Clicker Training for Dogs
Stephanie Bayliss
258
What is a ‘clicker?
A clicker is simply a small plastic box, containing a metal plate which, when pressed, makes a ‘click?sound.
What is clicker training?
Clicker Training is a method of ‘positive reinforcement training??that is, rewarding the behaviours that we like instead of punishing behaviours that we don’t like. When the dog does what we want him to do, we ‘click?and give him a treat.
So, we train the dog to understand that the ‘click?means “well done?and that a treat is coming.
Benefits of Clicker Training
The benefit of the clicker is that it makes a consistent sound and we can make the sound at the very moment that the dog is carrying out the behaviour that we like. The dog will learn to associate the good behaviour with the ‘click?and the forthcoming treat, and will learn to repeat the behaviour.
Of course, we can be positive just by saying “good dog?however, there are some potential problems with this. We will inevitably use a different tone depending on what mood we are in, so it is not a consistent sound; dogs are very sensitive to body language and tone so will receive mixed signals depending on your mood!
The other main problem is timing ?by the time we have said “good dog? the dog may have stopped the positive behaviour and started doing something else. Dogs do not have the power to determine which one of the behaviours is the good one, so again they receive a mixed signal.
Where do you start with Clicker Training?
The most important thing you need is your clicker! The next thing you’ll need are some treats. You will need small, easy to eat, tasty treats ?something that will really make his mouth water! They must be quick to eat because this is a dynamic, fast way to train, so you don’t want him spending ages crunching through huge biscuits! Cheese, cut up into small pieces is irresistible to most dogs, or cooked sausages cut up. The treats need to be easily accessible ?either in a loose pocket or a bag carried around your waist perhaps.
Now, start somewhere with minimal distractions. Our first aim is show the dog the meaning of the clicker. Stand in front of him, click ONCE and give a treat. At this point, the dog doesn’t have to do anything for his treat ?he just needs to learn the association of the ‘click?and treat routine. Spend some time doing a ‘click? then treat. Generally give 1 treat but very occasionally, ‘jackpot?with a handful of treats. Being unpredictable is a good trick to use with dogs ?he’ll eventually work harder because although he knows he’ll get a treat anyway, it’ll be in the back of his mind that he might just get 5 treats if he does something extra special!
He will very quickly learn that a ‘click?means that a treat it coming ?you will see the recognition in his behaviour. His ears will prick at the ‘click?sound, he may get excited, his behaviour will show when he expects a treat following the ‘click?
The Top 3 Clicker Training Rules
1. ALWAYS treat after a click ?even if you’ve accidentally clicked. The dog must have absolute faith in the ‘click means treat?routine. Do not let the kids have the clicker to play with as a toy ?even if they’re in a different room to the dog, he WILL hear it and will be tormented if his treats don’t follow. The clicker is the dog’s toy and no-one else’s!!
2. Only click ONCE. Don’t get excited when he does wonderful things and ‘click, click, click, click??this takes the consistency out of the ‘click?and treat routine. One click is perfectly sufficient!!
3. Keep training sessions short and sweet, preferably around five minutes. They should be fun for both of you; fun for him because he’s getting lots of treats and is using his brain, and fun for you because it is far easier to train him than you ever imagined ?but keep it fun by keeping it short!
When he is responding to the ‘click?and visibly waiting for his treat, you are ready to move on to the next section on teaching basic clicker training commands
4 to 8 Dog Agility Jumps Makes Ideal Training
Brad Carlson
405
We are often asked, “How many jumps should I start with?” You can never have too many single jumps to practice agility. A good starting place is four jumps. This is the absolute minimum number of jumps that we recommend.
You can teach a variety of skills, drills, and exercises with four jumps. Four jumps will allow you to work on a short jump chute or jump grid. You can setup a “box” with your jumps and practice handling, collection, and 270 degree jumps. You can teach your dog jumping left and right. You can be outside the box and send your dog or you can handle from the inside of the box. Your jumps can be setup in a horizontal line, so that you can practice serpentines and threadles.
Go the next step and get eight jumps. Now you can setup two boxes with one introductory jump. You’ve now multiplied your drills that you can practice with your dog. Your jump grids can be of recommended size and quantity of jumps. You can also setup your jumps in a circle with the jump bars perpendicular to the circle or on the circumference of the circle. This pattern also enables you to train a variety of skills.
Your next consideration is a double jump and a triple jump. You could set two or three single jumps together to make your expanded jump, but having double and triple jump in your course work is really valuable to practice. We’ve seen many dogs run a clean course and the last obstacle is a triple and the dog is not prepared for it, and bang, down comes the bar.
You can really be ahead of the pack and have two sets of eight jumps. This is the ultimate in training because you can keep a jump grip up at all times that is separate from your course work, and have eight single jumps to have for course work. And when you include your double and triple, you can really practice all the jumping skills and drills necessary to get you those “Qs”.
Choosing The Right Dog Breed
Andrew Strachan
194
Were you aware that there are literally hundreds of distinct dog breeds? When you decide to get a dog, choosing the right dog breed for you and your family is essential. With so many different dog breeds available, this can become a very daunting task. Luckily, there are ways in which you can narrow down your options somewhat, making the whole thing a lot easier.
First and foremost you should be considering one major factor….. How much space do you have? If you live in an apartment there is little point in getting a large dog that takes up a lot of room and may also need a lot of exercising. For living areas with limited space, consider the Toy group of dogs such as the Terrier Group or Miniature Pinscher. Also the cost of keeping your dog should be evaluated. Very large dogs may eat significant amounts of food whereas smaller dogs will eat very little in comparison. Try doing a rough calculation of cost for several different dog breeds over a twelve month period. Take into consideration food and regular visits to the vet for inoculation, worming etc. You will see that larger dogs are very often much more expensive to keep.
If you have children, you may want to consider what dog breed would suit them. Children can be quite heavy handed with pets sometimes; getting a Chihuahua for example may not be such a good idea as they are delicate animals. Similarly, having a Great Dane or Saint Bernard marauding around the house could be dangerous for a child. The age and number of children you have should definitely be considered as this will affect what type of dog would best suit your circumstances.
Another major point to consider is how much exercise you can offer your dog. If you have a reasonable sized yard, fencing it off will provide a good space for your dog to exercise itself. If you live in an apartment, consider getting a dog that requires very little exercise. An excitable Border collie would be a poor choice for an apartment life. Also, how much exercise can YOU put up with? There is no point getting a dog that requires lots of exercise such as a Hunting or Sporting dog breed if you cannot keep up the exercise regime. Try and get a dog that suits your lifestyle.
Grooming you dog is something to think about. If you do not have a lot of spare time in your life try to avoid dog breeds like the Standard Poodle which will need very regular grooming sessions. The short haired Terriers or Whippets make a good choice for somebody who has little time to sit and groom for hours at a time. Conversely if you have a lot of free time, regular grooming sessions with your dog will provide you both with a lot of quality time that you will both enjoy.
When choosing your dog, take a look at the bigger picture. Try to resist the temptation to go for the cutest, cuddliest, adorable dog you can find. Consider your lifestyle, your home, your family and try to find a dog breed that fits best with your life. After all, your new dog will be sharing your life with you for many years to come so making sure that you are both happy is an important thing to consider.
Comical And Sweet: The Pomeranian
Gary Allison
653
The Pomeranian is a favorite among the toy groups. Its endearing fox-like face and comically poofy coat are almost irresistible. However, the Pomeranian is not for the traditional quiet, clinging lap dog. The most independent of the toy breeds, the Pomeranian does not cling to its owners. This little (3 to 7lbs) guy’s claim to fame is his giant personality. These active toys are notoriously animated, inquisitive and busy. So, if you are looking for a big clown in a little body then the Pomeranian is the dog for you. His antics will keep you entertained as well as attract attention. And although independent, their fierce loyalty makes them great companion dogs.
