When choosing a dog collar, many people do not understand that the collar you choose could heavily effect dog obedience and health. Your specific type of dog should have a specific type of collar or harness, and this choice, having such an impact on dog care, should be something that more people are aware in the importance of. Here are a few types of dog collars.
The original buckle collar is the one you see on most dogs. These collars are adjustable and don’t pinch or pull. leather is the best choice when considering the buckle collar because they don’t tend to chaff or break hair as much as the nylon types. Plus they last longer
Break collars
Break collars were invented to let a dog escape from it’s collar to avoid being strangled by accident. These collars will release their clip if the strap gets stuck on something, which could save your dog, and also work so that when you put a leash on, the clip will not open.
Chokers
Chokers, also called slip collars, are generally used for training or for generally unruly dogs. this metal chain tightens around a dogs neck if they pull on the leash, teaching them not to pull you when they walk. If you plan on getting a choker, you should ask for the specific type for your dog, because the wrong type could get caught in their hair, or choke them. However, this isn’t a problem if you get the right type and size. These should never be used on puppies.
Pinch Collars
Pinch collars have a shockingly gory appearance, but don’t be fooled by it! Despite the looks of the pinch collar, they are actually a safer training method than using a choker. These collars are typically metal, and pinch the dog when they pull on the leash, making training faster, and teaching your dog never to pull. These leashes, however, can never be left on your dog when they are unattended and should also never be used on puppies.
Harnesses
Harnesses are a type of leash that distribute pressure equally throughout the dogs chest and make walking little dogs and non-pulling dogs easier. Harnesses have a strap that go over your dogs chest and stomach. These were originally made in order to allow your dogs to pull heavy weights, and are still today used on sled dogs. However, they are now also used as a way to protect dogs because of the way they spread the weight of your pulling on the leash. Many trainers believe that this collar influences pulling, but some find it quite effective in different cases.
Head Harness
I’m not going to lie, these look a little funny. This harness goes on the dogs face right above their nose, and right under their neck. The head harness was created for dogs that pull, and make most dogs very uncomfortable, however they are very effective.
Shock Collars
We won’t give out much information on this type of dog collars, because they tend to have more negative than positive effects on a dog, but they basically shock your dog when they go out of the perimeters you set around your home, or shock them when you press a button. We personally do not recommend this collar for any dog.
Rottweiler’s are often thought to be viciousus dogs due to improper training that most people have witnessed. This breed of dog is not bred to be vicious, but is rather bred for power and ferocity, and due to the misconceptions that people have seen, they are seen as a mean dog. We will help you see why dog training is a must with these dogs, and how to deal with puppy socialization
Children and Family
Rottweilers may seem mean, but they are great with kids. These dogs tend to have a herding instinct that keeps them in touch with your kids, and keeps them from wandering off. A Rottweiler will be very protective, but they will keep your children and you safe at all times. The misconception of the Rottweiler being an angry dog comes partially from their fear of strangers. When a Rottweiler becomes afraid, they become defensive and competitive, but with proper training, this should not be an issue.
How to Deal With Aggression Early
Rottweilers aren’t just afraid because of strangers, but anything that may encroach on their home. These dogs need to have had great puppy socialization in order to be comfortable around strangers, but their barking can be avoided. Training is needed with a Rottweiler, and if you are going to get one, we personally suggest you get one when it is a puppy. Puppies will be trained in the ways that you personally want them to act instead of in the ideal’s of other people’s homes, and this will prevent future issues with aggression. If they are not puppy trained, chances are that these dogs WILL be aggressive and potentially dangerous around strangers, so if you don’t have extra training time for a dog, do NOT get a Rottweiler. These dogs need strict owners that will keep them in their place, and constant care and attention, good for bigger families. These dogs are not naturally aggressive, but if you let them get angry with you, you will have future problems with training. It is highly suggested that if you are one of the people who says things such as, ‘he can’t help it, he’s a puppy!’, that you do not get a Rottweiler.
All in all, a Rottweiler’s attitude is all in their training. If you have questions, please contact our Florida dog training center!
There are many contributors that lower the quality of dog food, such as by-products, fillers, non-specific meat sources and preservatives, but what are they? Many people know that these ingredients are bad for your dog, but we’ll explain what they are, and why they’re bad for your dog’s health. Follow these simple dog care tips, and your dog will easily live a longer happier life.
Fillers
Fillers are simply cheap tasteless ingredients that are put into most commercial dog foods as a replacement of actual nutrition and quality. Fillers can be many things, such as crushed peanut shells, straw, corn, crushed corn cobs, weeds, or even feathers. Fillers do not ‘fill’ in for anything but size. Not only do they have no real purpose besides making the quantity of food larger, but they can additionally harm your dog. Fillers can cause issues with a dogs digestive process, allergies, and even cause severe medical problems in puppies and older dogs.
