How to Socialize your Dog to other Family Pets

by Paul P. Duxbury

Socializing your dog to accept new animals into the household is not always an easy task. We all read the biblical account of Noah and his Ark and wondered just how he got the animals to survive in the ark together for five minutes let alone 40 days and nights of rain.

The dog usually has its own ideas of its territory and home and is generally not a generous creature when it come to sharing but would much rather chase the intruders away. We have to reprogram the dogs thinking to make it understand that chasing the cat or iguana or whatever other pet you may have, is not acceptable. So how about some instruction on just how it is done?

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Popularity: 40% [?]

Is your dog playing

by Danielle Dickinson and Dee Scott

“He’s only playing” - Or is he?

We’ve all seen it, Buster, the 18 month old Labrador. He’s on his way to the park dragging his owner who can barely keep up, behind him on a lead. He’s so excited that when he reaches the gate his owner can hardly get the lead off him.

The second the lead is removed he races off, breaking a land speed record, straight into a group of dogs bowling them and their owners over. Another group of dogs capture Buster’s attention and he dashes off to another area of the park leaving the bewildered dogs and owners in his wake. It seems Buster is on a mission to meet everyone at the park as quickly as possible.

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Popularity: 17% [?]

Triple Crown Clicker >>>

$5.00 SALE $2.59

Using the Triple Crown Clicker is an easy and fun way to shape and reward positive behaviors in your pet. It is based on the scientific principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. An ergonomic design makes the clicker comfortable to use.

Dog.com

Popularity: 5% [?]

From $33.39 to $76.29 | Midwest Full-Feature Home Training Crate >>>

Budget-priced; ideal for pets not requiring a more heavyweight crate. High quality steel wire construction with black electro-coat finish.

Comes with easy to clean pan made from tough ABS plastic; safe, secure side bolt latch. Disassembles for easy storage. Awarded the prestigious Consumer Digest “Best Buy” Award for Home Training Crates.

Available in several sizes. Smallest is 24” x 20” x 21” and weighs 16 lbs., largest is 48” x 30” x 36” and weighs 28 lbs.

Popularity: 5% [?]

$20.00 | Brass Silent Dog Whistle by Acme >>>

Great in town or country; brass silent dog whistle by Acme is perfect for close or at distance training. Tuned for dog’s hearing; also used to train dolphins, and killer whales at Sea World. Famous for its effects on cats, horses, mice…even bats!

This is the original silent whistle invented by Acme in 1935. Adjustable frequency range from 5400 Hz. to 12,800 Hz. Nickel plated (silver) finish over brass; made in England. Effective up to 2 miles; dependant upon wind, weather, terrain, etc.

Popularity: 5% [?]

$84.99 | One-Touch Indoor Pet Gate >>>

This One-Touch Indoor Pet Gate is both functional for keeping your pet confined to a safe area and attractive, to enhance interior décor.

A sturdy, high-quality pet gate with the rich look of mahogany, and pressure mounts with rubber stoppers that won’t damage walls.  Best yet, construction of pet gate lets you to pass through quickly and easily, without removing the whole assembly.

Innovative design; gate door can swing open in either direction, latched gate handle adds security.  Adjusts to fit openings from 28” to 36” and at 32 ½” tall (nearly 35” tall with handle added), keeps even large pets confined.   

Popularity: 6% [?]

Problems between dogs and their care givers arise from a multitude of reasons, most of which could be easily avoided. Inconsistent training, expecting too much too soon, harsh or inexperienced handling, and negligence are responsible for the majority of ongoing canine behavior problems.

Pet owners who take the time to become knowledgeable about their pet’s needs, and who build a solid foundation of love and trust with their pet, rarely experience serious behavior problems once training is complete.

Pet owners who fail in these areas, however, are likely to instill fear, confusion, lack of confidence, and even depression in their pet. Reading this Savvy Dog Lover article will go a long way in helping persons to understand the unique needs of their canine companions.

Dogs are a lot like most people. They may goof now and then, but they invariably try and do their best. They truly want to please their care givers. A sensitive dog owner will realize this.

Sensitive dog owners will also realize that, like people, some dogs catch on more quickly than others; others are slower to learn. Some dogs are also more easily distracted. Some are naturally more aggressive, others more timid – requiring extra patience and encouragement during training.

Understanding your dog is vital, for both you and your dog. This is especially true when it comes to training.

There are ten important factors to remember if you desire training success:

1.) Patience is critical. Forcing a puppy or young dog to do more than he is capable of doing, losing control and yelling or striking out at the dog, or ending a training session on a sour note all sabotage training success and build confusion and mistrust in the dog.

2.) Keep training upbeat and fun for your dog. Sessions should begin and end with success. Start the session out by “reviewing” a feat or accomplishment your dog already does well. End the session in the same way, with plenty of praise.

3.) Structure is important, so be consistent. Training sessions should be performed regularly. Sessions should be timed to end while your dog is still enthusiastic and attentive. They should last about 15 minutes for puppies, 30 – 40 minutes for adult dogs. Sessions should also be conducted in as distraction-free a location as possible. That means no audience of onlookers for the sake of showing off your “skills” as a trainer.

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Popularity: 5% [?]