Ideal for those living in small spaces, Pomeranians make great apartment dogs. They don’t need much exercise and spend most of their day taking naps. However, be prepared to keep them entertained while they are awake. Pomeranians are chock full of energy and they need to be entertained or they can develop behavioral problems and destructive habits. They are notorious chewers although with proper stimulation this behavior can be taken care of with a few chew toys left lying around.
Worried about how this tiny little dog will fare with your other household pets? No need. As long as they are properly socialized they get along with other dogs as well as cats. However, please consider your neighbors?sanity before committing to more than one Pom. They are vocal dogs (females less so than males) and when in groups the chorus of yapping can become a bit much.
Although they are cuddly and loveable, Pomeranians require a lot of attention. Along with their entertainment needs, the soft, thick undercoat and coarser outer coat need to be groomed daily or else they develop painful mats and tangles. They also shed constantly so be prepared to become well acquainted with lint rollers and a pet hair specific vacuum. The undercoat also makes Pomeranians unsuitable for warmer climates if they will be spending extended periods of time out of doors. Their voluminous coats count for about 50% of their apparent size and they are prone to overheating.
Surprisingly, these tiny dogs make great watch dogs. They have a classic case of big dog trapped in tiny body. They are cocky and commanding and rarely back down from anything. Their resounding warning bark can be heard far and wide although its tiny size does not manage to come off as much of a threat. They tend to be reserved with strangers and can bark excessively at new people. It is a good idea to start obedience training early and teach your Pomeranian to bark a few times as an alert but then to ‘be quiet for heaven’s sake?
A note of caution: this little dog is all personality and your baby’s cute little personality quirks can easily become inappropriate behaviors if they are not loved with a firm hand. These little tricksters need to know that there owner is the boss or they will not listen. They can become demanding, pushy, and snappy if they are allowed free behavioral reign. And while these dogs make good companions for elderly people, they should be closely monitored around very young children. However, they are fine around older, well behaved children.
Pomeranians are also prone to certain physical ailments. Early tooth loss can be a problem so while it is tempting to spoil them with canned food and table treats, the main part of a Pomeranians diet should be comprised of dry dog food to keep the teeth and gums in good condition. You should also make sure that your vet gives your dog regular teeth cleanings. Skin problems and eye infections can also be problematic especially as your Pomeranian ages.
But don’t let these potential problems deter you. When making your breed decision, keep in mind that every breed of dog comes with its own caveats, and with the right mix of discipline and love their delightful natures can flourish.
“Hybrid?Dog ?Isn’t That Just Another Word For Mutt?
Hope Saidel
455
Every day we hear more about the new “hybrid?dogs, or “designer?dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of adorable puppies that are examples of this new “breed.?
Of course they’re cute! All puppies are! Should you pay hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars for one? Certainly not! The offspring of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a mutt. And if you have one, you should love it, train it and care for it as if it had the bluest blood of the canine kingdom.
Every dog breed, and there are hundreds in the world, was “created?by humans. Each breed was developed for a specific purpose ?whether that original job was guarding the flock or being the ideal lap-dog. There’s no reason that development shouldn’t continue. If there is a need for a dog with particular characteristics, enterprising individuals will come forward to fill that need.
However, it takes many generations to “breed true.?Compare yourself to your siblings. Do you all have the same looks, same personality, same interests and strengths? Chances are, you don’t. Each of you has some of the “best?traits of your parents. But those may not be the same traits. And each of you has some of the worst.
Two of the best-known mixed-breeds out there now are the “Golden Doodle?and the “Puggle.? The thinking behind these crosses is fairly obvious: wouldn’t it be nice to have a Golden Retriever’s personality and willingness to please combined with the Poodle’s non-shedding coat and intelligence. Wouldn’t it be equally delightful to have a small dog without the breathing issues of a Pug, but quieter than a Beagle.
But there is no way of knowing you won’t get a high-strung, noisy, stubborn, slobbering mutt who sheds like the dickens!
If you are considering spending the kind of money that these “hybrids?are commanding, be sure to research all of the traits of the contributing breeds. You will get a mixture of the two. And an equally adorable mixture may be waiting for you at your local shelter ?the size you want, with the coat you want and the adorable face that melts your heart.
If you require certain characteristics in your puppy ?whether a family member has allergies, or you have a very small, or no yard, or your household requires a quiet, “easy keeper,?or if you wish to fully participate in the world of canine competition, consider a pure-bred animal. There are over 150 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Research them at www.akc.org. Surely one of them is right for you.
Choosing Dog Tags for Your Canine
Keith Londrie
514
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh and new, and you were just getting to know each other. You went through training together, perhaps even ate together. With time, you and your dog became very close ?even closer than you are to a lot of people you know. Your dog is special to you. He might be your best friend, a rascally mischief-maker, or just an accessory to your lifestyle. He depends on you for feeding, play, and discipline. You depend on him for companionship, a connection with the animal world, or household security and protection. For these reasons and more, you should protect your dog from harm, and yourself from loss, by getting him a dog tag.
Dog tags hang on your dog’s collar and provide all the necessary information for calling your dog, contacting you as the owner, and alerting people to your dog’s dietary restrictions. Some dog tags also include vaccination information, such as when your dog last received shots, and some municipalities even require this.
Once you’ve settled on what information to put on your dog’s tag, it’s time to pick out a tag that suits your style and needs. If you’re just looking to tag your dog with basic information, a plain plastic tag will do. But if you want to add a personal touch, consider getting your dog a silver, jewel, gold, or diamond dog tag. Yes, they do exist. You can even have your dog tag customized and shaped exactly the way you want. Some dog tag manufacturers can even laser-etch a photograph onto the tag ?perhaps a picture of you and your beloved pet.
Dog tags can range in price from free or just a few dollars, to diamond dog tags in excess of $7,500. Whatever your taste, there is a dog tag for your furry friend.
5 Important Things To Consider Before Bringing Home A New Dog Or Puppy
Kimberly Zlatin
318
Did you know that there are over 10 million adoptable animals entering our nation’s shelters each year just waiting for a family to call their own? According to the ASPCA approximately 5-9 million of these animals are euthanized in our shelters every year due to overcrowding.
Welcoming a new dog into your home and your heart can bring years of happiness for all involved. Before you adopt, please make sure that you can give a lifelong commitment to a new dog by considering the following:
Research different breeds and temperaments. Do you have small children, live in an apartment, like to be active? While individual dogs have unique personalities, learning a little about the breed may help narrow down your choices, even in the case of mixed breeds.
How much time will you have to spend with your dog? Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time can be destructive and develop separation anxiety. If you are away a lot this may not be the best time to bring a new dog into your home.
Manners please! Some shelter dogs come with their own set of baggage and behavioral problems. Even if they don’t, it is important to enroll your new dog in a basic obedience class to ensure you can enjoy your dog’s company no matter where you take him.
A healthy dog is a happy dog. Regular visits to the veterinarian are necessary for the health of your dog. Unexpected visits are also par for the course when you own a dog, so make sure you are ready for the financial commitment as much as the emotional commitment of having a dog.
Bringing home your new family member. Make your dog feel welcome in his new home by stocking up on some basic supplies before bringing him home. A new collar and leash, food, dog bowl, crate or dog bed and some fun toys are a good start.
