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.

Review - Sit Stay Fetch

Review - Sit Stay Fetch
By Lee Tuan James

Sit Stay Fetch has helped me solve my dog's aggressive behavior problems and transformed him into a well-behaved dog!

You must read this review first if you have a problem with your dog's behavior, have a need to slash your dog training time in half, or are looking for techniques that give you immediate results.

It all started about a month ago when I adopted a homeless adult Retriever. Unfortunately, he was not well-trained and has a tendency to bite on everything around the house. I try to correct this behavior with some free online tips but it did not work too well and needless to say, I was quite frustrated.

As I continued searching online for dog training help and I found some dog sites recommending Sit Stay Fetch. After some thought, I decided to give this book a try after reading the positive reviews from many dog owners.

Within two weeks of applying the techniques mentioned inside the book, I have managed to teach my dog to get rid of his biting and mouthing behavior. I am absolutely delighted and I have since use Sit Stay Fetch to teach my dog basic commands and some tricks.

Frankly, I enjoy reading and learning from Sit Stay Fetch very much. In his book, author Daniel Stevens who is also a professional dog trainer, has actually created this excellent dog training guide to help anyone to understand their dogs better by learning the best tried and tested dog obedience training methods, without wasting time using training techniques that do not work.

He gives insights into what the dog is thinking, why they behave the way they do, what motivates them to do what they do, and tips on what to do to correct the problems. I have learned so much from his instructions, and my dog is now following my commands and I am able to control him.

In my opinion no dog owner should be without a copy of Sit Stay Fetch. This 186 page book is jam-packed with useful and practical information, very easy to understand, follow and the results are remarkable!

Sit Stay Fetch is laid out in nine easy to follow chapters with step-by-step courses that cover everything you will ever need to know about looking after and training your dog. Included within to help you further are also topics on:

Selecting, buying and raising a puppy or older dog
The best ways to care for your dog
The advantages and disadvantages of all the training methods
How to understand your dog through body language, facial expressions and the impact of wolf instincts
How to train your dog virtually any command and tricks including Come, Hold, Leave, Seek, Beg, Catch, Crawl, and even climb ladders!
The best methods to train your dog, including the latest thing in dog training – dog whispering!

Sit Stay Fetch is also applicable for dogs of any age or breed that you want to train successfully. You won't be disappointed with the instructions given as it is so simple to comprehend and apply, many people have actually reported achieving extremely fast results with this dog training guide.

Lee Tuan James is a dog lover and owner who has benefited from Sit Stay Fetch. To find out more on what the book offers, please read the full review: Sit Stay Fetch Review

I highly recommend Sit Stay Fetch for anyone who is a dog owner who has a dog behavior problem that they need to address and solve quickly. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed!!

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.

Getting Started with Dog Training

Getting Started with Dog Training
by Nick Bulka


Learning to train a dog is usually very straightforward. Most dog training techniques are time-proven, so if someone claims they have a "new" technique, chances are that it's an existing technique that has been slightly modified or adapted for a particular case. And although it is straightforward, that doesn't mean it's easy for a beginner. A novice dog trainer is likely to experience frustration when his pooch doesn't respond as quickly as he likes. But rest assured that if you persevere, you will see results. Without a doubt, most important aspects of training your dog are consistency, repetition, and positive reinforcement. Your dog will be more eager to do what you request if he's doing it to please you, rather than to avoid an unpleasant correction.

When someone new to dog training watches an experienced trainer handle a dog, it may seem that the experienced trainer gets fast results because of some innate talent that they were blessed with. The real truth is that, like most other things, dog training is a learned over time, and it does come easier with experience, as a result of past successes and failures.

An important aspect of training a dog is using the right tone of voice. You should use a tone of authority, but never anger. And volume is not really required to let your dog know who's boss. Canine social behavior depends on the order of dominance, and it's important for your dog to know that you are the dominant one, not him. But remember, you should never attempt to show your dominance by physical punishment. Once your dog realizes that you're the "alpha" member of the "pack", training becomes much easier. On the other hand, if Fido discovers early on that you're a pushover, you're likely doomed to having a dog that does whatever he pleases, and it will be extremely difficult to change his demeanor.

Praise and reward are your key tools when training your dog. As mentioned earlier, you should strive to get to the point where your dog gets a great deal of pleasure from pleasing you. And frankly, it's also a lot more fun for the trainer as well. And although there are dogs that will require negative corrections to learn, this is the exception, rather than the rule. It's also important to spend time with your dog just so you can enjoy each other's company. When a bond develops between human and canine, it's truly a wonderful thing.

