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Dog Training Basics – Common Commands

February 25th, 2011

Dog Training Basics – Common Commands


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Home Page > Home and Family > Pets > Dog Training Basics – Common Commands

Dog Training Basics – Common Commands

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Posted: Jan 20, 2006 |Comments: 0
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A calm, obedient and faithful dog – it’s what we all want, right? To begin with, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. Another reason is that many communities require that the dogs living in their neighborhoods be well trained. This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems – large dog breeds such as german shepherds and rottweilers to name a couple. And of course pit bulls are almost synonymous with aggression in many people’s minds.

Now, I have a rottweiler myself, and she’s the soppiest thing out. So I don’t personally subscribe to the view that particular breeds are necessarily aggressive. But nevertheless, large dogs certainly do need to be adequately trained, just because of their size. Larger dogs can be very intimidating to people.

And of course, training your dog well will also make he or she a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down the number of dog bits and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.

When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:

No – The word No is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.

Sit – Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.

Down – Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.

Stay – A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so Stay is an important command in dog training. (The Stay command is not used by all dog trainers. Some are of the view that the command to Sit means “Sit, and stay there until you’re given another command” – this makes a lot of sense. But many people do like to use the Stay command).

Heel – it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind

Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and owner. Dogs are pack animals, and they look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader.

Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any potential dog trainer to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so leads to all manner of behavior problems.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.

Giving the dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.

Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.

Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.

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Brigitte Smith runs two websites dedicated to dog training, dog care and dog health:
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For common ailments, pet insurance can cost more than paying out of pocket

November 4th, 2010

For common ailments, pet insurance can cost more than paying out of pocket
Consumers should have health insurance, but whether you should buy health insurance for your pet is a different question. And it might have a different answer.

Read more on Denver Post

Golden Retriever’s Common Illnesses – The 3 Major Health Affectors

September 5th, 2010

Because they have been so popular over the last 50 years or so, Golden Retrievers have been over-bred, resulting in a genetic predisposition to experience specific health problems. Unfortunately, as greedy breeders often fail to screen their breeding animals, additional hereditary health problems are introduced to the breed. If you have a Golden, or plan to bring one into your home, you should know about the more common hereditary problems that may reduce the quality or length of your Golden Retriever’s life.

Health Problems Known to Be Inherited by Golden Retrievers

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: When growing hip joints don’t form properly, juvenile and adult Retrievers may have an uneven gait or even severe lameness. This inheredited disorder is common to many large dogs, and while is not usually noticeable in puppies, hip dysplasia will begin to show when your Golden is between four and nine months old. The severity of the condition varies greatly from dog to dog, but most Goldens with hip dysplasia will develop arthritis as they age. Moderate exercise, weight control, and inflammatory medications will help with the discomfort of this problem. Not all Golden Retrievers will show, or even know about, their hip dysplasia if it’s a mild form. Golden’s with hip dysplasia can live long, happy lives, but they should not be bred.

Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is developmental problem in young dogs. It is not as common as hip dysplasia, but it can be aggravated by over-feeding and too much nutrition in early puppyhood. Care and treatment are the same as for hip dysplasia. And, of course, Golden Retrievers with hip dysplasia should not be bred.

Eye Disease: Golden Retrievers frequently suffer from hereditary cataracts. They can range from mild problems that do not interfere with your Golden’s vision to severe cataracts that cause blindness as the dog ages. Eyelid and eyelash problems may be hereditary, though not all are. When the lids or lashes turn in, they may irritate the eyeball. Depending on the severity of this problem, surgery may be necessary. Because it’s hard to tell whether eye diseases result from heredity or environment, it’s best not to breed a Golden Retriever with frequent or chronic eye problems.

Heart Disease: Golden Retrievers are known to inherit Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) that may be hard to detect. Heart murmur is the best indicator, although it is not always present when the problem exists. Your veterinarian may be able to identify the problem by listening with a stethoscope or more invasive necropsy. If your Golden has SAS, consult with your veterinerian about the best treatments.

Golden Retriever Health Problems Suspected to be Inherited

Epilepsy: Characterized by seizures, epilepsy can result from environmental sources and viral infections. While watching your Golden Retriever go through a seizure is very uncomfortable, it may not be dangerous to your dog’s long-term quality of life. You can get medications from your vet to control the seizures. Do not breed a Golden Retriever that has seizures to avoid the chance of passing the disorder on to its puppies.

