Tag Archives: Dog

Outline for Schutzhund Dog Training

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 Schutzhund Dog Training

Are you looking for a way to accomplish Schutzhund dog training? The training of these dogs has been a sport for many years which started in Germany for use in seeing if German Shepard’s would work as police dogs. Instead of going on appearances of the dog as fit for police work, this type of training was started. Very few dogs pass the Schutzhund dog training methods.

Starting Points for Schutzhund Dog Training

It has taken over 100 years to perfect this strict type of dog training. It is a very rigid and very structured method of dog training and is a lot less abusive than when it was first developed. Each animal must go through a full evaluation which is the reason behind the strictness. Today, there are DVD’s which teach the complete course of training for those prefer to do the training at home.

The actual training will be very intense in specific areas of police work such as sniffing, protection and retrieving that the dog needs to know in order to do the work required of him. This training usually starts when the dog is only a few weeks old and continues for weeks and sometime longer to make sure that the dog is ready for working as a police dog.

The Heart and Soul of Schutzhund Training

Schutzhund training is very complicated. The video course you decide to pursue determines what methods are employed. The basic training however have all the following points in common.

Not all of the training courses use the clicker method, but it is pretty well considered a staple of the Schutzhund training. This works very well with the German Shepard’s and other suitable breeds. This training should begin at as early an age as possible.

The first critical test of the training is obedience. Most obedience training consists of 10 commands which usually include “focus, attention”, “sit, down and stand”, front, pointing at an object, targeting, heel command and more. This part is completed when the dog obeys all of these commands.

The next section of the training is tracking. In this section, dogs are trained to track down bombs, drugs, as well as cadavers. Once the object has been tracked the dog must be able to point it out. They are also taught to track their selected object by scent until they are called off.

Protection is another area of training for the dog. This training concerns specific commands in which the dog is able to identify an attacker and protect the owner. However, they can also be trained to do this without commands.

The whole point of Schutzhund training is to have a dog who possess a working set of skills which can be used quickly and effectively. The success rate for the official training programs is usually 20% or less. However, these methods of training can also be employed at home with a little bit higher success rating.

If you are seriously considering the Schutzhund training for your dog, do some heavy research for the many training courses which are based on their success rates.

Stop Your Dog from Scratching

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How to Stop Your Dog from Scratching

Here is how to stop your dog from scratching before it gets a serious infection. Whether it is due to fleas, an allergy or a fascination with its skin the scratching can be serious. Complications to the skin can form and your dog will be even more miserable. So in order to stop your dog from scratching, you need to follow the below advice.

What Causes Dog Scratching

There are several reasons for your dog’s nonstop scratching. You have to find out the cause before you can treat the scratching. Skin infections can be caused by different kinds of bacteria, yeast or fungi. Watch for weeping sores, bald spots, or swollen eyes. Neurogenic causes are those that are a nervous disorder cause by constant licking or chewing. This is usually cured by an increase in exercise and mental stimulation. Anxiety is another cause of this disorder.

Food allergies, pollution allergies flea allergies all can cause your dog to scratch. Have your vet do tests for these. Nutritional problems can also cause a dog’s skin to be very itchy. If your dog isn’t getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals from his food, his skin can become very dry.

If your dog’s coat stays too wet for too long, too much digging or getting dirty can also make the dog itchy. Keep your dog’s coat clean and dry to stop your dog from scratching. You can see how important it is to find the exact cause of the scratching so that it can be stopped. Continuous scratching will expose more of the skin to an infection. A vet can also be required to stop your dog from scratching.

When is a Vet Required?

Having your pet checked out by a vet can not only find out the root cause of the itching, but the vet might feel that it is necessary to prescribe a medication for the skin. If allergies are the cause, then antihistamines might be prescribed or if it is an infection then antibiotics is called for. Food allergies can be dealt with by diet. Fleas can be dealt with using flea baths.

Why Neurogenic Scratching is the Hardest to Stop

All of the other reasons for a dog’s scratching can be dealt with through diet or medication, but neurogenic scratching is the hardest to stop. That’s because there is no pathological reason for the itching and it’s hard to find out why your dog feels the need to scratch.

The first thing that you have to do is make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Believe it or not, your dog might be scratching out of sheer and simple boredom. It’s almost as though they are in a hypnotic trance. Putting bitter apple cider spray or spray made from cayenne pepper on their skin will stop this action. Check with your vet though before doing this. So there you have the most efficient ways to stop your dog from scratching.

