Dog Training Tips – Using Body Language to Help with Your Dog’s Training

Let’s face it, dogs are in no way stupid, if they were then no one would want them as pets. Sometimes though, dog owners do not give their pet enough credit because just as we can teach them to learn voice commands, they can also learn body language. When you use body language along with spoken commands, training a dog is made much simpler.

One example is that of an overly excited dog who often jumps on any visitor that enters your home. All puppies go through this phase and while most do get rig of it, some others will continue these actions well into adulthood. Every time that a guest makes their way into your home, the puppy will become easily excited regardless of whether they are there to play with the puppy or not.

The puppy wants to know what the guest has to offer them, they want to know if the guest has any treats or even if the person wants to play with them and the easiest way for them to determine this is to simply jump all over anyone who enters the house.

As a result, you start giving the dog a series of commands, even ones that you have never taught the puppy. Every time as your tone becomes firmer and firmer and harsher, so too does the dog become ever more excited. This becomes a vicious and chaotic circle that never ceases until either you throw the dog outside, or the guest leaves.

When you grab the dog and raise your voice, the dog takes this as playing and the more that you do it, the more that he or she becomes excited.

In order to better communicate with your dogs, here are some simple tips.

Instead of joining in on the game and making the puppy more excited, you need to take a moment and look at how you approach the situation. How you approach the dog is body language and the dog interpret’s it much differently than you or I would.

1) When your puppy is doing something that you are not liking, refrain yourself from chasing the puppy around the house and yelling at him or her. While you may interpret this as anger, the dog will see it as you wanting to play right along with them and join in on the game.

2) It is important to remember that you always need to show dominance over the dog, instead of yelling, stand upright and puff out your chest in order to give yourself a larger silhouette and in a very firm voice, reprimand the puppy. The goal is to intimidate, but not to scare the puppy.

3) Remember that while the dog is excited, virtually anything you do can be interpreted as play. Never move quickly and using a smooth toned voice, talk to the dog. The ultimate goal is to show the puppy the behavior you would like him or her to have and make it a game for them; see who can stay the most relaxed.

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Tags: body language dog training, dog behavior, dog training, dog training tips

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Before we look at the symptoms of parvo virus in your dog lets take a look at what parvo virus is, what it does and how it is spread. Parvovirus is a virus first identified in 1978 that spread worldwide in just two years. Over the years, the virus has mutated into two distinct strains and there is evidence of a third strain in Spain, Italy and Vietnam. All cases of canine parvovirus or CPV come from the first two strains. It was originally thought that the virus would mutate into the feline panleukopenia, a feline parvovirus but this was found to be untrue. All species have their own parvovirus but it is not spread outside the species.

Even though the virus cannot be spread directly from a cat to a dog or from a bird to a cat, they can spread the virus through contact. For instance, your cat wanders through the neighbor’s yard and picks up the virus on her feet she can then bring it into your home potentially infecting any canines on the property.

The parvo virus works in one of two ways through the intestines or the heart. The intestinal infection is picked up by the animal through oral contact with contaminated feces. In other words through the feces of another canine who is infected. The virus then attacks rapidly dividing cells in the lymph nodes, intestinal crypts and bone marrow. This will allow normally occurring bacteria from the intestine to enter the blood stream making the animal septic. The virus will be shed in the stool for up to three weeks making this disease very contagious to non-vaccinated pets.

The cardio form of the infection is most often seen in puppies that are infected in utero or shortly after birth. It must be noted that the cardiac form of CPV is less common since the mother usually passes immunity on to her pups from birth. The virus will attack the heart in the infected pup and result in death shortly thereafter.

Symptoms of CPV usually present within 3-10 days of contact and they include lethargy, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. The diarrhea then causes severe dehydration and secondary infections. These are the actual causes of death rather than the virus itself.

