Mark Eckenrode

4 Things Frustrated Dog Owners Should Know
by Mark Eckenrode

You’ve probably had a day or two when you felt like your dog just wasn’t paying any attention to you at all, right? You talked, you yelled, you shouted, maybe you jumped up and down and waved your arms, but she just wasn’t interested in anything you had to say to her in any tone of voice. You’re not alone.

1. Your dog isn’t human.

Unless you believe in pet psychics, there’s really no way for you to read your pooch’s mind and figure out exactly what she’s thinking. The good news is that, like many dog owners, the problems you’re having can probably be traced to one simple thing: you’re trying to communicate with your dog from a human standpoint, and your dog isn’t a human. Sure, you know that, but lots of humans try to relate with their dogs in the ways that they think are rational as humans. The problem is that dogs are driven in every act and every moment by very strong instincts. Deciphering those instincts and leveraging them to build a productive relationship is like finding the keys to the city.

2. Your dog doesn’t speak English.

Take the word “no,” for example. Does your dog speak English? Not understand English. Does she speak it? What’s meaningful to her is your tone of voice, not the word itself. Now let’s think about that - we’re taking up excess time trying to teach our dog a word she’ll never speak and that probably doesn’t mean much to her anyway. Sure, it’s meaningful to us, but that’s only one side of the equation. What about something that’s meaningful to both human and dog?

3. You know what a growl means, and your dog knows what a growl means.

If you think that mutually meaningful language doesn’t exist, you’re not thinking creatively enough. What does it say to you when a dog growls at you? Anything from “get away from my food” to “back off, dude,” right? Yet in every case, a dog’s growl typically means that she is not happy with whatever you’ve done. And you’ve seen dogs react to other dogs’ growls, right? So you know what a growl means, and your dog knows what a growl means. Where’s the disconnect? Growl at your dog!

No, seriously. The next time your pooch starts stepping outside her bounds or doing something you don’t like, growl at her. A nice, strong, guttural growl that would put the alpha wolf in a pack to shame. While you’re growling, look directly into her eyes. You’re almost guaranteed that she’ll back off.

4. Instincts save time and communicate effectively.

See that? You worked with her instinct and the information hardwired into her brain, and the result was instantaneous. Why spend tons of time trying to work against that instinct and end up frustrated, angry, and still miscommunicating? This approach works in everything from basic discipline to full-on obedience training. You just need to figure out how to apply it in each of those situations.

I’d like to help you learn to apply it, and that’s why I created the multimedia presentation Instinct vs. Man. It addresses day-to-day life with your dog as well as specific topics like playtime, training, and territory. Beyond that, you’ll get some great insight into why your dog thinks the way she does and how it affects her actions and reactions. You’ll understand why those months of training stopped working after a few weeks and how to get her back into the routine and acting like the fun, upbeat dog you love.

–
Mark Eckenrode is a lover of dogs, his own is named Ryker. Mark is also the creator of an amazing website that offers free step-by-step tips on how to spoil your dog, cook up delicious dog recipes, insights into health, and communicating with your dog
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Click Here => http://www.DogMatters.com
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About the Author

Mark Eckenrode is a lover of dogs, his own is named Ryker. Mark is also the creator of an amazing website that offers free step-by-step tips on how to spoil your dog, cook up delicious dog recipes, insights into health, and communicating with your dog.
http://www.DogMatters.com

DETROIT, Aug 22, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Vladae Roytapel, the world famous “Russian Dog Wizard”, is moving from Michigan to California! Animal Radio(R) can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio Channel 158 on Saturday at Noon EDT and Sunday at 9am EDT. He is a former Soviet KGB dog trainer and has been featured on ABC, NBC, Fox, the Animal Radio Network and XM Satellite Radio. In Michigan, Roytapel trained a great number of trainers to continue his mission to unleash every dog’s potential and reprogram unruly dogs even when all hopes were lost. World Famous ‘Russian Dog Wizard,’ Vladae Roytapel, Moves to California - MarketWatch Intraday data provided by Interactive Data Real Time Services , a division of Interactive Data Corp. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by Interactive Data Pricing and Reference Data . read more

