Showing posts with label dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog. Show all posts

21 Dec 2010

How To Stop Dog Pooping in the House?

"How do you stop a dog from eating poop" has been pondered worldwide by many aghast dog owners. Not all dogs will indulge in this activity, however there are still several that will. For the ones that do, however, it is a behaviour that puzzles and mystifies dog trainers and veterinarians around the globe. Take it from someone who has witnessed it first hand, this is not something you should have to see.

There are many theories as to what causes this unusual behaviour in dogs.

The carnivorous/scavenging instinct
Some hypothesize that coprophagia is caused by a powerful natural instinct. When carnivores kill, they eat the carcass, which includes the digestive tract, which includes the poop.

Boredom or stress
A deficiency of human affection, and mental and physical stimulation, is cited by many as a cause for coprophagia. The dog will eat the poop because there is really nothing else for her to do.

Improperly housetrained dogs
In an attempt to escape punishment for pooping in the house, some postulate that dogs will eat it before their owners see it.

Nursing mothers
Some nursing mothers will eat their puppies' poop as a way of keeping the "den" clean, and to conceal evidence of the existence of their puppies from predators. Poop eating is quite ordinary with puppies who are seen to emulate the behavior of their mother.

The "leave it" command
This can be helpful when you are in the yard with her, when you take her for a walk, or if she decides to poop on your new leather car seats.

Positive reinforcement
If you see your dog attempting to eat her own poop, stop her in the act, and reward her with treats and praise. It is essential to duplicate this reinforcement on a regular basis.

Bring your creative side out
You can also experiment by adding natural deterrents, such as canned pumpkin or pineapple, to your dog's meals. She will likely eat the deterrents, however their presence in the poop makes it unpalatable.

Use of products
If nothing seems to be working, you may wish to regard the possibility of buying certain products which, when mixed with her food, make her poop smell and taste very bad.

By : Maxie - Maxie Jewell has been around dogs her entire life. Through her extensive interactions with professional dog trainers and veterinarians, she has acquired a vast wealth of knowledge about learning how to stop dog problems. Her hope is that she can impart her wisdom and knowledge to other dog owners and dog enthusiasts around the world.

http://www.howtostopdogproblems.com/how-to-stop-dog-pooping-in-the-house


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Yorkshire Terriers: Small But Mighty

Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies as they are commonly called, are very small dogs that do not seem to realize that they are small. They are very brave, always up for an adventure, and they are almost always full of energy. You will be hard pressed to find a small dog that has more spunk and attitude than a Yorkie has.
The average dog in this breed weighs a mere 7 pounds and is around 7 inches tall from the floor to their shoulders. They have very petite bodies, and are very susceptible to injury. This makes this dog a bad match for families with small children.

The Yorkie has long, straight flowing hair in various different colors. Because of this, it is important to have them bathed, groomed, and cut more often than other breeds. If the hair becomes too long in the front, the dog will have a hard time seeing, and may begin to have eye problems due to infections caused by hair in their eyes.
Yorkshire Terriers are very effective and make great companions as long as they understand, and except, that their human owner is the alpha of the pack. If they are not trained in this manner, then they will be suspicious of other people, as well as other animals, and may begin to show aggressive tendencies. It is very important, with this breed of dog, for the owner to be in charge of every situation, which will allow the dog to feel secure and part of the pack. In this way, they will not act out and they will be well behaved pets.
These dogs are fairly easy to train as long as the alpha status is immediately established, but they can be very unruly and stubborn at times. To prevent this, the owner must be in control, but must also give the dog the space that it needs in order to learn and explore on their own.
If the Yorkie begins to feel alone, abused, or in need of constant human attention, they can display mood swings, jumpiness, and even aggression. Once again, these types of dogs demand positive attention, but they also have to have some personal space.
The Yorkie is a perfect companion for older children and adults because they are so loyal and active, but are not a good match for younger children because they are so fragile. They also require a lot of attention when it comes to cleaning and grooming them, and since they are so small, they have a hard time adapting to severe weather changes. Before you purchase a Yorkshire Terrier be sure that you have the correct temperament, and that you have the patience to deal with them. They are very demanding and needy dogs at times, and if that need is not met by their owners, they can become dogs with behavioral problems.

By : Kathleen Chester : Puppy Match 4 You offers you best Yorkshire Terrier puppies that would be a wonderful addition to your family. Visit Puppymatch4you.com for more information.

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10 Oct 2009

Dog Tips: Learn How To Read Your Pit Bull Terrier

Dog training is an art and there are right ways to go about it, as well as wrong ways. An often overlooked aspect of dog training is how your dog communicates back to you. If you want to successfully train your American Pit Bull Terrier, you’ll have to work hard on understanding how he communicates with you.

You’ll only be able to form a close bond where you understand your Pit and he understands you, when you can read his non-verbal body language. An excellent way to begin learning about your Pit Bull’s body language is to watch his interaction with other dogs. This is just another benefit that you’ll get from a properly socialized dog.

So what things should you look for specifically? Watch how your dog responds to the movements of other dogs. How does he greet dogs he knows? Dogs he doesn’t recognize?

Ask yourself these questions when you are learning about your dog’s communication language and actions. Reading books about wolf behavior is another thing that you can do to greatly improve your understanding of dog communication.

“Why study wolf behavior?” you ask? Wolf behavior and dog behavior are closely related. Since they are both so similar, the interactions of wild wolves gives us a chance to monitor their communication habits without any human interference.