Remember also that dogs, like humans, have unique personalities, and what works for one dog may not work for another. You need to be willing to adapt your training techniques to better fit your dog's personality. This is one of the true marks of a successful dog trainer, and only comes with time, dedication, and experience.

It's also necessary to realize that you shouldn't have unrealistic expectations of your dog. Don't expect a young puppy to have the same attention span as an older dog, or to have the ability to retain as much of what they've learned. And also take your dog's physical traits into consideration. It's unlikely that a bulldog will ever become a frisbee champion, or that a miniature poodle will be able to become a bird dog.

Armed with these tips, you should be ready to take Fido out for his first training session. Rest assured that as time progresses, these things will become second nature to you.


Nick Bulka operates a number of pet-related web sites, including http://www.dogtraininginstruction.com, http://www.pet-guide.us, and http://www.cat-scratch.net

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.

Pet Health Insurance: A Way To Care Your Pets

Pet Health Insurance: A way to care your pets
by Jenny Black

Owning a pet is one of the most common features that can be seen in almost all our households. And for most pet owners pets are a part of their family. But at the same time it has become one of the most expensive affairs. It is because of the treatment or the care they may need during their lifetime. Apart from the day-to-day costs of feeding and keeping your pet in good condition, there are many unplanned costs that include vets' fees during operations and accidents, which you might find difficult to cover. Because of this, it's a good idea to buy a pet health insurance policy which will protect both you and your pet. Pet health care insurance is a policy where the insurer will pay you for the covered costs of the treatment of your pets and in the return you have to shell out a certain sum of premium to the insurer at regular intervals.

There are different insurance companies that offer various health insurance policies and you can opt for the best policy that will suit your needs and family status. There are different health insurance plans for cats, for dogs and for your other pets. Policies vary from one company to other company.

And also the rate of premiums varies from company to company. Usually the policies under veterinary pet health insurance are cheaper for dogs and cats but little higher for other pets such as horses, rabbits etc. So before handing over your premiums to an insurer who provides pet health insurance, it is important for you to do a detailed research of all these information. Hence we suggest you to shop around a little. Now with online facilities on pet health insurance in UK it is easier to search and shop.

It is imperative to keep in mind that most pet care health insurances available in the market do not pay for routine check ups like worming, flea control nor is it likely to cover the pre-existing medical conditions that your pet has been suffering.

Apart from that, for some diseases and treatments that may need a long time, say more than a year, it is necessary to renew the policy at the end of the year. If not, you will loose your claim and the policy may end all together. The best time to buy a pet health insurance for your pet is when it is little, say for instance, 8 weeks old, because it is difficult to get maximum cover at the middle age. Thus according to the pets you own its high time for you to buy a dogs health insurance or cat health insurance or any other pet insurance as soon as possible.


Jenny Black is the financial analyst at HealthInsuranceUK. She is providing independant insurance and financial advice on health through her informative articles. To find more about health insurance policies, pet insurance, pet health insurance, vision insurance, pet health care insurance, short-term insurance, online insurance providers visit http://www.healthinsuranceuk.org.uk

Advantages of a Hairless Dog

Advantages of a Hairless Dog
by John S. Rhodes


A hypoallergenic dog would be wonderful because he would not trigger your allergies. Although there is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog, some dogs are certainly better than others. The first advantage of a hairless dog is that he is going to produce fewer allergens than dogs with fur. If you have allergies or if you have asthma, this is a wonderful thing.

There is another advantage of a hairless dog that is so obvious. No hair! This is great because it means that you'll have very little to clean up. You won't have to vacuum all the time, in your home or in your car.

The third advantage is that hairless dogs attract attention. Since most dogs have hair, when people see a hairless dog they get very excited. If you like talking to other people and striking up conversations, hairless dogs are perfect. They're great for parties. A hairless dog will definitely break the ice.

The fourth advantage is very interesting. Hairless dogs are often missing teeth. This might sound sad, but the truth is that many owners find this adorable. It makes hairless dogs stand out from other breeds. Interestingly, hairless dogs are generally very tough and quite healthy, which is definitely an advantage when you consider canine health costs.

The final advantage is a fun one. Many owners of hairless dogs obviously dislike fur. They don't like the smell and they just don't like the feel of fur. Obviously a hairless dog is going to be relatively smooth. Often, hairless dogs like to snuggle because they don't have insulating fur. If you like to be close to your dog, this is fantastic. The catch is that you have to pay attention to the body temperature of dogs without hair. Extreme temperatures are not good.