Skin Allergies: The most common medical problem that Golden Retrievers experience is skin allergies, although it’s difficult to know if they are genetic or environmental in nature. Your Golden may have skin allergies if it obsessively bites or scratches. It can even create bald spots in its coat if it goes untreated. Skin allergies are a natural reaction to flea, mite, and tick bites and can be reduced or avoided by regular grooming and shampooing with commercial flea and tick products. Your Golden could also be allergic to mold and other indoor air pollutants. Regular house-cleaning should reduce the problem. Diet can be very important to treating and avoiding allergic reactions in Golden Retrievers, so do your research to find the appropriate feeding regimen for your dog.

Hypothyroidism: Golden Retrievers affected by this failure of the thyroid gland to function properly may be obese or have problems maintaining a healthy coat. Some Golden’s with hypothyroidism will also have seizures. However, most problems should resolve upon the administration of oral medicines. Assuring your Golden is generally healthy by providing a balanced nutritious diet, plenty of exercise, and a safe living environment will do much to prevent or reduce the impacts of hypothyroidism. Goldens with this problem may have more difficulty breeding than you’d expect, although it is recommended that you do not even try to breed a Golden Retriever with this or other hereditary conditions.

Tips on Selecting and Caring for Your Golden Retriever

These are a few of the medical problems often found in Golden Retrievers. It’s an unfortunate irony that the more popular a dog is, the more likely breeding is to bring out health problems specific to the breed. One way to avoid these problems is to be very careful in selecting the breeder, shelter, or pet store that supplies your dog. Insist on reviewing the dog’s records, and inspect the facility. Knowing that the offerer has a passionate love for Golden Retrievers is one way to assure your Golden is not plagued by the problems that result from breeding and over-breeding unhealthy dogs.

No matter what symptoms your Golden Retriever exhibits, the careful pet owner does not jump to conclusions or make uneducated diagnoses. If you are concerned about your Golden, be sure to take it to the vet as soon as you can. Rely on the education and experience of a certified veterinarian in identifying health problems and treating them.

Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

The Top 10 Dog Breeds and Their Most Common Traits

September 5th, 2010

A dog can be man’s best friend or his worst nightmare! Every year dogs are given back to the breeders, or handed over to animal rescue centers because the owner just couldn’t cope…

It’s true – a dog is for life – and it can sometimes be a handful, but there is a way to make sure that you have the best possible relationship with your doggy companion. All you need to do is a little research and a little thinking.

Dogs have different personalities, and these will be shaped to some extent to by you and the environment you create for you puppy. But you can predict the in-born personality of a dog (to some extent) by looking at the common traits of each dog breed. The bottom line is that you can minimize any trouble, by simply taking the time to choose a dog breed that suits your personality and your lifestyle.

Here are the top 10 dog breeds (by popularity) and their most common traits to help you decide what type of dog is the best for you:

1.Labrador Retriever.

Labradors are intelligent and family friendly dogs of medium size. They are arguably the most popular dog breed in the world and it’s no wonder. Labrador retrievers are the perfect dog for families with small children. They are not overly sensitive or moody and they love being around young children.

If you’re the type who’s into loving dogs, choose a Lab retriever. If you have a family with young children – this may be your best bet.

2.Yorkshire Terrier.

Affectionately known as Yorkies, they are small dogs but with big personalities. They are considered to be a “Toy Breed” but they are terriers – so they are still brave and energetic.

Yorkies are beautiful, but can be high-maintenance, mainly due to their appearance. They’re very independent and very smart. But they will need your daily attention – so if you are the type who has a lot of time in his hands, Yorkies would be perfect for you.

3. German Shepherd.

German Shepherds are medium sized herding dogs. They are mainly used in police trainings and obedience schools, as they are highly intelligent, and have well developed guarding instincts.

This breed is extremely loyal and very protective. German Shepherds are highly active dogs and would require larger spaces to live and for exercises. Also – because they are highly intelligent, you would not have any difficulties in training them. If you want your own watchdog, your best bet is to buy a German Shepherd.

4. Golden Retriever.

Same as a labrador retriever, this breed is one of the friendliest, if not THE friendliest, around. Affable and good-natured are the best descriptions for this type of dog that’s why children tend to like Golden Retrievers the most among all breeds. However, they are poor guard dogs because they can be very sociable even to strangers.

5. Beagles.

Beagles are scent hounds. Medium-sized and low-maintenance, they can make a perfect house pet.

