Everything About Dogs

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most basic and important dog training commands you can teach. With an active and younger dog or puppy, it can be especially difficult, but with patience and consistency, it doesn’t really have to be that hard to train your dog to heel.

The best time to practice teaching your dog to heel is before you’ve begun going on walks. Your dog is easily distracted out on the street and you will need his attention to properly teach the heel command. Also, you want to be in a patient and pleasant mood. Do not begin this, or any other dog training session, if you are angry or in a testy mood. You should not train your dog in an unkind or rough manner. Furthermore, it is best to teach the heel command after your dog knows his name and the “Sit” command.

You will want to limit the heel training session, as with other dog training sessions, especially for young puppies to about 10 or 15 minutes and to 2 or 3 times in a day. Make sure they’ve gone to the bathroom and have eaten and had some water. You want their full attention for this.

For this training session, you might want to use a dog training collar, but it is not necessary. In the backyard or garden put a lead on the dog, and keep him on your left side. Hold the leash in both hands, your right hand through the loop and your left hand holding the leash with your elbow by your side and out straight.

You want to keep your dog’s neck about even with your left leg, and as you begin to move that is the signal for the dog to begin walking. Your dog or puppy will initially not understand what to do and either try to run ahead or around. Simply make gentle corrections, say “Heel” and keep them on your left side. Try to keep the lead slack and if your dog begins to tug on it either stop or gently correct with the leash and stop moving. Do not pull your dog forward or yank the leash back violently. Continue moving only as your dog is on your left side. Try not to move if the leash becomes tight as this teaches them to tug and pull on it.

You will want to vary your direction and speed, turning in circles or doing figure eights. As your dog goes in the correct direction on your left side, remember to give lots of praise. You might use a dog training clicker or a treat, but try to keep your methods consistent with other dog training commands you use. Try to end the dog training session on a positive note with something the dog has done correctly, followed by lots of praise.

The Bearded Collie: A loving and protective dog perfect for the family

The Bearded Collie, also known as the Beardie, is a British bred dog that descends from both the Polski Owczarek Nizinny Dog and the Highland Collie. It is a working dog that was bred to work with livestock such as sheep and cattle. It is a mid-sized dog that grows to be between 20 and 22 inches tall and it can weigh up to about 60 pounds when fully grown. This breed is known for its long, silky, fluffy fur coat. Its coat colors come in slate, blue, gray, brown, white, black, and sand.

Temperament and characteristics of the Bearded Collie

This is a very sweet dog that makes a great family pet. They are happy-go-lucky and very affectionate. They also work great in multi-pet families and are very fond of children. They are very friendly, although they tend to be noisy barkers

Regular health care and grooming of the Bearded Collie

To groom and care for this breed you will need to brush their long coats daily to keep them free of matting fur and debris. They will also need a haircut every couple of months. This is an active breed that needs a lot of regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. In addition to proper grooming and exercise they also need to be trained. The best training methods for this breed are ones that are firm but not overly domineering. This is a relatively healthy dog breed, however, they are prone to hip dysplasia.

Soft dog carriers, and soft dog crates are are great way to transport your small dog. A soft sided dog crate will give your dog a sense of comfort and home. Soft sided dog carriers allow the dog to feel comfortable when they brush or lean against the wall.

Fabric carriers allow for you and your pet to be more comfortable. Fabric carriers can be used on small dogs and on cats. A fabric dog carrier can be as unique as you are, and match what style you have. A fabric dog carrier may also be a designer dog carrier, as many companies now cater to pet owners. A dog purse, or a carrier bag for small dogs is a great way to tote your dog with you, and not have to worry about the awkwardness of a hard dog carrier. A dog purse or a dog tote can also be unique. Soft dog carriers will make carrying your small dog or cat easy.

When looking for a soft dog carrier, you need to keep in mind that the size of your dog does matter, especially if you are looking at a carrier bag. You also have to keep in mind how heavy your dog is. If you have a small dog, but it is a heavy dog, then make sure that your soft dog crate, or soft sided dog carrier has a secure bottom, so that your dog receives the support that it needs. Keep in mind these great questions about dog crates.

What ever you decide is the best method for toting your dog, and carrying your dog, be sure that you train your dog on how to use the soft dog crate.

Therapy dog training, while important, is something with which many people are not familiar. A therapy dog is one that is used to do animal assisted therapy and activities. Organizations train the dog to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and virtually anywhere people need some sort of therapy. So, then, how do dogs become therapy dogs? It is a fairly simple process.

A Good Citizen

Though the requirements for therapy dog training vary from state to state, it is almost universal that the dog must be certified as a canine good citizen. In order to receive that, you have to train your dog to be focused and well behaved around distractions. Generally your local animal shelter or even a therapy dog training center will have classes available for you to learn how to turn your dog into a canine good citizen.

Classes for Therapy

Therapy dog training can start as soon as your dog has been certified as a canine good citizen. The training consists mainly of teaching your dog how to ignore things like hospital equipment and school noises that he or she may not be used to being around. They also train the dog to help with simple activities and therapy with those who need it. However, in many cases, the therapy is really just the presence of the dog. Those using the services of dogs trained in how to perform the therapy can be anything from walking them, to reading to them, to simply being around them.

Where to Go

If you are interested in therapy dog training for your four legged pal, then you should check out the internet or your local yellow pages. Whether you live in Virginia, California, or anywhere else, there is an organization in your area that will help you not only teach your dog how to become a therapy dog, but also get him out in the community and doing his part. Additionally, you can volunteer to help with everything from training to the therapy itself. Just get in contact with your local organization.

Therapy dog training can be incredibly rewarding. When you teach your dog how to react to the situations with which he will be presented, you are putting him in a situation to be more than just a pet. You and your dog together can be real additions to the community and help your fellow man.

Dog training hand signals are enjoyable to teach and simply to understand for most dogs. A hungry dog and several pieces of foods are the requirements to get started. First, associate a hand gesture to your dog with one of your basic command. Allowing your dog to response to the hand signal solely is a stuff of repetition.

Gradually disregard the verbal command while still applying the food reward. To continue the dog training hand signal, instantly eliminate the piece of food from the process once your dog consistently reacts to the soundless hand gestures. Soon, your dog will come, sit and lie down in just a slow movement of your hand.

Sit Start it by letting your dog to stand in front of you while holding a piece of kibble in your hands. You have to begin the dog training hand signal by having your hands at your sides, bringing it up deliberately and folding it as if you were going to throw something over. Do this gradually, delivering the kibble quickly to his nose and say “Sit” at the same time while upwardly guiding his nose. Reward him the kibble if he performs well.

Down Let your dog to sit in front of you. Raise your hand above your head while holding a piece of kibble in your fingers. Bring it down slowly by maintaining your arm straight until it is swinging freely at your side. Do these consistently, as you signal and say “Down”, allowing the kibble past his nose. Reward him the kibble when he does well.

Come This is a dog training hand signal that requires your dog to be in front of you. Begin with your arm held straight out to your side while holding a piece of kibble in your fingers. Now move your arm forward to touch your opposite shoulder and follow the rest of sit and down procedures.