What can you do to help if you are not in the position to adopt a dog at this time?
Help a dog find a loving home by contributing your time or money to your local shelter. Part of the reason that shelters are overcrowded is the fact that they don’t have enough volunteers to help with administrative tasks and adoption events. Another option that is often overlooked is fostering a dog while it is awaiting adoption. Thousands of dogs were stranded during Hurricane Katrina and foster homes are still needed. This can free up more space in the shelter and also provides a comforting atmosphere for a dog. Even the best shelter can be a stressful place for a scared dog, so why not offer your home as a temporary reprieve?
Help is needed all year round for the millions of dogs that remain in our shelters. To learn more about this cause you can visit the ASPCA, Petfinder or your local shelter. Lives are depending on us!
Choosing Healthy Foods For Your Dog
Kirsten Hawkins
82
Today’s pet food market is larger and more diverse than ever before. While this offers a large number of choices in various types of pet food, it also presents a dilemma in choosing the healthiest food for your dog. Are generic or store brands suitable for a dog? What about familiar name brands like Purina and Alpo? Are the pricier brands that advertise specially formulated ingredients (Science Diet, Eukanuba) really living up to their claims and worth the extra money? All of these are valid questions that loving dog owners deserve to have answered.
Dog Food Considerations
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right food for your dog. Different dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. Some things to consider when selecting the food you’ll give your dog follow.
?The Dog’s Age
Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs just as human children have different needs than adult people. Senior dogs also have different requirements than younger adult dogs. Make sure that you select a food that is appropriate for your dog’s stage in life.
?The Dog’s Health
Does your dog have a specific medical condition? If so, the food you choose may need to be partially dictated by that condition. Diabetic dogs need low-glucose foods and dogs with specific allergies (yes dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things, just like people) may require certain foods as well. Your veterinarian can help you choose foods that are appropriate for a dog with a specific medical condition.
?The Dog’s Size or Body Type
Some dogs are overweight. Some dogs are underweight. Some have a natural tendency to get lots of exercise while others tend to prefer to lie around a lot. There are, of course, small, medium, and large dogs as well as the ultra-tiny “toy?dogs. All of these different types of dogs will have different requirements for the type of food they need as well as how much of it.
?Your Budget
Dog food can be expensive, there’s no doubt about it. And where dog food is concerned, the rule really is “you get what you pay for.?Low cost generics and store brands will lighten the burden on your wallet, but may not be the healthiest choice for your dog as they are made with cheap ingredients and lots of fillers. You should buy the best dog food you can on your budget to help ensure your dog’s nutrition.
Cats And Pills – Tablets
Colin Visser
449
Nearly everything alive becomes ill at some stage in its life, and pets are no exception. I have been very fortunate in that my two cats have been very healthy for most of their lives. Recently the oldest cat become ill and had to go to the vet. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with a form of cancer. The treatment options were pills or radiation ‘therapy’. The radiation therapy was very expensive so that left the pills. Pills are fine for humans, but if you have ever tried to administer pills to your cat then you would know some of the problems I have had.
I usually feed my cats on a dry ‘all in one’ biscuit diet. This diet and a supplement of fresh food has kept them very healthy for over 14years. But now I need to add pills to her diet every twelve hours. So what do I feed her that will hide the pill well enough for her to eat it without complaining? Well after some experimentation I came to the conclusion that hiding a whole pill was not the answer. Not the answer at all. Whole pills are located and removed from the food with amazing accuracy. The simple answer is to crush the pills before adding them to the food.
( Note : The pill should be added to a small quantity of food – half a normal serve or less, and that small quantity should be given to your pet BEFORE the rest of the meal. This helps to ensure your cat is hungry enough to eat the entire pill. Once the pill food is eaten you can give them the rest of the meal.)
Pills are usually quite easy to crush into powder, I use two spoons, one small teaspoon as the crusher, and a larger desert spoon to hold the pill. Place the pill into the larger spoon and using the edge of the small spoon as a blunt knife, carefully break the pill into smaller chunks. Now use the small teaspoon to gently crush the chunks into powder. In less than two minutes you should be ready to sprinkle the powdered pill onto a small serve of food. Crushing the pill gets much easier once you have done two or three.
This is how I prepare chicken or fish for my cat at pill time :
Chicken : Cooked (cold)
Cooked chicken is a favorite food of my cats so it is a good pill food for them. To make the most reliable pill hiding food from cold chicken is really quite easy. First of all you need to prepare the pill by crushing it into a powder as described above. Then you need a small serve of chicken that you can breakup into smallish pieces – use your fingers, it gives the best results. Once you have broken up the chicken add a small quantity of water to the serving plate and roll the chicken in the water until it is wet all over. Now drain the excess water from the plate – too much water will leave the pill on the plate and not on the food where it needs to be. The next step is optional, but it makes a big difference for my pets. The next step is to place the food in a microwave oven. All you want to do is VERY GENTLY warm up the food, I use about 6 SECONDS on high. What you are looking for is to remove the coldness of the food – which activates the SMELL of the food. Do not make !
the food hot! ( The heat could damage the pill that you are trying to feed them, and not many cats will eat hot food anyway.) Now that you have a very gently warmed serve of food it is time to add the pill. Just sprinkle the crushed pill over the wet, warm chicken and serve it up!
Note : Always add the Pill LAST!
Fish : Raw
If you want to use raw fish as a pill serving food then it pays to make sure that the cat in question likes the fish that you are going to use. ( Cats are fussy!) I have two cats, one eats fish at every opportunity, and the other will walk right past it and ask for something else..
So get a small piece of fish to test the cat with, and assuming that the fish is accepted it is easy to prepare. I use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the fish into small pieces. A sharp knife is ok but the skin on fish is very tough, so for safety and ease of preparation I use scissors. Once you have the fish cut up all you need to do is sprinkle the powdered pill over the fish and serve it up. Raw fish is usually wet and quite smelly, so it doesn’t require water to be added or the microwave to warm it up.
Fish : Cooked (cold)
To prepare a cooked cold fish you basically follow the steps outlined for cooked chicken. Prepare the pill, get a small bit of cooked fish and cut or break it up into small pieces. Make it wet, drain off the excess water and zap it in the microwave for a few seconds – do not make the food hot! Add the crushed pill to the warm wet fish and serve it up.
Note : Always add the Pill LAST!
The purpose of warming up the food is to make it smellier. Most food has a much stronger scent or smell when it is at room temperature than it does straight from the fridge.
If you need a small quantity of fresh raw fish it can usually be purchased from your local take away food shop. If you want to use cooked fish from a take away shop bear in mind that the batter or bread crumbs should be removed before it is served to the cat. (Well, it should be removed if your cat won’t eat the fish with it still on there..) Also remember to cool the fish down to about room temperature before you add the pill – otherwise the heat may damage the pill.
Never microwave any pill – it could damage the active ingredients or even make them toxic to your pet.
For those that are interested, my cats name is “Eff-Gee” ( “F”+”G” ) and she can tell the time as well if not better than I can. Every 12 hours (+ or – 30mins) she is asking me for her pill food 
My other cat – that doesn’t like fish, is called “Sox”. He doesn’t really like chicken either. Actually he prefers the biscuits over most other foods – unless it is meat with chili on it. He is a nice cat
7 Ways to Grow Flowers
Johnny Greenthumb
584
Flowering landscape trees are the crown jewels of the yard. Perhaps no other plants, individually, can have as great an impact on how a yard looks in spring. Browse the articles to which I’ve linked below for information on particular varieties of flowering landscape trees. Pictures are included.