They love to bark and howl so you have to think twice if you live in a small apartment. They are neither too aggressive nor too friendly. But once you get their trust, Beagles can be one of the most loving breeds. Just remember, that like all dogs, Beagles are pack animals so they should not be left alone for too long or they will suffer from separation anxiety.

6. Boxers.

This breed is usually entered in show dog contests because of its stature and physique. Boxers are alert and sporty, and are excellent as companions or guard dogs. Despite its intimidating appearance, boxers are one of the friendliest dog breeds especially with children. Boxers love to be around with people whom they trust.

Choose this breed if you have an already existing active lifestyle, where you can afford to take your dog out to exercise at least 1 to 2 times a day.

7. Dachshunds.

This breed is also known as “wiener” dogs because of its similarity to a hotdog in regards to its shape. Don’t be deceived by its appearance though – dachshunds can make a terrific watchdog. Small but brave – that’s the perfect way to describe this breed.

Dachshunds in general are active dogs – hunters. They love to chase anything that moves so you have to keep up if you want to own one. They’re very lively and will even challenge any dog twice their size. There would never be a dull moment if you live with a dachshund.

8. Poodles.

Because of their appearance (their curly coat to be precise), poodles are regarded as high-maintenance breeds. But this is a perfect example of never judging a book by its cover, or in this case, by its coat.

Poodles are one of the MOST intelligent breeds. They’re easy to train, agile and very perceptive. But they also get bored easily, so they often find themselves in trouble. Poodles are one of the only dog breeds that come in all three sizes – small, medium, and large – so you can take your pick.

Poodles make for good companions, but are not excellent with small kids, so make sure you pick the right one…

9. Shih Tzus.

They are small and compact, and fearless (as their name suggests – Shih Tzu = lion). Shih Tzus combine bravery and beauty, which usually means that you have to have a lifestyle which allows you to spend time daily not only walking him, but to groom them. Their long flowing coats usually need daily attention.

They are playful, active and clever. However, they are very difficult to housebreak – so it’s likely you’d need extra bit of patience and time with them.

10. Bulldogs.

Bulldogs are stocky and medium sized dogs. They are not usually perceived as lapdogs (and with their physical disposition who would) – but they would like to be… Their somewhat grumpy expression, may make you think that they are moody and hard to deal with, but you wouldn’t be further from the truth.

Bulldogs are very lovable and friendly, albeit with a bit of stubborn streak. They’re good with children and get along well with other pets. So if you have a cat at home, bulldog might be the perfect companion not just for you, but for your cat too.

At the end of the day, selecting the best breed for your personality and lifestyle is like choosing a mate – you have to match or things will be difficult. Please don’t be tempted to buy a puppy just because it looks cute – do him and yourself a huge favor and learn a little about each dog breed.

If you’re an active person – choose an active agile dog. If you spend your days in front of the TV – get off your but and exercise… OK – I’m kidding… If your lifestyle is filled with long work days, or too much leisure time, get a pooch that doesn’t need too much attention or exercise (although all dogs need attention – so if you are too busy to give it to them, rather consider a cat).

Anita Watson is passionate dog owner with years of experience in helping people raise and train their dogs, using real methods that work fast. For more great information on the top 10 dog breeds, visit http://raisealovingdog.com.

Health Of The Golden Retriever – Its 6 Common Health Problems

August 27th, 2010

nted from getting into your Golden Retriever by using three different vaccinations. This is done usually when it is 6 to 16 weeks old and it is accompanied with annual regular booster shots. The symptoms include cough, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. You should be immediately visiting a doctor if you find your dog having these symptoms.

2. Heartworms

Most of the dog breeds are attacked by this ailment named Heartworms. It leads to heart failures on reaching lengths of 12 inches or more in the lung and heart arteries. There is a decrease in blood circulation and can be even fatal sometimes. The symptoms of this Heartworm ailment don’t come early and hence it’s better to prevent them before it actually affects your dog.

3. Heatstroke

A heatstroke can affect a Golden Retriever usually in summer or some hot day. Give the dog plenty of fluids, fluid being water, and do not leave the dog in direct sunlight. Suppose you are playing with your dog, give it ample rest so that it doesn’t get easily tired. Panting, dark sums, excessive drooling, rapid pulse, glazed expression and vomiting are the symptoms for heatstroke. Take your dog to the vet if any of these symptoms are seen in your dog.

