Monthly Archives: February 2012

Crate Training Your Cavalier

Posted by cheap-textbooks in Puppy Information

Crate training is very popular and undertaken by millions of dog owners every year. Most dog owners crate train their dog to provide advantages to both their dog and themselves.

Crate training your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can help you with other training problems and it can provide you, as a dog owner, with peace of mind when you need a safe place for your dog.

Of course a Cavalier is a small dog that loves people and need companionship so I certainly wouldn’t recommend using the crate for long periods of time. I don’t think it would be fair on such a dog to be placed in a crate for an entire work day, for example. However, having said that, it is acceptable to use a crate for shorter periods of time and at night when your dog is sleeping. Not only is it acceptable but it can actually be to your dog’s advantage.

Here are 4 reasons why you should crate train your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

1. A crate provides your pet with his own space. A dog likes to have an open space to play and the freedom to be near you. Dogs also need their own equivalent of a den or burrow. All dogs need a place to go to away from that open space where you dog can get away and feel secure. By crate training your Cavalier you provide him with a safe space that he can call his own.

2. A crate is actually a comfort to your beloved dog. Many dogs get anxious when their owner leaves the home. This anxiety can be alleviated by providing them with an appropriate crate and crate training. Your dog feels comforted in the crate knowing it is a familiar and safe place and as part of your training you teach your dog to understand that you will return home.

3. Crate training can actually assist in potty training your dog, especially if you have a puppy. This is why it is important to have exactly the right size crate or at least have a larger crate partitioned for your puppy so it is the correct size at this younger age.

4. A crate stops destruction of your home and garden. When you do need to leave the house for a couple of hours you can use the crate as a boundary for your dog or Cavalier puppy. Many puppies that are teething will cause havoc in a short time when you are absent. If you want to avoid your favorite pillow from being torn apart crate training is for you.

Crate training can be used to provide a sanctuary for your dog or it can be used as a tool to assist in other training. It can be used to assist in potty training and it can be used to solve sleeping issues with puppies. There are a variety of reasons why you would consider crate training and hopefully this article has stirred you on to find out more.

Cavalier’s are lovely family pets, they are smart and loving and full of personality. They respond well to training and it is good to know about crate training so you can incorporate it into your dog training plan. Ideally crate training should be done with a puppy so the younger you start the better. If you provide your dog with a safe comfortable space they will thank you for it.

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Top 10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Quality Dog Food

Posted by cheap-textbooks in Puppy Information

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It is common when I work with people and their dogs that one of their first  questions is what should I feed my dog? My answer is always the same. Pay for a  quality holistic dog food with limited fillers. That is the simplest answer, but  there are many things we should look at when selecting a food for our beloved  dog.

1. The first thing to look for is how much of the food contains fillers. The  typical filler for lower quality food is corn. If grain is going to be in food  it needs to be easily digested and offer some nutritional value. I feel rice  based foods are always much better for the dog than corn. Whole grains are good  in limited amounts. Less filler in a dog food also means less waste coming out  of your dog.

2. When you are shopping for dog food it is easy to just grab and go.  However, just like food for people, the fresher the better. So remember to check  the freshness date before you make your purchase.

3. Do some research. Each dog food company almost always has a supporting  website. In some cases dog food websites can be chalked full of valuable info.  The key is to look for common sense information, not a slick marketing  pitch.

4. Make sure that the food you buy has essential fatty acids. The best foods  contain a ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 of at least 7 to 1. These essential fatty  acids are important to your dog in many ways for their overall heath, disease  prevention and a healthy coat for Fido.

5. Make sure the dog food has a wide range of minerals for complete  nutrition. As with essential fatty acids, the body does not produce minerals so  they must be introduced in the diet. Again the better food manufacturers  understand the importance of trace elements in a dogs’ diet in the right  amounts.

6. If cost is a factor, then a high quality food is better for your pocket  book too. Higher quality foods will satisfy your dogs’ appetite with much less  food. Since there is more available nutrition, you do not need to feed them as  much and they will still have a much better diet.

7. Look for a supplier in your area that is knowledgeable about the dog food  they sell. Your vet is always a go to source when it comes to your dogs’ diet,  but local resources like a high quality dog food store should still be  considered. They can help you compare the brands that they sell to find the best  choice for you.

