How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking

Dog barking is a common problem among dog owners. But before you try to stop dog from barking, you must first find out the reason why your dog barks. It is impossible to completely stop a dog from barking but there should be a certain level where you determine if barking is too excessive. Barking is a way for a dog to communicate. If you do not hear your dog barks, then there may be something wrong with him.
There are many reasons why a dog barks, such as, if the dog is hungry and asking for food, if he sees some strangers, if he wants to go to the toilet, if he is frightened, or worst if the dog is in pain. You must not stop your dog from barking if you do not understand what he wants. You must understand his body language while he is barking and how excessive his barking is. Normal barking is just fine. Through this understanding you can have a good communications with your dog. Once you have isolated the issue on why he is barking, you can start your own dog training to stop your dog barking problem.
The dog should learn some words associated with your training. You can use words like "Stop Barking" or "Quiet". When he is barking excessively, you must get his attention and focus on something else while showing him the treat. Say the words "Stop Barking" and give him the treat. This will move his attention to the treat and eventually he stops barking. Repeat the same procedure until he associates the words and the treat with stop barking. When he stops, praise him and focus his attention to other things or giving him a chew toy.
Another way to stop dog barking is to use a leash method. The dog must be aware of your movement. A way to do this is by firm tug of the leash downwards while saying the words "Stop Barking". Repeat this several times and be consistent. Say the words only once per tug so as not to make it monotonous to the point that he ignores what you are saying. But do not forget, for every time he follows your command, you must give him a treat and praise.

My Rollie is still alive!

Night view of Shanghai

I touched down at LCCT airport from Shanghai on the 16 March after more than 5 hrs flight time. When I arrived back home, my Rollie was so excited to see me, probably wondering where his mistress has gone these pass 8 days.

I was really very happy to see my children as well as being very proud of them for taking good care of Rollie. Does that mean that I can now take more oversea trips and have the peace of mind that all would be well at home?

My Rollie waiting patiently to be fed.

Hope My Rollie Will Be Well Taken Care Of...

I will be going to Shanghai for a 9-day with my husband. Will be leaving my doggie with my 3 children. I've instructed them about his food as well as to bring him out often for his wee-wee and poop.                                   Will see how all this instruction is followed when I come back. Really... part of me is rather scarce about leaving my children and the dog at home to fan for themselves. This is my first time leaving them alone to go for a holiday. Will pray that everything will work out just fine!                                     

 Till then, take care!

How to Stop Your Dog From Digging Up the Lawn

My dog, Rollie has started digging up my husband's potted plants.

I found this clip from Youtube that might be useful to some of you who may
be facing a similar problem with your puppy.

 

As for my problem with my Rollie, I don't think his method is appropriate

as I can't be putting dog shit on all my potted plants!

Tips To Stop Puppies From Biting

Whilst it is a natural thing for puppies to do, biting is something that puppies must learn not to do from a very young age. Dog bites can lead to major problems in the future, including legal action, hence the reason that puppy biting needs to be stopped while they are very young.

Do not assume that a puppy will naturally outgrow its biting habit without being taught otherwise you could end up with a fully grown dog that bites and may cause a lot of damage.

If you have even been bitten by dog you will know how powerful their jaws are, so a child could experience permanent damage just from a playful nip from a puppy.

Normally, puppies are taught to control their biting (bite inhibition) by their mothers. The problem is that when adopted as pets many puppies leave the litter before they reach the age that the mother can teach them not to bite, so it is up to the new owner to teach a puppy to refrain from biting.

If you have watched puppies playing with other dogs you will have noticed how the elder dog will "tell the puppy off" when it has had enough of the biting and in so doing this teaches the puppy that it needs to control its biting to avoid an ensuing fight or serious bite.

As long as a puppy is taught at a young age not to bite, either by its owner or other dogs, then it will become less aggressive as it grows older. It is important that puppies learn to interact with other dogs within the first three months of their life.

The longer it is left on it's own, the more difficult it becomes for your dog to socialize correctly and they can become dangerous later in life.

You will have a far better behaved dog in the long term if your puppy can learn the correct behavior patterns early on in its life. Just like raising a child. It is also important that your puppy learns to behave correctly when it meets other animals and pets such as cats.

You can find products that can give your puppy suitable satisfaction to bite and chew on at such places as pet supply stores, supermarkets and vets.