Most dogs, if not all of them, have a habit of licking people's faces and mouths. You many not understand why dogs do this, but close observation of wolves has shown that wolf puppies are fed by the older wolves in the pack through regurgitation. Mouth and face licking persists as they get older as a way of greeting another animals.

Spend some time trying to understand your dog and closely watching his communication habits. Before long, you’ll understand him better and the bond you share will be even stronger!

By: Tim Amherst To learn all about American Pitbull Terriers and training a Pitbull, visit http://www.pitbullsrevealed.com/ today.

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10 Great Ideas For Naming Black Dogs.

How can you look the dog in the eyes ever again? Every time you call his name, he wallows in shame. You've banished him to the lowest level of dog name hell - you've named your Lab "Blackey."

Any four-year-old can explain that a dog's name should reflect something about him - the way he looks, the way he acts, what he likes to eat… something. So most four-year-olds will take the next most obvious step - naming a black dog Blackey... or Smokey... or something equally inane.

The thought that so many grown adults were not able to muster more creativity could undermine our society's basic faith in democracy. So let's hope that the over-abundance of such uninspiring monikers is the work of children - parents' having left the honor of naming the family pet to junior or sissy. While common, this type of delegation is rarely a good idea. Remember: Dogs can last half a generation; your little tyke will be mighty embarrassed in college to own up to a dog named Blackey.

So to help inspire you - or your little one - here are some more unique names - and naming ideas - that might help you side-step the pit of pet name remorse:

1. Dirty Stuff: Grunge, Pitch, Soot (or Sooty), Spade

2. Darkness: Dusky, Midnight, Shade (or Shady), Twilight

3. Black / Dark Clothing: Patch, Sable, Suede, Tux (or Tuxedo), Velvet

4. Black Food: Gumbo, Goulash, Meatball, Meatloaf, Molasses, Mushroom, Plum, Rib-eye, Roux (Avoid Pepper)

5. Coffee Derivatives: Chicory, Latte, Mocha

6. Dark Beers: Guinness, Porter, Stout, Xingu

7. Small Black Dogs: (Also cute for very large dogs.) Scrap, Smudge, Smidgeon, Speck, Splotch, Wisp

8. Black as Evil: (These can be particularly cute for very large or very small dogs.) Cujo, Darth, Jezebel, Katrina, Lilith, Mordor, Reaper, Smut, Snitch, Sorrow, Vader, Vice, Wicked

9. Traditional or Famous Black First Names: (Most appropriate for African-American families.) Tanika, Aisha, Oprah, Bionce, Latifa, Snoop

10. African Geography: Congo, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda

By: Randal Breaux : Randal Breaux runs the Internet Pug Club, a community of pug lovers, featuring special screen savers, browser start pages, electronic greeting cards, and more - all featuring the almighty pug. Free Sign-Up: http://www.go-pugs.com

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5 Oct 2009

Quick Ways To Teach Your Puppy To Climb Stairs And To Accept The Collar

Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting time for the entire family. Getting that new puppy off the right start with proper training is very important to making that puppy a valued member of his human family. There are a number of talents that every new puppy must master, including going up and down the stairs, and how to accept a new collar as if she’s worn it her entire life.

It is best to introduce a new puppy to the household when everyone in the family is present, and when the household is as calm as possible. That is why animal care experts discourage parents from giving puppies and kittens as holiday presents.

The holiday season is typically much too busy, with far too many distractions, for a young puppy or kitten to get the attention it needs. It is best to wait until the holidays have passed before introducing the new family member.



Once the puppy is part of the household, there are some things he or she will need to learn. One of the first challenges of a multi-story home will be learning to climb up and down the stair. Many puppies are afraid of stairs, and that usually means that they do not know how to climb them properly.

It is important for the puppy’s owner to slowly build the confidence of the dog, starting off at the bottom of the stairs. In general, a wide stairway will probably be less frightening to the puppy.

To build confidence, the owner should go up the first step, then encourage the puppy to join them, using their voice, treats or a toy. After the puppy has joined you on the first stair, go back down and repeat the process until the puppy will go up that step on his own. It is important to build confidence slowly and not rush the process. Taking a one step at a time approach is the best way to teach the puppy to not be afraid of stairs.

Another thing every new puppy must learn is how to accept the collar. Learning to wear a collar is important to every dog, but many puppies are baffled, frightened and bewildered by this new piece of equipment. Many puppies constantly try to remove their new collar by pawing and pulling at it.

Fit is important when choosing a collar for your new puppy. A properly fitted collar, chosen for your puppy’s size, is more likely to be comfortable and accepted. While choke collars, slip collars and training collars can be good training aids, they should never be used as a substitute for a sturdy buckle type collar. And of course that collar should have an identification tag and license attached. This identification will be vital in having your puppy returned if she becomes separated from you.

The best way to introduce the puppy to the collar is to simply put the collar on and allow her to squirm, jump, roll and paw at the color to her heart’s content. It is important to not encourage this behavior by trying to soothe the puppy, but it is just as important not to punish or reprimand the puppy.

The best strategy is to simply ignore the puppy and them her work through her issues with the collar on her own. Introducing distractions, such as food, toys or playing, is a good way to get the puppy used to the color. Getting the puppy to play, eat and drink while wearing the collar is a great way to get her used to it. After a few days, most puppies will not even know they are wearing a collar.

by : Jonathan Cheong at http://www.absolute-dog-training.com

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Puppy Agility Training

You may be asking, "When can I start agility training with my new puppy?" Puppies are always learning, so every time you are with your pup you can be playing and socializing with agility in mind. Always remember, if you can control your puppies environment, you can teach and train the behaviors you want, left on their own, even in a fenced yard, puppies will learn and develop behaviors that later we may want or need to extinguish.

