About Dogs USA

Clicker Dog Training - Kind Dog Training

2008-11-17T18:51:00.001-08:00

Clicker training is an established method of training amongst the more modern behavioural dog trainers, in fact in many forms it has been around for a long time amongst animal trainers. It is a common misconception that circus animals and zoo animals taught to put on a show were historically taught using cruel methods, but not so. So, back to the clicker.

A clicker is a small device held in the hand of the trainer or owner which, unsurprisingly, creates a "click" sound. The sound is made to tell the dog it has done something right. For example, you ask the dog to "sit" and he does so. Immediately his bottom touches the floor, the clicker is used to make the noise, denoting "good job". The instant and succinct sound pinpoints the exact moment when the dog has done what you want.

Example of Clicker Training:

As one example of how this method works on a step-by-step basis, here is a typical scenario:

Sit gesture is shown to the dog.The word "sit" is used in conjunction with the hand signal.

The dog sits. His bottom touches the floor.
The word "sit" is used in conjunction with the hand signal.
At the very second that 3. occurs, the clicker is activated.
The clicker noise is immediately followed by a treat and praise.

The Basic Principle

But what's in it for the dog? Ah, well, when you begin with clicker training you make a positive association in his mind with the clicker sound by following the click immediately with a food-based reward. This is an exercise in itself to establish great associations with the click sound. Eventually you can withdraw the use of the food treat, but the association is then established and the dog will behave purely for the reward of the click alone.

A slight issue with clicker training is that the trainer must be equipped at all times with the clicker (so it is wise to buy a few of these inexpensive items, to make sure you always have one to hand) and the food treats. It's not difficult to do, but timing is everything as the dog behaviour - click - reward routine must be instantaneous.

There's no reason to have an untrained, unruly dog who embarrasses you in public. Get the information you need on Dog Ticker Training, an easy, swift and effective way to train your dog. If you want to learn more about dog training using a clicker, visit petdoglogy.com and find out more about Pet Dog Training There's no reason to have an untrained, unruly dog who embarrasses you in public.

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Expectations With the Birth of Your Dog's Puppies

2008-11-12T16:49:00.001-08:00

Kimberly Edwards

There is so much to say about this topic, but I'm going to give you a condensed version of what to expect with the birth of your dog's puppies.

* Tip: It is of utmost importance to know how many puppies your dog has determined by an ultrasound or x-ray, so that you know if she is in trouble when in labor! Have this done around 4 weeks after mating.

1. She will have a discharge (sort of like water breaking).

* Tip: Either prior to this or after, she will be frantically trying to nest. You will notice her very diligently arranging blankets, trying to get under a bed or tearing up paper. So, it is essential that you show her to the whelping box you have already prepared for your dog specifically for this purpose. Otherwise, you'll have a REAL mess on your hands, and likely some ruined furniture, blankets, carpet or clothing.

2. Within about 2 hrs, she should have delivered her 1st puppy.

* Tip: If no puppy appears within 3 hrs, contact a vet immediately!

3. The period of time between puppies could be up to 2 hrs.

* Tip: Be sure to write down how long she labored with each puppy, and if it is a front birth or breach, and the weight of each dog using a kitchen scale (for smaller measurements). If you know your dog has more puppies to come out, but it has been more than 2 hrs, contact your vet immediately!

* Tip: If your dogs are purebred and you have papers documenting that fact from the World Wide Kennel Club or similar entity, they will provide you with forms that you will NEED to fill out in their entirety to be sure the puppies can be registered purebreds too. It could take a few weeks for them to mail them to you, so prepare for this in advance!

4. The mother dog needs to eat the placenta of each puppy, so be sure that a placenta comes out with each puppy. It is your responsibility to make sure this happens! She will likely lick the puppy clean too. If she does not, you will need to gently wipe off each puppy with a warm, damp towel.

5. You will likely need to cut the umbilical cords of each puppy, so use a pair of brand new surgical scissors that you have disinfected with alcohol or peroxide prior to this point.

* Tip: DO NOT cut them any closer than 1? from the puppy's skin!

6. The puppies will be hungry, and each puppy needs to have 1 teat/nipple.

* Tip: The teats closer to the dogs armpits, for some reason, are more nourishing. It is important to reserve these teats for the smaller pups or runt of the litter.

* Tip: Do NOT let the puppies just go to whichever teat they feel like. 1 teat/puppy is a strict rule. Why? Because the 1st suckling from each teat is what each dog absolutely needs! DO NOT let a puppy go to 2 teats before each puppy has had their turn at a fresh teat!

7. If your dog is still laboring 1-2 hrs after the last puppy has arrived, call your vet immediately!

8. If your dog is a breed that requires it's ears or tails docked, such as miniature schnauzers, this needs to be done within the 1st 3 days after birth. Also, it is a good idea to have their dew claws removed as well!

by Kimberly Edwards

Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Terrier Lover - Awesome Information and History on the Terrier Breed, Health, Dog Grooming, Dog Breeding, Tips & Tricks, Dog Training, Stories and More. Learn all you need to know about the Terrier dog @ http://www.TerrierLover.com.

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Dog Training - A Vital Component of Your Dog's Life

2008-10-19T17:19:00.001-07:00

Angela Jennings

A dog is one of the best pets anyone could ever own. They are a companion, a friend, and most importantly a huge part of your family. It is extremely important to train your dog right in order to get maximum enjoyment out of your dog. Here are some tips below on how to help you easily train your dog!

1. Trainer Awareness

When you are training your dog it is a MUST to give your dog your 100% attention when training them. Focus 100% on your dog with minimal multi-tasking. If you can give your dog 100% while training them, you will get much quicker results.

2. Control Your Voice

One of the most important parts of training any dog is voice control. The trainer of a dog MUST use his/her voice in order to train a dog properly. To get a dogs attention the trainer must use a short and firm command mixed in with excitement in you trainers voice to get the dog to come to you. Use of a quick command will get your dogs attention and should be used for that purpose ONLY! Once you establish voice control, it is smooth sailing with training your dog. It is important to show your dog who is boss right away, otherwise the dog will not obey you one bit.

3. Body Language

One of the most important things to use when training a dog is body language. Using hand signals will help your dog understand the command you are telling it to do. Eventually you can do away with the hand signals and use only voice commands. When starting out, hand signals definitely make it easier to train your dog. For example, a proper hand signal to get your dog to speak is a slight twitch of your wrist. By slightly twisting your wrist, your dog should be able to speak on command.

4. Treats

One of the best ways to train your dog is using treats as a reward for a job well done. The use of treats can have a great effect on training your dog. When training your dog, you should NEVER feed them before training them a new trick. They need to be hungry and want that treat you are going to give them for listening to your command. Treats are one of the surefire ways to get your dog to listen to you in a heart beat.

Many trainers fail to use treats as a means of positive reinforcement for your dog's good job in obeying a command. Out of all the different dog training techniques, using treats as a positive reinforcement for a job well done is the best and easiest way to train your dog. If you ever take your dog to a dog training school to get your dog professionally trained, you will see that treats are the main ingredient being used in your dog's proper training success.

I wish you the best of luck in training your dog and if you use these 4 techniques listed in this article, you definitely will have great results!