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Concerned Dog Owners of California (CDOC) has steadfastly led the opposition to the bill from its inception and galvanized dog owners not only throughout California, but across the nation, to express their opposition to the proposed legislation. CDOC galvanized not only individual dog owners in California to write their elected officials to urge their rejection of the AB 1634, but also coordinated activities among a broad range of dog clubs and related organizations to urge defeat of the bill. Permanently identifying dogs, increased education regarding responsible dog ownership, enforcing the laws against illegal import of dogs from beyond California’s borders - all make more sense than this ill-conceived bill that was promoted by extreme animal rights activists. The mission of CDOC is to provide information and education to elected officials and others so that legislation and regulation will promote the health, well-being and appropriate care of all dogs, protect the rights and responsibilities of dog owners and breeders, and support responsible dog ownership. California’s Mandatory Dog Spay and Neuter Bill Failed by 5-27 Vote in State Senate; Senators Respond to Outcries from Pet Owners - MarketWatch Intraday data provided by Interactive Data Real Time Services , a division of Interactive Data Corp. read more

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Ian White

Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company and even your Grandma who has a walker? This can be a very irritating trait for your dog to develop. Unfortunately, it can make people dread coming to your home. No one wants to try to have a conversation with a fluffy fur ball trying to jump on them or sit on their lap.

There are many dogs which are just too friendly. They never meet a stranger, and they would even roll the red carpet out and lavish love on the most grouchy individual. While no one wants to discourage friendliness in a puppy, they do need to learn social manners.

Have you ever known a person who you try to avoid? When you see this person coming do you do everything within your power to ensure you aren’t held up by their endless chatting? There are some dogs who people simply want to avoid, too. If one of these overly friendly guys is in your home, you should teach them self-control. This can be done through consistent training.

Sometimes this sort of problem arises because a puppy thinks he is in charge of the home. He thinks he is “Lord of the Manor” and everyone should be pleased to have him on their laps! Dogs usually develop this attitude when they do not feel that a leader has been clearly defined in the home. These canines are more than happy to step into the role as the alpha male and do things at their whim and fancy.

The most important thing you can do when you bring your puppy home is to send him the signal that you are the leader of his pack. One of the first steps to achieving this is to have your pet rely on you for his food. You should never leave a full bowl of food out for your puppy to munch on at his leisure. By having you be the one which meets his hunger needs, he will quickly learn to respect you. You should have a set routine when you feed your dog throughout the day. Any food that is left after 20 minutes should be put away until the next feeding.

Dogs can also get confused and think they are the king of the house when they are the first ones greeted by a member of the family after an absence. You should make a point to greet all members of your household before you acknowledge your puppy. If you live alone, you can go to your room, change clothes or get a drink before you settle down and greet your puppy. Many owners only intensify a bad jumping habit when they greet their puppy exuberantly when they come through the door each day.

It is very important that you start teaching your puppy what “down” means the moment they start a habit of jumping. This is not a very hard technique to teach your puppy–if you practice it ever time they jump. The best thing to do during this phase is to let your pup jump on you. When he does and bounces back to the floor say “down.” But, don’t say this while he is jumping. You have to wait until all four feet of his feet are firmly on the floor. You should also use this word each and every time he is caught reclining on the furniture and you have to put him on the floor.

Once your dog seems to have an understanding of what down means, you should never allow him to jump on you again. Each time your puppy starts to jump on you, turn away immediately. Your pooch will miss his mark and hit the floor. Don’t make a fuss. Simply turn your back and step out of his way. Once your pup is back down on the floor, you can reach down, pet him, and say “down.” Your pup may not take to this at first. He may continue to jump repeatedly until he reaches his target . . . you. Every time he jumps up to you, simply step away and turn your back. Never greet your puppy until he is completely down on the floor. Your puppy will soon learn what down means, and he will also learn that he will not get attention from you if he is jumping. While this can easily turn into a match of wills, it is important that your dog understands that you are the leader of his pack!