One of the first behaviors we teach our pups is "Table" or "Box". This behavior transfers to the agility pause table. But more than that, the table is the center and control point of our puppy training. We introduce pups and older dogs to the table set at a 12 inch height. If you have a very small pup you could use an 8 inch table, but even with bigger dogs we use the 12 inch table and not higher. To begin, lure pup up on a low pause table, treat him for getting on the table. Once the pup is comfortable getting up on the table, then lure the pup up to a sit. You can also lure to a down.



Next you want to work on distance to the table. If you have a person to help you you can use a white target plate on the table, take the pup and step back from the table about 3 feet. Have your helper make a noise to get the pup's attention, and place a treat on the table. Release your pup to, "Go table." The pup gets his reward only when getting up on the table. If you don't have a helper, than place your treat in a covered container that will be recognized as a treat box for your pup. Leave the treat container on the table, step away from the table about 3 feet, face the table and say, "Go Table".

If your pup is very young, you can hold him as you lift him off the table and move away from the table. If your pup is too big for you to hold then use a flatbuckle collar and light dragline for your pup.

Now introduce your jumps to your pup. But you are not going to use the jump bars yet. First you want your pup to go through or between the jump uprights. Set a jump about 4 feet away from your table. Take your pup to the other side of the jump. So you are lined up pup, jump, then table. You want to get your pups attention to the treat on the table, either with a helper or a treat container, release your pup to the table, "Go Table". Let the pup run ahead of you, but go meet him at the table so that he can get his treat, praise him then offer him another treat for sitting on the table.

Progress with adding one extra jump at a time. Spacing the jumps about 3 feet apart. You are developing a jump chute that will lead the pup to the table. Remember your goal is to build the command, "Go" and "Table". You are also teaching the pup to move out ahead of you, working away from you and getting comfortable working around tables and jumps. Your pup is getting familiar running through the jump uprights, but you are not focusing on having your pup jump.

With all your puppy training, have fun with your pup. Use all your puppies motivators, praise, toys, and food. It is up to you to be more interesting to your pup than all the other distractions out in the yard.

By : Brad Carlson is a dog trainer at Agility by Carlson. For more training details, visit his website at http://www.carlson-agility.com

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4 Sept 2009

Tips In Naming Your Puppies.

So, you finally deiced to get a puppy. You spent so many hours talking to dog breeders and surfed the Internet countless times to have the perfect puppy for you and your family. You went from doghouses to doghouses, to dog associations, to animal societies, looking and meeting puppies until you have found the right one.

Question is: Now what? Your puppy needs a name!

Throughout his lifetime, you will use the dog's name over 35,000 times. So, make sure that you choose a name that you and your family will use to refer to that loving dog of yours.

Here are some tips in finding the perfect name for your puppy.

Remember that dogs understand brief commands. Names should therefore be easy to remember. Names with two syllables or lesser work well. Don't expect that your dog would be able to respond to you immediately when you named him "John Dewey McArthur".


The name of your puppy should not sound like the rest of the commands. For example, do not call your dog "Stacy". It's too close with the command "stay". Having a name like that will only confuse the dog.

Remember that you will be using the dog's name in public. Remember the joke circulating in emails when someone has a dog named "Sex" and gotten the dog owner into trouble? "Boner" might be funny for your drinking buddies, but may have a different reaction when you are in a veterinarian clinic or at a park.

Ask your kids what they want to name the dog. Let them participate in name decision process. If they want to name the dog "Champ" or "Tootsie” so be it. Reserve your funky names when in front of other people.

You may believe that it would be an honor for your Uncle Tom or best friend Bobby if the dog is named after them. Maybe naming your baby after them might honor them, but naming your puppy after them won't.

If you decided to bring home a dog that is quite older, it would be probably better to stick with its old name. But, what if the name of the dog is "Barney", the name of your-ex whom you had a bitter breakup? Then, stick with other sounds similar to it.

Once you've picked a name, see if it works out. You will know if that works. If not, then there are tons of dog names available to replace it.

With these tips, naming your puppy would be fun.

Author : Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook - it's Dog Gone Good! http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/


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Essential Care Tips For Your Dog.

Dogs are loving pets. But caring for them is a bit of hard work. Here are some tips to consider in taking care of your dog:

If you do not have a dog yet, consider the area where your dog can exercise. If you have a big yard where you could exercise or play with your dog, you might want to get a large dog such as a German Shepherd, Labrador, or Golden Retriever. If you have a smaller space, get a smaller dog like a Terrier or Dachshund. These types of dogs need little exercise compared with the larger dogs.

You also need to consider your dog if there are children in your house. Some dogs like Pit bulls and Dalmatians sometimes get to be temperamental.

It is important that you groom your dog. A regular groom is recommended. Dog’s ears should be cleaned, with the wax and dirt removed every week. Ear cleaning also helps you detect presence of ear mites or infections. The dog should be bathed weekly with warm water and dog shampoo.

It is also recommended that you brush your dog at least once a week.

After grooming your pet, do take it to a veterinarian to get its anti-rabies shots and over-all checkup.


A diet that is balanced and nutritious is recommended for your dog. Contrary to what many people think, dogs do not just eat meat. They also need carbohydrates. A diet consisting of 50 percent of protein or meat and 50 percent of carbohydrates is the preferred diet for dogs.

As implied earlier, dogs need some amount exercise. Aside from their health, dogs exercising will prevent them from retrieving and chasing, digging, and chewing on various things. Exercises depend on your dog’s sex, age, and health level. A dog likes to jog, fetch, and race-walk a lot. One warning however, start slow in exercising your dog. Unfortunately, some dogs enjoy themselves so much when they do these exercises. They do not know when to stop it.