Survival rate depends on how quickly CPV is diagnosed and treatment is begun. When the case is not caught early the best treatment option is an IV through which fluids are pushed to re-hydrate the animal more quickly, in addition anti-nausea and antibiotic shots may be given intramuscular. The prognosis is good with proper care but an absolute death sentence without it. There have been a few reports that the human antiviral, Tamiflu, can be effective in treating CPV but there are no studies to substantiate this. A veterinarian will advise you to give your pet a parvo shot about eight weeks after they are weaned. With the prevalence of the virus and its ability to kill some precaution should be taken to protect your canine.

There are also natural methods of treating dog Parvo symptoms - see the free Dog Parvo Information booklet - click here, or to order the treatment package, click here.

But whatever you do, don't delay. If you suspect your dog may have Parvo Virus, act immediately. This is an aggressive virus that will very likely kill your dog if left untreated. And it will happen quite quickly. There is no time to lose at all. Act now.

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When a dog has a heart murmur, what this indicates is that there is abnormal blood flow within the dog's heart. This can be caused by a change in the heart valves and their function, or a number of other potential causes. Dog heart murmur symptoms may be caused by an abnormal communication between the left side and the right side of the heart. There are a number of things that may cause this, as they may be congenital or present from birth, or acquired which means the heart was affected after birth because of age or disease.

There are two types of heart murmurs in dogs, benign murmurs which do not concern the health of the dog, and much more serious heart murmurs which may indicate the development of congestive heart failure in dogs.

Dog heart murmur symptoms often include coughing, poor exercise ability, bluish tinge to the gums or tongue, labored breathing and even fainting. While some of these symptoms can be linked to other health issues, and the symptoms are the same between benign heart murmurs and the more severe forms, you should consult a veterinarian any time you have a concern about your dog's health.

Some of these symptoms can be easily missed, including poor exercise ability and even a bluish tinge to the gums. If you have any suspicion that your dog may be suffering from issues relating to a heart murmur, canine heart disease or the development of congestive heart failure, contact your vet immediately for an official diagnosis.

These are symptoms that indicate that something serious is going on with your dog's health. The best way to identify the source and severity of the dog's heart murmur is to conduct a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian, however sometimes additional testing is needed including a heart ultrasound, blood testing, an EKG and chest x-rays. The ultrasound offers a particularly enticing list of benefits because it allows your veterinarian to measure the extent of the murmur, defining whatever the cause of the underlying heart disease may be.

It is vital that you be able to properly diagnose the cause of your dog's heart condition because some conditions that cause heart murmurs are treatable, either through surgery or through medication.

If your dog has a congenital heart murmur, surgery may be a viable solution to eliminate the problems it creates. On the other hand, specific types of medication may be necessary because non congenital heart murmurs are often an underlying symptom of congestive heart failure in dogs.

You cannot be sure about which treatment is going to be the right path to proceed with until you have consulted the right veterinarian and received advice regarding the health of your dog. You should never leave symptoms like these to chance, because not every heart murmur is benign, and serious changes could be occurring in your dog's heart.

For information on keeping your dog's heart healthy naturally - including natural treatments for a variety of dog heart problems, click here.

It is important to share any questions or concerns that you have with your veterinarian, especially when it comes to your dog's lifestyle and physical condition. If you do not feel comfortable with a diagnosis from your general veterinarian, consider seeking out an opinion from a veterinary cardiologist or internist, as these specialized veterinarians have special training and expertise in these and similar problems.

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I'm sure that you want your dog to be active and enjoy good health. In striving to reach this goal, feeding your dog good quality, natural dog food is very important. In addition to feeding him well, you should make sure that he gets plenty of exercise.

You will feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that you are feeding your dog the best food possible for maintenance of his health. Most likely you watch what you eat, selecting healthy foods for yourself and your family. Doesn't your dog deserve the same?

It is so much simpler than you might imagine. Nowadays, one has no trouble finding top-grade, nutritional dog food items. Your supermarket and your local pet shop showcase a wide variety of pet meals that claim to be the most nourishing you can buy for your canine companion.

