dogRUFF- Dog Training Tips and Techniques

Simple Ways to Stop Dog Biting

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:11:17 +0000

There are various ways to stop dog biting and nipping. You can train your dog or you can also consult an expert dog trainer to know the best and most effective way to control and train it. Some people commit the mistake of hurting their dog whenever the pet bites or nips a little. This is not a good thing and may even trigger violent behavior from your dog because of the pain you inflict on it. When training a dog, always avoid hurting them and promote good behavior through positive reinforcement. It would be easier and more effective to train your dog at a young age or while they are still puppies. However, if your dog is already a bit older, it is still ok to train them and stop their aggressive behavior.

When the dog nips or bites a little when you place your hand in his mouth, squeeze your fingers gently but make sure not to inflict pain or hurt your dog while doing this. This action will help the dog realize that you don’t like what he is doing to stop dog biting and nipping. Make sure to automatically squeeze your fingers every time he is nipping or biting your hands so he can relate your reaction to his action. If you place your hand in your dog’s mouth and he did not nip or bite, reward the dog for positive reinforcement by giving him his favorite food.

Another way to stop dog biting is to put some smelly or foul-tasting substance on your hands to repel your dog. Look for the specific food or thing that your dog don’t like then place it on your hands or hold it every time your dog wants to bite or nip your hands. If they bite your hands with the foul substance on it, the dog will be disgusted with the substance and will be discouraged to bite your hands again.

Some people prefer to use gloves instead of placing or holding the substance on their hands. This will also repel the dog but instead of realizing that it is not good to bite or nip your hands, they will associate the foul substance with the gloves and not with the hands. Authority is also an important thing when training your dog. Impose your authority as his master but never hurt your dog. When he wants to bite or nip your hands, immediately yell and scare him a little after his action to stop dog biting.

Phil Garfield has a Free Dog Training eBook for how to train dogs easily!

How to Effectively and Safely Stop Dog Aggression

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:08:31 +0000

There are various ways to stop dog aggression. When you have a pet dog at home, it is important to properly take care of your dog and train him on proper behavior to avoid dog aggression. Taming an aggressive dog is not that difficult if you love dogs and you are willing to spend your time and some effort in training them. Pet owners should not only play and have fun with their dogs since having a pet dog is not all about fun. It also entails responsibilities as well. Aggressive dogs need to be trained and tamed immediately to avoid problems that may result in fear and pain to other people.

To stop dog aggression, the dog owner should properly understand the behavior of the dog and its attitude through proper monitoring and observation. Just like humans, dog attitudes may also vary based on their breeds, environment, and training. Understand what your dog likes and what he dislikes to determine what triggers the aggression. By determining the cause of aggression, you will be able to have an idea on how to minimize or totally control your dog’s aggressive and violent behaviors. Observing and monitoring your dog will require effort and time since you need to provide your full attention to understand your dog and its behavior.

Once you have the idea on what triggers the aggressive behavior, you can now consult an expert trainer or dog owner to determine the ways and training methods that will successfully stop dog aggression. It is important that the training and treatment is right for the dog and not harmful, since hurting your dog just to control its aggressiveness will only make them fear you and not respect you as their owner. There are different types of training methods that can be used to tame dogs so make sure to choose the specific training method that is effective but not harmful to your pet dog.

If you weren’t successful training your dog using the methods advised by the expert, then you should consider bringing your dog to a training school and let them handle the training for you. These dog trainers are skilled and qualified people that know how to properly, effectively, and safely tame and train dogs to control their aggression. You can hire an expert to personally train your dog at home but that will require more cost. If you have limited budget, you can simply bring your dog to the trainer for regular training sessions to stop dog aggression.

Phil Garfield has a Free Dog Training eBook for how to train dogs easily!

Do’s and Don’ts for Raw Food Diet for Dogs

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:05:15 +0000

A raw food diet for dogs is quite different from the commercially produced dog food that you see in the market these days. This type of diet is based on the fact that the food that your dog eats will directly affect the health as well as its behavior. There are certain foods which will have an adverse effect on your dog’s wellbeing but at the same time, there are also many which can promote good health. A raw food diet may be attributed to the belief that since the food being fed is not processed and is natural, the better it is for dogs.

