My Dumb Dog

Labrador training involves every aspect of your life with your dog. This means that you must discourage behavior that is cute now that your dog is a puppy, but will be unacceptable when they grow older. We often reinforce bad behavior unknowingly and think that our dogs are at fault. Just like children dogs learn what is right and wrong from its surroundings.

This means you must establish the rules early on in the game and stick to them. If your dog is not allowed on the furniture then it should never be allowed on the furniture ever. If you feel like a cuddle and let the dog up on the sofa it will get onto the sofa the next time you are sitting on it. Consistency is key to having a well-behaved dog. A dog with erratic behavior mirrors your behavior. Remember an old dog can’t learn new tricks so start early.
Take your Labrador puppy out to meet new people and other dogs. You don’t want an aggressive dog. Exposing your dog to other people and dogs is a part of Labrador training that will allow your dog to be well socialized. Also start to bring your dog in the car or short rides even at this age. Drive to a grassy area that is not too far from home and let your dog out to explore and play. This way your puppy connects cars with something fun and will have no problem getting into the car.

Teaching your dogs to come when you call is an important aspect of Labrador training. One way is to keep whistling while your dog is eating this will make it associate whistling with food. Another way is to keep calling your dog’s name and whistling and when it comes over to you praise it, scratch it’s belly, and generally make a big deal of your dog. It will slowly begin to associate you calling it with a reward.
How do you feel about a full-grown Labrador sharing your bed? Remember that Labradors shed quite a bit. If this is not an inviting prospect then don’t let your puppy sleep with you. This will only encourage your dog to sleep on your bed and cause all sorts of problems once it’s too old to be doing that. Avoiding Labrador problem behaviors means anticipating what your dog will be like, as it grows older. Keep this in mind as you decide what your dog can and cannot do in your home.

If you would not be pleased with your dog breaking the rules then don’t break the rules yourself. Allowing one thing one day and then not allowing it another will confuse your dog. It will not know how to behave or what it should do. Dogs love routine and you can provide that by being consistent and doing the same things at the same time. Remember these basics when you start Labrador training.

Labrador training is easy with consistency and patience. You will be able to find the same quality advice in this article as that of popular dog training books.

If you are thinking about buying a small dog as a pet, remember that for the most part, they aren’t much different to a larger version. Having said that, there are certain points they need to be made aware of when looking after a small dog. Illustrated below are some points you will need to consider for the daily requirements for a tiny breed of dog.

Picking a Dog

Feeding:

Naturally you’re going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your dog to eat comfortably. Make sure that your dog gets a kibble which suits his tiny mouth and you could get these along with the premium brand of dog foods. Although if you feed you dog with canned food this should not present a problem.

Good Dogs as Pets

Methods of containing them:

Every dog needs the following: regular exercise, an outdoor place for his potty needs, and an enclosed area which provides the animal with security. You need to be careful here as the large fencing used to protect a larger dog may just be too big for a small dog, since there are convenient gaps below and in between making it easy for the smaller dog to kneel down and escape through it. It may seem bizarre but it has been know for very large birds to actually take tiny dogs from their gardens. A simple answer to this problem is to construct an enclosed play area which should stop this from happening.

Small Dog Care Tips

How to train the dog:

While tiny dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, the consensus of many pet experts is that many of them end up spoiled. Be it a pocket or purse-fitting dog, remember that the small dog still belong to that species of animals which follow pack behavior, and incidentally the dog and not the owner leads the pack. It’s a wise idea to make sure your pet is thoroughly house trained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. Dog experts also suggest you make your dog work for you, to keep him responsive to your rules. Never reward a dog with goodies or a meal till he has perfected your command for doing tricks or even simple jobs like sitting or fetching.

Grooming:

Keep in mind that grooming a small dog is slightly different to larger ones and cater for this. Firstly, as they do not get the same type of outdoor exercise that a larger dog does whereby their nails are trimmed automatically, tiny dogs require their nails trimmed on a more regular basTiny canines do not get the same sort of regular outdoor exercise on rough surfaces that controls their nail growth like a larger dog so they will need to be trimmed more often. As they are eating more canned food, their teeth will need to be brushed more regularly (at least twice per week) to eliminate unwanted and harmful deposits. The above makes it clear that it does not matter whether you are taking care of a small dog or a large dog the methods are pretty much the same. These may seem like inconsequential points but they can and will make a big difference to your pets health and happiness.

