Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category

1. HOW TO RAISE A PUPPY YOU CAN LIVE WITH, 4TH EDITION by Clarice Rutherford & David Neil

This puppy book starts way back with your breeder and steps you through all the processes to make sure you can raise a puppy the right way. It touches on the subjects of selecting breeders, bonding with puppies, discipline, house training, tricks and simple commands.

RAW DOG FOOD: MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG by Carina Beth MacDonald

This offbeat, light read received the Dog Writers of America Award for Best Book Under 100 pages for the year 2003. It is a funny, informative book on how raw diets can actually benefit dogs while being cost-efficient at the same time. This is a must-read book for those grappling with their dog’s diet.

2. CAUTIOUS CANINE, 2ND EDITION by Patricia McConnell

This book is so handy it could even benefit people. Patricia McConnell walks the reader through training techniques such as counter conditioning and desensitization to deal with behavioral problems and phobias. It works with people too.

3. RALLY-O: THE STYLE OF RALLY OBEDIENCE, 3RD EDITION by Charles ‘Bud’ Kramer

Rally obedience advocates an exciting and fun approach to Dog Obedience. It’s a surefire way for the dog and its owner to enjoy their training sessions. If one were to look for an effective, non-burdensome way to train to dogs, this should be in their shelves.  ONE ON ONE – A DOG TRAINER’S GUIDE TO PRIVATE TRAINING by Nicole Wilde

An intimate training guide to those new to one-on-one training sessions. It is an easily understandable, yet comprehensive guide to private training and focuses on the intricacies of the training psyche and the dog’s response to such.

POSITIVE PERSPECTIVES: LOVE YOUR DOG, TRAIN YOUR DOG by Pat Miller

Almost a book about children. This groundbreaking read will change the way you view pet behavior management and pet upbringing. This comprehensive course emphasizes the emotional aspect of training and behavior modification. Also in this book: vaccination, training with treats, and housetraining.

BRINGING LIGHT TO SHADOW – A DOG TRAINER’S DIARY by Pamela Dennison

An inspirational story of how one trainer refused to give up on an ill-tempered dog with behavioral problems. It is a diary of sorts that deals with the issues, frustrations, solutions, and the patience it takes for one to deal with such difficult dogs. It is a fascinating read that should inspire every dog trainer.

Jenny Styles
http://www.articlesbase.com/Pets-articles/best-selling-dog-books-444028.html

As Work at Home Moms, we talk about our “Why” as a positive thing. Our “Why” is our purpose, our reason, our muse. We refer to our ‘Why’ when we need inspiration or motivation to reach outside our comfort zone, to try a little harder, to keep going even when it’s hard. Our ‘Why’ helps us to succeed.

Today I was asking “Why work from home” in a slightly different tone. Today, I am home with a sick puppy and am up to my eyeballs in puppy puke.

I’m new to this puppy thing. I was warned up and down about how much work a puppy is, and I thought “I have two children. How hard can a puppy possibly be?!” Well, one difference is that newborn babies aren’t born with fangs — at least mine weren’t. So, in between changing the gauze patches on my shredded arms (those teeth are sharp!), and hours of Puppy School, I fell in love with this furry beast. He was added to my list of “Why’s”.

So, today, while I was composing my work at home mom newsletter, in the background I hear my furr-ball start to vomit — again. The thought that ran through my mind initially was not a happy “Why”. It was more like:

* “WHY in the world am I home to deal with this while my husband gets to sit in a quiet office all day?”

* “WHY isn’t HE dealing with cleaning up the 8th pile of yucky stuff?”

* “WHY don’t I get any peace and quiet while I work?!”

After I cleaned up the puppy, rubbed his head and got him clean blankets, threw in another load of laundry, and climbed into bed with my sick 7 year old and my 3 year old to read stories, I had time to collect my thoughts. A little bit (ok, a LOT) of puppy puke was sure worth it

And, later, when I made my phone call to my husband to tell him about our day, it wasn’t the puppy-puke I was telling him about….