4. Rabies

Rabies is a very serious and dangerous ailment a Golden Retriever can get. It has a direct effect on the nervous system of the dog. Rabies usually comes with a bite from another dog infected with rabies. Rabies shots are given in clinics to prevent this disastrous disease. The vaccination should be taken at least once a year. Aggression, seizures and foaming are the main symptoms. Call the vet immediately if you spot any of these above symptoms.

5. Tapeworms

Tapeworms affect the stomach of a Golden Retriever and are normally caused by fleas. Diarrhea, loss of weight and biting of rectal area are the major symptoms of this ailment. A rigid flea control can prevent tapeworms from affecting your dog. Take it to the vet as soon as you see your dog suffering. The vet might kill the Tapeworms early through oral medicines.

6. Hookworms

Contact with any feces or simply burrowing under the exposed skin can cause Hookworms in your Golden Retriever. By keeping the surroundings and your dog area clean, you can prevent this from affecting your dog it is very essential to keep the dog’s skin clean. Weight loss, dry coat and blood seen in stool are the symptoms of this ailment. Just like any other ailment, this once seen must be immediately looked after. Take it to the vet and make sure you prevent this ailment from affecting your dog.

These are only a few ailments that can affect a Golden Retriever. There can be other ailments as well that can cause serious health problems. You should not hesitate or think to take your dog to the vet. Anticipate when you see your dog suffering from any of those mentioned symptoms as a few can be really dangerous if it is not treated early.

Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Pages Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Eye and Heart Diseases Common In Golden Retrievers

July 19th, 2010

Like all pets, Golden Retrievers too are prone to diseases such as those of the heart and eye. Though Golden Retrievers are by and large a very healthy breed, there are some common health issues that affect them.


There are many diseases that can afflict the eyes and heart of the Golden Retriever. Nature-wise diseases contracted vary from hereditary/congenital, acquired through injury or environmentally induced.


Heart Diseases in Golden Retrievers


This breed can possibly be afflicted with SAS, which is restriction of the Aorta, the symptoms of which include having an enlarged heart enlargement and restricted blood flow. The younger ones have statistically proved more vulnerable to this dreaded malady that often ends in the pet dying prematurely.


In severe cases of the ailment, the victim can get severely debilitated and it is possible that they can eventually and consequently even die from this disease. This malady is thought of by cardiologists as being solely genetically transmitted. Apart from this, there are other minor issues that can crop up regarding the heart. Thus, it is always better to ensure that both parents did not suffer from any heart disease as far as possible.


Another heart problem seen in Golden Retrievers is Cardiomyopathy, which is essentially a disease of the muscles in the dogs heart either making them too thin or too thick.


Eye Diseases in Golden Retrievers


The common eye disorders which the Golden retriever may possibly suffer from are bilateral, juvenile-onset cataracts and abnormalities of the eyelids / eyelashes. Cataracts mostly appear quite small and virtually have no fatally debilitating effect. Aside from this, the breed may contract abnormalities such as inward rolling of the eyelid and extra eyelashes on the inside of the eyelid.


Please note that cataracts are not things to be taken lightly, and will require immediate attention to be discussed with your vet as soon as possible. Other eye disorders the Golden Retriever may possibly contract are progressive retinal atrophy and retinal dysplasia.


There is also a wide assortment of genetic or congenital infirmities in this breed to reckon with. In severe cases, this may deteriorate to permanent blindness. Cataracts among the younger lot are mostly congenital.


Restricted blood supply to the eye are mostly found among the young. This is clinically alluded to as Collie Eye Anomaly. Another commonly occurring eye disease is Entropion, which is an inversion of the eyelids. Progressive Retinal atrophy or PRA is a degenerative condition, which causes night blindness and inability to see in low light conditions.


Sadly, it ultimately stops the dog from being able to see in broad daylight as well. The incidence of this disease is common mostly among the young, but can affect adults as well. Glaucoma, which is caused by the imbalance of air pressure in the eyes often afflicts this breed. This is rare, but instances have been known to happen. In this case, there is no cure, but medication can control the onset of the disease if caught early.


Make sure you get a dog free of previous medical history of most or all of the diseases and health problems given here to save yourself from problems and heartache later.

Don’t get ripped off. If you are looking for information on golden retrievers? or advice on buying a golden retriever or house breaking your golden retriever, visit us now. GoldenRetrieverAdvice.org is a goldmine for information on everything related to golden retrievers.

