Category Archives: Featured

Let The Games Begin!

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  • “I’m bored.”

  • “There’s nothing to do.”

  • “I’m tired of staying in the house.”

  • “I want you to play with me!”

If you have kids these are familiar complaints. If you have a dog these are also familiar complaints, you just don’t hear them in these words. A long winter, a rainy spring, anything that keeps you and your canine cooped up in the house can lead to boredom.

There are lots of indoor games you can play with your dog when you can’t go outside for one reason or another. All it takes is some creativity, a sense of fun, and a few doggie treats.

Hide and Seek

This is an easy game to teach your dog. Start by having him sit/stay in one room while you go into another room and hide – in plain sight to start with. Call his name and when he comes to you give him a treat and lots of praise. Repeat the process several times; as your dog gets the hang of it try hiding in different rooms and more difficult-to-find places.

Treasure Hunt

You’d get bored eating the same food out of the same bowl every day, and it’s no different for your dog. For a fun change divide her food up into smaller portions and put them in different hiding spots around the room. Start with easy places, then as she gets the hang of it you can make it more interesting by using different rooms and different hiding places.

Find The Toy

This variation on Hide and Seek teaches your dog to search out a specific toy instead of a person. The first step is to select one toy and give it a name. Take away all of the other toys and place just the selected toy in the middle of the room. Tell your dog to “Get the (whatever it is)” then give him a treat and lots of praise when he gets it. As he gets better and better at it, hide the toy in increasingly difficult places.

Advanced Find The Toy

This is fun for your dog and is sure to impress your friends. Using the same process as Find The Toy, teach your dog to recognize other toys. Pick a second toy, give it a name, and teach her to find it. Once she knows two toys, you can hide them both and change up which one you tell her to get. The variations on this game grow in number as your dog learns to recognize more and more toys.

Before you know it, you and your pet will be playing all sorts of games together, coming up with new ways to play and enjoying every minute of it. Teaching your dog to play games helps relieve boredom during times of confinement and more importantly, strengthens the bond between you and your best friends.

Doggy Doors –Installing & Getting Your Dog to Use It!

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Doggy doors are one way of keeping your house peaceful and your dog content. If you install one, your pet can go in and out when he or she needs to. It means you can stay inside, working or taking care of business while your dog does his or hers. Once the dog has one and knows how to use it, whining to go out will be a thing of the past.

Types

There are two basic types of doggy doors. One is the simple dog-powered operated door. It is a flap of metal, plastic or rubber. It hangs by hinges from a metal frame. You can attach it to your traditional wooden exterior door, a glass patio door or an outer wall.

It works on this principle. Your dog pushes the flap. It moves with him or her and he or she can go inside or out. The dog gains free access. He or she can enter and exit at will, although you can close it for security reasons.

Electronic dog doors serve the same function. You pet can go in-and-out. The major difference between the two types of doors is the mechanism of control. Your dog does not push it open with paws, shoulders or nose. Your canine wears a “smart” key. The door senses the key and opens. Unlike manual doors, only your pet can come in and go out.

Installing

Installing a doggy door is not difficult. You need to do the following:

  • Measure the dog. Be accurate.
  • Purchase the appropriate door to fit your dog. Make sure you have the appropriate tools to work with.
  • Remove the door. Place it where you can cut safely and cleanly.
  • Measure the door and mark where the dog is to go – remember the base of the doggy door is not level with the door’s bottom. It is about your canine’s chest height.
  • Using the correct tools, cut out the shape of the doggy door.
  • Install the frame. Place the hinges and hang the doggy door then replace the human door. Sealant may be necessary.

Using the Door

Your dog is not likely to know how to use the door immediately. It may take time and energy on your part. It will require dog training.

You need to go to the door. Call the dog to the flap. Order him or her to stay. Go outside, open the flap and call them through. This may not work immediately. Be patient and, when in doubt resort to other means.

If calling does not work, coax. Use a favorite toy or a treat. Lure your puppy through. Exert all the qualities you use in dog training. It may be challenging, but think of the rewards.

Once the dog is outside, play with him or her for a while. Wait while they do their thing. When it is time to go inside, reverse the process, coaxing the animal inside. Repeat the process a few times. Pin the door up to help encourage exiting and entering. When you feel the canine has “got it” drop the flap and see what happens.

The process will differ somewhat with an electronic door. The basic idea and method of dog training, however, will remain constant.

Final Comments

Over time, your pet will be zipping in and out. This will allow you to relax, knowing your pet is not waiting on your whims. The process of installation and training may be slower for some breeds than others. In the long run, your patience will be a virtue as your dog enjoys time and again controlling another aspect of his or her life. Doggie doors are truly a benefit for both you and your pet.
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Dog Collar Or Halti – Which Is Best?

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In the world of dogs, a dog collar is on way of training your dog. Traditionally, the battle for what is better has always been between the dog collar and the harness. In the past couple of decades, a new challenger has entered the scene. This is the dog halti.

