Canine training is a physical skill. You can learn much faster and more effectively by finding a good group class. An excellent teacher will make adjustments based on your canines needs. A video or book has no way of making adjustments and good teacher will give you instant feedback. There’s no feedback from a video or book. A group class will provide you and your canine a great opportunity to work with distractions in a controlled setting. A book or video has no distractions or controlled setting.

This is my way of evaluating a group training class. Visit the first week and the last week of a group class. Be sure to stay for the entire class each time.  Make sure you note how many dog owners are there for the first week and see how many are there the last week. Check the behavior of the canines and the attitude of the canines and owners. How does the first week and the last week compare? Has there been an obvious improvement?  Do the owners and canines look happy to be there? Listen to the owners gathering before and after class. Are there gatherings? Do the dog owners actually talk to one another? How are the canines behaving? Are you comfortable with the way the instructor is teaching the class?

The group class is only where the owner learns how to train his/her dog. If you don’t continue the training at home it won’t do much good. A couple of sessions of five or ten minutes of training a day will make a big difference. Many of the training commands can be worked on with your ordinary household activities. A command is nothing more that teaching your canine the meaning of your words. Teaching the meaning of words involves showing your canine the meaning which includes using it in many different situations.  Whether you want to call them teaching words, or teaching commands, when your canine gets loose and is running into traffic you want a word that will make your dog stop.

Repetition is crucial. You can’t ask your canine to do something and not follow through. All the training that you and your dog have learned in the group lessons must be continued at home, if you don’t your dog will go back to the bad habits you were trying to correct in the group lessons.

What kind of training is best for you? People and canines differ.  Putting a label on a certain method doesn’t do much to help you evaluate whether it is best for your canine. Instead you should observe its effect on the canine.

Most of my canine’s socially polite behavior is taught by adding it into my everyday life, instead of very formalized training session. I continue to take classes because there is always something new to learn, and a group class is an excellent setting with controlled distractions, and because someone else will always see better what is going on than can the person involved.

I won’t take any class in which the teacher either spends a great deal of time denigrating other training methods, or has zero flexibility in their training method. If I don’t like the body language and behavior that my canine is telling me

Finding a good group class isn’t hard, ask your local vet, friends, neighbors and even dog owners at your doggie park. The ASPCA and local shelters can also be useful.

Group classes and private lessons each have their own place. Whichever is right for you make sure you watch at least one lesson before signing up for a class. If a trainer doesn’t let you observe their class you should probably find a different trainer.

Keep an eye on the trainer’s interaction with canines and people. How do the canines react? How do the owners react? The class atmosphere should be serious and fun. If while observing a class the dog owners look unhappy stay away and look elsewhere.

What kind of training does the trainer have? Does the trainer attend seminars and take continued education classes? A trainers trainer will give you a good idea as to style and method. Watch out for trainers who have limited breadth -especially if their experience is narrow when it comes to different dog breeds, ages or origins of canines. A dog trainer who has experience only with well bred canines may not be prepared to deal with the needs of the rescue dogs.

What dog training organizations does the trainer belong to? Does the organization offer certification? What is required? When a certification doesn’t require a significant period of hands-on experience the trainer may have limitations.

Make sure you have solid goals. Competition obedience may not be the best selection for a well mannered canine. Dog manners classes will not prepare you for competition obedience. If competing is you goal make sure your trainer is experienced and has had success in that area.

No trainer is a know it all; beware of any trainer who brags that they can solve your problem no matter what it is. If you’re looking to address a specific behavior problem ask the trainer for references to others with similar problems that trainer has helped. Understand that a trainer can not tell you exactly what the remedial program might be but get a general outline. Don’t be afraid to ask any and all questions after all it’s your money.

The best trainers are flexible, observant and patient. A good trainer should ask you what your training goals are, and how you want to accomplish them.

Great you’re getting a new puppy or dog, your puppy will keep you busy for the next month or so and drive you a little bit crazy. The most important thing to do is plan in advance and have your home ready for the arrival of your new pet. So here is a list that may help you to prepare for your new family member!

The Basics

Travel crate: If you plan on crate training your dog or not having a travel crate is a good idea, there will be times you must take your dog to the veterinarian, or maybe traveling on vacation.

