10 Biggest Misconceptions about Dogs

1. When your dog looks grown up, he is.

No matter how big he is, or how mature his behavior, your puppy is still a puppy until he's at least a year old. Large-breed dogs are growing puppies for close to two years.

2. Neutering your dog will negatively affect his personality.

If your dog has always been an outgoing, fun-loving, playful dog, neutering won't change that all. If he is a little reactive with other dogs or roams the neighborhood, neutering may make him a bit gentler and more inclined to stay home.

3. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

The biggest challenge in training an older dog is helping them unlearn old behaviors. If you combine patience with sound and treat training, you’ll soon have a talented and well-trained little pal.

4. Dogs need variety in the food they eat.

Your dog thrives on routine. Changing diet frequently and rapidly will do him more harm than good.

5. Obedience training is only for problem dogs.

Yes, obedience training can help with some unacceptable behaviors, but wouldn't it be better if those behaviors never had a chance to develop?  In addition, obedience training can strengthen the bond between you and your dog and help you enjoy each other's company even more so!

6. Dogs need supplements in their diets.

If they are eating a high quality, nutritionally balanced diet, they will do fine. If you have questions, ask your veterinarian.

7. Dogs who spend the day in the yard get plenty of exercise.

Dogs are pack animals — they are not good at running or playing when they are alone. Exercise is an important part of your dog's health. It's up to you to be sure he gets it.

8. Dogs do destructive things to get even with you.

Don't project your emotions on your dog. Most behaviors that drive you crazy are normal for a dog and begin when he is bored, tired, sick or lonely.

9. It's natural for your dog to have bad breath.

It isn't. Bad breath is often, an indication of dental or health trouble.

10. It's okay for dogs to be a little plump.

Excess weight in dogs can be associated with heart, respiratory and blood-sugar level problem, skeletal distress and gastrointestinal disorders. Don't feed your dog table scraps, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise.

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Tips On How To Train Your Dog Dog Really Fast

Truth be told you are going to have to work harder than you have ever done before in order to train your dog successfully! I am telling you 99% people are just not capable of actually putting in the amount of hard work that is needed to train up their dogs. Believe me the only way to see phenomenal results that people are going to admire is to actually work your hair off on a day to day basis! Believe me patience is the most important skill that you can work to develop if you want to train your dog properly. My business is hinting right now that housetraining a puppy is simple when you're conscious just what you are doing.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you are lazy then you are just going to end up failing so you should not bother trying to train your dog. Please just stop reading right now if you are a lazy individual. Hard work is the core of all the obedient dogs that you see out there. Don't you think for a moment that people who have well trained dogs have done it by wishing for it!

I am telling you right now that the most important aspect of actually being able to train your puppy successfully is actually getting out there and becoming a more patient person. At the end of the day your dog is just a dog, so you need to be extremely patient until he understands what you are trying to teach him. Teaching him one thing at at time is going to require that you are really patient. This is going to be frustrating at times but believe me if you are able to stick it out you will see results!

The next thing you must develop is a level of consistency. Daily effort with your puppy dog will ensure that you will see amazing results. Believe me if you are not putting in the daily effort then you are going to fail in terms of teaching your dog anything. If you are actually looking to see results in the near future then you must apply what I've just told you.

Believe me I really and truly think that if you want to see success with your dog then you are going to have to go to your local bookshop and learn everything there is about this subject matter. I will tell you right now to go to your local bookshop and grab all the books that you can on the topic of training dogs. Then spend the next few weeks just studying everything you can on dog training. Believe me no matter how mundane of a task this is you must do it if you actually want to successfully train your dog.

Believe me I am telling you from experience that all you need to do in order to see success with your dogs is to just follow the advice that I've given you here! I am telling you take it slowly and enjoy the process. Remain patience and consistent and believe me you are going to see amazing results in no time. Trust me the world is going to wonder how you managed to make your dog so obedient. You are going to smile in joy.

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Start a Dog Walking Club and Turn Your Walks Into Social Gatherings

Starting a dog walking club is a great way to make turn your daily walk into a social event for both your furry friend, and yourself. Making it a group event can also help ensure you don't skip days, and that both you and your dog get out and get the exercise you need. If you can make new friends in the mean time, and help socialize your dog, then that is just an added bonus!

For many people, getting up to walk their dog is a chore, that can get boring and tedious at time. Starting a club can add a sense of new, and can give your dog and yourself the social element that will have you out the door regularly, and give your dog the playtime and exercise that is essential to their health. Starting a dog walking club isn't hard to do, and will probably grow much faster that you can imagine.

