My Dumb Dog

December 8, 2008

Treating Behavioral Problems In Shar Peis

Filed under: Shar Peis — admin @ 10:32 pm

There are some Shar Pei problems that are easily solved and there are some that require very specific care. This is not unlike many formerly rare breeds that have ostensible survived only because of our direct intervention as a higher life form than the dog itself. As a pet owner it is important to remember that the dog’s behavioral problems and other issues with the breed are more than likely our own fault.

For instance the Shar Pei has a noticeable dislike of strangers and it is only with early training and life long demonstration of control that problems do not arise when friends come to your house or reach out to shake your hand or even give you a welcome hug. If you are the owner of a Shar Pei you should be prepared to deal with situations such as this. Muzzling, use of a crate are often simple measures used in avoiding a possible confrontation. It is true to say that Shar Pei behavioral problems are well understood and tolerated because of their fierce loyalty to their owners and their most unusual look.

Although a Shar Pei is not a huge dog, its maximum weight is about sixty pounds for a large dog, it can be frightening for a stranger when this rather unusual collection of skin and fur faces them off. Bred as a fighting dog this particular trait is indeed one of the most talked about Shar Pei problems. They are strong muscular dogs that can hold off a full-grown person and will actually require sedation or euthanasia should such an incident occur. Their tendency towards aggressive behaviors can lead to additional problems with routine health problems such as nail trimming and ear cleaning. This can become a serious concern as the Shar Pei can get severe medical conditions with its ears that require veterinary assistance and if the vet cannot approach the dog the dog can only be treated under sedation or anesthesia. Care problems such as these make the Shar Pei an expensive and high maintenance pet. Training early is important in developing a dog that will tolerate these kinds of activities in a more normal manner.
With a history as a fighting dog, the Shar Pei is clearly not a traditional pet. Similarly to mastiffs and the tougher hound breeds a Shar Pei requires full time care and an understanding of their origins and a commitment to manage the problems that come with owning a Shar Pei. Shar Pei problems come in all shapes and sizes just as their miniatures and full size species of the dog itself. If you are lucky and get your puppy to train and develop tolerance to normal grooming needs then you can have a fine pet that will only provide you with concern when others are visiting your family or you are out walking the animal. This can be managed with strong behavioral controls set in to their brains early in their life so that the dog will respond to voice commands without question. Once a dog questions your commands you have effectively lost control of that dog and with a Shar Pei that could lead to lawsuits and endangered lives.

Shar Pei training is necessary for a well balanced psyche. Dog training books will provide you most of the information necessary to begin your consideration of ownership of a Shar Pei.

November 24, 2008

Chihuahua Problems To Look Out For

Filed under: Chihuahua — admin @ 10:41 am

Any good breeder will tell you that a new dog, regardless of the breed, is going to experience its fair share of problems. Chihuahuas are no different and Chihuahua problems can be caused by genetics as well as behavior and are usually a reaction to the environment around them. You should do some research into the varied types of problems you may encounter with a Chihuahua, as knowing in advance what the problems may be may help you from making a mistake.

If you are thinking about getting a cute little Chihuahua for your kids then you may want to think again. Kids like to run and create havoc through noise and rapid movements. These are all things that make a Chihuahua very nervous and can cause your Chihuahua to be stressed out. One of the reactions a stressed out Chihuahua has is to start biting and that is not good. Plus the fragile Chihuahua may not be able to survive a rambunctious child’s treatment.
Everyone loves the little Chihuahua and finding a Chihuahua to take home is usually pretty easy. But you should be very careful with breeders that try and sell you Chihuahuas weighing less than four pounds for an extremely high price. This is a common Chihuahua problem where the shady dealer will try and sell what seems like a trendy little dog to an unsuspecting owner. Smaller Chihuahuas that weigh less than four pounds are not healthy and have very fragile bones. You should not be taken in by their small size.

Everyone thinks it is cute when the little Chihuahua barks or snips at someone that tries to take something that the Chihuahua thinks it owns. Everyone thinks it is cute except the Chihuahua, to them it is serious business. If this sort of behavior is not taken care of immediately it can lead to uncontrolled barking and potentially escalating to the point of your dog biting at everyone it sees.
In all honesty one of the biggest Chihuahua problems that any owner will encounter is the difficulty in housebreaking a Chihuahua. They will usually refuse to go outside in the cold or rain and they will also become quite stubborn about relieving themselves outside at all. Some owners find that they are never able to totally housebreak their Chihuahua and are forced to resort to the litter box method which has problems all its own.