I told him how our daughter said that she wanted to plant some jelly beans to grow a jelly bean tree. And, how the kids were playing the game of Life and I overheard their rules. They decided that the person who got the most parents into the car won. That’s why I stay at home.

And, if a furry little tail starts wagging when I walk into the room? Well, that’s sure an added bonus.

So, the next time your warm and loving “Why” turns into a plea for help, take a deep breath and think of all the memories you would be missing — both good and not-so-good, if you weren’t a work at home mom.

Henning Parr
http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/working-from-home-make-money-online-717792.html

There are a lot of methods for Potty Training; one that is worth taking into account is Dr. Phil’s technique. Make a start by getting an anatomically correct doll. This will set as the example for your child. This technique takes into account that your child, at this stage, has the desire to imitate adults especially you as parents. You can use the doll to teach your child, by exemplifying, how to use the toilet.

Give the doll a name. Let your child give the name for the model. Your child will regard the model as his best pal for her to follow.

Offer it a drink. Soon after drinking, have the doll walk toward the potty chair. Pull down its big-kid underwear. Let it use the potty. By presenting a different routine, she will be attracted in learning the whole process in a new light. And it is easier for her to follow because of the visual representation.

After a successful use of the potty, help your child throw a party for the doll. With balloons, a cake and by wearing party hats, you show her that the success is such a big deal.

Praise the doll and let your child be envy about it. While holding the party, let your toddler be familiar with the situation where she too will have a special potty party if successful.

So move on and commence the toilet training. Throw out all the diapers if let your child feel that there is no back-up plan for this. You will also get rid of temptation to revert back to diapers. Then have your child in new big kid underwear. Have her potty training doll companion in big kid underwear too.

Offering your child plenty of fluids maximizes the opportunity for your child to succeed at using the potty. This will make her need to go more often. Offer her a drink on a regular basis, say every hour, to encourage the most probability to be successful.

Every half hour remind your child to use the toilet. If she forgot and wets herself, don’t scold her, instead support her to practice. By walking to the potty and sitting on it ten times, this will build muscle memory on her so that next time, her body knows what to do.

When your child accomplishes the training successfully, it is the moment for that promised potty party. Wear the party hats and bring out the cake and balloons. Make a celebration of her achievement. Maintain the regular offers to use the toilet and congratulate each victorious attempt.

By following the Dr. Phil method, every child can be trained to use the potty in just a day. As a parent, you have to be consistent and keep on praising your child’s efforts. With the first success, you are getting closer to a diaper-free child. As our children develop from babies to active diaper-free toddlers, we will soon realize the delight of not having any more diapers to change. So go on, test the Dr. Phil’s method now.

Paul Easton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/oneday-dr-phil-potty-training-723976.html

It doesn’t matter what type of dog training help your looking for, For instance it might be,Petsmart dog training, boyton dog train, train dog to stop barking, training older dogs, train loud barking dogs, dog unrinary problems, training a loud barking dog, or how to train a pitbull.

If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don’t have the time or the inclination, then you may wish to consider the use of a professional dog trainer. Professional dog trainers are also a great benefit if you have a particularly difficult or unruly dog with bad behavior problems. But, how do you go about choosing a good dog trainer?Going online and finding a successful dog training system or book has been the answer to many, finding somthing that teaches you how to train your companion rite at home is probably want you want.

Possibly one of the best ways to find a good dog trainer would be to look online for recommendations from dog training review websites. And find a petsmart dog training system or ebook that have had experience with the product and have sevral satisfied customers, and or recomendations. Other good sources are veterinarians, dog breeders, and pet storeowners who will have been asked similar questions before. By asking around, you can find out which trainers are most highly regarded in your area.

If you do decide to shop online and purchase a dog training package, for whatever your reason might be, train dog to stop barking, training older dogs, dog urinary problems, to training a loud barking dog, and how to train a pitbull. Make sure you find the right dog training package thats right for you and your dog. It would be much easyer to shop from a review site as they would give you the most options to choose from. Thats right for you.