Here is a bonus advantage. You actually have a range of hairless dog choices. There are at least five breeds:


American Hairless Terrier
Chinese Crested (Hairless)
Hairless Khala
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless)
You're not stuck with just one breed. Enjoy that freedom.

Let's summarize the advantages. Hairless dogs are usually better for people with allergies and asthma. Since there is no hair, it is easier to clean up after them. Hairless dogs also attract attention. They are fun and adorable. Hairless dogs are usually friendly and they are tough too. Sounds pretty good, don't you think?

John S. Rhodes publishes the Pet Comfort Newsletter, a FREE weekly publication packed with tips, advice, discounts, and bonuses for pet owners. Subscribe today and instantly download a FREE copy of Insider Dog Training Secrets ($17 value): http://www.pet-comfort-products.com/free-pet-comfort-newsletter.html

Pet Owners: The Benefits of Using an Air Purifier

Pet Owners: The Benefits of Using an Air Purifier
by Debra Goh

Are you a pet owner? With the popularity of household pets, there is a good chance that you are. If you are a pet owner, what type of pet or pets do you have? Popular household pets include cats and dogs. Unfortunately, with many household pets, including cats and dog, many pet owners develop allergies to their beloved pets. Are you one of those individuals?

If you are allergic to your family cat or dog, or any other animal for that matter, what do you plan on doing? Unfortunately, a large number of individuals make the decision to get rid of their pets. While this will completely solve the problem, it can't always be done. There are some individuals who love their pets too much to get rid of them. It may also be even harder to get rid of your family pet, especially if you have children. It has been noted that children attach quicker to family pets, when compared to everyone else. If this is the case with your pet and your family, you will not necessarily want to get rid of your pet, but you will need to look for alternatives.

One of the reasons why pet allergies are such as problem is because of the air particles that are created, from those pets. These particles often come from pet hair or droppings. To eliminate or reduce this problem, and maybe even your allergy, you will need to have cleaner air. While this may not sound like something that would be easy to do, the reality is that it actually is. All you really need to do is purchase an air purifier.

The easy part is making the decision to purchase an air purifier. The hard part comes when you need to make the purchase. It has been noted that all air purifiers are effective at eliminating air particles caused by pets, but they are not all the same. That is why it is important that you know what you are buying. A little bit of research online and you will walk away well informed. It may also be a good idea to examine air purifiers that specifically mentioned pets on their boxes or in their product descriptions. These types of air purifiers are often better, when it comes to eliminating harmful pet pollutants from the air.

Although an air purifier can help, there are also some things that you may want to do. One of those things is keeping your pets in a specific area of your home. Everywhere that your pet travels, pollutants and air particles will be left behind. Unfortunately, most air purifiers are not designed to treat a whole house. In fact, many air purifiers can only control the air in one room, sometimes three rooms, at the most. Therefore, the less space you allow your pet to invade, the easier it will be for you to keep the air in your home clean.

In addition to improving your home's air, you can also improve other indoor air. For instance, if you operate a business that is centered on pets, you may also be able to benefit from the use of an air purifier, especially those with a focus on pets. Essentially, this means that whether you are a vet, a pet sitter, or a pet groomer, you should not only be able to keep the air in your home clean, but also the air in your office. There is a good chance that you would not be the only one benefiting from the purchase of an air purifier. Your other employees, as well as your customers may also notice the improved air inside your office.

If you like what you just read, you are advised to start shopping for an air purifier. As previously mentioned, you are advised to look for air purifiers that specifically mentioned pets. They will be your best bet, when it comes to creating healthy, breathable air for you and the rest of your family.

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. Her blogs are at http://air--purifier.blogspot.com and http://free--downloads.blogspot.com

Tips for Traveling With Your Dog

Tips for Traveling With Your Dog
by Terry Hanson


Taking your dog with you when you travel, whether you go by land, air or sea, can present real problems. I know - I do 100k miles a year, and most of them I get to take Beck with me. It's worth the extra hassle, no question. But what tips can I offer you?

Air travel with your dog

It takes most dogs a long time to get used to traveling by plane. It took Beck about 6 flights before he stopped getting stressed about it. The big thing is to make sure your dog knows that it's just a temporary thing - to a woofer, a flight can seem to last forever! Each airline has their own set of rules - you need to check these before the flight. No good turning up and finding you are denied access to the plane because you didn't bone up on the regs!