Food and water bowls: If your new family member is a puppy, make sure the bowls are low and shallow. Tip-proof bowls work really well with puppies, too. When your puppy starts to mature you will have to change bowls to accommodate their size.

Food: If your new family member is a puppy make sure buy only puppy food. If you’re not sure what types of puppy food to buy don’t be afraid to ask the people at your local pet store for recommendations? A high quality dog food is your best bet; it will help your puppy grow into a healthy mature canine.

Collar: Make sure the collar fits comfortably, not too tight or loose. Again don’t be afraid to ask for help at your pet store, in most cases you are allowed to bring your dog with you to the store and you will be able to try the collar on in the store!

Leash: A six-foot leash is a good length. Make sure you choose the right strength and thickness for your canine. You would not use the same leash for a poodle as you would for a German Sheppard.

ID tag: An ID tag is very important, if your dog runs off and gets lost this is usually the only way for someone to get in touch with their owner. Make sure you have your dogs name and your phone number engraved on the tag.

Grooming Supplies: Your puppy will benefit from a good weekly brushing and it’s a wonderful way to have fun and bond with your puppy.

Housebreaking supplies: Your new puppy will have accidents, so make sure you have good cleaning supplies on hand. They sell special cleaning products for dogs that may have an accident on a rug or floor. Again check your pet store and ask their advice.

Veterinarian: Make sure you find a good Vet, ask family, friends and neighbors for a recommendation. Make an appointment within the first few days of bringing your new puppy home, so your vet can check for worms, other health conditions, and start her vaccination regimen.

The Extras

Obedience classes: Taking your new puppy to a trainer is a good idea, every dog can benefit from learning all the basic obedience skills. If your dog picks up some bad habits at a young age it will be much harder to break those habits down the road!

Puppy treats: Treats are perfect for rewarding your dog when you’re working on obedience. Or for when they have just been overly well behaved.

Toys: Chew toys are very important to help satisfy your puppy’s teething needs. Teaching your dog to retrieve is a fun game for you and your dog so look at purchasing a few balls, but be sure the ball is not so small that your dog will choke on it.

Sour apple spray: This is an excellent product to use on spots your puppy loves to chew on. It’s a terrific deterrent for any puppy that has chewing problems.

Baby gates: If you want to keep your puppy in certain areas of your home then a doggie gate is the answer. A puppy may have accidents and or be a little wild at their age so keeping them contained for a while till they know the rules may be a good idea.

Dog house: If your dog is spending any time outdoors, he’ll love having his own little dog house. Put a few chew toys and a cozy blanket in it, and your dog will love having his own little home.

Doggie door: If you have a gated yard a doggie door is a good idea. Training your canine to use a doggie door when he needs to go out makes life much easier for you and your puppy.

Clothing: If you have very cold weather where you live you may want to buy a doggie sweater, keeping your dog warm in very cold weather will keep him/her healthy.

Good luck with your new puppy and don’t forget to give him/her lots of hugs, kisses, and most of all LOVE!!!

If it is your job to care for puppies in the first few months of being born, you must to be prepared to wean them from their diet of mom’s milk to puppy food found at your local pet store. We can help you tell when and how it’s done; we also include some important info, in these easy to follow tips:

Newborn canines receive all their nutrition from their mother’s milk for the first four weeks of their life. Their mother’s milk is 100% perfect for their all their needs, so you don’t have to feed them any other food. If the mother dog should become sick or doesn’t produce enough milk, if the puppies are orphans you may have to feed the puppies a commercial milk replacement. If you are in this situation, contact your veterinarian for his/her opinion on what product and feeding procedures should be taken.
Puppies usually start eating puppy food when they are around three or four weeks old. Make sure you start with small amounts, and gradually increase the amount of food.
Puppies will sometimes play with their food at first, but they catch on in a hurry and figure out what to do with it! When the puppies are completely weaned at seven to eight weeks of age, they should be eating their puppy food consistently.
Puppies need around 2 times the energy intake of adult canine and, depending on their breed, will need to consume a food that contains 25 and 30 percent protein.
Smaller breeds of canine, those who weigh 20 pounds or less when fully grown, will usually reach mature body weight in nine to twelve months. As puppies, you can feed them free-choice. When food is readily available, almost all small-breed canines will develop good eating habits and in most cases not become overweight. But if you have other canines around, it’s best to feed your small-breed canine by the portion control method.
Most medium-breed puppies that mature to 20 – 50 pounds and all large or giant breed puppies that mature to 50 pounds or larger are best fed with the portion-control method.
Over eating could lead to consuming too many calories, growing too fast and develop bone growth problems. The most common signs of bone growth disease include bowing of the front legs. Many times, these signs are misdiagnosed as calcium deficiency. Radiographs are most important for an accurate diagnosis.
Never overfeed a puppy in an attempt to speed up a puppy’s growth rate. Always remember, the mature size of a canine is determined genetically, not by how fast a canine grows. Controlled feeding and a balanced diet specifically for large and giant breed puppies makes for optimal skeletal development. Aim for a slower rate of growth with large and giant breed puppies.
It is perfectly fine to feed your puppy treats, but make sure that treats make up no more than 5% of your puppy’s daily nutrient intake. The rest of your puppies diet should come from a high-quality puppy food.

