My Fetching Fido

Here are some great tips for new pup owners, according to animal behaviorist Mary Burch, the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Director.

• Make sure your dog plays well with others. Socialize your dog by exposing him to everything you can will allow him to grow up well adjusted and comfortable meeting other dogs, strangers, and children. Make play dates with owners of other dogs.
• Expose your dog to experiences outside the home such as walks to various settings, including parking lots and busy places.
• Keep boredom and barking at bay by giving your dog plenty of exercise. If he is tired, he will sleep when you are not at home.
• Maintain a regular exercise schedule to keep your dog fit, healthy, and out of trouble.
• You can also enroll your pup in a basic training classes which teaches them and their owners practical skills, such as how to make sure a dog comes when called, how to diminish biting and nipping, and the basics of house training.

This informaton is provided by www.barkingmart.com

Is Fido running the roost?  Does your precious pup beg at the table? Are you losing sleep because you don’t want to move your pet’s leg that is on top of you (in the bed!)?  Does he insist on attention from the moment you sit down to read the newspaper after a long day?

According to pet behavior expert Bruce Fogle, there’s nothing wrong with showing your pooch they are loved; what does matter is not how you express your devotion but when you choose to do it.  If you reward your dog even once for undesirable behavior, the cause and effect learning cycle begins. To change your pet’s bad behavior, you and your entire family must commit to making a change.

First and foremost, give up your own bad habits cold turkey. Everything you’ve been doing to pamper or accommodate your pet’s whims must stop immediately–no exceptions. Limit your praise and rewards to times when your pet has done something praiseworthy. Make your dog obey commands and exhibit positive behaviors to earn all of their privileges, even dinner. Consistency and repetitive training techniques are a must. Do not give in, or there won’t be permanent change.

Chesapeake Siberian Husky Club

Taking care of your pet will be easier and more fun with some of these products.

• No more water sloppiness. The DrinkBetter pet bowl encourages dogs to drink at a slower rate and makes less mess around the feeding area.

• Food Puzzles: Veterinary behaviorists say it’s important  to reduce or eliminate a dog’s boredom from just eating food out of a bowl. Boredom  =  behavioral problems.

• The Kibble Nibble appeals to dogs’ natural prey and stalking drives. Dogs must roll, push, and chase the toy for the treats to dispense.

•  The Bristle Bone is a refillable dental toy made with nylon bristles and rubber nubs that gently scrape and clean teeth as dogs chew.

Click on this link Premier.com to check out these products and get more information.

This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com

Jack Russell Terrier

These dogs are loving, loyal, and very smart. But when they’re bored they can be destructive. It is very important that a potential dog owner understand the nature of this breed before they decide to bring it into their home. The Jack Russell is a working terrier, with lots of energy and tenacity. They have high energy, dig, bark, and chew. So they need structure and daily physical and mental exercise.

Many unsuspecting people expected an adorable, low-key and well-mannered small dog (17 lbs.) like Eddie on the TV show “Frasier.” What they don’t know is that Eddie had a full-time trainer.

So, why are these dogs so popular? When they live with people who understand them, who keep their minds and bodies exercised, who train them and work then constantly and set limits, the Jack Russell is an outstanding companion.

This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com

The answer is—sometimes. There is never a guarantee that any two animals (or for that matter, any two people) are going to be able to cohabitate in peace. Dogs and cats are two very different species of animal, and sometimes they will not do well at sharing a home. Under the right circumstances, however, they may become the best of friends.
If a puppy and kitten are raised together, they probably have the best chance of getting along. We have all known cats and dogs that played and napped together and how incredibly cute it looked!

If the dog came into the household before the cat, the way the two pets are introduced is very important. The cat should be at the dog’s eye level, and you should have a firm grip on both. Allow both to sniff and inspect, but if either seems aggressive or afraid, remove the cat and try another introduction later. A few minutes several times each day should result in visible relaxation on the part of both animals. Never leave a cat and a dog alone together unless you are positive they are comfortable in each other’s company. An unsupervised interaction could traumatize one or both animals so badly that they remain afraid of all other animals indefinitely. If they do get along, you will not only need to stock up on dog supplies, but cat supplies as well!

Most English Springers are intelligent, even-tempered, gentle, friendly, and sociable dogs that are great for families with kids. There are many positive adjectives to describe this breed.

They are skillful, willing, obedient, playful, energetic and quick learners. Cheerful, courageous, affectionate, good natured, and sincere, this dog loves everyone. Springers do best when they are with people as much as possible. They can get into trouble if left alone too long and can be destructive and bark a lot which your neighbors would not appreciate.

They love water and may constantly get themselves wet and muddy. Usually they are good with other pets with the possible exception of birds. Sometimes they are argumentative with same sex dogs. Springers need wise guidance through what is called their “teenage” time.

They need a soft, but firm hand so they always know who is in charge. There are two types of Springers – field and bench. The field type are bred for hunting and field trial work. They tend to have more white coat than the bench type, much less hair, and are more high energy. The bench type are bred for conformation shows and have more liver or black than white. They have much more coat, but are usually calmer.

Be sure to protect your dog from the hot sun. A dog sun visor is perfect and looks great!

Your pet can relax and listen to soothing music in affordable, fantastic outfits.

Juilliard School graduate Lisa Spector found that when she tickled the ivories, dogs she was caring for would move closer to her and fall asleep. No more doggy angst – just peace and quiet. “What calms people, calms dogs,” she says. On her CD, she plays music by Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninoff, among others.
“A dog’s hearing is so much more sensitive than ours. We have tools to deal with sound, but dogs don’t always have that.” One out of seven dogs has behavioral issues that stem from an overwhelmed nervous system, said Leeds. When simplified classical music was played for dogs in kennels, 70% showed a reductions in stress while 85% in households were calmed.

Some tips for soothing your dog:
• Keep the volume of the radio and television at a level that can’t be heard from another room.
• Lower the volume on your cell phone and change the ring tone to something soothing.
• Don’t slam doors and drawers; avoid clanging pots, pans, and dishes.
• Avoid yelling to people in another room. Walk over and talk to them in a normal tone of voice.
• If you become overly enthusiastic during TV sporting events, put your dog in a calm place or outside if possible.