Is Using Food for Training Simply a Bribe?

Lots of pet parents worry when they start training their dog that they are only bribing their pet to do what they want. Frustrated pet parents always tell trainers that their dog will only sit if they have food. So that begs the question, is using food for training simply a bribe and will it mean you have to keep bribing your dog to get behaviors you like?

First look at the process of training your dog as a means of simply building communication between two different species that do not speak the same language. Positive dog training is based on the science of animal learning theory and is much more humane and effective than coercive methods which can have serious implications on your dog’s confidence and relationship with you. Positive Dog Training states the Three Laws of Learning:

Housetraining Dogs and Puppies

The key to training your dog to eliminate outside (where you want him to) is to prevent accidents, and to reward success. Adult dogs have better bladder and bowel control, and can “hold it” for a longer period of time than puppies. The rule of thumb with puppies is to take their age in months, add one, and that’s the number of hours the puppy can “hold it” during the day (i.e. A four-month-old puppy can be expected to be clean for up to five hours during the day).

Dog Adoption Checklist

Congratulations on deciding to adopt a dog! You are embarking on a wonderful and rewarding relationship. Because adopting a new dog comes with a lot of change for both dog and dog parent, we’ve compiled a checklist to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment

What is hip dysplasia?

To understand hip dysplasia we must have a basic understanding of the joint that is being affected. The hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body and is a ball and socket joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur while the socket (acetabulum) is located on the pelvis. In a normal joint the ball rotates freely within the socket.

Vomiting in Dogs

What is vomiting?

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.

What is the difference between vomiting and regurgitation?

In regurgitation, the food that is expelled comes from the mouth or esophagus, versus the stomach. Vomiting involves the forceful contraction of stomach muscles; regurgitation does not. Both vomiting and regurgitation can occur right after eating or drinking, or up to several hours later.

Teach your dog to stay, the fun and easy way

“Stay” is a command that tells your dog to remain stationary where you place them until they are released. This can be used in correlation with a movement command such as “sit” or “down” to help the dog know what is expected of them.

STEP 1

Kneel down and hold your dog by the collar or stand on the leash to anchor him from getting to the treats (you may want to have him on a harness so he is not pulling against his neck). Place the rewards at arm’s reach away out in front of him.

Why Are Dogs Given Up?

In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP) and published in the July issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (JAAWS), researchers went into 12 selected animal shelters in the United States for one year to find out why.

The results of the study show that the top seven reasons for relinquishment for both dogs and cats are the same. “These commonalities suggest that there may be similar ways to address relinquishment in dogs and cats,” says Pam Burney, NCPPSP president. “For people who work in a shelter all day, there isn’t always time to look at these issues. We have impressions of what’s happening, but now we have objective data that will help us develop specific programs to address the issues that have been identified.”

How to Manage or Reduce Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing

Puppy Teething

The desire to investigate interesting objects and the discomfort of teething motivate puppies to chew. Much like human infants, puppies go through a stage when they lose their baby teeth and experience pain as their adult teeth come in. This intensified chewing phase usually ends by six months of age. Some recommend giving puppies ice cubes, special dog toys that can be frozen or frozen wet washcloths to chew, which might help numb teething pain. Although puppies do need to chew on things, gentle guidance can teach your puppy to restrict chewing to appropriate objects, like his own toys.

Your Newly Adopted Dog

Whether he was born in the bushes behind the laundromat or an adolescent abandoned on the streets by his once-upon-a-time owner, the streetwise stray can be a real challenge to incorporate into your life. The famous “he followed me home, can I keep him, Mom?” canine is a special animal that needs time and space, patience and understanding.

Barking When Left Alone

Of all dog behavior problems, perhaps the most distressing one is the dog who barks when left alone. Incessant volleys of yips, woofs and whines are an irritant to those who live in close quarters or for those who need some peace and quiet in their life! These latchkey barkers fit several profiles. It is important to determine which one or more describes your dog; misreading the dog may result in a failure to extinguish the problem.

What To Do If Your Potty Training Fails

Dogs have no idea when they first enter an environment if they are allowed to relieve themselves or not. It is our job as pet parents to manage the environment, the resources and the amount of time between potty breaks carefully to create a consistent routine. Dogs that are most likely to have potty problems usually are relatively new to the environment, get food throughout the day (free feeders or excessive treats throughout the day), have full access to all areas of the home and inconsistencies in their routine.

Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat

Who can resist those big brown eyes and cute doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table or getting into Mom or Dad’s stuff really hurt your dog? Well, that depends on what it is and what's in it. If it contains the sweetener xylitol, it can cause your dog some real problems. In fact, there’s a lot of people food your dog should never eat. And, it’s not just because of weight. Some foods are downright dangerous for dogs -- and some of these common foods may surprise you.

Should You Adopt a Puppy or an Adult or Senior Dog?

When adopting a dog, one choice you’ll need to make is whether to adopt a puppy, an adolescent, or an adult. It’s not always an easy decision, so let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of adopting dogs of different ages.

Puppies are enchanting little beings. They’re funny and cute and full of promise. But puppies, like all babies, need a lot of care and attention if they are to fulfill that promise.

How to Choose a Healthy Puppy

You are finally ready for a companion or a family pet. You already made the decisions on whether you want a dog or cat, male or female, purebred or mixed breed. Now you are looking for just the right animal. Do you know what to look for in a healthy pet? What type of disposition will fit your lifestyle? Your final decision will probably be one of the heart, but we can give you some suggestions to guide you as far as health and temperament.