Tired of not understand how to train your dog? Wish there was an easy and simple way to make your dog act obedient and to stop barking? Now there is an idiot proof, 100% guaranteed way to dog training your dog quickly and easily. Go to http://www.stopbarkingdognow.com/ now!

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Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog to Bark

2008-10-02T20:05:00.001-07:00

Rikard Ingvarsson

Most of the dogs bark without knowing whether it's something for good or bad. Untrained dogs just keep on barking on almost everything. This kind of barking is a bad habit that starts early in the form of whining. In most cases, whenever the puppies are kept alone, they start making a sympathy-wining sound, and just to stop this nuisance its master gives the things he is whining for, or do the thing which will stop the constant whining. Getting this kind of indulgence, the whining gradually turns into barking habit if not checked properly.

The dog owners should never get pity at the whining but must cut out this annoying habit from the very beginning with a brawny sound "NO". It is better not to expect the unruly barking to get under command overnight though, if that already has become a habit. It may take several week-long consistent repetition of training process to replace the old bad habit with a new good barking habit. But of course, with such a constant session of training dog will adopt the new habit of significant barking for a sensible and controlled span of time instead that old irritating nuisance. Later on, the owner's should make the dog to follow up the new habit of sensible barking through constant practice; else the dog may get back to his old relentless and unruly barking habits again.

However, it may so happen that someone is not an adept or expert in dog training and learn about these late in the day when his dog's habit of barking has already become old and pronounced. At that point of time, things become a little difficult to control the nuisance. However, No matter how old the dog is or how late the owner is in implementing his expertise; he must start patiently to reform the habit of his dog.

First one has to grind into the dog's brain the order "NO". If the dog receives it well, the other commands and training can be applied by and by. The owner can give a constant command "BARK" holding a particular object like a ball or toy making squeak sound, causing the dog to bark. As soon as the dog starts barking he should be praised with "GOOD" and must get some food or the ball as reward. This process should be continued for three to four times at least, or until the dog completely recognize the command "BARK".

Now, when the master thinks his dog has barked enough and need to get quiet, he should command in a stern voice "STOP" or "ENOUGH", putting his palm on top of the muzzle of his dog. As soon as the dog stops barking he should be rewarded with a treat or praise. This "STOP" command can be implemented in various situations to restrict his activity.

The training process gradually should be changed from ball or toy to a knocking sound at the door, so that the dog can get the command at varied situations. After enough practice and repetition of the training process the dog will learn the command "BARK" or "STOP" and they no longer will expect the rewards from his owner.

Save yourself a lot of time as a dog owner and train your dog to be obedient. It gets so much easier for both you and your dog when you have trained your dog's obedience. Click here to learn more about training your dog.

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How Sit Stay Fetch Effectively Helps Dog Owners Train Their Dogs

2008-09-01T15:07:00.001-07:00

Suzie Springer

Are you are a dog owner that has a new puppy that you would like to train, or do you simply own a dog that has some behavior problems? If you answered yes, you might want to consider taking sometime to read the book SitStayFetch. When I purchased SitStayFetch I noticed that it contained a wealth of information that was simple to understand, and easy to apply.

This book has over 150 pages of dog training techniques and methods that are being used by professional dog trainers. SitStayFetch is one of the most comprehensive and complete dog training tools that I have found. The training secrets that are reviled in SitStayFetch have been proven time, and time again to work if they are followed.

When I discovered this book, I was the proud new owner of a four month old chiwawa that I had no idea how to train. I had tried some different house breaking techniques that my friends and family members recommended, but none of the advice they gave me seemed to work. I had just about given up on the idea of housebreaking Alfalfa when my veterinarian recommended this dog training package. After reading the book I applied the house training techniques that were given, and within a month my puppy completely housebroken. Since then I have used this book to deal with separation anxiety, excessive barking, jealousy, and I have taught him a number of basic commands.

This book covers everything that dog owners needs to know, it seem like nothing has been left out of this book. If you have a specific question or problem that isn't addressed in book you can email the author Daniel Stevens for the answer! Daniel Stevens, is a professional dog trainer that obviously knows his stuff, he understands how dogs think, and what makes them tick. If you are struggling to correct a behavioral problem, or you would simply like to teach your dog a new trick, you will find the answerers to all of your dog training questions in this book.

If you would like to learn what other dog owners are saying about SitStayFetch then you need to visit: http://www.Squidoo.com/SitStayFetch101

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Your Dogs Diet and How Treats Affect It

2008-08-23T13:29:00.001-07:00

Graham Williams

Most people just do not know the importance of choosing a healthy dog diet. They do not take the time or make the effort to consult there trusted vet about a healthy and nutritious dog diet. It is important to know, even is you use dried food, canned dog food, or make it yourself, that you are most probably not supplying your dog with a vitamin rich healthy diet.

Most people give there pet a treat to chew, such a rawhide one, these given in moderation are fine. But you also need to consider, that any treat you give your pet, is a part of your dogs diet. The question you need to ask yourself is, do you give your pet to many treats?

What type of treats you give your pet makes i big difference to there diet. One of the worst things that can be done, is to give table scraps or junk food to your pet. Junk food that you eat becomes junk food for your pet. Also a mistake that can easily be made is to give your pet what is considered as healthy food for humans. Why? Because being healthy food for humans does not necessarily mean it is healthy food for your dog.

A good example of this is raisins, they are healthy for us, but can be extremely detrimental to the health of your dog. You should always try, when giving treats or it is snack time for your pet to make sure it is a healthy one.

Rawhide treats often spark controversy. Some vets and pet owners feel they are not a healthy treat for your pet. While others feel that rawhide treats are good for the dental health of your dog as well as supplying them with some amusement. As always when in doubt you should consult your vet for there opinion . If you do decide to include rawhides in your dogs diet, do so in moderation. If they are not given in moderation they can cause thin stools.

For the most part, dogs don't care if you give them a baby carrot, rawhide chew, or a milk bone, they are just happy to receive a snack. If you do provide various treats during the course of the day, then you may need to consider altering your dogs diet, this will help avoid obesity in your pet. Giving your pet to many treats may be fun for your dog and you, but the downside of this can be serious health problems.

Such treats as, Ice cubes, small bits of apple, and baby carrots are terrific healthy treat ideas for you to consider when choosing a healthy diet for your dog. These treats will make little difference overall to your pets diet and this way, you will be able to focus solely on the food that is consumed during there mealtime. Your dogs diet needs to be healthy one, this will ensure a long and happy life for your pet.

For more free information on your dogs diet try visiting http://www.freedogdiettips.com/ A popular website that provides dog diet and health tips, advice and resources to include information on your Dogs Diet Tips

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Are You Interested In A Dog Training Career?

2008-08-10T18:25:00.001-07:00

Sergio Resende

Are you looking for information about a possible dog training career? Do you also have a sense of community and volunteerism? If so, then you may consider working with guide dogs for the blind, deaf, and otherwise disabled. There are many organizations that train and provide such dogs and there are usually many paid and volunteer positions available for anyone interested in a dog training career.