The longer the dog trainer has been in service, or online review websites that supply you with the best thats around is a good indication of their successes. After all, it’s unlikely their business would have survived without clients who were happy to pay for the service they received.

Dogs are creatures of habit. Every part of their daily life revolves around an internal schedule and routine. They anticipate the return of their owners at a certain time of day and know that meal times occur regularly. Once trained, they will even exhibit certain behaviors to mark these times of day, such as bringing their empty food dish to their master or waiting near the door for their owners return. And finding the right way to teach your dog should not be difficult.

Dog Training Can be Fun

As a new dog owner and trainer, you may find yourself a bit overwhelmed at first. Do not be discouraged by this. It is quite common and shows a healthy concern for your pets well being. This being said there are a few very simple rules to remember when training your pet.

Rewarding your dog is the best motivator when training. It is well known that using rewards and other positive reinforcement when obedience training a dog is the most effective method and achieves the best results. You can make obedience training fun for the dog – and yourself too – by making a game of it. This makes both your dog and you, as the trainer, more willing and motivated to give it your all. Incorporate a period of play at the start and the end of each training session to ensure that the session ends positively. Teaching your dog to heel is the most basic of all the obedience commands. This refers to having the dog walk along with you on a loose lead. Heeling is generally the first obedience behavior taught to a dog, and it is easy to teach this using reward training.

Always give your dog lots of praise, treats, toys, and other rewards when he or she does what is expected. Dogs learn best when desired behavior is rewarded in a positive manner. Positive reinforcement means that when a dog does what the trainer wants, the dog receives a reward. This can be a pat on the head or a treat or toy of some kind. If the dog shows even the slightest attempt to please you, especially at the beginning of training, you should lavish positive reinforcement on him or her.

Dogs must learn to associate rewards with good behaviors and reprimands with undesirable behaviors. It is difficult to change any negative associations once they have taken hold. It’s easier to train the dog properly in the first place than to try and retrain him later. You should teach your dog to associate behaviors like coming when called, heeling, and sitting on command, with the happy and fun times you shared during training.

Obedience training will ensure a happy and healthy relationship between the dog owner and the dog. This is just another example of how important dog care is.

Dog Training Shouldnt be a hassel It can be fun

Adam Archer
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/stop-searching-training-your-dog-can-be-fun-106362.html

A lot of new canine owners would probably agree that training a dog has its challenges and taking care of them is a not so easy duty. Imaginably the most consequential part of owning a dog is discipline. Being a pet owner, dog obedience becomes solely your responsibility.

Because dogs have a different type of disposition that not all dog owners understand, the job of disciplining one typically seems overwhelming, frustrating and sometimes even impossible. A lot of people consider to hire an adept dog trainer, believing they can’t do it themselves.

This may be quite a considerable investment. At any rate, it’ll certainly not go unrewarded if your pet discontinues her bad behavior problems and becomes the well-trained pet that you wished her to be. Dog Obedience from an early age is integral for success.

But, not all canine owners can afford to hire a dog trainer. If possible, you should strive yourself to give your dog obedience training to instill auspicious behavior. You’ve got the fortuity to further bond with your pet and instruct him just the way you want him to be.

You wouldn’t want to compromise all that money layed out on dog training just to discover your dog picking up bad habits again. That’s why it’s essential to educate yourself also. Train to be the trainer – it’s easier than you imagine.

Spending your own time to dog train could be very rewarding for you and your pet. More so than just the fact you’re saving money, dogs love to interact with their owners. It’s their disposition to serve and to please their alpha (you – their leader), and so they’ll surely be receptive to the attention you’re giving to them.

Before you even start to train your pet, it’s crucial that you take into consideration that any behavior conditions he may seem to display are not really problems – but are dog instincts. What you’ll be instructing your pet is how to act favorably in your home and around others so that he doesn’t give you any trouble.

First you should learn more about your pet’s nature, including the attributes of a specific breed, so that you are aware of what to watch for and how to accommodate your obedience training depending on your dog’s tendencies.

Afterwards comes building communication between yourself and your pet with a simple but consistent language that she’ll learn to respond correctly to. Aside from consistency, resoluteness is another precondition for giving commands.