The first step is to print up some fliers, or even make a group page on Facebook for people who are interested in the club, and live in the area. For best results focus on your immediate neighborhood, posting signs in the local coffee shop and on local boards. Provide a social page to follow and a phone number to organize outings. Depending on your dog, it might be a good idea to specify the type of dog personalities that will be welcome to avoid dangerous or aggressive dogs.

Don't worry about waiting to have a large group, but once you have 3 or 4 members you can begin to organize outings and take your dogs out for walks during the week, and even for extended hikes on the weekends. This a wonderful activity to do with a group as you have the safety of numbers, and your dogs will have a blast meeting new playmates and exploring together. Don't be surprised if you start losing weight and get in shape as well, as you are more motivated to get out of the house and moving.

Starting a dog walking club is a great way to turn your daily walks, and weekend excursions with your dog into a social gathering for both you and your pet. Post signs around the neighborhood on local pages and boards to find dog owners in your area who are interested in joining your club. You will be surprised as your dog walks turn into something you look forward too, rather than a chore.

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8 Pet Care Tips for Dog Owners

Being a dog owner is a real joy. It promises years of pleasure and companionship to owner and dog alike. But it is also a heavy responsibility and a long-term commitment. Below are eight tips on how to care for that "friend" to which you have made such a commitment.

1. Keep Up-to-date on Rabies and Other Vaccinations

This is vital to your dog's well-being. Rabies is still a threat to our pets. Every summer brings reports of findings of rabid bats or other wild animals. Rabies is especially prevalent if you live on acreage or in a wooded area more populated by wild animals.

Owners do have the option of getting a one year or a two year rabies shot -- or, if they are concerned about the side effects of a rabies shot another option is to get their dog a titer test, a blood test that indicates whether the animal's previous vaccine is still active or sufficiently protecting him. This prevents the owner from having to get a vaccine before it is absolutely necessary. Heart worm too is a very real threat to your dog and can be avoided by a heart worm pill taken monthly.

2. Regular Vet Check-Ups

This can be combined with your dog's vaccination appointment. A check-up will help the vet identify any problems while they are still in the early stages, whether it be a tumor or fleas.

3. Healthy Diet

This is not to be taken lightly as we hear so often about dog foods that contain melamine or are somehow contaminated. Many dog foods are not nutritionally balanced and fillers such as ground corn and other grains are added simply for volume. The primary ingredient in your dog's food should be meat.

4. Proper Training

A well-trained dog is a happy dog. He knows what is expected of him. He doesn't annoy guests with a display of bad manners or repel them by jumping on them or slobbering on them. Good obedience training also keeps him safe.

5. Socialization

It is important that your dog learn to play well with other dogs, not being the aggressor or snarling at his canine companions. The more quality time he spends with dogs, the better behaved he can be counted on being. So, go to the dog park, go to dog events, walk him in your neighborhood and let him visit with his neighbors. It will make him a confident

6. Grooming

Grooming is important to you dog's health. If he is matted or his nails need cutting, he is uncomfortable. He will be constantly chewing on himself and panting out of agitation. Also, a good groomer who grooms your dog on a regular basis is going to detect abnormalities or signs of distress or disease. If caught early such discoveries do not have to equate to a death sentence.

7. Exercise Your Dog

If he gets enough exercise he won't be an unholy, hyperactive terror. He will sleep well when it's bedtime and not be agitated and excitable. Exercise is also good for his overall health.

8. Obey the Leash Laws

They are for your dog's protection. His training will enable him to walk with you and obey your commands.

These are just a few of many tips to help you ensure that your have a happy, healthy dog and one with impeccable manners! Follow them and you will be exemplary as a dog owner.

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Dog Games - Top 5 Games That Will Tire Your Dog Out

Playing dog games with your canine pet provides your beloved with his much needed physical and mental stimulation. This also gives you the benefit of reinforcing his obedience training in a fun way as you establish a deeper relationship with him.

However, not every dog is thrilled with playing ordinary fetch all the time especially if he is very intelligent. Many dog breeders, vets, and trainers agree that the best dog games are those that provide exercise and challenge accompanied with positive reinforcement by giving the animal a reward for accomplishing what you want.

FETCH When you're dog has become tired of the basic throw-a-stick-give-it-back-to-me fetch he will refuse to play. To solve this problem, think out of the box and vary how you play the game with your dog.

Instead of using a stick, use a ball or his favorite toy then climb up the stairs. Throw the ball or toy gently then tell your dog to fetch the item.