For example, Leader Dogs for the Blind, headquartered in Rochester, Michigan, is one of the first and most respected of these organizations that train and then match leader dogs. Many businesses around their headquarters are used to seeing dogs in training being walked around inside and out. Their trainers are patient, understanding, and very involved with their dog training career and take their responsibilities very seriously. When you consider that it costs about $10,000 for this organization to house, feed, train, and then match just one dog, you understand why! It's also important to note that not all dogs pass their training program, as some are too skittish, playful, or simply don't take direction well. One of the hardest parts of any dog training career is having to "flunk" a dog and return it to its original owner or find a new one rather than match it to a disabled person. However, when you do have a dog finish the training and successfully matched with a disabled person there is no doubt a tremendous sense of accomplishment, knowing that you're going to not only have someone be helped in a significant way for years to come, you also know that this dog will have a loyal friend and companion in their new owner.

To get involved in this type of dog training career you probably need a degree in Guide Dog Mobility. San Francisco University offers such a program and has been graduating students from this Master's program for years, many of which are then matched to an organization that trains guide dogs and helper dogs both.

Of course you don't need a Master's degree for a dog training career; there are many volunteer opportunities available for anyone that loves dogs, is willing to work hard with them, and has unlimited patience and understanding. For example, most organizations that train guide dogs need constant help with fundraising. You may be able to organize and host some type of event that would raise money for them, such as a marathon, dinner, and so on. You may also find that a dog training career involves taking care of the dogs once they're finished with their training for the day. Grooming them, feeding them, and playing with them can be a very satisfying way of knowing that you're doing your part to make sure these dogs are well cared for.

Anyone interested in a dog training career is to be commended, especially if you're considering such a career in order to help someone that is blind or otherwise disabled.

If you want to transform your dog into an obedient and composed "poised pooch" that will follow your every command and behave under ANY circumstances, visit the link below to learn how.

House Training Your Dog

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Teaching Guide Dogs is Just Like Teaching Kids Piano

2008-08-03T15:17:00.001-07:00

John Aschenbrenner

My office overlooks the streets of a small town where guide dogs for the blind are trained.

A common sight is a trainer with a dog, learning the various skills the dogs must know to care for their master.

I see the dog-trainer teams gather for a rest near their van, which delivers them to the city streets for the training. You can see the dogs close up and I must say I've never seen dogs smile quite so much as these happy animals.

As I walked by another team, I saw the trainer gently pull on the dog's harness and whisper something to the dog, which then smiled and stopped. The trainer handed the dog a treat.

Suddenly it occurred to me, "If only all piano teachers were as patient as these trainers, then all the kids taking piano would be as happy as these guide dogs."

And patience was the key. You could see that the trainers were very gentle and calm, and never used any negative reinforcement. The proof of this was the smile on the dogs face.

Rather, the trainers whispered gently to the dogs, more or less as I do with the children, during lessons. Read my article The Piano Whisperer for more on that.

And another thing that struck me was the similarity of the smile on the dogs and the children's faces.

It was a calm, happy smile of contentment, knowing that they were doing well at whatever their instructor had in mind. You could see the trust between the dog and the trainer.

It is the same bond of trust the piano teacher must have with a child.

In essence, the child must trust that you will not go too fast and will not be negative.

Imagine the result with the dogs if you were impatient and negative. They would sense it in a second, and would probably be impossible to train or handle in that mood.

It's the same with kids. How do you expect them to do their job calmly and well if they are stressed by the teacher's behavior and evaluation?

Keep smiling, kids, so you can lead us blind adults.

John Aschenbrenner is an Emmy Award Winning Composer and a leading children's music educator, book publisher, and the author of numerous fun piano method books in the series PIANO BY NUMBER for kids.
You can see the PIANO BY NUMBER series at http://www.pianoiseasy.com and http://www.pianoiseasy2.com

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Dog Clothes For Summer - Choosing the Right Fashions For a Pampered Pet

2008-07-26T14:17:00.001-07:00

Grant Carroll

When summer arrives, dog owners grab their pooch and head outdoors for a walk. Dressing a dog in apparel may seem strange, but haut couture can make any canine's summer extra fun. The doggie breeds that usually need clothing are Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, Miniature Poodles, Dachshunds, Chinese Crested and all terrier breeds. Your Labrador or Doberman can dress up for fun, too. Summer fashions aren't needed on a dog except for sun protection. Pet Parents just like to play fetch with that dog wearing a camo tank top for a cute photo or to attract attention, and that's okay. There are several staple pieces of clothing you need for your canine's wardrobe.

Tank tops are great for going to the beach or any other outdoor adventure. Camouflage is a popular pattern for all dog clothes, and tank tops are no different. A camo tank with mesh fabric on the side provides extra ventilation on hot summer days. Sports jerseys are perfect for going to a baseball game or hitting the basketball court. Football jerseys often come in colors of pro teams and are great for kickoff time.

Summer is also the time to shop for the perfect dog collar. This is necessary for hounds that don't want clothes to put on at all. Rhinestone collars are made for the pooch with sophisticated style, and leather collars are a fashionable, basic piece for any doggie. Of course, no summer vacation would be complete without a carrier to go with Fido's summer attire. A floral print carrier for your pet is a great design for the warm, relaxing vacations, and will give poochie a comfy place to rest on long road trips. Summer is a time to play dress up with your furry baby.

Grant Carroll is the loving father of four dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with affordable pet clothes for dogs of all sizes and breed. This summer, visit Little Pampered Pets to find dog apparel to match any puppy's personality! Keep your pampered pooch in fashion this summer in anything from our dog dresses to pet t-shirts. There are pet accessories and dog gifts for every occassion. Little Pampered Pets specializes in fun dog clothing perfect to keep your four-legged best friend dressed to success this spring and summer. Whether you have a tiny Chihuahua or a Great Dane it is important to keep protect them this summer from the sun...and your doggie might as well be fashionable while dressed!

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Parked Cars Deadly For Dogs In Summer

2008-07-17T18:44:00.001-07:00

William Link

Leaving a child unattended in a car has become a surefire way to get served with a lawsuit and criminal charges. You can bring your child almost anywhere with you anyway, so why take the risk? However, many places are not so accommodating to dogs. If your dog loves car rides you have a decision to make: do you leave your dog in your car or do you leave him at home?

If you're science-averse or already know the details, feel free to skip the following description of why sealed cars can be dangerous.

Your Car Can Become A Miniature Greenhouse
Shortwave radiation from the sun enters through the windows, then hits the dashboard, seats, and steering wheel. In many cars these surfaces are a dark color. It's common knowledge that dark colors absorb shortwave radiation well so they heat up quickly, but that's not the whole story.

The dark dashboard, seats and steering wheel also heat the surrounding air via conduction and convection. Additionally, they give off longwave radiation, which spreads heat throughout the vehicle, effectively turning your car into a miniature greenhouse.

Stanford Study Finds Heat Can Be Extreme
The heating effect can be extreme and it can happen regardless of the temperature outside; if there is even a chance that the outside temperature may exceed 70 degrees on a sunny day, the heat can build up dangerously fast. A 2002 Stanford University study explored just how much change you can expect.

Using a dark blue mid-size sedan with a medium gray interior, they found that the average interior temperature increased by more than 40 degrees in one hour. 80% of the increase occurred in the first half-hour and heating was particularly brutal in the first 10 minutes, which saw an average jump of 20 degrees. On the hottest days, the final temperature exceeded 130 degrees but on all days the final temperature exceeded 110 degrees, even when the outdoor temperature was in the low 70s.