Training Dog Obedience

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 Dog Obedience Training

The first step is to place a new dog in an obedience training program. It is important that a canine learn how to behave during certain situations throughout the pups’ life. Courses can be costly leading owners to opt for teaching at home. Professional training has extra benefits that should be carefully considered.

Obedience Training Benefits

Canines enrolled in obedience training respond in a timelier manner to specific commands. The master can also profit from learning how to instruct the pup. Humans fail to realize that it is not only the responsibility of the dog. Training requires the animal and the owner for it to work effectively.

Obedience training will enable the possessor to establish authority. This demonstrates to the canine who is in charge. Repeating the desired behavior will make the transition easier.

Basic commands consist of sit, stay, heel, speak, and quiet. Programming a canine to comprehend simple words and phrases makes it more accommodating to teach complex tricks in the future.

A few concerns to address is biting and barking. If left untreated it can have serious consequences for both the dog and owner. Several methods of training can resolve the need to bite, and teach the pup proper ways to receive attention.

If the canine has a tendency to drag a person down the street; train the pup to sit, stay, and heel. The best situations to train the dog this is when neighborhood pets walk by and at corners.

Training is important for a variety of reasons. It prevents issues from arising at home. Pups’ that are young and prone to misbehaving benefit from obedience classes.

Reinforcing Dog Training at Home

Dog training is just the beginning. A pup must have consistency away from the classroom. Owners need to continue teaching at home. It is prevalent to disclose what the master has been taught to household members.

Keep in mind that a dog will do exactly what it is trained. Consistency, reassurance, and effectiveness are key to a well-mannered pup. The moment an owner becomes laxed in training a dog will revert to previous habits.

Courses may seem costly and owners might feel tempted to try teaching from home, however, the benefits of a professional program should not be totally dismissed out of hand. The dog is receiving training from people who have been through an appropriate classroom setting. This means that the trainer has learned certain skills that ordinary citizens might not be aware of. A good example would be a dog biting. An owner has not received any specialized course and is only going by what seems right to the master or by hearsay from outside sources, but each dog is different. The method used might work on one dog and not on the other. The canine could be up in years, and the behavior of biting is so ingrained that it requires a more experienced hand. Owners can be sure that when pups’ go through professional training that the dog is prepared to be a member of the household.

Why Your Dog Eats Poop

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 Dog Eats Poop

If you are wondering why your dog eats poop then read on. It’s gross and embarrassing but also very common for dogs to do this. There has been discovered a link between the poop eating and anxiety issues as well as nutritional issues. The information is below on why your dog eats poop.

An Explanation for Why Your Dog Eats Poop

There are a variety of reasons for dogs eating poop. This habit is called coprophagia and, although nauseating, really does your dog no harm. Sometimes they do this to clean up their own living space. If you don’t keep your dog’s space clean, this is what you can expect. Dogs do not like being in a space with a lot of poop.

There are also some health related issues. Your dog may have a nutritional problem which will cause him to eat his poop. Have the vet check your dog for worms or other parasites that are getting more of the nutrition from the dog food than your dog is. Eating the poop is just a way for him to get more nutrition. Once the dog receives medication to kill the parasites, the poop eating should stop. This is one reason why your dog eats poop.

They say that imitation is the highest form of compliment, so if your dog sees you cleaning his space of poop, he might just be imitating you or possible another dog that he sees eating poop. Other dogs do this out of anxiety and it becomes a habit with them.

No matter what the reason of your dog’s poop eating, it is a pretty easy habit to break. And it is a habit that needs to be stopped.

Stopping Your Dog’s Poop Eating

The first thing to make sure of is that there aren’t any health problems involved in your dog’s poop eating habit. This is especially true if the dog has never done this before. Find out if the dog has worms or other internal parasites, if not, then increase the dog’s food portion.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, then start keeping the dog’s area clean of poop daily. Check everywhere in the yard and make sure it is free of dog poop. This will remove the source of the bad habit.

Making Adjustments in Your Dog’s Behavior

There are other measures that you can take to change your dog’s “eating habit”. Adding a distaste to the poop such as cayenne pepper or sour apple should put an end to the poop eating. Another method is to feed your dog a spoonful of pumpkin puree on a daily basis. Also spraying them with a water bottle when they start to eat poop accompanied by a firm “No” will make them stop. Dogs hate being sprayed with water.

Taking them for frequent walks in the park and keeping their area poop free will cure your dog’s habit. This is why your dog eats poop, because it is there. But don’t let the dog lick your face.