Number one tip is - get a vet to sign a health certificate for your dog certifying that he has no diseases. Also make sure the dog is up to scratch on his anti-flea programme, and bring documentary evidence with you if you can. No airline wants a flea infested plane! Check his dog tags. Make sure YOUR contact details are there and easy to read. If you do get separated, this ensures you'll be re-united fast. For the same reason, you carry a photo of your dog in your wallet.

Number 2 tip - no food for Fido for 6 hours before the flight, and no water for 2 hours before. We wouldn't want any nasty 'accidents' now, would we???!!! Also put a note on his crate saying what his eating and drinking needs are - if the flight gets delayed, the ground staff will have a duty to live up to these.

Number 3 tip - buy a crate big enough for your dog to stand up in. Only buy custom made crates from your pet shop. Buy one that is designed for the rigors of air transport. NEVER try to 'get by' with any old crate. Trust me - your dog will thank you for the gift! Also remember that the airline you are using may have specific requirements for cases that go in the hold. Check the livestock regs.

Car Travel with your Dog

Tip 1 - Just like air travel, make sure your dog has all his ID with him, and you carry a photo. Even in the car, keep him leashed. Dogs have been known to get excited and leap out the window. Bad things happen on the freeway!

Tip 2 - Always book your hotel or motel ahead of time. If they don't allow dogs, you will be turned away whether or not you have a booking. I learned this the hard way with Beck - sleeping in a car ain't fun!

Tip 3 - acclimatization. Get your dog used to trips - start out with short trips, and gradually extend them. Let him experience the aircon, and maybe even stick his head out the window (dogs love this - make sure he's on the leash first, and that there is no contra traffic!)

These tips have enabled Beck and I to enjoy many great trips together, and believe me, it's nice to have some company on those long empty miles! If you like Beck, please vote for him on the petmillions.com contest at Vote for Beck in the petmillions contest!

Terry is in sales, but doesn't like to be separated from his pooch Beck, who is entered in the http://www.petmillions.com/ pet contest.

How A Dog Helps You Lose Weight

How A Dog Helps You Lose Weight
by Dorrie Ruplinger

If you are one of those people that find it hard to motivate yourself to exercise like you should, enlist the help of your furry four legged friend, your dog.

Dogs love to go for walks. Even if you are not feeling motivated and up to a daily walk, your dog is still more than happy to follow you around with those puppy dog eyes waiting for you to give in and go.

At our dog's last vet visit, we were told our dog needed to lose a few pounds and were asked about how much exercise she got. Although we live in the country on several acres of land where our dog has the freedom to romp and play at will; our vet pointed out it's not the same as giving her daily exercise like a walk or run would. And, he only half-jokingly pointed out as he patted my husband's found stomach, it a daily walk with the dog wouldn't do my husband any harm either.

So a few month's ago the daily walks with our dog and my husband started. I go along on the walks but I don't actually hold the leash because our dog doesn't really walk, she pulls on the leash like an Alaskan sled dog because she wants to go faster and smell more things. I have a hard time controlling the dog when she's in the mood to pull on the leash like that, which is most of the time and she's not a huge dog, she weighs less than 50 pounds but she's strong enough to nearly pull my husband off his feet if he's not paying attention when she sees a rabbit or squirrel that she thinks needs to be chased.

At first the walks were only a mile in duration. Now my husband and dog, her name is Montana, walk three to four miles a day, walking for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. There are days my husband does not feel like going for a walk. But, Montana knows the routine at our house. After my husband walks in the door at night and has eaten she knows it is time for a walk. That's when Montana starts to act like she glued to my husband. She follows him around the house, dancing around him, licking his hand when she can, wagging her tail, and looking at him in that happy "we are going for a walk now aren't we" way.

Even on the nights he has looked at her and said "Montana, I don't feel like going for a walk tonight," the dog just tilts her head as if to say "But we have to go." Now that the dog is used to the routine of walking, my husband never lasts more than 10 minutes after saying he doesn't want to walk. He gives in and goes because he can tell how much Montana wants to go because like any dog worth its furry coat, she doesn't give in. She just keeps waiting and being excited about that walk and stays right next to my husband as a reminder that he needs to take her. Now, even if it's raining (or snowing) they go for a walk.

They have only missed a few nights and that was because it was storming with lightning. On those nights my husband rewarded the dog by playing a game where he chased the dog (yes, he chased her around the house much to her delight), and played a long game of tug of war with her to tire her out and make her not miss her walk too much.