What If I Leave The Windows Down?
Can cracking a window open help? Unfortunately no, says the study, as opening the window decreased the rate of heating by less than 1 degree per minute and the final temperature remained close to what it was when the windows were closed.

This is so dangerous to dogs because of how they deal with excess heat. They only sweat through their paws, which doesn't cool their bodies quickly enough. To compensate, they pant, expelling hot air. However, in a sealed car panting only makes the situation worse as the hot air inside the car increases the dog's body temperature further. A dog trapped in this situation could slowly die but even leaving your dog in the car for a few minutes while you run into the store can be dangerous.

What To Do With A Dog Suffering From Heat Stroke
If your dog's body temperature rises above 105 degrees, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can follow in a matter of minutes. This leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. If your dog appears to be suffering from serious heat stroke, first take steps to lower his body temperature: immediately get him to the shade, provide water, and apply a cold towel to high-circulation areas like the armpits or neck. Putting your dog in cool (not cold) water can also help.

After taking these steps, contact your veterinarian immediately; heat stroke is an emergency, and without treatment delayed complications can occur.

The Safest Course of Action
The safest choice is most likely the simplest choice: in the summertime leave your dog at home unless you're sure that you're not going to be making any stops on your drive. Even if your stop is just for a minute, any unexpected delay could put your dog at risk and the risk simply isn't worth it.

In Northeast Ohio, the Cleveland Animal Protective League will respond to dogs locked in vehicles; if the dog's life is in danger, they will call the police, leaving you with a broken window and maybe even legal troubles.

This summer, for your sake and your dog's, listen to Nova Scotia SPCA spokeswoman Judith Gass:

At this time of year, don't leave your pet unattended in a car, not even for a minute. It's just that simple.

William Link is an intern at Embrace Pet Insurance (pet insurance for cats and dogs). Will is double majoring in Economics and English at Case Western Reserve University. His internship is focused on learning more about the insurance industry. Will plans to get a dog when he graduates in 2008.

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How to Stop Dog Jumping Behavior Before Someone Gets Hurt

2008-07-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

Lee Dobbins

Most dogs will tend to jump up and many people theorize that they are simply trying to get closer to us. Be that as it may, a large dog jumping up on anyone - even if he has the best of intentions - can be scary and it's in your best interest to learn how to stop dog jumping behavior before something bad happens.

Since your dog is jumping up to get a better look at you, one way to curtail the behavior is to get down to his level so he has no need to jump. This might work great for you, but what about your neighbor or that stranger you are passing on the street. You certainly don't want your dog jumping up on them so you also need to train your dog is such a way so that you can stop him from jumping on command.

Before you can learn how to stop dog jumping behavior, you need to teach your dog the sit command. Because you will be distracting your dog from jumping by commanding him to sit, he must be well trained to sit when the command is heard. Otherwise, you won't be successful in this training, so if your dog only sits some of the time when you ask him, go back over that training until he obeys you all the time.

For the training, you want to start with your dog standing in front of you. You can tell right away when your dog is about to jump up and what you want to do is watch for the signs. Then when you see that they are thinking about jumping up, order the "sit". If your dog jumps up on you anyway (and he probably will at first) lift your knee up to his chest and firmly give the command "Off". You might be tempted to say down, but that is the command to make your dog lay down and should be used only for that.

Now you don't want to slam your dog so that he goes sprawling - you simply want to gently raise your knee so that the dogs gets a bit off balance thus causing him to drop back down. You see, you are getting him to naturally do the "off" while saying the command. Of course when he gets off, you want to reward him and tell him what as good boy he is. Enough repetitions and he will associate "Off" with getting back down from whoever he is jumping on.

Learning how to stop dog jumping behavior is critical for having a well behaved dog. If your dog jumps up on everyone he meets eventually there is bound to be an unpleasant incident and it can be downright dangerous especially if he knocks over an elderly person or little kid. Taking the time to learn this training might help prevent a lawsuit ... or something worse ... as well as insure you have a dog that is a joy to be around.

Does your dog need some discipline? Find out about the dog training techniques that will make your dog the envy of all your friends at http://www.positivedogtrainingtechniques.com.

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How Do I Keep My Dog Cool in the Summer

2008-06-28T13:57:00.001-07:00

Jeff Schuman

As the summer begins to heat up you probably enjoy playing with them in the sun and taking them for more walks. However, for all the fun you are going to have, you must be thinking about your dogs health.

By not keeping a dog cool in the summer you are opening the door for heat-related illnesses and injuries to plague him/her.

You may be surprised but dogs are actually able to get a sun burn. If you have a white or lightly colored dog, they are just as likely to suffer from a sunburn as we do when exposed to the sun. If a dog undergoes long-term sun exposure they can suffer from skin damage and possibly skin cancer.

To prevent this from happening you are going to need to limit the amount of time your dog spends in direct sunlight. you need to consult your veterinarian immediately If you notice any type of discoloration or sore. Common areas that are effected are the nose, ears, and eyelids.

If they are exposed to the sun for to long your dog can also suffer from heat injury. Heat injury is when your dog's body temperature exceeds it's ability to cool itself. Your dog's normal body temperature is between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dogs temperature rises above 106 F, it's normal cooling mechanisms get overwhelmed which causes a heat stroke which will require medical treatment.

Large double-coated breeds are more susceptible to a heat stroke. Huskies and other dog breeds suited for cold climates also have a low tolerance for heat and humidity.

The best way to prevent a heat stroke is to give dogs a summer hair cut. If you go to a good groomer they will be able to cut your dog's coat down a few inches which will allow them to dissipate the heat better. It is important that you do not get the dogs hair cut all the way down to the skin because this eliminates their protection from sunburn and other injuries.

During the midday heat you should keep your dog indoors in either a well-ventilated area or an air conditioned area. If you are going to take your dog on a walk or play with them you should do it later in the night or earlier in the day when it is less hot outside.

Because it protects them from a heat stroke and from getting sunburned keeing a dog cool is very important. This article should have enlightened you on the two conditions and ways to help keep your dog cool during the summer.

Jeff Schuman invites you to visit his Ideas Directory for ideas on how to do almost everything. Whether you are wondering how can I keep my dogs cool this summer or have a question on something else you can find your answer here. To see for yourself please go here now:===> http://www.Ideas-From.us

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How to Find a Good Dog Rescue Society

2008-06-14T14:07:00.001-07:00

Vikki Gigante

You have made a life changing decision. You want a special member of your family. You have decided to adopt a rescue dog. Where do you go from here? How do you find that special dog? You want a nice dog that is adoptable. Where can you find one?

There are a lot of pet rescue societies out there. There are small ones and large ones. There are rescue societies that rescue all breeds and those that just rescue a particular breed of dog. How do you decide which one to go to?

Before you ever decide which rescue society to go to, you need to decide which type of dog you want. Do you want a small dog or a large dog? Do you need a dog that you don't have to worry about being allergic to? Do you have children? Do you live in an apartment or do you have a large yard? Breeds such as golden retrievers, laborador retrievers, boxers and standard or miniature poodles are good with children. Toy poodles and other small breeds usually are better with older children and adults.

Once you have decided what type of dog you want, then you must decide where to get it from. There are many societies out there, usually you can find a local chapter of one near you. There is a pet resource called petfinder which lists many of these rescue societies as well as individual dogs that are available and where they are located.