While dogs wish to please its owner, they also have the tendency to challenge you for the position of dominance if you haven’t yet established it. Once you can communicate efficiently with your pet, it will be easier to command her and fix her bad habits.

If you feel up to the challenge of training your own dog, you should look for a reliable and viable dog obedience guide that teaches you the basics as well as the further advanced techniques of correcting inappropriate dog behavior.

Sit-Stay-Fetch is a marvelous guidebook that is comprehensive – covering all relevant Dog Training matters such as; controlling unnecessary barking, curbing threatening behavior and teaching the simplest commands.

Alan Largo
http://www.articlesbase.com/Pets-articles/is-your-dog-embarrassing-you-get-him-under-your-control-in-less-than-2-weeks-417459.html

With New Year’s having rolled around, it’s resolution time. If you’ve been living with a dog that has behavior issues, then one of your resolutions is likely to be getting your dog trained.

There are several good options available for training. You can buy a book, enroll in a dog obedience class, go online, or even have someone come to your home to assess and train your dog. To figure out which option is right for you, there are a few things you need to know.

First, the most important aspect of dog training is obedience. Basic obedience covers commands such as Sit, Come Here, and Stay, but it also refers to your right as the dog’s owner and pack leader to select the rules that you want him to follow, including appropriate behavior around other dogs, people, and animals.

Second, dogs learn to respect the people that train them. One of the subtle benefits of training is that it is time you spend instructing your dog. Being in charge establishes you as the pack leader and makes it easier for you to get your dog to be obedient.

Third, dog training is an incremental process. This means that you build a well trained, obedient dog one day at a time. This holds true regardless of whether you’re a novice dog owner or a seasoned dog trainer. A seasoned, skilled dog trainer can often create instant changes in the dog’s behavior, but those changes will only stick if the training is continued on an incremental basis. Otherwise the improvements will soon disappear.

Taking these three things together, what they tell you is that dogs learn to be obedient a little bit at a time, that they respect the one who teaches them, and that these short, easy training sessions are what leads to a well trained dog.

The good news is that those are all things you can do.

Books are good because you can study on your own time and at your own pace. There are many topics and authors available, so you can be selective and read up on the topic that concerns you the most. Popular authors include Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, and cesar millan.

The downside to books is that you have to pick out the knowledge you need, which can be a challenge if you’re unfamiliar with dog training. The better authors attempt to solve this problem by providing chapter highlights, tables, and takeaways.

DVD’s provide visual instruction on how to interact with your dog. That can be helpful when you are learning the importance of body language, both yours and the dog’s. DVD’s downside is that the information provided is often slim as the time constraints and script limitations lead to overly concise information. In addition, good DVD’s tend to be on the expensive side as they are produced by professional dog trainers who don’t have the capital or market to make lots of copies, instead selling fewer DVD’s at a higher price to match expenses with income and leave a little profit to make it worth their while.

Online programs provide the convenience of accessing the information wherever and whenever you want. A well organized online program provides visual instruction, detailed information, and an opportunity to interact with the site’s community. Dog Academy offers personalized, free online training courses. You can check out the <a href=”http://students.dogacademy.com/assessment.aspx” target=”blank”>Dog Behavior Assessment Form</a> here and enroll in your personalized training program.

Online training, books, and DVD’s are not well suited for handling extreme cases. All three are best suited for normal to disobedient dogs that have problems but that aren’t a real threat to family members or other living beings.

Dog training classes provide a place to go and work with a dog trainer. The trainer will provide an outline for the class as a whole as well as for the individual classes. She will lead the group through the basic commands, imparting wisdom and giving helpful advice throughout. The benefits of dog training classes are access to a trainer, the opportunity for your dog to meet other dogs, and the chance to ask direct questions.

The downside to Dog Obedience classes is that the more disobedient your dog is going in, the harder the sessions will be on you. Some people end up so distracted by their dog’s antics that they hardly get a chance to learn from the trainer. You also have to travel to the training location.