Lean meat, vegetables, and fruits are included as part of the dogs meal in this type of diet. It should be varied so that the dog will not get tired of the taste. A raw food diet for dogs should also have some green and yellow vegetables in it, but there are certain greens which should also be avoided since they would cause gas, such as cabbage. Cucumbers should also be avoided because it might cause indigestion.

Meat on the other hand is an important aspect of the diet. Some owners are a little leery at first when they feed the dogs with raw meat, thus they may cook it slightly at first until the dogs get used to it. After some time, uncooked meat should be given since it is supposed to really be a raw food diet for dogs. Lamb, beef, turkey, duck, and venison may be given to them alternately. As much as possible, a variety of meat should be fed to them since they might develop hypersensitivity if they have the same thing over and over again.

In terms of fruits and vegetables, the raw ones will be good for them. Carrots, for example, contain a lot of vitamin and minerals such as potassium and calcium. Celery sticks can also be given to them because it can relieve symptoms of arthritis and some urinary tract concerns. Alfalfa and zucchini will also be good for them. To add flavor to the foods, spices such as paprika and garlic may also be added. Just make sure that tomatoes, raw beans, cabbage, onions, cucumber, pepper, spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are not given to them because it might cause gas or indigestion. A raw food diet for dogs may also include fruits such as mangos, bananas, and apples.

For the best raw food diet for your pup, be sure to check out Going Rawr.

How to Stop Puppy Biting

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:00:13 +0000

Being bitten by a dog is an experience that you will never wish on anybody even your most bitter enemy, which is why you need to know how to stop puppy biting as early as possible if you plan on having a dog for a pet.

Dog biting is the dog’s way of asserting its dominance.

This kind of behavior is quite common in a pack relationship. They do it in order to show the rest of the pack that they are the strongest and the best. Dogs tend to carry this kind of act even when they are integrated in the household as part of the family. They have to be made to understand that such behavior is not acceptable and training them should be a main concern.

These kinds of lessons should be started when they are still puppies so that you will not encounter that much of a problem when they become older.

Dog biting can become a serious problem when they are older thus this has to be curbed when they are still young. Learning how to stop puppy biting may be a challenge but if it is addressed earlier your puppies will know that it is something which is bad, meaning that it should not be done. Puppies tend to play a lot and they sometimes do it with you or with kids.

Some of these dog plays may become rowdy and the puppies would start nipping or biting. These situations should not be encouraged, if the puppies would try to bite, then you should create a noise and you may yelp. Yelping and barking are means of communication for them, thus if you do it together with an admonition when you say no, the puppies would more or less understand it.

Since dog biting for them is a means to show who the boss is it is up to you to show your puppies that you, and not them, are the one in charge. The process of how to stop puppy biting can then be done by letting them know that you are the leader of the pack. You can do this through simple ways like eating first and letting them wait until you finish before feeding them. That simple action will tell the puppy that you are the one in control.

At times, they would bite if they are too excited or if they are afraid of new people and new situations. Controlling their urge to bite when they are over-stimulated may pose a challenge but it can be done. You can introduce them to new people in a relaxed and gradual manner. You can also give them some incentives if they did well in new situations. Do not give any punishment to them when they are afraid or that might just make the matter worse, failing on your goal of how to stop puppy biting.

Phil Garfield has a Free Dog Training eBook for how to train dogs easily!

How to Breed Dogs in the Smartest Way Possible

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:55:55 +0000

There are people who claim that they are experts on how to breed dogs but what they do not understand is that breeding dogs should be approached in the smartest possible way. When we say the smartest way this means that the process should include proper planning. As such, before breeding dogs, the breeder must research into the nature and specific techniques to do so. Even breeding dogs of the most compatible kind is a challenge. Dog breeding requires patience since it is a very time consuming process. Nevertheless, all the difficulties are worth it since you will get to witness the whole process and always gain something from this type of experience.