How do you determine which society to go to or if a particular dog is a good one or not? Do not go to a society which lists every dog it has as the best animal in the world. These sound like they don't know anything about their dogs or they are just trying to get rid of dogs that really aren't adoptable. If the society lets you know upfront that the dog has issues, that it is shy or barks incessantly or has a cataract in one eye, then they are probably a society that cares about their dogs and are honest about their adoptability.

Another thing to find out is whether the society has a return policy. Will they let you return the dog in a month, three months, a year if it doesn't work out with your family? Will they let you adopt it to another member of your family, for example, your sister or your mother who has fallen in love with your little girl or boy, if suddenly you find yourself in a situation where you cannot have a dog? Do you have to return the dog to the rescue society? If their policy is not listed on their website or in their documentation, do not adopt a dog from them. Most rescue societies will list their policies and tell you about them up front when you interview them.

Most rescue societies charge a nominal adoption fee. Make sure you find out what that is before you consider adopting a dog from them. Otherwise you might find out at the last minute that you cannot afford the dog you have fallen in love with. If the rescue society is honest and tells you these things right off the bat, then they are a good one to deal with.

Another thing you want to find out from the rescue society is how and where they keep their dogs after they rescue them. Are they kept in a kennel? Are they placed in a foster home until they are adopted? Most good rescue societies have a foster program so they can get the dog beyond the initial trauma of leaving the home they were in whether it was a good or bad situation.

Once you have found a potential candidate for "dog of the family," make sure the society will let you take a look at the dog outside of a kennel situation, so you can see how the dog behaves when he or she is outside a small container. Is it playful, good tempered and does it interact well with you and your family? If they won't let you look at the dog outside a kennel, don't deal with them. You need to see your prospective dog when it is not in a kennel and can be itself.

Many good rescue societies will bring your dog to you so they can see what kind of living conditions you have and also can see how the dog reacts to you, your family and your home. Before they bring the dog to your home, ask if there is a particular treat the dog likes and go out and get some of them. This will be helpful once the dog is at your home. It is mutual inspection time and this benefits both you and the dog. The most important trait to look for in the dog once it is in your home is whether or not it is sociable. Is it a dog that is good tempered and wants to give love and be loved. Remember, many of these dogs have been rescued from homes where they were neglected or abused and if they are still sociable even after that, they are dogs that want a good home and want to be loved. If the dog snarls at you, jumps at you or growls, this is probably not a dog you want to bring into your happy home.

Remember those treats you went out and bought? Now that you have made introductions with the dog, and have determined that the dog may be acceptable, try giving it one of those treats. See how it reacts to this. If the dog takes the treat, this is further indication that it is sociable, especially if he or she is gentle about taking it. Ask the person from the rescue society if you can take the dog's lead and take it for a short walk and play with it a bit. See how the dog reacts. If it is playful and walks well on the lead, that is another good indication of the dog's sociability. Find out as much as you can about the dog. A good rescue society representative will at least be able to tell you a bit about the dog and things that it might like or dislike.

If this visit has been a good one, this is probably the dog for you. Go ahead and take the dog for a trial. Oh yeah, make sure that the rescue society is willing to take calls from you if there are any situations with your new dog. There are lots of good rescue societies out there and lots of good dogs available for adoption that need a good home. It just takes a little research and this can lead to a whole lot of fun for you, your dog and your family.

Vikki Gigante is a business owner from Frederick, Maryland who has been the proud owner of Cocoa, a rescue dog, for a year and a half now. She is a true joy and a welcome addition to the family.
http://www.ilovethisbusinessonline.com/rescuedogs

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Personalized Dog Collars And Your Dogs Appearance

2008-05-25T07:52:00.001-07:00

Mike Yeager

Personalized dog collars are a great and creative way for you to really enhance the look of your pet dog. Let's face it, for many people having a pet dog is more of a fashion accessory than anything else. Sure, fifi is a small, cute and cuddly pet but she also accessorize your appearance and look that many people today find fashionable.

A strong trend in the pet fashion world is the love of personalized dog collars that look most adorable on any pet. Accented with sterling silver alphabet slides these collars can be worn for everyday elegance - great for cats too - and very durable.

An interesting bonus is that a personalized dog collar will allow you to provide information on your pet, such as your phone number, just in case your dog were to get lost, runs away, or gets into a hostile situation. Hopefully a good Samaritan can phone you and let you know where your dog is.

Pet dogs are great companions and it just rightful to provide your pooch with safety as well as beauty. A personalized dog collar can provide these both.

It is important for all dogs to have a correctly fitting and comfortable collar and pet tag, no matter whether you have a Chihuahua or a Great Dane. Dog collars are even useful for giving your dog a certain appearance.

Collars can feature just about anything you could want. Some have jeweled letters as well as crown, bone or heart-shaped jewels. They really are a creative way for you to "present" your pet dog.

Lots of information and resources on dog collars
http://www.my-dog-collar-4u.com/pages/person.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Yeager

Dog Information - Some Interesting Facts

2008-05-21T08:36:00.001-07:00

Brigitte Smith

Your dog's actions, happiness, longevity, health and overall well-being are inextricably connected with what you feed him. Dogs, just like everyone else, have precise nutritional needs. And, to make matters even more complex, the needs of individual dogs vary. For example, even though your first dog may have done magnificently well on a certain brand of dog food, it may be completely wrong for the dog you have now. So in this regard dog information is very critical.

Various allergies are the most widespread and visible symptoms of nutritionally caused deficiencies. A dog becomes hypersensitive to its environment because of the long term supply of many commercial foods they receive that are sadly deficient in key nutrients.

Dog allergies are called unrecognized deficiency diseases and you should get ample information related to this. Being able to identify the nutritional deficiencies will save you a lot of frustration and you will be able to make the needed adjustments in your dog's diet. Considered good dog food are the Sojos food and pedigree dog food.

There is enormous quality difference in the dog foods available in the market. There is innumerable number of choices for dog foods and it is a Herculean task to make an informed decision regarding dog information. You should not get carried away by the advertisement regarding the dog food but rely on the ingredients used in the manufacture of the food. Price should not be the main criteria for selecting the dog food. This cuts both ways. Higher cost food does not necessarily mean better quality and vice versa although price could indicate to some extent the quality.

Your dog is a carnivore and is not a vegetarian. He requires meat. His teeth are quite different from ours and they are made for shredding and tearing meat. They do not have flat surfaces in the mouth for grinding up grains. The dog's digestion starts in his stomach and not in his mouth. All the enzymes in his body are geared to breaking down meat and raw foods. So there is no doubt that your dog is a carnivore.

A canine's system is composed of cells, every one of which requires 45 nutrients for proper functioning. He must have protein which includes 9-12 essential amino acids, as well as starches, sugars, fats, various vitamins and minerals, and, of course, water. These nutritional constituents must be balanced in order to achieve the crucial ability to digest, absorb, and move the food, and then to eliminate the resulting waste products.