There is no one set way a Chihuahua will act. Some are aggressive while some are passive and some are obedient while others just won’t listen. You are just going to have to spend a lot of time with your Chihuahua to figure out what kind of dog you have and then alter your training habits from there. Not every Chihuahua is the same and they do not all react to the same training methods the same way.

If you want to know what to expect with your Chihuahua training then read this article. You will find helpful information in this article that can go along with dog training books.

November 19, 2008

The Types Of Pomeranian Problems To Be On The Look Out For

Filed under: Pomeranians — admin @ 10:16 pm

Pomeranians are wonderful little dogs but like any other breed of dog there are Pomeranian problems that you should be aware of before you get involved in owning one. Discuss these issues with your breeder to be sure that you can deal with these potential Pomeranian problems and that a Pomeranian really is the dog for you. Knowing in advance what you are getting into is always a good way to prepare yourself for future issues.

Pomeranians are not the best dogs to have around children. The Pomeranian has a low tolerance for the kinds of activity that children like to engage in like running around and pulling and poking at the dog. There is almost no tolerance by a Pomeranian for people chasing it and any of these problems can result in biting so be careful. If you have small children then you really may want to consider getting a different breed of dog.
Another common Pomeranian problem is that shrill little bark that they have and their love of using it constantly and for what seems like no reason at all. A Pomeranian is startled easily and they will bark at the slightest sense of movement from any direction. If you live in an apartment building, or your neighbors are very close to your home, you may not want to get a Pomeranian as they love to warn people of coming danger even when there is no danger coming.

Pomeranians are part of the toy breed and toy breeds, by their nature, are very fragile little animals. You need to always keep an eye out for them as they will curl up under blankets or pillows to sleep and you can kill your dog if you sit on it. Your dog could be in serious physical trouble by just leaping from your arms to the floor so always keep an eye on your Pomeranian to avoid harming them or to make sure that they do not harm themselves.
A Pomeranian will test your will because they are an extremely smart little breed of dog and one of the Pomeranian problems that you may experience is that it has a mind of its own and really doesn’t care what you have to say. You will find yourself repeating yourself a lot and if that does not sound like what you want to be spending your time doing with your pet then you may want to consider not getting a Pomeranian.

Pomeranians come with a wide variety of issues and problems that can only be dealt with through time and repetition. The dog is too smart to let simple punishment deter it so you should never punish the dog. Always use positive reinforcement or strong consistent behavior with your Pomeranian to let it know that you mean business. But if you are not looking for a challenge then you may want to avoid a Pomeranian.

This article gives helpful information on Pomeranian training. This article makes a great supplement to dog training books.

Shih Tzu Behavior Problems And How To Get Back To Normal

Filed under: Shih Tzu — admin @ 8:33 am

The importance of correcting Shih Tzu problem behaviors quickly is because if you wait to fix it, the harder it will be and the longer it will take to fix the problem. Although it is never impossible to retrain a dog, it is much easier on both you and the dog if it is done quickly and properly. Taking action quick will help make sure the issue is controlled right away and will remind your dog that they are to submit to you and follow your lead and instruction.

Not only is there an embarrassment factor to your Shih Tzu being out of control and displaying bad behavior, there are safety concerns to think about as well. Even though your Shih Tzu appears to be small enough that they couldn’t even hurt a fly, with enough energy and effort they can do a lot of damage to both furniture and people. This is not only bad for friendships but for your pocketbook as well as attacks from dogs often times end up in court.
One of the most talked about problems with Shih Tzu problem behaviors is that of the dog jumping up onto people. And with this dog’s little size, many people just laugh it off and consider it no problem at all. But you must remember that this is bad behavior and if it is left alone then even worse behavior can and will follow. There are many issues that can arise from your dog being left to jump on people.

Consider that your Shih Tzu, even though so small, jumps onto a small and unsteady toddler who is then knocked back onto the floor and then hits his head. Once down the Shih Tzu continues to jump on the toddler thinking it’s a game, the toddlers face gets scratched up, and the dog is yelled at. Your dog will be left confused because his jumping up never bothered you before and your dog does not have the mental capability to understand why something is okay one minute and not the next.
Have you ever seen a dog walk their owner? It happens all the time as more and more owners report that their tiny dog is dragging them all over town or the park. This often becomes a Shih Tzu problem behavior with inexperienced owners. The dog that pulls or tugs at their leash is simply trying to walk you and you show you where to go. Remember, that dogs are pack animals and in their minds, there is one pack leader. If you are not taking that role, they will assume it and take control of you and your home.

The reason why Shih Tzu problem behaviors like leash pulling must be stopped is for their safety and for control over your dog. You are the pack leader and that is what has to be seen through the eyes of your dog. Generally, dogs that break free when pulling on a lease are lost for good or hit by a passing car. For their protection and to prevent more behavior problems from arising, it is vital to put an end to this behavior right away.

