Dogs

5 Most Common Dog Behavior Issues & DIY Dog Training Tips From Cesar Millan

2009-11-20T19:58:00Z

Are you having some behavioral issues with your dog? You're not alone.

Good news: the Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan takes on the most common issues that dog owners experience in his Common Canine Misbehaviors DVD.

It's the 5th DVD in the Mastering Leadership complete 5-volume set.

According to Cesar, the 5 most common issues owners face with their dogs are:

Aggression Toward Other Dogs - Your dog mirrors what you are feeling. Remember to stay calm when your dog behaves aggressively.
Overexcitement Or Hyperactivity - Your dog is not being challenged enough. Try giving your dog more exercise throughout the day.
Barking When You're Gone - It's also known as separation anxiety. Don't make a big deal when you leave.
Barking At Specific Things - Correct the behavior. Take time to simulate whatever makes him bark and work him through his anxieties.
Problems On Walks - You should always be the clear leader when on walks. Your dog should be next to you not ahead of you.

We've just skimmed the surface here in terms of dealing with those 5 behavior problems. For even more detailed DIY dog training tips regarding these "misbehaviors," check out K9 Magazine's summary of Cesar's newest DVD.

Here's our review of Cesar Millan's Mastering Leadership DVD Series (Volumes 1-3).

VIDEO: 4 Simple Steps When Crate Training Your Dog

2009-11-19T15:35:29Z

Using a crate from the first days that you bring your new puppy home will go a long way toward raising a well-mannered, self-confident dog.

A crate will also help to keep your puppy safe and out of trouble. Not to mention the fact that crates are also useful when your trying to housebreak your dog.

The fact is, dogs actually like small enclosed places. They make a dog feel safe. And dogs like to know their boundaries (so to speak). If you use a crate, then you are giving your dog a "den" to call his own.

The following video provides some great tips on how to train your puppy to stay in his crate. There are 4 simple steps that you should use when crate training your new puppy:

Treat outside of the crate - Give your puppy treats outside of the crate to get him use to simply being around it.
Treat part way inside the crate - Put a treat just inside the door of the crate and allow your dog to get it on his own. DO NOT shut the door behind him.
Treat further & further inside the crate - Keep putting the treat further back in the crate until you get your dog going all the way to the back -- comfortably.
Longer lasting treat - Use a treat that takes your dog longer to chew. Put the treat in the crate. When your dog enters the crate and starts eating the treat, then shut the door calmly. Before your dog is done eating the treat, open the door and let your dog choose whether he stays inside or comes right out.

Crate training your dog will not happen in one day. It may take up to a week (or two!). But with a little time, your puppy will come to be comfortable in his crate and he will use it regularly -- on his own!

Now, see those steps in action:

In order to survive the ups & downs of kennel training, remember to keep things positive (including yoru attitude and your dog's rewards). Your puppy needs to know that only wonderful things happen inside the crate.

Dog Shedding 101: Tips To Eliminate Dog Fur Bunnies

2009-11-18T19:23:39Z

Are you embarrassed to have guests over because of all the dog fur lying around?

Trust me, you're not alone. Sometimes it can seem like a never ending battle trying to keep the fur bunnies under control!

Unless you have a low-shedding dog, most dogs with fur will continue to shed all throughout their lives.

Perhaps you will never eliminate all of those darn things from your home completely, but there are a few things you can do that will give you peace of mind knowing that you are doing everything you can to keep them under control.

Try this:

Damp Paper Towel - Try using a damp paper towel to capture the largest clumps of fur you see lying around. Just scoop them up with the paper towel and dispose of them.
Bathe Dog Regularly - Giving your dog a bath regularly will get rid of a lot of loose fur and dander.
Brush Dog Regularly - As time-consuming as it might seem, try brushing your dog once a day to help keep the loose fur from flying around the house. (He will love the extra attention.)

Here are 4 more ways to tame pet fur tumbleweeds around the house.

Still looking for other ways to get rid of dog fur? Check out these tools to help you deal with dog fur.

VIDEO: Tips For Training Dogs To Come When Called

2009-11-17T17:19:41Z

Do you have a problem with your dog not wanting to come back to you once he is off of his leash? Or does your dog not stick around your house when he goes outside?

The following video points out a couple of tips for keeping your dog from running away from you. It will take some time, but in the end you should have a dog that does not run away.

Tip #1: If at home, set a boundary for your dog. You might want to put up a sturdy fence. Make sure there are no holes that your dog can get through.

Tip #2: If out in public, use a long leash -- about 20 to 30-feet long. Allow your dog to get a little ways away from you, then give the leash a little tug and tell your dog come at the same time. Make sure to praise your dog for coming to you.

Once you have the come command mastered, try teaching your dog some other basic commands.

Here are 101 dog tricks you can teach your dog.

How To Keep Your Dog Off Furniture In The House

2009-11-16T15:05:44Z

Do you allow your dog to get up on the furniture? Or do you want your dog to stay on the floor at all times?

