Your Dog and Other Pets; Introductions

Whether you just got a new dog and you are trying to figure out the safest way to introduce him to the household cat, or you need to help your dog get along with a new bunny, some training and introductions are definitely in order! It does not matter what species of animal you are trying to help your dog become accustomed to, be it a hamster, ferret or pet iguana, knowing your dog is the very first step. If it is a new dog, you both will be in for a learning curve, as the dog’s prey drive and his previous socialization are truly being put to the test!

Prey Drive

Prey drive is the instinctual urge to chase, kill and eat a prey animal. All carnivores have prey drive, as it helped them survive through being adequate hunters. We see this in cats who play with toys and in wild wolves who hunt down rabbits. We even see this in dogs, though it often transfers itself into ball drive. Ball drive is virtually the same thing as prey drive, but the animal feels compelled to chase and catch a ball instead of a small animal.

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Are You Unintentionally Scaring Your Dog?

As a dog owner, you feel compelled to provide a loving and safe environment for your best furry friend. You want him to trust you, follow your leadership and be a happy, healthy companion for as long as he is with you on this planet. While your intentions may be the most noble, you may be unintentionally scaring your dog with your own body language and mannerisms. These are things all humans do without really thinking about it, but forget that dogs are not humans and will read us differently than we read each others’ body language. These insights into your own behavior around your dog and easy tips to change them can make your dog more comfortable, trusting and help build a stronger bond with you.

The Lean Over

Small dogs, big dogs, and those in between can all suffer from the intimation that comes when a human leans over to greet him. The lean over would do the same to us humans if someone else much larger than us did the same thing. Most people do this even to small children, but a dog does not have that understanding that human leaning over to say hello means no harm.

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I Just Got a Puppy! When Does Training Start?

You just brought home your first puppy, and you cannot wait to get started building the bond that will last a lifetime with your new canine companion. Whether your new little one came from a shelter, rescue or reputable breeder you should have already done as much reading about the care, training and needs of a puppy and be prepared for messes, injuries, illnesses and lots of frustration! Meanwhile, you may be wondering just when do you start training him? Considering his entire world was just turned upside down after taking him from his mother, litter mates and humans he knew to bring him into a strange place with strange people, new sounds and smells. The short answer is immediately. Your training starts the moment the puppy officially belongs to you!

On The Ride Home

If you are using a vehicle to bring your newest family member home, he should be riding comfortably in a crate or carrier of an appropriate size. He should be able to stand up, turn around and lay down on a soft bed or blanket. Making this space as comfortable as possible is a big first step, so be sure to provide a special chew toy during the ride home.

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What Your Dog is Trying to Tell You

You may be completely unaware of this, but your dog is trying to talk to you. He can’t speak in the same language that we do, but his barking is also not a language all on it’s own either. The only way your dog can talk with you is through body language and behavior, which means chances are you are completely ignoring what he is trying to say because you’re not speaking the same language. Do yourself and your pooch a favor by learning the body language he is trying to reach out to you with so that your relationship with him can be stress free with more clear communication.

The Yawn

The yawn is an interesting behavior that your dog will do, and carries different meanings. It is up to you to decipher what he is telling you with a yawn depending on the context in which he does it. This means looking at the situation that is going on at that time. A yawn can simply mean he’s tired, and is more likely to happen around bed time. That is the most thought of reason for a dog yawn, but it gets far more complicated than that as tired yawns are only a small portion of dog yawns.

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Dog Meets Dog; Successful Introductions

Perhaps you wish to set up a play date with your dog and a friend’s dog, or maybe you’re bringing home another canine to grace your household. Both require proper doggy introductions! Simply thrusting two dogs together in one home or one backyard is a recipe for disaster, as is allowing two dogs to meet while on leash. Make safety a priority and success your goal in allowing your dog to meet unknown canines so he can have some doggy playmates and best friends!

Neutral Territory!

Ever wonder why dog parks work so well? It’s because no one dog owns the park! In fact, most dogs will only see the dog park once or twice a week and thus they have no claim to it as they would their own backyard that they potty in daily. This makes the dog park neutral territory. While you do not need to use a dog park for introductions, you do need neutral territory to get things started right! This means no back yards, no houses, and no routes in which either dog walks on daily.

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Collar vs. Harness; What’s Best for Your Dog?

The right equipment to walk your dog could mean a great deal to the both of you. Comfort, safety, visibility, and control are all essential aspects to any collar or harness that you decide to use for your pooch during exercise, training, and a simple leisurely stroll. The type of walkers that both you and your dog are will depend on what will work best for you, a collar or harness. Is your dog a puller, or is he well trained? Are you two hiking or jogging together, or just walking around the block every morning? Is your dog extremely active, or reactive, to his environment or is he content to walking along beside you without a care in the world? The answers to these questions will help you ultimately decide which item, and what kind, will work best.