By-Products
By-products are (in summary) animal parts that should not be eaten. Meat by-products despite their name, do not contain actual meat, but rather animal parts such as leftover animals heads, feet, internal organs, intestines and other carcass parts that are not healthy for dogs. There are four D’s in the manufacturing business, which are Dead, diseased, disabled and dying, which are all okay by them to put into our dogs food, and it’s gross.
Un-Specified Meat
Whenever you look at the nutrition ingredients and it has ‘meat’ listed as protein, stay away from that food. When there is no specification to the type of meat being put into the food,it means that there are many things that could be considered as meat to the manufacturers and they don’t want to tell you what types of ‘meat’ there is because it’s unhealthy. This ‘meat’ can include feet, skin, hair, joints, and even animals that have died from diseases. All of these materials are ground together and labeled as ‘meat’ on their products, because they aren’t proud enough of their food to tell you whats really in it.
Preservatives
Preservatives are simply a substance that extend the shelf life of a product. This means that it keeps the food from spoiling for a longer time than usual in order to keep to food fresh. There is a downside to the preservatives used in all food, but specifically in dog food, the ingredients can cause cancer.
Dog care is important to us at our Florida dog training center, so if you want to learn more, give us a call or ask a few of your local dog trainers. Love your dog!
Many people love tiny dogs, and Teacup puppies has become very popular in dog adoption. Not only are these adorable puppies seen as a best friend, but additionally a fashion trend all over the world. But as we all know, to every good thing comes something bad, so this is written as a warning. No matter how insanely adorable these puppies may be, there are a few dog adoption tips you may want to read about before getting them.
‘Teacup’ Title and Breeding
Dogs come in many breeds; hounds, mutts, toy’s, and more. If you have ever watched a dog show, you would notice that there is no competition in the teacup category. This is because the ‘teacup’ title does not qualify a different type of dog, but rather refers to the size of a dog. These dogs generally weigh from four to seven pounds, and are extremely fragile due to their size. Teacups are easily injured, if you even accidentally step on them, it could be fatal simply because of their size. It is never safe to breed a dog under five pounds, but these breeders are playing with genetics, and the faults in these puppies are proof of their wrongdoing.
Fragility and Diseases
These puppies (as mentioned before) are uncommonly fragile due to their small size and unconventional breeding. ‘Teacup’ puppies often encounter respiratory problems, and often do not live past a few years. many other diseases and issues that are often contracted in these small dogs include hypoglycemia, cardiac problems, collapsing trachea, luxating patellas, Leggs Calves Perthes disease, seizures, blindness and digestive problems.
The Undertaking
We are not trying to decrease the adoption of small puppies, but we are merely trying to warn you of the drawbacks that are commonly included in these small dogs, and what it could mean for your future. These dogs become a huge responsibility despite their size, and may take a lot of time and money to keep. With this in mind, remember that when it comes to dog care, a Teacup may not be the best idea if you want an easy dog.
Often times we need to give our dogs pills for whatever reason it may be, and it is important to go about it the right way. Making dogs swallow pills can be hard, but it is essential for the health of your dog, and is a big contributor to dog care. Dogs are like little kids, and will most likely have issues swallowing pills without being tricked, so here are a few dog owner tips for getting your dog to take their medication!
Food
Putting your dogs pill in their kibble will often work, but with my friends dog who eats like a monster, the Labrador somehow manages to eat all of the food within a minute and still avoid the pill. If you have a dog who somehow never eats the pill within their food, then you might have to be a little sneakier…
Roll it up!
Rolling up a piece of cheese or lunch meat around a pill is a good way to get your dog wanting to take the pill. They take one look at your ‘human food’ and the attraction is usually strong enough to make them eat the food along with the pill without difficulty. However, be cautious, because some peoples dogs see them putting the medication inside the mushy food and refuse to eat it. If your dog is that smart, you might need to wrap up the pill in private.
Tips
If your dog still will not swallow, here are a few quick easy ways to get the medicine in their tummies! If you put the pill in their mouths and gently stroke their throat while holding their mouth shut, it stimulates the swallowing reflex forcing them to swallow. (What’s funny is this works on humans too) There are also ‘pill pockets’ available at pet stores which you can stick pills in. These pockets work on all dogs big and small, and are a great way to go for dogs who can’t swallow pills. For additional help or information, consider calling a few dog trainers.
Dogs are a common household pet today, and being so common, they are often neglected. In some peoples lives, free time is a rarity, but spending some quality time with your pet can make all the difference in both of your lives. For many of you, your dogs get a kick out of going on a walk every day, or even just playing around the house, and if this works for you and your pet, great! If it doesn’t than you’re probably looking for some new things to try. Quality time with your dog is positive reinforcement for them to act well, and it lets them know they’re loved, so for some of you who want new ways to spend time with your dog, here are a few good ideas.
