No training is more basic for pet owners than that first important lesson: Do it outside!

Teaching your pet to eliminate outside the home, not in it, usually starts between six and eight weeks of age. Dogs as young as four weeks have been started on the program, but at that age they may not have the muscular control to succeed.

With any dog training program, trainer patience is as important as the dog’s temperament. ‘Sit’, ‘stay’ and other behaviors can often be learned in a few days. House breaking typically takes weeks – sometimes as short as two, often a month or more.

As with other learned behaviors, it helps to watch for signs of the daily duty and enforce and direct them with a voice command followed by praise. In this case that technique works even more to the trainer’s advantage, since all dogs will naturally eliminate. The tactic is to get them to do it when and where you want!

Observe for circling or squatting, then pick up the pup, say ‘outside’ and dash outside. The puppy may circle some more, but will often promptly squat. Once it starts, say ‘Go potty’ ( or some other unique phrase) in a clear, firm (but not angry) voice. Once the puppy has finished, lavish him with praises.

You won’t always be able to catch the puppy about to begin, but don’t become angry or impatient when the dog eliminates indoors. It takes some time for your puppy to learn to tell you it’s time to ‘go outside’. It also takes time for the muscles needed to control bladder and bowels to mature.

Usually,young dogs need to eliminate every 2-3 hours. If you haven’t spotted pre-elimination behavior within that time, take the dog outside anyway. Issue the command ‘Go potty’ and wait. At first, usually, the dog will have no clue what you want.

Especially, even when outside, it helps to wait and observe for the desired behavior then issue the command. That helps the dog associate the command with the behavior. If the dog hasn’t eliminated after a few minutes and a few ‘Go potty’ commands, take it back inside for an hour. Of course, if you see the pre-elimination behavior in less time, go outside again immediately.

Puppies have a surprising ability to quickly learn what their ‘alpha’ (the leader of the pack) wants. This is almost always accomplished by associating a verbal command with behavior, followed by praise. Punishment is usually counter-productive, and nowhere more so than in waste elimination training. Never rub your pup’s nose in waste.

Paper and/or crate training is preferred by some. A pup can be trained to potty on a newspaper, or on one of the chemically treated pads designed for the purpose. Some small breeds that live all day in the home may not need to go outside at all.

The technique has a couple of downsides however. Unlike cats, dogs will hardly go in a perfumed litter box. Newspapers (even with the top layer removed after the dog goes) will eventually create an unpleasant smell in the house.

Also, long before the odor becomes repulsive to humans, the aroma is a heavenly scent for dogs. Dogs don’t find the smell unattractive – quite the opposite. And that is where the problem lays.

Dogs that are paper trained sometimes will prefer to potty indoors. Sometimes they’ll miss the paper by only an inch, creating a smelly mess to clean up.

Once the scent is deposited in the carpet, the dog will continue to seek that spot out as its proper ‘place to go’. This makes training the dog to eliminate outside even more difficult. Best to suffer a few accidents than to create a hard-to-overcome habit.

Patience, praise and consistency are the keys to any dog training. Elimination training is the first challenge for you and your dog.

Get more tips and advice on housetraining or dog training at Luvurdog.com/dogtraining

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I’ll run through 3 different breeds in this article – whippets, brussels griffons, and welsh terriers.

Brussels Griffon Dog Breed

The human-like eyes of the brussels griffon are believed to have been part of what led George Lucas, of Star Wars fame, to create the Ewoks. Looking at these cute dogs, you can see the kinship.

Brussels griffons are particularly sensitive and devoted dogs who will bond with one person in particular. They should be socialized when they are young pups. Their sensitivity and one-person nature make them a better choice for childless couples, singles, and the elderly than those looking for a family pet.

Brussels griffon get along well with other animals, particularly cats. You will need to keep an eye out on how they interact with bigger dogs, however. Unaware of their size, they may challenge for dominance, with fights ensuing.

