Basic Dog Training

Basic Dog Training
By Amy Howells

If you have a new dog or puppy, you may be interested in getting some basic dog training. Dog training can be taught by an obedience instructor, or you can do the dog training yourself.

Dog training with an obedience instructor can vary in price and it usually takes place in a class. If you do the dog training yourself, it is usually free and you can do it from your own home. If you do choose to do the dog training yourself, it is best to get educated on dog training.

There are 3 basic things your dog should learn through basic dog training. These are: sit, stay, and come. The first part of dog training is to teach your dog to sit. To start this dog training, you will first need some dog treats.

Do this dog training in a quiet environment so your dog doesn't get distracted. Tell your dog to sit repeatedly as you hold the dog treat just over their head. This way the dog has to look up and may sit on there own to reach the treat.

If not, gently push there rear down. When they sit, praise them and reward them with a treat. This kind of dog training works because the dog constantly hears "sit" and will learn to associate the command with sitting and receiving praise.

The next part of dog training is to teach your dog to stay. This is often a difficult part of dog training. This kind of dog training is also incorporated with teaching your dog the command "come." Sit your dog in an area with no directions.

Tell your dog to stay repeatedly as you back away. Start out by keeping eye contact with the dog. If the dog gets up, tell it "no" and start again. Remember this dog training takes a while. You may need someone to sit with the dog to help reinforce the dog to stay the first few times.

Once you have made progress with this dog training, you then start by walking away with your back turned. Dogs will often get up to follow you at this point. Tell your dog "no" and start the dog training again by repeatedly telling your dog to stay as you walk away.

Once your dog has mastered this part, you can teach it to come. After your dog has stayed, tell it to "come." Have a happy voice and pat your knee as you say "come." Your dog should respond to this dog training right away and you may then reward it.

Always use praise instead of punishment with dog training. Dogs respond best to positive dog training, rather than negative. With all of this in mind, you should be able to teach your dog the 3 basis commands.

Follow all of this advice and you should soon have a more obedient dog that is worth everyone's praise!

Amy Howells is owner of the Dog Owner Blog, where she gives free information on all aspects of dog behavior training.For more information on dog training, including advice on dog training equipment, be sure to visit her blog right now.

Try Healthy Homemade Dog Treats

Try Healthy Homemade Dog Treats
By Todd Jones

Making your own homemade dog treats can be a healthy way to provide your dog with treats that they will enjoy. When you create your own homemade dog treats, you can ensure that only quality ingredients go into the treats and you can tailor them to your dog’s tastes and needs. Many commercial dog treats are filled with preservatives that are added by the manufacturer to create a longer shelf life but you can make your own homemade dog treats that are devoid of these additives. Also, many commercial brand dog treats are predominately made from fillers and byproducts instead of wholesome natural ingredients. When you make homemade dog treats for your canine companions you can ensure that you use only the highest quality ingredients and that you don’t add chemicals and preservatives that are not healthy for your dog.

When you are baking your homemade dog treats you have a great deal of flexibility and can include flavor combinations that you know your dog enjoys. Cheese and garlic are particularly popular dog flavors but if you dog does not like these you always have the options of using any other ingredients you desire such as peanut butter, chicken or beef. You know your dog’s taste best and when you make your own homemade dog treats you can create unique treats that are appetizing to your dog.

Todd runs a website where you can find all sorts of homemade dog treat recipes. Discover healthy, tasty, homemade dog treat recipes today at: http://homemade-dog-treat-recipes.com.

Canine Liver Disease; A Little Knowledge Could Save Your Dogs Life

Canine Liver Disease, a little knowledge could save your dogs life
by John Deeprose


Canine liver disease is the 5th leading cause of non-accidental death amongst man's best friend. Just having a little knowledge of this common, but little written about condition, could save the life of your family pet

When my West Highland Terrier Joe was diagnosed with a liver condition, I found to my angst that much of his suffering could have been avoided had I known the signs to look for and steps that I could have taken early on to aid his full recovery. Fortunately Joe is now, thanks to a few simple changes in his lifestyle, back on track to being the bouncy little scamp he was prior to his diagnosis.

