Have you heard of heartworm disease? Know anything about it? The subject may be important to a lot of people, but you’ll find very few who actually understand it. Many have heard of it but don’t know very much about it. Few get excited about it. Most that hear about it just file the info away in their minds and continue on to things that are more important, more current, and more important to them. Those who hear about it usually just continue onward and go on about their daily business. Their attention turns to things they find more interesting, more important to them.

So just what is the genuine truth right here? Just what is heartworm disease? And why must it be significant to anyone? Let’s see if any of all those reasons apply for you or anyone you already know.

First, heartworm disease can only be spread from an infected mosquito. It infects dogs, cats and mammals.  Fine, I fully grasp that but can the heartworm disease infect humans? Only in rare cases. The larva in humans does not complete its life cycle. And yes, that’s a valid observation. But examine it this way, if an infected mosquito bites a dog or cat, the larvae takes several months to start doing damage inside the animal. Furthermore, think of this. That from the time the animal gets bitten by an infected mosquito,  it takes about 7 months for it to mature.

Second, after the larvae reaches maturity, it attacks the heart, lungs and blood vessels. The reason for that is definitely to strangle these organs and start reproducing more parasitic worms. 

Third, keeping your dog away from stagnant water where mosquitoes breed and giving your pet its monthly dose of heartworm prevention will prevent your pet from contracting this deadly disease.

Fourth, I recommend that every dog and cat owner should take out a wellness program for their pet. Veterinarian visits are costly and with a wellness program you will be reminded when your pet is due for a check up and vaccines. The wellness program that I have costs approximately $30 a month. As soon as you might have looked at and evaluated all the reasons, you’ll be able to see for yourself whether or not a convincing case may be made in favor of your understanding a lot more about preventing your dog from heartworm disease. Just maintain an open mind and contemplate the reasons. Maybe you really ought to know more about preventing your dog from heartworm disease.

As soon as you might have looked at and evaluated all of the reasons, you’ll be able to see for yourself whether or not a convincing case may be made in favor of your understanding a lot more about preventing your dog from heartworm disease.

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There are many dog training collars on the market and some are good and some not so good.  As a dog owner myself, I am the one responsible for choosing the best collar for my dogs. Not all dogs are created equal when it comes to their barking behavior.  Take two dogs of the same breed and one will take to a collar immediately, while the other make take some time to respond or he may need another type of training collar.  Please read the reviews for each product before deciding to purchase. I listed collars that have an average review rating of 4-5 stars.  I recommend to be on the safe side, take off the collar off your pet before going to bed. At some point with some dogs, you may not have to have the sensitivity on at all. Your dog will think as long as he has the collar on, he will not bark. Again, you must be the judge.

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Hello Everyone!

The Maltese is an energetic little dog that loves to run and romp but needs little exercise to keep her satisfied. I know because I have two male Maltese. At roughly 9-14 lbs, the Maltese is a qualified member of the apartment dogs group. They are somewhat affectionate, and a definite lap dog. The Maltese is a gentle mannered dog while at the same time, a lively, playful and fearless dog, making it a hugely popular choice as a companion dog. However, there is a significant grooming requirement. A daily once over with a pin brush or a steel-tooth comb is all that is needed. Also, the Maltese tend to tear a lot therefore, a daily wash cloth around the eyes and tear ducts is needed. The Maltese’s unique combination of playfulness and tenderness makes the Maltese a great family dog.

Bichon Frise is a popular member of the Toy group. This white powder puff is known for its playful and gentle nature. While incredibly social with human beings, as well as having a reputation for getting along well with other animals, the Bichon is a quiet dog. Some people say that the Bichon is a cousin to the Maltese. He should be able to get adequate exercise with daily walks in the park and some indoor games. If you are taking your dog to the park regularly, make sure that he has his monthly dose of heartworm and flea and tick prevention. I know some dog owners who do not give their dogs any prevention at all and they are taking a big risk. This breed makes an ideal companion for those looking for a small apartment dog. Please note that while the Bichon’s coat is low shedding, it does need daily grooming to keep the hair from matting. Also, as with any pure white animal, maintenance must be done to keep their color clear from dirt. These dogs are very affectionate and get along with people, kids and other pets. As “people” dogs, they should not be left alone for long periods of time.

