Honey Labrador

Crate Training Your Dog. How to provide Successful Crate Training for your Canine Companion
Generally, it is believed that crate training your large dog is an act of unkindness. I would rather state that this technique of training is extremely successful. It also teaches your dog to keep the area where you live squeaky clean. By crate training the dog, the owner can offer his pet a sheltered place to retreat to when he is tired, or when you have no time to play. This way, your entire house will still be functional and livable. Don't forget that crate training your dog is not only efficient but it is also an act of caring. What is Crate Training? The entire procedure, actually lays on the fact that when the dog's owner is not around as to care for the pet, he is not going to relieve himself somewhere else. The crate may be of different forms or made from different materials: wires, plastic or even a cage that fastens. You can purchase these crates, also known as kennels from any pet shop where you will find different sizes and shapes so that it can be properly used for your dog. The prices are different, being very dependent on the superiority and the fabric used in making the crates. Even if a small crate is cheaper, it is necessary to buy a crate as large as your dog will be, once it is completely grown. A kennel will be the perfect and desired place for your dog when your away. If you are skillful enough, you could construct yourself a kennel for your pet. You should keep in mind that the crate must have no sharp edging or holes so that he cannot pull his head out and eventually get stuck. The kennel should be considered as a second home for your pet, so you can make it more comfortable by placing a covering inside and bottle of water directly outside the kennel. Thus, your dog will have everything it needs when you are not around. The crate is indeed a relief for the dog owners, because they can simply put their dogs inside and leave. The Wonderful Results of Crate Training Crate training is efficient because dogs do not like to have their own place of living a mess. As soon as the dog gets used to the crate, the dog will feel more comfortable in his new atmosphere and be able to sleep a lot better. The fact that there is an innate tendency in dogs to keep their living places clean, actually makes the crate training method a successful one with practically every pet. Potty training is not too difficult, due to the wait your dog will have to undergo, he will to have to hold off until you open the crate. Traveling with your lovely companion will be a great pleasure due to the fact he is comfortable in his crate in which later the dog will develop other habits that will be beneficial to your relationship. Crate training your dog is a worthwhile experience not only for dog owners, but also for their pets. Most all the large breeds enjoy their crates, so you should not worry about the negative reactions from your dog. A large enough kennel will be the perfect place for your canine companion to live in while your away.

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Dog Hygiene Practises Bathing
Dog Hygiene Practises Bathing Parasitic shampoo is used on animals with fleas, ticks and lice and can be purchased from the vets or pet shops, the alternative shampoo is medicated shampoo and this is for specific skin conditions, and you can easily get it from a vet whom has prescribed it. Medicated shampoo needs to be left in the fur for a period of time then washed out, where as parasitic shampoo needs massaging deeply into the animals fur and then rinsed out and always insure you read the instructions on the container. The Water Temperature for bathing a dog should be of a medium heat. You should test the water temperature by putting your hand within the water. If the water is too hot or too cold it’s wrong for the dog. Once you have cleaned the dog you will need to dry them there are three methods that can be used, blast drying, you use a blast dryer to get off excess water, making sure you don’t blast dry down the ears. Cage drying, you place the animal in a cage on a towel and place a standing dryer over it. And also stand drying in which you place the animal on a table with a towel underneath it, and you use either a stand dryer or a hand held dyer to dry the dog. Written by http://www.diyconservatories-and-windows.co.uk/

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dog training and problems
Why and When do Cocker Spaniels Urinate?
Many Cocker Spaniels have a tendency to urinate (pee) when excited or scared, which can happen to other breeds as well, particularly when they are puppies. Excitement urination happens when infant muscles in puppies cannot hold urine if the puppy gets excited, and it pees. The puppy gets so excited when he sees his owner that he loses control of his bladder. The puppy is not aware of or able to control this and punishment will confuse him and is not fair to him. Often dogs outgrow this problem as they mature and gain control of the muscles that control peeing. Sometimes Cocker Spaniels do not outgrow the problem.