Has all that walking helped? It sure has. When our dog got her shots last week she had lost two pounds. My husband has lost nearly 10 pounds over the last three months by going on the daily walks. He hasn't made any modifications to his diet or added any other exercise. Just the walking itself has resulted in the weight loss for him.

I'm not advocating that you get a dog just to help you exercise every day. But if already have a dog, get up off that couch and take him or her for a walk every day. It will be good for both of you. And, if you have been wanting to get a dog anyway and are ready for the commitment of caring for a dog and giving it the exercise it needs, then visit your local pound and talk to them about adopting a dog who needs a loving home.

Dorrie Ruplinger has written several articles about weight loss. For a free report on how to lose 10 pounds before Christmas visit LoseWeightForChristmas.com.

How To Fight Fleas The Natural Way

How to fight fleas the natural way
by Wayne Foster

How to fight fleas The natural way:

• Vacuum your home frequently and seal vacuum bags before disposing.

• Wash the bedding of your dog weekly in warm soapy water. This is where fleas usually breed.

• Bathing your pet weekly with a mild dog shampoo prevents flea invasion.

• Use cedar shampoo for your dog, and put cedar oil in their sleeping mats. Cedar will repel fleas and other insects.

• Fleas are attracted to dry skin, so to avoid it, give your dog Linatone oil mixed with its food. Excessive shampooing should be avoided.

• A mixture of brewer's yeast and garlic, available in powder or tablet form can be given in small doses to your pet. This creates a certain odor in pets, and fleas are surely to avoid them.

• Fresh or dried pennyroyal leaves is a natural flea repellent. Use this in carpets to avoid the abundance of fleas in the home. Do not use it if you have small children around, as this could be toxic.

• A mixture of 60 ml of lavender oil with 2.8 liters of rock salt can also be placed in areas where dogs usually come in contact with and this solution could also be used to wash your dog.

• Planting marigolds in the yard is helpful too, it repels certain types of bugs as well as fleas.

• Boiled lemon or orange peel in water can be used as a dip for dogs and can be used too to soak in dog bedding for a few hours, then washed with warm soapy water.

• Lukewarm water with little shampoo and detergent is a good way to prevent fleas. A dog's body may be dipped into the solution for fifteen minutes and then rinsed. This only works if flea infestation is light.

The natural way of treating fleas is effective only if the level of flea infestation is average to very few. This method usually is recommended for prevention only.

Read more about dog allergies and training at http://www.gamebird-hunter.com/Hunting-dogs.html

Different commercially available products with chemical contents:

• Advantage. Active ingredient is imidacloprid. This is a flea poison, from Bayer. It is in a liquid form and applied to the skin, at the back of the dog, and works for about a month. This works by upsetting the nervous system of fleas when they come in contact with the liquid. This product is fast acting and is not absorbed into the internal organs and bloodstream of the dog.

Studies indicate that this product is highly toxic to fleas and other insects as well. A dog will be free from fleas in just a couple of days.

Ingredients are: imidacloprid -- a chloronicotinyl nitroguanidine integrated from the nitromethylene class of a compound. This joins the nicotinyl receptor sites of insects, thus upsetting normal nerve transmission which causes death.

A set of two vials costs 15-20 dollars.

• Frontline. This product is very similar to Advantage, but is not water soluble, so alcohol is needed to wash it off. This can safely be used in pups, dogs, cats and kittens.

Efficiency in repelling lasts up to four months.

Active ingredients include: Fipronil 5-amino -1- (2, 6-dichloro-4 [trifluoromethyl]phenyl) -4- (1,R,S)- (trifluoromethyl0sulfinyl) -1H-pryazole-3-carbonitrile 0.29% inert ingredients 99.71%.

Fipronil works as a nervous transmission interruptor, which causes quick death to fleas and ticks. It is proven to kills 96% of fleas for the first two hours and 100% within 24 hours. Ticks die sooner than they attach themselves to the host. Fipronil is from the new phenylpyrazole class. Very effective and can be considered safe, so long as dogs are not allergic to fipronil.

• Knockout. Performs like Frontline and is as effective, but can only be used in dogs. Active ingredients: Pyriproxyfen: 21[1-methyl-2-(phenoxyphenoxy)ethyoxy] pyridine....0.05% cyclopropanecarboxylate 2.00% inert ingredients 97.95% Also has NYLAR, which is flea growth regulator.

• Biospot. This is for topical application and kills up to 75 percent of fleas, eggs, and ticks. It also is a good repellant of mosquitoes and works for about a month. Temporarily, at times, it turns white hair to yellow. This can not be used in cats and contains permethrins and IGR.