Chihuahua is a little dog and probably the stereotypical “toy” breed! They are what most people think of when they picture a dog suited to live in a small space. However, a Chihuahua is a little dog that often has a big attitude! This can lead to barking issues that may become a problem if you live in a large apartment building where your neighbors may be disturbed by the noise, especially elderly neighbors who tend to go to bed early. Besides their talkative nature, the Chihuahua is an ideal dog for apartment life. They require little exercise and will be happy with a few short potty breaks and then indoor playtime. Their grooming requirements are quite minimal. Weekly brushing should keep shedding down.

Although not overly affectionate or playful, the Chihuahua remains one of the most popular toy breeds in the USA. Why do you think Taco Bell chose it for their spokesperson. They are a good watchdog and companion. They get along well with kids, other pets and dogs. A good indoor dog.

Miniature Poodle like the Toy version, is alert, active and a wonderful family pet. The Miniature Poodle is rugged enough to mix well with children and loves to play and romp. They need exercise in the form of walks and play time and make excellent apartment dogs. Highly trainable. Intelligent dog, loves to please, perky and wants to learn new things. Use clicker training and positive reinforcement. Keep training going through his life so he doesn’t forget anything. The more you train, the more he’ll bond and the happier he’ll be.

Boston Terrier is a little frisky, well-mannered house pet. He’s a companion dog that loves to play ball and snooze by your feet. He enjoys quiet walks with stops in the park. This is a real joy of a dog to own. One of the best apartment dogs. The AKC has nicknamed the Boston Terrier “the American Gentleman” due to its dapper appearance  and gentle disposition and suitability as a companion and as a house pet. Boston terriers make excellent  city dogs because of their trainability, short coats, and modest exercise requirements. Bostons are known for their friendliness toward strangers and neighbors.

Shih Tzu is a breed that weighs in around 15 pounds and is a favorite in senior citizen centers and one of the best for apartment life. The Shih Tzu is foremost an affectionate companion and lap-dog that loves to play. It needs little exercise beyond a brief walk. Difficult to train. This breed is intelligent but has a mind of its own. Be patient and repeat the commands over and over. Stop by your pet store and get a clicker. Clicker training works with difficult dogs better than anything I know of. Give it a try.

The Shih Tzu puppy can, in some cases, be difficult to house train, potty train, toilet train, housebreak or whatever you want to call it. If you have a puppy, decide if you want to crate or paper potty train it. Always praise the pup profusely when it goes potty in the right place so it knows it has done a good thing. Either method will work good for this breed.

West Highland White Terrier “Westie” is an adorable dog that comes from Scotland. The busy Westie is the lap-dog of the terriers and affection should be her middle name. This 18 pound pooch will go jogging with you or fetch a ball in the yard. She likes people and most other dogs. She’ll bark at intruders and give kisses till you run for a towel.

The West Highland Terrier was originally used to hunt and dispose of vermin in barns and homes. They were also used to hunt otter, badger and fox in the mountains of Western Scotland. At one time the Westie, Sky, Cairn and Scottish Terriers were all considered one breed. The AKC first registered the West Highland White Terrier as the Roseneath terrier in 1908, but the name was changed to West Highland White Terrier in 1909. Since then it has become one of the most popular dogs in the country. The Westie is a very easy dog to train with clicker training and positive reinforcement.

Yorkshire Terrier is an energetic dog that requires a lot of combing and brushing. The Yorkie is a feisty, playful lap-dog that is moderately affectionate. It’s the best of apartment dogs but does tend to bark a lot which you’ll have to work to control. Exercise needs are minimal. Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately known as “Yorkie”, offer big personalities in a small package. Though members of the Toy Group, they are terriers by nature and are brave, determined, investigative and energetic. They have long, luxurious blue and tan coats. This portable pooch is one of the most popular breeds according to the AKC Registration Statistics. Yorkies are easily adaptable to all surroundings. travel well and make suitable pets for many homes.

