Pets
March 12th, 2010 at 11:18am
Under Pets
Collars
The most suitable dog training collars are the broad leather or fabric ones or the half-check (check-choke), which is three-quarters nylon or leather and a quarter chain link.
Half-checks are good when training, because you can achieve a rattle with the chain part to attract the dog’s attention.
When fitting a collar, make sure you can slide two fingers between it and the dog’s neck. Check the collar regularly for signs of chafing, and also to see that it still fits comfortably on a growing dog.
Dog Training Tips - Leash Selection
A dog training leash, like collars and other dog training equipment, are available in all sorts of lengths and designs. What is important, however, is to choose the most appropriate one for you and your dog. It makes an enormous difference for both parties in terms of comfort and control if you have a leash that is the correct length for the size of your dog, and the right width for your hand.
The leash must be of suitable length to maintain a slack tension. If it is too short, the dog will be dragged along; too long and you will have meters of lead to deal with.
I prefer a leather leash to train my dog. Choose a fabric or leather lead that can be extended or shortened as desired (as favored by dog trainers), and then you will have the best of both worlds when training and when simply out for a walk.
Retractable leashes are available in a variety of designs, but as some are better than others it is imperative that you choose one you can retract easily and instantly when desired. You must also buy the variety suited to the weight of your dog, otherwise it may not be strong enough to control him (some have been reported to snap when under stress and flick back into the handler’s body or face, resulting in serious injury). To be on the safe side, do not use retractable leads on dogs that pull or become very excitable.
Crate
Also called a den or a cage, a crate serves as a bed and is useful for toilet training, for keeping the dog separate from the family and other pets when necessary, and for safety when traveling with your dog.
Crates come in all sizes, with different types of opening. Good, sturdy ones are expensive, so choose one that will be big enough to accommodate your dog when it is fully grown. Cheap crates tend to be badly made or flimsy, and therefore represent poor economy because they do not last.
Plastic-covered metal crates are quieter and easier to clean than those constructed out of bare or galvanized metal. A two-door foldaway crate is more convenient, especially when being used in a vehicle.
By Kym
March 1st, 2010 at 10:14am
Under Pets
You may want a dog, but think - would a dog want to be with you right at this moment in your life? Wanting a dog and getting one are two very different things. Whether you choose an adult dog or a puppy, you must take into account your personal circumstances at the relevant time. There are many things to consider before welcoming a dog into your home - having the time to learn how to train a puppy or dog being one of the most important.
Get the timing right
Are you ready to get a dog? The time may not be ideal to get one if you are:
- moving house or due to go on holiday.
- busy at work and socially.
- changing jobs or facing job loss.
- in the throes of an illness.
- separating from your partner or suffering bereavement.
- expecting a new baby.
- approaching a big family celebration that will disturb your routines and increase household activity or noise levels.
There are always exceptions, and many people find comfort in their pets at times when they are suffering stress. Such owners may feel that, although they are in turmoil, their pets are not suffering because they remain fed and cared for. However, pets do feel their owners’ anxieties and can worry These anxieties may manifest in behavior such as attention-seeking or soiling around the home.
It is important that you are in a position both materially and emotionally to offer a secure and harmonious home to a new dog.
Holidays
Wait until you have been away before getting a dog, because otherwise he will suffer upheaval twice in a very short space of time - initially when you remove him from his former home, and then when you disappear and leave him in a boarding kennels or with a carer. To remain mentally and physically well, a new pet needs a good deal of time to settle in and feel secure in his new home.
Dog availability
It is sometimes not as easy to get a dog as you may imagine for several reasons:
If you want a particular breed, color or sex of dog, it may not be available and you may have to register a specific requirement with a breeder so that when an animal is available you have first choice.
Puppy availability always depends on breeding seasons.
There may not immediately be the exact type of dog you want at rescue centers.
Puppies tend to be in high demand at rescue centers and you may have to wait.
Ensure it is the right time to get a dog for all the family.
Getting the timing right is crucial for bringing a new dog into your home. Once you’ve made that move, start with these free puppy training tips to help get your new dog house trained and on the road to learning all the skills he’ll need as a new member of your home. Learning how to house train a puppy is not that hard, but does take patience and consistency.
By Kym
February 28th, 2010 at 07:22pm
Under Pets
Before getting a dog, you will need to make a number of decisions, including selecting the breed and type of dog you would like. You may have in mind the ideal appearance, color, type and temperament, but would the type of dog you have in mind fit without any problems into your family’s lifestyle and fulfill your expectations?
What’s the difference?
Picking a pedigree or non-pedigree dog is your decision. However, armed with a fair amount of knowledge you are in the best position to make an informed choice and, therefore, end up with a pet that fulfils all your basic requirements.
Some pedigree dogs are known for certain character traits, such as a laid-back attitude, tolerance and a strong affection for humans, and this can make the job of choosing a dog easier if you do your homework well.
The options
Dogs are available in three varieties:
- pure-bred (pedigree).
- cross-bred (pedigree parents of different breeds).
- mongrel (a dog with one or both parents cross-breds or mongrels).
Cost may influence your choice, but bear in mind that pure-breds are not necessarily superior to cross-breds or mongrels - indeed in terms of health the reverse is generally true, as many pure-bred dogs are prone to physical and psychological problems caused by inbreeding.
What’s in a name?
Pedigree dog breeds are categorized into named groups to differentiate their particular uses, that is, what they were originally bred to do.
Longhaired breeds need correct grooming on a daily basis to remain matt-free, healthy and looking good.
Your lifestyle
This determines, to a great extent, what sort of pet you should be looking for/In the dog’s lifetime, you are responsible for his health and well-being.
Some breeds, compared with others, are high-maintenance, so only consider these types of dogs if you are able to provide daily care and attention for them for the next 15 years or so. If you get a dog with a coat that needs a lot of grooming, or requires clipping on a regular basis, you must be prepared to learn how to care for his coat properly
If you choose an extrovert, energetic type with high exercise needs, then you must have the time to cater for him. Such considerations may seem obvious, but animal welfare organizations still have to cope with thousands of unwanted animals that their owners felt unable to care for.
The right dog for you
Pedigree dogs are not necessarily more loving, clever or naughty than other dogs, and each breed’s appearance is a matter of taste. Working dogs tend to be more demanding of their owners, companion dogs tend to be more laid-back and cross-breeds tend to be generally thought of as being ‘hardy’.
Whatever the type or breeding, an animal’s character is also determined by the way it is reared and its handling by humans. Whether you get a pedigree or non-pedigree dog, the costs of neutering, vaccinating, feeding and caring for him will be just the same. The only difference will be in the initial cost of acquiring him.
Whatever type of dog you get, you will need to learn how to train a puppy to make sure you build a strong and loving relationship between the two of you. One of the first things you will need to learn is how to house train a puppy, so check out these puppy training tips and get started right away.
By Kym