8. You also need to consider the exercise demands of your dog. If you have a  hunting or working dog that burns a lot of calories, you may need a food with  higher protein so they can maintain their weight and energy levels.

9. Check your dogs’ weight regularly. If your dog is a couch potato, you need  to make sure they are not eating too much. A good simple way to check their  weight is to feel their rib cage. You should be able to feel their ribs, but not  see them. Adjust their food intake as needed.

10. The most important factor in picking the correct food is to take your  time and do some research. Seek advice from your veterinarian and from local dog  food suppliers. This should help steer you in the right direction.

Please remember that high quality dog foods are one the biggest factors in  keeping your dog healthy and fit of body and mind.

Jason McAllister owns and operates County Line Feed and Supplies in Edgewood, New Mexico. The  store offers hay sales and supplies for horses, livestock and dogs. He can offer  suggestions for horse and livestock feed and care.

 

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Ways To Stop Puppy From Chewing

Posted by cheap-textbooks in Puppy Information and tagged with , ,

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Expert Author Anthony V Martin

Wow! How cute and adorable! Yes absolutely, and many a puppy has been bought on impulse just because they were ‘irresistible’ and often without any consideration as to what the demands would be in having a puppy as a new member of the family. (I think there are some similarities there with having children don’t you think?)

Probably the last thing a new puppy owner thinks about is how stressful it can be to deal with the puppy’s teething problem and stopping it from chewing, on everything in the house. Little do they realize however that it will be a major challenge to control this very natural growing development.

Here’s where the training similarities between puppies and babies ends, because babies are in an easily controlled environment, whereas puppies can leave a trail of disaster and destruction because many people once they bring their puppy home just leave them to romp around the house and even give them their old shoes, socks, slippers, shirts etc., to play with.

Then when they leave the puppy alone at home, it’s only natural it will start to chew on the good stuff you don’t want them to, but similar – like shoes, books, cushions, socks, the couch, the furniture legs, coffee table and any number of other things they can sink their teeth into.

They can’t make the distinction between what’s the good stuff and what isn’t and think it’s okay, but it’s not okay – it’s infuriating and what’s worse, your dog has no idea why you are now showing signs of hostility towards it.

The good news however is that they can be trained not to do these things with tried and proven ways to stop your puppy from chewing.

USING THE CRATE TRAINING METHOD

By far the best way of dealing with a puppies’ teething issue as well as things like potty training etc., is to use the crate method. This involves getting a crate or strong box that will allow the dog slightly more room than it takes to stand and turn around in. This will be the puppies home where it has it’s own ‘space’ to get away and feel protected.

Crate training your dog will not only prevent destructive chewing, but will also aid in potty training and create a positive and safe environment for your dog when you’re not around, and it will not have the opportunity to chew on your belongings and other harmful things like power cords, etc.

Some people think that keeping a dog in a crate when they’re not around is cruel. This is not the case at all. Dogs by nature like small, darkened places and tend to feel very safe in crates. Almost all dog trainers today believe that crate training is a necessary and positive part of your puppy’s development.

So the object is to make the crate a safe and happy place for your dog to be, and for the puppy to feel it’s their place, they need the things it identifies as belonging to them – especially toys they can chew on, as well as rags, balls, etc.

The next most important thing to teach your dog when he is teething and chewing is which toys are his and what are off limits. Also purchase good things to chew on such as Kong toys or Bully Sticks. Kong’s are made of tough rubber and can be filled with goodies such as peanut butter or cheese. They are excellent chew toys and wonderful for the teething period. Bully Sticks are 100% natural and 100% digestible, low in fat and great for your dog to chew on.

Other chewable toys that could be used are Nylabones which are made out of solid hard plastic and have bumps on them to soothe teething gums or other toys made of hard rubber or plastic. (Check out your pet store for a variety of new products suitable for your puppy to chew on).

Reinforce which toy is for your dog by giving him his chew toy and saying something like, “Here is your toy, good boy!” If your dog chooses something that he is not to chew on, take it away and replace it with one of his chew toys repeating something like, “This is your toy, good boy!”

With persistence, your puppy will learn what to chew on and what it’s not to chew on.

In time your puppy will recognize certain words it can associate with like come, sit, down boy, etc., but a puppy has no idea of what you’re saying, it can only recognize actions, gestures and voice levels.