But if you consider the items contained in these products, you'll see that much of the bulk has no nutritional value. They're just "fillers," such as wheat, that take up space while providing no meaningful nutrition. The best food for man's best friend is, without a doubt, natural dog food.

Dog food has been the subject of a great many scientific studies which have shown that some components in canned and boxed pet foods might indeed be carcinogenic, lowering your canine friend's immunity and resistance to disease.

In almost any brand, you'll find these animal-grade ingredients. In fact, even a brand that calls itself 'premium' can contain these compounds, which might be deceptively labelled as having passed human quality standards. Unfortunately, they can have a detrimental effect on your pet's health if consumed on a long term basis.

Sojos food is one of the many dog products available as a healthy alternative for your pet. When it is mixed with fresh meat, Sojos gives your dog a balanced meal, maintains his nutrition, and promotes his health. Sojos also has a high concentration of protein, fruits, and vegetables that can strengthen your pet's immune system. Unlike many other, more costly brands of dog food, Sojos does not contain bone fragments and other byproducts. Ultimately, dogs love eating it!

Wouldn't you like your dog to remain healthy and active? One thing you can do to ensure his health is feed him natural dog food. Sojos is one of the many dog products available as a healthy alternative for your pet. When it is mixed with fresh meat, sojos food gives your dog a balanced meal, maintains his nutrition, and promotes his health. And dogs love eating it! In addition to feeding your dog the proper kinds and amounts of quality food, it is important to take him out for regular exercise and periodic veterinary check ups.

- Jennefer Poultson

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Dog Behavior Training

- Guidance and Leadership are What Dogs Need

Naturally speaking, a dog is an instinctual pack animal. A dog prefers the pack and although they are a territorial animal, think along the lines of a necessary partnership with regards to certain aspects of their daily life. This can often be seen when you watch a dog sled team which works together in a pack to accomplish a common goal. You have the lead dog along with a series of followers, and in your house hold, you are the lead dog that will guide your best friend just like you would for your children.

Any winning team though requires the input of all members of the team. Just like the saying goes that there is not “I” in teamwork, your dog needs you and you also need him. These are the winning characteristics of a family unit for which your dog is now a member of and it is up to you to ensure that he or she follows the rules of the pack in order to survive.

Both dogs as well as puppies need leadership and guidance if they want to be an efficient member of the family pack and it is you who is responsible for this task as well as making sure that the dog feels as if it belongs and is a loved and needed part of the family unit. Regardless as to whether you or your partner is the leader in the household, what truly matters is that there is a leader to help guide the entire pack.

Even when you have a number of people living in your home, your dog will soon learn the natural hierarchy of your family unit and will fall in line in the unit. This is a natural instinct of theirs that they have kept throughout many generations of domestication.

The biggest issue for dogs is the lack of rules in the pack

By remembering that dogs are pack animals and that they belong in a pack which has a natural hierarchy, you can see why without rules, the dog can begin to develop problems. Having rules are important, you are the leader of the pack and as such you have to be strong willed and a good leader. If you fail to offer rules and leadership, the dog will feel as if you are not a worthy leader and will begin to act out in a means of challenging for leadership of the pack.

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If you have a large breed dog, then you have probably heard all about hip dysplasia, since it is a common occurrence in large breeds. Hip dysplasia’s counterpart, elbow dysplasia, also occurs frequently in certain breeds. Elbow dysplasia is just as serious as hip dysplasia, so it is important that you are able to recognize the signs of the disease. Your veterinarian can confirm the problem, and a treatment plan can be started immediately.

Like hip dysplasia, understanding elbow dysplasia can be pretty tough. Since we aren’t veterinarians or surgeons, this article will keep things as simple as possible. If you would like to find out more about how the problem develops, then do a little research. It’s a not a rare problem, so there is a ton of information about it. (You can start your elbow dyslplasia information search by clicking here). Your veterinarian can also provide you with literature containing pictures and diagrams to help you get a better grasp on what is really going on with your pet. Basically, elbow dysplasia affects the dog’s front legs in a similar way to the way hip dysplasia affects the dog’s hind legs; both are problems with the joints. If left untreated, arthritis develops, causing lameness and extreme pain for the dog.

