The following articles were authored by jackcola

5 Simple Steps To Teach Your Puppy To Play Fetch

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Playing fetch is a fun and interactive way to bond with your puppy and provide them with some much-needed exercise. It’s also a great way to teach your puppy basic obedience skills, such as bringing an object back to you. Here’s how to teach your puppy to play fetch.

Start with a small, lightweight object

Choose an object that’s easy for your puppy to pick up and carry, such as a small ball or stuffed toy. Avoid using heavy or sharp objects that could be dangerous for your puppy.

Show your puppy the object and encourage them to take it

Hold the object in front of your puppy and encourage them to take it in their mouth using positive reinforcement, such as praise and treats. You may need to gently hold the object in your puppy’s mouth and release it to help them understand what to do.

Practice the “drop” command

Once your puppy is comfortable taking the object in their mouth, start teaching them the “drop” command. Hold the object in front of your puppy and say “drop” while gently wiggling the object. When your puppy drops the object, reward them with praise and a treat.

Practice throwing the object

Once your puppy is comfortable taking the object and dropping it on command, start practicing throwing the object. Begin by throwing it a short distance and encouraging your puppy to retrieve it. As your puppy becomes more comfortable with the game, you can gradually increase the distance.

Add a recall command

To make the game more interactive, teach your puppy the recall command, which is the “come” command. When your puppy brings the object back to you, say “come” and reward them with praise and a treat. This will help your puppy understand that they should bring the object back to you after fetching it.

By following these steps, you can teach your puppy to play fetch and enjoy this fun and interactive game together. With practice and patience, your puppy will soon be fetching like a pro!

This entry is filed under Training Tips.

Should you buy a wireless dog fence?

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As a dog lover, you know how much our furry companion loves to have fun and frolic.This means ensuring that they get plenty of exercise, but leaving them unsupervised will leave you with grey hairs.That’s why keeping them contained is a good idea.Constructing a fence around your house may be the obvious choice but it could obstruct the view from your home. This is where having a wireless fence comes handy.

So the next question is how exactly does a wireless fence work? It mainly consists of two main equipment – the transmitter and a receiver collar. The transmitter emits a radio signal within a limited range.The receiver is put in the dogs collar; so when your pet dog approaches the edge of the boundary, the receiver sounds a warning. If the boundary is crossed, your pet dog will receive a shock. But fear not, this is mild and has enough power only to startle your dog.

Even though the pros of wireless fence are many and there are a lot of good brands available certain things will have to be given serious consideration, such as:

  • Property size and shape – This is because the landscape will have to be flat, with no element to interfere with the signal.
  • Minimum weight and age – Not recommend for dogs below 6 months. The dog also has to have the minimum weight recommend to ensure that the shock doesn’t harm your dog.
  • Number of dogs –  Some systems allow only 2 dogs while others allow unlimited numbers. All you have to do is buy compatible collars for the additional dogs.
  • Breed – Some dogs have short hair and others long, the collar will have to be adjusted accordingly.
  • Budget – Carefully ascertain your budget before purchasing a product.

Some of the recommend brands are:

Pet Safe Stay and Play Wireless Fence: This fence comes in a circular shape, the collar is lightweight and water proof.It is portable, comes with a built in rechargeable battery and has a 1 year warranty.It can be used for people who have multiple dogs.

Pet Safe Wireless Pet Containment System: Recommended for puppies above 6 months.

It can be extended with additional transmitter and used for unlimited number of dogs.It is also economical making it a preferred choice amongst dog lovers.

Perimeter Technologies Wi-Fi Dog Fence: Usable for up to 2 dogs, but the collar size is designed for much larger dogs ,it is also water proof.It is relatively expensive.

Friendly Pet Product Wireless Electric Dog Fence: Can be used on multiple dogs.The collar is adjustable and waterproof although it is quite difficult to set up.

Having a wireless fence is a safe and simple form of pet containment, it keeps your dog contained as well as giving  them a certain amount of freedom.At the same time you have to keep in mind that your dog will take time to get accustomed to the fence and for this proper training has to be given.Consult your vet or get a professional trainer to help you out.Make sure your dog doesn’t wear the collar for more than 12-13 hours a day.

This entry is filed under Taking Care.

25 Most Popular Dog Breeds and their Health Issues

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Today you can choose a dog breed of any form, shape or size. Each breed is also different in terms of character and personality. There are many more factors you need to consider when thinking about your future pet.

However, health issues should also be considered before adopting a dog because different breeds are more prone to specific health problems and a dog owner you must be aware.

Study the infographic below to learn more about your favorite breeds, their potential health risks, and the requirements to keep you future pet healthy! If you want to get more details about each breed then read more here.

Source: DogPsycho.com.

dog breeds and their common health problems

 

This entry is filed under Taking Care.

Choose Your New Puppy From A Responsible Breeder – What To Look Out For

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It is an exciting time when you get to bring home a new puppy.  He quickly becomes part of your family and you create a bond with lots of cuddling, trips outside and walks in the park.  If buying from a breeder, you will want to be sure you choose a responsible breeder versus a backyard breeder (those who are only breeding for financial benefits).

When shopping for your new dog, there are things you need to expect from your breeder as well as some things the breeder will expect from you.  If you have found a responsible breeder—which can be done through references—he or she may come across as a very nosey person.  This is okay, considering that the nosier breeder, the better!

From a responsible breeder you can expect to be asked such things as your work schedule, who lives in the house with you, what your yard layout is like and the kind of friends you have that may be visiting you in your home.  Although these seem like personal questions, the breeder cares what kind of home their puppy may be going to. A breeder who asks no questions and is just looking for the sale won’t be able to offer you the same quality and breed of puppies as the responsible breeder will.

Another perk to buying a puppy from a responsible breeder is that you will be told the lineage that the puppy came from.  In other words, you’ll be privy to the father’s as well as the mother’s heritage, and will be given the papers to prove it.  This can be an important aspect of buying a puppy because personalities, as well as health issues, are generally hereditary, and it’s nice to be certain that your puppy is from good stock.  Most of the time, a backyard breeder or pet store simply won’t offer this type of information.  In addition, pet store puppies usually come from a puppy mill—a relative breeding farm—and they are sold on a first come, first serve basis.  Questions aren’t asked of the buyer and no attention is paid to the puppy’s welfare.

A responsible breeder will also expect the buyer to have questions and concerns of their own.  A buyer should not be afraid to ask questions about this new life you will be taking into your home.  Here are a few things you should ask your breeder about as well as some expectations that you should have:

  • Is there a signed veterinary health certificate, plus a written health guarantee from the breeder, including one against congenital defects?
  • Are ACVO eye screening and OFA or Penn Hip certificates completed, to avoid any future problems with the puppies?
  • Does the breeder have a written contract available for you to sign, specifying the rights of the seller and also the breeder’s rights?
  • Is all health information available and up to date?
  • Can the breeder provide AKC or CKC registration papers on the puppy?
  • What is the lineage of the puppies?  A responsible breeder should be able to tell you lineage from generations back, as well as giving you a family tree of the puppy.

Responsible breeders will be able to help you find the puppy that is right for you and will be happy to give you tips on raising and caring for your new bundle of joy.  As long as you find a responsible breeder, it’s a sure thing that you’ll find the perfect puppy.

This entry is filed under Taking Care.

How To Stop Your Dog Barking

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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.

This entry is filed under Training Tips.

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