Dogs have precise nutritional needs. And, the needs of individual dogs vary. For example, even though your first dog may have done magnificently well on a certain brand of dog food, it may be completely wrong for the dog you have now. So in this regard dog information is very critical. An unrecognized deficiency disease is another term for allergies. Try to look up enough information about this. When you are able to identify nutritional deficiencies, you will be able to save yourself a lot of frustration and you can adjust your dog's diet accordingly. Some good foods for your dog are Sojos food and pedigree dog food.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brigitte_Smith

Dog Behavior And Bad Habits - Get To Know The Dog First

2008-05-15T12:12:00.001-07:00

Kelley Badgerow

Dogs, dogs, dogs they are just dogs. To many of us the short phrase means nothing, to others it means a lot. Dogs are wonderful beasts and we think that most of them are great companions, friends, and even children, yet like all of God's creatures (including us homosapiens) they can be less then perfect, have bad habits, or have none satisfactory behavior.

Perfection is a very broad word since we all have our own ideas of what that is. Yet, we all can agree what makes a dog less then perfect are those bad habits and the lack of doing what we want them to do.

Bad habits, wow there can be quite of few of those, and not every dog will share the same one. Yours may chew on the chair leg and the neighbors may dig wholes to China so the truth be told that every living creature has bad habits and if we look deeper we will find bad habits are controlled by behavior.

Behavior is "anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation or the response of an individual, groups or species to is environment" (Marion-Webster, online dictionary, 1/28/08). So if Fido is chewing on the leg of the chair we can consider this stimulation due to the fact that a dog chews to naturally keep its teeth in check and it also can be environmental due to we have allowed it to chew on the chair leg as a puppy or while we can not watch it. Sometimes we fail to give the correct stimuli or response to these behaviors and in turn the dog gets in that rut of having a bad habit.

Our incorrect stimuli or response may not be due to the fact that we have not tried some form of correctional measure, "I told him NO firmly and spanked him yet he still goes back to chew on that chair leg". In this situation we first need to know if the dog really understands "no" and a spanking may not be the best correction in this situation, and we also need to consider that "natural" instinct part of a dog's gene pool. So a better way maybe to get this leg chewer under control is put the chairs up on the table except when you are not going to need them. This takes away any opportunity for him or her to sneak in a bit or two when you are not looking. And through his a chew bone or toy to calm any natural chewing instinct it has. The "natural" instincts of a dog (in general) leads us to needing to know how to communicate with the dog.

Communication between man and dog is essential to correct bad behavior and habits. Dogs can understand the human language if we use one word repeatedly for a certain action, such as, "out" for going outside. Yet, according to several leading experts in the dog behavioral field; Turid Rugass, Patricia B. McConnell, and Dr. Dennis Fetko, dogs communicate with man and other beasts through body language. These experts mention that it is a "dog universal language" and it does not matter what part of the globe it resides in or what make or model it maybe. So the first step in making your dog free from the undesirable behaviors and bad habits is to know how to truly communicate with him or her.

A dog is a dog, a companion, a friend, or a child and everything we love in life takes work, understanding and patience. Most of all, teaching them to be good before they develop into ill minded citizens is important.

Kelley is, how can I put this, obsessed with man's best friend. From sharing her life with Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, Coonhounds and Dachshunds through out her life, painting dogs, selling her dog art gifts, and even making it a point to take a course in animal science she is a 100% dog attic. Find e-books, books, videos and online videos for dog training by visiting http://www.shop4dogz.com Explore her dog art at http://www.kkaygiftsnart.com and http://www.puppydreamers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelley_Badgerow

Dog Training - 4 Leash Walking Tips

2008-05-03T19:47:00.001-07:00

Eric Letendre

Did you know that one of the biggest problems for dog owners is leash walking? Every week I get a call from someone complaining about the way their dog pulls.

It can actually be dangerous for you to walk your dog if he is a really bad puller. I've seen people dragged down and hurt by how hard their dog pulls.

I'm going to share with you here some valuable tips on leash walking. Here they are:

Tip #1: Never try to walk a dog that has been cooped up all day.

If your dog has been lying around waiting for you, let him burn off some of his energy before you take him for a walk. Throw a ball, play tug-o-war, or do something to calm him down before the walk.

Tip #2: Use a gentle leader.

One of the best collars on the market is the gentle leader head collar. It works by controlling your dog's head. When you control the head you can control the body, much the same as a horse bridle is used. They really are great collars.

Tip #3: Teach him where you want him to be.

Your dog does not know that he is supposed to be walking on your side. Spend some time using a lure. Put a little piece of food in your left hand and hold it close to your dog's nose. Have him follow the lure; reward him every five or six feet. As he gets better, go for longer and longer periods.

Tip #4: Don't let your dog's opposition reflex kick in.

When you apply pressure, your dog will resist with counter-pressure. If you pull back on the leash, he will resist and pull harder...opposition reflex.

The secret to leash walking is always keeping the leash loose. Don't allow the leash to become tight.

Eric Letendre the author of The Amazing Dog Training Man invites you to visit http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com for leading edge dog training tips, instructional video clips and articles that will help you train and understand your dog. You can also get free dog training updates with a free Smart Dog Newsletter subscription, available at http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Letendre

Dog Training Methods for Shy and Fearful Dogs

2008-04-23T07:03:00.001-07:00

Johnathon Thompson

Shy and fearful dogs can be turned into confident and happy members of your family with a little patience, training and understanding. Conditions such as this can be due to abuse earlier in life or it may just be part of your dogs personality, but can affect their lives in many ways.

Every one wants a strong relationship with their dog so these problems must be addressed as soon as possible.

Here are some signs that your dog maybe described as shy or fearful.

1. Yawning - Nervous yawns are usually quick and accompanied by tense body language. This can be a sign of stress and anxiety.

2. Ears Pinned Back - Combined with nervous body language can be a sign of a fearful dog.

Confident dogs usually keep their ears erect most of the time. When you move towards your dog if he pins his ears back and keeps them there, it can be a sure sign of nervousness and apprehension.

3. If a dog tucks his tail between his legs it is a sign of extreme apprehension.

4. Shaking - This is a sign of extremely high stress.

5. Crouching - Often accompanied by the tail between the legs, this sign represents a seriously fearful dog. This is a sign of complete submission intended to convey "Please Don't Hurt Me."

6. Submissive Urination - In the wild, submissive dogs will sometimes show their submission to a threatening alpha dog by urinating or defecating. It is close to the human equivalent of losing control of your body due to fear, and is really involuntary on your dog's part.

If your dog is displaying any of these signs, it's time to take action. This can be a slow process but it is vitally important that you are gentle and patient.

Some Dog Training Methods that you may want to try.

1. The best and least threatening way to approach your dog for touch is to keep your hand lowered, beneath his head and give him a stroke on the chin or chest.

2. Take care with your posture and body language. Try to determine how your dog is the most comfortable with you, sitting or standing, then slowly work to desensitize him to your movements from each position.

3. Don't pick your dog up. The only time you should pick up your dog is if there is an obvious threat of danger, like from a larger aggressive dog. Keep walks short in the beginning, and close to home, until he gains more confidence.

Remember to reward your dog with plenty of praise and attention when he is behaving in a calm and confident manner. Ignore him if he urinates on the floor or trembles under your attention, and resist the urge to comfort him.

If you give your dog attention when he is showing fearful behavior, it will only reinforce the behavior.

This may seem harsh, and your natural feeling will be to try to comfort your dog, but it is actually best for both of you if you wish to change your dog into a confident, happy animal.

Johnathon Thompson is co-owner of http://www.good-dog-care.com where you can find advice on natural dog health care, canine diseases, dog training, dog obedience and all things dog related.