The Labrador is without a doubt a very beautiful creature that is also well built and sports a sturdy frame that is almost like that of an athletic animal. The breed comes in a number of skin colors including Black, Golden and Chocolate and in addition, the coat is generally thick and short and the hair is extremely straight. In fact, a Labrador Retriever has a double layered as well as dense coat. The Lab has a very intelligent bent of mind and at the same time he is docile with the elderly as well as with young children.

However, as with any other breed there are certain Labrador problems that every owner will have to look out for including those related to their health as well as their behavior. Nevertheless, the Labrador is generally a healthy animal though it can suffer from hip as well as elbow dysplasia and cataract as well as epilepsy. What’s more, if you fail to give proper Labrador training, or if you let your pet become bored, it could lead to some behavioral problems that can only be prevented by expending some extra effort, and providing better care and proper training.
There are certain Labradors that can prove to be a handful and these pets will not easily learn to behave properly unless sent to a behaviorist. This and other Labrador problems such as having a pet that always seems to be dreaming can be reason for you to become worried, though in reality these can be overcome through proper Labrador training. A typical Labrador problem that many pet owners will have to deal with has to do with a pet that chews up everything he can sink his teeth into. Such a problem can arise when the Labrador is too energetic and it also occurs when having someone or something invade his territory frustrates the Labrador.

To overcome these Labrador problems, it would pay to talk to a veterinary behaviorist or provide strict Labrador training and also ensuring that you spend a lot of time with your dog in helping him release his energy in a more productive manner.
Typical of Labrador problems is that of chasing cats and since this is more of an instinctive driven behavioral problem it can best be changed through giving your pet proper Labrador training which may require spending a lot of time and being patient so that he is taught how to stop this instinctive reaction on his part. Another common behavioral problem that your Labrador can show is that of becoming destructive and this in turn is generally due to his becoming anxious about something. Because dogs have advanced hearing capabilities, they can become aware of things even before humans get wind of these things and thus your Labrador may behave in a manner that is incomprehensible to human beings and so, this is another common Labrador problem that pet owners will have to contend with.

It is also always possible to condition your Labrador to not become skittish when he hears various kinds of sounds and a simple Labrador training step you can use is to play recordings of certain sounds at low volumes and then increasing the volume gradually to make your Labrador get accustomed to these sounds. In fact, this is an especially useful way to becalm your Labrador who could otherwise become so nervous that you may even be forced into giving him anti-anxiety medicines to overcome his fears.

Most Labradors are well behaved and enjoy good health, though if you notice Labrador problems in your pet such as chasing cats, daydreaming or chewing up things, you need to start Labrador training. To find information about expected Labrador problems, you can read dog training books that highlights a few common behavioral problems noticed in the Labrador retriever.

Some believe that an electronic collar is not safe for their dogs and in fact, believe they are inhumane. Before you make that decision you should do your homework and you’ll quickly discover that they are not only effective, but they are safe and a perfectly humane tool for training your dog. One of the most important considerations is choosing the electronic collar that works best for you and for your dog. We are putting together some brief reviews that we hope will help you make a decision on which of these popular models is the best choice for you and for your dog.

Containment Systems (“Invisible Fence”)
You might have heard of these electric systems before, but did you know that there are two types? One type is wireless, while the other is electric. The electric system requires you to dig into the ground and bury an electric wire in desired boundaries of your yard. You can avoid this by going wireless. Which ever you choose, these perimeter sensor collars are great for teaching your dog to stay in your yard. PetSafe is a good option that is suitable for standard sized yards. If you have a larger yard, try the Innotek system instead.

The Innotek system has several advantages that might be right for you, including expandability up to 25 acres and the ability to use multiple collars with the same fence, so if you have more than one dog, you’re covered. Both the PetSafe and the Innotek are great system for hidden wire fencing.