Health Related Issues in Dog’s

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Health Issues about Dog

There are several health-related issues in a dog that an owner needs to be aware of when possessing a canine. If the conditions are not managed in a timely manner, it can be costly and emotionally draining. Instead of waiting for a problem to arise, learn ways to avert the situation prior to it happening. Doing so allows for a healthy and happy pup.

Potential Health Problems

Just like a human body experiences problems, the pup also needs regular check-ups to prevent illness. Dog’s cannot speak or verbalize that something is wrong. This leaves the canine to agonize in pain until the discomfort has passed, and further treatment is not warranted. It is important to know what to look for and how to address these concerns.

Infections are a common complaint in a dog. Bacteria can collect in ears, skin, eyes, and teeth. Ear infections are the most prevalent and usually stem from a lodged object or germ invading the canal. The master should look for red spots, swelling, wetness or dirt on a regular basis. Contagions are the simplest to thwart. Frequent grooming of the eyes, brushing teeth, and combing hair will prevent unnecessary residue.

Allergies are a constant irritant when owning a pup. Fleas inhabit directly above the skin, causing sores and discomfort. Medicated powder and collars are available for a reasonable price at grocery and pet outlets. Visits to the vet will assure that the dog is free from allergens. A more complicated matter is food sensitivity. This requires immediate attention.

While diabetes is often seen in humans, owners should watch for similar symptoms in a dog. Avoid using cookies and candy as treats. The pancreas cannot digest it properly. To deter diabetes allow minimal quantities from the table and eliminate large amounts of nutrients. Labrador’s diagnosed with this disorder needs to have injections administered.

Canines are at a higher risk for arthritis because of distant and constricted joints. Pups’ need adequate vitamins and minerals daily. Owners should have the dog checked once a year for degeneration of the surrounding tissue.

Obesity in a pup is the most reported and fatal health problem. It is related to overeating and lack of physical activity. Mortality is not caused by being obese directly, but can correlate with heart disease, tumors, liver complications, and skin irritation. If lesions fester it can develop serious fungi, resulting in amputation or death. Keep an eye on dietary and fitness habits.

Teaching the canine proper exercise, a balanced diet, and grooming can eradicate severe impediment. An annual visit to the vet will delay the affliction before it has a chance to progress.

Just because a dog is not human does not mean a possessor should neglect the health and well-being of a cherished pet. It has been proven that animals suffer from some of the same ailments that humans have. This includes but is not limited to arthritis, diabetes and cancer. The cost to have the pup free of pain is worth any amount of money. While an owner may not be able to save it from disease forever, it can be delayed by many years.

How to Crate Train A Dog

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 Crate Train A Dog

If you want to know how to crate train a dog, then read on further. Don’t think that you are the only one to want this information. Thousands of dog owners are able to leave their dog in a room or in their crate in order to reduce stress, barking and destruction of property. This training also comes in handy if you have a new puppy. If you don’t like your dog sharing your bed or couch then knowing how to crate train a dog is the answer for the both of you.

Crate Training a Dog is Valuable Information

If you are new to learning how to do this type of dog training or wondering if it is really necessary for your pet, then relax because most dogs love their crates especially if it has their bed inside. When a dog is undomesticated, it will search for a small, comfortable place that it can make into a makeshift cave to keep them warm and safe. A crate gives the dog the same peace and security that they make into their own personal space. Dogs that live in open spaces such as unfenced yards, have a hard time distinguishing between that space and their home. This makes it difficult for them to know where to patrol and which space they are supposed to protect. This causes anxiety in the dog.

Methods of Training Your Dog to the Crate

If you have a puppy, then this is the perfect time to start crate training your dog. It is much harder to crate train a full grown dog who has never been in a crate before and will become confused and anxious in the small space. At first, your puppy will be upset but the adjustment time is much shorter.

The living room is the ideal place to put the crate since that is where the most people usually are. Visual contact is very calming to the puppy. At night, the crate should be put in the bedroom so that they will feel safe since you are present. Once they have adjusted to being in the crate for extended periods of time, one room to keep the crate in will do just fine.

When you start to crate train your dog the size of the crate is important. Make sure there is a nice warm place inside the crate for the puppy to sleep. Also place water and a toy inside the crate. The size of the crate should only be enough room for the puppy to sleep in. If it’s big enough to move around in then the puppy will make a mess. As long as they are able to turn around in it will be comfortable to them.

Leave the puppy in the crate for short periods of time at first but do not take the puppy out if it gets upset. Like a child, the puppy will learn that if he whines you will pick him up. If he has been quiet for at least five minutes, then pick him up and show him that you are proud of him. As he grows older and adjusts, you can leave him in the crate for longer periods of time. This is the correct way to crate train a dog.