In order to avoid or correct many Shih Tzu problem behaviors, it is vital that you get your dog proper Shih Tzu training from the start. By being proactive and reading through some different dog training books, you can make sure to correct, if not avoid, common Shih Tzu problem behaviors.

November 11, 2008

What Are The Most Common Golden Retriever Problems?

Filed under: Golden Retriever — admin @ 2:13 am

The Golden Retriever is truly a wonderful breed of dog, and it is really hard to find problems with them. They are large, athletic, natural looking, cheerful, steady tempered, and friendly. They are even great with children and are easy to train. There are however still certain Golden Retriever problems that may arise and which any owner or potential owner should be well aware of.

Golden Retrievers do require vigorous exercise requirements, regular brushing and combing, and are easy to develop separation anxiety as well as a variety of other health problems. A few of the most common health problems that this breed suffers from includes hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, hereditary heart disease, cancer, arthritis, allergies, and bloat. Although Golden Retrievers are generally a healthy breed do not be surprised if your dog develops one of these problems. Some even go unnoticeable for an extended period of time and this is why it is important that you keep a watchful eye on your dog and his behavior.
Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common Golden Retriever problems. In fact, it is recognized as being the most commonly diagnosed hormonal diseases found in dogs. Although it usually occurs between the ages of two to six years it can develop at any point in the dog’s life. There are a few obvious symptoms that typically appear at the onset of this condition, including thin coat, loss of hair, dandruff and increased scratching. The specific treatment that should be used will depend on the individual dog, and you will want to speak to your veterinarian for further information on this.

Another of the most common Golden Retriever problems is eye disease. Golden Retrievers are very prone to eye diseases of all sorts, in particular hereditary cataracts. This is a condition that can develop at any age and at different lens locations, usually without visual impairment. As long as it is caught and treated early, hereditary cataracts will not pose any serious threat to your dog.
It is imperative that all owners become more educated on the subject of Golden Retriever problems and about the different treatment methods that are available and which will be helpful here. You know your dog better than anyone else and so it is up to you to notice any changes in your dog both subtle and dramatic. As soon as you think that anything is wrong you should get the dog in to see your veterinarian so that they can make a proper assessment and enforce the necessary treatment.

By being careful and keeping a watchful eye on your dog’s health, you will be making sure that they live the longest and healthiest life possible. Dealing with Golden Retriever problems is not something that has to be difficult, but it may take some effort. Especially if the dog is older these sorts of health problems can take a while to treat but the good news is that they are usually always treatable and will not cause any long-term damage.

Although Golden Retriever training can help with behavioral problems it will not be able to treat health conditions. If you are looking for Dog training books to help you out with your dog’s behavioral problems you should head to any local pet store.

November 10, 2008

Why Must Dogs Dig?

Filed under: Behavior Issues — admin @ 7:42 am

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Dog Digging Habits - Be Their For Your Dogs Digging

Puppies love to dig! It’s in their blood and it is quite often their favorite pastime. This is especially true for young puppies that stem from the sporting group, the terrier group, and the Nordic group.

Digging is also a dog’s way of relieving stress and “letting it all out” so to speak. If a puppy is experiencing anxiety levels due to a new baby in the house, a recent move, strange people, or lack of attention, then he is going to dig in order to help himself feel better.

Fortunately there are ways in which you can help diminish your puppy’s digging behavior so that it is less destructive to your belongings while at the same time giving him a place to dig without being punished for it.

Training a dog not to dig his claws into areas that are not allowed requires a few steps to accomplish but when it is all said and done, the amount of destruction will be minimized.

1. The first thing you need to do is find one area that your puppy is allowed to dig in as much as he wants to. This could be somewhere in your house, in a nearby park, or better yet, in your backyard if you have the luxury of owning the property.

2. In that spot that your dog loves to dig at, take the time to bury some of his toys in the area as well as things like bones and more. Make it a game that you both can play with you burying the items and the puppy digging them up. This will definitely prove to be a fun game for the both of you.

3. Every day, go back to your dog’s digging area and instruct him to start digging by giving him a command. This command could be as simple as “Sparky, Go Dig!” After a while he will immediately begin clawing at the dirt in wild anticipation for the fun that lay ahead.

4. Once your dog learns this digging command, when you see him digging in a spot other than the designated area, reprimand him with a firm NO and take him to the designated are to dig in. Just like house breaking, the repetition will teach the dog that the designated area is exactly where he is allowed to dig at without punishment.