• Proban (cythioate) and Prospot (Fenthion). While not to be used in cats, they are widely used in dogs. This is absorbed by the bloodstream and fleas die due to the poison that is present in the blood. For it to work, it requires the bitting of fleas. There are certain conditions to be considered though. You are injecting a small dose of poison into your dog's body and side effects are not known. Then this does not help if a dog has flea allergy, and can not risk to be bitten.

Generally fleas abound during the summer months, when it is their breeding season. These commercial products can greatly help in fighting heavy flea infestation and needed where severe invasion occurs. However, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian as the choice of flea control will greatly depend on your life style.

Wayne Foster the webmaster gamebird-hunter.com gives a comprehensive review of game birds, their habits and habitats, plus gun dogs, hunting knives and hunting guns for the hunting enthusiast to enhance your next hunting experience. At his site he also gives a comprehensive review of all hunting topics.

Pit Bulls: Legit Dog Breed or Mixed Mongrel

Pit Bulls: Legit Dog Breed or Mixed Mongrel
By Jason Mann

I'll get straight to it. Pit Bulls are a legit dog breed but they are known by their official name of American Pit Bull Terrier.

Anything else is not a Pit Bull nor should it be called a Pit Bull.

How did the whole "pit bull" thing spin out of control?

Good question so here is my answer...

Fanciers of the breed refer to their dogs using a variety of terms. Most common are, Pit Bull, Pit Bulldog, Pit Bull Terrier, or plain old, bulldog.

Where the whole thing got out of hand was when people who did not know what a real Pit Bull looked like started calling anything that resembled the dogs, "pit bulls" and viola!, we are more confused than ever.

There are many breeds of dogs that are similar in appearance and origin as the American Pit Bull Terrier and this, once again, has led to the problem of misidentifying other breeds as Pit Bulls.

A few breeds that are often mistaken for American Pit Bull Terriers (aka Pit Bulls) are:


1. American Bulldogs.
2. Cane Corso's.
3. Presa Canerio's.
4. Dogo Argentino's.
5. Mixed breed dogs of any of the above breeds.
6. Mastiffs.
7. Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
8. Bull Terriers.


The list goes on and on but the reality of it is this...

The only dog on planet earth that is a "Pit Bull" is the American Pit Bull Terrier. This the only breed on earth that has "Pit Bull" in it's official name.

So why doesn't the American Kennel Club recognize Pit Bulls as a breed?

For starters, remember when we talked about how people started calling anything that resembled an American Pit Bull Terrier a "pit bull" well there is reason number one.

Another reason is they are quite uptight and think that any dog not recognized by them is not a purebred dog. This is the farthest thing from the truth but millions of people buy into their ideology and promote incorrect information.

For proof one only needs to seek out the United Kennel Club or the American Dog Breeders Association to see what a real Pit Bull is and that American Pit Bull Terriers are in fact a purebred dog.

American Pit Bull Terriers (real Pit Bulls) are loyal, strong, and love a challenge. That is why they are working dogs that excel at hard work that other breeds shrink from.

Their love of people is legendary and that is why they are so easy to exploit and are being exploited daily by thousands of ignorant, greedy, sadistic people that use them for the wrong reasons.

So to sum up this article and put a final answer to the question, Are Pit Bulls a legit breed or a mixed mongrel...

The real Pit Bull or the American Pit Bull Terrier is in fact a legit breed of dog that excels at almost any task they are put to.

For more information on American Pit Bull Terriers try visiting PitBullLovers.com where you will find helpful information on topics like breed facts, photos, and training Pit Bulls.

Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Fetch

Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Fetch
By Jon Leger

Dog training is a must for all dogs. Dog training is more than just telling your dog to stop doing what he's doing, it is the process of teaching a dog to exhibit certain desired dog behavior in specific circumstances. Proper dog training is not a "quick fix" - it is an ongoing, life-long process. Behavior dog training is very important in today's society because many people take their dogs every where they go.

All dog training is not created equal. Positive dog training is quickly becoming the preferred method of dog training. This method of training is possible for just about every young dog.

Dog training is more than just training your dog, it involves teaching the owner–you. Going through dog training is something every dog owner should do. Dog training is like going to school all over again. Training is all about communication, and you need to learn to communicate with your dog. I once was told that 90% of dog training is teaching the owners.

One of the basic obedience training points relevant in this regard is teaching your dog to sit on command. Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing you will train your dog to do. To start the training: say “sit” while gently pressing her rump down and holding a treat above your dog’s head. When a dog is forced to look upward, he will automatically sit on his hind legs.