Crape Myrtles: Landscape Trees of the South
A popular choice in flowering landscape trees for Southerners, crape myrtles have a long blooming period (mid-summer to fall). The blooming clusters of these flowering landscape trees come in pink, white, red and lavender. The clusters appear on the tips of new wood. Northerners can sometimes get away with treating these flowering landscape trees as perennials that die back in winter but come back in spring.
Trees
Not all specimens with a weeping habit are flowering landscape trees, but this article looks at several weeping varieties that do bloom, headed by four types of cherry.
Saucer Magnolias
The size and shape of the blooms are what suggested the common name for these flowering landscape trees. Want a specimen with a brilliant bloom as big as a saucer? Access information on these beauties here.
Rose of Sharon
Although some people think of it as a landscape “tree” (because it gets tall and can be pruned so as to have a single trunk), rose of sharon is, in fact, a flowering shrub. The fact that it blooms relatively late — and for a long time — makes it a valuable plant for those looking to distribute their yard’s color display throughout the growing season.
Top 10 List of Flowering Landscape Trees and Shrubs for Spring |
This article features information on ten flowering landscape trees and shrubs that brighten our spring seasons. Included are redbud, callery pear and crabapple.
Hawthorn: Late-Blooming Landscape Trees
This article offers information on Washington hawthorn trees, which are perhaps most valued for the time at which they bloom (late spring to early summer). Many of the popular flowering specimens bloom earlier in the spring, and while their blossoms are pleasant sights for eyes sore from winter’s barrenness, they desert us too quickly!
Clicks Instead Of ‘Good Boy’ For Dog Training
Ann Doyle
235
The first major improvement in dog training since choke chains and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly establishing itself in becoming a big hit in the world of dog training. Currently, there are over 10,000 trainers who are using this training method everyday.
One advantage to using this form of training at home is it’s easy to learn for both the dog and his trainer!
Originally used to train marine mammals, click and treat breaks down the process into two separate steps, information and motivation. The click is the information, the treat is the motivation. While other trainers still work on these two steps, they try to teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal and slow down results.
Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good behavior, while at the same time motivating the dog to repeat his actions. This can be a good method, however it takes longer for the dog to understand which behaviors and actions caused the praise from the trainer.
With the click and treat method, the processes are easily taught. In normal training, a person would say “good boy?when a welcomed action occurs and proceed with giving a treat. The clicker becomes a substitute for verbal praise and can actually catch the “good boy?behavior quicker than saying it, letting the dog know exactly which behavior he is being rewarded for.
Another way to look at click and treat training is viewing it as a secondary reinforcement, while food, water, physical affection and play (things the dog wants) become primary reinforcement. When you take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a secondary reinforcement. It is obvious to the dog that the leash is not taking him for a walk; the owner is, however, it triggers a reaction in the dog, telling him that the leash will let him know where he will go and where he will not. And if he reacts to the leash with good behavior, his reward will be a nice leisurely walk.
Click and treat works the same way. When a dog hears the clicker, he will know that he performed a good behavior and as long as he keeps hearing a click, there is a treat coming his way. So, the clicker works as a secondary reinforcement, teaching him boundaries and appropriate behavior.
A couple advantages of the click and treat method include;
1) Faster response than verbal praise. The clicker can identify the exact behavior at the time it happens.
2) It takes the place of treats. While motivating the dog to hear clicks, it will also teach him to work without the expectations of having treats given to him each time he does something good.
3) If the trainer is working at a distance from the dog, the clicker will still work, without having to be right next him.
Are you ready to try clicker training?
The first thing you’ll need to do is go to your favorite pet supply store and invest in a clicker. The clicker is nothing fancy and should just cost you under five dollars. While you’re there grab some pocket treats, little bits of dried liver work well.
A good method to use when getting started with click and treat is to stand in front of the animal. Click the clicker and give a treat. Continue doing this for 20-30 minutes, or until the dog becomes startled by the sound of the click. This will familiarize him to the clicking sound, while teaching him that every time he hears it, he has done something good. After he gets the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as “sit?and “stay.?
Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet consistent training method with quick results. So for the trainers out there who are looking for a new and innovative way to motivate and praise their animals, get out there, buy a clicker and… click!
Cat Myths and Wives Tales
Elyse Grau
632
Alternately feared and revered, worshipped and reviled, the cat’s natural ability as a mouser ultimately won them a place in the lives and hearts of people.
Now we think of them less as pest control methods and more as members of our family.
But it wasn’t always so. Since the domestication of cats some 5000 years ago, they have been alternately welcomed into our homes and shunned as evil spirits.
It is interesting that the descriptions of the treatment of cats in Egyptian times sounds amazingly similar to our modern treatment, with the fortunate exception of punishment by death for anyone killing a cat.
The Egyptian goddess Bast was part woman, part cat. She represented the sacred eye of Horus, the God of Light. Regular feasts and holidays were celebrated in her honor.
The Romans adopted the cat more readily than other nations of the time. They were probably originally brought there from Egypt.
Roman armies traveled with their animals, including the cats. Some Roman towns were named for the cat.
In 936 the King of Wales enacted laws regarding the monetary value and desired traits of the cat. Expected qualities were to see, hear and kill mice; to have sharp claws and to be able to rear their kittens.
According to the law, if a person purchased a cat and it turned out to not posses one or more of these qualities, the buyer was entitled to a refund.
The cat’s mysterious character probably led to the many myths and superstitions surrounding it.
Cat’s eyes were believed to tell many things ?from the time of day to the state of the tides.
Cats were also believed to be clairvoyant, and were used in charms and potions to bestow that talent on people.
Many body parts and substances from the cat were used for healing. The tail was particularly favored. In parts of England it is still used to cure sties.
Nautical superstitions involving cats are numerous. There are also quite a few nautical terms with “cat?in the word ?a cat-boat is a small one masted boat; the narrow walk-way on a ship was called the catwalk, and whippings were often carried out using a cat-o-nine-tails.
Cats were believed to both foretell and affect the weather. Throwing a cat overboard was thought to bring about storms at sea.
In the 13th century, witchcraft trials began in Europe. Since cats were often named as a witch’s “familiar?(a spirit helpful to the witch), they acquired at this time an evil reputation.
Black cats were most strongly associated with witchcraft.
A book written in England in 1854 stated that a witch could only take on a feline form nine times. This is most likely the beginning of the myth that cats have nine lives.
Some modern day myths about cats still persist. For instance, while cats are extremely agile, it is not really true that they will always land on their feet.
It was once believed (and may still be) that cats could suck the breath from infants. The truth is that they just like the milky smell.
Though they may like it, milk really isn’t good for cats. A small amount probably won’t hurt, but too much can give both cats and dogs diarrhea.
Many people still believe that a black cat crossing their path brings bad luck.
Cats are inscrutable and mysterious; and can certainly look evil as easily as lovable. But all in all, they are wonderful companions and have been serving and entertaining us well for thousands of years.
5 Tips for a Happy and Healthy Dog
Paul Duxbury
139
Do you really know all there is to know about your canine companion’s nutritional needs? Many pet owners think they’re doing what’s best for their dogs when it comes to food, but in reality they rely on pure instinct more than science. Nutrition isn’t a guessing game, even when it comes to your pooch. Think about it ?if you were left to feed yourself based only on what you craved and had no knowledge of what your body needs to function, would you be eating 5 servings of fruit and veggies or would you head straight for the Ding Dong case at the market?