It’s easy to say that “large” breeds suffer from the problem. But, there are certain breeds that are more likely than others to develop elbow dysplasia. The Bernese Mountain Dog, Chow Chow, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, and Saint Bernard (among others) have all been known to suffer from the disease. If you are considering (or have already gotten) a purebred dog, then speak to the breeder about any medical problems in the line. Elbow dysplasia should be reported on the certificate, but it never hurts to ask.

A dog with elbow dysplasia can start showing signs of the dysplasia as early as six months of age. Limping, lameness, and a limited range of motion are often the first signs. Normally, the joint will also swell. It is not too common for only one leg to be affected; most of the time, the dog is having problems with both legs. If your dog is in pain, then take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog uses his legs and joints in more ways than just walking around; the pain of elbow dysplasia is serious.

There are a few ways to diagnose dysplasia. X-rays and CAT scans are the most commonly used diagnostic tools. Your pet will probably be given pain medication (if not anesthesia) for the diagnosis. Once elbow dysplasia is confirmed, a treatment plan will be started immediately. If the dog is still fairly young and the disease is still in its beginning stages, then your vet may prescribe pain medication and a strict exercise and diet plan to help build the muscles around the joint and to keep excess weight off your pet. Sometimes, this plan can keep the disease at bay throughout the dog’s life. Surgery is another treatment option, and veterinarians say that it is the most successful one. After the surgery, your pooch will be placed on “bed rest” for four to six weeks. During this time, you are instructed not to play with or encourage your pooch to move; however, short leash walks are recommended.

Whether you opt for your pet to have surgery or decide that pain medication is the better choice, you must understand that your pet will more than likely suffer from arthritis later on in life. Even dogs that have undergone surgery develop arthritis; although, it is usually less severe and starts later in life than the dogs that did not undergo the surgery. Elbow dysplasia can be extremely painful; and, if left untreated, can cause lameness for the sufferer.

It seems that hip dysplasia is a fairly well known topic; but, its counterpart is still relatively unknown. Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia. It is very painful for the pooch and can lead to severe arthritis. If you suspect your pet is suffering, then take him to the veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian can diagnose the disease and get your pet started on a treatment plan. No matter what treatment method you choose, you should keep your pet’s health and wellbeing in mind.

And don't overlook the natural elbow dysplasia treatment options.  They really do work well and can be much less stressful on your dog's body than pain medications.  If in doubt, discuss the natural options with your vet, or read the information here.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring the latest in earth friendly dog houses and energy efficient pet doors.

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Your dog’s paws take him everywhere. Unfortunately, there are times when your pooch may not feel like going anywhere because of paw pain. If you keep your pet’s paws regularly groomed, then you can prevent unnecessary injuries. However, accidents happen and sometimes you are faced with medical problems. If a problem arises, then you should know whether you can care for your pet at home or if you need to take him to the veterinarian.

In order to provide at-home care for your pooch, your pet should be comfortable with you handling his paws. That way if some sort of injury comes up, you will be able to help him out. Some pets love for you to touch their feet, while others hate it. Start with the handling at home. Take your pet to a quiet area and just give him a mini foot massage. Be gentle, and pet his feet just like you would his head. Try to work your way up to where you are able to touch his feet anytime you are petting him. He’ll soon get comfortable with the feel, so you will be able to examine his feet if you suspect a problem.

Accidents are out of your hands, but there are ways you can prevent unnecessary injuries. A pet can suffer greatly from long or broken nails. You must keep your pet’s nails clipped. If you go to a groomer regularly, then the groomer probably provides this service for you. If you take care of grooming at home, then you should be able to recognize when your dog’s nails need clipping and how to clip them. In addition to clipping his nails, the hair around and between the pads of his paws should also be clipped. Both the nails and the hair should be groomed at least once a month.