The Puller

Pulling on the leash is one of the most highly reported problems that professional dog trainers are faced with every day. Big dogs and little dogs will both pull hard on their leash to get where they want to go, sniff that tree or attempt to walk faster. The true cause of leash pulling is simple; humans walk far, far slower than the average dog. Walking at a human’s pace is mundane for a dog, and they need help to learn how to do it. Meanwhile, when you do walk your pooch and he’s pulling like an Iditarod champion it can make getting exercise for you both more of a chore than a pleasant experience. Your dog, if being walked on a collar, is also dealing with the choking sensation that comes with his own pulling. As a human, we think “Dumb dog! Stop pulling and you won’t choke!” Unfortunately for the dog, he does not understand that his pulling is causing his choking like we do. Instead, it is up to us to make him more comfortable and relieve the pressure put on the leash.

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5 Steps to Healthier Dog Paws

We all know that feeling of coming home from a long day out from work, school or simply grocery shopping and taking off those shoes. That wonderful feeling of relief from not having any restriction on your feet, the air on your toes and over all comfort is one of the first steps you take to relax. Your dog can’t do that. His paw pads are his biological equivalent to shoes and they’re on for good. They take the wear and tear of walking, hiking, running, chasing balls or squirrels and any other doggy things your pooch may do on a daily basis. Just like the soles of your shoes, his pads can crack, rip, dry up and become painful to deal with. A few steps can help to make your pup’s paws healthier and more comfortable.

Keep them clean! Dirty paws are gross for all involved, from your floor to your dog’s comfort. Those doggy feet go through grass, mud, concrete and stepping in all kinds of safe and nonsafe substance, including household cleaners, pesticides and more. If you don’t keep his feet clean after a trip outdoors, he just may take it upon himself to try and lick them clean. Imagine all the things he is eating off his feet that he walked in. You know that can’t be healthy! Instead, take a damp cloth or puppy bath wipe and clean his paws for him. Everyone will be happier for it!

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Keep Your Dog Safe During July 4th Celebrations

Your July 4th celebrations are a time to look forward to every year. Fireworks, grilling outdoors in the summer warmth and family gatherings can be an exciting and wonderful thing for us humans. Your dog, however, may not be so thrilled. Most dogs fear the loud booms of firework displays and time and time again humans are told to ignore their dog’s fears. Vets, trainers and other owners will all tell us that coddling our scared dog will only encourage his fear. This is very unfortunate, as it is a complete lie. Fear is an emotion, not a behavior, and thus cannot be reinforced. Just like a scared child, dogs often find some comfort in a soothing cuddle from their human, but if you follow these tips your dog has a higher chance of handling the July 4th hubbub with dignity.

Keep him indoors. Your dog will not enjoy the fireworks as much as you will, and he will feel safer inside his own home. You can offer him the ability to stay in his crate by leaving the door open, or confining him to a place he feels safest in. Perhaps you have a room in your home that blocks out more sounds from the outside than another and can help to muffle the bangs of fireworks. Provide his bed or a soft blanket to lay on and a special chew toy or treat that he can work on during the event to take his mind off the scary stuff.

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2 Healthy and Delicious Banana Treats for Your Dog

Bananas Today we have a treat, two to be exact, for all you dog people who love to spend some time in the kitchen as well – the recipes for 2 delicious banana treats for your doggy. We have chosen bananas to be the main ingredient of these two treats because as they contain a lot of vitamins and other highly valuable nutrients, they are really good for dogs to eat, occasionally that is.

By the way, dog treats that contain bananas are especially good for dogs while training as bananas are a good source of energy.

1. Banana-Oatmeal Cookies

Banana-oatmeal cookies are really easy to cook and you don’t even need a lot of different ingredients.

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Private Rescues vs. Shelters; Dog Adoption Options

When you make the decision to bring a canine companion into your home, you have made an important choice that can drastically change your life. You will have a walking partner, constant companion, someone to greet you when you come home and a furry friend to comfort you during trouble times. However, before you jump right in and bring that cute puppy home you should learn all you can about the various venues in which you can obtain your newest family member.

Private Rescue

A rescue is a private, non-profit organization typically run by all volunteers. The dogs they acquire are often times surrendered to the organization because the owners can no longer care for him. Rescued dogs can be already trained and well mannered or they can come with their own luggage and behavioral problems. Each and every dog is completely unique with his own history.

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