Cover all of the bases
A dog’s diet can be as complex as any human’s (including yours!), and it’s absolutely essential that you, as an owner, hit all of the vital nutritional bases. A deficiency of certain vitamins and nutrients can lead to upset tummies; overly dry or oily skin, brittle bones, weight issues, and, in some of the worst cases, death. A balanced and proper diet is the building block of your dog’s overall health ?if he doesn’t get the right blend of nutrients, the most impeccable care otherwise won’t mean a thing. But with the right diet, his defences against disease and disorders are infinitely stronger than a dog whose owner hasn’t put much thought into an eating plan.
Mix it up!
For the most part, pre-packaged food will help you cover all of the major nutritional requirements a healthy, fairly young dog has. This where many owners trip up simply because of the ease of the decision; Most think that the major choice is between dry and moist food, when in reality the best diet you can provide your dog is one varied in ingredients, textures, and nutritional value. Wolves where carnivores, and that instinct remains with their our modern day dog; to this day. They continue to hunt prey (poor Kitty), love sausage-flavoured treats, and adore the great crunch they get when chowing down on a bone. Those varied elements should give you a little bit of insight into how diverse your dog’s diet can be.
Move beyond meat.
Building some portion of his diet from meat gives you many of the crucial nutrients he needs for energy and growth, but he also needs fiber and carbohydrates to aid in digestion and stability. You could throw down a bowl of dry food every day and maybe give him a “treat?of moist food once a month, but how would you like it if the tables were turned and he insisted on feeding you pancakes every day for the rest of your life? Not such a sunny outlook, is it?
Make it a real meal.
Listen, nobody ever said you had to rely on a bag or can of food to feed your dog. You cook for your family all the time. Doesn’t your dog deserve similar treatment? Most owners say they’d love to cook for their pups but just don’t know where to start, and that’s where I come in. Now you can help fulfil all of your dog’s nutritional needs as well as his taste desires with just one quick flip through my new book, 180 Delicious Gourmet Dog Recipes. I know, I know, you’re busy, and there’s barely time to cook your family a proper meal. That’s why you’ll love this book ?in addition to covering all of the usual recipes like traditional dog chow and cookies, I’ve created several that are healthy and delicious enough for you, your dog, and your family. Being skeptical is natural; after all, I never dreamed I’d come up with recipes I could easily share with my dogs! But how can you pass up recipes like biscotti, muffins, omelettes, dinner mints, and even sushi?
Give him some green.
Your dog needs a well-balanced diet, and the best way to accomplish that is through a wide variety of ingredients. Did you know that many dogs love veggies? In fact, if your dog likes to nibble on grass, he may appreciate some of the veggie-oriented recipes in the cookbook. Give it a shot and see what you ?and your dog ?think. After all, the worst that could happen is an improvement in your pooch’s health!
A Pit Bull Could Be The Right Dog For You
Rose Lenk
154
Although Pit Bulls have gained a bad reputation for their seemingly aggressive behavior, this breed can be the ideal pet for the right owner. Pit Bulls crave attention and are very loyal and loving toward people.
Other dogs, on the other hand, tend to bring out the aggressive behavior of the Pit Bull. Originally bred to fight other dogs, Pit Bulls generally will not tolerate other dogs, especially those of the same sex. But with an owner who is knowledgeable about Pit Bulls and their personality traits, this breed will flourish and bring a great deal of enjoyment to their human companions.
Pit Bulls tend to be very confident, loving and bright, but also very dependent on humans. If left on their own for too long, they will often develop destructive habits such as chewing out of frustration and loneliness.
A good owner for this pet would be someone who is very responsible and committed to the specific care required by a Pit Bull. Pit Bulls need a great deal of training, exercise and one on one attention with their owners to keep from becoming frustrated. They should also not be left alone with other dogs. Therefore, a household with no other pets is an ideal home for a Pit bull.
Contrary to the image that they have in the media, Pit Bulls can be great with children. In general, Pit Bulls love people, especially children. The most common problem associated with Pit Bulls and children is that Pit Bulls are extremely energetic and they have a tendency, in their excitement, to knock young children over, puppies especially have a tendency for this.
They are also very easy to train due to their high level of intelligence and desire to please their owner. For this reason, positive methods of training work best for a Pit Bull. Demoralizing punishments usually are very counterproductive in Pit Bulls because of their personality traits and should be avoided.
Pit Bulls live for an average of 12 to 14 years and usually experience good health for their entire lifetimes. Some common health problems experienced by the breed include Parvo, hip displaysia, hereditary cataracts and allergies.
In General, this breed is very easy to socialize with humans and is typically a great deal of fun to have around. Many Pit Bulls exhibit superior performance when it comes to obedience training and physical activities such as Frisbee and playing ball. For these reasons, Pit Bulls should not be overlooked when selecting a pet if you have what it takes to care for this special breed.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Stephanie Bayliss
435
History
The title of “King Charles Spaniel?was bestowed upon these dogs during the reign of King Charles II, who adored his spaniels and would not be parted from them. A law that was passed by King Charles II, still stands today that these little dogs can enter any public place, including the houses of parliament!
These little dogs were used to warm the laps of nobility on carriage rides and in cold castles and buildings, so they really are the original “lap dog?
Appearance
Cavalier’s are pretty little dogs, with long flowing coats with long flowing feathers on their legs and beautiful long ears (I’d recommend tying the ears back out of the way at dinner time!!)
They have very long, flowing coats and come in a number of colours; Black and Tan, Ruby (Rich red whole colour), Blenheim (chestnut and white), Tricolour (Black and white evenly spaced with tan markings)
Both dogs and bitches should stand between 30 ?33cm.
Temperament
These are very happy, friendly dogs; they walk around with their head and tail held high. They are not nervous dogs and will welcome friends and strangers alike.
They like to be close to their people and will take every opportunity to sit on your lap or lie next to you in bed and fall asleep!
They are patient and get along well with children and other dogs and animals; they make wonderful family pets, and also make an excellent companion for the elderly.
Grooming
Cavaliers require a moderate amount of grooming because of their long coats. A quick brush after walkies may be needed, because their flowing coats tend to pick up debris along the way!
Long flowing ears mean that care should be taken at feeding time or they get covered in dinner!
Exercise
Cavaliers certainly enjoy their walks, and require a moderate amount of exercise. They relish the opportunity to get out and meet other people and dogs.
They will trot happily along beside you, head held high, taking in the sights and sounds!
Health Problems
Cavaliers are prone to heart murmurs, although generally lead a healthy, active life with this condition.
They can also suffer from slipping knee joints ( subluxating patellas); the dogs weight should be kept under control to reduce the potential problems caused by this condition. If it does lead to the knee popping out of its joint, surgery will be required.
Cavaliers also have the highest incidence of any breed of Mitral Valve Disease. A defect in the mitral valve (one of the 4 heart valves) causes backflow of blood into the left atrium, or mitral regurgitation. Less commonly, a narrowing of the valve can be identified. Because of the leaky valve, the heart is less efficient at pumping blood to the body.
Change Your Thinking to Change Your Dog’s Behavior
Fred Ege
296
Bad Behavior is only a Game.
I recently changed the way I think about training my dog. I have one of those high spirited dominate alpha males who instinctively thinks he is the leader of the pack and is always testing my authority. I often thought, why is he so challenging, he knows he is not supposed to do that because I’ve told him “no” a hundred times. Boomer, my dog, likes to steal things and be chased. To him it’s a game, a fun activity that he knows will get me going. He takes the towels from the hanger in the bathroom and flaunts it in front of me, stopping to make sure I see him before he runs off. I found that if I ignore him, he just lays down and later I can get the towel from him. At first I thought that he just made a mistake, but then I realized its just a game to him. The problem was that he never asked if I wanted to play, he just started a game of keep away. The mistakes my dog makes are neither mistakes nor accidents. I just misunderstood the game, and even though it was fun to him, it wasn’t necessarily fun for me!