Welsh Terrier Information

Welsh terriers have been described as calm for a terrier, but perhaps not as calm as other dogs. They are sturdy looking dogs with quite a big personality, particularly the boys. They are affectionate, curious, outgoing, joyous, and without fear.

Historically, Welsh terriers were used to control rats and other vermin, and as a result welsh terriers love to chase things – including cats. Consequently, if you already have a cat, or are planning on getting one, this may not be the ideal dog for your family.

Great with children,  welsh terriers need a backyard where they can’t escape as they have a predilection for digging, and may thus escape. When taking your welshie for a walk, be sure he stays on the leash, because his road sense when distracted by fun is not good at all.

Welsh terriers need quite a commitment from their owners. They have to have regular grooming, and get bored if left by themselves for the normal workday. They probably suit someone with a part time job rather than a full time job. When they’re bored, they can cause destruction around the house.  

Whippet Dog Breed

Whippets belong to the family of dogs known as sighthounds, which are named because they hunt using sight and speed instead of smell. These elegant looking dogs are petite, with heights that span 17.5 to 20 inches. And the whippet dog breed look just like miniature greyhounds!

Whippets have been described as being like toy dogs in nature, liking nothing better than curling up on your lap. They are very loyal to their owner, though still friendly to strangers and children. Whippets are gentle dogs, and as such they have been used in aged care homes.

Whippets need to be kept indoors. With such thin coats, they will be too cold outside, and they have a strong bond to their owners. If you’re prepared to exercise them regularly, they are great for apartment living.

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Nevertheless, there are some conditions that tend to occur more frequently in Dachshunds that in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

Hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease, is one common disease of the adrenal gland. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the hormone cortisol is produced, either by the adrenal gland or by a primary tumor, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in excessive drinking and urination, hair loss, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions, and sometimes diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Several different drugs can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. If adrenal cancer is present, surgical excision of the gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease is not limited to Dachshunds and can be found in other breeds, too.

The opposite condition is called low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism) or Addison’s disease. Whereas, Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to to low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian for cortisone injections and fluid therapy to correct the imbalances. Being as the sudden collapse resembles many disorders, Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose. Specialized blood tests are necessary to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed for life long treatment of Addison’s disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a gradual deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. This  results in slow vision loss and eventual blindness. Because of the slow onset of the disease, it may not be diagnosed until the dog has already been bred, thus passing the condition to their offspring. There is no cure or treatment for PRA unfortunately. Other eye diseases that can affect Dachshunds are glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve hypoplasia, abnormal eyelashes (distichiasis) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help identify these eye-disorders early.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine) and is normally gelatinous. In Doxies, this materials sometimes calcifies, or hardens, and sometimes ruptures. The disc protrusion causes pain and swelling around the nerves coming out of the spinal cord and sometimes compresses the cord itself. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. The majority of Doxies with disc disease can be managed medically with anti-inflammatory medications and pain medication. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. When total paralysis is caused from a complete rupture, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restor full function in the legs. The faster the surgery is performed, the greater the chances of full recovery.

Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Being as this is such a common problem in Doxies, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. A few of my patients that were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs over time. It is impossible to predict which dogs will recover without the surgery.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. The reaction is usually minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and occasional hives. Occasional vaccine reactions can occur with any dog so it is always a good idea to observe your pet for a few hours after their shots. Improvements in vaccine technology have decreased the side effects and the benefits of preventing disease outweighs the risks.

Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Good dental care, proper diets, preventive health checks, vaccinations, and heartworm/parasite prevention can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

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Based on the 2005-2006 National Pet Owner Survey of the America Pet Products Association, pet ownership is now 63% of the country’s total households. Most of these households prefer dogs, birds and cats for pets. This is mainly due to their loving personalities as well as their faithfulness to their owners, traits that pet owners are endeared to. In return for such love, owners also lavish their pets with attention and affection.

The quality of love and care that owners give to their pets are often threatened when the owners have to temporarily hand over their pets to other people. This often arises when owners have to travel and be away from home for a long period of time. The separation of owners and their pets are often emotionally taxing and worrisome.

