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Do you have an aggressive dog? Maybe an overprotective dog? How about a dog who bites out of fear? There are many reasons for why a dog bites and there is help for every dog. So many dogs end up in shelters when all they needed was the proper understanding and training so please find the answers to save your dog from being tossed away!
Read MoreA day spent unleashing your dog's inner Lassie is also a great way to share some quality time with your children. Although it does depend a little on the breed of your dog and its temperament, most canines can be taught a new trick in less than a day.
Read MoreBy Guest Writer, Horace Black
So you live in the city and still want the fun of having a dog for a pet? Puppies are always cute, adorable and loving, but the challenges of urban puppy training can sometimes become stressful and overwhelming. There will be questions about housetraining, exercise, food and medical care you’ll need to think about to make sure your new four-legged city friend is safe, happy and healthy.
If you do it right, and especially if you do it wrong, you and your pet could become part of the funny animal videos at Break.com. Check out their “10 Smartest Dogs We’ve Ever Seen” to see if your pup measures up. If not, here are a few helpful tips you can use to get your pup in shape.
What can apartment dwellers do if you don’t have a nice back yard or a park nearby for your pup to relieve itself? Doctors Foster and Smith say it is possible to train your puppy to do its business indoors. While most people know about paper training, there are some new products on the market that can help make the process much easier for both of you.
Your dog shouldn’t have to stay in your apartment and be bored all day. Train your dog to walk on a leash and you’ll both get to know your city a little better. To make sure the walk is enjoyable, Cesar Millan advises that you leave plenty of time and that the human learns how to act like the leader of the pack. Try to find a dog park where your pet can run around without the leash and socialize with other city dogs. If you can’t get home for a walk during the day, consider hiring a dog walker.
If the weather doesn’t allow you to get outside for a walk, you can have some fun inside with dog exercises. SheKnows.com suggests doggy dancercise, building a dogstacle course, and even doga as fun activities for both you and your puppy.
Keep your pet’s mind challenged while you are away. Make sure there are plenty of engaging toys and activities so your puppy won’t turn to chewing on the furniture as a fun pastime. Buy some of those balls where you can hide food inside and your pet will get some exercise while you can be sure there is plenty of food available.
Living in the urban jungle might not come naturally to your pet. Obedience classes can help your pet learn to deal with the noise and distractions of city life, control its aggression with people or other dogs, and stay quiet while you’re gone so the neighbors won’t complain about your noisy pet.
Because your city pet may spend more time indoors, your apartment may look worse for the wear and tear. Martha Stewart has some very helpful clean-house tips for pet owners that include keeping the upholstery clean and getting the pet hair under control.
It might be more difficult to find a good vet in a city environment, but it is very important to your pet’s health. Your vet will provide regular pet vaccinations, wellness exams, pet dental care, and diagnostic services. Be sure to ask your vet about other strategies for keeping your puppy safe and happy in the urban environment. Most of all, be sure to have fun with your pet. Your puppy might not do anything that could become one of the funny animal videos at Break.com, but at least you might get a good laugh out of it.
About the Author: Horace fell in love with the entertainment scene as a journalism student in the Midwest. He covers everything from grand openings to the latest restaurants, and considers Chuck Klosterman a Midwestern saint.
Have you heard about Pudsey? If this superstar ever has a poster I know Kirby will have it hanging in his room!
Pudsey, a gorgeous 6 year old mixed breed, and Ashleigh, age 16, are truly best friends. Ashleigh raised him from a puppy and works with him every day often forgoing the normal teenage life. Their bond and devotion alone make up half of this inspiring talent. Together they competed on the show Britain's Got Talent and won the 2012 title.
They are an amazing sight to see! Watching their chemistry as she gives hand motions and talks to a fully attentive Pudsey left me mesmerized. This dog learned so quickly as each routine became more difficult with only a short period of time in which to learn. They had complete confidence in each other and it showed.
First Pudsey and Ashleigh had to audition to get on the show. Their fun rendition of The Flintstones was brilliantly delightful causing the usually unimpressed Simon Cowell (I miss him on American Idol) to actually give a standing ovation. When he asked if Ashleigh thought Pudsey could win an Oscar, she answered without hesitation, "Yes!" I laughed when he asked if winning would change Pudsey and she said "He could become a bit of a diva".
Next came the semi finals with this amazing duo performing a new dance routine to Broadway's Peppy and George. They actually managed to outperform their own audition as they danced across the stage reminding me of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Britain was in love with this team as the votes poured in.
These past few weeks have been busy for everyone in our rally group so we couldn't get together for a class. One of our trainers loaned me a set of rally signs to practice with which made a huge difference. Instead of trying to remember the many different signs to practice, I now had the visual tool I needed to practice each one properly. Since I work during the day and it's dark by the time I get home I had no choice but to practice inside. Every night I would take several signs and scatter them on the floor throught the house so Kirby and I could run through them off and on throughout the evening.
Purchasing a full set is expensive so I decided to make my own signs which is really simple. Since we are just starting out in rally I can laminate the signs we are currently using with plans to laminate the rest of the signs as we need them.
If you have a color printer the only other items needed are:
Step 1 - The AKC website has a complete set of rally signs to print out which can be found here. I purchased some cardstock but it wouldn't feed through my printer so I printed the signs on regular copy paper. If your printer will take cardstock then print the signs on it. Some of the rally signs are changing in April of this year so if you get your signs somewhere else be sure you are using the right ones.
Step 2 - Some of the signs can be confusing so print the instructions for each sign which can be found here along with the new 2012 regulations.
Step 3 - Cut out and tape the instructions for each sign on a single piece of copy paper to hold it in place. I placed them at the bottom right but you can place them anywhere you want.