Doggy Dates
Doggy dates are simply when you bring your dog over to a friends house to have a play date! Doggy dates are an especially good idea for people with only one dog. This is because without a friend in the house, they could easily be ignorant in the subject of dog socialization and not know how to act around other dogs. Letting your dogs play with your friends dogs will let them have friends away from home, creating an outside life for them!
New Terrain
There are many places that your dog has probably never been to, so why not explore a little? Bringing your dog to farms, beaches, the woods, the desert, or anywhere they haven’t had the chance to go on an adventure will give them a chance to experience new things and new places. You can take your dog hiking, swimming, boating, walking, and easily enhance your relationship by including them in your adventures. Additionally, always consider bringing your dog on vacation with you, when you’re traveling. Not only do they make great companions, but they’ll be thrilled at the chance to go somewhere :)
Going Out
I have a friend who takes her dog everywhere with her, if she’s going to drop her daughter off, her dog goes on a car ride with her, if she’s going on a walk, you know she brought her dog, and this is a great relationship. Taking your dog wherever you go with you will give you some great bonding time without you having to make much time at all for them. They’ll enjoy your company, and they’ll enjoy yours!
In all, just make time for your dog, weather it be a dog training class, or an off road excursion, they’ll love spending time with you! For more information on Dog obedience classes, take a look at our Florida Dog Training website.
Many people get worried about having a dog around the house when planning to have a child. If it’s any consolation, most dogs are great when it comes to coping with children, but for those of you who are more skeptical about the choices you have, here are a few tips. Dog obedience is a big part of child safety, so when bringing a baby home, you should have already laid down some laws. It is important to establish some basic rules based on what you are comfortable with. Dogs are often very ‘in-tune’ with their owners. Therefore, with an event such as pregnancy, they know something important is happening, just as you do. A few things definitely need to be established before the baby shows up, and you have nine whole months to do it, so if you get on the ball and teach your dog while you have time to spare, things will be easy!
Dominance
Firstly, your dog should know who’s boss in the house. You need to establish that you are their owner, because when you have an alpha in your house, it should be you and not your dog. Failing to do this will lead your dog to think that everything in the house is theirs, including your baby. The reason why we bring this up is because dogs need to be especially well-mannered around a baby, and if you proclaim your dominance through time, they will learn to mellow out and accept the change.
Claiming your baby
Many people go about this in different ways. Most people have ‘look but don’t touch’ relationships established with their baby and their dog, and this is established by claiming your baby. Before you introduce your baby to your dog, bring your dog something that has the babies scent. When you show your dog the item, they can sniff it, but don’t let them touch it. This exercise will let your dog know that the smell belongs to you, so that when you bring the baby in, they will understand that the baby is yours. This will keep it so that they wont get too close to the baby.
Another option is teaching your dog not to go inside the nursery. Many people are comfortable with their dog visiting the baby regularly, but if your dog has repeatedly shown signs of aggression, you should be concerned. Aggression can either grow, or dissolve when a new family member is introduced. Many dogs fall in love with ‘their’ babies and watch over them like their own, but others grow frustrated and confused, leading to possible outbreaks of violence. Remember, dog training is always the best route if you are concerned with the relationship between your dog and your baby.
Crates and Kennels have become a popular way to begin dog training for furry friends of all ages. Crates are known as a great way for puppies get through stages of separation anxiety, as well as a good way to put positive reinforcement on dogs ‘alone time’. However, many dogs of older ages have issues adjusting to crates, so here are a few dog owner tips on how to handle Kennel training.
When you first get your dog a crate, it may be a foreign concept to your pet. The new addition to your home will most likely take some time to ease your pet into, so here are a few ways to make the comfortable switch into using one. Make sure to introduce your dog to the idea of the crate. Leaving the crate in an area that is frequented by family members (such as the living room) will reassure your dog that it is safe, and soon will become a normal thing in your home. Many dogs have an automatic curiosity as to what the crate is, and end up looking around it. Many dogs even grow automatically accustomed to spending time in the crate and need no training, but if that is not your case, keep reading!
Familiarity and Food
One of the easiest ways to get your dog into the crate, is to start feeding them inside it on a regular basis. If you consistently present your pets meals inside the crate, they will grow to see it as a common place and become more comfortable spending time in it. Another way to help familiarize your dog with the crate is to put some of their favorite objects inside. Weather it be a loved toy or a comfy bed, placing these objects inside will make the kennel or crate more homey for your pet. Once they become less anxious inside of the crate, try leaving them inside for small amounts of time while you are home, and gradually increase the time until they are comfortable with going inside of it on a regular basis. Additionally, try leaving them inside while you are gone until the action becomes routine.