Having a dog to last you for a long time does not end with just owning one. You have to take care of it. Although that may be hard work, it would also bring you fun and enjoyment when you see that your dog is healthy and loves you. Having a pet dog of your own is a pleasurable experience.

Author : Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook - it's Dog Gone Good! http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/


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25 Aug 2009

8 Ways To Control Dog Fleas.

There are numerous products that will kill adult fleas on your dog. However, they vary in the duration of their effects.

1. Flea shampoos, sprays, and powders. Most products will kill any fleas present on your dog at the time of application, but many have no lasting effect - your dog may have more fleas within 24 hours of being treated. When using a flea shampoo, always begin on the dog's head, face, and ears so the fleas won't run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your pet's eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful. All shampoos should be rinsed thoroughly from the coat.

Some of the newer, more effective sprays can be a valuable part of the overall treatment plan. They kill adult fleas rapidly and are safe enough to use daily, if necessary. Flea sprays containing insect growth regulators (IGR's) are helpful in managing the overall problem because they help to break the flea life cycle. Be sure to read the label when using any of these products, because they might be recommended for once a week application, instead of daily.

Flea powders are easy to use - simply sprinkle on your dog's coat.


2. Flea rinses or dips. These may be effective for four to five days, depending on the product. The rinse is applied after the dog has been shampooed and not rinsed out and left to dry on the dog's coat. You need to dip the entire dog from nose to tail. Follow directions carefully regarding frequency throughout the flea season.

Pet shops and supermarkets sell a huge variety of flea dips and shampoos for your pet. If your dog has only a few fleas, there's no reason why you can't treat him yourself. Make sure to follow the label instructions on whatever product you buy, and pay close attention to age restrictions. Many products are not suitable for young puppies. Never use cat products on dogs.

As with flea shampoos, when using a flea dip, always begin on the dog's head, face, and ears so the fleas won't run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your pet's eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful.

You might want to take your dog to the veterinarian where either an assistant or a groomer on staff will dip your pet, or take your dog to a grooming shop for flea treatment.

3. Sprays containing flea growth regulators which are called IGR's. These sprays are usually applied weekly and the growth regulators help break the flea's life cycle.

4. Flea collars. Flea collars are an easy, economical, and useful method of flea control when used before you see fleas, but aren't very effective if you already a flea problem. Flea collars are on the dog and working 24 hours per day. However, they are not very effective in climates that are especially conducive to flea reproduction. Many people don't like the smell of insecticidal flea collars or the smell and oily feeling the insecticide leaves on their hands after petting a dog wearing one. But, they are a lot better than nothing!

Many flea collars, such as the Ovitrol Plus or Ovitrol Plus II sold by veterinarians, kill adult fleas and also make flea eggs sterile. These are generally called Egg-Stopper Collars and contain insect growth regulating ingredients, which prevents egg from hatching.

Some dogs are sensitive to flea collars and develop a skin irritation under the collar, so if this happens, you should remove the collar and use another method of flea control.

In addition, there are High Tech Electronic Flea Collars for dogs that emit powerful ultrasonic pulses. They are supposed to be inaudible and harmless to pets and humans but, fleas go crazy!

Do-it-yourself Low Tech Herbal flea collar - effects last approximately one month:
Buy a soft untreated flea collar. Mix 1/2 teaspoon rubbing alcohol, essential oils of 1 drop cedar wood oil, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop citronella, 1 drop thyme oil. Open the contents of four garlic capsules into mixture. Soak flea collar until it has absorbed sufficient mixture soaked through, then let dry.

5. Spot-on products. Advantage® and Frontline® are two brand name products that are applied topically to a small area of the dog's skin and they effectively kill fleas for at least a month. They are purchased in small vials that contain one dose for various sizes of dogs. They kill adult fleas, usually before the flea has the opportunity to bite your dog.

When using some of the new residual topical treatments such as the spray and the liquid applied to the dog's neck, you may find environmental control will become much less a concern. In some cases, treating the dog with these new products will effectively control the environmental problem.

6. The pill. (Program™) This product prevents flea eggs from hatching when administered orally to pets once a month at mealtime. Dogs are fed Program in tablet form. Different tablet sizes and suspension doses are prescribed according to the animal's weight. When an adult female flea bites a Program-treated dog, the flea ingests the active ingredient (lufenuron) which then passes into her eggs and prevents them from hatching. Program is dispensed only through veterinarians. This drug does not kill the adult fleas on your dog, but it does break the flea life cycle by preventing hatching of the next generation of flea eggs. In effect, it kills the next generation of fleas.

A similar product called Sentinel contains both the flea control ingredient and heartworm medication all in one dosage.

7. Natural methods include essential herbal oils, essential fatty acids, garlic, and/or B vitamins tend to make the animal less tasty to fleas. You can supplement with garlic or brewers yeast tablets. Some animals are allergic to brewers yeast, so watch closely the first week or so to make sure the itching doesn't get worse.

8. Flea Combs. Run the comb through your pet's hair and gather a bit of hair and "flea dirt". Daily flea combing may seem like a tedious process, but you can trap some of them in the comb. Be sure to drown them in soapy water, because fleas can jump out of plain water.

Author : Want a happier, healthier pooch? http://www.pet-supplies-review.com makes it easy to find relevant information about your four-legged friend.


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Small Dogs Require Extra Care During The Holiday Season

The Holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. To keep it that way for everyone, people with small dogs should take some common-sense precautions. Especially now, when tiny dogs are increasingly popular, families need to stay aware of their special needs.