Common situations in which Cocker Spaniels get excited or fearful and urinate are:

Over-affectionate and boisterous greetings when you arrive home
Guests entering your home
Arguments between people
Scolding
Loud noises
Playing indoors
Angry behavior
In order to understand submissive urination, you must understand dominance and submissiveness. Young puppies learn this from their mothers. Averting their eyes, rolling on their backs, and urinating, are all used to express submissiveness. In situations where a dog feels intimidated, their response is to give a submissive signal to show the person or other dog that they recognize their dominance.

The most important thing is to never scold or punish your dog for excitement urination; it makes the situation worse as the puppy will then start to pee out of fear! Excitement or submissive urination is part of this breed’s specific instincts. It is not a “behavior�; it is instinctual. The dog is not doing it to be disobedient or punish you! He is excited, scared, or showing submissiveness to a person or animal he perceives as dominant. Excitement urination that causes an owner to get angry can easily become submissive urination. The dog does not understand why you are angry and, in a dog’s mind, peeing is his attempt to calm and appease you. Cocker Spaniels often see other animals and people as dominant, so submissive urination occurs. Even a housetrained Cocker Spaniel may show excitement or submissive urination when greeting you or when in an exciting or scary situation.

How to Prevent and Handle Excitement or Submissive Urination?

The first thing to do is have your veterinarian examine your dog for possible physical problems causing this problem. Sickness and disease can make it difficult for your pet to control their peeing muscles. If physical problems are the cause, discuss options regarding your dog's situation with your veterinarian, such as surgery, drugs, and coping mechanisms.

Dog owners who are too dominant and strict will reinforce submissive urinating. So, calm down and be gentle and kind with your Cocker Spaniel. Get your temper under control! Never scold or punish for excitement or submissive urination.

One way to handle the problem is to make sure your Cocker Spaniel is outdoors while you are gone (in a fenced and safe area naturally) so that when you come home, if he urinates, your floors are not damaged. But this does not solve the problem. It is a good idea to do more to help the puppy stay dry.

All indoor activities should take place only after taking the dog out for a pee or poop. If a dog is almost ready to pee or poop, but hasn't gotten around to doing it, any physical activity will trigger the urge to go. So, if your dog wakes up and you start playing with her, you're asking for trouble! Take a potty break first, have play time second. Play time outdoors is the best idea, especially for the puppies that have small bladders.

Don’t hover over your Cocker Spaniel when you come home. She will see this as dominance and will become intimidated. Don’t look her directly in the eyes. Dogs assume that direct eye contact is a challenge. For a submissive dog, even a moment's eye contact can be intolerable. Eye contact from above heightens the reaction. Another behavior that challenges a dog is bending over or touching the dog's head, neck, or shoulders. Dominant dogs often control by placing the neck or a paw over another dog's neck or shoulders. When a human pats a dog on the head, a submissive dog sees it as a display of dominance and finds it intimidating, leading to peeing.

A goal in controlling excitement urination is to prevent your dog from becoming so excited in the first place. Do this by exposing your dog to whatever excites him, over and over until it no longer excites him. If your dog gets excited and wets when you return home, ignore him; don't even look at him. Then take him outside to pee. Then leave again for a few minutes, return and ignore, leave, return and ignore. Keep doing this until you can see that your dog is actually bored with the whole thing. If excitement urination is a problem when visitors arrive, have them do this too. It may take many sessions to get your dog calmed down. When your dog stays calm and no longer gets excited when you come in, then very quietly and gently say hello. If any signs of excitement appear, repeat the coming in-and-leaving routine. A rapid sequence of heel-sits will capture your dog's attention to the game of heeling and sitting instead of urinating. Then, take him outdoors. Praise him when he pees outside; this builds self-confidence. Remember to ignore all excitement urination and never scold or get angry at your dog. As the dog matures, he can learn to sit and shake hands when visitors arrive.

Use a small food treat as a reward for not peeing in the house when you arrive home or guests enter. It’s difficult for a dog to eat and pee at the same time. Take the dog outdoors quickly thereafter.

If your Cocker Spaniel pees while being trained, be especially careful not to yell or scold him. Be firm and use a confident-sounding, but kind, “No� when the dog misbehaves.

If your dog's problem doesn’t improve with the above suggestions, there may be other options. For example, drugs can sometimes be prescribed by a vet for excitable dogs to calm them down. But, remember, this kind of training can take weeks or months before it improves. Stick to one or two techniques. Give them time to work!