A. There is your “well pleased” voice level which is slightly higher than normal, excitable and accompanied by affection, pats, rubbing and words like “good dog”.

B. Then there is the “lower registering voice”, slower and more like a growl that the puppy quickly perceives is your displeasure and shouldn’t be doing what it is doing. Of course you will use appropriate words like “bad dog, naughty dog” etc., but it’s not necessary to yell at the dog or hit them or scold them for any reason. At least not yet! I know it’s a big ask, but no matter how annoyed and upset you are about what it has just chewed, don’t take it out on the dog because they can’t figure out what they did that was wrong, and will only end up all confused and scared.

Just by using the right intonation in your voice with short one syllable words, you can effectively communicate even though it doesn’t have any understanding of the actual words you use.

For those who are still reluctant to use a crate, just make sure the puppy  has a clearly marked and restricted area that it can claim as it’s own. Close  off access to such areas as bedrooms, couches you don’t want it to jump on and  any areas you don’t want them to mess up in.

You can also spray ‘bitter apple’ and ‘cayenne pepper’ on areas where you  want to discourage activity. This helps when it’s necessary to lay down the law  when showing that your belongings are out of bounds and not to be chewed on.

STOPPING PUPPY FROM CHEWING, ALSO INCLUDES THE PROBLEM OF  BITING

Puppies will start wrapping their mouths around people when they are young,  as early as a few weeks old. It’s a way for them to play and learn how to assert  dominance in the litter and later the pack. Mothers will often teach them not to  bite each other. However if a dog is taken away from their mother too early or  if they don’t have litter mates, they might never learn not to do this.  Additionally, if you allow them to mouth your fingers when puppies are teething,  they might think it is acceptable behavior.

Stopping the Nips

Step one is to show them your displeasure at this kind of behavior. One way  if they jump on you or nip you, is to turn your back and ignore them. If you can  get everyone in your house to do this repeatedly, the dog will learn very  quickly.

Another trick that works well, is to tell them that their biting hurt you.  You do this by giving a small yelp or whining sound which will trigger in their  head as a bad thing – the same response that their little mates had when they  nipped each other in the litter. In packs of dogs, the mother or other dogs  would teach this to the pups, but in a home situation, it is up to you. Teething  puppies will put their mouths on you and you must teach them at an early age  that this is not acceptable.

As already mentioned above, every time they start to chew or bite, you must  redirect them to an acceptable chew toy.

Socializing

Another important factor and one often overlooked in teaching the puppy not  to bite, is socializing with other dogs. It is very important to take your dog  to a puppy class or puppy play group. Many good trainers offer these  services.

When allowed to play with other pups, your dog will learn what is acceptable  play behavior. The other dogs will help your dog to learn that biting is not  appropriate.

You must also socialize your dog to many different kinds of people and  situations. This will help your dog not to be afraid of new things and will  significantly lower the potential for biting. By following the above advice as  well as the advice of your veterinarian, you can rest assured that the teething  period will be a positive learning period for you and your puppy.

Keep in mind at all times that it’s at the puppy stage when it’s imperative  to start laying down the boundaries and expectations, as that’s when a dog is  most pliable, before it can actually cause more serious damage.

Also remember that while puppies can recognize by your response to them that  they have done something wrong, most instances of chewing what it shouldn’t has  very little to do with intended disobedience, and more to do with inadequate  boundaries, and lack of consistent attention to training them. Dogs by their  nature want to please you.

SO WHY DO PUPPIES CHEW?

Because it’s natural for them to do so, they were born to chew and enjoy  chewing because they were born to eat! Often chewing things other than food  which includes shaking and destroying things – is not a malicious act, just a  fun and playful way to behave.

Dogs by nature are creatures of habit and will learn quickly if you provide a  habitual and familiar environment for them, but YOU NEED TO BE AS  CONSISTENT AS YOU WANT THEM TO BE!

Fact: Your puppy is going to chew on something no matter  what you do. Don’t confuse them by trying to stop them from chewing, just change  their focus and selection of things they can chew on and away from those things  that are important to you.

Most of all set those boundaries and stick to them and you will have found  the ways to stop puppy from chewing.