Knowing how to breed dogs also require the competence of the breeder. Thus, the breeder has to make sure that he or she is doing it for the correct reasons. Some people are attempting to breed their dogs because they simply want another dog of the same breed. While this may be acceptable, dog breeding should be carried out if the breeder believes that by doing so they can improve the breed of that particular dog. Thereby, you should not breed dogs when your purpose is purely economic, that is, you want to sell the puppies. If you are really into dog breeding, you must also know that selling puppies is illegal unless you have a separate business for this with the corresponding permits and licences.

Going back, the process of how to breed dogs also requires you to have them medically examined. You have to research about the hereditary problems that are unique to a specific dog breed. Although you might breed the most compatible kinds of dogs, there is still a possibility for physical defects when one of them has hereditary problems. Likewise, even experienced breeders acknowledge about 30% mortality rate when breeding dogs. You might put the life of your dog in jeopardy if you will not consider these consequences. Other than this, they could be also disease carriers which may eventually cause the puppies to be aborted or die shortly after they are born.

There may be physically deformed puppies, partially decomposed puppies, and puppies that die after a few hours. Nevertheless, you have to take care of the dog and the puppies as well. Newborn puppies are very susceptible to diseases and may eventually be in peril because of this. Have these puppies checked as well after they are born. Remember that knowing how to breed dogs does not end when the dog you bred gave birth to the puppies.

For step by step instructions on how to breed dogs, be sure to check out some more Dog Breeding Secrets .

Beware of Foods that are Bad for Dogs

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:51:21 +0000

Dogs are considered to be man’s best friend and as such there are some who would feed them like they are real men, but unfortunately though, the food given to them may be foods that are bad for dogs instead of being considered as treats. The good intention is there but unfortunately, dogs are not human beings. It might make the dogs ill or it may even become a cause of death. The dogs’ immune system and digestive system are the most affected when they are given foods which are unhealthy for them.

There are many different breeds of dogs and their diet varies. There are foods which may be good for them just like there are those which may cause them harm. A healthy diet is also imperative for dogs. Dog owners should have a deeper knowledge of what to feed them. They should also know foods that are bad for dogs in order for them to avoid giving it. It will have to be a conscious effort on their part because their pets would not know which of the things they eat are good for them or not. Their health depends on it.

Though dog foods are readily available in the market, there are many instances when the dog owners would give them something else especially if they come wagging their tails and looking so woeful. Unwittingly, foods that are bad for the dogs are given. These might include processed foods which are laden with chemicals which may cause allergic reactions. Chicken bones or even fish bones are also no-no’s for dogs. The bones might splinter and cause them to gag or be choked. It might also lacerate the digestive tract of the dogs. Chocolates may be favored by the dog owner but it might be harmful to dogs because of the caffeine contained which might affect the dog’s nervous and circulatory systems. The same goes for other foods or drinks which has caffeine.

Fish may be good for people but if fed exclusively to dogs it might be a cause of seizures and lack of appetite due to the deficiency of thiamine. Alcoholic drinks, just like with people, might cause the dog to be intoxicated and if taken in large amounts, may induce coma. There are foods that are unfit for dogs but there are also human foods that are deemed alright for them such as lean meat, some fresh fruits like apple or banana and some vegetables such as carrots. A visit to a vet is recommended though to have a better understanding of foods that are bad for dogs.

For more info on dog foods, check out a free report on dog foods!

Dog Breeding Info: Is Your Dog Ready to Mate?

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:42:11 +0000

One of the most common questions that a dog owner asks when collecting dog breeding info is about the mating season of dogs. Dog breeding would be easier if it is conducted during this season. However, there is breeding information that comes with this question like the age of your dog. As much as possible, you have to know the exact date when your dog was born. A dog can possibly be bred from the age of 6 months and above but you have to carefully monitor it from 6 months onwards if you wish to breed it.

One piece of dog breeding info that you should know is that professional breeders can only breed their dogs from 12 months onward. The reason behind this is that they believe that dogs that are only 6 months old are still puppies; therefore, they are not yet fully developed physically and mentally. As such, your dog will be a better mother to her puppies and the puppies will be of better health as well if you will wait until your dog is 12 months old. There are bits of dog breeding info that focus on early signs of heat among dogs. You will notice the phase of scenting to let other dogs know of their condition. An early sign of this is the increased instances of urination which generally occurs two weeks prior to the mating season. You will also notice that your dog frequently licks its vulva which is one way of keeping itself clean.

