praise when digging recommences.

To really clarify the lesson, give him a treat when digging gets underway in the sandbox – the close proximity between the correction (for digging out of the sandbox) and praise/reward (for digging in the sandbox) will ensure that your point strikes home and you will have dog training success.



DESHAWN

Abby Shemesh asked:


Dog socialization is one of the most overlooked principals in training your dog successfully.  Lack of dog socialization ties into dog obedience and dog aggression problems more than most dog owners know. Seeing this many times, a dog owner underestimates the power of dog socialization - especially as puppies. The younger - the better. Taking your dog to your local dog park of beach or even on a walk means a great deal to the way your dog’s mental attitude is formed. Trying to skip this, step usually results in a lack of balance in your dog’s human/dog or dog/dog relationships.

 

In simple terms - take you dog to the dog park or play area weekly. Let them play with dogs without you trying to control every movement. Dogs need to establish a doggie relationships on their own terms - not human terms. The dog realm and human realm are very different standards. Yes, be mindful of your dogs actions and safety but this doesn’t mean hindering your dog’s ability to create standing relationships with other dogs. Obviously if a dog seems aggressive then take the necessary precautions of safety first socialization second. 

 

In my experience, a visit to the dog park or dog play area can work wonders for you dog’s relationships with other dogs and humans as well. I usually pop in anywhere from 1-3 times per week for a little playmate time and of course exercise. Keeping to a similar schedule, will benefit your dog’s disposition greatly. Good luck!



CLIFTON

Gerry Restrivera asked:


Are you getting annoyed by the destructive chewing behavior of your dog? Do you want your puppy or dog to stop chewing shoes, mats, carpets, clothing, furniture and anything he can reach? Dogs don’t have to be angry to do this destructive chewing they do this because this is their natural behavior as dogs. Chewing is part of puppies development and a natural behavior of dogs. To stop dog from chewing anything around the house, dog owners must be aware of their habits and behavior.

Dogs unnecessary chewing is the result of boredom, loneliness, curiosity, hunger and dental problems. For puppies teething can also be added in the main reasons why they chew. To stop dog from chewing you must understand why dogs chew.

For dental problems, dogs keep chewing anything to relieve gum pains. You may observe your dog if they have dental problem when they hesitate to eat even if they are hungry. You may also put attention on how they chew their food. If they always chew on one side of the mouth, your dog might have dental problems. Bad breath and tartar accumulation on the teeth and gums are some of the symptoms of dental problem. It’s a good thing to have your dog examined by a veterinarian to evaluate his dental problems and stop dog from chewing the wrong things. For puppies with teething problem, you may give safe chew toys to encourage him to chew on his toys and stop dog from chewing anything around the house.

Boredom stimulate dogs to chew and if you know how to give your dog the right attention, destructive chewing can be avoided. Take your dog for a walk or play ball with him. Give your dog variety of toys he can chew and play with to stop dog from chewing things he is not suppose to chew. You can also give him obedience training to learn more techniques to stop dog chewing problems.

Curiosity is another reason why dogs chew anything he can reach. You can chew proof your house and keep chewable things out of reach of your dog. If you will leave your dog alone without any human supervision, give him a nice place of his own and toys he can play and chew to stop dog from chewing things around the house.

Give your dogs chewable alternatives like chew toys until you train him to stop destructive chewing. When you are correcting your dogs not to chew anything around the house, encourage your dog to chew his toys and praise him for doing the right thing and for chewing his own toys. Appropriate correction of the bad habits and giving praise can stop dog from chewing the wrong things.

You can stop dog from chewing the wrong things if you know the right techniques and strategies to manage your dogs’ problems. Proper training for your dog is something that dog owners must learn. While chewing is a natural behavior of dogs it can be well managed to stop dog from chewing anything around the house.

Does your dog needs urgent dog house training? Learn the dog house training techniques you must know with the fastest results, whether you keep your dog indoors or outdoors visit Dogs’ Corner

For more information on how to stop your dogs behavior problem visit Dog’s Obedience Training



GERARDO