Obedience classes are excellent for your dog. It will teach you ways that you unconsciously reinforce negative behaviors and how to encourage and praise your dog.

Conclusion
Build a strong relationship with your Cocker Spaniel using kindness, daily attention, and formal training. Never yell, hit, or scold your dog when she urinates inappropriately. Use the above tips from the time she is a puppy to help her avoid or eliminate excitement or submissive urination behaviors. Remember! Stay calm and give the dog time to learn.

Nancy Richards has been a dog lover for the past 12 years. She has owned and handled dogs of different ages and have helped many fellow owners in training their dog. DogPottyTrain.com one of her sites has the aim to promote public interest in Dogs and convey by all possible means varied house training techniques for adult dogs and puppies.

LUXURY DOG GIFTS: What do you give a Dog and Wine Lover? a Whiner and Diner Wine Crate Dog Feeder.
“Treat your dog like a person, and he will treat you like a dog…� Not my pooch!

They are family members â€" we pamper our pets like our kids, we throw them birthday parties and arrange play-dates, and hire dog walkers for them. We dress them up for Halloween (my 85-pound black lab Bird in a bumble bee costume?) and take them along on trips.

Every dog owner I know has that “specialâ€� relationship with his pet â€" I’m sorry to say that I prefer my dog Bird over most people I know â€" and yes, I will provide him with the very best.

The pet industry has taken notice: according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), we spent over $36 billion on our pets in 2006 â€" a confirmation of how much they are a part of American family life. High-end hotels (fretté linen for your four-legged friend?), cafés, restaurants and deluxe boutiques have quickly opened their doors to our canine population. From doggy spas and dog fashion shows to luxurious pet products, we seem to spoil our furry friends rotten (or is it ourselves?).

If you are a dog lover and a wine connoisseur (and I am!), these unique dog dishes will satisfy your desire to feed Fido with panache and also feed the interior decorator inside of you. Treat your classy pooch to a fine dining experience and furnish your home with a beautiful piece of doggie furniture.
Being elevated, these dog diners also promote healthy eating and drinking habits for your pet. Two doggie bowls recessed side-by-side in a stand is not a novelty, but in an authentic wooden wine crate â€" oh là là!

The feeders are hand-crafted by Whiner and Dinerâ„¢ out of recycled (did I hear “eco-chicâ€�?) wooden wine crates from European and Californian wineries. They come in different sizes to accommodate the tall and the short ones, and are outfitted with 1- or 2-quart stainless steel dog bowls (embossed with paw prints â€" or plain edges, for minimalists). Depending on the size chosen, the dog dishes can consist of either a single-bowl or a double-bowl configuration.

You can choose from a few basic colors or have the dish custom color-washed to complement your unique décor (match it to your kitchen cabinets, your floor or wherever your imagination takes you). And, of course, you wouldn’t dream of owning an upscale pet feeder unless it was hand-personalized with Fido’s name…well, they can do that too!

Now, if only they could get your favorite “Château Margaux� wine crate…they will, depending on their inventory! Voilà! However, they do not include the wine…too bad!
“Bone Appétit! A votre santé!�

Catherine Simms is an artist/ designer for<br> <a href="http://www.artalacarte1.com/"> ART A LA CARTE </a> Plaster Works with a Twist.<br> <a href="http://www.whineranddiner.net/"> WHINER AND DINER </a> Dog Dishes and Dog Beds.<br> <a href="http://www.lionheartdogscats.com/"> LIONHEART PET ADOPTIONS </a> in Pound Ridge New York.<br><br> This article may be freely republished providing its content, information and links are retained and left active.