If you are wanting your dog to stay off the furniture, then you should be clear about that from the day you bring him home.

Here are the 2 basic things you need to do when training your dog to stay off the furniture:

Any time you find your dog on the furniture, gently remove him off of the furniture. If you're dealing with a larger dog, try to lure him off of the furniture instead of moving him off yourself.

TIP: Everyone in the house has to cooperate with this little training exercise! Otherwise, you may find your dog on your furniture simply due to the fact that people are not consistently telling him not to get on the furniture.

Remember to give your dog a reward every time he performs the behavior you want!

If your dog is older than a puppy and already has a habit of getting up on the furniture, then it will be more difficult to train him to stay off. You may want to try and block off the room with a baby gate or look into using a scat mat. Another thing you can do is compromise. Try using slip covers on your furniture. This way, the dog can be on the furniture and the furniture can stay fur free!

If you are like me and allow your dogs on the furniture, then you run the risk of having fur everywhere. There are a few simple tools you can try to help you deal with dog fur.

Dog Potty Training Tips - How To Potty Train Your New Puppy

2009-11-15T15:04:26Z

One of the first things you will want to teach your puppy from the minute you bring him home is to go potty outside.

The following video points out the 4 basic steps to potty train your puppy. With a little time and a lot of patience, you can teach your puppy to potty outside -- instead of inside the house!

The 4 steps mentioned in the video:

Prevent the problem - never allow your puppy to potty inside. Always have proper supervision until your dog is old enough to tell you when he has to go outside.
Encourage proper behavior - provide praise and rewards for going potting outside... every single time.
Correct bad behavior - if caught in the act, give your puppy a firm NO and take him outside to finish.
Have a schedule - have your puppy on a regular feeding and potty schedule. That way, he will start to get used to the times when he's expected to go outside.

If you are looking for another way to potty train your dog, try a dog litter box. This would work great for smaller dogs.

Should You Vaccinate Your Dog Against The Dog Flu?

2009-11-14T15:16:54Z

Did you know there is a flu virus called H3N8 that dogs can get?

H3N8 is also known as the dog flu and it is a variation of the horse flu. This flu virus was found in 2003 in the Greyhound racing community and has since spread to household dogs.

Veterinarians are urging pet owners to get their dogs vaccinated against the H3N8 virus. They say that anywhere from 8% to 10% of dogs that get sick from dog flu may die from it.

Remember, if your dog is sick you need to keep him away from healthy dogs so they do not catch whatever he's got, especially if it's the dog flu.

If you think your dog might be sick, but your vet's office is closed, you can find a pet emergency treatment center near you.

VIDEO: The Best Dog Grooming Tools To Brush Out Your Dog

2009-11-13T15:42:56Z

Do you have to take your dog to the groomers to get out his mats?

Wouldn't it be nice if you could do this yourself, instead of having to pay the dog groomer?

This video shows you which dog grooming tools you need to brush out your dog. You'll see how to get out mats and the importance of using different brushes and combs when grooming your dog.

Who knows, you may never have to go to the dog groomer again!

Here are the dog grooming tools mentioned in the video:

Universal Brush - to brush the fur in the same direction
De-matting Comb - to penetrate the fur all the way down to the skin
Rake - to check your work
Stripping Comb - to get out the matted undercoat
Comb - to check your work one last time

If you're not ready to go all out and take on the full head-to-toe grooming sessions yourself just yet, then the Furminator is a great dog grooming tool that will get you by between trips to the dog groomers.

Does Your Dog Have Cancer? - Here's How To Explore Your Options & What To Do Next

2009-11-12T16:44:05Z

Dogs get cancer, too.

If you just recently found out that your dog has cancer, then you may be feeling hopeless. You probably have a lot of questions.

The first thing you want to do is educate yourself about the particular cancer that your dog has. Ask your vet to explain things to you -- in detail. That's what they're there for!

Still have questions? Check out books at the library or go online and do some research.

The treatment chosen to help your dog will be determined by his age, his health and the type of cancer your dog has. The 3 ways most commonly used to treat cancer in dogs are:

Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy

So, be sure to explore each of those options ahead of time, as well.

There are several different things that can cause cancer in dogs. For example, sunburns are one of the many things that can lead to cancer in dogs. Here are tips for preventing sunburns in dogs.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking At The Same Noises All The Time

2009-11-11T15:33:57Z

Does your dog bark at the same thing every single day -- like the washing machine, for example?

Do you wish you had a way to keep your dog from barking during those times?

This video shows how to change your dog's response at those times by simply "conditioning" your dog to behave differently in those situations.

You ultimately want your dog to be in the presence of whatever makes them bark all the time -- without them feeling like they have worrying about it, or bark at it.

Here's how to do it:

Identify the particular noise which causes your dog to bark.
Reinforce your dog in those situations before your dog starts to bark.
Interrupt your dog when they start barking at that noise so the dog's attention is on you, not the noise.
Prevent barking when you're not around by leaving the TV on or preventing your dog's access to the noise.

If your dog barks at more than just the same noise every time, here are 3 easy step to stop your dog from barking in other situations.