Hi, it’s Anthony here and while this article covers the essential things you  need to know and apply to help you with your puppy’s chewing problems, you would  be further greatly helped by a more detailed explanation of these and many other  excellent dog training issues, by checking out what I believe is the very best  in learning how to train your dog and you can do this at http://www.TheBestDogTrainingSecrets.info

 

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Tips to Remember When Choosing A Crate For Your Puppy

Posted by cheap-textbooks in Puppy Information and tagged with , ,

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You finally decided you wanted a dog and have just brought home the world’s  cutest puppy. You’re all smiles and you can’t seem to get your hands off him.  That is, until he peed on your expensive living room rug. You then realize that  you need to potty train him if you don’t want him peeing and pooping inside the  house.

Teaching your puppy to go potty outside is your responsibility as its owner.  Though there is truth in what people say about puppy potty-training being a  frustrating process, it’s not a reason for new owners to lose heart. Before you  start doubting your decision in getting a new pup, know that it is possible to  house train him in as little as seven days.

The fastest way to potty train your puppy is through crate training. Crate  training, as the term implies, involves the use of crates. Now, some people may  frown upon this training method as it looks to them that a crate is some sort of  dog prison. On the contrary, a crate is designed to make your puppy feel safe  and secure in his own little home.

With this in mind, it is important to choose a crate in which he will feel  comfortable staying for hours at a time. Here are a couple of tips to help you  choose the right kind of crate for your new buddy:

· Choose a crate that will be big enough for him when he grows into his adult  size. Such a crate will leave plenty of space for him to walk around – something  that we don’t want your pup to do inside his crate. To discourage him from doing  so, place a cardboard box in the box of the crate. Make sure that the remaining  space is big enough for your puppy stand up in and turn around comfortably.

· Get a crate made out of plastic material. The ones that are made out of  wire are flimsy and not as sturdy so your puppy can easily chew through them.  Plastic crates are also more comfortable as they allow air to pass through the  material easily. More importantly, they are also easier to clean.

Potty training puppies need not be as long and arduous as some  people make it to be. Get your pup the right kind of crate to make the whole  bladder-control training a whole lot easier and faster – for both you and your  pet.

Tom is an Internet Marketer, SEO Coach, and dog-lover rolled into one. He has  been potty training  puppies ever since he bought his first mastiff.

 

Do not have a fat Cavalier

Posted by cheap-textbooks in Puppy Information and tagged with

Having a fit, trim and healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very important. Cavaliers are compact dogs; it takes only a few extra pounds for them to become overweight. Besides the typical overweight problems an overweight dog puts additional stress on its heart. Cavaliers are a breed that does not need any extra stress on the heart. Below are some ideas for you to consider of helping maintain a proper weight for your Cavalier.

Do not free feed your Cavalier. By free feeding I mean leaving food out all the time for your Cavalier. Having food out all the time makes it hard to monitor the amount of food consumed each day. I see many reports that free feeding also leads to finicky eaters. Most experts agree it is better to feed twice a day at specific times. Put the food down for no more than 20 minutes and then picking it up. This way you have precise control over the quantity of food and can also keep track of your dog eating habits. A sudden change in eating habits is a common indicator that there could be severe health issues. With controlled feeding you’ll notice any changes right away.

Another important way to maintain proper weight for your Cavalier is through portion control and consistency. Although every Cavalier is different, except for pregnant bitches or a super active Cavalier, a portion from 1/3 cup to ½ cup twice a day is a typical meal size. The nutritional value of your food will of course affect the normal amount that you need to feed.

The biggest issue with weight control is of course treats. Dogs beg for food because it works. Begging will be reduced if they are NEVER feed from the dinner table. Cavaliers are social animals and respond to love and attention just as much as they do food. Use rewards other than food as much as possible. If you must provide treats try to identify the caloric value of the treat and decrease the meal portions to compensate.

How you know your Cavalier is overweight? I would first look at the area between the end of the rib cage and the hind legs. Your cavalier should be slightly indented in this area. If this rear loin area is the same width as the rib area your cavalier is overweight. If the indentation is drastic your Cavalier is underweight. The rib area is another place to evaluate your Cavaliers weight. You should be able to feel but not see the ribs. There should be a little cushioning around the ribs. Your cavalier should not feel like there’s only skin covering the ribs as this is a underweight condition nor should you have to press hard to find the ribs, light cushioning is what you should find. If in doubt ask your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder.

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