Blog The Dogs

Stella is a handful.  Stella is my dog and she is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.  Being a terrier she has lots of energy to burn.  She is a lovely dog but needs alittle control in her life!  And mine for that matter.  We first attended a local puppy class to just get her use to other puppies and owners.  But as time goes on, I can see she needs more guidence!

I have searched the internet for online programs as my job doesn’t allow for an local evening class.  I was confident that I could work on this in my own time and at my own pace.  I think I found the perfect solution for Stella and myself.  The program is Sit, Stay, Fetch. 

 This program addresses several dog behavior problems including-dog aggression, biting, jumping, wetting and many more.  My plan is to start Stella with this program and report to you her progress.  The first lesson starts tomorrow so stayed tuned and check back for her progress.

Dog training collars are in demand year around but I think with the onset of fall hunting in many states the need increases at that time of year.  You will find dozens of dog training collars when searching for dog training supplies and there are also several types of collars.
To determine what type you what will depend on the type of training you want to do.

It very important to research all the different types of collars are available and determine your end goal.
Common types of dog collars are choke collars, electronic collars, no-bark collars and harnesses.

Dog training collars are different from regular every day collars because they help you discipline your dog when needed. For example choke collars are used by gently tugging on your dog to keep it from misbehaving.

Electronic collars are used with a remote control to keep your dog out of trouble or from barking when not desiresd. A light and harmless electric pulse is sent to your dog through the collar when pressing the button on the remote control.

All types of collars are useful but it is important that you check with your vet or online to make sure that the collars are safe for your dog and if they address the training needs you have.

Remember training should be fun, do not overuse dog training collars and make sure that your dog is comfortable and does not become afraid.  You want your training to have the right outcome.

Separation anxiety is a disorder that not only occurs in human beings, but also in dogs. You may find that your dog exhibits certain behaviors when he or she is left alone. This goes beyond simply whining or looking a bit sad when you leave. Instead, it is a dramatic response that occurs almost every time you leave the house. Owners may find that their dog cries, howls, chews, digs, pees or defecates inside the house even if when they are trained not to do so. They may also scratch, claw and bark.

While professionals don’t totally understand why this occurs, it is important that owners realize that the dog is really feeling panicked because the owner is leaving, and they dog or puppy is not out to be mean or to punish their owner for leaving. Some things which heighten the likelihood of separation anxiety include your dog or puppy not having spent a lot of time alone or if you or your family are gone for long period of time. For example, if you go on vacation and then come back your dog may panic when you leave the house again, because they aren’t sure when you might come back.

If your dog has had a real bad experience, for example getting hit by a car or prior abuse, then they may not want you to leave their side. If there has been some big changes in the family, such as you taking a new job and you now have a different schedule, if you have recently changed cities or if your son or daughter goes off to college, this may cause mental anxiety for your dong.
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Crate training your dog can be very beneficial for him or her, as well as for yourself. It will require you to commit some time and focus as well as energy to successfully do it. However, once you are able to, you will find that a crate gives your dog or puppy a fantastic spot of their own that is warm and welcoming. It also will allow you to protect parts of your home that you don’t want your dog or puppy bothering while you are away. It also gives you a method that is safe to transport your dog while they are in the car. If you are going on vacation, and you want to take your pet, if your dog is crate trained, you can keep them in crate while you’re at someone else’s home or while you are at the hotel.

If you train your dog the correct way, they will be happy to spend time in the crate or at least they will not hate it. Crates come in different types of materials. Some are plastic, others are made from metal. They also vary in size. You will want it to be large enough that your dog has room to lay down, standup and turnaround. You can find a good quality crate at many of your major pet stores.

The amount of time that it will take to crate train your dog will depend on the amount of effort that you commit to it, as well as your dog’s personality and their past experiences. If your dog has been abused, it might take longer. Whether or not your dog has ever been trained before, and your pet’s own personal temperament will also effect how long training will take.
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For many dogs, thunder and lightning can be incredibly frightening. If ignored, these fears are not likely to improve but only get worst. Therefore, it is important that you acknowledge them and try to help your dog deal with them as best as you can.

Many times, when a dog is frightened by thunder or other loud noises, their first instinct is to run away from it. Sometimes this can be OK. However, other times this can be dangerous. They may run into a car or into another dangerous place. That is where you, as the owner, needs to step in and try to help them deal with their fear in a much more safe manner. You’ll want to pay close attention to your dog and see how they react when loud thunder or other sounds bother them. If they tend to jump into your bed or hide under the porch, make sure that they have access to those places so that they are able to run somewhere safe when they do get scared. Even out when you are t home, encourage them to go to those places, so when you are not there, they know where to go.

Another thing that you can do to help is try to provide a distraction when the loud noises occur. You will want to do this when you first notice your dog is beginning to panic or act distressed. Participate in an activity with them that you know he or she enjoys and that will take their mind off of the loud noises. If they like to play with a ball or if they have a favorite toy, make sure you reward them for interacting with you during this time with either praise or treats.
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