Lets face it dogs can be very costly. Even if your canine seems to be very healthy, with age, your dog will definitely run into some medical issues at some point. When the end is near, dog owners know just how costly it can be going to the vet or animal hospital.

If you own a canine, you’ve probably considered whether or not to buy pet insurance. Just like health insurance that you and I have, these policies help with the cost of expensive medical treatment should your canine become sick and need medical care. In some cases it may mean the difference between having your canine for a few more years versus euthanasia.

In Europe it is common for pet owners to carry pet insurance, but pet owners in the U.S. are less likely to do so , statistics show that about a quarter of a million of our more than 130 million cat and canine owners carry pet insurance.

Should you invest in pet insurance? You must consider the pros and cons of pet insurance policies before you make a final decision.

The most common vet visits are for skin allergies and ear infections-which usually cost around $95 for treatment-to benign tumors, which a vet might bill $300 to analyze. Not cheap but still affordable. With new technology and advanced medical treatments, however, that has really raised the cost of pet healthcare. Canines are regularly undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer treatment and MRIs for screening–at a price of $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In the coming year, Americans will spend an estimated $9.4 billion on their pets healthcare, up from $8.7 billion a year ago, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Canine owners will be charged an average of $211 for a basic vet visit, up from $156 in 2000.

To help with their pets healthcare, more owners are purchasing pet health insurance. The industry leader: Brea, Calif.-based Veterinary Pet Insurance . VPI controls an estimated 80 percent of the U.S. pet insurance market, with more than 392,000 active policies, up from around 36,000 policies in 1998. Other insurers include Pet Care Pet Insurance and PetsHealth Care Plan.

Pet health plans are similar to healthcare insurance you and I carry. They include deductibles, annual premiums, limits on pre-existing conditions, and exclusions for hereditary defects. There are co pays for diagnostic testing, Veterinary visits, prescriptions, X-rays, lab fees, and hospitalization, as well as surgical procedures. Add-on riders can be bought to cover physical exams and dental cleanings.

You are allowed to pick your own vet, and then file claims directly to the insurance company. Premiums are based on where you live, age of the pet and breed. Monthly premiums for canines, for instance, typically run $15 to $40. Most health plans offer discounts for insuring more than one pet.

Is pet health insurance worth it in the long run? For most of us, pet insurance will probably cost more than it will save. As with insurance products, from auto to homeowners, you’re betting that your total vet bills will exceed the amount you’ve paid in premiums and other costs.

Pet insurance premiums can range from $2,000 to $5,000 over a pet’s average life time. For example, VPI policyholders pay a $50 per incident deductible and are reimbursed for up to 90 percent of the vet bill, within the limits of the plan’s benefit allowance schedule. Other pet insurance companies have deductibles as high as $100, and coverage that ranges from 70 percent to 100 percent of allowable charges.

Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently produced an analysis of nine different plans using a 10-year-old beagle as a subject. Even after several emergency-room visits and other costly vet visits, Consumer Reports determined the coverage wasn’t worth the money.

We recommend pet owners do the math before getting insurance. Figure out how much your basic vet costs will be first and set aside some money for emergencies. If you buy pet insurance, make sure the monthly costs don’t exceed the amount of your basic vet costs.

