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Dog Training: How To Stop The Chewing Problem
Many people have begun the task of getting there dog or puppy into a dog training school. There are a lot of aspects that are gone over in dog training classes. Unfortunately, one part of dog training that is not gone over very well in dog training...
Heartworms alert - know the warning signs to save your pets health!
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being more lethargic than usual? If so, it is possible that your pet is infected with heartworms and may need immediate help and attention. Heartworms may infect a host for up to 2 years before...
Here's What To Do If Your Dog Displays Submissive Urination
Bhabani wrote to me with her question about her dog and submissive urination:
She wrote: "I have a mixed-breed puppy (German shepherd/border collie mix) which is 4 months old. It's very friendly with people but when it approaches people, it...
My Needs are Simple and Few!
My dear owner, Thank you once again for giving me shelter. (Lick, slurp, lick, slurp) Aside from food, shelter and love, my needs are simple and few! Since I am dependent upon you to provide for me, we should discuss my basic needs. I can lend you...
Poodle Complete Profile
Key Facts: Size: There are three sizes: standard, miniature and toy Height: Standard - Over 38 cm (15 in) Miniature - 28-38 cm (11-15 in) Toy - Under 28 cm (11 in) Weight: Standard - 22 kg (49 lb) Miniature - 12 kg (26 lb) Toy - 7 kg (15 lb) Life...
Raising A Puppy
Raising a puppy can be a very rewarding experience but it can also be a lot of hard work. This is something that a lot of people don't take into consideration when getting a new dog. Puppies much like human infants, need almost constant care and...
Toilet Training for Dogs - Tips from Animal Behaviorists
Generally, dogs are very clean animals - they won't soil close
to where they eat, or where they sleep. But living in a house is
unnatural for an animal whose instincts would be to roam
wherever she wants to go, so you will have to help her...
Training your dog not to chase people, bicycles, joggers, etc.
Dogs by nature are predatory animals, and all predatory animals share the motivation to chase fleeing objects. While this may be a natural instinct, it is not appropriate when those fleeing objects are joggers, bicyclists or the mailman.
Training...
Treating Your Dog For Dehydration
Dehydration in dogs can be a serious matter. Whether caused by illness, exposure to heat, or a simple lack of fluid intake, dehydration must be addressed immediately and, left untreated, can cause multiple health problems including organ failure and...
Where's the Meat in my Pets Food?
Today we hear all the Whole-Health buzzwords like functional foods, nutraceutical, organic, natural and holistic ingredients. Every natural, holistic, and organic ingredient we use has been researched for safety and efficacy. Natural,...
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Dog Supplies: What’s Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have
Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the cutest puppy in the store and buying a bag of dog food. Acquiring a new canine is nearly as important as adopting a child. They need constant attention and love and buying the proper supplies can be as confusing as deciding what kind of dog to get in the first place. So I’m here to help you.
When you first walk into a pet store you will be bombarded by everything from designer clothes to dog food, and the salesmen are rarely any help. They’re goal is to sell you everything you lay your eyes on. But in reality there are really only a few basic things you need to make your new family member comfortable and you a happy dog owner.
First and foremost, buy a book about your breed. All breeds are very different and have different needs and personality quirks. But at the same time, don’t think of the book as the end all and be all of how your dog is supposed to behave. Like people, dogs each have their own personalities. The book is there simply to give you guidance.
Second, get a good collar. Make sure you can stick at least two fingers between the dog’s skin and the collar. Also make sure you get a collar that allows plenty of room for growth. Some breeds grow very fast and you don’t want to be replacing the collar every two weeks during your puppy’s first year. Also, get a good training collar. These come in many, many sizes and types. The two most popular types are called the choke chain and the German pinch collar. But don’t let the names scare you. These two training collars are the best for teaching your dog to heal and to walk on the end of a leash without jerking your arm out of the socket.
Both collars have their pros and cons. The choke chain is easy to use and doesn’t “look” cruel. But you have to replace it as the dog gets bigger and depending on the breed, this can get very expensive. The German choke chain “looks” evil but as the dog grows bigger you can simply add additional links. But the biggest thing to remember with both collars is to “never” use the collar as your dog’s everyday collar. Dog owner’s can grow very lazy when using these collars and forget to check them. It’s not uncommon for an owner to forget to check the collar and end up having to cut the collar off because the dog grew so big the collar would no longer fit over its head. Choke chains and German pinch collars are to be used for training purposes only.
The other supplies needed for happy dogs are simple:
A weighted food and
water bowl. Dogs, especially puppies, seem to have a fondness for playing in their dinner as much as eating it.
A well made crate or dog house, depending on whether or not the dog will be an inside or outside dog; at least three leashes of varying lengths, used for training and walking purposes. The book you get will explain how the different sized leashes are used in training.
Chew toys, chew toys, chew toys. Dogs, especially puppies, need to exercise their gums regularly and unless you plan on replacing your furniture, your expensive crown molding and your slippers on a regular basis, get your new friend a wide selection of chew toys.
And finally, DOG FOOD! Despite what some animal rights groups would have you believe, dogs are carnivores. They eat meat. So check the ingredients. If corn and other types of vegetables is the first ingredient listed, your new four-legged friend is not getting what he needs. Look for chicken or beef to be listed as the first ingredient.
A few more supplies you will need as the dog gets older, but aren’t necessarily mandatory when you first get your puppy include; a good brush, ID tag and dog treats. Treats are better utilized as just that – treats. Instead of using treats as a training aid, substitute your dog’s favorite toy. Trust me, after about a month you will discover what his favorite toy is.
And now for the supplies that might be fun to have. Squeaky toys are very cute in the store and your dog will love them. But they will get very old very quickly. Imagine this scenario. You’ve just walked in the front door from a long day at work. You sit down to watch TV and decompress and from the other side of the room you hear, “Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak.” That will get old very quickly.
And even though they’re cute, please save your dog’s dignity and avoid buying any clothes, designer or otherwise, for Fido. Have you ever really looked at a dog’s face when he’s wearing clothes? He’s embarrassed. A good rule of thumb to use is this – if you wouldn’t be seen in public wearing it, don’t make your dog wear it. Have fun with your new family member.
About the Author
You may republish this article with full credit to the author and the URL's hyperlinked.
Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides pet tips and information for http://www.dogs-n-u.com and http://www.dogs-n-u.com/pet-supplies.htm.
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