The most important factor in training your dog.
Is your dog driving you crazy? Or are you getting a pappy and it has to be trained? Read on to understand what considerations to take into account before you start training your dog. It is very rewarding to have a well behaved dog, but please note that successful dog behavior training requires some time and patience. Dogs cannot figure out basic obedience on their own, they must be trained. The first word the puppy should learn is its name. Dogs actually learn the sound of their name and that will be the main recognition for them. Using the puppy’s name alerts it that a command is coming, that it is for him, and that he should pay attention. This will come naturally over time since the family will be calling the pup by its name. Before you start training verbal commands you need to understand your puppy’s personality. Ask yourself if it is timid, aggressive, quiet, sensitive, playful, etc? These traits will affect the type and speed of the training with your dog. Basically, the dog training is about communication between you and your dog what behaviors are correct, desired, or preferred in what circumstances. You must communicate what behaviors will give the dog the most satisfaction to his natural instincts and emotions. Without that inner satisfaction, a dog will not work well. To be successful in training your dog, you must understand the communication that the dog sends to you. The dog can signal that he is unsure, confused, nervous, happy, excited and so on. The emotion state of the dog is an important consideration in directing the training, as he will not learn efficiently. They are 4 important messages that you can send the dog: • Reward • Keep going signal • No reward • Punishment Using consistent signals or words for these messages enables the dog to understand them more quickly. If you say “good� as a reward marker and sometimes as a keep going signal, it is difficult for the dog to know when he has earned a reward. Many dog owners make the mistake of using effusive verbal praise as both the reward marker and a reward, which can confuse the dog and owner. These four massages do not have to be communicated with words, a nonverbal signal are often used. In particular, clickers are normally used for reward marker. Hand signal and body language play an important part in learning for dogs. But the only meaning of these massages will give you the successful result in training your dog if they are taught through repetition and everyone in the family must be on the same page. The other aspect of the communication is positive tone of voice. When giving comments in a calm, firm, authoritative voice is most effective. Dogs do not respond well to hesitate, pleading voice, or yelling, which might sound to the dog like threatening or scolding. It is also important that voice used for comments and the pitch of the voice to be consistent each time giving a comment so the dog can more easily learn what you mean. Communication is the most important task in successful dog training. Other aspects that you should consider in training a dog are: use of various tools, doing tricks, potty training a dog, how to care for a dog, how to praise a dog, etc…

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dog adoption costs
Before you decide to bring a dog home, it is absolutely essential that you give some thought to the costs that you will be incurring in the process. It’s not the purchase alone, though even that is likely to be expensive in the case of some superior breeds of dogs, but also the cost of the equipments you will have to buy to make your home habitable for your pet. Then there are the visits to the vet, which have to be regularly made, and the expensive vaccinations, which the puppy has to be given. So, all in all, you will have to make pretty sure that your wallet can take the beating before you bring your doggy home.

What then, are the costs, and how much are they? Let’s start at the beginning. You have to buy the dog unless you are lucky enough to have it presented to you by a friend or a family member and the cost of this initial purchase can vary very widely. The variance will firstly depend on the type of dog you are buying. A purebred “companion only� puppy usually starts from around $800 but can go up to astronomical amounts for rare or exotic breeds. If you prefer to adopt a non-purebred variety from a shelter, it will cost you from around $150 to $300.

Costs also differ in different geographic locations so it is difficult for us to tell you of one fixed sum that you will have to pay for any given variety of dog. Visit the sources in your locality from where people normally buy dogs and check on the prices. And this includes the internet. After some queries on your part, you will be able to come to a fix on what your desired dog costs.

Now that you’ve got your dog, it’s time to look at the other costs you will have to start to incur. Let’s start with the one - time costs.

One Time Costs Average Cost
Fence $300 - $1500
Bowls $25
Collar $6
Training Collar $10
Leash $12
Bed $40
Crate $100
Brush/Grooming tools $20
Shampoo/ Coat care $15
Neuter/ Spay ( Based on weight ) $300
Microchip $50



Then there are the annual costs, which you have to be prepared for. I enumerate them below:

Vaccinations $185
Heartworm Test $35
Heartworm Preventive $65
Flea/Tick Preventive $120
Food $480
Toys/Treats $45
Tag $5

And then there are other costs:

Boarding â€" per day ( with 2 playtimes ) $25
Grooming â€" per time $50
Training classes ( Per 6-8 classes ) $100
Individual training ( Per session ) $100



And remember, this list is for grown up dogs and not puppies. If it’s a puppy you are adopting, the costs increase. There’s a check up, a series of 4 sets of vaccines, worming, heartworm tests, all of which will cost you close to $300. Then there is puppy food, which will set you back around $450 and toys/treats, which will cost approximately $65.