Potty Training Your Puppy

               Potty training begins as soon as the puppy arrived at it's new home

Let's be clear from the start. A potty is not used when potty training puppies. What we are talking about is house training your puppy so that it eliminates outdoors or in a designated indoor area rather than anywhere in the home.

1. Don't look on potty training puppies as the unpleasant or messy side of owning a puppy. Rather see it as the first stage of a bonding process. One that will result in a happy and healthy relationship. That is the real reward of house training a dog.
2. Start potty training as soon as you get your puppy home. But remember they don't yet have full control of their bladder and bowel functions.
3. Feeding should take place at the same times every day. Do not feed with four hours of bedtime and withdraw the water bowl two hours before bedtime. A routine is essential. That means you too have to stick to a routine by getting up and going to bed at the same time every day.
4. Take the puppy outside into the yard or for a walk first thing in the morning, 10 to 15 minutes after every meal or drink and last thing at night. Do not play with them until they have eliminated.
5. If after 10 minutes there is no action take the puppy back to its crate. Wait 10 to 15 minutes then take them out again.
6. Be sure to praise the puppy and reward them with a little playtime every time it does "the business".

Simply taking your dog out in the backyard a few times every day is not the way to potty train a puppy. After all, how do they know what they are being taken outside for?

Dog Training Need Not Be A Fearful Task (Part 2)

                                           Don't worry, not all dogs are that big....

You might not think it possible but dogs, like your kids, can tell when you mean business, slacken up a bit with them and they'll know you can be taken for a ride. Interestingly enough they also have this instinct for intonation; be strict when you want him to stay put at the yard, but be enthusiastic when you are asking him if he would like to go for a walk. It's funny how you'll see your own mood reflected in his responses. This is the primary step for you to establish the kind of communication with your dog which will allow you to calm him or set him up for work with a single word.

One of the main methods of training your dog is to keep a certain consistency in your approach towards him. Keep your intonations, gestures and words for expressing dissatisfaction the same every time, so that he gets used to the idea easily. A young pup who grows up with a certain set of commands will respond to them more promptly than one who is frequently confused by conflicting orders. The more consistent your commands are, the better trained your dog is, the better trained your dog is the greater your confidence in him regarding his obedience to you. A few other ways of establishing consistency are to use the same door when taking your doggie out for a walk, give him the same kind of pat every night before retiring for the day, so that he knows exactly what time it is.

Little things like these will help you predict your dog's behavior more accurately. Most importantly, however, remember to shower your love and affection on the little one, continue your training through little games which he might enjoy, and remember to treat him every time he does a task well, after all like a child it too needs to be appreciated and given its bit of fun.

Dog Training Need Not Be A Fearful Task (Part 1)

                                                              Anyone for a suckling dog...

Despite what it seems to be from a distance, dog training doesn't need you to be a fearless Hercules, all it asks of you is to keep a few basics in mind. First, establish who the boss is, remind your dog again and again that you are the one on two feet while he is still on all fours, and thus what you say is Gospel and what he barks is not. Second, speak in a tone which oozes superiority, something on the lines of your first grade math teacher. Third, routine is everything so keep your training tactics consistent. Once you master these three techniques you will be the master of every single dog around!

Your heart might melt into a mush every time your cute little pup cocks his head, but don't let that get in the way of your establishing who the master is. Go gooey eyed too frequently and you are likely to pay with your carpets and sandals, which it will most merrily chew through. Treat your pup the way you would treat a little kid, setting it strict boundaries and letting it know what goes and what most definitely doesn't. Establish gestures like pointing etc. which will give the dog a cue to act in a certain way.

Relationship Between Dog and Owner Is Unique

There are basically two schools of thought at the moment when it comes to dog training. The one belief is that you need to replicate as far as possible the wolf pack ethos, and the other is that you don't. We know that all dogs originated as wolves and selective breeding has developed all the different types of dogs we see today. It is assumed that all the basic instincts of the wolf are still there somewhere in your dog.

The 'pack' school of thought believes that you have to establish yourself as the 'leader of the pack' and your dog will follow and obey you willingly. As far as possible they believe in holding themselves aloof from their dogs, encouraging an element of respect bordering on fear. An experiment done with tamed wolves shows that when a wolf gets into trouble or difficulties, even though he has accepted human authority, he does not go to a human for help but rather struggles himself to sort things out. 

