DogTrainster.Com

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Emily Randolph

Matthew McConaughey has the right idea. Dogs are great for our health. If you haven’t already added a furry four-footed friend to your family, add one as part of your New Year’s resolutions to becoming healthier! And please rescue a dog from one of our local shelters, swollen past capacity due to our economic climate. You will save a life and give yourself a big boost, too.

According to the American Pet Products Association, dogs (and cats, too) help with the following:

* Lower Blood Pressure - A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a pet had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own one.

* Reduce Stress - Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. The impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet.

* Prevent Heart Disease - Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease.

* Lower Health Care Costs - People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions.

* Fight Depression and Loneliness, promoting an interest in life.

A new study by researchers from Stanford University and the University of California also indicate that pets boost the immune system, even reducing one’s chance of developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Exposure to allergens - from pets - could boost the immune system as well, particularly in children born into households with pets.

Article Source: salemnews.net

It happens every year.

Parents want to teach their children responsibility and have fun at the same time, so they get a puppy for Christmas.

Unfortunately after the initial excitement wears off, the parents end up shouldering the burden of the new family member, who often does not want to play by the rules.

According to Dani Edgerton, owner and operator of Columbiana’s A Place for Paws, which offers both doggy day care and dog training, a lot of people bring puppies to be trained shortly after Christmas, seeking to have those unruly Christmas gifts taught to behave.

Properly training a dog is important if the owner and pet are to maintain a happy relationship over the course of the dog’s life, Edgerton said.

“Generally any type of training helps in the next step, so proper training is essential to a happy relationship with a well-behaved dog,” she said. “If

you never develop leadership over the dog, then it is less likely to work for you

in other aspects.”

For those who are considering purchasing a puppy for Christmas, or have already done so, Edgerton offers some advice that she thinks will make life much easier for both the humans and the canine.

Appropriateness: “Make sure the dog is appropriate for the household,” she said. Some dogs are naturally more active than others, so homes with small children or older pets should be aware of the dog’s breed. Do your research before the purchase.

Training: “Start training basic behaviors at the very beginning,” she said. Behaviors such as sitting, lying down, waiting and coming when called can be taught early to avoid any future problems with more difficult issues.

Rewarding: “Understand what is rewarding to your dog and reward the desired behavior,” she said. Dogs react differently to certain actions than humans, so sometimes an action like pushing a jumping puppy away is the reward, not the punishment.

Classes: “A dog’s actions can be misunderstood, so getting them in training classes not only helps the puppy, but the owners, as well, because they can ask questions and learn what things mean,” she said. New owners can also read training books to learn why dogs act a certain way.

Edgerton also offered answers to three popular questions once training has begun.

How to eliminate pulling on the leash: Never reward the dog for pulling on the leash; do not go somewhere because it pulls in that direction, say “no” and wait for the undesirable action to stop. Then reward the dog for walking loosely.

How to stop the dog from jumping: Ignore the undesirable behavior; if the dog jumps, do not acknowledge it. Wait until the dog sits calmly, and then reward it.

How to create reliable recall: Remember that “come” should mean good things, not punishment; if the dog is rewarded for answering its master’s call, it will be more likely to do so. A positive relationship can be established by playing recall games in which the dog must come when called. And always make sure to catch the dog, or the “coming” is useless.

Questions to ask before buying a puppy, according to the American Kennel Club’s Web site, www.akc.org:

- How big will the dog get?

- How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?

- How protective will the dog be?

- How often will the dog need to be groomed?

- How does he get along with other animals?

- How long can he be left alone at home?

- How much exercise does the dog need?

- What are the best training methods for this dog?

- What possible health problems might this dog develop?

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Emily Randolph

Emily is in the kitchen making Happy and me some holiday cookies (recipes to follow) so I’m taking over the keyboard. I’m no spring pup, and I’ve learned some hard lessons in my life, including eating things that I shouldn’t have. I want to warn you young things out there that not everything you want to chew on is good for you. Tell your owners to be hyper vigilant. Expect a very large stomachache or something far worse should you get into the below holiday items. Trust me; it’s not worth it. You will cause your owner a great deal of worry, and on top of that, there will be a very large vet bill!

