5 Tips on Housebreaking Your New Puppy

Author: Amy Nutt

Puppies can be a lot of fun, they're cute and cuddly and positively adorable. However, a new puppy can also require a lot of work, particularly if you are keeping it in the house. Housetraining a puppy requires patience and consistency, much like toilet training a toddler does. The end result, a dog that is free to enjoy life as a house pet and one that will let you know when he or she needs to go outside, is well worth the initial effort.



1.Be persistent. Right from the start, you need to make sure you teach your puppy the rules. And the number one rule is not to do his business in the house. Obviously, a new puppy won't really get this at first, so you'll need to be very persistent to reach your goal of having a housebroken puppy. Training your dog to go outside is going to take some time and you'll be cleaning up some messes, so be prepared.



2. If you don't see it, don't punish it. It's going to happen. You'll walk into the room and find a puddle or a nice little pile of doggy doo waiting for you. This is NOT the time to express your displeasure with your puppy. He won't understand since the act has been done and he doesn't know what you're upset about. The only time you should punish your puppy for making a mess indoors (and by punish, I mean scolding and perhaps shutting up in his box) is when you actually see it happen. Act immediately, or the entire thing will have vanished from the puppy's mind and you won't be doing any good at all.



3. Follow a routine. Dog training mostly relies on consistency in order to work. If your puppy knows what to expect, he will be better able to do as you want him to. At first, you'll need to tailor your timing to the puppy. Most puppies need to head outside right after a meal, so make it routine to do that. As your dog gets older, you'll be able to lessen the number of trips outdoors and your dog will learn to hold it or let you know if there is a need to be filled.



4. Keep it contained. You will have less to clean up if you keep your puppy in one area of the house. In fact, one form of puppy training involves using a crate to keep the dog contained. The crate can be placed anywhere in the home. If you decide not to use a crate, though, you can still put the puppy in a specific room, particularly at night. Laundry rooms often work well for this since they are easy to clean and warm. Your puppy will also feel more comfortable in a smaller space at the beginning.



5. No food at night. By making sure that your puppy isn't eating at night, you'll save yourself a lot of hassle. You can remove food and water a couple of hours before bedtime and take the puppy out for a walk before turning in for the night. This will work to prevent too many bathroom trips during the night.



As long as you are consistent and patient with your puppy, you'll find that he is eager to please and will do his best to learn bathroom rules quickly. Dogs really do want to make their humans happy and if heading outside when nature calls is what makes you happy, then you can bet that's what your puppy will try to do.

About the Author:
Dog training can take some time and house training is no exception. When looking for Puppy training in Toronto to not pull on a lead, in-home dog obedience training to improve your relationship between you and your dog.

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Dogs Are Our Companions and Our Friends

Author: Omar Reyes

Dogs are unique animals. They have the ability to immediately become a part of our families. You know this is true, especially if you have had your dog for a long time.



Since prehistoric times, there has been a strong connection between humans and dogs.



Just imagine for a minute, a prehistoric hunter out in the woods, finds a lost wolf cub and brings the cub home and cares for it. Eventually, he and his family may realize that the wolf cub is a great addition to their household. Furthermore, the hunter probably found that the wolf was helpful for a variety of other reasons.



One of the main reasons is because wolves and dogs in general have similar social systems. Their social systems are similar to those in humans. There is a dominant adult male who leads all others in the pack to ensure their survival. If the leader fails to fulfill his duties, a strong female will step in.



Just like in your family, a pack of dogs must work together to survive and to thrive. There are social bonds and loyalty on both sides. Even if a pack of dogs fight, they will always come together when it matters most to ensure that they survive.



Dogs possess a variety of strengths and abilities. They have a strong sense of smell and are incredibly alert. Some of them are efficient hunters.



Of course, the pack of wolves that men in prehistoric times would have encountered would not have been as gentle and kind as our dogs are today. Wolves possessed just the right type of personality that suited the prehistoric people. In the same way, dogs today have traits and personalities that make them suitable to be a part of our families and homes.



By domesticating dogs we made them more and more suitable to living with us. This happens more and more with each passing generation.



This intertwining of dog culture and human culture has become very strong over time. It doesn't matter what kind of dog you have, it is a friend that will stick with you for life. She will offer you unconditional love.

