Are You Hurting Your Animals' Feelings?

By James French

As a pet owner you can be helped in a number of ways with animal communication. Understanding your animal from their perspective allows you to give them the best life possible. It can be very easy to place our own thoughts and understanding on animals without really understanding them. This is why animal communication is a valuable pet owner tool.

It is very easy for us humans to place negative feelings on to our animals. I am sure that you will agree with me that it is a horrible feeling when some one makes false judgements about us. So why is it any different when we do the same to our animals!

For example the other day I saw how a dog had been labelled as a bully with other dogs. This strong judgement had been made because the owner had observed that when her dog was around younger or gentle dogs, she would look very friendly but when she got close would snap at them and show aggressive signs.

Yet her dogs behaviour with nervous or protective dogs was very different. She would not go anywhere near them.

With animal communication we soon discovered that she was not a bull at all. Far from it her problem was that she was afraid of intimacy! She was also very good at reading other dogs character and this is why she did not want anything to do with the nervous or protective dogs. She was actually desperate to make friends with other dogs and this was why she was choosing the younger and gentle dogs.

This feeling of wanting to be close, changed as soon as her nose got to close to another dogs. Replaced with this feeling of intense shyness and protection.

With this new insight and information it allowed us to create a whole new approach in helping her dog. We focused on keeping her relaxed and very slowly closed the gap between her and other dogs, giving her the time to overcome her shyness. Because she was so desperate to be close to other dogs this made the process easy as everyone was after a common goal.

When we communicate clearly with our animals it gives a greater understanding. This is turn gives us the power to really help them. If you find your self repeatedly asking the question why do they do this or that? Then there is a high possibility that you are not understanding where they are really coming from.

Animal communication creates a deeper relationship this is the same for humans too! When we find some one that understands us more we naturally trust them more and become closer to them. This is the same with your animals and the more they trust you the greater the relationship for everyone! Animal communication is a very natural form of communication that anyone can learn. - 31866

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Housetraining Your Dog Using A Cage

By Karen Taylor

Many of the dog owners today struggle with the problem of house training. Although many methods have worked to solve this problem, there are some dog owners that resort to drastic ways out of frustration and desire to have their dog house trained quickly.

In order to get the behavior the dog owner wants, he/she has to find a training method that is right for the dog. It could be training through constant supervision or training with the use of housebreaking aids such as paper or cage. Although, using both also produces results.

Cage training can be very efficient, but it also comes with certain issues. Some people believe that using a cage in housebreaking or any other training in general is being inhumane and therefore should not be used on dogs. Contrary to this thought patter, cage training has been shown to be one of the most efficient and effected methods for training both dogs and puppies.

Why is this? Well first of all, because your dog is a den dwelling creature by nature. They would love to retreat into their dens to seek warmth during cold weather or feel cool during sunny days. They consider their den as their home in which they are safe from harm. With this in mind, help your dogs cage look like and feel like his home, not a cage.

Second, dogs are naturally clean animals and will try not to soil their cages as much as possible. Placing your dog inside the cage will help your dog control his bladder or bowel until he is taken out to potty at the appropriate spot. Since puppies are still young, they should be taken out regularly and more often than an older dog since they only have a limited control over their bladder and bowel movements. Taking these steps will help your puppy establish a schedule for bathroom trips.

Cages come in various styles and materials. You can buy one from your local pet supply store, hardware or pet section in some department stores. When you purchase a cage for your pet, consider their needs and consider why you are buying the cage. If you travel, consider purchasing a cage made of plastic for your dog, as wire cages will not protect them from extremes of temperature. Another thing that you want to take into consideration is the size of the cage. Buying a new create when he has outgrown the old one costs a lot of money. So that is why it would wise to purchase a large crate, that way you can block the excess section so that your dog doesn't soil it, that way you can place your dog in the other half during the night for him to stay in.

