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How To Show Your Dog You’re The Boss

Before training your dog, make sure that you settle who is in charge of your “pack.” Tackle that issue with leadership exercises so that the training can be enjoyable. Even if you do a four-week leadership program that includes thirty-minute “Down” and the ten-minute “Sit” sessions, each exercise done three times a week, on rotating days. Each one can be practiced throughout the course of the day, just as long as you closely monitor your pet.

During the first week, let your dog sit at your left side. Then kneel down next to him with both of you facing in the same direction. Next, drape your left arm across his shoulder and hold your hand with your palm up, behind his left foreleg, slightly below the elbow. Then place your right hand behind his right foreleg. Make sure that you support your dog’s forelegs on your palms - lift him into what is known as the begging position and then lower him onto the floor with a “Down” command.

While you lift your dog into the begging position, make sure that you position your thumbs in either up or folded in your palms …this is so that you cannot accidentally apply too much pressure on his forelegs. Make sure that you take your hands off him and don’t budge - keep still. When ever your dog gets up, just put him back. Wait around thirty minutes or so and give the release word “Ok.” Use this even if he has fallen asleep. This will let him know that the exercise is over. It is recommended that dog owners practice this exercise at least three times during the week of training (on alternate days).

After a few attempts of getting up, many dogs, resign themselves to staying in the same position for the thirty minutes. Some dogs will actually kick and scream the entire time. It is

Remember, you will have to remain calm and patient because it’s the latter who need this exercise the most

Make sure that you increase the frequency of this exercise every day. If your dog is overly energetic, then teach this exercise to him on a leash. You can sit in a chair next to the dog and sit on the leash so your hands are available to put him in position.

This exercise is important in order to teach your dog who is in charge and to learn how to accept you as his pack leader. Being able to physically place and keep your dog in the “Down” position is essential. When your dog recognizes you as his leader, all further training will go smoothly.

During the second week, sit in a chair next to your and practice the thirty-minute “Down” procedure. For the ten-minute “Sit,” simply place him into a “Sit” with him standing at your left side - both of you facing in the same direction; place your right hand against his chest and your left hand on his shoulders. Then with your left hand, rub down the length of the dog’s back, included the tail, all the way to his knees. Add the same amount of pressure to the right hand and the left, fold him into a sit and use the command “Sit.” Now, you can take your hands off the dog and don’t move.

At this point, when ever your dog’s moves put him back. Wait for about ten minutes; proceed with using the release word “Ok.” This command will let him know the exercise has ended. Remember to practice the thirty-minute “Down” and the ten-minute “Sit” at least three times each, on rotating days through out the course of the training week.

During week three, when you practice the thirty-minute “Down” and the ten-minute “Sit”, make sure that you sit across the room from your dog. Don’t put him back if he should move.

Finally, during week four, walk around the room while your dog remains in position, but do not leave the room. When you have successfully completed this four-week exercise routine, your dog will understand that you are the boss.

Article by Kim Irvin of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase dog beds online.

Posted in Dog, Dog Training, Tips | 2 Comments »

Keeping The Holidays Safe For The Family Dog

The fireworks of the Fourth of July, the tinsel on a Christmas tree, the beauty of holly berries on a plant. The holidays can be wonderful times for humans, but for dogs, they can be downright dangerous. Hazards tend to lurk around every corner as some of the bigger holidays rolls around. Keeping a pet safe, secure and happy amid the festivities will require some planning, but the whole family will enjoy the time more if the legwork is done.

While it’s certainly true there are hazards to dogs’ health and safety at home 365 days a year, a few days are a little more hair-raising than others. Some of the biggest trouble days out of the year for the family dog include:

July 4, New Year’s

It is highly unlikely fireworks will directly hurt a dog, but they can scare them greatly. If this happens, a dog might become distressed, anxious and a bit of a problem. The best thing to do is to keep the family pet in on nights when there is a lot of noise and action expected in the sky. Take care to ensure they are safely enclosed to avoid a dog getting loose and into trouble on a road or with a neighbor. If a party is being held to coincide with the holidays, watch out for stray drinks as alcohol can cause problems for pets, too. Do take the time to reassure them if they become anxious because of the hubbub.

Easter, Halloween, others

Any holiday that might include a lot of sweets or chocolates can present problems for the family dog. While not all dogs have reactions to chocolate, to some the substance is toxic. Take care to keep sweets and other foods they shouldn’t eat out of reach of the family dog. If chocolate is ingested, check with the family vet just to be safe.

Christmas

This might be the single biggest threat to a family dog as far as holidays are concerned. From the plants of the season to the decorations and beyond, there are all kinds of potential problems that arise. In regard to wrappings and trimmings, try to keep them away from the family pet if at all possible. Plants associated with the holidays, such as poinsettias and holly, can be very toxic, so do keep them up and away from dogs and small children. The lights and tree itself can also cause some problems. If a dog has a tendency to jump at them, consider securing the tree or securing the dog away form it. Also, watch out for tinsel and other unusual things a dog might try to ingest. Not everything associated with the holidays is toxic to a dog, but it’s best to take extreme care to ensure the family dog is probably cared for during the season. Keep things such as candy, chocolate and other food items a dog shouldn’t eat far away from them, too.

Caring for the family dog shouldn’t stop during the holidays. While it is very smart to take precautions to protect them, this doesn’t mean that holiday fun has to stop. When a dog is well training and its owner is, too, the holidays can be a great time for the entire family, the dog included.

By Kelly Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies - http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/

Posted in Dog, Dog Training, Lifestyle, Tips | 1 Comment »