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The Canine Good Citizen Test - Ultimate Exam for Testing Your Dog's Reaction to Distraction

2008-04-15T14:02:00.001-07:00

Derek M. Williams

As in the Canine Good Citizen test, you will be testing your dog's distraction under key situations. In this test, the point is to see if the dog's handler still retains his focus and attention, even during distraction. There are many different distractions that your dog needs to be able to handle well in order to excel at this test. Here are some of those scenarios and what to watch for.

Strangers - this part of the test is to see how the dog responds to a stranger approaching the owner. An evaluator will typically approach the dog and the owner. He or she will greet the dog's owner in a friendly way, not paying attention to the dog. How the dog responds will be how he is judged. The dog should sit, allowing the person to approach the owner, showing no sign that he or she is resentful or shy. The dog must also not move to approach the stranger.

Sitting Nicely - This test determines how the dog will react to a stranger approaching and whether the dog will permit the stranger to pet him or her. The dog will sit to the left of the handler or owner, and the evaluator will walk up and pet the dog on the head and body. Then the handler will walk away, first circling the dog and handler. As the dog is being petted, he must not show resentment or act shy and he will pass the test.

Getting Pampered - This test will show that the dog is able to be checked out and groomed by a stranger like the vet. The evaluator does an examination to see how the dog's health is. Of course, the dog must look very clean and groomed as well as appear to be in a healthy condition and weight. He or she will comb the dog, check the dog's ears and pick up the dog's front feet. How the dog responds will determine if the test is passed. He must not show resentment and he must be willing to allow someone other than the owner to groom him.

Crowds - This test will see how the dog will react to walking close to crowds of at least three people. One of these people may have a dog in order to see how the dog being tested will react to public situations and whether he or she is in control. It is alright for the dog to check the strangers out, however there should be no tugging at the leash, shyness or excessive excitement.

Other Dogs - This will determine how the dog will act in the presence of other strange dogs. Two handlers and their dogs will walk up to the dog and handler being tested. They will probably shake hands or talk to the handler being tested and then they will walk on. This might be difficult as the dogs may want to greet each other, and that will fail the test. This can be handled fairly easily however, with a sit and stay.

For additional information on agility training and how to effective train your agility prone dog, please visit http://www.dogagilitytraining.net, your number one resource for dog agility training information for serious dog owners and their beloved agility dogs.

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Training Your Puggle Takes Patience and Due Diligence

2008-04-10T17:27:00.001-07:00

Christy Taylor

Unfortunately, many times a new Puggle owner will be faced with the dilemma of how to get their cute and adorable puppy under control. And, after weeks of trying to get their dog to obey, they then decide that they are just going to give up. My response to them would be this: Have Patience and Due Diligence! There may be a number of factors to why your dog is not doing what you want them to. The following are some tips to assist you in your training process.

There are many different factors that might be causing your Puggle to not want to behave as he should. First, you need to ask yourself, how old is your dog? Is he still a puppy and only eight weeks of age? The reason I ask is because dogs that are young can take weeks if not months to learn specific commands as well as how to potty train. Another factor that might be affecting your baby's ability to learn is consistency. Are you being consistent with your commands and your schedule? A puppy is much like a baby when it comes to obeying. If a parent doesn't stay consistent with their rules, then how can the baby know what the rules are?

Are you training your dog as a team member or are you training your dog as you being the master? Believe it or not, your dog will be more motivated to want to do what you say if you are reinforcing and motivating him and encouraging him with rewards. The more positive reinforcement you use with training your Puggle, the more your dog will want to continue to do what you want him to.

Are you using a firm tone in your voice with your commands? Dogs need to hear that in your voice. For some reason, it raises their ears and gets them to focus on what you are saying. Also, only use one to two word phrases for your commands. Simple phrases are much easier for your dog to comprehend.

Are you hitting your dog? This is not a question that many people will want to answer, but think about it. If you were to be hit, would you want to listen and do what the person says afterwards? Punishment is acceptable, but hitting is not. Actually, the more you hit your dog, the more he is just going to be afraid of you and if this is what If this is what you want then maybe you shouldn't have gotten a Puggle in the first place. Puggles need love and acceptance not abuse and punishment! If you do decide to punish, trying using a loud newspaper and smacking it on a counter or table and only do so when catching your dog doing something in the act that they shouldn't be doing.

Remember, training takes time and the journey may seem long, but the rewards in the end are much greater!

Christy Taylor, author, is the proud owner of her very own Puggle. She is also an in house breeder. For more information on Puggles visit her website at http://www.pugglehugs.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christy_Taylor

"Throwing Cereal At Service Dogs is a No No!" Teaching Your Kids Proper Disability Etiquette

2008-04-08T08:33:00.001-07:00

Kimberly Carnevale

I am a single Mom with multiple disabilities who utilizes a service dog. I am also a disability consultant and motivational speaker; I travel the country with my service dogs, to visit schools, scout troops, businesses and such; teaching about the wonderful benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilities through a motivational speaking program that teaches people to believe in the beauty of their dreams.

I was partnered with my first service dog in 1999, after sustaining multiple injuries after a 1998 accident. I was forced to relearn how to read, write, walk and talk all over again. My service dog pulled my wheelchair, alerted to my seizures, and taught me how to walk again...most importantly, he taught me how to LIVE again!

I was disheartened to learn that while my independence hinged upon the assistance of my dog, and I was aware how special he was, that the general public was not as impressed. While out in public with my service dog, I've been yelled at, laughed at, had things thrown at me and my dog, and have had kids scream at the tops of their lungs because I have a service dog in a store/restaurant/movie theatre, etc...

But that's not the worst of it! With kids, you can kind of understand, cause after all; they're kids. From the adults, I've been illegally denied access to public places (more times than I can count!), sneered at, called names, snickered at, and was once even told (this is my personal favorite "Ah, you're faking it; you don't really need that dog or wheelchair! You just wanted to bring your doggie shopping with you!" And you thought we lived in a "tolerant" society, didn't you? Well, I can tell you from a personal perspective that today's society is anything but tolerant. But we can change all that! We're the parents of the next generation!

It's never too late or too early to teach disability awareness! My daughter once told a passerby who attempted to pet my service dog, "You can't pet Dawson; he's working"...she was three at the time.

I'm amazed at how willing kids are to learn about disabilities; and how they really grasp the concept of looking past disabilities to focus on the person's Abilities. They are more than willing to learn; we just have to make it a priority to teach them.

Age appropriate education and refreshers are very important to teach our children. Many kids with disabilities are being integrated into the mainstream of the public school system. In order to achieve a successful integration, it is important to implement disability awareness. In addition, today's children are our future; teaching them tolerance of those who are differently Abled now, ensures a more accepting society in years to come.

I'd like to share a few disability awareness tips that you can share with your child, and help open lines of communication.

1. Take a quiet moment at home to sit down and talk with your child about people who may be different from him/her. (Perhaps you could get a book from the library to help broach the subject and provide guidelines). Let your child know that while people come in all shapes, colors, abilities and sizes; and while we may look, sound, or do things differently; inside, we are all very much the same. Use specific examples, and positive "first person" language while keeping conversation open to questions (if you don't know the first person language, do a google search to learn more).