It is important to be consistent when using a dog cage for housetraining. Your housebreaking issues will soon pass if you do this properly. - 31866

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How to Keep Your Dog from Drowning Unnecessarily

By Jake Friend

Estimates have the number of dogs and cats in North America at 58,000,000 and 62,000,000, respectively, and it's a painful truth that thousands of them are victims of accidental drownings annually. Due to the fact that many people do not report these drownings, there is no way to know exactly how many pets actually die this way. Although, 99 % of dogs can swim, we have a false sense of security when we see our dogs running and jumping in and out of the water at the lake or our back yard pool. A significant percentage of dogs and even some cats are only able to swim a little while before they become fatigued. With this in mind, these animals go into a panic state when they are unable to quickly find a way to get their paws on solid ground. This panic is what causes them to drown. But it is more than just a problem for pets, for loving pet parents will selflessly and without hesitation dive into a frozen lake or rapidly flowing river in an attempt to rescue their animal.

What ways can we prevent our pets from drowning? Here are a few valuable tips:

1. Do not make the assumption that your dog is able to swim.

2. Keep a closer eye on a pet that is getting older. As they age, they are unable to swim as when they were younger.

3. Do not throw your dog or cat in any type of water. They will panic from the initial shock.

4. Obtain a canine flotation device (CFD) or a pet life jacket for your pet. Ensure that they are wearing the device whenever they are close to the water. There are many times that a pet has fallen of a dock or moving boat without anyone knowing.

5. Things like solar blankets and pool covers appear to be a solid surface for your pet. Remove them whenever possible when your pets are around the pool.

6. Install a pet safety gate near the pool area.

7. Check to ensure that your pet does not have an entry into your neighbor's pool area.

8. Get a pool alarm for your pool or pond.

9. Don't let your pet play around fast flowing water.

10. Do not allow your pet to go near frozen lakes & rivers.

Seeing your pet drown and the awful guilt that is associated with it can be overwhelming and very difficult or impossible to recover from. I strongly encourage you to have a look around your property for obvious water hazards. Whether it is summer or winter, you need to drown proof your home as well as your vacation property NOW. If your pet is going to be anywhere near water, make sure they are wearing a canine floatation device or pet life jacket. - 31866

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Dog Puppy Training the Right Way

By Amy Williams

If you decided to have a pet dog at home, you should know that there are certain responsibilities that a pet owner is required to do. It is not enough that you give your pet food, home, and other necessities. It is equally important for your pet to undergo dog puppy training. You do not need to hire a professional to do this because you can do this by yourself at home with a few simple tips. Read on to learn more.

* Keep in mind that physically hitting a puppy will not get you anywhere. It is important that you get respect from your dog but it is just as important that you earn it by respecting your pet as well. Doing this is very critical in the relationship building process. Hitting a dog will only cause fear, and a scared dog is not a good thing. You should have strict and consistent rules.

* Another dog puppy training tip is to give your dog a reward if he did something right. You can give dog treats or biscuits as rewards for a job well done, or a praise said in a kind tone of voice. By doing so, the dog will continue doing the right thing because he is getting something good from doing it.

* Do not treat your dogs like toys. Some people subconsciously treat their dogs like cute stuffed animals because they are cuddly and cute. Your pets are not there to be hugged and displayed. Like humans, dogs need attention and they also have needs that you as a pet owner, should fulfill. They also have moods and unique personalities.

The right dog puppy training is key to having a perfect and happy relationship amongst man and dog working together under the same roof. - 31866

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Dog Training Courses - Why Take Them

By Isabelle Falk

Most dog owners want the very best for your pets, and to have the very best relationship. You spend hours training your dogs: teaching them tricks and manners and ways to communicate.

This is why training is so important, it allows you to understand your dog's behavior so that you can react accordingly, and maybe you've already approached a professional dog trainer only to be deterred by the high cost. Sooner or later, though, it dawns on you that no one else could possibly be a better person to train your dog, than you.

The pleasing news for 'do-it-yourself' and up coming dog trainers, like yourself is, that many easily accessible and user friendly programs are available on internet. These are in descriptive form for dog trainers who are actually owners at first place, for example; you. Majority of these documents are description of the writer's experiences while training dog and smaller points which the trainer feels can be useful to you. Apart from this, these programs can be downloaded comfortably and are also totally free of cost.

There are also many dog training courses which can be downloaded, and will guide you through training step by step. The best part is that these courses are free!

So, you love your dog and thinking of some training course to get the best productivity from him but do not want to spend too much on it. Do not worry, here comes the less expensive online dog training courses from pets focused web sites.