Common Beagle Characteristics

July 9th, 2010

Have you heard of characters such as Snoopy from the Peanut comic strips, Underdog from the cartoon series, or Shiloh from Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s book? All of these are examples of the Beagle, a dog that has been in the top 10 list of most popular dog breeds in the United States for 30 years. If you have not read or seen any of these examples and are unsure what this breed of dog looks like you can read below to find the common Beagle characteristics.

You may not know what a Beagle looks like but a Foxhound looks extremely similar. Beagles are miniature versions of the Foxhounds but have broader heads, shorter muzzles, and the legs are shorter in proportion to their body. They are typically between 13 to 16 inches in length and weight between 18 to 35 pounds.

The common Beagle characteristic of the skull is that it is domed, with medium-length, square-cut muzzle and a black nose. Their eyes are large and either hazel or brown. The have long, large ears that turn toward the cheeks and round at the tips. Their upper teeth fit perfectly over their lower teeth with both set aligned square into their strong jaw.

These dogs have a medium length neck, just long enough for them to pick up a scent from the ground, and there is sometimes a dewlap in their skin. The Beagle has a broad chest that narrows to a smaller abdomen and waist. At the end of its body is a short tail that curves to a white tip. The white tip has been selectively bred as it allows for the dog to be easily seen when its head is down sniffing.

One of the biggest characteristics of the Beagle is their sense of smell. These dogs have the best developed senses of smell of any dog, next to the Bloodhound. Starting in the 1950s John Fuller and John Paul Scott began a 13 year study into the behavior of canines.

Part of the research they did was testing the scenting abilities of a variety of breeds by putting a mouse in an acre of field and they timed how long it took for the dogs to locate the mouse. A Scottish Terrier was unable to find it, a Fox Terrier found it in 15 minutes, and the Beagle found it in less than one minute.

The problem with this breed is that they are extremely good at ground-scenting, but they are not very good at air-scenting. For this reason they are not used for mountain rescue teams and rather collies are used because they are able to use their sight in addition to their air-scenting, making them the best choice.

These are just some of the Beagle characteristics that should help you identify this breed without doubt.

Jake Kennedy is an avid Beagle Dog lover providing valuable advice at I Luv Beagles for fellow Beagle lovers, where he shares Beagle dog info and training tips with Beagle lovers worldwide. Visit our Beagle Photo Gallery too: Beagle Dog Pics

Avoid Common Mistakes Of Training Border Collies

July 2nd, 2010

While they are rightly regarded as one of the most intelligent breeds of dog, training Border Collies can be quite a frustrating task if you do not understand their particular traits and idiosyncrasies. It is often commented about the breed that you should never teach a trick to a Border Collie puppy that you are not prepared to live with for the rest of their 12 to 15 years they will be with you.

 

The trick to training Border Collies is to be absolutely consistent. Because they can be so perceptive it is often the case that they take commands based on verbal communications AND hand signals combined. Let me give you an example.

 

If the first time you teach a Border Collie to sit, imagine the scenario, you say sit and without registering it you hold out your right hand with your index finger pointing at the dog. The dog sits down and you say good boy and give him a treat.

 

The next day you tell him to sit and rather than holding out your right hand you hold out your left one showing him your palm. Most dogs will sit down but because the Border Collie is so perceptive he turns his head in the way dogs do when they are trying to work out what you want.

 

This is a simplified example but it gives a general idea of how you can get frustrated with a border Collie if you do not adopt consistency in your training methods.

 

Training Border Collies can be a very satisfying and rewarding experience because they can understand numerous commands. However, it does require understanding and patience. If you want to teach your Border Collie to be well behaved and obedient, you can get a comprehensive dog training handbook at http://www.thedogtrainingsite.info covering all aspects of dog ownership, from understanding your dog to problem-solving to complete obedience work.

Eoin McDonnell is an engineer who has had several dogs and cats over the years. He has learned the importance of obedience training with dogs as a benefit for both the owner AND the dog and establishing a happy relationship with your dog which will last his/her whole life.

Common Beagle Problems And Issues

June 29th, 2010

Owning a beagle is not always fun and games. From time to time you will encounter beagle problems that will require you to administer a little beagle training. Some of the best resources for ideas are dog training books written by experts or from websites run by other beagle owners with real life experience solving a variety of problems. Whatever resource you use be ready to be strict with your beagle, as it needs to understand who is in charge in your situation.