Most people know that chocolate can be lethal to dogs. But other Holiday favorites can also pose hazards, including: turkey, pork, onions, even raisins and grapes. Other foods may simply be too spicy or rich for the dog’s digestive system to handle. While a single raisin or grape may not seem like much, it could be a toxic meal to a four-pound dog.

With holiday decorations coming out of their boxes, keep an eye on that little dog. It may be fun to play “chase the tinsel” with your Chihuahua, but if she swallows some when you’re not paying attention, the consequences could be dire. That ornament may look a lot like your little dog’s favorite ball. Poinsettias and many other plants, including lilies, are poisonous to dogs.


Small dog owners also need to pay attention to their little pets when company arrives. Even the best-socialized little dog may feel threatened and defensive in a crowd. Just think of how the room looks to your shin-height dog when your Holiday Party is in full swing! The obstacle course of potentially damaging feet is intimidating, to say the least! Toddlers who move erratically or grab tails may be frightening to a tiny dog. Small children and dogs of any size should not be left alone together.

Pay attention to your small dog’s location. Dogs can slip outside with the constant opening and closing of doors. Some can climb onto counters and tables. They can even disappear under a pile of coats! The most tragic tale we’ve heard is of a small dog, taking advantage of a warm, cozy visitor’s bed, was killed when a folding bed was put away for the day. Small dogs don’t make much of a lump under the covers and the owners just didn’t see him. Very sad, and very easy to avoid – just find the dog before you move the furniture.

Paying attention is the key to a happy and safe holiday season for the entire family – including your toy dog.

Author : Hope Saidel is the co-owner of http://www.GollyGear.com, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club.


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24 Aug 2009

Common Commands for Dog Training.

A calm, obedient and faithful dog – it’s what we all want, right? To begin with, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems – large dog breeds such as german shepherds and rottweilers to name a couple. And of course pit bulls are almost synonymous with aggression in many people’s minds.

Now, I have a rottweiler myself, and she’s the soppiest thing out. So I don’t personally subscribe to the view that particular breeds are necessarily aggressive. But nevertheless, large dogs certainly do need to be adequately trained, just because of their size. Larger dogs can be very intimidating to people.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

No – the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

Down – Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Stay – A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so Stay is an important command in dog training. (The Stay command is not used by all dog trainers. Some are of the view that the command to Sit means “Sit, and stay there until you’re given another command” – this makes a lot of sense. But many people do like to use the Stay command).

Heel – It's important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and owner. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.

Author : Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health: Grab your free special report "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!" here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com or here: http://www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com


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Adopting A Dog From An Animal Shelter.

Visiting an animal shelter can be an emotional experience for an animal lover. It’s difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; however, just be sure that prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications. And remember, your best friend is waiting for you at your local animal shelter.

Why are animal shelters always filled with animals waiting to be adopted? Well, lack of neutering dogs is a major contributor. Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a six year period, one female dog and her offspring will, if allowed access to male dogs at the relevant times, produce 67,000 puppies! Small wonder that there are more animals looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them.

Sadly, some 6.5 million animals (mainly cats and dogs) are euthanized each year in the United States alone.

Given the above statistics, it goes without saying that adopting an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do.

But before thinking seriously about adoption, there are a number of things that you should consider.


Many of the animals awaiting adoption in shelters have had a very poor history. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were turned in because the owners had grown tired of the novelty, changed their lifestyle in a manner which didn't include a dog, or simply didn’t have time for them.

A large number of shelter dogs have been left alone for long periods and some were never house trained.

So if you're thinking of adopting a dog from an animal shelter, you need to be prepared to work with them.

Many adopted dogs will come to the new surroundings filled with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise. New owners must be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately.

A shelter dog may be overly sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you may give them. You must be prepared to be patient. And you must be prepared to be loving to your new dog, without necessarily receiving any love or acknowledgment in return. Dogs are reasonably intelligent, and they will gradually come to understand their new environment and show their appreciation for your loving care.

When shelter dogs finally realize that they can trust you they will likely reward you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.

Adopted dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems commonly associated to dogs in general. These would include digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these “offences.” If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area, there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will usually bring about a quick behavior modification.

If thinking about adopting a dog, you should be prepared to deal with the prospect that your new dog may not be completely housebroken. Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training, and/or the change of environment to the shelter coupled with the trauma of being abandoned (in whatever circumstances) by its previous owner, may have resulted in the dog continuing to do its “business” right in its pen.

Housetraining is not a relatively straightforward training issue which should not deter you from adopting a dog. Crate training is recommended to assist in this training, and walking your new dog and letting him out in the yard several times a day will also help. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses and are essential if you have a dog.

Adopting a dog as a companion for a small child is not recommended. A dog is not a toy and should never be treated as one. Small children must be trained to understand “animal etiquette”. In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. But with shelter dogs in particular, small children may not be safe around them.

Children should be taught that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to react by biting or running away. If feeding and exercising the dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult must follow up and take ultimate responsibility for the dog.


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Choke Collar Training.

Choke collar training collars are among the most popular and most commonly used tools by both professional dog trainers and people like you and me. These collars are commonly known as a choke collar, choke chain, training collar, correction collar and slip collar.

As with any dog training tool it must be used responsibly to ensure effectiveness, and safety for your dog.

It’s important to pay attention to how the collar fits the dog. It is essential that the training collar be properly fitted to the dog. A properly fitted training collar is easier to use and safer for the dog.