What’s Right and Wrong
As I thought about this game, I also realized that he was challenging my role as leader of the pack, and my ownership of the towel. Why shouldn’t he own the towel, or have his own towel. It was an instinctive challenge to my leadership and authority. Also, I realized that nothing by itself is either good or bad, it’s thinking that makes it so. If one can only remember back to our pre-school years and all the frustration and trouble there was. That’s because we were going through a learning curve about what is right and wrong behavior. Your dog is new to your world and it’s perception of right and wrong are different. It’s perfectly acceptable from a dog’s perspective to pick anything up and claim ownership of it, whether it is a stick or anything else he found outside. The same is true indoors as well. It’s also OK in a dog’s world to tear something apart, chew it up, or destroy something, but not true in your world.
Be a Pack Leader and Change the Game
I was gaining insight into a dog’s world and how a dog thinks, and now I was changing my thinking on how to train them. Dogs are pack animals, and there is always a pack leader, followers, and those that want to be the pack leader. The alpha male or female grew up in a litter and learned that if it fights long enough and is persistent that the others in the litter will yield. So, your dog will discover many options, then think about the options, and either go along with you or subvert your efforts to control him. Your alpha dog’s job is to oppose you and challenge your place as pack leader. Your dog wants you to be consistent in your responses otherwise he doesn’t know what to think. If he starts playing a game with you, you have a choice not to play. The difficulty is that if you don’t play he will either try harder, get depressed, try a different angle on the game or stop. Your goal is to negotiate, stop the game early, or start a different game with something acceptable. So, I will get the towel from him, but then bring him a ball and start a different game. Eventually, he will think about it, and bring me the ball when he wants to play instead of the towel.
Emotions Tell Him What to Do
It seems everybody tells their dog “don’t do this or that”. What their dog hears is only “do this or that.” Dogs struggle with the concept of “don’t do something.” To get your dog to stop doing something, simply distract him with a very brief sound and something else to do. He will learn after awhile. If you just stay on the theme of “don’t do this or that” the situation just continues to worsen, as the dog does what he knows or thinks is best for his home and you. The longer you continue the more confusing it is to him. The more concerned you become about his behavior, the more he believes you are worried and he is unsure about the reason. Certainly if you’re worried, then he should be mimic you and get worried also. He doesn’t even realize that it’s his behavior you are worried about.
Have you ever noticed that when you come home, your dog is really excited to see you, and that if you really become animated and excited, he becomes even more excited? That’s because he plays off your emotions and actions. If you run, he runs; if you run faster, he runs faster.
Dogs Learn by Repetition
Dogs can learn and unlearn any behavior by repetition, preferably in four different but similar settings or situations. The first time your dog hears a new command, he has no idea what is being requested. The second time he hears that command, he begins to comprehend. The third time, he fully understands, but he may resist the new command.
He has to think it through to be sure he understands, and it may take him a few moments to think it through. This happens usually on the third request, or instance, of trying to teach or break a behavior. So, when your dog thinks about the new behavior being learned or unlearned, praise and patience, are required during the few moments it takes to correctly understand this new information. He needs time to think things out. He’s going to think about the idea, then glance at you. Then back to the idea, now thinking of you. Then think about the idea, then think about you. Give him time to think and comprehend. Allow his choice to dictate your next move. Chances are, he’s going to make one last try at having his own way.
There are only two choices he can make. He’s either going to do it correctly, or, he’s going to do it wrong. If he gets it wrong, try a similar setting or situation later in the day. This process gives you the opportunity to allow your dog to progress at his own speed. The third time your dog is given a command, he’ll probably do it incorrectly just to see if you are going to be consistent.
5 Tips For Training Dogs Successfully
Simon Oliver
647
Training dogs is not a hard. You just need patience, dedication and some simple tactics and you will teach them successfully.
Here are five top tips on how to train your dogs successfully:
1. To avoid your dog getting confused and so that they can learn to recognize commands easily only one person should be responsible for training the dog initially. If too many people are trying to train the dog at the same time this can stop progress in its tracks.
2. You should use positive reinforcements. If the dog does something good, you should reward this behavior so that he will know that what he did was right. If the dog cannot understand or follow your commands, never push him. Dogs are not as intelligent as humans, they make mistakes. What you should understand is that they won’t easily understand your commands in just one teaching, it takes repetition to train a dog successfully. Do not scold your dog as he might develop fear which will hinder his learning and willingness to be trained. You can use treats in order to encourage your dogs, although don’t overdue it.
3. Teach commands one at a time. Try to teach him one command after the other. If he cannot absorb it, try to stay on that command only because adding additional commands will just confuse the dog. Start with the basics.
4. In executing commands, you should keep your voice cheerful so that the dog will happily follow your commands. Dogs will respond to a low and coaxing voice. If you shout out loud, he may become startled and unresponsive.
5. Train your dog in various places. If you keep your dogs in a certain place like your home, he will not be able to adjust with the environment new people. Take him to the park or through the neighborhood. This will help your dog associate with other dogs and people.
Training your dog can sometime be tough, but it will be worth it. In the end, you will be the one to benefit when your dog is trained. You don’t know he might even save your life one day and pay back everything you taught him.
Choosing The Best Pets For Kids
Larry Chamberlain
21
“Can I have a puppy? Please, oh please, I’ll take care of it and look after it and everything”
Just what do you say to your kids when they ask for a pet? It is perfectly true that growing up with a family pet can teach children responsibility and to develop their social skills. Also cultivating good feelings towards pet animals helps kids to develop a sense of self esteem and help them to establish trusting relationships with other human beings. But before you give in to your kid’s demands for a pony, rabbit, salamander, kitten, boxer, python, or macaw, there is plenty for you to consider.
The first thing to keep in mind is that no matter how much your kid promises that she or he will be the one to take care of the pet, some if not all of that responsibility will fall upon you. That is an inevitable, inescapable fact. No matter how good the child’s intention is, there will be some, and perhaps many, occasions when other things take priority in their minds and the pet is unintentionally neglected. That is, the pet would be neglected if you were not there to step in, because somebody has to.
Secondly a child may sincerely believe that the thing that they most want in the world is a cute little black and white kitten, just like their best friend of the moment has. The child has really convinced themselves that they want a kitten, and a kitten will hold their interest for ever and ever. And so it would, until their new best friend of next week gets a pet lizard which is just sooo cool. So you will want to make absolutely sure that the pet that your child is demanding will be a long term passion, and not just a fleeting interest.
It will be a good idea to discuss the idea with the whole family. How do they feel about yapping dogs, hair shedding Persian cats, squawking parrots? If one of your children is allowed their very own pet hamster, will all of the child’s siblings demand a pet of their own too? Does anybody in the family suffer with an allergy that would make sharing their home with a certain animal intolerable?
Is the type of animal your child is asking for suitable for your family, and your family’s life style? A dog that needs two trips to the park every single day may not be suitable for a family who is away from the house all day. And no matter how much the child promises that they will walk the dog, there will be times that they will fail to do so, (and times that you may not want them to, after dark for example). Choosing pets for kids is not easy, often the type of pet that they plead for would not be the best match for their age and experience with animals.
You should also consider cost. Not only the cost of acquiring a pet, but more importantly the cost of taking care of it. All animals involve a financial commitment, food, vet bills, pet care products etc. You don’t want to acquire a pet for your kid only to find that you don’t have the financial means to keep it. Small pets for kids often have less costs involved in looking after them than larger pets do.