There are some classic tell tale signs of a misbehaving dog that some people think is just the dog being friendly but in reality is the dog developing bad habits that need to be stopped. If your beagle jumps on people constantly, will always avoid your touch, grabs things from you and then refuses to give them back without a fight, or constantly barks at you or any company in the house then these are signs of behavioral problems that need to be addressed right away.


Training your beagle to avoid problems should be done in stages and there are things a ten month old beagle can do that a three month old could never think of. These are all done with patience and understanding and, as was mentioned before, the proper way to go about these steps can be found in many very good dog training books available on the market. Your vet can also give you some insight on how to properly train your beagle so that it reacts to your commands.


One of the biggest, and most difficult, training milestones many beagle owners experience is housebreaking their pet. For many owners it can be frustrating because they try all of the standard techniques and still the problem seems to never go away. Sometimes a problem becoming housebroken is a physical ailment but many times it is behavioral. Do some research and find alternate ways to housebreaking your beagle and perhaps you will have some success.


Some beagle problems can be traced back to things that the owner may have absolutely no control over. If a puppy is taken from its mother and siblings before it is seven weeks old then it does not have a chance to learn all of the basic things it needs to know to be a beagle on its own. If this happens then you will more than likely get developmental problems with even the most basic of functions that can be difficult to fix.


Beagle puppies left for longer than seven weeks begin to develop a feel for social order and that can cause long-term behavioral problems as well. If your beagle was used to being the top puppy in its litter for too long then that behavior could follow them for the rest of their lives. It is important to understand how to these things affect your beagle in order to train it properly.

For more information on the beagle dog or a full list of dog breeds take a look at this Dog Training website.

Common Health Problems Of Golden Retrievers

June 24th, 2010

A lot of people love golden retrievers and get them home sometimes without checking the credentials of the breeder. This is a really bad idea, as you may then get a golden retriever puppy that is not 100% pure bred and it can have some health problems, which are inherited from its parents or may develop some later on as they grow up.


Purebred dogs too have their share of health problems, which are inherited genetically. Generally golden retrievers tend to suffer from minor health problems which are quite common in nature, and can be easily cured if looked after carefully.


For example, luxating patella is one of the common health problems of Golden retrievers when the kneecap gets dislocated out of its normal position. Your vet can help you with this problem.


Similarly, distemper virus is a common health problem of Golden retrievers and is an airborne disease. It is a high-risk disease, and can be easily prevented by getting three vaccinations done for a golden retriever, starting at the age of 6 weeks and ending at the age of 16 weeks.


This can be given along with the regular annual booster shot. Symptoms include cough, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. You should take a golden retriever to the vet immediately if it manifests any of these symptoms.


Heart worms are among the most common health problems of Golden retrievers, and can grow up to 12 inches in the heart or lung arteries in all dog breeds. As a result, they may cause heart failure or a decrease in the circulation of blood.


So, in this case, prevention is better than cure, and you’re better off giving your golden retriever the correct heart worm medicines from before.


It may sound tough to believe, but another common health problems of Golden retrievers is heat stroke. Be sure to keep your dog indoors during the hot months and make it drink lots of water. Don’t leave him in bright sunlight for a very long period of time.


If you think he’s been out for too long, let him rest awhile. Classic symptoms of heat stroke include drooling, panting, dark gums, and even vomiting. Once again you should take it to the vet immediately, if you think he is suffering from heatstroke.


One of the most serious health problems Golden retrievers face is rabies. It has a very serious affect on your dogs nervous system. Generally, dogs are liable to get rabies, only through the bite of another infected animal.


To prevent this, you should make sure you get your dog rabies shots periodically as per the vets instructions. Common symptoms of rabies include foaming at the mouth, seizures and aggression.


If you even suspect that your pet may have rabies, you should take it to the vet immediately as only he could tell you what to do. Never allow your dog near others when he is exhibiting these symptoms.


Lastly, let me tell you about tapeworms and hookworms. Tapeworms are spread by fleas and can cause a loss of weight, diarrhoea, and irritation in the rectal area.


It is better to make sure that your dog does not have fleas by checking regularly. Hookworms on the other hand generally enter your dogs digestive system if they come into contact with feces. For both these problems, you should consult your vet.


Common health problems of golden retrievers can be solved simply by taking it to the vet for regular check ups and of course, your love and care.

Don’t get ripped off. If you are looking for information on golden retrievers? or advice on buying a golden retriever or house breaking your golden retriever, visit us now. GoldenRetrieverAdvice.org is a goldmine for information on everything related to golden retrievers.