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October 23, 2008

The Lowdown On Siberian Husky Problems

Filed under: Siberian Husky — admin @ 1:12 am

A responsible dog owner is one that takes the time to learn about the behavioral and health problems that can arise with their breed of dog. The list of Siberian Husky problems is made up of breeding issues and behavioral issues and the more you know about the warning signs of these problems the better prepared you will be to not only cope with them but also to train your dog to adapt to what you need it to do. It takes a patient hand to train a dog so keep your cool and be patient.

One of the things the Siberian Husky is known for is its love of running. It was bred as a working dog and cannot stand idle for very long. If you plan on using your Husky as a hunting dog or training it as a racing dog then that works, but for a family dog that is a problem. As long as you can give your Husky some running time every day then it can adapt to down time as well.
You are going to want to take the time to teach your Siberian Husky social skills with other people and animals because one of the big Siberian Husky problems is that the dog can get very protective of its human family and become a less that hospitable host to strangers. They were bred to be working dogs so they always need a task to do and it is your job as the responsible owner to teach them that guarding the family at all times does not need to be one of their tasks. A Siberian Husky on guard can be a very dangerous animal.

The Husky is a direct relative to the wolf so, rather than spending their time and energy barking, the Husky likes to howl a lot. This can be especially troublesome when your Husky starts to get all the other dogs in the neighborhood howling as well. It is a built in behavior that you will never be able to completely suppress but obedience training can help get it under control.
Just like any other breed of dog the Siberian Husky has its share of medical issues as well. Some of the more common Siberian Husky problems that your vet can help with are things like bone disorders that make it very painful for the dog to walk or move. Your Husky is also known to develop digestive problems that can make life miserable for them and for you. There is also the chance of eye infections that, if not treated, can lead to other serious medical conditions. Make sure you get your Husky to the vet regularly and keep them healthy.

A Siberian Husky is a hard working and active dog that is a direct relative to the wild wolf so you can imagine that their instincts can sometimes be a problem. But they are also very loyal dogs and if you take the time to develop a good relationship with your Husky then you can work out any Siberian Husky problems that may come up.

This article and others like it will help with Siberian Husky training. If you need information to go with dog training books then use this article.

October 16, 2008

Rottweilers: German Bred Working Breed

Filed under: Rottweilers — admin @ 12:59 am

Rottweilers have existed from time immemorial and are a German bred that were most often used to drive cattle and also act as guard dogs. They are affectionately nicknamed Rottie or Rott. In size, they are big and very strong, weighing over one hundred pounds. Without proper training a Rottweiler can become fiercely independent and it can also be quite domineering. Often, Rottweilers can become veritable bullies and among Rottweiler problem behavior you can also add that they can be hard to manage.

The Rottweiler might not be the right choice for everyone, including the first time dog owner. This breed requires great care and training to become the loyal, protective pets current owners know. In addition to normal behavioral problems, Rottweilers also require an excellent diet and good veterinary care to prevent certain health risks, and often treating their various health problems can prove to be quite costly. So it makes sense to have a health insurance policy for your Rottweiler to take care of these costs.
Rottweiler problem behavior is something that concerns owners who have little children in the home, or elderly people and even those that are not strong enough to withstand the size and strength of the Rottweiler. They also have certain behavioral problems that are not too worrisome because they are nothing worse than trying to bully others, or trying to domineer them. However, Rottweiler training should see them lose these irritating behaviors though their size too is a problem.

A Rottweiler may easily knock you down and inadvertently cause you injuries while displaying one particular Rottweiler problem behavior where it bumps and tries to herd you around. Other than that, there are no major worries regarding their behavior, though they can destroy your expensive possessions, as the Rottweiler loves to chew on everything and anything. You should thus ensure that you give your pet some Rottweiler training and remember also to deal with him in a firm manner if you want to ensure that he remains well behaved and under your control.
Basically, Rottweilers are calm as well as confident and blessed with plenty of courage and are also very self-assured. It all adds up to the fact that there are not really any Rottweiler problem behaviors that will give rise to cause for concern, and whatever problems do arise are more of an individual thing rather than Rottweiler specific related.

It is however necessary to ensure that Rottweiler training is given to your pet, especially if you want to put it in the show ring, and you also need to realize that the best way of overcoming Rottweiler problem behaviors is to give it a lot of care and attention and to impart early training so that it behaves well around not only you, but around other people and also other dogs. In fact, if you put in your time and effort into training your Rottweiler, it will pay you back with a life filled with devotion and loyal companionship.

Rottweilers only need to be given early Rottweiler training after which they will reward their owners by getting over their little Rottweiler problem behavior and become well socialized. Though there are few Rottweiler problem behavior, this article and dog training books should provide you with the required information.