Whether you buy pet insurance or not, the American Animal Hospital Association suggests preparing financially for veterinary care in some way. This could mean a credit card, a savings account, an emergency fund or insurance.

Our advice to you is to come up with a plan, whether to buy insurance or put money away in an emergency savings account but do come up with a plan, its heartbreaking to have to make a decision to euthanize an animal not based on the pet’s best interest but because of the financial decision of the owner.

 What Do You Know About Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough, the common name that is given to infectious canine tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious respiratory disease among canines. As the name of the disease suggests, it is typified by inflammation of the trachea and bronchi. Kennel cough is found throughout the world and is known to infect a high percentage of canines at least once in their lifetime. It is also medically referred to as tracheobronchitis and Bordetella. Small puppies can suffer the most severe complications that can result from kennel cough, since they have an underdeveloped immune system that is still becoming stronger. Also at high risk are older canines, which have decreased immune capabilities due to their age, and pregnant bitches, which also have lowered immunity to infections.

 Kennel Cough Symptoms!

A repetitious dry cough that has a “honking” sound is the main clue your canine has kennel cough. In almost all cases your canine will seem healthy except for the cough. Your canine will usually eat, play and run around as normal except for the cough, but don’t be alarmed if your dog gags and sometimes coughs up a white, foamy phlegm—this is a sign that is often worse after exercise, or if your dog gets excited or pulls against her collar. Canines may even develop a light fever and nasal discharge.

 What To Do if You Think Your Dog Has Kennel Cough?

If you think that there is a chance that your canine has kennel cough and you have other canines in your house isolate the infected canine from all other dogs in your home and as soon as possible take your dog to the veterinarian.

 Ways A Dog May Catch Kennel Cough?

Canines may be infected with kennel cough in a variety ways. It can spread through aerosols in the air, directly from canine to canine, or from germs on a contaminated object. Areas that have poor air circulation can spread the disease, maybe a kennel or animal shelter, for example, or from direct contact with another dog while waiting in a vets office, canine training class or drinking water at a doggie park. A good kennel will not board a canine without proof of their recent vaccination against parainfluenza and bordetella, these are the main causes of kennel cough.

 What Canines Are Prone to Kennel Cough?

In most cases canines that have frequent contact with other canines, such as dogs that go to doggie parks regularly. Young puppies whose immune systems are not fully developed and older dogs whose immune system my not be as strong as it used to be. Also unvaccinated dogs are at a very high risk so make sure your dog is up to date on their shots.

 Kennel Cough Prevention?

Having your dog up to date on his/her vaccinations is the best way to prevent kennel cough. If you board your dog on a regular basis make sure the kennel only boards dogs with up to date vaccinations, if they board your dog without proof of his/her shoots take your dog else ware to be safe. If you take your dog to a doggie park and hear and other dogs coughing continuously leave the park immediately. Also bring a portable water bowl, you can find them online they are a combination water bottle/bowl this will stop your dog from drinking any water at the park that may have become contaminated from another dog.

 Treating Kennel Cough?

Go to your veterinarian if your canine develops a cough. A lot of times a vet will tell to simply let kennel cough run its course and heed the following:

• Isolate your canine from any other canines that may be in your home.
• A humidifier or vaporizer may provide some relief. The steam may help soothe their irritated breathing passages.
• Avoid exposing her to cigarette smoke or other noxious, irritating fumes.
• Cough Medicine or antimicrobial can be prescribed by your vet; he will be able to determine what will be helpful to your dog.
• If your canine pulls against his/her collar while walking, change to  a harness until the kennel cough subsides.
• Make sure your canine is eating, drinking and in a stress-free environment.

 How Long Does it Last?

Kennel cough will gradually decrease and be gone in around three weeks. Young puppies, elderly dogs and other immunocompromised canines may take upwards of six weeks or more to recover. In smaller cases, dogs may remain infectious for longer periods of time even after the symptoms have gone away.

 Should We Go Back To The Vet?

In most cases you should see some improvement in your canine’s condition within about a week, but keep track on how long the symptoms last. If your canine has nasal discharge, is having trouble breathing, wouldn’t eat or seems lethargic, take him/her to your vet immediately. A serious case of kennel cough can turn into pneumonia if untreated.

Walking your dog is not just for taking him or her to do their business, its great exercise for you and your canine friend!

