Outdoor Creatures

(Garden creatures) Crate Training Your Dog 101

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By Jimmie Mcdowell

 A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its main purpose is to provide security, safety and protection for short term confinement while training a puppy or new dog about its own and house boundaries.

A crate may look like a jail cell, but when used properly is your dog’s natural den - a personal space where he’ll feels secure and comfortable. The best place to place a crate would be where your dog can see the environment and family members, hear and smell your house - the kitchen is usually a good spot.

An ideal crate should be large enough to allow your dog to stretch out, stand without hitting his head and be able to turn around. The crate should not be so large that your dog can relieve himself in one corner and play move away to play and sleep in another. If your puppy is still young and is not fully growth, try to block off certain section of the crate with cardboards or wood boards.

To encourage your dog to “like” his new den, you should preferably equip it with soft beddings, a bowl of water and a toy that he likes. (You might want to remove the water at night when you are potty training your dog)

You must introduce the crate slowly to your dog. Crate him in smaller interval, about 10 minutes, and gradually increase over time. Your dog need time to get used to being crate. Never crate him for more than 30 minutes or longer for the first time.

It is not advisable to crate a young puppy for long period of time - about 2 hour and pup should always be exercised before being crated.

It’s quite normal for dogs to kick up a fuss, bark and moan while in the crate. If these things happen, do not give your dog any attention! Yes! Do not even look in his direction.

Dogs are intelligent animals - Don’t let him know that he’ll get your attention when he kicks up a fuss. Simply ignore him! Let your dog out only when he settles down.

*if it’s a young puppy whom you’ve just introduce the crate to, maybe you can offer him a treat in the crate to calm him down. Whatever you do, don’t let him out of the crate at that very moment!*

The exception I can think of is if you think your dog has to relieve himself. Even so, bring it out only after he stops barking. Another exception is when your dog is chewing on himself. Let him out immediately and consult a trainer or behaviorist.

Lastly, dog should not be crate for too long day after day. He’ll develop destructive behaviors and anxiety problems. If you notice that your dog displays hyper active behavior compare to before, you might be crating him for too long!

Most important of all, never ever punish your dog in the crate, he’ll dread going back to the crate. It is meant to be a comfortable and safe space, not where he’ll get punish.

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Is It Challenging Grooming Your Dog At Home?

By Greg Dutch

 Many pet owners prefer dog grooming home solutions to professional grooming; in times of financial crisis any saving is welcome. There are advantages and disadvantages about dog home grooming, since you may save money but you definitely invest time and effort in the activity. Some dogs are easier to groom than others, and statistics indicate that most dog grooming home solutions are put into practice by people who own small and medium short-haired breeds. Special-maintenance breeds are a different thing, and without professional hair, a pet owner can hardly cope with dog care.

Another issue with dog grooming home solutions is equipment. Without a minimum of supplies the operation is not possible. Brushes, clippers or grinders and even a grooming table are actually considered basic. Combs and scissors are useful, although not always a necessity. And finally, let’s not forget about the special dog shampoos meant to kill flees and ticks or keep them away. Dog grooming home practice is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly or treated superficially because this may have serious repercussions on the dog’s health.

One fundamental thing to recall is that what you feed your puppy will have an impact on their fur. A natural dog food will make your puppy’s coat shine and be simpler to look after and look great.

Look for tips and suggestions to learn more about dog grooming home challenges. The vet may provide recommendations on how to care for special breeds or how to handle an injury under the pet’s fur. When left untreated or neglected because they are not noticed in time, lots of apparently harmless bumps on the dog’s hair could become real health problems. The advantage of professional grooming here is that such cases are easier to find and signal on thorough cleaning. Pay the same attention to the nails, teeth, eyes and ears as you pay to brushing and bathing.

Nail trimming is necessary at least once a month, depending on how short you cut the dog’s claws. When cutting too short, vein injuries may be caused; hence, be extremely cautious during the procedure. Dog grooming home care therefore requires lots of patience: a gentle and loving treatment is essential to make the dog allow you to handle its paws. In fact, you need to take breaks while nail trimming and offer small treats to your dog. In conclusion, you may save money with dog grooming home solutions, but you’ll definitely put time and effort into it. The choice is up to you!

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Control Your Dog’s Agressive Behaviors

By Alfred Hernandez

 Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of canine communication similar to human frustration or anger. Like human, aggressive behavior occurs in every dog. The different lie in the level of aggression shown in them, and this is where dog breeds come into the picture.

While some breeds are born with a greater tendency to become aggressive, problems usually occur in homes that knowing or unknowingly encourage the development of a dog’s aggressive behavior.

It’s important to know what is going on when your dog show aggression, biting unwelcome strangers in your house is justifiable aggression. But if he bites the postman or you when you push him off the couch is certainly a crime!

There are basically 3 main types of aggression behavior shown in dogs namely, dominance aggression, possessive aggression and territorial aggression.

Dominance and possessive aggression are one of the most common reasons why dogs growl at or even worse bite their owners. This type of behavior does not develop in a vacuum and is always a result of the dogs’ interaction with its environment and owners. The dog has been accessing his position for some time and decided to challenge you for the alpha leader position.

If your dog is showing aggressive behavior towards you or any family members, he has to be brought down to earth again. You must let him know that he is the lowest ranking member in the family:

1. Avoid physical punishment if possible, it is too provocative and may make matter worse.

2. Review your relationship with your dog to determine why your dog is challenging you. Do remedial steps to assume to role of the alpha leader role again:

- You must eat first before your dog does.

- You must go through doorways first.

- Do not let your dog win you in games of strength. (Tug-of-war, wrestling)

- Do not let your dog assume a superior position against you. For example, you lying on the floor while your dog’s two paws pressing against your chest.

- Set & enforce your house rules consistently, let him know that he has rules to follow.

Territorial aggression is display by dogs that are fiercely overprotective. Prevent this problem by introducing and socializing your dog when he’s young to break down his suspicion of strangers. Try to expose your dog to more things and different people, which means bring him out more often! Let your dog know that these people are harmless and his territorial aggressiveness will died down naturally.

If you are unsure of your dog’s behavior when you bring him out to the public, be sure to put him on a leash and muzzle if necessary. This is to not only to safe guard the general public but also your dog. More often than not, dogs are always put to death should they bite and injure someone. No “ifs” No “buts”!

Lastly, remember that aggression is no small problem and need to be seriously dealt with. If you are losing control over your dog or feel that he by and large outsmarts you, seek professional help and advice immediately.

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Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 4:50 am and is filed under pets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.