A dog, on the other hand, looks immediately for help to his human owner. I believe that the relationship between dog and owner is unique, and nothing like that between a wolf pack leader and the wolves. The more loving you are to your dog, the more he loves you. If he disobeys you it is from misunderstanding, or lack of bonding. Get the bond right and the respect will come by itself. He needs to know without doubt what you will not tolerate, and with absolute clarity what you do want of him.

In return, you have to know and understand his needs. There is indeed a lot of the wolf still there and you need to respect that.

Puppy Care : How to Choose the Right Puppy Food

There are many people that are very concerned with the food their dogs eat. It is a known fact that the foods that are consumed affect their health. With keeping their health in mind, many dog owners feel that it is best that they feed their beloved pets a holistic dog food.
This is a food that is filled with natural ingredients and don't have any artificial additives. When a person looks into a holistic dog food, it is not just about the expense of it or the outward benefits of the food. The biggest thought that these owners have is the concern for their pet's long term health.
The ingredients used in holistic dog food are very high quality. When these foods are processed and made, there are no artificial colors, preservatives or fillers used.
With the high quality of ingredients found in it, these foods are rich in useful nutrients. Many dog owners find that this type of dog food provides all the nutrients their pet needs to live a healthy and happy life.
Because this is so rich in nutrients, dogs absorb more of the food into their bodies thus dog owners find that their pets are producing fewer stools. Instead of a dog eating a lot of food that doesn't benefit them, they are eating a food that gives their body the nutrients it needs.
Dog lovers also find that when their dogs eat holistic dog food, they have fewer allergies.  When additives and artificial ingredients are removed from their diet, their health improves immediately and permanently if they continue to eat a diet that doesn't have these irritants added.
The cost of holistic dog food isn't something that stops many dog owners from buying it because it is offset by the lowered cost of vet bills and fewer medicines that have to be bought for their beloved dogs. Many people see their pet's health improved dramatically and state that the cost of the dog food is worth the benefits it is giving their pet.
When a dog is introduced to a family, it becomes a member of the family. To keep their family healthy and happy, many people want to feed their dogs the best. Many families find that the benefits of holistic dog food serve their purpose of keeping their four legged family member healthy.

Visit To The Vet

                                            My Rollie in one of his usual sad poses

Today my Rollie visited his vet, Dr Gobinathan for his 2nd vaccination. Rollie took it like a real boy, no fuss whatsoever but one thing though , the vet was a bit concern about his body weight. He has gained 5kg in the last month. The vet realised that I was feeding him fresh chicken liver for all his 3 meals on a regular basis. 

He said I should try not to feed the dog with animal's internal organs especially those that act as filters eg the liver and kidneys. Though we may not the see the side-effects immediately, while they are still young, but as they grow older they will have all kinds of sickness.

Another thing the vet advises against is:  
NEVER FEED YOUR DOGS WITH CHICKEN BONES!

It may punture their intestines and it will be costly to treat it, furthermore the dog may eventually still diefrom it.

So be careful what you feed your dog with!

How To Choose A Healthy Puppy

Researching a breed should be one of the top priorities when looking to get a new puppy for your family. Once a breed has been selected, you want to ensure your new puppy is healthy and is free of parasites and other diseases. A dry puppy nose is typically a good sign of a healthy puppy, however, when selecting a good animal, there are other signs to look for to make sure you are getting a fit new dog.

A puppy can come with various issues when you first pick them up from the place they were born or housed. Just the fact that they were probably rolling around and wrestling with other puppies, they can pick up many diseases and develop issues after you have brought them home. So having a good sense of which ones are less likely to have health issues will save you and your family stress and money in the long run.

Things to look for when acquiring a puppy is their energy level, eyes,
ears, nose, mobility and to make sure that the puppy can stand upright 

or keep their balance on all their four legs .

In summary, it is always a good idea to consult your local veterinarian after purchase to check out the dog for any real issues. Make sure you have a clause in your agreement to return the animal if issues do arise that would prevent you from keeping the dog. A reputable breeder should have no issues in guaranteeing their puppies.

My Dear Rollie Mollie

My Rollie is always busy chewing things around the house

Rollie was given to us when he was about 8 weeks old. He was very round and fluffy and that is how his name came about. He's quite an adorable little doggie, learning things rather fast eg simple instruction like SIT, SHAKE HANDS, FETCH AND JUMP. At the moment I'm teaching him to ROLL, this I'm having a bit of a problem. Today he'll be going for his 2nd vacination...poor Rollie.