Please not take away good training from your dog and give him full scope to be useful to its owner. Spending more money is not pre-requisite for good training but you can simple take help of online dog training programs. - 31866

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How To Clip your Dog Safely And Easily!

By Cliff Stone

Very few people see clipping their dogs as an art. Instead, they tackle areas like scraggly hair on the feet to keep their pets from tracking in mud. They mostly ignore other areas. However, in an effort to get rid of undesirable hair growth, many dog owners forget that they can hurt their dogs.

When you decide to clip your dog's fur, keep his breed in mind. If you clip a longer haired breed incorrectly, dust accumulates in the coat, causing skin problems. In addition, parasites like ticks and fleas can move and breed more freely if your dog's coat isn't card for or clipped correctly.

You need to trim your dog's nails to avoid breaking, splitting, and pain while walking. That's because overlong toenails cause the nail to turn sideways, or even to dig into the foot. When a dog has claws that are too long, it becomes easy to catch them on hard surfaces or to break or split them.

It's easy to accidentally hurt your dog while clipping his or her nails, since the quick in the nail's center bleeds when cut. This is where the nerves and the blood vessels are located, and it keeps the nail alive and growing. However, if you cut the nail too short or accidentally splinter it, the exposed quick will be painful.

You must always use the right clippers for your dog's nails and hair - make sure they're sharp and meant for animals. Human tools won't work here. You can find quality tools at your local pet supply store.

If you live in an area that's cold in winter, don't clip your dog during the cold months unless you have to. The winter can be very stressful for your dog if his coat isn't long enough to protect him. Remember that dogs can get frostbite the same way we can.

Overclipping in summer can be bad as well. It might not seem like it, but your dog's coat protects him or her and keeps the harmful rays of the sun from causing damage. It's okay to thin or shorten the coat slightly, but make sure you leave enough fur to protect your pet.

If your dog is sick or otherwise unhealthy, avoid clipping him. That's because it can cause more stress. Only clip a sick dog to remove broken nails or dirty fur that can't be cleaned.

Walking your dog on concrete daily can help keep him or her healthy. This will help you wear down the nail on a gradual basis and will keep them even. That way, you and your dog don't have to go through the clipping process.

To get the best results, you'll want to talk to a professional groomer who knows how to correctly clip your dog. - 31866

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Why Proper Dog Potty Training Is Importance to Your Dog Development

By Oke Manueli

As you think as regards to dog training, there is a controversial area to it in the shape of debarking surgery, which is a practice that will result in low level to the dog's barking, and such a method is typically used on those dogs that not only have an particularly noisy barking, but who also bark constantly. Leading examples of this process comprise debarking done on Shetlands and also collies.

Debarking Is A Controversial Issue

In spite of this, debarking does not cause the dog stoping to bark and it is only the degree that is lessened and hence this is a topic of dog training that has been talked about a lot by animal lovers as well as by experts with several considering debarking to be useful on dogs that howl too forceful; as those who believe it to be a process that is equally unwarranted as well as cruel.

Debarking apart, there are another areas to dog training that dog owners need to observe at if they desire their dogs to behave properly and as well as stay content. Obviously, there are several those who don't even think that dog training is at all compulsory whereas those who think that dog training must entail fear and punishment. Accordingly, you would not be amazed to find a whole set of uncommon dog training methods doing the rounds which can often cause much mix-up in the minds of dog owners.

Before jumping into a dog training training, you need to understand that your animal is not a hairy version of a human since they are in truth pack animals and their world is a lot more structured when they are following a group rather than the dog owner. Next, you should bear in mind that dog training need not imply having to scream and hit the dog every time he do something since such behavior simply puts apprehension as well as anxiety in the dog's psyche. Instead of react well to the instruction, the dog will actually come up to to hate it and thus his concentration will be poor and he will also not be relaxed. Nonetheless, negative support is recommended which is separate to punishment and the best form of it is to take away his treats and also not show him any warmth.

Another common mistake that dog owners do in dog training is to try and train their dog in a busy place in the wrongly think that the dog will be able to focus better in an environment that is filled with disruptions. Moreover, you must as well make sure that you don't attempt and teach your dog too many instructions since he could easily loose focus and also become fed up with the training. - 31866

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