In-home training sessions are an appropriate option for dogs with major issues. A certified dog trainer, often an expert in the problem area, visits you at your home, observes the dog in the natural environment, and then makes recommendations on how you can solve the problem. The trainer will work with the dog in your presence, showing you how to make effective changes.

The downside to in-home sessions is the price. People pay for in-home sessions when the dog’s behavior has rendered other solutions ineffective.

Each of these options has its benefits and drawbacks. But don’t let that discourage you. With a small time investment of only 10 minutes a day, you can improve your dog’s obedience through training (and don’t forget to provide some exercise for your dog!)

Jon Dakins
http://www.articlesbase.com/Pets-articles/getting-started-with-training-your-dog-720727.html

Pet owners are very loyal to their pets and there is nothing a pet owner will do to make sure their pet lives long and is healthy. Instead of buying a more than one puppy it is better to purchase a single puppy this way the puppy will have a better chance bonding with the owner and it will be easier to will bond to its owner better and will be easier to train than having many puppies. Avoid the temptation of buying two or more puppies. Depending on the breed, the best time to purchase a puppy is between 7-9 weeks of age. The puppy should get used to being around people and other dogs. Your puppy should not be allowed to roam the house freely until he is properly housetrained. A common misconception is that healthy dogs and cats must eat every day when in fact they do not. Smaller breeds are an exception, but even then pet owners must take care not to overfeed.

For a little bit of responsibility, time, and money on your part, you and your family will get a lifetime of love and unconditional adoration. The positive effect a dog can have on your family is amazing.

With all animals make sure the water and food bowls are cleaned regularly, the reason for this is to keep them free from germs and bacteria. Place your pets bowl so it is not in the way of walkways or in places where someone could knock into it. Keeping the area sanitized will help keep your pet healthy. Since medicines for Pets are not easily distributed, it would help if you would also ask your veterinarian where the drug shops for pet care are.

Many dogs and even cats become very attached to children. Parasites that are internal and external are mainly responsible for illnesses and diseases seen in the large population of dogs. The common dog flea is the number one health problem facing these pets.

Your pet should exercise and it is important for your pet to eat well. Make sure your pet has clean water and a comfortable place to live. Just like people, pets need the proper exercise.

Vegetables and some fruit in your dog’s diet and a small quantity of such can provide many of these active compounds. For any weight loss program, human or animal, diet is the first essential part.

A pet tag is a very affordable way to help keep your pet around for many years to come. Pet name tags can also be chosen from a variety of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass and even plastic. You want to make sure that your pet tag is made durable enough to last many years, and will not fade or rust. You want to make sure that your pet tag is made durable enough to last many years, and will not fade or rust. 90 percent of pets carrying an identification tag will return to their homes. You should always make sure your pet/dog is wearing his/her id collar tag, the contact information on the tag should be up to date just in case your dog is missing. The ID tag should have your pet’s name, destination address, your name and telephone number.

David Fishman
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/care-for-your-new-pet-138963.html

Many dog owners find that their efforts toward training their pet are greatly aided by the use of a training collar. There are many types of collars available and each employs a different mechanism meant to guide your pet, restrain him or discourage bad or disobedient behavior. Some training collars can harm a dog if they are not used appropriately or are the wrong size; so, you should research training collars thoroughly before choosing one and consult with a training expert if you are unfamiliar with how to use a chosen collar. Some common Dog Training collars are: the prong collar, the Halti, the Gentle Leader, the choke collar and the electronic collar.

Prong Collar

The prong collar looks a lot more painful to the dog than it actually is. This collar is made up of metal prongs that have been linked together. When you apply a pulling pressure to the collar (via the leash), it gives the dog a little pinch that is meant to duplicate the effect of a mother dog’s teeth when she grabs here pup by the scruff of the neck. The prong collar is a safe and effective training tool as long as the fit is correct and the collar is used appropriately. The prong collar should not be used if your dog is one to consistently yank at his leash.