You probably do not depend on your dog for your survival like many groups of people did so many ages ago. However, it is highly likely that your dog has its own role in your life and in your household.



Some of the many roles of working dogs today are..



Herding stock



Detecting drugs



Helping lead the blind



Guarding homes



Search and rescue services



Beyond these important jobs, your dog can develop a special and emotional bond with you and the other members of your family. Your dog will be there to comfort you and play with you. They will pick you up when you are down. They will comfort you when you are scared.



In order for your dog to thrive you must nurture and care for it. You have a friend for life as long as you feed them and provide them with the attention that they need.



Our dogs are more than just pets. They are our friends and our companions.

About the Author:
Get more information about dogs.

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Dog Food Nutrition For Healthy Canines

Author: Lori Matthews

Whether you have a new puppy that is full of energy or you have an older dog that you are trying to keep as healthy and strong as possible, you'll find that one of the most important things that you can do is check out what is going into their dog food. Just like humans, dogs need good, healthy food to thrive, and though they can get by for a long time by eating food that is just so-so for them, you'll be surprised by how much difference good food can make.



Take a look at the ingredients in the dog food that you are currently buying. Just like with human food, the first ingredient is going to be the one that makes up most of the food. When you see corn, or soy or wheat as the first ingredient, this is your first hint that you will need to switch foods. You will also find that if your dog has a weak stomach or has issues with eating or digestion, this may be the cause. There are many dogs that have undiagnosed allergies to the food that they eat, and you may notice a real improvement as soon as the food is switched out.



Protein is very important to canines and should be the first ingredient. Moreover it should be a protein that is from an animal and not grain. It should not be anything "by products." These can be body parts of animals like the neck, head, guts, feet, lungs, and bones.



Believe it or not some pet food manufacturers substitute meat protein by using corn, gluten, and wheat. These ingredients in fact commonly cause allergies in pets. When your dog food contains too many grains your dog is not getting the nutrients that he or she would need to thrive.



Another thing to consider is what preservatives are being used. Try to avoid foods that contain the preservatives BHT, Ethoxyquin, or BHA. These can be harmful to your pet in the long run. Instead, look for dog foods that contain natural sources like vitamins as a preservative.



Just like humans, dogs are what they eat. A good healthy foundation of nutritious food is vital for your young puppy or senior. Dogs also age faster than humans so it is important to feed a healthy and balanced diet to help the immune system ward off free radicals and all that comes with aging.



Something else to keep in mind is the cost of food. Usually when something is more expensive it might be assumed it a better quality of food. This is not always the case. Ingredients are important, where the ingredients come from and how they are formulated to make the brand. If you are beginning to check labels make sure you follow some of the guidelines above.



Healthy treats are just as important. When you start feeding a premium dog food, don't forget about the premium treats. You might also find that your canine may like some veggies as treats!



If you are interested in your dog's health and want to see him thrive, take some time and review the ingredients in the food and treats that he/she is eating.

About the Author:
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please click here if you would like more information on healthy dog food

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How to Train a Dog to Fetch

Author: Janet Nusbaum

Having a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many fun activities you can do with your dog to grow upon the enjoyment that you both have. One of the most popular games to play with a dog is fetch. This simple game of retrieving a ball or some other item can lead to hours of fun. There is one catch to this simple game, you have to train your dog to be able to fetch. Do not worry; this is not as hard as it may seem at first glance. With a little persistence and work on your part, your dog will be playing fetch before you know it.



THE FOUNDATION

Your dog will naturally be drawn to running after a ball that is thrown. This is a natural instinct that you have probably seen many times in your dog. This is one of the most elementary things that your dog needs to be able to do to play fetch. If you have never seen your dog do this, grab a ball and throw it to see if he runs after it. Most dogs will run after the ball, grab it, and then start towards you. The reason that this is not fetching a ball is that they usually stop and start playing with the ball. Once your comfortable with this, you can move onto the training aspect of getting your dog to fetch.



TRAINING

You will need to have two balls to make this training work. It is important that your dog is interested in these balls. There are dogs that will chase any ball that you throw. There are other dogs that are picky in what they chase. Know which group that your dog falls into.



Throw one of the balls and let your dog chase after it. Keep the other ball that you have hidden. It is important that your dog is focused on the ball that you have throw.