The following holiday plants are poisonous to us dogs if ingested. If you become ill with seizures, vomiting, losing consciousness, or breathing difficulty, have your owner telephone ahead and bring you immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic.:

•    Poinsettia

•    Mistletoe

•    Holly

•    Amaryllis, Narcissus, Daffodil

•    The Christmas tree!

Other holiday no-nos - chocolate: Because it is the holidays, there’s likely to be lots of lovely chocolate lying around. Cocoa / chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, and can cause death in us dogs. If gluttony gets the best of you, and you do consume chocolate (or cocoa mulch in the garden), your owner will need to take you immediately to the emergency room or your vet. You might not have an immediate reaction but by the time you do, it could be too late. My cousin, Mackie, in fact, has suffered extensively from his lust for chocolate. His owners didn’t realize the extent of his Olympic jumping prowess, and he hopped up on a bar-high counter and pigged out on a bowl of chocolate. He had to have his stomach pumped. The nurse said it was an experience that even put her off chocolate!

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Emily Randolph

If you have decided to get a puppy or adult dog for Christmas, do consider the animal’s welfare above all else. The holidays are a chaotic time, and your new companion will be nervous in his new home.

Boundaries - we all need them!: To help your dog settle in, make sure he does not have the run of the house (for example, keep bedroom doors closed; partition off the dining room; gate off the second floor at the bottom of the stairs, etc.) If he’s a puppy, consider a play pen so you don’t have to watch him while you are doing things that need your full attention, like cooking. It isn’t uncommon for a new dog to be destructive in the house. Help him and you by minimizing his opportunities.

Toys, exercise, & games:  Give him lots of exercise and plenty of safe toys to play with both on his own and with you. There are so many fun games to play inside the house and out. My personal favorite with a new puppy or young dog is hide and seek. You hide and call for him, “Buddy, COME!’ letting him find you. Reward him with a treat and a big happy YEAH! Wait to you see the wag of his tail when he finds you! This little game is also helpful in teaching him the ‘come’ command.

Kennel / crate training. Furthermore, to help with his transition, make sure he gets plenty of quiet time. To achieve this, crate training your new dog is ideal. A proper sized kennel with comfortable padding will be a great solace to an animal feeling anxious or unsure. And it will serve him well his whole life. Consider it his hideaway. Everyone needs one.

When introducing a crate to a dog, you want to make it as attractive to him as possible. Make it a HAPPY place! You may need to do it in stages:

Stage 1: Throw a couple of treats into the kennel while he’s watching, saying happily ‘Cookies!’ or something similarly upbeat and wonderful, then walk away. Let him go in and get them and come out again. Do this several times through the course of the day (or several days) until he gets the hang of going in and out on his own.

Stage 2: Next, throw in some treats, say ‘Cookies!’, let him go in and then gently close the door – not locking it, just closing it so he can get out on his own. Again, do this several times over the course of the day or a few days. However long you feel your dog needs. Then, when you think he’s ready, on to Stage 3.

Stage 3: When your dog is happy to go in and out of his crate, the next step is to close and lock the door behind him when he enters to go after his treats. Tell him Good Boy! and walk away. DO NOT open the door if he starts whining. Only open the crate door when he is quiet. Otherwise, he will know that whining gets him released, and then my friend, he is training you!

Bringing a new dog home for the holidays can be a smooth transition with a little preparedness and foresight. Think ahead of all the things your new dog will need BEFORE he comes home, and it will be a happy holiday for all involved.

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Emily Randolph

Apparently, I have the dubious title of ‘most gluttonous of the Dog House’ so I was assigned to write this piece about making holiday dog treats from scratch. I heartily stand behind the idea of homemade treats because you can control the ingredients. It’s a four-paws-up and a-tail-wagging concept. I have personally taste-tested (of course) the below recipes, and think they are all woof-a-licious.