There are many other things to consider when choosing pets for kids, but hopefully this short article will have prompted you to think about the fact that buying an animal for a child, is not the same thing as buying a kid a cell phone or a bicycle. Pets are living breathing creatures, they need care, they need commitment, they need love.
“Dog Toys For The Brain, Teeth And Feet?Jack Russell
345
Thinking of the best toys that suit your dog? Browse through the dog toys below and see what fits your pet and your budget.
For dogs who love to chew:
1. Kong Jump’n Jack
Prices:
$5.60 (small)
$7.50 (medium)
$8.80 (large)
Kong Jump’n Jack is a dog toy and a teeth cleaner and gum exerciser at the same time. It has a very unpredictable bounce that makes it a lot more fun for the dog to play with. It has a lot more surfaces that clean dog’s teeth. Kong Jump’n Jack also has slits that are useful for the gums to be exercised.
2. Squirrel Dude (Busy Buddy)
Prices:
$5.99 (small)
$8.99 (medium)
$11.99 (large)
This is a unique and innovative rubber toy. It has four rubber prongs that cover the hole a bit which challenges the dog to give more effort to taste the food treats inside. The Squirrel Dude is durable and very chewable.
3. Biscuit Block (Animal Planet)
$4.50 (small)
$9.90 (medium)
This chew toy has four grabbing chambers distributed throughout the toy. Varieties of dog treats can be inserted inside to keep pets happy and busy. It has a crazy bounce brought about by its square shape with cut corners.
4. Ball Stomp’r (Launch and Throw Ball Toys)
Price:
$10.99 (regular, red)
$8.99 (mini, green)
This dog toy enables both young and old to have a great time playing with their dogs. The Ball Stomp’r is the first ball launcher of its kind. The ball needs to be loaded, then stomped on and it will eject to a height reaching 100 feet with the regular ball. The mini Ball Stom’r can reach up to a height of 60 feet. This toy has its own ball but tennis balls are a good substitute. This toy is tough, water proof and very dog friendly. This is not chew-proof though so it should be kept after using. The dimension of a regular-sized Ball Stomp’r is 12 inches in length that uses a tennis ball sized ball. The smaller type is 9 inches long and uses a ball with the size of 2 inches.
4. Dinosaur Egg Baby (Plush Puppies) ?Intelligence Building Toy ($6.90)
The Dinosaur Egg Baby has three eggs inside that give out a squeaking sound. It has a secret opening underneath to test dog’s instinct in getting hidden rewards. It is 6 inches in height, 5 inches wide and 12 inches long.
Toys that exercise dogs, cleanse their teeth, rejuvenate their jumping ability and test their intelligence. A complete set of these toys would definitely make owners be much more loved by their pets.
Click And Treat Training For Dogs
Anne Doyle
273
The first major improvement in dog training since choke chains and spiked collars, click and treat has quickly establishing itself in becoming a big hit in the world of dog training. Currently, there are over 10,000 trainers who are using this training method everyday.
One advantage to using this form of training at home is it’s easy to learn for both the dog and his trainer!
Originally used to train marine mammals, click and treat breaks down the process into two separate steps, information and motivation. The click is the information, the treat is the motivation. While other trainers still work on these two steps, they try to teach them all at once, which can confuse the animal and slow down results.
Most trainers will verbally praise a dog for good behavior, while at the same time motivating the dog to repeat his actions. This can be a good method, however it takes longer for the dog to understand which behaviors and actions caused the praise from the trainer.
With the click and treat method, the processes are easily taught. In normal training, a person would say “good boy?when a welcomed action occurs and proceed with giving a treat. The clicker becomes a substitute for verbal praise and can actually catch the “good boy?behavior quicker than saying it, letting the dog know exactly which behavior he is being rewarded for.
Another way to look at click and treat training is viewing it as a secondary reinforcement, while food, water, physical affection and play (things the dog wants) become primary reinforcement. When you take a dog for a walk, the leash works as a secondary reinforcement. It is obvious to the dog that the leash is not taking him for a walk; the owner is, however, it triggers a reaction in the dog, telling him that the leash will let him know where he will go and where he will not. And if he reacts to the leash with good behavior, his reward will be a nice leisurely walk.
Click and treat works the same way. When a dog hears the clicker, he will know that he performed a good behavior and as long as he keeps hearing a click, there is a treat coming his way. So, the clicker works as a secondary reinforcement, teaching him boundaries and appropriate behavior.
A couple advantages of the click and treat method include;
1) Faster response than verbal praise. The clicker can identify the exact behavior at the time it happens.
2) It takes the place of treats. While motivating the dog to hear clicks, it will also teach him to work without the expectations of having treats given to him each time he does something good.
3) If the trainer is working at a distance from the dog, the clicker will still work, without having to be right next him.
Are you ready to try clicker training?
The first thing you’ll need to do is go to your favorite pet supply store and invest in a clicker. The clicker is nothing fancy and should just cost you under five dollars. While you’re there grab some pocket treats, little bits of dried liver work well.
A good method to use when getting started with click and treat is to stand in front of the animal. Click the clicker and give a treat. Continue doing this for 20-30 minutes, or until the dog becomes startled by the sound of the click. This will familiarize him to the clicking sound, while teaching him that every time he hears it, he has done something good. After he gets the hang of it, begin by adding commands, such as “sit?and “stay.?
Click and treat has proven to be a simple, yet consistent training method with quick results. So for the trainers out there who are looking for a new and innovative way to motivate and praise their animals, get out there, buy a clicker and?.click!
‘Social Bookmarking’ As An Aggressive and Acceptable Blog Marketing Tactic
Greg White
209
Social bookmarking websites are becoming more and more popular. They allow you to save bookmarks online and Tag/Categorize them with keywords instead of saving them as bookmarks in the favorite’s list of your browser. This is particularly useful when your browser based bookmarks have become unwieldy. It’s also help since you can access your bookmarks from any computer where you have an internet connection.
I have compiled a list of Social Bookmarking websites from a number of sources. You can find it here: http://www.blogmarketingtactics.com/social-bookmarking/social-bookmarking-top-links.html
Once you have bookmarked them, you can view them, sort them by category/keyword as well as see links from others that have been categorized like yours.
You also establish RSS feeds for each category (tag) that you ’subscribe’ to. This alerts you to new links in your areas of interest. Your bookmark collection/RSS Feed becomes viewable to others who can also copy your bookmarks to their own collection. So now you can aggressively promote your RSS feed to the RSS Directories and Search engines, syndicate them and make them available to a much wider audience.
Social bookmarking sites also help you to meet other people who are interested in the same topics you are and who may also have knowledge of web resources that you don’t.
On Social Bookmarking sites, you first create an account. Then you bookmark interesting and useful things in the area of your interest or expertise. By doing so you create a useful Feed. Once you’ve done that you intermittently, (or aggressively), add useful and interesting items, (that could use additional exposure), from your own content. Make an honest effort to contribute USEFUL information and links. This is all about sharing and exposure. Done properly, you can be as aggressive as you want to be about sharing information. You can share your blog(s), links to your informational/resource sites etc. Think about the fact that when you share links to other’s resources, you’re also effectively promoting their content as well.
This is a way you can aggressively and ethically promote your content and the content of others. I personally have hundreds of gigabytes of my own information and information of others, connected to my notebook. In the final analysis, it’s doing me no good what-so-ever just sitting there. But by organizing it, online, I can help myself, (getting organized, getting my content exposed, etc.) and help others at the same time.
