Can I Train My Dog

Dog Supplies Buying Guide

Just like a baby who needs utmost attention and care, the best supplies for your dog needs some major consideration, too. Here’s how you can ensure that your pet gets the best toys, food, and other necessities.

Dog Food and Treats

Your dog’s needs should be the emphasis when considering what food or treat to buy him. The proper balance of vitamins and minerals should be given, particularly to growing puppies. Sporting and working dog breeds need to eat something that will sustain their hyperactive lifestyle. Dogs that aren’t getting any younger need low-calorie food to avoid weight gain.  Don’t scrimp on the budget here no matter how compelling it might be.  A healthy dog is reflected by the food he eats.

Dog Leashes and Collars

The size and weight of the dog should be taken into account in choosing the right dog collar. The collar’s material needs attention too. Nylon is good for water-loving dogs since it is more durable and light. For a tougher look, leather collars are a lot better since they are more durable and can even be accessorized with spikes.

Dog leashes come in cloth, nylon, retractable, and leather styles.

Dog Toys

The safety of your dog should be the top priority in looking for a dog toy. What fun could be derived from a toy if it will endanger your pet’s life, right? A dog toy should be large enough so that it can’t be swallowed by your pet. However, it should be small enough for your dog to be able to grip it well.

The durability of the toys will need major consideration too, especially for dogs that are serious chewers. Light chewers can settle for vinyl and latex dog toys.

Training Guides for Your Dog

Dog whistles, dog harnesses and bitter-tasting sprays compose the wide array of dog-training guides that will keep a dog from chewing. If the chewing problem is a lot more serious, you may want to use a dog bark collar or an electric fence. It is advised that you remain consistent and humane when training your dog.

There are many dog training books available that can be helpful when training your dog.

Dog Health Items

Tick and flea infestation control medications are available to ensure that your dog’s health is secured against these pests. Brands like Advantix, Advantage and Frontline are some of the popular flea and tick drugs in the market.

Your dog’s dental health should never be taken for granted either. Dog toothbrushes and toothpastes, and even dog toys are now made available to support the dental health of your pet.

Following these guidelines will definitely help you have a happy, healthy pet!

Can I Train a Dog News

Can I Train a Dog

Incessant Dog Barking

Dogs bark for a number of reasons.  Sometimes these can be good reasons such as to warn of an intruder or to express fright or pain.  Sometimes these can be “bad” reasons as far as humans are concerned – attempts to sound menacing or simply to get attention fall into this category.  Whatever the reason for a dog’s barking, it can often be considered a nuisance by the dog’s owners and their neighbors alike.  Because of this there are several methods employed to control a barking dog.

Training

By far the best method of controlling incessant barking is to train the dog not to bark or, more specifically, to bark only at the appropriate times.  There are several ways to accomplish this, but dog trainers usually agree that traditional reward and reprimand systems are the most effective and the kindest to use.

Some people opt for an electronic “bark collar” as a shortcut to training the dog themselves.  The collar contains an electronic device which is activated by the action of the dog barking.  The device issues a small electric shock which pains and startles the dog.  Eventually the dog is able to associate the negative stimulus with the barking and stops doing it.

The problems with these systems are multiple, however.  Some dogs simply don’t learn that the barking is the cause of the negative stimulus, and continue to bark despite the discomfort it causes.  Particularly hairy dogs may not even feel the shock or activate the device because its metal points must contact the skin directly in order to deliver the shock.  Also, the collar itself is not enough and must be backed up with training anyway.  It is a bad idea to use the collars for an extended period of time.

Some owners find the concept of delivering an electric shock to the dog to be “cruel.”  While that may be a matter of personal opinion, the collars are proven to provide only minor discomfort for a short time and will not actually harm the dog.  Another type of collar that operates on the same principle delivers a mist of citronella in front of the dog’s nose.  Dogs hate the smell and soon realize that it is caused by the barking.  Success rates for citronella collars are comparable to those of the electronic variety.

Surgery

By far the most extreme method of controlling a dog’s barking is to have it undergo debarking surgery.  In this procedure a small fold of tissue is removed from the larynx of the dog, rendering it unable to bark.  Some find this procedure to be inhumane and, since the dog’s bark may return after a few months anyway, it is certainly a less than perfect method which few vets will recommend.

Can I Train a Dog News

Can I Train a Dog