How Dogs Communicate - Learn To Read Your Dog's Body Language

2009-11-10T15:54:29Z

Dogs communicate with us in their very own way.

For example, most people know that when a dog has his ears back he is telling you to stay away. There are several different signs that dogs give us to let us know what they are thinking.

Learning what your dog is trying to say is not a science. You simply have to pay attention to your dog's very subtle signs and cues.

Here are a few dog signs to watch for if you want to learn to speak dog:

Tail Wagging: slow and high is a sign that he's telling you to leave him alone
Eye Blinking: it's a sign of submission
Hackles Up: he's ready to fight or telling you to back off

In addition to those dog signs, there are other tail wagging behaviors that can indicate if your dog is fearful or happy.

Have you figured out your dog's own signs yet?

Top 21 Symptoms That Can Be Life Threatening To Your Dog

2009-11-09T15:26:51Z

Keeping an eye on your dog for illness can be stressful. Knowing what symptoms to watch for can get a little tricky.

Keep in mind there are 21 symptoms that can indicate a life threatening problem. With a watch full eye and the knowledge of what to look for, you will know when your dog is sick.

Here are a few symptoms to watch out for:

Not Eating or Lose of Appetite
Your dog have Red eye
Jaundice

If your dog is sick and you are unable to make it to the vet, look for a vet that makes house calls. You can also look for a mobile vet.

How To Make Dog Toys From Tennis Balls

2009-11-08T15:51:53Z

Thinking of buying your dog a new toy?

Why not make your own dog toys at home instead?

The following video shows a couple of different dog toys you can make using everyday tennis balls!

The best thing about making your own dog toys is that it's cheaper than buying them from the store.

Items you will need to make your own homemade dog toys are:

Tennis balls
Sock
Rope
Bell

Here are some more free and cheap dog toys you can make yourself. Your dog will love you for it!

Winter Hazards For Dogs - How To Keep Your Dog Safe In The Cold

2009-11-07T15:59:25Z

Trying to keep your dog safe and warm during the winter months can be a little bit of a challenge sometimes.

Keep in mind, there are several winter hazards that can harm your dog. With a few precautionary measures, you will keep your dog warm and healthy.

Here are some tips to keep your dog safe this winter:

Do not leave your dog outside without a heated shelter.
Small dogs need to have sweaters or jackets.
Keep an eye on your dog's feet.
Keep antifreeze off the garage floor and other places where your dog could get it.

One idea you might want to try: keep your dog's feet warm with a pair of dog boots!

PetSafe Invisible Fences: In-Ground & Wireless Systems

2009-11-06T20:56:52Z

PetSafe products are but one small portion of a large family of pet containment products made by the Radio Systems Corporation. Other brand names that fall under the same company are:

In general, invisible fences are designed to keep your dog restricted to a designated area without the need for physical fence barriers or other types of mechanical barriers that may be less than pleasing to the eye.

There are 2 different styles of invisible fences, and PetSafe manufactures both types:

In-ground invisible fence systems

Wireless invisible fence systems

]]> PetSafe In-Ground Invisible Fence

For the in-ground system, a wire will be buried underground around the perimeter of the desired containment area.

The wire acts as a transmitting antenna and is attached to the transmitter.

The dog wears a special collar with a receiver attached. This battery-operated radio receiver will pickup the signal transmitted through the underground wire as the dog approaches his designated boundary.

The first warning will be an audible beeping from the collar at a level the dog can easily hear. If the dog continues closer to the buried wire, he will receive a mild shock through 2 contact points that protrude through the collar and rub against the dog's neck.

Of course, the receiver on the collar is battery-operated. You can get replacement batteries individually or you can sign up for PetSafe's 1-year replacement battery plan where they will send you new batteries at the recommended replacement interval.

In short order the dog will learn that proceeding past the audible warning will result in an electrical shock and shortly he will stay within the designated borders without further shocking.

PetSafe Wireless Invisible Fence

With the wireless system, you have no buried wires. Intead, you have a radio transmitter that sends a signal over a small, adjustable range.

The collar operates the same as with the in-ground system, but instead of activating when you approach the buried wire, it will activate as you approach the set distance from the transmitter.

This makes pet containment an instant-on quick and easy operation. Just plug it in and set the maximum distance allowed and you're done.

PetSafe offers a wide variety of invisible fence accessories and replacement components for both types of their electronic pet containment systems. Extra collars, broken wire break locaters, wire, flag kits, and much more.

With their extensive dealer organization, finding a PetSafe authorized retailer near you is as simple as entering your zip code.

Training Your Dog To Use A PetSafe Invisible Fence

When it comes to invisible fence products, PetSafe is a brand that has been around for many years.

They rely on extensive testing and research to ensure that their products are top of the line.

Your dog will be safely contained within a PetSafe invisible fence. Of course, you will have to spend some time getting your dog used to the invisible fence system and your dog's new boundaries.

PetSafe experts are available to guide you through it.

Photo credit: Weatherfish