Information About German Shepherd Problem Behaviors

Filed under: German Shepherd — admin @ 12:00 am

You can pretty much count on every breed of dog to have its own types of behavioral issues that need to be addressed. Luckily for you the German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent breed of dog that would much prefer making its human family happy than almost anything else in the world. Many German Shepherd problem behaviors can be avoided by simply spending time with your German Shepherd and helping it to learn new behaviors to override its instincts.

One instinct that can become a problem later in life is the herding instinct that German Shepherds are born with. They can become protective of their human family with this instinct but it can also make them increasingly aggressive and difficult to control. To offset this you need to socialize your German Shepherd as soon as possible. Get it used to other animals and other people so that when it grows it does not feel threatened by the presence of other animals or other people even near its family.
A German Shepherd needs a lot of attention and if you want to avoid German Shepherd problem behaviors in the future then you need to always keep your German Shepherd active and involved in family things. A bored German Shepherd will probably start to resort to it’s hunting instinct and chase cars, other animals, and people and that can turn into a bad thing. So show your German Shepherd plenty of attention and you should be able to avoid this German Shepherd problem behavior before it can develop into a real problem.

A German Shepherd, by nature, is a working dog and if it does not have some sort of assigned task then it starts to get antsy. Always make your German Shepherd feel like it has important work to do even if that important work is just being the family dog. Left to its own devices it will resort to herding activities and that can escalate quickly to more aggressive behavior so be sure to keep your dog busy.
As protective as German Shepherds can be, and as great a family dog as they can be, it is not a good idea to leave small children alone for any amount of time with a German Shepherd. You will soon learn that one of the main German Shepherd problem behaviors is herding and wandering children could cause the German Shepherd to resort to that instinct. So until you have your Shepherd completely trained to accept the actions of other people avoid having it around the kids too much right away and never leave the German Shepherd alone with small children.

A German Shepherd is intelligent and loyal but just like any other breed it has natural instincts that can sometimes cause problems. A German Shepherd is not a dog you can just tie up in the yard and leave it alone, it will get bored and lonely fast and that can result in bad things. Just be ready to show your dog a lot of love and attention and you should have a happy life with your pet.

You can find helpful German Shepherd training informationby reading article like this one. You can use this article along with dog training books to help train your German Shepherd.

October 9, 2008

Solving Pug Problem Behaviors

Filed under: Pug — admin @ 1:49 am

You have finally been able to bring home your new Pug and you feel that you started out on the right track and you may very well be correct. You bought everything you needed such as food, a collar, a leash, a bed, potty training pads and a few toys along with everything else one would need for a dog. You may have also read up a lot on what to expect from your dog but something a lot of people forget to read up on are the Pug problem behaviors that they give their owners on occasion.

This is not to say that you did not do your job in preparing for your pet and this also does not mean your pet does not like you. Pug problem behaviors will come no matter how much your dog loves you and no matter how much you prepared for this little dog to come into your life. As long as you are the one maintaining control then all will be well and you will soon see that the Pug training works out and the problems have disappeared.
The first time you see any signs of Pug problem behaviors, it is important to take action so that you do not miss out on being the one in charge. A dog that thinks they are in charge will try to run the house and also try to run you, which means a bite could be coming your way that you did not expect. Having a dog, any dog, feel that they are in control of the home is a terrible mistake that will lead to a lot of problems down the road.

So when your Pug is showing signs of behavior issues, it is important to take care of it right away so that not only you, but also your dog is safe as well. By taking quick and authoritative actions, you can make sure that you are the one in control. Never use force such as striking a dog in anyway in order to make the point you are in charge. But what you can do, without screaming, is use a deeper toned and firm voice with the dog when they have done wrong and state the word no a few times.
Although this seems to be just a little too simple when dealing with Pug problem behaviors, that is all it really takes. Your little dog wants your love and they want more than anything to please you, but at the same time they want to know what you will allow them to get away with. Make sure you scold your dog but then follow up with love and affection, as you do not want to punish your dog by withholding your love.

By taking the right steps as soon as trouble starts to occur, you are saving yourself from a world of trouble. Never let anything slip past you as what may seem like nothing much now may turn into a terrible disaster in a few months. Remember, correcting your dog is more then just making sure that your home is safe but so that you will be a dog that was raised properly with respect and obedience.

Whenever you are trying to fix any Pug problem behaviors that are coming up, it is important to revert back to the basic Pug training that you began with. Even the best of the dog training books will tell you, Pug problem behaviors are just bound to happen and there is not anything that you can do to prevent it.

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