An option to teach your puppy that jumping on guests is unacceptable is to have him on a leash. Have a leash by your door and if a guest arrives, put him on the leash before you open the door. If your pup stands up on his back legs and tries to greet the guest, pull him gently to the floor and say “down.” You should advise your guests to ignore your puppy until he is on the floor. When your puppy starts to stay on the floor when guests arrive, have dog treats by the door to reward him with. Each and every time he does not jump up to greet a guest, praise him for staying down and give him a dog treat.

Dogs are very intelligent animals. They learn rather quickly. They can learn to obey and blend into the family, or they can learn to run wild and be a general nuisance to everyone. The choice is up to the owner. It is best to start training your puppy from day one. While many commands cannot be learned right away, you should always let your puppy know that you are the leader of his pack and that you will take care of him. In return, you expect to be obeyed and respected.

You may find that some dogs take to learning their social skills easier than others. You should never give up if you have a pooch who is a slow learner. Once it mentally clicks with your puppy what you are expecting from him, he will usually happily oblige. Puppies thrive under consistent training, routine, and praise. Once he discoveries that you will pile on the praise and adoration, he will gladly keep his feet on the floor and greet you and your guests from a comfortable distance.

Some dog owners may have trouble mastering the proper tone and techniques which are needed to command their dogs respect. If you are finding it hard to train your puppy, you may want to consider taking your canine to an obedience class where the pair of you can benefit from the instruction. You can check the local newspapers or go on the Internet to find the next available class in your area.

Your puppy will be with you for the rest of his life. You owe it to you and your guests (and even your dog!) to teach him how to interact and get along socially with humans.

About the Author

Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. Those seeking dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with dog wanted entries, with daily email notifications.
Dog lovers and breeders can find more information on the website
at: Worldwide Dog Breeders Directory

Turning the pages of any local newspaper one is bound to see a story which at least mentions 2006?s disappointing run at the World Championships or that ugly bronze Team USA took home during one forgettable romp in Athens. With Wednesday morning?s easy victory over Australia, Team USA is doing all it can to take away even the smallest doubt, any notion of Team USA not being up to the challenge needs to be put to bed right now. No team featuring LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard with the likes of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh coming off the bench can ever be considered a true underdog. Players are passing more and dribbling less, trying to create high percentage shots on a team full of guys that routinely make the low percentage shots. At the same time Chris Paul is talking about how Team USA can impose its will and teams can?t hang with them for a full 40 because of their depth. This team knows it is the favorite, they know they should win, better win, but they are refusing to act like teams past. read more

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A two-year-old dog that had been turned over to the Nevada Humane Society’s shelter in Reno is being credited with rescuing six abandoned kittens. Shelter Director Diane Blankenburg said it happened Monday while the two-year-old Boxer/Pit Bull mix named Angel was on a walk with a pair of volunteers, Frank Gomez and his 9-year-old stepson, Joel Fontes. When she refused to move on, Gomez investigated and discovered a box full of 3-week-old orange tabby kittens that were frightened and hungry. One of the abandoned kittens escaped before shelter staff were summoned to the scene, but Angel tracked it down and Gomez handed it over to safety. read more

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Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small - medium
Height: About 30 cm (12 inches)
Weight: Bitches: 10.9 kg (24 lb)
Dogs: 12.7 kg (28lb)
Life Span: 15 years
Grooming: Easy
Exercise: Undemanding
Feeding: Undemanding
Temperament: Cheerful & intelligent
Country of Origin: France
AKC Group: Non-sporting
Other Names: Bouledogue Francais

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Kind expression, compactly-built and sturdy.
Colour: Brindle, fawn or pied e.g. brindle/white with white predominating.
Coat: Short, smooth, fine and lustrous.
Tail: Set low, short and either straight or kinked.
Ears: Bat-shaped ears, rounded at the tip and of medium size.
Body: The body is solid and compact. The thick neck runs into a back with broad shoulders and a narrower loin. The forelegs are wide due to the rounded chest.