The prong collar should fit snugly against the dog’s neck. As most prong collars can be adjusted by simply adding or subtracting prongs, the correct fit should be easy to achieve. A properly fitted collar should leave approximately half of a finger space in between your dog’ss neck and the prong tip. A collar that is any looser than that will not do its job and will needlessly chafe the dog’s skin.

Halti and Gentle Leader

Both the Halti and Gentle Leader head halter devices look a lot like the harnesses that are used to control horses. While the prong collar is designed to condition behavior and movement, the head halter is designed to restrict or restrain your dog’s movements. The thought behind the halter’s design is that if you can control the head, the body will follow its movement. When you pull on the attached leash the device closes the dog’s mouth and restrains his head. These types of collars are great for dogs that lunge, bite or display other aggressive behaviors.

There are drawbacks, however, to using a head halter device. Most dogs will not take very easily to any device that positions a strap over its nose. You may have to struggle with your dog many, many times before he will submit to wearing it. Another drawback is that pulling at your dog’s head makes it a lot more likely that you will inadvertently injure the dog’s neck or back. To avoid injury, you should always make sure you are restraining your dog in the correct manner.

Choke Collar

The choke collar is one of those dog training devices that is often surrounded by controversy. Proponents of the choke collar point to its humane effectiveness, while critics say that the collar is more torture device than training tool. The truth is that what the collar becomes is largely dependent upon who is using it.

A properly fitted choke collar works by tightening around the dog’s throat when the trainer pulls on the leash and then releasing pressure when the trainer does. If the collar is not put on correctly, however, the pressure will remain and the dog could truly choke to death. These collars are not meant for dogs that consistently pull at their leash or for inexperienced trainers. As is the case with head halters, the choke collar has the potential to cause injury to the dog’s neck.

Electronic Collar

Just mention the option of an electronic dog collar and many dog owners (even some people with no pets at all) will look at you as if you have suggested training your dog with a stun gun. The reality is that electronic collars can be a very humane way to train a dog. As with any other training device, however, whether or not it is used for purposes of cruelty is totally dependent upon the intentions and experience of the trainer.

The electronic collar works by allowing the trainer to give the dog small, electric shocks (via remote control) in order to modify its behavior. The intensity of the shock is left to the trainer. In general, the setting should be strong enough to make the dog’s ears twitch. If the dog howls or yelps when the shock is delivered, then the setting is too high. Again, the electronic collar should only be used by experienced trainers.

Paul P. Duxbury
http://www.articlesbase.com/Pets-articles/how-to-decide-on-a-dog-training-collar-86823.html

When I write of a “well-rounded” black Labrador puppy, you may immediately picture a round, roly-poly black puppy. That is not what we normally mean by the term, of course.

Understanding black Labrador puppies begins by grasping the fact that a well-rounded black Labrador puppy is one that has learned to get along with other dogs and with family members (including other Pets). It is a puppy that has bonded with his “pack” and fits in well. It has been socialized – but how do you socialize a black Labrador puppy?

Socializing the Black Labrador Puppy

All dogs are social creatures, but few are as social as a black Labrador puppy. A black Labrador puppy loves attention, and wants to get it from everyone and everything. A black Labrador puppy does not want to share, however, and must learn that every member of the “pack” shares. He must learn how to respond to both human and animal members of his new pack.

Understanding black Labrador puppies involves 7 simple steps that help puppies become well-rounded.

1. Puppy Pats

Your black Labrador puppy needs to be patted, touched, and caressed. Most people do this instinctively from the time they get the puppy. Children, especially, touch the puppy in every possible place they can. The more children there are, the more puppy pats your black Labrador puppy will receive. Even if yours is a gun dog, and children are not playing with it, it still needs puppy pats. Let it feel your hand on its ears, its nose, and its paw pads. Get your black Labrador puppy accustomed to being touched and patted. It will help him fit into his new life. While you’re at it, teach children how to treat the puppy.

2. Puppy Playtime

It is important that you and your black Labrador puppy have several playtimes each day. If possible, give him at least one in the morning and one in the evening, as this will establish a pattern for future exercise times. Teach your black Labrador puppy that you are his friend. Play fetch. Take a toy away, teaching the importance of sharing. Do not let him take it back in an aggressive manner. Hide a toy and let him hunt it.