Previously, owners had no choice but seek the kindness of their neighbors to at least feed their pets or in other instances, bring their pets to a new environment where they could seek temporary shelter such as the house of a family/friend or a kennel. Most of the experiences of those who have taken these options have often been heartbreaking: either their pets weren’t cared for as expected or their pets were stressed by the new environment. The bottom line for owners: leaving their pets is as stressful for them as it is for their pets.

These days, a new pet service is being offered to American owners, one which aims to replace all the negative impacts that old options often entail. Pet sitting is a caregiving service that uniquely caters to pets and their needs. This time, owners can let their pets stay at home while being cared for by a pet sitter.

Pet sitting ensures that an assigned pet sitter equally provides the same love and care that pets are used to getting from their owners. A pet sitter that gets assigned to an owner becomes the regular sitter at all times. This process ensures that pets are accustomed to the same person, which reduces their stress every time their owners are away. Pet sitters see to it that all routines and quirks shared by owners and their pets are carried out, including eating, fun and exercise activities. Pet sitters also see to it that all tasks outside the routine are performed (e.g. medication and vet check-up).

Finally, pet sitting guarantees that only professional pet sitters provide this service. Hence, they are able to ascertain a pet’s needs which owners sometimes fail to notice (e.g. vet schedules, new and effective shots). Beyond these, sitters also make sure that an owner’s house is safe.

Stressed by leaving your adorable pet to strangers? Switch to pet sitting. You might get more than what this article has just described.

Pet Sitters Long Island is Long Island’s number one source for Dog Walking Long Island Services. Feel free to stop by our website for more valuable articles, information, and guidance.

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Does it already sound like a dating game wherein people are being matched according to their traits and preferences? Well, that is very much true. As the pet owner, you must also make sure that when you already acquired the animal, you must do everything in your capacity to look out for its well-being. Now it is already sounding more like parenting, right? But this shouldn’t scare you. Pets bring lots of joy for those who are open to accept them with loving arms.

But before your thoughts go as far as the many advantages of being a pet owner, you must first be informed about the costs that it would take for you to find the right pet.

1. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggests, that the items which are mentioned below must be included in order to calculate the annual costs of having a pet throug adoption namely- medical treatment, treats, toys, food and any license required for owning it. They have come up with the following figures for the pets listed below.

• Fish will cost about $20. The aquarium’s prices differ from $20 to $200 and even higher depending on the quality and the features.

• The prices of dogs will differ depending on the size and breed. A medium built may cost about $600 while a large built can be up to $800.

• Rabbits are easy to deal with. However about $700 can be costs for this type.

$500 to $600 may be the range for owning cats.

• The prices of birds will also depend on the size and type. Price of a small one can be around $100 to $150.

After you have acquired these pets, it is your responsibility to provide for their shelter, fun and training if you want. You may want to purchase cages for your pets, training bundles and dog crates. From $ 80 to $ 500 can be the price range for these.

2. You must also be prepared for unexpected conditions such as accidents and sudden medical problems. You must save up for your pets as well for you to be able to afford the treatments in such conditions.

3. To give you a detailed sample of the costs of adopting a pet, here’s one example where you can base your decisions from. It is said earlier, that the yearly costs for owning a cat can go from $500 to $600. And why is that? Here is the breakdown. The price of an adult cat adoption is $ 60. The prices vary from location and the breed of the feline that you choose. If you will buy cats from pet stores, the prices may range from $150 up to $1000. The cats from the center have been neutered ($30 up to $80) or spayed ($45 to $90). The vaccinations for its first year can be about $150 to $300. Cats must also undergo FELV or Feline Aids and FELV or Feline Leukemia testing that can be about $50 to $80 per test.

But the costs of pet adoption must not discourage you from being a pet owner. The joys your pets will add to your life will make it all worthwhile.

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Dogs carry out destructive chewing for three main reasons, they are simply bored, they find it pleasurable to do so, or they find it helps get them through emotional times. The nearest human equivalent for which might be to consume a bar of chocolate!