If you’re interested in a wireless system, we encourage you to investigate the PetSafe model which offers an innovative technology with no wires. This unit works by placing a transmitter in the middle of the area that you’re dog will be allowed to be free in. This central transmitter allows you to set the total radius of freedom and offers not just an easy set up but has the added benefit of being portable (i.e. you can take it to others homes when you travel with your dog!).

BARK COLLARS
If you own a dog who barks frequently this might be the right tool for you to help with that urge. The Innotek collar is not only reasonably priced, but it’s probably one of the top brands in term of being popular and being respected in the marketplace. This unit has sensors that easily identify the barking location (i.e. is it your dog or someone else’s dog?) meaning no unnecessary correction for your dog. If your dog is a constant barker, the intensity of the charge gradually increases to prevent barking and when the dog stops, then it will reset to the original setting. These collars are suitable for most dogs and offer the added benefits of being both lightweight and waterproof.

BEEPER COLLARS
These are not so much training tools as they are safety devices. These allow the owner to “beep” the collar, letting of an easily-heard beep so that the dog can be located easily. Dogtra has a great design that can be set to beep continually or intermittently, so you can easily find your pet quickly and safely. They work up to a mile away and there are systems available for multiple dogs with a lot of features. There are even setups for hunting that allow you to track when your dog is stopped (pointing), moving quickly (flushing) and about how far away from you the dog is.

SHOCK COLLARS
If your dog goes with you out onto the field, goes hunting, or enjoys large areas, the electronic training collar can help you train your dog within the area. TriTronics offer the greatest system, with options for providing optimum training for dogs who spend time outdoors. There is about a one mile range in most models, and up to twenty settings within stimulation levels. They are versatile, offering waterproof protection and lightweight feel, as well as long-life batteries which maximizes each use. Accessories available include transmitter holsters, field chargers for collars, battery packs, and “dummy” collars so that your dog learns to respond without the actual collar. If you’re looking to save a little money, try the SportDog collar, which is comparable and still gets you long ranges of use.

There are many options and considerations when it comes to electronic training collars. Hopefully, this guide will help you purchase the right electronic training collar for your dog. Talk to your vet about these options and gain his suggestions since he knows your dog’s needs and behaviors.

If you’re a hunter, a barking dog at home is more than just a mild annoyance because if he’s barking while you’re hunting, it can ruin your hunting trip. It can be very inconvenient for the hunter when his dog is unable to control is barking.

Although there are a few ways of training your dog not to bark, a good choice is to get a dog bark collar. It’s a negative reinforcement method that can teach your dog that it is not okay to bark.

You have a choice of two types of dog bark collars to teach your dog not to bark, or not to bark when it is not appropriate. They are safe to use and are effective for dogs, whether it is for your hunting dog or a pet at home.

One thing to keep in mind however not every collar is going to work on every dog – you’ll have to do some of your own homework to make sure that your dog will react well to the training collar (bark collar) that you’re going to invest in.

Electronic Bark Collars

The electronic bark collars will send a jolt to your dog if he is barking. Although you may think this is cruel, be assured that the jolt is actually very gentle and will not cause injury to your dog in any way, shape or form. work by emitting a jolt into your dog when he barks.

The idea behind these collars is that the “jolt” when he barks surprises him out of the behavior. Repeated enforcement of this pattern (bark, then jolt) ties the activity (barking) in with the result (jolt) and the dog soon learns not to do the activity that causes the result.

Most electronic bark collars come with a range of jolts from extremely mild (for smaller dogs) to higher velocity jolts for much larger dogs. When you first put the collar on your dog you should always start out with the very lowest setting until you determine which level works best to control your dog.

Citronella Bark Collar

These collars are the choice for those who just can’t get over the idea of “electric shock” to teach their dog not to bark. While electronic collars are extremely safe and effective, those who can’t get past the initial idea of “jolting” their dog usually prefer the spray collar. These collars usually contain citronella, which controls the dogs behavior and barking.