Halti

A halti resembles a horse collar. It is also mistaken for a muzzle. The intent of a halti is to control the direction of your dog’s head. The premise is if you control the head, you control the body. As result, the halti leads the dog and controls its behavior in a gentle manner.

The halti is useful for controlling very active dogs. It works with a dog leash to train a dog to behave well when walking. Unlike a collar, you never leave a halti on all day. In fact, it works in conjunction with a dog collar to ensure your dog is safe.

A halti is gentle on the animal. Unlike a slip collar or collars in general, there is no hard pulling or choking. It is not, however, good for all dogs. If you have a small muzzled animal, a halti is not suitable.

Collar

A dog collar is a bare necessity of a dog’s life. Whereas many may argue against its usage for walking or training, you cannot replace it in terms of security or safety. A basic dog collar carries the essential ID of your dog. You may tattoo or implant your dog with identification, but a collar says it all. It is a visual representation. It immediately gains notice. It clearly identifies an animal as “belonging” to someone.

Collars function on other levels. Dogs wear different types of collars for training, casual wear and shows. Everyday collars differ according to finances and dog type. They also change according to fashion. Effectiveness enters the picture for training. Some dogs respond well to a leather flat or rolled collar and leash combination. Others may require a choke or half slip collar.

At a show, some dogs wear a dog collar sparkle-style, glittery or noticeable collars, while others sport collars that highlight their qualities. Glittering and cutsey collars find their way as expressions of the owner. Some people coordinate their dog’s collars to suit their own human fashion. This is not necessary, but may be amusing or silly. It depends upon the viewpoint.

Final Remarks

A halti and a collar are both means of controlling or managing the behavior of a dog. Haltis provide a gentle way to address behavioral problems. Collars utilize more force. Each has its own distinct approach to training and to your life with your dog. Haltis and collars are not for every single animal. Collars are, however, a clearly accepted form of identifying a dog as “owned” and not a stray. In reality, both have benefits and faults. Whatever you choose as “best”, halti or dog collar, do so in the best interests of the dog.
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Leashes (Leads) – Do They Really Make a Training Difference?

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Dog leashes are usually on the list of the essential equipment of a dog, particularly urban residents. Dog leads provide security and ensure safety of your animal when you walk along busy streets or in crowds. It is hard to lose an animal if you have it on the end of a leash. Yet is it essential to use a dog leash during training?

Leashes

Dog leads or leashes come in all types. You have the extending leashes allowing your animal some freedom to explore while curtailing it quickly if there are signs of trouble. You have short leather leashes. You also have dog leashes of nylon, wire and other materials. They come in all different colors, lengths and suit different types of dogs, people and budgets.

Dog leash training usually asks for a more expensive and longer leash. The standard dog leash for training is 6-feet (2 meters). Many favor leather. It is easier on the hands. Leather is also durable, strong and long lasting. Plastic and blends can hurt the hands. Chain leashes are totally impractical. In fact, chains may scare or startle a young dog or puppy.

The thickness of the training leash depends upon eh size and type of dog. Average width is best for average dogs. If you have a pulling do, you will need a wider leash. In all cases, you must have a sturdy snap.

The Purpose of a Dog Leash

Leashes provide safety for your dog in public. They can act as a security blanket for both you and your dog. You each know where the other is at all times. It is also a way of keeping control of a situation where your dog may be fine, but other people are not in control of themselves or their children’s behavior.

Using leashes for training is one means of ensuring learning in a dog. It has its supporters. Leashes in training help control the situation in an open field or other climate. They ensure your dog does not become easily distracted and pays attention to the training lesson of the day.

Sort recalls on leash help establish a pattern. They set the environment for long recalls without a leash. Extending leashes and lunge lines may also play a part of formal training. Lung lines are light and lengthy.

Why or Why Not Use a Dog Leash

There are those who consider dog leashes a crutch. They see them as a weakness creating a strong dependency for the trainer. The dog may realize this and take advantage. Some recommend the use of a clicker or alternative forms of training. The clicker, coupled with a reward system encourages the dog to stay close and perform the right moves. You must perform all off leash training in a controlled environment. A backyard or fenced in area is essential to prevent possible injury or loss.

Training with a leash is seen essential by many trainers. Most also believe the final goal of leash training is for you and the dog to walk without a leash. Yet, leash trainers will argue a leash is essential in the learning process. To an extent, they are right. At shows, dogs need to perform on a leash. Dogs need to show the judge they are comfortable and responsive on a leash.

In a city, leash laws are in place. If your dog cannot walk on a leash, no matter how well behaved it may be, you face a fine. Furthermore, the average dog person may not be adept at preventing their pet from spooking against the unexpected. The leash provides security against such problems.

Final Comments

Dog leashes serve a part of dog training. You may not need one to train your dog, but you need to train your dog to behave on one. Safety concerns and security reasons are at the basis for this requirement of dog training. This may not seem fair to those who see leashes as restrictive and unnecessary, but in today’s urban world, dog leashes are the law.
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