You must already know that wolves and canines are related to one other? From the German shepherd to the Pekingese, all breeds of canines are direct descendants of the wolf family. Because of this fact, almost all of the wolf’s characteristics and behaviors still remain in today’s domestic canine.

One of the many similarities that still remain between wolves and canines is their ability to travel long distances. Most canines (except for breeds that have been radically changed by man’s selective breeding) have the ability to travel an average of about fifteen miles a day due to their energy and strength levels.

Many canines that don’t get enough dog walking exercise become frustrated and will often become destructive and show undesirable behaviors such as barking, chewing, running away, and digging.

Dog walking, whether it is canine walking on a leash or canine walking off the leash is the most common and effective way for you to exercise your canine. In fact, dog walking is a fantastic activity for your canine to burn off excess energy.
You and your canine will benefit greatly from dog walking by getting an excellent amount exercise. Dog walking also gives you an excellent opportunity to meet new people and their canines which is a great way to socialize your dog. Dog walking can be a fantastic way to meet people with whom you can form a dog walking group which is a wonderful way for all canines in the group to socialize with each other.

While walking your canine, pay close attention to your canine. Be sure that your canine does not do his or hers business on your neighbor’s lawn. When possible, have him or her relieve themselves at home before starting your dog walking. Also do your best to prevent your dog from distracting other people and elements.
Walking your dog is also a wonderful way to train your canine to walk without pulling on the leash. Walking your dog is not good nor is it fun if your canine is always pulling you down the street which could cause you to fall and hurt yourself. If you own a medium to large dog the constant pulling on your arm could cause your arm to become sore and swollen needing medical care. If you are a new dog owner and just starting to walk your new dog, you may need to be a little stubborn at first because it is not natural for an excited canine to walk at a regular walking pace that matches yours

If there are other people in your family that will be walking the dog, make sure that they understand that pulling is not allowed. Your dog has to understand the rules; you do not want your canine to get into the habit of pulling his leash while being walked, which makes your dog walking much more difficult.  Walking  your dog should be a happy experience for both you and your canine and one that both of you can look forward to.

Many people say to me that they want to adopt a canine or puppy, but they are concerned with the canines past, or are afraid that their new canine will not get along well with their family. Let me tell you that this is usually the opposite of what most people experience when they adopt a rescued canine or puppy.

Canines are very adaptable, and almost all adult dogs or puppies will bond very well with their new family as long as you provide your new family member with love and leadership. When I say leadership I mean putting in the time and effort to train your new dog. In most cases adopted canines will appreciate their new home and are very eager to bond with their new family.

Wherever you live in the U.S., there are many canine rescue groups, many that involve the canines being fostered in a volunteer’s home. There is an excellent benefit to this and that is that the foster family gets to learn the canine or puppies characteristics very well, including such characteristics as: whether or not the rescue canine gets along with cats, likes young children (or not), etc. These loving volunteers are not just looking to place these canines with “just any family.” Rather, they work very hard to match each canine or puppy with the best appropriate, permanent home… whether or not that will be you.

Adopting an adult canine can have a lot of benefits. A reputable rescue group makes sure all of their canines are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, are healthy, and more. From an adopter’s view point, you will also benefit from knowing what the canines adult temperament is like, the size of the dog, and what grooming care may be involved.

While many canines or puppies may have suffered some past abuse or neglect, the majority of canines who find themselves searching for a new family simply experienced having the wrong original owner. Many people are surprised to find out that many families give up their canines because they are moving to a new city or location, they work very long hours, or simply weren’t ready for a canine to start with.

Finding a reputable rescue group in your area is very easy, just go onto the internet and search for canine rescue groups in your area. A reputable rescue group will help you find just the right puppy or adult canine to adopt. There are also rescue groups for every specific breed as well, if you are looking to adopt a Border collie or Australian shepherd there is a good chance you will find a rescue group in your area that rescues these breeds.

If you would like to read up on rescue dogs and how to care for them there are many books for sale at your local book store or just stop by your local library for a free how to book on rescue dogs.

Remember when you adopt a dog you not only save a life but in return get a wonderful friend that will give you a lifetime of unconditional love!!!!!