This game is perfect for those winter or rainy days when you can't take him out of the house. Be sure though that you're dog already knows how to go up and down stairs.

BACKYARD TUNNELING Dogs love obstacle courses so this a game Fido will surely love. Not only is this a good mental exercise for him this game will also improve his agility.

You can set up tunnel in your backyard and coax your dog with his favorite treat to go through the tunnel. You can run along at the side of the tunnel or opt to wait at the other end just to convince Fido to follow you.

You can gradually add more obstacles to make it more fun. Although pre-made equipment is helpful, if you are creative enough I'm sure you can create a homemade backyard tunnel and obstacles at minimal cost.

HIDE AND SEEK This third in our list of dog games will give him a chance to put to use his scenting abilities as well as provide him with mental stimulation. You can opt to hide yourself or you can get one of his toys or a special toy just for this game and hide it at any safe place around your property.

Start easy then gradually make it more complicated for him to find hidden toys. This game is a great way to teach Fido how to find other objects as well.

FRISBEE CATCHING A modified form of the Fetch game this is a great way to teach Fido agility. Beware, this is an intensely physical game that is not recommended for old dogs.

To do this throw a Frisbee nearby until he learns that he must return the Frisbee to you. Gradually throw the thing farther and farther until he learns how to catch it.

The nice thing about this is you can opt to join Frisbee competitions with Fido if he gets really really good at this game.

SWIMMING The last in this list dog games is beneficial to his entire body not just his muscles. If you love swimming and there is someplace that you both can do this, why not swim with your dog?

Dog games not only allow you train your dog to do stuff this also helps to create a disciplined dog provided that whenever your dog does something good you use positive reinforcement and give him a reward. It's also important that you make the rules and not the other way around, one way to establish this is to stop the game while the dog is still excited and not when he is already bored.

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What Is The Best Dog Training Method

Wow, if we as dog trainers knew the answer to that simple question we could all make a fortune. However there are as many ways to train a dog as there are trainers and each trainer has it's own opinion. It's is sort of like how do you raise a child. Everybody you talk to does it a little bit different.

There used to be a T shirt that you could buy that said "the only thing that two dog trainers can agree on is that the third dog trainer is wrong". That is actually the way that most dog trainers feel even today.

I really believe that as dog trainers we should constantly be striving to find the dog training method that we like the best and feel most comfortable with. If we as trainers feel comfortable with the method that we use it just seems to make things easy.

I have always felt that what ever method a trainer is using can work if the trainer knows how to make it work. When I meet trainers that are questioning their own training methods I always ask. "Is what you are doing working? If it is then great that is what you as a dog trainer want. If on the other hand it is not working then you need to find a different method.

So as dog trainers most of us have a favorite way to train that works with most dogs. However along comes that dog that does not respond to your methods? What now? A good trainer knows more than one method to train a dog and this dog requires you to use one of those other techniques.

New trainers usually don't have these different methods at their disposal, however with continued training and learning they will. They simply need time to get more experience and education.

If you are working with a trainer you should see quick results with your dog. However if you are trying to train your dog on your own training may be slower because you don't have the experience or knowledge on what will work with your particular pet.

One other thing I would really like to share with you today is that I have NEVER seen a dog that couldn't be trained. However I have seen people that just don't take the time to do the training. Remember that training only 15 minutes a day will give you a trained dog so go train your dog and have some fun.

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Best Puppy Training Tips

Adults who want to have the best trained dog in the whole wide world will need to follow the best puppy training tips that I am going to share with you in this article. Just like raising a child, all you need to possess in order to train your puppy is time, love and caring, a lot of patience, and provide a great deal of dedication on your part. Right now, I am going to share with you 5 training tips on how to train your puppy successfully.

1. As human beings, we get confused very easily when too many people talk to us at the same time. The same can be said about training your puppy. If there are too many masters trying to train a puppy at the same time, the pup's progress will stop. Find someone who will train the puppy, one on one, so that the pup can learn the new commands from one individual.

2. When you are using positive reinforcement to train your dog for good behavior, remember that you have to use constant repetition so that your pup will know that what they are doing is good. Never get after your dog for negative behavior; applying negative reinforcement will be detrimental to your pup's training process.

3. When we learn a new language, we have to start at the very basics; learn one step at a time. With dogs and puppies, you have to teach one command at a time. Once they have mastered that command, then you can teach your dog or pup another one.

4. Always have a cheerful voice when you are training your dog or pup. For you parents, think of how your children will respond if you are trying to tell them something in a loud or angry voice. They will become frightened; the same can be said for a pup. If you are trying to train in a loud voice, all the pup will do is shrink and hide.

