The invisible dog fence is an increasingly popular dog training tool. With a significant history of reliability and effectiveness, invisible fences can keep your pet safely within your yard without impeding your view. Installation is handled by professionals or with your own two hands. Teaching your dog how to comply with the system is fairly simple.
The invisible fence is composed of two parts. The first is a wire placed underground and attached to an electrically powered transmitter. The second part is a battery powered receiver placed on a collar around your dog’s neck. When the receiver gets within a certain distance of the transmitting wire the collar produces a gentle shock that provides negative feedback to your animal. This shock from the collar is just like the shock from bark collars. When the system is first installed small flags are set above the underground wire to give your animal a visual signal as well as the shock to speed up the training process.
Training comprises taking your dog out to the yard, leashed, and teaching them that the flags indicate an area where they are going to get shocked if they approach. The shock is harmless, but lets the dog know that they are doing something inappropriate. Training sessions should be short, ten to fifteen minutes, and after a couple of weeks or so, most dogs understand not to approach the limits set by the fencing. Your dog is safe from the dangers associated with running away, and you have peace of mind, knowing that your dog will stay within certain boundaries. An invisible fence is an effective and non-invasive way of fencing your yard.
If you say left and your dog goes right or you tell him down, but he keeps jumping up then you might be wondering if your dog ever listens to you. Chances are he is listening, but you two are simply getting your signals crossed. Contrary to popular belief dogs do not understand English. Sure they might pick up a few words here and there, but they communicate primarily through body language and pick up most of what we want them to do through that. Basically, it’s not what you say it’s how you say it with dogs.
Dogs have an uncanny ability to pick up on non-verbal cues of their human pack leaders. Their abilities to pick up on our subtle emotions and moods are what endear us to our dogs so much in the first place. If we learn how to recognize this we can use it to communicate more effectively with our dogs. Instead of telling your dog something try looking at him and motioning with your eyes or hand in the direction you want him to go and see how he responds. This typically works well in a quite environment. As you practice non-verbal commands and communication your dog will get better at responding to them in which case the commands will begin to work in a variety of environments.
Dogs also do well with physical positioning paired with word association. Rather than telling your dog to sit over and over again simply try telling him once and if he doesn’t get it on the first try, place him gently in the sit and say good sit when his rump hits the floor. By praising him and associating the word sit with the physical positioning of the sit your dog should be able to learn the command more quickly than with words alone. If your dog has a tendency to jump on you or your guests simply telling him no is not sufficient in most cases. Next time try a firm down command while grabbing his front paws and gently, but firmly placing his paws on the ground. You are showing him exactly what you want him to do while associating the motion with the word down.
Next, you should look at how you speak to your dog when you do use words to communicate. If you use a high-pitched cute voice or baby talk with your dog he will likely think you are simply praising him. Instead, try a firm tone. There is no need to yell at your dog as that might frighten him; however, a firm commanding tone should always be used so he will recognize that you are giving him a command. If you are the type of dog owner that talks to your dog frequently as many of us admittedly do he will need to differentiate your normal conversational tone from the tone you use when you mean business. If you do not differentiate; your dog will be confused and never realize he is being commanded to do so. Never phrase a command as a question he should know that an action is required on his part and that you are not simply asking him to do something.
Tone is important; however, equally important are the words you choose when giving a command. Your dog will do best with short and simple commands over full sentences. A simple sit, down and heal will always work better than using multiple words to get results. If you want your dog to go to his crate try pointing towards it and saying, crate. Do not say, who wants to go get in their crate or it’s time to go to your crate. Dogs can pick up on words, but they are not able to process full sentences. If your dog does respond to full sentences it is likely because your body language suggests the command or he has received praise in the past for completing a trick or command followed by the sentence.
Some dogs are smarter than others, but for the ones who seem hopelessly dull-minded a simple change in communication methods should yield surprising results. Always use body language, word association paired with physical placement, short commands and a firm tone and you will be well on your way to effective communication with your furry friend.
The French are known for their fries, their funny accents, their famous bike race and the Bichon Frisé. Okay, maybe the latter is not the most well known breed of dog, but it is gaining in popularity due to the widely held belief that it is a non-shedding breed. These small dogs are smart, playful and like being the center of attention. If you’re thinking of adding a Bichon Frisé to your family, read the steps below to ensure that you know the responsibilities involved with caring for this breed.
Step 1: Make a commitment to daily grooming. As mentioned above, this breed is widely known for its reputation as a non-shedding breed. While it’s difficult to say whether or not there really is such a thing, it’s true that the Bichon Frisé is a recommended pet for humans with allergies. However, in order to live up to its reputation, the Bichon Frisé must be groomed daily. Daily grooming will remove loose hair and dander. This breed also needs frequent trimming of their curly coat. Aside from the daily grooming that is to be done at home, plan to visit a professional groomer about once a month.