Pug is a little comedy act, always showing off and acting silly. It’s a quiet and laid back breed, but stubborn and self-confident too. The Pug will settle on anyone’s lap it can find. The Pug is a good watchdog, and needs little exercise. The Pug can almost be an indoor dog and is certainly one of the apartment dogs.

The breed has a long history. They were first brought to England in Victorian times and became incredibly popular with the wealthy, displacing the King Charles Spaniel as the favored Royal Breed. This dog of Victorian England usually had cropped ears, further accentuating their wrinkled faces. Several Pugs were brought the England  from China in 1886. A year earlier the breed had been recognized by the AKC. Since that time, it has remained popular as a lap-dog. colors are black, brown and fawn. The Pug is relatively easy to train. They love to please their humans and enjoy obedience training sessions. For the best training results, use clicker training with positive reinforcement. It really works wonders and dogs love this method.

Boxer dogs can be clowns and quite silly at times. The Boxer is laid-back, quiet and loves to play and romp with family and kids and wants  to be part of whatever the family is doing. They are an affectionate and fun-loving breed and are good apartment dogs as long as they plenty of exercise. The Boxer breed is a medium size dog and was originally used as german Police dogs. They also found their way into dog fighting arenas which is hard to imagine, knowing their temperament.

This breed is a very friendly dog that loves to be with people. They aren’t that fond of other dogs but they are not really aggressive either. The dog will protect its family. Common color is brown and white and fawn and white.

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Dear Dog Owner,

Are you sick and tired of …

• Knowing that the medications you are giving your dog are probably only treating their symptoms and not their real problems?
• Being concerned that the drugs that you are giving your pet may have serious side effects?
• Worrying that you don’t know enough about how to treat your dog yourself and be able to help them live a longer, healthier, happier life?
• Being concerned that the underlying causes of your much-loved dog’s health problems are not being addressed?
• Always looking for answers to treat your dog in a safe, rapid and effective way but don’t know how?

Well Don’t Worry, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

 I know it may be hard to believe … but after treating dogs for many years, you could be on the verge of safely and effectively treating your dog’s health problems for good – like thousands of other pet owners have … so that they respond more rapidly and more remarkably than they ever have before! 

Imagine:  Feeling a huge sense of achievement that you are treating your dog in the safest way possible, avoiding all toxic drugs (unless they are absolutely necessary) and better still, you are addressing the underlying causes of their health problems – not just giving them drugs to stop their symptoms.

Imagine:  How you will feel when your dog’s health problems have totally gone and they are so much happier and able to live longer, more contented lives without any more pain and suffering.

Click Here To Purhase & Get 3 FREE Gifts!

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“Does your dog bark and whine constantly?

Does it destroy your house, furniture or clothes?”

up to 35% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety – and Your dog could be one of them!

If you’re tired of the constant struggle with your dog whenever you leave your home; if you’re sick of coming home to find that your dog has damaged your house; if you want to put a stop to your dog’s constant barking and whining, then this is the most important website you will ever visit.

If you are like I was in this situation, then you’ve probably tried everything. You love your dog, an adorable pet that has become a trusted member of your family. But there’s a serious problem: every time you leave your dog home alone, it goes into a destructive frenzy that is threatening your relationship with your pet. You’re at your wit’s end.

I’m sure you know the symptoms: your dog whines or barks constantly. Your dog tears up furniture, chews through drywall, damages your possessions and goes after almost anything within reach. And it happens when you leave your dog at home – all alone.

You’re At Your Wit’s End – But Don’t Give Up Yet!

Believe it or not, your dog may be suffering a clinical condition called dog separation anxiety. It’s the same separation anxiety that children go through when they leave home to start attending school, or when parents go off to work and leave the child with a baby sitter or at day care.

But while all a child does is cry from separation anxiety, dogs can go on a rampage that can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in damage to your home. It’s not fair to the dog; it’s not fair to you – and it’ not a productive relationship with your pet!

You didn’t dream of having a dog one day – only to find that it’s become a nightmare, did you? Of course not! You wanted a pet – that adorable dog you fell in love with when you first saw them as a puppy. And now you want that dog back.