Like the electronic dog collar, the spray collar will produce unpleasant sensations to the barking dog. Because it is not a good feeling for the dog to be sprayed in the face, the unpleasantness of the experience will train your dog not to bark when inappropriate, at the risk of being sprayed again. The spray collar will work on small and big dogs, up to 160 pounds.

Summary

As a hunter, you probably enjoy taking your dog when you go hunting, and your dog probably enjoys it as well. However, it’s very hard when your dog barks at every small movement or sound when you’re hunting. A dog bark collar may be helpful to you when you’re out hunting. When you invest in a bark collar, you don’t have to be concerned about incessant or untimely barking and actually have a good time out with your dog. Dog bark collars, whether citronella or electric, are great hunting dog supplies that are humane and effective so be assured that you’re doing the right thing.

Dog Parks have been around for quite some time and are wonderful places of beauty and enjoyment for you and your dog. These places are equipped with large areas and even come with some ammenities for both relaxation and physical activity that appeals for all breeds and sizes of dogs. There are atleast one Dog Park in most major cities across the nation. However, this trend is branching out to even smaller communities to acommidate local dog lovers. Below are listed the very best Dog Parks voted for their excellent layouts and wonderful advantages for all dogs! Before you go to the dog park you will want to check out some bargain dog clothes that you can pick up before you go to the park, so your styling. You can view a nice sweater dog polo and maybe even some dog long johns for a great nights sleep.

For your small dog, The Bear Dog Park located in Roseville,California was voted the best Dog Park for small breed dogs. This unique Dog Park has a special enclosed area that is just for small dogs. The entire space measures almost 1 acre of land that has a walking trail around the perimeter. There is even lighting fixtures and doggie showers for nighttime fun. The address for Bear Dog Park is 1575 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA. This dog park definately caters to your small little guy or gal!

From just outside Columbus, Ohio, Alum Creek Dog Park has the best man made beach for dogs! You and your dog do not have to get in the car and travel to the seaside to enjoy the beach at Alum Creek Dog Park! This beach covers 4 acres of land that is adjacent to Alum Creek State Park’s resevoir. The beach was designed for dogs who love the water but is great for any dog with it’s calm, relaxing, and serene atmosphere. Alum Creek Dog Park features rolling hills and a beautiful forest that is going to provide many activities for your dog! The real attraction is the beach with it’s rock bed edge and cool inviting water that is a hit with dogs everywhere! The address for Alum Creek Dog Park is 3615 S. Old State Road, Lewis Center, Ohio.

Alongside the beautiful waters of Lake Washington lies the Warren G. Magnuson Dog Park. Located in Seattle,Washington this dog park is really a specially thought out place. Seattle is known for it’s rainy and wet weather and the Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park was designed to accomidate Seattle’s wet weather! Plenty of free open areas dot the landscape but what makes it adaptable for the weather is the winding trails and awesome footpaths that are constructed with highly compact gravel that keeps trails from becoming muddy in rainy weather.An added bonus is that all the trails are wheelchair accessible! The Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park is absolutely a wonderful day trip for your canine and offers a natural setting for them to exercise and to further bond with your pet! The Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park is located at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA.

These are just a few of the great places to enjoy with your beloved 4 legged friend and hopefully will inspire you to visit either of these or visit the one nearest to you!

Obedience training is one of the most important aspects of raising a dog. In fact, a well trained dog is by far a happier dog! Why? Because a trained dog requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog, the more freedom he is given. Isn’t it looking great, it can be happen with Dog Training Books

Without proper training, dogs will not behave well manner. Actually everyone aware that dogs are social animals. They will soil your house, destroy your property, excessively barking, your yard will be no longer longer beautiful because they dig holes, not friendly with other dogs and moreover they can bite you also. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing.

For example, the dog will eliminate on the carpet instead of outside; the dog will bark all night long instead of just when a stranger is prowling around outside; or the dog will chew furniture instead of his own toys. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is learning to teach the dog to redirect his natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting.