There are other more obvious signs of your dog’s readiness to mate. Yet another piece of information that you should know is when your dog’s vulva starts to become swollen. The vulva may triple in size and may last for about 9 days. You have to detect the swelling and the extent of changes that comes with the swelling. There is also the possibility of blood discharge which vary in intensity from one dog to another. The discharge progresses from brownish to reddish color eventually. Yet another sign is the changes in the appetite of your dog.

As such, being observant is a key to determine whether your dog is ready for mating or not. If it is, it would be easier to introduce the male dog to a female dog. No matter how much you want the traits of a specific breed for the breed of dog you own, if they are not introduced properly, breeding may not happen. With this, acquiring excellent dog breeding info will guide you in deciding if it is high time to mate the dog or not.

For step by step instructions on how to breed dogs, be sure to check out some more Dog Breeding Secrets .

Dog Breeding For Beginners – Knowing the Basics of Dog Breeding

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:38:54 +0000

Some dog owners are so fond of their dogs that they want to learn more about dog breeding for beginners in order to breed their own dogs. This is more so if they want to consider improving the breed of their own dogs. Dog breeding usually deals with a particular bloodline among canines. Thus, creating specific traits for new breeds is possible. Of course, you have to choose a breed that is mostly compatible with the breed of your own dog. Aside from this, have the dogs medically examined to determine if one of them is a disease carrier. The puppies may be aborted or die shortly after being born if one of the dogs has a disease.

Dog breeding for beginners may appear very difficult and challenging but once you understand its nature and the whole process you may be confident to breed your own dog. Since you are a beginner, you may want to network with certified breeders who can actually guide you. Ask questions, advice and suggestions on how you can successfully breed your own dog. Also ask if they can recommend a type of dog that has a compatible pedigree with the dog you own.

You can also learn from lectures and tutorials that teach you how to breed your own dog, which is supposedly female, with a male dog that belongs to an experienced breeder. Experienced breeders are aware of effective dog introduction techniques which is a critical first step. These breeders may also help you in successfully breeding the dogs.

If you are learning dog breeding for beginners for business purposes in the future, consider getting a kennel permit from the local government. This permit will eventually be needed since once the breeding process is successful, the number of your dogs will increase and your neighbours would not necessarily enjoy this. Protect your dogs by securing the permit since this may create problems sooner or later.

After breeding is completed, you should take the dog to the veterinarian for prenatal checkups. An X-ray examination will be carried out to determine how many puppies may be expected. X-rays may also help in determining if there are physical deformities among the puppies. The veterinarian will tell you if a C-section delivery is required in the future. Continue to care for your dog by administering all the vitamins prescribed by the veterinarian. Apply all the information you acquired while learning dog breeding for beginners lectures to ensure that your dog is in good health throughout the pregnancy period.

For step by step instructions on how to breed dogs, be sure to check out some more Dog Breeding Secrets .

Dealing with Dog Behaviour Problems

Phil — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:35:29 +0000

Dogs can be fun and they can be very cute, but there are times though when they can also misbehave and all that you can do is to deal with dog behaviour problems in the best way that you can. Different dogs have different behavioural patterns, and as such you should be knowledgeable enough on how to deal with the ones that you have based on their breed and pedigree. You just have to remember that even the most serious behavioural problems can be dealt with and can be managed with some training.

Dogs might misbehave due to various reasons, some of which you might not be able to fathom. The most serious of dog behaviour problems would be dog aggression towards people and other dogs. This kind of behavior may be due to a history of abuse. It is possible that due to the abuse that the dog has been put through it would react in fear aggressively, thus the snarling, howling, growling, and even biting. It can also be due to some health problems. If dog aggression becomes long term and escalates in its intensity, then it would be better if you consult the professionals about it.