Well I am here to tell you that you can reclaim your pet. You can finally put an end to the damage and destruction. You can stop the constant whining and barking. And if you know what to do, it can be a simple process that builds a loving relationship with your dog!

Click Here To Find Out How!

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Building a dog house yourself is one of the smartest investments you’ll ever make.

Not only will you have a far more attractive place for your dog to stay, you can feel proud in the knowledge that you built your best friends home with your own two hands.

   Also, building your own dog house just makes economical sense.  You can build a dog house for just a fraction of the cost of buying a pre-built one. Most pre-built dog house you buy need to be assembled anyway, you’re really just paying hugely inflated prices for the material.

    Unfortunately, building your own dog house is not as easy as hammering some wood and nails together. You need to take into account materials, insulation, ventilation, positioning, openings, as well as things like what materials and paints are safe to use.

  Fortunately for you, with the help of a professional architect, I’ve created some easy to follow plans to building your own dog house. It doesn’t matter if your a master carpenter or a total beginner, If you require a big or small dog house, or if you have a small or big budget.

  What makes my plans so superior is that they are fully insulated. Most pre-built dog houses you buy from the shop are not insulated, so there is nothing protecting your dog from those hot summers and cold winters.

Click Here To Purchase!

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Hello Everyone!                     

Is there a best dog breed for children? How much should you pay? Is your family ready? Which dog should you get?

1000′s of Dogs Lose Their Home EVERY Day Because Famlies Don’t Know the Steps to Choosing the Right Dog for Their Family.

How Do You Avoid Heartbreak and Choose the Best Dog for Your Family?

Don’t Give In to The First Adorable Pair of Puppy Eyes – Or Your Kids Begging! Learn Which Dog Will Best Suit Your Family and Develop Life Long Memories for Your Children.

Your Kids Will Thank You!

Dear Parent Thinking of Buying a Puppy,

Are you thinking of giving your children the dog they’ve been begging for? Is it hard to tear yourself away from the adorable puppies in the pet store window? If you are looking for more information before deciding which dog to choose, or to help you decide if you should get a dog, you’ve made a smart decision.

The sad fact is that 4 out of 10 families will give up the dog they choose within the first year. This can be a terrible heartbreak for you and your family. While it may seem like an easy decision, how will you face your children if you make the WRONG choice? Choosing a dog with characteristics that compliment the personalities and lifestyle of your family will ensure a beautiful friendship and a long relationship with your dog.

“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”

My name is Shannon and I’m a freelance author and researcher. I’m also a life-long dog lover and mother. My husband and I were looking for a new dog to add to our young family when we decided to find out what the best breeds of dogs for families are.

I know from experience the heartbreak of losing a dog. My parents gave two of our dogs away because they did not know some important information about how to choose the right dog as a family pet.

We eventually found a lovely friend that stayed with me for nearly 13 years. By the time she passed away we had two little girls. We wanted to get a new dog but I did not want to make a mistake that would cost my young children harm or disappointment, so I made it a mission to uncover the necessary information to select the best dog for our family. What I learned can help you avoid making the same mistakes.

Make the Right choice for your Family!

Click Here to Purchase!

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What is Dog Off Pro used for?

This unit can be used to train your own dog to stop those bad habits, or it can be used as a personal protective device against an attacking dog.  Trust me.  I have one.

Can I train my dog not to jump/chew/bite?

You can activate this unit when the dog is doing any undesired activity (barking, jumping on the furniture, scratching, digging, etc.).  Consistency to any training program is key, but you also don’t want to overdo it.  For example, using the Dog Off Pro if your dog already wears a bark collar would be “overkill”, but if you use our free standing Dog Silencer Pro in the backyard and the handheld Dog Off Pro inside the home, they would work well together because the dog is only exposed to one product at a time.

How far does the unit reach?

The sound frequencies can be projected up to 25-30 feet. 

Does it go through walls?

No, as with all ultrasonic sound frequencies, these sound frquencies will not go through any solid objects, such as walls.  When using this product, you want to make sure you have a clean line of sight with the dog.

Can it stop an attacking dog?

Yes, this unit has a very powerful sound frequency that is designed to stop an aggressive or barking dog. 

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Hello Everyone!