Simply put, liver disease is a general term used to describe any medical disorder of the liver. The liver is responsible for removing toxins from your dog's bloodstream and can amazingly still perform this function with up to 75-80% of it affected by disease. The downside of this incredible statistic is that damage is consequently well advanced by the time many diagnoses are made.

Common Causes of liver disease in dogs include:

· Exposure to high levels of toxic chemicals such as insecticides, lead, phosphorus and iron · Infections such as chronic ear and skin infections and other infections elsewhere in the body. · Hepatitis · Common Dental infections · Inherent liver disease is commonly more genetically inherent in certain breeds such as American and English cocker spaniels and West Highland terriers · Inbreeding · Prolonged use of some drugs such as cortisone, steroids, anti-convulsants, parasite control drugs and some antibiotics.

Common symptoms of liver disease in dogs include:

· Jaundice - Eyes, Gums and skin turn a yellowy color · Vomiting, this may or may not be accompanied by blood · Diarreah, again this may or may not be accompanied by blood · Urinary changes may occur such as frequent urination and increased thirst. Urine may turn orange · Stools may be pale grey, orange or even yellow in color · Depression or lethargy - your dog may seem withdrawn and apathetic · Other behavioural changes such as aimless pacing around and circling · Swollen belly

Diet plays a major part in allowing your dogs liver to regenerate itself, as it is the liver that processes your pet's food and drink intake.

Foods to be avoided to keep your dogs liver healthy include sugar, chocolate, fried or grilled meat and bones, onion, red and green peppers and tomatoes.

Fresh distilled water is preferable to tap water.

It is also a good tip to use stainless steel food and drinking bowls instead of plastic ones.

It is of course your local Veterinary expert that should carry out the necessary tests and diagnose liver disease in your dog, but by being aware of the common symptoms and actively checking your pet you can play a part in making sure that treatment can begin a soon as possible


If you would like further information on Canine liver disease then please visit www.jayrecommends.com

John is a UK based author, who writes various articles, that he hopes may prove to be informative and of value to his diverse readership. His passions include animals and analyzing betting strategies.

How To Train a Puppy to Pay Attention

How To Train a Puppy to Pay Attention
by Dean Iggo


Learning how to train a puppy can be incredibly difficult but infinitely rewarding as well. For many dog owners who want to learn how to train a puppy to potty outside or behave properly in the house, the greatest obstacle is getting the little canine's attention. If you don't have the puppy's attention, then you obviously can't train him to do anything. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to get your puppy's attention for training.

Getting Started

When you learn how to train a puppy, you must first make sure that when there are other dogs around, he will pay attention to you. The best way to do that is to teach him to ignore the other dogs when the stage is yours. First, have some treats on you, but in a place where the puppy will be unable to see them. To start, say the pup's name with authority and then move away quickly. This will teach the dog to look at you when you say his name.

The Next Step

Secondly, when learning how to train a puppy, you want to make sure you complete the sequence always. So, once the puppy has followed you praise him quickly and enthusiastically. As you do it, take out and give him a treat. Never show the treats until you are going to give him one. When you do give your puppy a treat, it is best to put the treat between his eyes and yours so that you get the eye contact. Eye contact with you is the goal, so always reward it.

Make it Stick

Finally, perform the sequence at least three to five times in a row. This is important to do when you learn how to train a puppy. Each time, say the puppy's name, move, praise him, and then give him a treat with eye contact. By doing it several times in a row you are doing two things: one, you are making sure you hold the puppy's attention for a few minutes consecutively and secondly you are imprinting the commands and behavior on your dog.

Learning how to train a puppy is a chore in and of itself. However, it can never happen if you don't take the time to teach your puppy to pay attention to you around other dogs. By taking these simple tips and performing them daily, you will soon have your puppy's full and undivided attention so that you can house train him, paper train him, or even add behaviors.


Dean Iggo is the webmaster of a dog training website providing tips and advice on puppy potty training obedience training and more.