There is a right way and a wrong way to fit a training collar, and putting it on wrong will make it both ineffective and potentially dangerous.

A training collar should be used as a sharp reminder to the dog, not as punishment. It is important that constant pressure be avoided when using a training collar.



Pay attention to the weight of the chain and the size of the links on the training collar. It is important that the weight and size of the chain be appropriate to the size and weight of the dog.

Determining if the training collar is the right size is relatively easy. The ideal size training collar should fit snugly, yet comfortably over the dog’s head. It is important that the training collar not fit too tightly, but it should not be too loose either. A training collar that is too tight will be too hard to put on and off. On the other hand, a training collar that is too loose can accidentally fall off of the dog’s head when it lowers its head.

It is also important to know that a training collar that is too long for the dog requires a great deal of finesse to use properly. A collar that is too long can still be used, but it will require more skill on the part of the handler.

It is best to measure the dog’s neck with a tape measure, then add 2 to 3 inches to that measurement. So if your dog has a neck 12” in diameter, you would want to buy a training collar that is 14” in length. Chain slip collars are generally sized in two inch increments.

When fitting a training collar, the loop of the chain which is connected to the leash should be on the top of the dog’s neck. This ensures that the collar releases the instant the leash is loosened. Training collars work most effectively when they’re able to tighten and loosen quickly. Tightening the collar is the first part of the correction, and loosening it is the second part of the process, by way of reinforcement for your dog. It is the transient nature of the tightening that really gives the dog the message that the tightening will occur immediately there is an undesired behavior.

If the loop of the training collar that is attached to the leash is not on the top of the dog’s neck, the collar can still be tightened relatively easily, but it will not release back to a loose state as quickly. The more constant pressure on the dog’s neck which results, initiates a counter response on the part of the animal, and your dog will then react by pulling and straining against the leash.

Finally, it is important to use a training collar that is well made and strong. Buying a high quality training collar, slip collar or choke collar can be vital to the safety of yourself and your dog.

If the worst happens, and your dog’s training collar does break, it is important not to panic. Most dogs will be unaware that they have broken the collar, at least for a few seconds. In most cases, if you act as if the leash is still connected, you can usually regain control of your dog perhaps even before the dog realizes he is free.

Author : Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health: Grab your free special report "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!" here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com or here: http://www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com


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23 Aug 2009

Basics Of Dog Training

The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping dog’s attention and understanding your dog.

To get the respect of your dog you must be consistent. You should make a set of do’s and don’ts for your dog. Follow these guidelines to the letter, if a dog does something desirable always reward it, if a dog does something bad punish him or her appropriately. In dogs world consistency is a sign of a leader. You will make your training my easier and effective by being a leader who the dog respects and follows.

Ninety percent of your dogs training will be getting his or hers attention and keeping him focused on yourself. If your dog cannot focus on you, it will not listen to you, and thus making the commands you give fall on empty ears. I will describe a technique on how to get and keep your dog’s attention with few very simple exercises. First, most dogs will respond to their name, so call them and when they look at you tell them “watch”. After doing it few times the dog will associate the command with looking at you. After you have perfected the “watch” command, start doing exercises aimed at expanding your dog’s attention span. A good technique is to hold a treat with your teeth and while standing in front of your dog give it a watch command. Stand in position for a few seconds keeping dogs attention, then praise. Repeat the exercise until your dog focus on you for about a minute. The more attention your dog can give you the better student it will be.


A vital part of dog training is the understanding of how a dog thinks. Dogs, like small children, have a very short attention span. Most dogs can be focused on training for about ten to twenty minutes, after that time they will start loosing focus and will require a small break. A good idea is to make regular training sessions of 20-30 minutes per day. Another important thing is to make the training fun for the dog. Make the dog look forward to the training time instead of dreading it. To achieve this you should always make their effort worthwhile. After every successful command make sure to give them a treat or praise them with very excited voice. The more willing the dog is to train the more effective the training will be!

Incorporate these techniques into your training sessions and in no-time you will be ready to proceed to much more complex obedience training exercises. You and your dog will both enjoy the time spent together, your dog will respect you for being a responsible owner and other people will appreciate your dog’s great behavior after you are done!

Author : Dmitry Belov is founder of Dnepr Import. Visit their site at: http://www.dneprimport.com


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How To Give Your Dog A Bath.

Bathing your dog helps to keep it healthy as well as clean. Bathing helps reduce the amount of flea repellents you need to use as well as prevents hotspots, a potentially serious problem for your best friend.

Bathing too frequently can dry out the skin and coat so only one bath a month is recommended by experts.

Brush the dog before giving it a bath. Be sure to get all tangles and matts out because the water will make it worse. If a comb or brush cannot remove all the matts use a conditioner or detangler if necessary.

Gather up what items you need before you start the bath: A brush, comb, collar and leash, shampoo, face cloth, and several towels.

If bathing the dog in the bathtub, use a safety mat. A hand held shower or pail for applying water and rinsing. Use a dog shampoo which is formulated for the pH of a dogs skin. Human shampoos can strip a dog's coat of essential oils.

Use warm, but not hot, water.

Avoid getting water and shampoo in the eyes and ears. Use a washcloth to wash the dogs face. Do not get water or soap in the eyes or ears!!

Be sure to rinse all the shampoo and conditioner off the dog. If you leave any of this on the dog, it will get itchy skin.

If using a tub, open the drain and let the water drain. To dry, put a towel over the head. Use another towel to dry off its back and legs. Then gently rub or pat with the towel. If your dog is long-haired don't rub vigorously because you can put mats back in the coat.