I was recently introduced to a product called Potty Park. It literally is a toilet for dogs that can be used indoors or outdoors at your home, apartment or anywhere else your dog may need smewhere to relieve itself. Essentially it’s your own private little piece of the dog park anywhere you need it.

I have seen other dog potties for sale and have been skeptical because of the inherent dangers of all of the bacteria building up on these units, but Potty Park is made from anti-bacterial and anti-microbial medical grade materials. In fact, it’s the only true anti-microbial dog potty in the world!

Once I found out that the White House uses Potty Park for Bo Obama I was sold! I mean, if there was a better dog potty out there don’t you think they’d be using it?

Check out the site and watch the video to purchase your Potty Park!

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How Well Is Your Dog Groomed?

The reason one should groom his/her Dog is simple – your dog’s physical state influences the way he feels and the way you look at your dog. Extreme cases, where lack of proper care, cleaning and grooming can directly affect the behavior of your Dog, are not rare.

Proper grooming not only infuses a healthy glow to your dog’s appearance, but also helps develop his self-esteem; while it makes you a very proud parent, when you show off your Dog to others.

The first step involved in dog grooming is: Brushing!

Brushing has been universally acknowledged by expert dog groomers as the single most important step in grooming.

The benefits of brushing are many. To name a few:

• Better blood circulation
• Shinier and healthier coat
• Better bonding

Brush your Dog’s hairs to prevent it from matting. Matting can be a very painful experience.

Regular brushing untangles the matted hairs on your Dog’s coat. Since this is a risky job to do, the best way out is to prevent them from forming in the first place. And doing this is simple: just brush and comb your Dog regularly. If and when you see any mats or tangles, use a detangle solution and a medium-toothed comb.

Don’t wait until your Dog is dirty or matted to introduce him to grooming. That would make him associate the experience with unpleasantness. Moreover, many dogs learn to see their routine brushing as an alternate form of petting, i.e. another source of affection and attention.

Subscribe to this FREE dog grooming mini course and start Grooming your Dog all by yourself right from the comfort of your home Today. 

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Basics of Dog Training

It’s essential for Dog parents like you to know certain basic factors that determine your relationship with your Dog and can go a long way in training him effectively.

Before you begin training your Dog, it is absolutely essential that you build a loving bond with him. This is important as it helps you to understand his needs and instincts and also allows your Dog to have complete trust in you.

Know more about Dog care from this free mini course

Let us see how…….

How To Bond With Your Dog

Building a bond with your Dog is the first and the most crucial step involved in training him successfully. As soon as you bring your Dog home, you must first try to develop a caring and loving relationship with him in order to win his trust and confidence.

When Dogs are secure in the knowledge that they belong to the family, they are more likely to respond better to their owners’ training commands. Just like with any relationship, there must be mutual trust and respect between you and your Dog.

Trust takes time to develop and respect comes from defining boundaries and treating any breach of those boundaries with firmness and fairness.

Without enforceable limitations, respect can’t be developed. And when there is no respect, building a bond with your Dog is almost impossible.

4 Golden Rules To Building A Relationship With Your Dog :

Love Your Dog and He Will Love You back

Once you’re succesful in building a bond with your Dog, you can rest assured that training him and teaching him new and clever tricks will be a cakewalk.

Learn how to bond with your Dog with this free mini course.

How Your Dog Learns…

Your Dog’s learning period can be divided into five phases:

The Teaching Phase – This is the phase where you must physically demonstrate to your Dog exactly what you want him to do.

The Practicing Phase – Practice makes Perfect. Once a lesson is learnt, practice with your Dog what you have just taught him.

The Generalizing Phase – Here you must continue practicing with your Dog in different locations and in an environment with a few distractions. You can take your Dog out for a walk, or to a nearby park and command him to practice whatever you’ve taught him.

Practicing the learned lessons in multiple locations and in the presence of small distractions will help him learn and retain lessons better .

The Testing Phase – Once you’re sure that your Dog has achieved almost 90% success….he responds correctly almost every time you give a command, you must start testing his accuracy in newer locations with a lot of distractions.