If you spice up your feed with too much sales and marketing related or self promotional stuff, people can and will easily drop their subscription to your feed. And instead of gaining good will and doing a service to the internet community you could get labeled as a spammer and suffer the consequences.
So while being aggressive is possible and acceptable, being careful to consider the best interest of the community is certainly warranted.
Balancing being ethical and providing a useful service to others with promoting your own content enables you to be as aggressive as you like. But remember, in the final analysis, others will make the decision on whether it’s ethical and useful or spam.
Choosing Your New Puppy
Shirley Purdy
467
When expecting a new puppy addition to the family you want nothing but the best. You check out the best day-care facilities, kindergarten and schooling.
So, why should it be any different when the new addition is a puppy? Hey, if it’s good enough for stars like Brittany and Paris, who are we to question this new trend in spoiling our pets.
Before buying your new puppy it is advisable to do some research and find out all you can about on the background, general behavior and sociability of the breed you have chosen. If you have young children, would a puppy be suitable? Stop and consider the future. When the puppy grows into a dog, will it still be as much fun? Will it outgrow your home?
It’s all too easy to overlook the fact that what is now a cute little puppy will grow into a dog that without proper training may become unruly and dangerous. Remember all dogs are born wild and need training. Once they know who is the leader?you and not them?they will settle into their new life quite happily.
When you bring your puppy home make sure their first night away from mom isn’t to stressful. Give your puppy a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in. A fleece blanket would be a good idea and maybe a small teddy bear or other type of soft toy to cuddle up too. This will help relax your puppy and stop it feeling alone.
The first 12?6 weeks of a puppy’s life are all important. This is the time of intense learning and getting the training right now, will reward you with a well-trained obedient dog.
One thing to remember is it won’t happen in a day. Done with regularity, persistence and a lot of patience over the coming weeks, you and your dog will soon have a great understanding and be the best of friends for many years to come.
Give your puppy time to settle into his new home (and have the necessary injections) then why not arrange a party. Everyone enjoys a party and what better way to introduce your puppy to other dogs and people. Invite your friends, and their dogs, to come and say “Hello?
Now, lets get round to organizing the Puppy Shower. This isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Dogs are natural party animals and will certainly enjoy the day. The party is more to get the puppy used to other dogs and people so it’s no great shake to organize. Maybe decorate the party room with blue or pink balloons and streamers. Put up a “birthday?banner with pictures of your puppy on it. This will get the puppy used to strange things being around.
Make sure there are enough soft toys around for the doggie guest to play with, as this is a great way to teach your new puppy about sharing things. Some of the bigger doggie guests may be a bit to boisterous for the puppy, so watch carefully but don’t take him away from the fun, as he must learn to interact with others. They have to learn not be afraid or intimidated by other dogs.
Look after your new puppy well and you will have the best friend anyone could ever wish for.
http://www.dog-birthday-parties.com
4 Things Frustrated Dog Owners Should Know!
Paul Duxbury
141
You’ve probably had a day or two when you felt like your dog just wasn’t paying any attention to you at all, right? You talked, you yelled, you shouted, maybe you jumped up and down and waved your arms, but she just wasn’t interested in anything you had to say to her in any tone of voice. You’re not alone.
Your dog isn’t human.
Unless you believe in pet psychics, there’s really no way for you to read your pooch’s mind and figure out exactly what she’s thinking. The good news is that, like many dog owners, the problems you’re having can probably be traced to one simple thing: you’re trying to communicate with your dog from a human standpoint, and your dog isn’t a human. Sure, you know that, but lots of humans try to relate with their dogs in the ways that they think are rational as humans. The problem is that dogs are driven in every act and every moment by very strong instincts. Deciphering those instincts and leveraging them to build a productive relationship is like finding the keys to the city.
Your dog doesn’t speak English.
Take the word “no,?for example. Does your dog speak English? Not understand English. Does she speak it? What’s meaningful to her is your tone of voice, not the word itself. Now let’s think about that ?we’re taking up excess time trying to teach our dog a word she’ll never speak and that probably doesn’t mean much to her anyway. Sure, it’s meaningful to us, but that’s only one side of the equation. What about something that’s meaningful to both human and dog?
You know what a growl means, and your dog knows what a growl means.
If you think that mutually meaningful language doesn’t exist, you’re not thinking creatively enough. What does it say to you when a dog growls at you? Anything from “get away from my food?to “back off, dude,?right? Yet in every case, a dog’s growl typically means that she is not happy with whatever you’ve done. And you’ve seen dogs react to other dogs?growls, right? So you know what a growl means, and your dog knows what a growl means. Where’s the disconnect? Growl at your dog!
No, seriously. The next time your pooch starts stepping outside her bounds or doing something you don’t like, growl at her. A nice, strong, guttural growl that would put the alpha wolf in a pack to shame. While you’re growling, look directly into her eyes. You’re almost guaranteed that she’ll back off. It might be best to try it in your home environment to start with ?I don’t want to be held responsible for you getting funny looks in the street!
Instincts save time and communicate effectively.
See that? You worked with her instinct and the information hardwired into her brain, and the result was instantaneous. Why spend tons of time trying to work against that instinct and end up frustrated, angry, and still miscommunications? This approach works in everything from basic discipline to full-on obedience training. You just need to figure out how to apply it in each of those situations.
Cats Are Very Lovable Creatures
Paul MacIver
598
“Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o’ fur?? An Irish saying about cats, perhaps best describes what pleasure-giving creatures cats can be.
Jean Burden, beautifully defines the feline beauty. “A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem.?Cats for many people, are really very lovable – remember ‘Snowbell?- the cat of “Stuart Little?
Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to many ailments. Cat grooming is a very important part of keeping a cat as a healthy pet. Cat supplies can be defined as important things that can be purchased for cat grooming, and maintaining general good cat health.
Cat supplies is a general term that covers a variety of important cat care products. These topics could be used when undertaking an online Internet search for good value cat supply products for your pets – cat-grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, cat training supplies and discount cat supplies.
Cat Grooming:
Cat grooming is in fact a long program of cat health care that covers the entire life span a cat. It includes feline care, feline health care, feline diabetes care etc. It also includes practices like kitten care, giving a hygiene bath, general cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing cat fleas and insects and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. Cat owners should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions.
Like children, infant cats, known as kittens, require some extra special attention. A kitten is delicate and should be handled with care. It also needs to be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.
Cat Grooming Supplies:
Cat grooming supplies play a key role in the process of maintaining a happy and healthy cat. Supplies for your pet may include a special cat home or house, cat doors, cat furniture, cat carrier, cat beds, heated cat beds, cat toys, cat collars, designer cat collars, jeweled or jingling cat collars, cat odor removers, cat clothes, special cat jewelry, cat food, cat tonics & supplements and cat medication.
Cat Beds:
A cat bed is a bed specially designed for the sleeping comfort of a cat. It should be the most pleasurable place for a cat where it retires to take sweet dreams. Good cat beds are actually quite important for maintaining good cat health. An improper sleep may very much affect the general health of your cat – thus the masters of cats should be very careful when buying cat beds. A cat bed and cat bedding should include a cat bed mattress, cat bed sheet, cat pillows, cat throw pillows, cat blankets and cat quilt or duvets.
Cat beds are available in numerous styles and include designer cat beds, heated cat beds, luxury cat beds, wicker cat beds, leather cat beds, etc.
There are number of designer cat pet beds available on the market for purchase, both in physical pet stores, and also online. Many pet bed manufacturers now sell their cat beds online, through their official company websites.
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