When you want your dog to sit, hold a treat a bit above her head and say "sit”. As the dog sits, say "sit" again and then immediately give him the treat. Your dog should drop into a 'sit' position in order to reach the food.

One of my favorite commands to teach my dogs is “fetch”. Teaching your dog to fetch promotes bonding and is a great way to give your dog some exercise. To do this, first throw a ball (not too far though), and give the command "Fetch". As he inevitably starts to run towards it, yell “fetch” again. Instead of a ball, you could use the object your dog loves most, as this makes him want to fetch it. Do not play fetch with heavy items or sticks, however, as this can damage the dog’s teeth or otherwise injure the dog.

A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so stay is an important command in dog training as well. Since it is more involved, that will be the subject of another article.

The most basic of dog training is to get your dog to sit, stay and fetch. As I said before, proper dog training is not a "quick fix": it is an ongoing, life-long process. Dog training is a very physical activity, so be prepared to be tired. And dog training is never without risk of injury, either, especially with more aggressive breeds.

That said, dog training is certainly a must for all dogs. One major mistake many pet owners make is to assume that the dog training is over. Training your dog continues throughout your dog’s life. It’s all about communication.

Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier than you would expect, especially if you can get help from a good dog training guide or book.

Learn to train your dog the easy way with Jonathan's free five day email dog training course.

3 Ways to Use Dog Kennel Fence Wisely

3 Ways to Use Dog Kennel Fence Wisely
By Jason Mann

Dogs are excellent at escaping. Some breeds are better at it than others but on the whole when a dog wants out they usually achieve their objective.

Keep your dog at home while at the time providing a safe barrier to keep them in is easier than you might think.

One method is to use dog kennel fence to keep your fiesty fido safely at home. Let's take a look at three ways you can use dog kennel fence to achieve your objective.

1. Build a pen. If you have a small to medium dog you can use dog kennel fence to build a play pen of sorts for your dog.

Building an exercise or play pen is cost effective and fairly simple.

Determine how big of an area you want to use and then consider your dogs size and abilities before investing.

This way you save yourself from having to modify or go back and fix the pen when your dog gets out.

Give them enough room to exercise in but make the pen high enough and strong enough so they can't push over the walls or jump out.

2. Build a full blown outdoor kennel.

With some wood and dog kennel fence you might want to choose to build a full blown outdoor dog kennel for your pal.

Once again you need to determine the space, your dogs size and abilities, and your budget before getting started.

Outdoor dog kennels give your dog plenty of room to move around in and you peace of mind knowing they aren't going to running the streets or worse, end up dead, because they escaped from the yard.

3. Keeping your dog out of specific areas.

Some folks have gardens they love while others love that maple tree and still others love their porch area.

Dog kennel fence can be used to keep your dog out of these areas as well as keeping your dog in the yard.

You can wrap it around the porch or that maple tree that you admire to keep your dog from soiling the area around them or tearing up things that you put on your porch.

For more information about various dog kennel fence options try visiting DogKennelsForSale.biz there you will find helpful tips on building your own dog kennel, chain link dog kennels, and dog kennel fence suppliers.

Dog Urination – Know the Reasons for Dog Urination Problems

Dog Urination – Know the Reasons for Dog Urination Problems
By Rena Murray

Besides the basic elimination reason every creature on the planet has for "doing business," there are other dog instinctive behaviors which cause our four-legged friends to have dog urination problems. They run the gamut from the dog pack instincts of dog territory marking and dog scent mixing to female dog urination, dog mating behaviors, submissive urination, fear-based urination, excitement urination, and dangerous disrespect of owner authority. So let's explore what these mean and what you can do about them.

The quest for dominance frequently manifests in dog territory marking, even dog home urination to claim that territory. What does that mean? A male dog may begin to mark in the house if another dog is brought in and not made to be part of the pack. If you decide to bring a new dog home, walk your present dog and the new one together, with you in front and in between them, prior to bringing the new dog inside. Do the walk every day for at least forty-five minutes. If you already have more than one dog, you will need to do this with each one. The dogs will take at least two months to adjust to one another. Treat them equally, as favoritism is sure to cause a fight.

Female dogs sometimes pee where the male did. Pack members often cover each other's scent. Either there is jealousy involved, or the dogs are making sure the neighboring packs know right away that there is more than one dog here. Outside, don't worry. If inside, immediately do a mixture of vinegar, Dawn, and water to remove the scent, or else you will have repeated peeing by all the dogs. If jealousy is involved, then get help to address that issue.