As your dog runs toward you, choose a point near you to tell your dog to drop the ball. You will want to give this command in a stern but friendly voice. Make sure that the point that you choose to do this with your dog is close enough to be your dog giving you the ball. Odds are that your dog will not do this on the first try.



If your dog does not drop the ball, take out the second ball. Ignore your dog and start playing with it. Act like the ball that you have is the most interesting thing that you have ever played with. This will cause your dog to drop the ball that he brought to you and want the one that you have.



Throw the second ball so that your dog has to run and get it. Place the first ball into your pocket so that your dog does not see it. Repeat the command to drop when your dog comes to you with the second ball. If your dog does not drop, repeat this process over and over again until your dog brings you and drops the ball on your command. Reward with a treat as your dog is learning and when he completes the task on command. It will take some time for your dog to get comfortable with playing fetch with you. It may even take a few training sessions.




In the end, your dog will enjoy playing fetch with you and be happy that you spent so much time with him.

About the Author:

EPETSTUFF.NET is your on-line destination for domestic Pet Stuff! From fresh articles on pet health, care, training, behavior and breeds, and product listings and reviews about all things domestic pets, http://www.ePetStuff.net is designed by pet lovers for pet lovers.

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A Historical View of Paisley Dalmations

Author: Joe Troyer

For over a century, an intense bond has existed between the British dog buffs and the Dalmatian. Canine experts have knowledge of the breed's presence for durations exceeding the previous two-hundred years. Historically, a theory among such experts has risen, making a claim that the origin of Dalmatians being, in part, a descendant from the early breed of those hounds used for hunting, namely, the Talbot breed. Commonalities between these two variations of dogs are found to be in hunting prowess, traits and type.



Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, Dave and Sue MacMillan, who are proud owners of Paisley Dalmatians, exhibited their dog, Paisley Preterit, to the completion of his final round in the spring of 1985. That top honor in confirmation made this dog the fiftieth winner of either being bred or owned at Paisley. During the same spring, another dog of the same breed, Paisley's QindaBritt, received recognition as a Dalmatian, competing in the compliance division, to have been recognized with the thirtieth C.D. degree.



It is possible that at some point within the past two centuries, blood from the linage of Talbot bred hounds saw an infusion into dogs of European breeding. The evolution of such dogs, due to their distinctive look, captured the sights of those traveling from Great Britain. By way of these unique dog's guarding nature and recognized intelligence, tourists from Britain chose to bring such canines to their homeland. Through credible research, there is not a single dispute, in support of the facts, in being that the Dalmatian breed, at large, has been traced back to the ancient periods. Evolutions, within this breed, are expansive.




Classified as a medium-sized breed of dog, Dalmatians, in shoulder height, generally measure from twenty-two to twenty-four inches, with a weight range that usually spans between fifty to sixty-five pounds. Above all, this breed is highly notable in having a readily identifiable coat, which possesses a white base, with distinct spotting. The spots vary in either one of two colors black or a variation of a brown, appropriated classified as liver. When it comes to the color of these spots, either shade is considered in compliance with the standards of Dalmatians, and, upon selection, merely boils down to the fancier's choice.




The original intent behind the breeding of the Dalmatian was for their service as coach dogs, based upon the breed's extensive endurance. By heritage, this breed has a nature towards protecting their owners and possessions.




On a personal level, Dalmatians exhibit affection, as well as presenting a rather boisterous personality. However, when strangers are present, these dogs will initially convey manners that are more dignified and restrained. Once a Dalmatian becomes familiar with a guest, friend or visitor, he or she will reveal the intimate side of their traits. Addressing traits, the smile of those within the breed will appear in the form of their bearing the front teeth. Where the distinctive color pattern of such dogs originated from is still a mystery.




Dalmatian, as the name dubbed the breed in 1888 by the AKC, is derived from a geographic locale in western Yugoslavia. Information on the Paisley breeding of Dalmatians is most accessible. Should you be researching online sources, search engines, such as DogPile, Google and Yahoo can provide extensive date. A number of well-received articles, blogs, links and videos on the breed exist. For bound or encased reference materials, ranging in a variety of mediums, are available, at affordable pricing, through the online sources of Amazon and Barnes and Nobel, as well as eBay. Upon conducting your searches, implore key phrases and words, which will provide you with a full array of listings to choose from.

About the Author:
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