Step 2: Take care of his eyes. Ask the groomer to remove the hair around your dog’s eyes in order to keep that area clean and healthy. You might also want to invest in some tear stain remover as this breed tends to have stains from tears, mucus and discharge. (The tear stains aren’t something to be concerned about; they are common in white dogs.)
Step 3: Take care of his ears. This breed has adorable floppy ears that can be seen bouncing to and fro when the dog is playing. However, because of their floppiness they tend to get things stuck inside of them, which can cause infection. Floppy ears can also be breeding grounds for ear mites. Perform routine checks in and around your dog’s ears.
Step 4: Take care of his skin. The Bichon Frisé breed is susceptible to skin allergies. Because of this, you’ll want to keep a close watch for signs of irritation, such as redness, itching, etc. With regular grooming and special attention to his coat, dog owners should be able to quickly recognize any irregularities in their dog’s skin.
Step 5: Don’t leave him alone for long. This breed is playful and likes to be kept occupied. If left alone for too long, a Bichon Frisé will make mischief. Dog owners who leave this breed home alone all day might be greeted with a mess, despite the fact that the breed is easy to potty train.
Step 6: Be aware of health issues that are known to plague this breed. Some of the health issues you might want to talk over with your veterinarian include dental disease, bladder and kidney stones, and patellar luxation.
Step 7: Proper nutrition is an important factor in this breed’s health. Because Bichon Frisés have been known to have issues with their liver, a low protein diet might be in order if your dog is at risk for conditions affecting the liver. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the specific nutritional needs of your Bichon Frisé.
Step 8: Enroll your dog in obedience training. The Bichon Frisé is an overall very obedient breed. In order to have the most successful outcome in obedience classes, enroll early and remain very consistent with the techniques learned in obedience class.
Should you decide you are ready for the commitment, you can expect to enjoy many years of companionship with your Bichon Frisé. Following the steps above will contribute to your dog’s overall good health and well being. And should you determine that the dog is in fact non-shedding, spread the word! Long-haired Golden Retriever owners everywhere will be jealous!
While economic conditions have caused many entrepreneurs to pack up shop, it might be a good time to open a pet care business. With so many American’s out of work and jobs becoming scarcer, opening a home based business seems like an attractive option. While home based businesses have high failure rates, businesses with a sound plan and little capital outlay can be good sources of income in today’s economic climate. If you have dog experience or have the time to get certified in a certain area and are willing to do what it takes to get a business off the ground now just might be the time to act on your entrepreneurial dreams. Here is a list of popular dog related businesses that you can run out of your home or vehicle with just a website and an entrepreneurial mindset:
1. Dog Trainer: The best way to get started in this business is through attending a variety of training and behavior seminars, conferences and workshops. The American Dog Trainers Networks recommends that potential trainers attend several dozen 1 to 4 day seminars. These seminars usually cost around $30 to $50 per day. When considering the cost of starting a normal business the capital needed is relatively low. Some Universities even offer certification programs in dog training. Check your local legislation to find out what the requirements are in your state and you will soon be on your way. A user-friendly website will be necessary unless you have an extensive professional network to help. You might consider partnering with local boarding facilities or Veterinarian’s offices as they typically do not have the budget to staff a full-time trainer and will refer clients to you or allow you to conduct classes on their grounds.
2. Home Waste Management: This one might surprise you, but these businesses are growing in popularity among American households. This business venture involves removing and disposing of animal waste from the yards’ of busy dog owners. If you already have a truck or van suitable for the job your only real capital outlay in this situation is a professional vehicle wrap with your business information and a web site. You might need to obtain a license so check with the local business bureau in your city. Try placing flyers and coupons at local pet superstores to attract people who live in your area who spend money on their pets.
3. Dog Walker: This is a business that requires almost no costs to start and that has the potential to provide some discretionary income on the side for your family. If you have older and responsible children they can even get in on the action. You might consider a website; however, a low-tech option works as well. Try distributing flyers for daily dog walking services in your neighborhood, local apartment complex bulletin boards as well as the posting board of your Veterinarian. Simple word of mouth or email advertising within your network works as well. As a dog walker you show up to provide an afternoon or evening walk or play session with a home bound pooch while his owner is at work. This ensures proper exercise for the dog and convenience for the owner. The cost per visit will be relatively low so you will need several clients to make money. You can’t really lose money in this business though so it makes an ideal opportunity for a first time entrepreneur.