So, as you will have counted up from the figures given above, in the first year, you will be spending approximately $1500 to $2500 over and above the cost of buying your dog. After the first year, you will spend less per year â€" about $1000. Smaller dogs cost a bit less and larger dogs cost more.

Apart from all this, your dog will have lifelong healthcare needs. There will be shots and medicines you will be administering as preventive care and there will almost certainly be unexpected accidents, injuries or illnesses, however well you look after your dog.

It is therefore utterly essential that you objectively evaluate your budget and come to a decision as to whether you can really afford a dog. He will look to you for your support in all things and you owe it to him to give him, not only your love, but proper care, food and medical attention. These don’t come free â€" so ask yourself whether you can afford to get that dog you always wanted. If you realize that you can’t, it’s best to do without, both for your sake and his.

Anybody is free to use the article in their website as long as an acknowledgement is given Nancy Richards' and a link to the site www.traindogsandpuppies.com

Suspiciousness in Dachshunds
Dachshunds tend to be suspicious because it is part of the Dachshunds breed’s specific instincts. Dachshunds can become suspicious when they are not socialized properly as puppies. This breed of dog needs extensive exposure to sights, sounds, and a variety of people; otherwise, their cautious nature may turn into suspiciousness, and this can lead to biting behavior in the Dachshund.
By nature, Dachshunds tend to be aloof and standoffish; they need extensive socialization because this has a significant effect on how the Dachshund puppy interacts with people and other animals throughout its life. The Dachshund puppy must start socializing from the age of seven weeks and continue to six months of age.

Equally important is adolescent socialization in the Dachshund breed. This dog’s adolescence begins from the ages of six to nine months and ends when the Dachshund pup is between one and three years old. The Dachshund’s adolescence can involve emotional changes and behavioral problems. The adolescent Dachshund will change its attitude and responses to strangers and other animals frequently.

Understanding If Your Dachshund Is Suspicious

Your Dachshund is exhibiting signs of suspiciousness when it growls, whines, barks, urinates, or runs away from unfamiliar people or animals. It is important to note that a dog that has been allowed to develop suspicious behavior will not become accustomed to unfamiliar people or animals. They will only become relaxed with the people or animals with which they live on a regular basis. Once developed, suspiciousness becomes a permanent behavior trait.

When pet owners bring a new animal into the house, they can become very protective, especially if the animal is a puppy. Young dogs are very energetic and are prone to running out of the house and out of an unfenced yard. The animal might become lost or harmed due to its inexperience. Some pet owners overprotect their puppies out of concern for the animal’s safety and their own piece of mind. The owner of a Dachshund pup might keep the dog away from unusual sights, sounds, or people. When this occurs, the Dachshund will not experience the socialization that is necessary, and permanent, suspicious behavior may result.

One of the most frequent signs of suspicious behavior in the Dachshund breed is called submissive urination. The Dachshund will urinate when it becomes excited; this can be seen when an unknown person enters the home or if the dog is touched suddenly. Submissive urination is specific to the Dachshund, and it should not be thought of as bad behavior. The Dachshund is trying to communicate to its guardian that the guardian is in control, and the Dachshund wants to please its guardian, so it acts submissively.


Submissive urination can be treated. The Dachshund must be kept from becoming quickly or unexpectedly excited. The dog can be trained through constant exposure to various stimuli that is known to excite him until the excitement subsides. For example, if the Dachshund urinates when strangers enter the home, ask one or two of these people to help train the dog. Ask them to come into the home quietly. Tell them to speak and move slowly, ignore the dog, and then sit down. Ask them to repeat this behavior several times, and monitor the Dachshund’s behavior. The dog should become less excited each time the person enters the room. Ignore the dog’s excited behavior and any urination; don’t ever become angry and scold or hit the Dachshund if it urinates in a submissive manner. After the dog is exposed to the stimulus, take him outside to urinate.

How to Control Suspiciousness in Dachshunds?

Because suspiciousness may become part of the Dachshund’s personality, a formal training program might be the first choice in controlling suspicious behavior in Dachshunds. A training program will help the Dachshund and its guardian(s) to communicate in a manner that will reduce fearful behavior in the dog. Also, a program will help the dog’s guardian know how and when to provide additional training and rewards for desired behavior. One of the major benefits of training programs is that the Dachshund will receive sustained attention; this attention can make the dog feel more secure, and the Dachshund will experience consistent situations (exposure to people and other animals) that might be uncommon at home. The Dachshund will learn how to respond to these situations in a less excited or anxious manner.