While cooking during the holidays, the aroma of ham, turkey and pie will surely appeal to your dog’s nose just as it does to your guests. Many times the smell is too much and even the best mannered dogs sneak a snack when your back is turned. This could be dangerous to your dog’s health if he steals the wrong food, or picks up food that has been inadvertently dropped.

Fatty foods such as turkey skin and nuts, and toxic foods such as chocolate are very dangerous to a dog health. The Holidays see more dogs taken to the vet’s office with upset stomachs, which in some cases can become a serious dog health issue; the holidays are the most important time to take extra precautions.

“If your canine has already eaten the hors d’oeuvre tray and has a cheese-eating grin across his mouth, it’s too late for a reprimand. “Better than a reprimand is to catch your dog in the act and use the ‘no’ command, which tells him stop and back away, and then reward him with a treat.

Teach your canine the “no” command by using positive reinforcement. Start immediately and save yourself a visit to the vet.

First, teach your canine that he must sit before he is rewarded with a treat. When your canine sits it is a way for your dog to say please may I have a treat.

Then, show your canine his favorite treat, and teach him to wait for your command before he is allowed to take it. When your canine learns “take it,” start teaching “no” by interrupting his lunge for the treat in a loud and sharp manner with the word.

“When your canine starts to back off and looks at you (in a confused or puzzled manner), just say ‘good boy, take it’ in an upbeat voice,” Practice this lesson over and over until both ‘no’ and ‘take it become part of your canines vocabulary.

A big part of positive reinforcement is showing your canine that he will be rewarded and praised when he does what you ask of him. Whenever you give your canine the “no” command, substitute what your dog wanted for something he can have, like his favorite doggie treat and make sure you give him plenty of praise. When you substitute an item your dog can not have for one he can make sure your canine is always rewarded and praised for obeying you, this way everybody will be happy and most importantly healthy.

Make sure you teach these commands before the holidays so you will be able to help your canine resist those wonderful smelling dishes you will be cooking for the holidays. Helping your dog get through the holidays without a visit to the vets is just one more thing to be thankful for this year.

We wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and safe holiday and a very happy New Year.

As soon as you find out that you will be having a newborn in your home, start to prepare the family canine. Don’t leave it until your newborn arrives. It’s very important that your canine associates your newborn with the least amount of disruptions as possible.

It is important to ensure that your canine understands basic dog obedience commands, (sit, stay and come) and is also well behaved. Your canine must be able to lie quietly for short periods, no jumping up when you are holding your newborn, taking a walk on a leash without pulling and coming when called are very important.

Canines are used to being the “baby” in your family and may find it hard giving up this position. You will have to get your canine used to receiving less attention and being by left alone for different periods of time during the day. If you plan to exclude your canine from certain parts of your home after your newborn arrives, set these rules weeks in advance to your newborns arrival. It is a good idea to exclude your canine from your newborns bedroom.

Teach your canine to walk gently next to the baby’s stroller, but don’t tie the leash to the stroller especially   when unattended. You must get your canine accustomed to new furniture such as playpens, baby walkers and high chairs before your newborn arrives.  Getting a tape recording of baby noises and playing it where the baby will normally be so your canine becomes socialized to these sounds. It is very important to teach your canine the difference between his/her toys and the baby’s toys.
Developing a routine and sticking to it when the baby arrives is important. It is also very important that your canine receives regular attention, (playtime, and training). Don’t make a big deal with your canine about the arrival of your newborn. Your canine must be taught how to approach your newborn in a gentle manner. Allow your canine to make initial investigations and approaches.

Associate your newborns presence with positive things. Give your canine treats and high praise for good behavior around your newborn. Never place your newborn on the floor with your canine and don’t yell at or hit your canine for approaching your newborn in the wrong manner. Gently show your canine what you wish him/her to do and then give your dog a treat and praise for responding.

A newborns immune system is not very strong, so ensure that your dog is healthy and is up to date with all vaccinations before your baby arrives.

If your canine has any behavioral issues, make sure to correct them before your newborn arrives or if you are in doubt about your canine’s behavior after your newborn arrives, consult a trainer to correct any and all problems.

I would like to end this article with an important message, as much as you may trust your dog never leave your newborn or any child unattended with any canine, there is no way to know what a child may do to the dog or what may cause a dog to do serious harm to a child while unattended!