There are occasions when a male dog urinates on a female before he mates with her. It is a way of claiming her that is declared for some distance.

A dog who pees on his human is neither scared of him nor even claiming him. He is showing the utmost disrespect. In horror I heard a wife's account of her naïve husband's child-like report: "Mommy, Doggie peed on Daddy." Then he said, "That's all right, Doggie. You couldn't help it." NO! Doggie did not have an elimination need! That was pure and utter, intentional disrespect that is symptomatic of far deeper issues. If your dog does this, do not wait. Consult a professional IMMEDIATELY!

Submissive urination is very common, too. An animal who does this should be removed from the situation. Do not discipline the dog; remove him. Showing anger might scare him enough to release his bowels completely. Clean up the spot when the dog is out of sight, then bring him back. Repeat the situation over and over. Remove him when he pees, and pet him when he doesn't. Avoid this common mistake: Do not pet him to reassure him if he pees, as that is reinforcement of the unwanted behavior.

Fear-based urination is the hardest of all the reasons to combat. Do not stand in front of the dog and pull him. He will shut down and empty his bowels every time. Instead, put the leash on the top of his neck and pull UP when the dog resists. Do not make eye contact with him until he surrenders and follows you. A look at the wrong moment is sometimes just enough for the dog to shut down.

Excitement urination is among the most common, and luckily simplest, dog urination problem to cure. Let's say Pepper squats every time a visitor comes in. What happens is that Pepper is already excited when the company comes. No one may touch her, talk to her, or look at her until she has relaxed completely. Remember, giving Pepper affection when excited will only increase the excitement and intensify the dog urination problem. To address the underlying cause, see our articles on controlling over excitement for further help with Pepper.

GET HELP from Rena Murray at the Dog Obedience Training website. An accomplished Dog Behavior Modification expert, Dog Obedience Trainer, and Platinum Expert Author, Rena provides self-help articles and a free e-mail newsletter: PAW PERSUASION POINTERS to help people better understand communication and control of their dogs, debunk dog training myths, explore right and wrong dog training techniques for specific situations, address destructive dog behavior, excessive and obsessive dog behavior, and other canine issues, from new puppy to old dog. Subscribe for free at http://www.PawPersuasion.com , visit Rena's BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/ and Contact Rena for a Consultation .

6 Reasons - Why I Should Treat My Dog For Fleas?

6 Reasons - Why I Should Treat My Dog For Fleas?
by Tom Selwyn

Have you ever been bitten by a dreaded flea it's not very nice, itchy big red lump and very irritating. So in saying that magnify that irritating feeling by say 50 little biting fleas and just think how that must feel to your dog it must drive them nuts. If your wondering how i came up with the figure 50 i just picked the number out of the air. I'm sure your dog doesn't have that many fleas.

When your dog picks up fleas usually from his surrounding it doesn't take long before your house becomes infested with eggs and larvae. Once the dogs surroundings are infested it is a lot more difficult to eliminate the problem.

So to avoid dreaded fleas taking over your home and biting everything in sight here are a couple of good reasons why we should apply a prevention is better then cure attitude.

1. Fleas cause itching and distress to you and your dog. 2. The skin can become inflamed and infected when the dog scratches. 3. Flea bites can trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs. 4. Large infestations of fleas can suck so much blood that the dog can become anaemic (low in red blood cells) 5. Fleas can transmit tapeworms, when grooming themselves they swallow a flea and then become infested. 6. And the most irritating thing about fleas is they bite people causing redness and itchiness.

So how do you tell if your dog has fleas? Well... apart from your dog scratching his skin off. Theirs another test we do called the Wet Paper Test firstly comb your dogs coat vigorously then tap the comb so the debris from the comb goes onto a wet piece of white paper then just leave it for a few minutes if flea dirt is present you will see black particles surrounded by a rusty red pigment.

This red pigment is your dogs blood which has been swallowed by the flea. Occasionally you find some dogs that lick themselves so much that you won't see any of the above signs, even if they have fleas.

So if your friend is always itchy it's a pretty good indication that your old mates got fleas. One of the main areas where infestations begin is usually where the dog sleeps so a good idea is to invest in a flea free bed so the eggs and larvae can't nest. Also using a recommended flea treatment on a regular basis will reduce flea problems.

For quality flea free bedding to reduce flea problems visit us at http://www.phoopups.com.au/bedding.htm Where smart dogs shop...