Training after a formal program has ended must be consistent and reliable. The Dachshund experiences suspiciousness, excitement, and anxiety because he does not know what to expect. When training this breed of dog, the commands should be kept to one word, and that word should be used each time during the training session. Also, rewards should be as consistent as the commands. Use the same type and size of dog treat. Verbal praise should be plentiful and the words used should be the same as well. The Dachshund will respond well to consistency and predictability. When training is presented in a uniform and reliable manner, the Dachshund will know what to expect and suspiciousness will be reduced. The dog will gradually generalize this behavior into other situations and circumstances in the home.


Learn all about Dog
Adoption from the unique e-book Super Dogs and
Puppies.

If you are searching for dog breeders, learn how to choose the right dog breeder.

Nancy Richards has been a dog lover for the past 12 years. She has owned and handled dogs of different ages and have helped many fellow owners in training their dog

Online Movie Rentals Have Changed The Face Of Watching Movies At Home
With the changing time the older techniques of training a dog has been revived and new techniques which is devoid of bullying, humiliation and punishment has been implemented. In spite of the enormous variety of methods, almost every successful dog training system is preceded on positive support techniques that are advocated by many dog lovers. Their effectiveness can be heightened significantly if the trainers remember to train it young, act gently and emphasize prevention of making mistakes. These three points, if always kept operating in the background, serve to push the effectiveness of any training technique in a positive direction. All of the new, more effective, recommended means of dog training share common aim to garner effective result and 100% result could be achieved if the training is started at a young age. Remember the popular adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" which is applicable in most of the cases but it is not entirely true in case of dog because any dog, regardless of age, can learn new things. The only difference is that the puppies will learn much faster and do not have deep-rooted behaviors that must be un-learned than an older dog. The earlier you are able to start training your pet; you will reap the benefits of increased effectiveness. Dogs are social animals and develop a real attachment to their owners which further enhances the chances of learning sincerely to impress their owners. Therefore owners are reminded to be gentle with their pets and try to make your training process a cooperative exercise instead of making a battle. Produce yourself as an ally for a trainee rather than a rival throughout your training process and a failure will affect your training process adversely even in the case of aggressive behavior of your dog. Too often, it has been found that the trainers found themselves to lose their interest in constantly correcting the unsuitable behavior of their pet. It is recommended that not waiting for your dog to repeat the mistake, you take the preventive measure beforehand as you must be familiar with the popular saying that "prevention is better than cure." Such mind-set will help the owner to intervene before a problem is created instead of simply responding to the problem that will abridge the need for correction efforts and can help urging quick progress and thus decreases frustration throughout the training process making it more enjoyable for both the dog and the owner.