Obedience training is also an easy way to establish the social hierarchy. When your dog obeys a simple request of ‘come here, sit,’ she is showing compliance and respect for you. It is NOT necessary to establish yourself as top dog or leader of the pack by using extreme measures such as the so-called alpha roll-over.

You CAN teach your dog her subordinate role by teaching her to show submission to you in a paw raise (shake hands), roll over or hand lick (give a kiss). Most dogs love performing these tricks (obedience commands) for you which also pleasantly acknowledge that you are in charge.

A well-behaved, obedience trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere without being a risk or nuisance to others.

And don’t we all want a dog who exhibits appropriate behavior in a crowd, good manners when we have guests in our home, is reliable around children, and who doesn’t threaten other dogs or passers-by? If you agree with this article then train your dog with the help of yahoo dog training directory

The bottom line is that dog obedience training truly benefits everyone.

When you have a dog going on a holiday might be more complicated than usual. This is because most of the times you will not have the accommodation to take your dog along with you. As such you have only two options when you take a holiday. One is to take your dog along with you on your holiday and the other is to leave your dog behind under the care of some one else. There are many hotels and resorts around the world today that accommodate for pets.

Start your dog off right, give him or her what they deserve, put a smile on their face with the best Dog Supplies that is available at Doggy Dog Supplies. You will find Dog Clothes and Dog Beds that are the best designs and best looking on the internet.

You can make a list of such resorts and visit them. These places you can take your dog along with you. If you have a relative staying somewhere that you are holidaying in then perhaps you can them if you could perhaps stay over at their house for the holidays and also ask them if they would mind bringing along your dog. Travelling with your dog is simpler when you are travelling by road. If you are going to your beach house or farm house to holiday then it is not a problem for you at all to accommodate your dog for the holidays. Also you should make sure that you have all you need that will help you to take care of your dog while you are traveling. This includes a sufficient supply of pet food etc.

If you are leaving your dog behind then make sure that you have made appropriate arrangements for your dog that you are leaving behind. Make sure that you are leaving your dog with a reliable or a trusted person. It is always better to leave your dog behind with a person that your dog is familiar with. This will help your dog to get along well with the person. The person who is taking care of your dog should know how to handle your dog properly. He should take your dog for regular walks and tend to your dog’s needs. You should leave a bag of dog food with the person who is taking care of your dog. If the person already has a dog then it is most ideal as he or she will already know how to handle your dog properly. Always ask to make sure that the person has absolutely no problem in taking care of your dog. Do not impose your dog on people but give it to people who would love to take in your dog.

Are you a hunter who takes his dog out onto the field? If so, you must carry first aid kits, not just for yourself but for your dog, as well. Injuries can occur at anytime, so you should be prepared to treat small injuries before they become very serious. The good news is that there are an abundance of great first aid kits for hunting dogs that you can use at home or out on the field.

Your dog is depending on you to care for him at home and out on the field. After all, this is your responsibility. In the event that your dog becomes hurt, will you be prepared to treat his wound with sanitary medical dressing? That’s the difference between being prepared and using an old shirt or rag, which can actually lead to deadly infections and make the injuries worse. It’s worth the couple extra dollars to have a first aid kit for dogs on hand.

Here is what to look for in a good gun dogs first aid kit:

A First Aid Guide
The first aid guide will show you basic first aid for dogs for both small injuries (like wound treatment for scraps) and life-threatening injuries (like mouth-to-snout resuscitation). There should be clear instructions for the use of all items contained within the first aid kit, as well. To be best prepared for emergencies, you should read the first aid guide and learn the basics before emergencies happen. The keyword here is “emergencies” — first aid is not the replacement for regular veterinary visits.

Tweezers
This is a very helpful tool for removing splinters, ticks, and more. Splinters can go into the pad of a dog’s foot or elsewhere and work its way deeper and cause discomfort, and worse, abscesses. It’s best to treat them right away before they are forgotten and enters further in, causing infections that can spread to other parts of the body.

Good old Hydrogen Peroxide
This simple, cheap, and misunderstood liquid is the basis for any good first aid kit. It’s a sterilizer that can be used safely on animals and causes no discomfort. Use with a sterile gauze pad to clean a wound, prep a splinter site before removal and after you’re done, and so forth.