Temperament:
Courageous, clever and playful. French Bulldogs thrive on human company as they were originally bred for companionship. They are very intelligent and never noisy or boisterous. They are tolerant of children and ideal companions for the elderly. This breed doesn’t like to be left alone often and can become jealous if their owner’s attention is directed elsewhere.

Grooming:
There is little grooming needed for the French Bulldog. Occasional brushing is adequate and the ear passages need to be kept clean. The facial creases should be treated with a special lotion occasionally.

Exercise:
This breed does not require much exercise and so long as they receive adequate attention, no long walks are necessary. In summer or hot weather it is best to avoid exercise due to their short nose.

Feeding:
These dogs enjoy their food and their diet needs to be controlled.

History:
This breed was once known as the Boule-Douge Francais. It is presumed that the French Bulldog evolved from a miniature British Bulldog - a breed that never gained popularity. These miniatures migrated to France and some were crossed with a local terrier strain. This cross-breeding was aimed to retain the pugnaciousness and add terrier abilities for good ratting. The outcome produced a breed that had both erect bat ears and the Bulldog’s rose shaped ears. Over time as the breed became established, only the dogs with bat ears were recognised.

Additional Comments:

French Bulldogs enjoy being part of the family and going everywhere with them. They should not be kept in a kennel.

About the Author

This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/french_bulldog/

CHARLESTON — A humane officer on Tuesday discovered a case of animal cruelty on the city’s West Side and the dog’s owner is now facing multiple charges. Neighbors alerted officers that a dog was left in a backyard cage days after its owner moved away, said Charleston Humane Officer Clarence Carte. Humane officers say the dog, named Eight Ball, was locked in a small cage without food and with very little water. Tausha Burton, who was identified by authorities as the dog’s owner, came by the apartment but tried to leave when the humane officer attempted to write her a ticket. The dog’s owner is charged with animal cruelty, interfering with a humane officer and failure to have a rabies tag or dog license. read more

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Pedigree dogs are being bred and shown with debilitating genetic diseases, it has been claimed. Research by the BBC found the breeding process used to produce pedigree dogs has resulted in a high incidence of inherited genetic disease. But dogs suffering from genetic illness are not prevented from competing in dog shows, and have gone on to win ‘best in breed’, despite their poor health, the BBC said. The programme showed a prize-winning Cavalier King Charles spaniel which was suffering from syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog’s skull is too small for its brain. Selective or line breeding is commonplace among pedigree dogs and the Kennel Club has registered dogs bred from brother-to-sister and mother-to-son matings. read more

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Mike Yeager

A dog crate is a necessity for your dog, through his puppy days and for his whole life. Your dog’s ancestor, the wolf, had a den to call home, a place of safety. The dog crate takes the place of the den, which is deeply embedded into your dog’s instincts. The crate should be kept in a room where the dog can go for a retreat to rest.

A dog crate can make an enormous difference in house-training your new puppy. He will not want to do his ‘business’ in the close quarters of the crate. If you take him immediately from the crate to the backyard, where he can conveniently do it there, he will get the idea quickly. Using his dog crate will make dog training easier on you and your puppy.

Dog crates come in many different styles and sizes; everything from a standard dog crate to designer dog creates. It’s best to get a crate for training your dog that’s only just big enough for your dog to lie down in, because that gives him more of a sense of security. Some dog crates come with adjustable panels, so that you can gradually increase the size of the dog crate as your puppy grows.

A plastic dog kennel with metal barred doors are acceptable with airlines, if there’s a chance that you will be traveling and would take your dog with you. For dogs with heavy fur, a wire dog kennel may be more comfortable because of the better air circulation, and a blanket could be placed over it in colder weather.

Following these simple suggestions will ensure that the dog crate you choose for your pet will provide comfort and security for years to come.

Mike Yeager

Publisher

http://www.a1-pets-4u.com/