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Dealing with your hyperactive dog
About six years ago we brought home an adorable, sleepy, five-week old puppy. We knew it was too early for her to leave her mother, but the dam had stopped feeding the pups and walked away. She was done with them, so the humans took over. At that tender age, Kaylee was sleepy, darling and sweet. She’s still darling and sweet, but rarely do her batteries run down. We describe her as having two speeds â€" full and off. And off isn’t often. If your dog is like Kaylee, whether because it’s an active, fun-loving puppy, or because it’s “not quite wired rightâ€� like ours, you need strategies for coping. You need a peaceful household where everyone knows the rules and plays fair. We get dogs for many reasons; primary among those reasons are companionship and fun. If your dog is constantly harassing you to “play,â€� the probability is that neither of you are having much fun. It may even have gotten to the point that you don’t look forward to going home and spending time with your dog. You can change the situation, if you’ll commit just a few minutes a day and your patience. Things won’t change overnight, but over the course of just a few days your life will improve. In a few weeks, you may have the canine companion you hoped for. The first step is to realize that you are the boss in your household. Not your dog. You decide when to play. And you decide how long playtime will be. It’s important to schedule a daily play time. It doesn’t have to be long â€" ten minutes will do. As long as during that time, all you do is play with your dog. That’s it. Just play. As a first step: remove your dog’s favorite toy. The one he constantly obsesses about and brings everywhere he goes. Put it up on a shelf. Kaylee’s obsession is her little latex soccer ball. Other toys are fine, she’ll carry them around, but her special toy is that particular ball. (To avoid complete meltdown, we do have a couple spares on hand. No toy lasts forever.) Next: get a brand new kitchen timer, with a ring or a beep that doesn’t sound like any other timer in the house. This is your dog’s timer â€" he’ll recognize it very quickly. To start playtime, ask your dog if she wants to play, get her timer, set it for however many minutes you choose, then get her special toy and start playtime. Let her recognize the ritual. Dogs love routine and quickly adjust to new ones. For as long as the timer’s running â€" have fun with your dog. Tug, toss, wrestle â€" play intensely and focus on your dog. When the timer’s bell goes off â€" stop immediately. Tell your dog “that’s it!â€� show him the timer and turn it off. Then say “let’s go get a drinkâ€� and walk over to his water bowl. When he drops his toy, replace it on the shelf. It doesn’t come down until the next session. If you need to “tradeâ€� a treat for the toy â€" do so. You’re not rigorously training your dog to perform a task â€" you’re teaching him the house rules so that everyone can relax and enjoy your time together. We always take Kaylee out for a quick “potty breakâ€� after a play session â€" it’s another part of our routine. She knows what to expect. When she comes back in the house, she finds a place to lie down. Sometimes she finds a chewie toy, sometimes she just lies down. She doesn’t ever really relax, but she’s now a dog we can live with. Dogs love ritual and routine. When you got your dog, chances are you pictured yourself at home, dog by your feet, relaxing and enjoying life. You can still make that happen, every evening, if you establish that routine for your dog.

Hope Saidel is the co-owner of <a href="http://www.gollygear.com">GollyGear.com</a>, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is Registrar of the North Shore Dog Training Club.

Are Home Made Dog Food Recipes Good For Your Dog? Part 1
By

Forrest Hagstrom

Concerned about the recent pet food recall, many pet owners are looking for alternative ways to feed their dogs and are increasingly looking to home made dog food recipes as a form of healthy dog food.

Feeding your dog this way is proven to be much better than commercial dog food which, even under normal circumstances
contain harmful ingredients that build up in the dog's system over time that often results in illnesses, allergies and a decreased life span.

When this happens, many pet owners often dismiss these illnesses and diseases as due to old age or as a normal condition for certain breed types when in reality, the commercial dog food they have been eating
all their life may have played a significant role.

A good dog food recipe is essential for proper health and nutrition as some "people food" can be harmful, even fatal to dogs. Hence, it is just as important to know what not to feed your dog.

Dogs also have different nutritional requirements than people so pet owners need to educate themselves and find good dog food recipes that are appropriate for the dog for example, puppies have different nutritional needs than do older dogs, or if a dog is pregnant, nursing, is neutered etc.

Unlike what most pet owners think, feeding your dog a homemade diet is actually a lot easier than it sounds once you know a few tricks and is actually a lot more cost effective than the commercially prepared dog food.

You could literally save hundreds of dollars per year by finding good home made dog food recipes.

Think for a moment about the food you eat and your grocery bill. When you buy your food, prepared foods always costs more than the food you prepare yourself. It is the same with dog food.

More and more pet owners are discovering the downside of feeding their dogs with commercial pet food - and in the light of the most recent pet food scandal that
has rocked the industry yet again, it could very well be that more and more pet
owners will shift to homemade dog food.

After all, if pet owners can devote an hour a day to take their dogs for a walk, what is another half hour (or even less) to treat their loyal four legged friend to a homemade dinner.

Feeding your dog healthy, nutritious home made dog food is the way to enjoy many more years with your dog and will spare them the pain and misery from illnesses and diseases associated with commercial dog food while giving them a much better quality of life.

You have my permission to reprint this article as long as it is printed in full with the authors link left intact.

Shocking Report Reveals!
What the Pet Food Industry doesn't want you to know
Be sure to read part #2 of the story "What is Really in Pet Food?"
/www.impetusmarketing.com/petfoodrecall">Home Made Dog Food Recipes

Forrest Hagstrom is an online entrepreneur, author, and publisher of "The Impetus Driving Force Report" http://www.ImpetusMarketing.com