Iodine
A small bottle of iodine is the next step up from peroxide and can be used to more thoroughly clean a wound or cut before bandaging. Even better is to use the peroxide and then the iodine on the wound before bandaging. Iodine can make a wound heal much faster.

Antibiotic Ointment
No dog first aid kit would be complete without this ointment which can help with insect stings, scratches and scrapes and other minor injuries. Make sure you have a tube of this ointment!

Eyewash
A simple saline solution for washing out the eyes can make your dog’s life much easier and save his vision in some cases. When your dog gets something in his eye that he can’t get rid of on his own, use this to clean them. A quick squirt into the eye and nature will do the rest in most cases.

Trauma Pad
A trauma pad is crucial if your dog is seriously injured; it will help minimize bleeding and help keep the wound bound as well as providing assistance in transporting your dog to emergency help. When shopping for a trauma pad watch out that the sizing is correct for your dogs needs.

Gauze, Tape, and Scissors
Simple tools that, when used correctly, can greatly help your dog in times of injury. If your dog is cut, scratched, or similarly hurt, you’ll want to bandage, gauze over, then tape the wound so it is protected from infection. These three tools can do that job quickly.

Don’t risk your dog’s happiness with being out on a hunting trip with you by being unprepared for an emergency. A good first aid kit is a helpful tool whether you’re out hunting or at home and is full of great hunting dog supplies. There is nothing that you can do more easily for your dogs’ safety than have a good first aid kit.

It’s not uncommon for gun dogs to get an ear infection in fact it’s a result of the size and depth of their ears. Because hunting dogs (gun dogs) spend so much time outdoors and have large, floppy ears, they are actually more prone to getting an ear infection. Infections in the ear are a result of yeast or bacteria which can grow in your dogs’ ear and eventually may wind up in the ear canal.

Symptoms of Otitis
Not only are ear infections painful, in extreme cases they may actually lead to your dog becoming deaf. There are some symptoms that you can be on the lookout for – some are basic behaviors of dogs that have ear infections while others are clinical symptoms. You should be aware if:

Green or yellowish discharge coming from the dears
An unpleasant odor near the ear
Scratching at the ear or shaking the head excessively

These symptoms can worsen and the infection may become more severe. The deeper the infection goes into the dog’s ears, the worse it will get as it affects the inner ear. This will affect your dog’s balance and ability to hear. The advanced symptoms may include:

Disorientation
Disorientation of the dog
Awkward collapses or “drunken” state
Deafness
Strange movements of the eye, also known as “crazy eye”

If you notice any signs that your dog may be having a problem you should contact your vet immediately and find make sure your dog is seen. Failure to care for an infection early on can result in your dog suffering unnecessary discomfort and costing you more money in the long run.

Your veterinarian can find the problem by utilizing a special scope to observe the infection, and sometimes, a cotton swab may be use to get a sample. Ear mites and other diseases can have the same symptoms of otitis, so they must be ruled out before treatment can begin.

Treating Ostitis
Your dogs’ ear infection may be treated in one of two of ways:

A) For a less serious infection your vet may suggest you treat the dog with hydrogen peroxide which you place directly in the ear;
B) For a more serious infection your dog may require a prescription antibiotic or other appropriate medications.

Regardless of the course of treatment that is recommended for your dogs ear infection, your vet is likely to perform a thorough cleaning of your dogs ears before the treatment begins, then they will give the initial dose of medication to show you how to use it and you’ll finish the course of treatment at home.

When you give the medication, which is usually squirted or poured into the dog’s ear, you will have to hold the dog down or have someone help you. Obviously, the dog won’t like this, but it needs to be done.

Because dogs cannot become immune to ear infections, you should watch carefully for the signs, even if you believe he is cured. Early action requires early detection, and makes the infection easier to handle.

Just remember that not only is health care issues important with your dog, but the kind of hunting dog supplies that you have is also just as equally important. Take your time and do your research when you going to purchase something such as a dog training collar for your hunting dog.