Note: When investigating and creating your own dog biscuits, be sure there are no onions or chocolate ingredients, as both can be toxic to canines.

RECIPES:
Apple Cinnamon Doggie Biscuits
Source: DogCook.com
1 package apple, dried
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon parsley, freeze-dried
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 cup ice water
1/2 cup Corn Oil
5 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon corn oil

Put the apples in a food processor so those pieces are small. Combine in a bowl all of the ingredients — can add oil or water if dough is too dry. Using a rolling pin roll out dough to about 3/16″ thick (can make thinner or thicker). Using a cookie cutter – cut into shapes — place on cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 20 -25 minutes (until golden).

DAISY’S PEANUT BUTTER BISCUITS
Source: DailyDrool.com
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup quick oats - uncooked
1 cups hot water
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
2 eggs- lightly beaten
3 to 4 tablespoons peanut butter- smooth
2 to 3 tablespoons of your favorite nutritional supplement

Combine peanut butter, hot water, oil, and eggs in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Set aside. Combine flour, cornmeal, and oats in a separate bowl. Mix well. Pour the bowl of the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix well with hand mixer until dough forms.

Knead dough on a floured board until no longer sticky. Add flour as needed. Roll out dough to inch thickness. Cut into shape with a floured bone shape cookie cutter. Place on a lightly greased or non-stick cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool until hard. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (Dough can be frozen for later use.)

Cheese Biscuits
Source: AllNaturalDogTreat.com
1 1/2 c. Flour
1 1/4 c. Grated Cheddar
1/4 c. Veg. Oil
4 Tbl. Water

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Cream the ingredients together, adding the water one tablespoon at a time to help bind the dough. When it begins to form a ball, roll it out on a floured surface, using cookie cutters, cut the dough into fun shapes and place on cookie sheet. Bake approx. 10 min. until lightly browned. Makes about 30 med. size biscuits.

Article Source: oregonlive.com

In the spirit of the season, Bark Busters, the dog training company, offers helpful tips for the estimated 44.8 million U.S. dog owners on keeping their dogs safe and happy during the holidays.

“In planning for this season’s holiday festivities, it is important to keep your pets in mind. While most of us welcome the sights, sounds and smells of the season, holidays can also be chaotic - especially for dogs,” says Lisa Holzer, dog behavioral therapist and trainer for Bark Busters USA. “Holiday festivities can disrupt a dog’s routine and present potentially dangerous circumstances. But by following a few common-sense tips, the holidays can be cheery for everyone - including the family dog.”

Christmas trees can lead to problems with curious canines. To prevent the tree from tipping, anchor it to the ceiling or wall. Hang nonbreakable ornaments near the bottom. Since tinsel can be deadly if eaten - it can twist within the intestines, causing serious problems - do not use it.

Don’t let dogs drink the Christmas tree water. Chemicals that help the tree last longer can cause severe indigestion in dogs.

Holiday plants and greens can cause health problems. Pine needles, if eaten, can puncture holes in your dog’s intestines; regularly sweep them up to avoid a trip to the emergency animal clinic. Mistletoe, poinsettias and amaryllis can be toxic, so keep pets away from them.

Many snow globes contain antifreeze, which is extremely toxic to dogs - so it’s best to keep snow globes and all antifreeze out of the reach of a happy, tail-wagging dog. If there is an antifreeze spill of any kind, send your dog out of the room while cleaning up the liquid. Dilute the spot with water and floor cleaner to make sure your dog does not lick these harmful chemicals later.

Holiday sweets are not dog treats. Candy, cookies, cakes, peppermints - and especially chocolate - can trigger life-threatening illnesses in dogs. Keep sweets out of the dog’s reach.

Make no bones about it. Turkey and chicken bones are not for dogs. They can easily break, causing choking or bone shards getting stuck in your dog’s gums. Give “dog bones” specifically designed for dogs to chew….