5. Let your dog explore. This is a very valuable training tip that I can give you. Take your dog or pup on a walk, let them explore new things. This is also a great time to do some additional training for your dog or pup. During the summer, after work, I would go on my evening runs, my dog, who is an Australian Shepard would run along side me, sometimes, she would wander off, all I would have to do is call her name and pat the side of my hip and she come running right beside me. The training process was a pain in the neck, but over time and having lots of patience, she finally obeyed.

The training process will be long and sometimes it can lead to frustration, but if you follow the best puppy training tips that I have provided in this article, in the end, it will be worth it. You will have the best dog in the whole neighborhood and you will someday say to yourself, "truly, a dog is a man's or woman's best friend!"

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Dog Training Secrets - How to Become the Alpha Dog

Stop your dog's behavior problems by learning the secrets to dog training. You need to learn how to become the alpha dog in your home. If you don't, you may have a problem with training your dog.

Dogs are pack animals and they have retained the instinct and concept of having a pack leader. You will be the pack leader in your home if you learn the following steps that I have outlined in this article.

You will need to elect yourself as the alpha dog right from the beginning of your relationship. You'll also need to enforce this position throughout your relationship.

Your household members will need to be aware of the enforcing of this position. If the members of your household do not assert your position as being superior to your dog, then the dog will try to insert his place in the ranking system. This is natural because of their pack instincts. The problem is... you can't let this happen!

A dog will get confused if one person gives leeway to do things and not by another person of the household. He won't know the appropriate response.

See his world through his eyes. He's looking to the alpha dog for domination.

Follow these tips and you'll find success at being in charge.

1) Adolescent Dog

An adolescence dog, from 6 months to 14 months of age will try to raise their position in the hierarchy. You'll need to be extra alert during this time to prevent his hormonally changed behavior from becoming a permanent problem.

2) Sleeping Dogs Need to Move

Don't go out of your way to disturb your sleeping dog. But if he's sleeping on the floor, a doorway or walkway, they you can have him move so that you can pass. You want to keep your alpha position. This will reinforce your position.

3) Moving Ahead of Your Dog

You should never allow your dog to go through a doorway first. The alpha dog has the right of way and you'll need to use that right of way at all times. Make him sit or wait while you walk through first. In the wild, the alpha dog leads the way and everyone in the pack follows.

4) Alphas Eat First

Ensure that your dog eats after all of the family members have eaten. Then, you can feed him. Again, this reinforces the wild pack leader where the alpha dog eats first before the other dogs further down the chain.

5) Treats

Don't feed your dog treats of food without him earning the privilege. If you do feed him scraps from the table it will encourage poor behavior. A dog will pester people while they are at the dinner table and it can become a difficult habit to break.

If you're using treats as a training aid you will devalue food in your dog's eyes if you give him treats at any other time. If you keep treats for training purposes only, then you'll get a good response out of your buddy.

6) I'm Home

When you arrive home, don't greet your dog right away. Make your dog go to his basket, bed or into another room. This will keep you in the alpha dog position. Greet all the humans in the household; put your groceries away or whatever you need to do then call your friend to you. I find this personally difficult to enforce myself because we both are so happy to see each other.

7) I Want to Go Outside

The exception to this tip is if you are house training your puppy or dog. Otherwise, if he wants to go outside make him wait or even have him go to his bed or basket for a few minutes before taking him outside.

8) Obedience

If your dog does not obey any command you give him within two to three seconds, then he's either ignoring you and your alpha dog position is under threat or he does not understand the command --- he'll need further training.

9) Be Physical

You may need to correct inappropriate behavior and send a strong message that the behavior is inappropriate and establish yourself as the alpha dog.

Give a "sit" command, be calm, and put your hand around the dog's snout. Do not squeeze it. Hold it firmly so it cannot squirm away. Make eye contact and tell your him in a stern voice... "bad dog". Apply only as much pressure as necessary for the him to be still. Send him away to another room, his bed or crate and ignore your friend for 15 minutes.

Dogs use their mouths to express themselves and to protect themselves. When you, the alpha dog, take control of their mouth, they are vulnerable. You are forcing them to submit to you.

Sometimes... "it's easier said than done." But, when you learn you'll be asserting yourself as the Alpha dog. I personally know how difficult it is to be alert and consistent when it comes to noticing your his bad behavior. It's important that you deal with the situation while he is misbehaving. Don't let your dog go back to their bad behaviors.

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