Dog As Man's Best Friend

It has been said all throughout history that a dog is man's best friend. Dogs are always by his masters side, even when the times are rough. I do believe you have come across that specific time in your life when you are lonely and got nobody else to talk to. They are always there, ready to listen and to complete you. Rewarding them with proper love and care would make them one happy friend, also you can look into training your dogs. .

Learning the basic approaches in dog training is the best way to teach them how to behave themselves. Do not forget that when you train dogs, human rules do not apply. Communication is vital between owner and pet, so that commands can easily be learned by the dog. To add, do not forget to make sure that the dog is rewarded for every good " job" and to correct him if it does otherwise.

7 BASIC COMMANDS
1. Up                                                2. Heel          
3. Sit                                                4. Down
5. Close                                           6. Recall
7. Stay

Before proceeding with training your dog, you must first know if he suffers from a certain condition. Also, some dogs suffer from separation anxiety which ultimately results to violent behavior. Some dogs might even bite or bark due to some communication issues between its master and the dog. If your dog suffers any condition mentioned above you are in need of a professional dog trainer.

Read some tips below on how to train your dog effectively:

• Set limitations when setting a rule and implementing it on your dog, be consistent with it and never let him break the rules or else all your efforts are useless. Unless you implement the rules sternly, the dog won't take the training seriously.

• Assert the role of leader of the pack so that he will follow your every order.

• Make sure he knows when he doesn't do a good job .

• And never reprimand him for whatever reason, he may become bitter on you and even consider it as a traumatic experience .

• Be patient. Patience is the key to successful dog training. Do not forget that your words will come as gibberish to your dog so it will be hard for him to understand you right away. It takes time for him to be familiarized with the guidelines and the command.

• Keep the training short and fun. Try to focus on one particular command every session so it will be easier for him to remember and don't forget to give him treats for every good job done. Praise your dog every after training for a job well done and try to spend some quality alone time with him to reinforce your bond as owner and pet.

• And the last, remember to be positive. Don't lose hope when it seems too hard. When you see that your dog has problems learning during sessions , look on the bright side. Someday, he may get it and you will be one pleased master. Always use positive reinforcement so your dog will not get traumatized.

How To Train Your Dog To Sit

Having The Right Mindset About Dog Training

Your approach to dog training has a big impact on the actual training results that you will get. As long as you have the right mindset about dog training, you can be sure that your puppy will grow into a well-mannered dog that you can be proud of. Aside from having the right mindset, you would also do well to follow the most useful tips and tricks of dog training. Here are the top five dog training tips that will help you mould your dog into a positive addition to your family.

1. Show your dog that you are the pack leader.

Dogs are pack animals and naturally look to their pack leader for guidance. Therefore, you will have to establish your role as pack leader in order to gain control over your dog's behaviour. Pack leaders normally control the food supply, so a good way to establish leadership would be to always feed your dog only AFTER you have eaten. You should also set a feeding schedule and stick to it.

2. Use positive reinforcement.

Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. One of the best ways to ensure success in dog training is to reward good behaviour and ignore unwanted behaviour. This will encourage your dog to repeat those behaviours that earn him praises and treats, and refrain from exhibiting behaviours that get him nothing in return. Be careful not to use punishment in training your dog, as this will only alienate him and make him regard you as an adversary. Rewards and positive reinforcement not only help ensure success in dog training, but also helps strengthen your bond with your dog.

3. Set realistic goals.

You can't ensure the success of your training unless you have a concrete goal to start with. Of course, you will have to keep your goals realistic; otherwise, you will just be setting yourself up for failure. For example, it is okay to expect your dog to master the "sit" command in two to three days, but you can't expect him to jump through hoops within the same time frame.

4. Learn proper timing.

Proper timing can spell the difference between success and failure, where dog training is concerned. When you see your dog sniffing and circling around, immediately give a firm NO and then lead him to the designated elimination area. If you wait until he has done his business before scolding him, he won't understand that he is not supposed to make a mess inside the house. In the same way, you should praise your dog or give him a treat the very moment he exhibits a good behaviour. This will make him understand that he has just done something that pleases you.

5. Be patient and consistent.

Stay calm even when your dog makes mistakes. Yelling and showing impatience will get you nowhere. Give your dog enough time to learn each command, and always use the same words and hand signals when you give these commands. Consistency and patience are the keys to successful dog training.