Biting is another problem that should be dealt with when they are still very young. Puppies tend to nip and bite. These behaviors have to be curbed as early as possible. Anxiety can cause several dog behaviour problems like digging, chewing, inappropriate elimination, fear of separation from the owner and even aggression. Thus, it is vital that the anxiety concerns be addressed in order to curtail the aggressive or excessive behavior of the dog. In some cases, chewing, excessive barking, and movements like jumping are just products of unleashed energy. A walk in a park or some playtime might be good for the dog but you have to make sure that you will take the lead during the walk. This is still part of the pack dominance that you have to establish in order for the dogs to follow your commands.

There are many ways to manage difficulties met with dogs. Most dogs misbehave when they are bored or when they have excess energy so let them have some time to run it off. A walk in the park will also be good because you do not only answer the need to provide them with leisure but you also teach them to socialize since they get to meet other dogs as well as people outside your family circle. In case of difficulty in solving dog behavior problems you can always seek the help of a professional trainer.

Phil Garfield has a Free Dog Training eBook for how to train dogs easily!

Crate Training Puppy – How to Train a Dog

Phil — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:35:34 +0000

The crate training puppy process is very useful for pet owners as it is both a great way to transport your pet, a good bed for your dog, and it’s also a splendid method to use for house breaking a dog! This guide on crate training puppy will show you exactly how to train your dog to love being in crates!

The Benefits of Crate Training

The many benefits of crate training puppies include the fact that it can reduce your dogs anxiety of being separated from others, it can be used as a tool to avoid their destructive behaviors and habits, and it is a good way to keep them away from household items which can be dangerous to them.

In addition to this, the crate training puppy is always easy to travel with in cars and makes for a smooth plane ride that they won’t be traumatized by.

Preparing Your Crate

The best way to successful train your dog to enjoy the crate is to introduce a crate to them throughout their life on a consistent basis. This way they won’t be afraid of a crate or associate it with negative things. They’ll know what it is and how it’s not a bad thing.

To prepare the crates for your puppy to use, it is best to take off the top of the box as well as the door. If the top can’t be screwed off, just remove the door. This will make it less “evil” looking for your dog.

Be sure to provide the extra added amenities to the crate as well. This includes a bedding for the floor such as towels, blankets, etc. In addition, it is advisable to put water into the crate as well if your puppy is going to be spending multiple hours in there. If they’ll only be in there for less than two hours, they should be fine.

Only Use When you’re Home At First

One essential thing you must do when crate training puppy is only use the crate when you are home with your pup. Place the crate next to where you’ll be. This will encourage your dog to explore in the place and not feel as if he or she will be isolated by going in.

A good way for how to train a dog to go into the crates is to place doggie treats or toys inside of it. His will encourage them to want to explore inside of it. When they do go inside, be sure to praise them. This will get them to associate “good things” with going in.

Crate Training Don’ts

There are a few things you must NOT do when trying to crate train your puppy. Doing these will make a very unpleasant experience for your dog and often times makes them hate being in the crate.

Hot Weather Days

Never place your dog into a crate when the weather is really hot. Being in such a confined area in hot weather is not only uncomfortable, it can be dangerous for specific types of dogs!

Avoid Excess Water Before Usage and Be Sure They’ve Eliminated

If your pet has drank a lot of water do not place them into a crate. Wait till they have eliminated. Dogs hate peeing in the same place where they are hanging out around. Also, be sure that your pet has eliminated before placing them in there.

Don’t Crate Train Young Puppies

Puppies that are very young should not be crate training. Because of their weak bladder control, they will often pee in the crate. This is very unpleasant for them. In addition, puppies do not like being left alone.

Don’t Use Certain Collars

Certain types of collars are easy to get stuck in the wires of the crate. This can lead to choking and other uncomfortable experiences for your pet. Be sure that you either take off the collar or use a good collar that won’t get stuck.

Don’t Use if Your Pet Is Ill

Never place your dog in a crate if they are sick or have worms.

Punishment

Do not ever use crate training as a punishment means. As appealing as it sounds having your dog locked up, it can make them permanently hate the crate, and maybe even you.

Phil Garfield has a Free Dog Training eBook for how to train dogs easily!