Top 10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds

The dog is said to be man’s best friend. But some time these friends come so expensive – especially if they are pure bred pedigrees. There are a variety of factors which make them expensive. Their rarity or purity of breed can make them extremely expensive. Recently, the one year old, golden-haired Tibetan Mastiffhas been sold in China for almost $2 million, making it the most. Below you will find our list of the world’s 10 most expensive dog breeds.

You Don't Want To Do This Grooming Mistakes to Your Dog

When canine owners attempt pet grooming in the house, there are several common mistakes that are made. Pet dog pet grooming is a skill, but with the ideal equipment and determination it could become a family duty that will saving both money and time. You need to make sure. A slip of the clippers could create injury to your pet. This is not just physical injury, but psychological. Trust is loss when pain is caused and your pet could not address you the same subsequently.

10 Ways to Create a Dog-Friendly Home

Your canine companion is an important part of your family, so don’t forget to include some considerations for him when designing your living spaces. With a few simple steps, you can create a home that is both stylish and functional for you and your pooch. Discover how to create a pup-friendly home interior with these “dogification” tips.

Stick to Solid Flooring

Carpet is a magnet for dog hair and stinky odors, making it hard to keep clean. Forego it in favor of wood, tile or stone flooring which you can mop regularly.

12 Things That Are Infuriating to Pet Owners

We pet owners have a lot to be happy about, but there are few things that irritate us to no end. (Hey, we’re only human.) Here are 12 of of those things:

1. When we see homeless pets and we know there's nothing we can do in the moment to help them.

2. When you encounter "NO DOGS ALLOWED" signs. C'mon! WHY?!

3. When other pet owners don't pick up after their pets. Heads up: You’re making the rest of us look bad!

4. When visitors expect us to put our pets in "jail." HELLO: It's their home, too.

How to Make an Elevated Dog Feeder

Finding stylish dog accessories that work with your home's decor can be a challenge. This simple DIY elevated dog feeder will keep your pet's dish zone tidy, add a rustic industrial element to your home's decor, and allow you to create a functional solution for feeding one (or multiple) dogs.

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Step 1

First, you want to gather your supplies. See the Things You'll Need list for an itemized list of the materials needed for this project.

Heartgard Plus for Dogs - Why It's Important for Your Pet

Most pet parents are unaware of the possibility of heartworm infection in their dogs. This is one of the deadliest diseases that play havoc on your furry friend's life. To protect them from this dreadful disease, it is important to treat them with Heartgard Plus. This preventive treatment is highly recommended by vets around the world. It helps control the attack of heartworms in dogs, which is a deadly disease.

The oral preventive comes in a beef flavor that is formulated with two powerful ingredients - Pyrantel and Ivermectin. The first key ingredient Pyrantel, which is an effective anthelmintic, eliminates intestinal worms including roundworms and hookworms by directly attacking their nervous system. The other powerful ingredient Invermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic that directly focuses to attack tissue stage of heartworm larvae - Dirofilaria immitus. This helps in preventing the infection and safeguarding your lovable companion from harmful effects.

Due to the tasty flavor, pets accept and cherish this chewable tablet without any fuss, which need to be given on a monthly basis on the same date of the previous dose. It is also important to understand that this preventive treatment should not be given to puppies under the age of a month and a half.

Before starting this treatment, it is crucial to consult your veterinarian. He/she will diagnose your dog for the presence of infection. If the report turns out to be positive, your vet will start treating your pet with medications. Heartgard Plus is not a drug that treats heartworm, as it is just a preventive medicine. The dreadful infection is very dangerous as it badly affects heart and lungs. If the condition is severe, your vet may consider more intense or radical treatment like surgery.

And, if the report comes out to be negative, your vet may recommend putting your pooch on a preventive product to protect him/her from future infestation.

When administering this flavored tablet, make sure that your pooch does not swallow the tablet in whole but chew it properly. Some dogs may not find it comfortable to chew the tab. In such cases, you can break the tablet into smaller pieces and ensure that the pet takes the full dosage. Heartgard Plus is a monthly treatment which needs to be carried out throughout a year. Check that your pet does not miss any of the dosage for one whole year in all weather conditions.

If your dog is sick with any reason and has to be given any prescription medicine, then you need to inform your vet about this drug, which you are giving to your pet. This is to make sure that the other medicine to be administered does not come into conflict with this product.

This heartworm preventive medicine does not go well with some dog breeds due to its side effects. Some of the breeds like collie are affected. For the first seven hours after giving the first chew, you need to keep a close watch on your collie. If you notice certain symptoms like trembling, fatigue, drooling or dilated pupils, take your pet immediately to a veterinarian.

When a dog is infected by worms, they become the source of transferring these parasites to humans. Especially children are at greater risks to get infected than adults as children usually love to be with pets and play on the floors, where the possibility of larvae of the worms is higher. Moreover, their immune power is not as strong as adults.

To avoid worms getting transferred to humans, apart from harming your dog, the best idea is to put your pet on Heartgard Plus preventive. It helps control heartworm infection and protects your furry pooch from its severe effects.

Eugene Hix is a pet lover, who likes to share a lot of information regarding pet health care. Being an enthusiast pet health problem explorer, I find pets are usually prone to heartworm infection, it is always a safe side to treat them with Heartgard plus. If you are concerned and looking to buy this preventive, Canadapetcare.com is the best option.