To finish use a blow dryer on the lowest setting and hold at a distance so the dog receives only warm air. Use a dryer only if your dog isn't afraid of the noise. To some dogs, the dryer is much worse than the bath.

Author : Marilyn Pokorney, Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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10 Aug 2009

How To Stop The Dogs's Chewing Problem?

Many people have begun the team from dog or puppy in a dog training school. There are many aspects which are gone above dog training classes. Unfortunately, is a part of dog training which is not gone over very well in dog training classes is chewing. It is difficult to get more a problem in chewing dog training classes because dogs have often nothing to chew or destroy, all in class! If you are one of these people who are in dog training classes, but you have always need help to chew, please read.

This type of training of dog can be for dogs young and old. Many people find this part of dog training to be more frequent in the puppies. But older dogs have been know need this type of dog training because they like to chew things while their owners are far!

To start this type of training of dog, you must first to realize that all dogs chew. Dogs need to chew. Therefore, when you start, make sure that you have several things that are ok for your dog to chew. Then begin your dog training by keep all your dogs chewing toys in one place. This way, your dog will learn to associate this place with its chew toys. You must do this for that this type of dog training work. Try to have the dog toys in a "toy box" for your dog.

During this training of dog, never smacking or hit your dog if you catch chewing on something that it is not authorized to. Instead, for the effectiveness dog training, praise your dog and pet when she treats on what it is supposed chew on. It has been demonstrated that the dogs meet much more positive praise and positive dressage dogs. If the dog continues to chew on things that he should not , verbal reprimand. Your voice will be enough punishment and is the only punishment necessary for this kind of training of dog.

Another method dog training you can try is to put a taste deterrent on the points your dog should not chew. This dog training chew deterrent is called "bitter apple" and it is available to most of the animal facilities. This is the most effective dog training that will teach your dog not to chew inappropriate things. If you follow all these aspects, your dog training should go more slowly. Dog Training can be a fun and enriching experience... as long as all your favorites things are not mâché in the process! Remain calm and to be patient to obtain good results.

Author : Amy Howells is an expert dog trainer who runs a website dedicated to teaching people how to train their dog or puppy in just 21 days. Visit http://www.dog-owner.net/training.htm for more info.

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7 Aug 2009

Dog Worming

Regular Worming is essential to protect your dog against internal parasites. This involves giving it preparations in liquid or form of tablets. Adult dogs should be)at least once a year, and at least once every six months if in contact with children. Dogs showing signs of infection must be)immediately, and all breeding bitches should be)before coupling.

Toward. Several of these parasites affect dogs but most important are those that belong to the family that, and to live in the small intestine. Other toward infest the large intestine, blood vessels and respiratory tract. Ascaris feed digest foods in the dog gut, and are particularly harmful to puppies. They are entering a puppy intestinal wall and pass through the blood for the liver and then the lungs. From there, they crawl the trachea to be coughed and swallowed, once again ending in the intestine.

Infected puppy may develop :

Hepatitis, pneumonia, is part and the obstruction to the intestine, so regular treatment is vital. As the puppy ages most worms journey to the muscles, where they form cysts. These sleep until the puppy bitch becomes pregnant. They then migrate to the puppies lungs, and that is why practically each puppy is born with roundworm, and must be)regularly.

How to affecting humans. These worms may infect humans, and in a very low number of cases, cause disease. Good hygiene and good sense concerning children and puppies should control the problem.

Tapeworms. The tapeworm tickle the dog anus and make the dog drag it is rear along the floor. If you see any ver segments in your dog faeces, treat as soon as possible. As a dog lover myself, i trafficking my own animals at least twice per year. Worming tablets can be purchased dear to your local supermarket or 1, there is therefore no excuse for not treat your own pet on a regular basis.

I thank you for reading my article. I hope that he was pleasant.

Author : John Moore - Author and pet lover. Please use my link.http://www.pet-dog-cat.com

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How To Choose The Perfect Dog Name For Your Puppy.

Three main dog Name Guidelines :

1. Choose a name your dog can easily recognize. Dogs generally better respond to one or two syllables names. If you do not want to go for a dramatic and unusual long name, consider whether you can easily shorten to something a little more simple for your dog to understand.

2. Avoid dog names that a healthy as the standard commands of No, stay, sit down, come, or recover. For example "Joe" is probably too close to "no". It may be difficult for dogs to tell the difference between similar words.

3. Choose a name that is both easy to ask and the one that you are happy appeal. Remember, you will be asked your dog name in public places at times and shout Parsnip in the local park, may leave you feeling somewhat embarrassed! You also want a name that will work well when you are straining your voice to draw your pet as it disappears in the sunset chase a rabbit!

Search for dog Name Inspiration :

Begin with the obvious. Take a long and difficult look at your new small friend, it may be you say his name without you. Look at his appearance, the behavior, personality, and alienation. Names like place or red can come to mind. How do I make Bulb for a dog who steals things or rebels to a stubborn dog?

Then look elsewhere for inspiration. You can name your dog after the other famous dog, for example Pluto, Pongo, Lassie or Digby. What are your favorite sports, film, music or comic strip star?

How to choose a dog name after a member of your family or friend of a figure of history as Napoleon, Alexander the Great or Raspoutine? Take a look at your environment or think in your favorite spot that they will give you more ideas.

Remember, dog name you choose for your puppy said as much about you as it does about your pet. It shows how you see your dog and your relationship with him. But other people can judge your dog s character by reference to its name and could therefore react negatively or tremendously to a dominant name when its meeting. It is a good idea to use a dog name which transmits the image that you want your pet to have.