2. Let your child know that canes, wheelchairs, walkers, assistance dogs, and other medical assistive devices are an extension of the person with disabilities, and should not be leaned on, tampered with, stared (or pointed) at, or played with.

3. Taking the time to teach your child about peoples' differences at home can prevent a potentially embarrassing outburst in public! Remember, you won't be the only one to be embarrassed if your child yells out, "Hey Mommy, Why does that man only have one leg!?" or "LOOK, there's a dog in the store!" ... as a PWD, I can tell you that this type of unwanted attention can be quite embarrassing; on both sides.

That being said, all the preparation in the world may not sensor the excitement of a child seeing a service dog in a store for the first time! I hear so many parents who are abhorred by their child's outburst regarding my service dog, shushing their child; "Shhh! We don't talk about that like that!" At that moment, the damage is done; take the golden opportunity to stop whatever you are doing and get down on your child's level. Explain that that person has a dog in the store because the dog is specially trained to help the person do things that he/she has difficulty with.

3. Keep in mind that not all disabilities are visible. I'm a case in point; I have a traumatic brain injury & MS. While I spent a period of time "on wheels" while recovering from my accident in 1998, I'm able to walk these days (and on really, really good days, I can even country line dance...but that's another story There are many days when a stranger would not know that I have a disability because I "appear" fine; when in reality, I may be struggling with crippling cognitive dysfunction or might be in a world of pain that absolutely exhausts me.

On the days when people with hidden disabilities are struggling, and request additional help, (or use a service dog, use a handicapped stall in a rest room, or park in a handicapped parking space); the worst thing they can hear is, "But you LOOK fine!" This implies that a person is "faking" it, or making more of their disability than they should. This sort of thing happens all the time, and I can tell you from personal experience; it is downright hurtful. Such statements should be avoided out of respect. Just because someone has a disability that cannot be seen, doesn't mean that they don't have a disability; and all of the challenges that come with it.

4. On the subject of service animals; be sure to let your child know that if they approach a working dog team, they should always address the person first; it's just good manners. It's is okay for them to say, "I like your dog," or "May I ask about your dog?" Remind them that no matter how cute a dog may be, when he/she is in public, they are working and should not be disturbed. Teach them to be quiet and not make sudden movements around a dog, explaining that the dog is there to do a very important job, and if it gets distracted, the person they are supposed to be assisting could be hurt. If your child is afraid of dogs, be sure to explain to them that assistance dogs are specially selected and trained to be calm, friendly and safe around the public; and all of them have been tested around children and will not bite. (I've had a terrified child throw boxes of cereal at my dog in the supermarket, screaming at the top of their lungs because their fear and the surprise of seeing a dog in a store overwhelmed them. Proper education prior to ever meeting a service dog would have prevented this). Poor Dawson---he never even looked in the child's direction, and doesn't really care for cereal! ;-(

5. Encourage your child to include children with disabilities, to play. If the child cannot play the same as other kids, come up with innovate ways to accommodate the child's challenges. Making up games can be lots of fun!

6. When talking to a person with disabilities who may have speech or hearing impairments, talk normally, and face the person to make lip reading possible. If you didn't understand them, don't pretend that you did. Ask them to repeat themselves slowly and/or louder.

7. Lead by example! Be sure to check yourself the next time you encounter a person with disabilities in public. I never realized it before being wheelchair bound myself, then partnered with a canine companion; but people tend to ignore you and act as though you aren't even there, even if you speak directly to them!

If someone doesn't know how to act around someone with disabilities (I didn't before I became disabled!), chances are they will avoid them; it's only natural. But by learning about the different ways to communicate with PWD, and viewing PWD as feeling, caring individuals, focused on their Abilities not dis abilities; you, as a parent, will be setting a great example of tolerance for your child.

8. Teach the golden rule; Treat others the way you would want to be treated--you can never go wrong by doing that.

I hope this information has been helpful. There is such a huge need for parents to teach their kids these simple, yet very important tips! Often, we get so busy and don't even think about these issues until they crop up; or we think our kids will react appropriately and are surprized when they don't act as we expected...and that's okay. Hey, we've all been there! What's not okay is if we know the problem exists, we know how to fix it, yet choose to do nothing about it.

On behalf of all PWD, please, take your child aside today and teach them that though some people may look, sound, or do things differently, inside, we are all very much the same. Thank you!

Kimberly & K9 partner, Dawson--together, we are Canine and ABLED!

About the author: Kimberly is first and foremost a proud, single Mom to four-year-old, Sarah. She is a successful author and motivational speaker. In 1999, Kimberly founded Canine and Abled, Inc., an award-winning program that advocates for service dog handlers and educates about the benefits of service dogs. Her first book, "Canine and Abled, Taking The Dis Out of Disabled" was published in 2004 and details Kimberly's former career as an Olympic hopeful to the founding of the much acclaimed educational program. To contact: http://www.CanineAndAbled.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Carnevale

Dog Kennels And Their Know How

2008-04-01T16:21:00.001-07:00

Noah Schettini

Dog kennels are fenced-in enclosures that keep your pet safely contained. Dog kennels may be equipped with a dog house if desired.

A dog kennel is usually situated outdoors. It is ideally an enclosure that keeps your dog confined, secured, and safe. Dog kennels are commonly square or rectangular areas enclosed by a chain link fence, and they keep dogs away from people and people away from dogs.

When building dog kennels, the first consideration should be the size of your dog. Obviously, the bigger your dog, the bigger his kennel needs to be. You'd like a lockable kennel that confines your dog in a certain area, while at the same time preventing him from jumping over or digging under the fence. A low or poorly-built fence defeats the purpose of building a dog kennel in the first place.

Keep in mind that the kennel's doghouse should provide your dog with good protection from the elements. It should be able to keep your dog comfortable and safe no matter the weather. This can be done by heeding the following guidelines:

First of all the doghouse should be well-insulated. It should have a dry and warm floor. It is advisable to cover the floor with wood shavings, sawdust or blankets in order to keep out cold and dampness. Raise the kennel or doghouse a few inches off the ground on a foundation of bricks or boards. This will protect your dog from water or snow going into his house, as well as preventing any water seepage coming from the foundation.

* Locating the kennel near a shady tree will keep your dog from being overheated during the summer months. Heat stroke can be lethal to your dog, so make sure to also keep his water pan full at all times during the summer months.

* Provide a windbreaker during winter to shield or deflect wind from your pet's kennel. During extremely cold weather it is helpful to place a heat lamp in the dog house to keep your dog warm.

Make sure to situate your kennel in an area where there is good drainage. This will keep water from pooling in the kennel, and dogs generally prefer to keep their feet dry. Select an area where natural shade is available, and avoid putting your kennel near the property line to minimize any unforeseen disturbance to your neighbors. Make sure that your kennel can be easily viewed from your house so that you can monitor your pet's condition.

The kennel that you select for your dog should be the biggest dimension you have space for. Dog kennels should be longer than it is wide to promote more exercise and activity - dogs need to keep moving in order to keep happy. Cramped living arrangements may develop resentment in your dog, especially if you don't let him out every once in a while. Measure your dog and try to provide space with a least dimension of about five times his length. Space is especially important if you intend to put more than one dog in the kennel.

Had a good read? Then Take a look at http://www.healthydogcareonline.com/blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noah_Schettini