Anything that gets in the way of this chewing normally ends up in poor state. Of course your dog has many sharp teeth which will get through many household items.

This is okay of the chewing is directed at their play things but very quickly becomes a problem if it is your own possessions and those of your family that are being destroyed by this destructive chewing.

How To Avoid Your Possessions Being Destroyed

The first tip for dog behavior training is to not place valuable objects in the way of temptation. Just as you would ensure your house is baby proof you need to think about putting things away that you would rather your dog not find. Never put temptation in the way when it can be avoided.

In addition, when hiding things be aware of just how agile your dog is. Your dog can reach a surprising height when on its hind legs?

Consider that common targets in the home include books, eyewear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and small appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.

I am sure you do not need telling that food needs putting away securely. Loose food needs to be put away safely from the nose and paws of your pet, high cupboards and strong containers are called for here.

The phrase prevention is better than cure applies to dog behaviour training too, if your dog is not given the opportunity to discover the delights of chewing a forbidden item then it is a lot easier for her to learn your house rules.

Never weaken your position by allowing your dog to chew items you no longer need, for instance old shoes. Once she has the taste do not be surprised to find shoes you care about being treated to the same destructive chewing.

Think about providing your dog with lots of alternative tasty objects that she can chew. Take a look around your local pet store for tough items such as rubber bones and balls etc. Buy a few and rotate their use as a way to keep your dog behaviour training interesting.

Some final advice on dog behaviour, when you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate be sure to interrupt her immediately and provide a suitable alternative and give lavish praise when this is accepted as a way of reinforcing good behaviour.

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Concerns

One of the things you may be concerned about when it comes to your miniature poodle is grooming. Poodle hair tends to be thick and curly, so you’ll need to make sure that your puppy is groomed as often as possible. The standard grooming cut for puppies is relatively short hair all over the body, and you may need to do this about once a month or so to keep your pet looking great. Colors of miniature poodles include brown, cafe-au-lait, white or black varieties will be featured in pet stores across the country, and you can also have your pet grooming professional apply temporary dye to your poodle’s coat for a special occasion; red, apricot, blue, silver, or gray are acceptable colors, and won’t damage your dog’s coat.

Learning about your dog’s temperament is also ideal before you buy your miniature poodle. You may have to socialize your dog as a puppy, since poodles tend to be very reserved when dealing with strangers. Miniature poodles tend to bark a lot as well, which means that will do a good job of alerting you if something goes wrong in the home. In most cases, your dog will like to play with children, but some poodle varieties can be a little high-strung, so try to see the parents or even grandparents of the puppies you are considering before taking them home. Your miniature poodle will also be great at learning tricks in most cases, which means you can entertain family and friends.

The life span of a miniature poodle is relatively long compared to other dogs, so it will be essential for you to look out for any genetic issues that could possibly arise. Cataracts are common problems that occur in all varieties of poodles, and blindness could be caused by retinal atrophy, so you need to regularly take your miniature poodle to the vet to be checked up for vision and nervous system problems. Often it may also be necessary for your pet to be checked for you ear infections and runny eyes. Finally, the poodle’s skin tend to be very sensitive, for example skin rashes and allergies may occur with the use of certain shampoo or dyes, and in addition the use of clippers may also cause skin conditions to occur.

For more great information on how to care for your miniature poodle, visit www.poodle-lovers.com.

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Invisible Fence is a wireless pet containment system. An electrical wire is laid underground along the perimeter of an area. A special electronic collar is placed on the dog. When the dog approaches the perimeter, a warning beep sounds. This gives the dog the chance to back away from the perimeter. If the dog ignores the beeping, a mild electric shock is delivered via the electronic collar to the dog’s neck.

This technique may sound cruel, but it’s not. The shock is very mild, as the power comes from batteries in the dog’s collar, not from the buried wire. It’s the surprise that gets a reaction. And the shock level is adjusted according to the size of the dog — smaller dogs get a much smaller shock.