Step 4 - Take a rally sign and place a piece of cardstock behind it to make the sign sturdy. Then take the matching instructions and place that behind the cardstock facing out.
Step 5 - Slide the lined up papers into the laminating pouch and seal following the instructions. Be careful to do this step slowly so as not to wrinkle the papers since you will not get a second chance. I purchased Scotch laminating pouches which cost $28.00 for 25 pouches so you can choose to use plastic sheet protectors to save money.
The finished signs are bulky but can be easily stored in a plastic accordian type file folder. The final step is how to use them. The laminate makes them a cinch to wipe clean so you can simply lay them on the floor or yard. At rally class the signs are clipped to the top of orange cones. At the trials I noticed that each sign had a strip of velcro on the back which would stick to the velcro strip on each cone. I like the cones which Doug said he thinks he can find really cheap through contacts in his line of work. Otherwise they may prove to be cost prohibitive so instructions to make homemade sign holders I found using wire garden fencing can be read here.
If you are doing rally then these signs will come in handy for those home practices. Even if you don't plan to compete these signs can still be used in your backyard as training tools. Either way it's a great way to bond with your dog. Let the games begin!
This is Kirby's registered official AKC (American Kennel Club) name. The CGC is his very first earned AKC title which stands for Canine Good Citizen. Most dogs earn this title at a young age, usually by age one, so at three years old Kirby is a little late but we have just now had the opportunity to take the test because (1) we live in a rather rural area, and (2) the AKC Club here just recently opened their doors to mixed breeds.
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| Mama is tellin me what we has gots to do |
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| We had to do things like meet other people with dogs or I got petted or brushed. All I had to do was be a nice doggie. |
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| Mama tellin me I passed. I knew I would! |
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger - The dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. Very easy since Kirby is used to going to public places.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting - The dog will allow a friendly stranger to pet it while it is out with its handler. Very easy since Kirby is used to people, especially children, wanting to pet him.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming - The dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. Seriously, the Kirbster loves a massage!
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) - The handler/dog team will take a short “walk” to show that the dog is in control while walking on a leash. Very easy since Kirby is used to walking on a leash.
Test 5: Walking through a crowd - The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three) to demonstrate that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. Very easy since Kirby is used to going to public places.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place - The dog will respond to the handler’s commands to 1) sit, 2) down and will 3) remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). This one became complicated. I put Kirby in down position where he waited then I walked to the farthest corner as instructed. The evaluator called me back and said she wanted me to walk straight ahead to the fencing. I again placed Kirby in down and did as she asked. Again she called me back and said she wanted to use a measuring string which she had to untangle and stretch across the floor. So once again I placed Kirby in the down position and walked to the mark on the string. Kirby is used to this exercise but all the changes were confusing causing him to stand up this last time before I called him. I had to give him the command for down from where I was standing which he promptly did.
Test 7: Coming when called - The dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. With the complications I mentioned in Step 6 this part was incredibly easy and funny because when I said COME Kirby ran like the wind to get to me. He has to stop and sit directly in front of my feet - he was running so fast he literally slid into the stop touching my legs!
Test 8: Reaction to another dog - To demonstrate that the dog can behave politely around other dogs, two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. Very easy since Kirby is used to meeting people with their dogs in public places.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction - To demonstrate the dog is confident when faced with common distracting situations, the evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. Very easy since Kirby is used to loud noises such as fireworks and motorcycles. The only problem would have been if someone was riding a bicycle which to Kirby just seems so wrong!
Test 10: Supervised separation - This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. I did panic on this one because as I went around the corner I could hear him barking. The person holding him knows us and later told me he barked once when I disappeared but then saw Doug standing nearby and barked more until Doug quickly disappeared. Once he couldn't see either of us he did stop barking. It was obvious to the evaluator that he was on alert looking in the direction we went but sat quietly for the next three minutes.
We paid $20.00 to take the test. Once he passed we were given a form to mail in along with $8.00 to receive his certificate by mail. So for $28.00 and some simple exercises the Kirbster has his very first AKC title.
I have to mention how much this title means to me. We know Kirby is a well trained dog with a calm demeaner. We know he is an excellent teacher and mentor for our foster dogs. I began training Kirby to behave and do tricks from the time I brought him home at six weeks old (he could sit on command at 7 weeks). I wanted to do the AKC Star Puppy and the AKC Canine Good Citizen when he was a puppy but was not allowed since he isn't a purebreed. To finally be allowed to let this amazing little guy prove how smart and good he is just means so much to me. Kirby may never become a champion on paper but he is the champion of my heart! He is my heart dog!
Heel, sit, come around, stop, sit, heel, stop, sit, down... Good Boy Kirby!
We all know the American Kennel Club (AKC) from their various high-profile showswhich include the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, The National Dog Show, andthe AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. They are the official registry forpurebred dog pedigrees in the United States.
Our classes alternate between obedience trainingand rally training. A funny incidenthappened one night at class not too long ago. All the dogs were waiting in the down position at one end of the room witheach of us standing directly across the room from them. Two dogs next to Kirby got into a ruckus growling at each other. Kirby was frightened but staying in the downposition, he began crawling across the floor toward me as quickly aspossible. I met him halfway scooping upa very relieved pup!
Is your dog a Canine Partner? Does he/she participate in rally or obedience? I would love to hear your experiences!
Hi, I'm Debby and Kirby is my heart dog, my muse, my loyal companion! Join us as we journey through this thing called life. The Canine Chef Cookbook is our compilation of culinary delights and tips for dog lovers everywhere! Welcome to our little corner of the web!
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