Example: Take him to the local shopping mall and ask him to obey your command. He may not come up with the correct response the very first time you do this, but you must not lose hope.

The idea is to test your Dog to see how he responds in an environment which is new to him. Set-up a situation where you are in control of the environment and your Dog.

There are only 2 possibilities:

Keep on testing until he succeeds. Follow the rule of the 3 Ps – patience, persistence, praise.

Internalizing Phase – Finally, comes the extremely rewarding phase where your Dog does everything he is taught to do even without your commands.

Remember:

Learn how to train your Dog better with this free mini course.

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

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Training Your Dog to Listen to You

Why Won’t My Dog Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time Dog owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere Dog trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your Dog with this free mini course.

Get Your Dog To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the “ALPHA dog” of your family. Your Dog must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DO’s and DONT’s that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your Dog and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your Dog does not learn to “listen”, all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your Dog know his name? Does your Dog look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Dog Training. If your Dog doesn’t respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your Dog recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your Dog’s name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name untill he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once you’re sure that your Dog has learnt to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that Dogs respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your Dog better with this free mini course.

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

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Is Your Dog Potty Trained Enough?

House Training a puppy or adult Dog is such an essential issue for its owner that even a single exclusive tip turns out to be extremely helpful.

The first step in making your Dog fit for polite company would be to potty train him. Some see this training as a hassle and some as a challenge.

For me, it is part of bringing up a pet.

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on housetraining puppies and dogs.

There are a few things you need to know before you actually start potty training a puppy or adult Dog. I enumerate these below:

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on house training puppies and dogs.

Now we will move on to how to potty train puppies and adult dogs.

Potty Training A Puppy:

Irrespective of breeds, housetraining a puppy is considered to be one of the biggest challenges by dog owners. If you think housetraining your puppy simply involves a steady supply of old newspapers, then think again.

A puppy does not develop full control over his bladder until it is over 4 or 5 months old. Since they are growing and developing rapidly at this time, puppies eat more, burn more calories and need to eliminate more frequently than an adult Dog.

After each nap, meal, drink or play, take your puppy to his designated area (indoors or outdoors, wherever you have decided) and stay there until it eliminates. Then bring him to his crate.

Repeat this situation everyday until he has developed a habit out of it.

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on housebreaking a puppy.

Potty Training An Adult Dog:

The best way to housetrain an adult Dog is to begin all over again.

Observe him very closely. Maybe even maintain a diary of where he goes and when. Whether he is pooping when you are home or only when you are outside; whether you can time yourself to be home when he feels the need to go outside.

You can try dog crates, but be careful to introduce him gradually to them.

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on potty training a dog.

Remember, commitment, consistency and intelligent use of positive reinforcement will make you the owner of a perfectly housetrained Dog. Don’t expect miracles. You will only be disappointed.

Get this FREE course on potty training a dog.

Get this unique Housetraining guide and start Housebreaking Your Dog Today.

This is another great way to train your puppy or adult dog if you live in an apartment or at home when you’re gone for several hours a day.  Click on the banner below!

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Slinky

Before you bring a puppy home, plan to take one or two weeks off of work so you have uninterrupted time to focus on the puppy and, in particular, puppy potty training.  Otherwise, it will take much longer to housebreak your puppy. If taking off a week or two is a hardship for one person, maybe two can share the time.  Puppies learn new skills at different rates.  It will take time for your puppy to develop a firm understanding of where it’s acceptable to potty and where it is not. It will take time for your puppy to consistently understand that all of the house is the den, an area not to be soiled.

Puppies need to relieve themselves frequently, sometimes as often as once an hour.  There will be many accidents, especially at first.  Never lose your temper at the puppy, and always use simple, consistent one or two word commands.  If you do not, your puppy could become frightened and confused about what you expect. If you do not follow the proper procedure, your puppy may never recover and will continue his normal ways.