In addition, choosing a name that will increase with the animal. For example "Tiny" may be less appropriate for a full increased dog. Regardless of the method you choose, have a good time doing and choose a name you want to keep.

Teaching your puppy its name to choose a dog name that you please and hold. It can be confusing for your puppy if you are constantly changing your spirit. Your dog will learn its new name quickly if you use often. When you call your pet, use his name. Not to say "here puppy". Call your pet by its name will allow him to familiarize themselves with it and with your voice, as well. Whether selecting a long name keep in mind the shortened version.

A long name will inevitably be shortened, but it can ruin the effect that you were initially you are looking for. Especially if fun and choose a name that you really like. Your puppy will undoubtedly become your best friend and only you can find just the good name.

Author : Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about dog names, puppy care and traning at http://www.all-about-puppies.com/dog_names.html

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How To Understand Your Dog's Mood.

Here's a short guide to some basic dog body language and what that means:

Dominant - you will find that a dog dominant has its ears right or to transmit, its mouth slightly open or closed its eyes open wide or staring, its body permanent stiff and tall with possibly raised, and its tail of the organization stiffened or us. A low and authoritarian bark may often be provided.

Friendly - a friendly dog a is up ears, open and alert eyes, a relaxed atmosphere mouth, a tail or any rear agitated, and possibly whining, yapping or giving short bark.

Playful - an arc position with agite queue means play.

Submission - a dog with its ears closely return, the eyes closed and paw raised is showing extreme submission. The dog is not happy, but demonstrates that it will not attack.

Aggressive - aggressiveness in the dog has its ears aplatie back against his leader, his eyes narrowed or difficult, as the body tense, mouth open to show the teeth and tail holding of the organization, and we if possible. Some or growls are typical.

Concerned - Sharp barks combined with growling, ears flattened and neck hair raised means "I am concerned" or "something wrong."

The fear - a dog shows fear with a position lowered, tail or tucked under, a Arched Back, Looking or turning leader then showing the whites of their whites of the eyes and dilated pupils. Often dogs bark by fear, especially if they are driven, closed, or in leaves.

Stressed - a dog has stressed will often have ears back and low, a wide open mouth, lips fired back with rapid breathing. Also shoulders lowered, vaulted forward, the tail tucked, tension in thighs and will probably aspen.

Now that you understand more of what your puppy tries to tell you how he feels or the mood that it is to try to answer this in your puppy training and daily life. In a puppy training session your dog should be showing that it is in a friendly or ludic mood. If it shows that it is a dominant position then you know that it may not be taken you seriously or could be stubborn and you probably need to be more farm.

Some submission behavior is not a bad thing that it means that what he understands that you are responsible. If your puppy becomes stressed, fearful, worried or even aggressive, you must stop your training and reassure your dog immediately. If you have been training for more 15 minutes to stop and to take a break. When you come back takes the things more slowly or approach the things differently. Use your knowledge in every day life too. Watch your puppy in different situations and you will quickly discover what he likes and dislikes or how it feels. You can then take measures to give him more what he enjoys and more support, confidence and training in situations that it finds more difficult.

Authot : Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about puppy training and care at http://www.all-about-puppies.com/puppy_training.html

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5 Aug 2009

First Aid For Dogs

If your dog is hit hard in your house or then and with you, you must know how to administer first help until you can reach a veterinarian. A first aid kit adapted to your needs of the dog can really be a lifesaver. If you have your dog on frequent outings away from home, you would be wise to maintain a second first aid kit practice in your car.

A first aid kit for a dog contains many the same points it would do to man. A roll of cotton wool and some cotton balls, gauze pads and the band, a pair of scissors small with rounded advice, tweezers, instant ice pack, hydrogen peroxide, a bandit syringe for suction mucous membranes of your nose or mouth sterile wrong solution made specifically for pets, a clean environment, white cotton sock (to cover wounded paws), small flashlight, rectum thermometer, injection syringe without the needle (to give liquid medication), and not liquid electrolyte (such as Pedialyte). Keep it all in a robust plastic container with a lid. Write your veterinarian the name and phone number on the lid, as well as the closest to pet emergency hospital.

If you travel often and leave your dog with another person, put several copies of a release signed in the first aid kit authorizing the helping to approve the necessary treatment. Dog owners often tend to for the domestic animals which have been stung by a bee. If your dog is piqué while I have watched around, limit its and remove the stinger either with tweezers or by scraping outside (moving parallel to the skin surface). Bathing piquer place with a mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda will ease some of the pain. Swelling may be reduced by the application ice packs or to grant a dose of Benedryl-be sure to ask your veterinarian to the right mix.

If your dog is injured, its approach calmly and with care. Do not assume that it will not snap or bite you - injured animals often react negatively to first sight any attempt to touch. Talk marble and move slowly, so that it can see that you want to say that it any damage. If your dog is bleeding heavily, it is important to slow down or stop the flow as soon as possible. Use a towel own or cloth to apply a pressure directly on the wound. Change towels/tissues as necessary, but maintain pressure on up to achieve a veterinarian. If necessary, you can apply thick gauze pads and the use band to obtain while you transport your cat. It is better, however, to maintain pressure on the wound and approximately another drive.

If your dog seems to be stifle, use a flashlight to verify the throat. If you see and can easily remove the object, do. If you can not see the object, but are some your dog is choking, you might need to execute a modification Heimlich maneuver. It is important to obtain adequate training for this, as he can cause serious injury if done incorrectly. Many societies protective of animals and animal organizations offer courses on pet first aid, which include the Heimlich maneuver, CP, and techniques for dealing with serious injuries and poisoning.

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