3. Puppy Rolling Game

Every black Labrador puppy needs to be involved in frequent bouts of the puppy rolling game. This game shows the puppy that his position in your pack is one of submission. When playing with your black Labrador puppy, roll him on his side now and then. Hold him there as you silently count to 10. When you reach 10, remove your hand and let the puppy get up. If he struggles while you’re holding him, do not let go. You must not let your black Labrador puppy overpower you, or he will believe he is the pack’s dominant member.

4. Share-a-Puppy

A big part of understanding black Labrador puppies is recognizing that they need a wide circle of acquaintances. When you get your pup, note his age in a notebook. Subtract it from 24 weeks. If your puppy is 8 weeks old, you would subtract 24 – 8 = 16. In those weeks (whatever number you wrote), you need to share your puppy with at least 100 new people. If you wrote 16 weeks, set a goal of having your puppy meet 6-7 new people each week. Keep track so you know it is happening. Simply have strangers hold your black Labrador puppy, and touch it. Hand it back and forth carefully so it does not fall.

5. Share-a-Meal

A black Labrador puppy can quickly learn to be protective of his food dish. If left to natural instincts, he may become hostile when others come near his bowl. To avoid this, share a meal by sitting or standing close to the bowl when the pup is eating. Have other family members do the same. Teach your black Labrador puppy that his food is safe even when someone is very near.

6. Puppy Home School

From the time you get your black Labrador puppy, teach him every day. He is old enough to learn basic commands such as come; down; drop it; leave it; and sit. Avoid yelling at the puppy or punishing it. There are good Labrador training courses available on the Internet. Order one and use it faithfully.

7. Puppy Support Group

Please understand that a black Labrador puppy needs the constant support of everyone in his home. Life is full of exciting things, as well as frightening things. When a garbage truck comes banging down the street, he will tuck his little tail between his legs and run for cover. What do you do. You – and everyone else present – act as though nothing happened. Your black Labrador puppy will notice that he is the only one running. He will soon decide that, if no one else is afraid, the sound of garbage trucks is not important.

Understanding black Labrador puppies is an ongoing process, but these 7 steps will give you a good start.

Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/understanding-black-labrador-puppies-126949.html

If only your dog could use the toilet just like you do. That would make life so much easier. But as most dog owners are aware Potty Training your dog means teaching them to do their business outside, not on the living room carpet. Potty training can take some time and patience and a great deal of your success will depend on the dog, but once he’s house broken the effort will have been well worth it.

Probably the easiest method for potty training your dog is the newspaper method. In its simplest terms newspaper training involves laying down newspapers in a certain corner of the house, maybe the extra bathroom or utility room, and getting your dog to only do his duty there. Every hour or so take your dog to this area and use the same command each time that you wish to use that signals him to go the bathroom. Also keep an eye on your dog around the house and when he starts to go potty take him to the newspaper toilet and give him the command, chances are he will start to understand that this is the designated spot to take care of business.

Be sure to praise him every time he goes to the toilet when and where he is supposed to. This is positive reinforcement and dogs for the most part live to please their owners. If your four legged friend does make a mistake it is important not to punish him, particularly if you didn’t catch him in the act. He will not understand what he is being punished for and will eventually start to fear you. If you do catch him in the act firmly tell him no and take him to his newspapers or outside.

Submissive urinating can also be a problem when it comes to potty training your dog. Some dogs get so excited when you come home or they meet someone new or another dog that they loose control and wet themselves and who ever may be around them. By properly house breaking your dog he will learn bladder control even in the most exciting or stressful of situations.

Potty training will take some time and patience. How fast your dog learns will also depend on how much effort you put into it and the type of dog you have. Some breeds just pick up on it quicker and are much easier to train. In the end having a potty trained dog will make both you and your furry friend much happier.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/Pets-articles/potty-training-your-dog–stop-the-indoor-messes-133595.html