Potential problems with crates and Kennels include dog separation anxiety and whining. Try to always let your dog outside to go to the bathroom before you put them into the crate to assure that it is not because they need to pee. If problems persist, consider Florida dog training for your pet.
Dog training is a necessity, and it especially helps if you do it when they are young. it is very important to teach puppy commands in their first year; it will form good habits that will come in handy with basic dog care, and keep the both of you out of trouble! Here are a few basic things every puppy should learn.
Potty Training
It seems that all people should know to teach their dogs to go to the bathroom outside, but it is equally important for you to teach them to alert you when they have to go. Unless you have a doggy door, you need to know when they have to go or you’ll end up with a soggy carpet, and that doesn’t smell so good.
Stop and Stay
Training your dog to stop and stay is very important when considering dangerous situations and manners around others. If your dog runs off when you open the door or if they get off their leash, you need to have the control of making them stop and stay. This also comes in handy when you have guests over and your puppy is pestering them.
NO jumping
Jumping may be adorable when they are puppies, but you don’t want your full grown dog jumping on children or elderly friends, so break the habit!
Puppy Socialization
Let your puppy be friendly and be around other animals, but know when to limit them. It is fine to let your dog play with other kitties or dogs, but don’t let them start chasing, biting, or harassing the other animal. Don’t eliminate dog play, just watch over how your puppy acts around other dogs. Basically, teach them their limits of puppy socialization in order to be polite around others.
Dominance
Many dogs mistakenly believe they are the alpha of the house and take over the space as their territory. This is a horrible thing to let your dogs do. Letting them think that they are in charge will make them lash out and become violent in situations that are not appropriate. If your dog starts growling at you as a puppy, it is a good idea to take them to a dog obedience class. One of my puppies used to growl, and a good way to show them that you are in charge is to simply flip them onto their back. We repeatedly flipped him on his back whenever he acted out, and now he is now the nicest family dog you could ask for! Doing this a few times will send the message that you’re the boss.
Almost every dog loves toys! It’s a staple in dogs that they love to play, bound, and leap around with their toys, but with so many out there, which ones are good and bad for dogs? Through the years of dog play, a few toys have stuck around that are famous for being so loved by our furry friends everywhere, so here are a few winners and losers out there!
The Kong ball has to be the best known dog toy out there. It’s a red bumpy ball that you can stuff with yummy treats for your dog, or toss around the yard for fun! Dogs also love to chew on Kong toys, and being practically indestructible, they last a lifetime. Kong toys are also dishwasher safe as an added bonus!
Squeaky Toys
Squeaky toys are generally a dog favorite. This is because with normal toys they are just playing with a stuffed animal, but with a squeaker inside they get a reaction out of their toy, which some dogs are very fond of. However, the drawback to a squeaky toy is that they get very annoying for us; as a result, many people tend not to buy them. Some dogs feel the same way as most humans and hate the squeakiness, alternatively some dogs love the noise and relentlessly play with them. One thing that you have to be careful concerning squeaky toys is that your dog does not tear apart the toy. We’ve all seen cartoons where a dog swallows the squeaker and ends up squeaking, but little do people know that this actually happens. When a dog is chewing a squeaky toy, the squeaking nozzle often comes off and can get lodged in their throat causing a need for emergency surgery (no matter how funny it sounds). So if you are going to buy squeaky toys, just make sure you are there for supervision while the dog plays with the toy.
Floating toys
Floating rings make wonderful toys for retrievers to go fetch. These toys (like tennis balls) create a way for you to interact and play with your pet while giving them a good time! Fetch toys will also help you with dog exercise habits!
Toys to be Cautious With
Large breed dogs often love to play fetch with tennis balls, but if they are large enough (Such as Great Danes or Saint Bernards) they can literally swallow it. When playing with tennis balls, just make sure you keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don’t hold it too far back in their throat. A study in Germany has also shown that the glue used in tennis balls also damages tooth enamel for dogs, so be cautious. Another toy to be careful of are Tug toys. Tug-of-war as seen by a dog can be a fight for dominance, while for you it is just a game. Just make sure with tug toys that your dog is keeping it friendly. As a last warning, keep big toys for big dogs. Bigger dogs tend to choke on small toys, so make sure your toys are size appropriate.
Overall make sure your toys use positive reinforcement on your dogs attitude, and are safe for your pet. Questions about toy safety? Contact a Florida dog obedience trainer today!
us dogs due to improper training that most people have witnessed. This breed of dog is not bred to be vicious, but is rather bred for power and ferocity, and due to the misconceptions that people have seen, they are seen as a mean dog. We will help you see why