Note that Invisible Fence, like all pet fences, doesn’t work its magic in a vacuum. The dog must be conditioned to run away from the boundary when the warning beep occurs. Flags are placed along the perimeter to act as visual cues during the training, which initially occurs with a leashed dog. The collar is also placed into training (no shock) mode.

To perform the conditioning, the owner approaches the boundary with the dog. As soon as the dog passes the flags that mark the boundary, the collar will start beeping. The owner immediately tugs on the leash and walks quickly away from the perimeter, calling the dog’s name. With lots of encouragement and praise, the owner makes it a fun game for the dog.

Done over several training sessions, the dog learns to immediately leave the boundary area as soon as the beeping occurs. Eventually the training is done without a leash and with the collar in its normal mode. If the dog ignores the beeping, the first shock it receives is usually enough to cause it to heed the collar’s warning the next time it approaches the boundary.

Obviously, not every dog needs to be contained with an Invisible Fence system. But it works surprisingly well for those that do.

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In some instances of course you want your dog to bark loudly such as when a suspected burglar approaches or if you fall into trouble of some sort and need urgent assistance. In most cases your dog is just trying to talk to you, perhaps he is just happy about something, dog obedience training will help you to find this out for sure.

The problem is that the language barrier between barking dogs and humans is well nigh impenetrable. Therefore, you are forced to resort to the facts of the situation in which your dog is barking and try to understand from its body language just what it is trying to say.

Apart from that many people ask just why do dogs bark? This is a very difficult question as dogs appear to bark for many different reasons.

Naturally they will bark when they are happy about something such as greeting you on your return or perhaps they are happy about running around in the park.

Some dogs having barking bred into to them such as toy dogs or sporting breeds where they are trained to bark in order to notify their owners of the presence of a particular quarry being hunted. Other dogs like the guarding breeds are trained only to bark when a threat is perceived.

Some other possible explanations for your dog barking might be that it is in need of the toilet, feels lonely of just wants you to play.

Again the context of the situation will help you to decide the likely cause. But of course it is not fair for you to try to shut the dog up. She may be communicating for a very good reason, you just need to spend some effort in understanding her.

However, dogs are not stupid animals there are situations where they realise that they can use their bark to annoy or force their owner into a particular action. At times such as these it is imperative that you show your dog just who is the boss in your house.

For instance you dog may have decided that it is time to play and continues barking until you give in and drop what you are doing to amuse her. The problem here is that the dog then learns that all she has to do is to bark whenever she wants something and you will oblige.

This can get very wearing after a quite short period of time. The best approach would have been to show the dog that it cannot get its own way by giving it the cold shoulder.

Ignore it, do not even say anything just turn your back. After repeated actions your dog should eventually get the message.

A gentle reminder that walks and playtimes are to be had at your convenience, not when your dog barks to demand them. This teaches your dog respect and hopefully makes for a quieter household with limited barking dog problems.

Consult a good book on dog obedience training like SitStayFetch to solve many of the problems you will encounter when you are training your dog.

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Canine training is not really all that hard. One thing to remember is that many dogs simply want to please their masters. The issue is communication. Of course dogs and humans can’t talk to each other, and owners need to get your dog to understand what you want.

Canine training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the things that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.

Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but don’t go any further than that, or you risk alienating the animal. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog acts as it should is the better way to go.

Praising your dog of course reinforces the correct behavior. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviors is of course nice, but experience has shown even better results occur when food treats are distributed at the time the behaviors observed. Think about it, food motivates humans, so to it works with our four legged friends.

Body language can also influence your dog’s reactions. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A method that works well in doing this is to match a verbal command with a particular movement of either the hand, arm, or even leg.

Refusing to give up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your TV, but you need to persist in your training. Your dog is not going to train himself, and training usually takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are tough with your dog. Things won’t always fall into place, so don’t give up at the first sign of trouble.

Training your dog can be both a difficult and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.

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