If your pooch is limping, holding one foot off the floor, refusing to walk, or is obviously in pain, then you need to check his paws immediately. Your pet is always barefoot, so paw injuries are not uncommon. Be gentle when you check the problem; your pet is in pain and he may snap or bite at you as a way to protect himself. This is where the foot handling that you have been working on comes in handy.

If you have had your pooch in the great outdoors, then he could be suffering from an object that is lodged in his toes. Thorns, spurs, small rocks and gravel can all be culprits. Grab a pair of tweezers and gently remove the item. Once removed, cut back the hair on your pet’s paw pad to keep mats and tangles at bay. If the item cut his paw, then wash his paw with soap and water.
In the summer, your pet can suffer from burning and blistering caused by hot surfaces. A burned paw may appear raw, while a blistered pay may have a loose flap of skin (just like when a human gets a blister). Don’t remove the blister, because it will come off naturally. Plus, the skin beneath the blister is still raw. Instead, wash the paw and wrap a clean bandage around it. Change the bandage each day for a couple of days until the blister heals. Dry, cracked pads can also be painful for your pup. If his pads seem excessively dry or are cracking, then buy a tube of paw cream from the pet store. It will help soften the pads of his feet.

As tough as it seems to be, the paw pad can also be cut. If the cut is deep or bleeding profusely, then you need to see the veterinarian immediately. If the cut is small, then clean out the wound with soap and water. Wrap the paw with a bandage, and change the bandage everyday or every two days. You may need to use a special collar during this time to keep your pet from pulling off the bandage. If the wound is not showing any signs of healing within three days, then take your pooch to the veterinarian.

Your pooch depends on his paws and paw pads, so you should take care of them. Being outside can pose many hazards for your pet’s feet, so you need to be able to prevent unnecessary injury and provide care in case of an accident. Blisters and lodged objects between the toes can be treated at home. Deep cuts or non-healing wounds should be treated by the veterinarian. Use your best judgment when caring for your pet.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring the latest in designer Pet Carriers and Dog crates.

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My dog always eats the healthiest dog food and dog treats there is to offer. If I would not eat food made with sub par ingredients then why would I feed it to my dog? The foods I find that have the greatest results are Flint River Ranch Dog Food and Wysong Dog Food.

Recently I have been looking into new options for organic dog treats. I like to give my dog treats when he does cute tricks. The dog treats I have been giving him are made by a company who makes organic dog food so I assumed they were organic as well but I recently discovered that they are not organic.

Beyond organic food and dog treats being healthier for my dog they are also better for the environment. I like to know that the purchases I make are not contributing to our water sources being polluted by pesticides that are completely unnecessary in this day and age when there are so many non-polluting options available to farmers.

After you decide to change to organic pet food, you will need to consider a number of things. Organic choices are almost always clearly identified by their producers. If you have any questions about the actual nature of a product, do some research on the Internet. You will likely be able to find a site where you can double check the product you are considering.

There are also several consumer sites that track organic projects. Several of them have processes where they will certify a product or company as organic. If you can find a company that is approved by several of these sites you are on the right track to finding a good product.

Some folks have concerns when making the switch to organic. One concern is that the products will be prohibitively expensive. While organic products can be slightly more expensive than their non-organic counterparts, the difference in cost is typically minimal and is well worth it when you consider the superior quality of the products you will be getting.

A further issue that concerns some dog owners is that their dogs might have a problem if they change their pet's food or treats. I and other people I know have varied our dogs' food and there were no problems. In fact, my dog was livelier and seemed to have improved wellbeing.

When it comes to feeding my dog, I want it to have the best food available, and that includes dog treats. I like the improvements I have seen by feeding my dog such products as flint river ranch dog food, and wysong dog food. My dog seemed livelier and healthier. Some people will be concerned about changing to organics. One worry is that these products might be too expensive. While organics can be somewhat more costly than non-organics, the cost difference is generally minimal, and well worth it when one considers the superior quality.

- Jennefer Poultson

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