Puppy Potty Training First Steps:  The first step in puppy potty training requires that you learn the clues that indicate your puppy needs to potty, These clues are:  restlesness, sniffing the floor, or returning to a previously soiled spot.  Your pup will need to potty about 5-20 minutes after eating, sleeping or playing.  When you take your puppy outside to potty, take him to the  same spot each time.  You want your puppy to focus on one thing only during puppy potty training, going into the right area.  As soon as your puppy potties, praise him enthusiastically with a treat.  This will reinforce his positive behavior.  While your puppy is going potty, praise very softly so you don’t interrupt the behavior. Be enthusiastic after your puppy is done. 

While your puppy is potty training, you must keep the puppy close to you always so that the puppy does not have the opportunity to fail.  This means starting the puppy out in a small area of the house and following the puppy nonstop.  Alternatively, attach one end of a leash to the puppy and the other end to you, so that the puppy is no father away from you than the end of the leash.

When you are not able to watch the puppy, put the puppy into a kennel.  Or, if you have a fenced yard and the weather is good, you can put the puppy outside.  However, putting the puppy outside when you aren’t watching him means, you lose the opportunity to reward.  The kennel is a preferable training tool.  A young pup 7-9 weeks old should be in a kennel for no more than two hours at a time.  A puppy cannot control itself for longer than that.

You might want to check out a kennel that I used to train my two Maltese’s. This is a great site for many types of canine products that are very competitive.  I found some products like angel eyes are much cheaper than purchasing from the angel eyes site itself.   One great feature, is that the kennel can be folded and transported.  They are also light weight but durable.  

I was recently introduced to a product called Potty Park.  It literally is a toilet for dogs that can be used indoors or outdoors at your home, apartment or anywhere else your dog may need somewhere to relieve itself.  Essentially it’s your own private little piece of the dog park anywhere you need it.

Once I found out that the White House uses Potty Park for Bo Obama, I was sold!  I mean, if there was a better dog potty out there, don’t you think they’d be using it?

Check this link to check out Potty Park, the world’s finest dog potty!

My Maltese Canine Friend | Comments (0)

Hello Everyone! Barking is normal behavior and just one way dogs communicate.  But what if your dog holds routine bark fests in the backyard or in your home?  The first step in obtaining peace and quiet is to realize that most dogs bark for specific reasons.  Some reasons include:

Solitary Confinement.  A dog left alone or confined for long periods without supervision is likely to bark because he feels anxious or sad and is afraid the owner may not return.  Will your dog be left alone for much of the day?  Some dogs adapt to this better than others.

Here’s a list of dogs who hate being left alone:
•Affenpinscher
•American Pit Bull Terrier
•Bichon Frise
•Border Collie
•Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
•Chihuahua
•Chinese Crested
•Coton de Tulear
•English Toy Spaniel
•French Bulldog
•Havanese
•Italian Greyhound
•Japanese Chin
•Lowchen
•Maltese
•Papillon
•Pomeranian
•Poodle
•Pug
•Toy Fox Terrier
•Yorkshire Terrier

Who’s in charge here?  Your dog may bark excessively for your attention because you unintentionally trained him to do so.  One “woof” and you open the door to let him out.  Another and you let him in.  A polite bark is rewarded with a treat.  A loud one brings praise for alerting you to stranger danger.  Too much barking brings censure.  To a dog, humans are consistently inconsistent. 

Inactivity.  Lack of exercise can easily result in a dog that has pent-up energy and barks out of frustration.  I need some barking relief no more bark.  A well-exercised, happy dog is more likely to sleep when you’re not there.

So, what can you do about your dog barking?  Here are some tips.

Let’s get physical.  Dogs that spend most of their time in the backyard or in the house probably need an exercise outlet.  Even if your yard is large, dashing around it in circles is not the equivalent of exercise and interaction.  Take your dog for a long walk, or head to the park for a change of scenery and a game of fetch.

Love the one your with.  Bring your dog into the house when you’re home.  It’s important that he feels he’s part of the family and is loved.  Develop a relationship with him through play and fun.

You’ve got a friend in me.  Dogs are social creatures.  Take your dog to the same park daily or weekly and let him make doggy friends.  Dogs romp around together, tire easily and sleep soundly.

Once you’ve tried some of these doggie deterrents, if your dog still insists on barking his heart out, then you may need to employ a more serious at-home doggie anti bark relief strategy.

My Maltese Canine Friend | Comments (0)