4. Dog Sitter: If you wish to take the dog walking business to the next level you can get licensed and bonded and advertise additional services such as overnight dog care while your clients are out of town or care provided within your own home for owners who do not wish to leave their animals in kennels while they are away. As an in home dog sitter you will be responsible for feeding, cleaning up after, administering medications and providing stimulating exercise and physical attention to all animals within the home. You might try offering additional value added services like watering the plants, bringing in the mail, cleaning the house or others to provide convenience to the client. It is also nice to add a personal touch like a thank you note on the counter for when the owner arrives home. With so many pet sitters out there you need to build good referrals and differentiate yourself form the competition to succeed.
This article was submitted by the authors at pet-super-store - visit this site for great savings when you buy pet fences or are ready to start looking for dog beds.
Did you know that studies have proven simply owning a dog can help boost your child’s self esteem, mature their level of responsibility and teach them empathy! Although it should not be expected that you buy a dog and Abracadabra! Your child and dog get along. This is where the parent comes in. Upon the first arrival of a pet dog, the parent must monitor the interaction closely and show the child how to take care of the dog.
Responsible
As a parent with all of the responsibility, how do you know where to start: what breed? What supplies? How much time, money and patience? Lets get started.
Breed: This is where a lot of people get very technical on a very dynamic topic. Keep it simple. Know what kind of dog you want in your home and the household will remain comfortably enjoyable! If you want a small dog that won’t intimidate your child or overpower you when its time for learn the household rules. And it can only go up from there.
Very small dogs to look into (15lbs): Cavalier King, Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, King Charles Spaniel, Pekingese, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire terrier
Small to small medium size dogs (15- 25lbs): Basset Hound, Beagle, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, Daschund, English Bulldog, Fox Terrier, French Bulldog, Jack Russell Terrier, Llaso Apso, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Pomeranian, Pug, Shihtzu, West Highland Terrier
Medium size dogs(26-50 lbs): Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, American Bulldog, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd Dog, Bearded Collie, Border Collie , Borzoi, Boston terrier, Boxer, Bull Terrier, Chow chow, Collie, Standard Poodle, Sheltie, Springer Spaniel, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Standard Schnauzer
Large pooches (50-80 lbs): Dalmatian, Dobermann, English Setter, German Shepherd Dog, Golden retriever , Gordon Setter, Greyhound, Husky, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Pointers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Whippet
The heavy hitters (over 80 lbs): Giant Schnauzer , Great Dane, Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Saint Bernard, Bull Mastiff
If you are getting a newborn puppy, which most people feel comfortable doing, here are some suggestions for keeping you child and pet safe:
1 – Remember under 12 months is still a puppy with growing bones, so rough play should be watched closely. This could cause injury to your child and/or pet. Adult dogs require less attention and need only time to feel comfortable. A dog around 1 year old is old enough to stand on their own, but still be young enough to retain new rules. Perfect for hard working parents
2 – Puppies, like children, require time and energy to mature into socially confident pets. Many times when pets are afraid of interacting with new people is when they are most likely to lash out.
3 – Teaching & Care: You are teaching your child to care of someone else besides themselves. This does not mean you are free from dog duty, actually you will still be full time. But, just because you feel you are picking up most of the care for the dog does not mean you child is not learning. The best advice is when its time to feed, take out and bath to have your child right by your side. This is taking away from your time, but is the best solution to ensure your child learns proper care. Watch see how fast they grow into a respectful, mature and responsible child. What parent doesn’t want that?
When it comes time to teach you child how to pet and interact with the dog, your knowledge is key. Many times children want to pet the dogs face, nose and neck. However, it should be remembered that these are very sensitive and vulnerable areas on the dog. If they are older dogs they might react in defense. If they are young, their fragile body many hurt easily and these areas should be avoided. Teach your child to pet behind the dogs head along the back. This is the safest and least vulnerable area on the dogs body. Just because your dogs is letting it slide now, in front of you, does not mean they will let it go every time…and it only takes once.
If your dog starts to express personality/behavior changes that appear to be slightly aggressive, do not over look them. Pay close attention and monitor the cause. If does not appear to be your child then immediate attention is required. Good dog trainers can do full training on the most stubbornly aggressive dogs in 6 weeks. Assuming the behavior is caught in time, changes can be seen in a matter of days. If you are considering at home training be sure to educate yourself of basic training guidelines to ensure effectiveness. Other products such as dog crates and pet carriers can help subside the chances of your dog behaving badly while they are left alone.
Although these areas may shun certain parents from wanting a dog, there is no price you can put on the benefits from owning one. The lessons your child will learn, the strong relationship that will grow and the feeling of warmth in your home are only a few that can be named. The list can go on. The answer to enjoying a strong family bond and raising a great child can be found within man’s best friend.
