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How to Train Your Dog to Use the Doggy Door

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Doggy doors can be quite a convenience for dog owners and a source of freedom for their pooches. There are a variety of doggie doors on the market including those designed for standard doors, screen doors, sliding glass doors and even garage doors. They provide a place for your pet to come and go on his own for a quick pee break or a few laps around the yard to chase a squirrel. Doggy doors are particularly convenient for owners of puppies or senior dogs who need to use the restroom more often than other dogs. They are also a welcome aid to couch potato owners who would like for their dog to have the option of coming and going as he pleases. Other owners simply feel better knowing that their dog has access to the yard as well as their comfy bed and food bowl while they are away at work.

While a doggy door sounds like the solution to a host of dog problems, it can be a nightmare for some dog owners. Some rush out to purchase a top of the line, energy efficient doggy door and then return home to carefully install it only to find that their dog refuses to go through it. This can be extremely frustrating for you and your dog, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. With some training for your dog combined with some patience from you, your dog will soon be going in and out on his own in no time.

As any training with your dog, start slowly. Let your dog explore the new door upon bringing it home. Let him see you take it out of the box and allow him to sniff it and investigate it on his own terms. Upon installation, let your dog begin the investigation process again all over again without your intervention. The door can be a major road block for some dogs so before you try to get him to go through the door, try tacking or propping the door up and out of the way. Make sure that the door is firmly intact and out of the way because if it falls on your dog during his first attempt to pass he will likely be afraid to try again.

Once your dog seems comfortable with the new door and the door flap is safely out of the way try laying out a trail of irresistible treats from one side of the door to the other. Try small pieces of hot dogs or cheese, not standard treats he gets regularly. Most dogs will go through the door at this point, but if your dog does not, do not force him to do so. Simply allow him to eat the treats inside and try again the next day. Training will work best with a hungry dog so try not feeding him the morning you start training again. Once your dog has followed the treat trail through the door give him plenty of attention and praise. Next time simply try sitting outside of the door holding a treat and call your dog to come through and get it.

After a few days of this try slowly lowering the flap and repeating the treating behavior. Over the next few days repeat this process until he comes through the door flap and all. Be patient during this process. If you force your dog he will likely not want to use the door in the future. You are essentially working to gain your dog’s trust and build his confidence with a new experience. Confident and well-adjusted dogs will sometimes complete this training in a matter of minutes while the more timid variety may take a week or two to push through on their own.

Article submitted by pet-super-store with wooden dog crates and raised dog feeders.

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The most expensive dog accessory you can purchase

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

If you have ever packed your pooch up in the family car for a trip to the park, beach or Veterinarian then you know first hand how much of an ordeal it can be. Imagine taking him on a trip out of town or on a cross country move. More and more people travel with their pets and few are willing to settle for the old stand by option of throwing him in the bed of the pickup truck and hitting the open road.

First and foremost, it is dangerous for dogs to ride in the bed of a pickup truck, especially if they are not contained in a proper crate. Dogs can jump from moving vehicles, be ejected from them through accidents or sudden stops and slam into the bed if they slip and fall. Even if the dog is crated and protected from ejection of the vehicle, exposure to the extreme temperatures on spring and summer days can cause heat exhaustion or sunburn. Besides, when done properly, traveling with your four-legged friend inside the car with you is much more fun.

According to the American Kennel Club, 47% of dog owners consider their dog when selecting a vehicle. These are significant numbers considering 40% of Americans own dogs! Car manufacturers are taking heed and increasing canine friendly features. There are several things to consider when digging around for the most expensive dog accessory you can purchase.

1. Cargo Size and Shape: While monster SUVs are not popular sellers in today’s economy, cargo space is a huge selling point for dog owners. In order to ensure that your dog is properly contained it is best to travel with your companion in a kennel. Large dogs require large crates and large crates require some cargo space. A flat back hatch works best when housing dog crates. When shopping measure your crates before you go to the dealership to assure the proper clearance. You do not have to limit yourself to gas guzzling SUVs. In response to customer demand many car manufacturers are creating fuel efficient mini vans, hatchbacks, crossovers and station wagons with adequate cargo space for hauling dogs. While the large SUVs like the Ford Excursion or the Chevy Tahoe boast significant cargo space, compact wagons like the Honda Fit or Doge Caliber offer between 20 and 57 cubic feet of storage space depending on the configuration of the seats.

2. Height of Vehicle: While space is important, larger SUVs can be difficult to access because they are so high off the ground. Consider the height of the rear of the vehicle you are assessing. Will you be able to lift the crates into the rear of the vehicle? Will your dog be able to jump into the rear unassisted? Large dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia of joint problems as they age and may not be able to access a vehicle of considerable height.

3. Safety Features: A 60 pound dog generates 2,700 pounds of force upon impact in a 35 mile per hour car crash. If you prefer to travel with your dog loose in the back seat consider additional safety features to keep both of you safe. Your dog should always be in a harness specially designed for four-legged passengers, but there are other safety features built into some vehicles. Some Subaru models come with an optional steel barrier between the cargo area and the back seat to keep your pet safely contained. In fact, 60% of all Subaru owners’ are dog owners so Subaru purposely makes their vehicles dog friendly. Volvo also offers steel barriers and vertical dividers to separate the cargo area for hauling dogs as well as other cargo.

4. Interiors: When selecting a dog friendly car; interior is extremely important. A dog hauling mobile of any kind will suffer more abuse than the average commuter vehicle. Scratches from dog nails, dog hair in the upholstery, drool on the windows and even some upchuck from upset tummies are all par for the course in the dog hauling business. Leather upholstery is the most resistant to dog hair; however, Honda and Dodge offer some models with special interior fabric that is less expensive than leather yet is treated to resist dirt and spills. Many SUVs offer cargo liners; however, models like the Honda Element offer 100% urethane flooring that wipes clean with warm water.

This article was submitted by the author from pet-super-store a site featuring pet fences, petsafe radio fence, and dog tracking collars

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Is it time for your doggie to head to boot camp?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

There are numerous ways to train a dog, whether you choose at-home training or to hire a professional. Many owners start with a professional, while others only choose this route when their at-home efforts are proving unsuccessful. If you are having problems training your pet, then seek help. If someone mentions a doggy boot camp, then be wary. Not all boot camps are bad, but you should be extremely careful when choosing one.







A doggy boot camp is intended to introduce strict and intense training to the dog in a short period of time. The camps can last anywhere from a week to several weeks. Sometimes, the sessions only last during the day and the pooch returns home at night. Other camps keep the dog for the entire length of the training program, only allowing the owner to visit at certain times.

If you have researched training online, then you are probably familiar with the move toward positive reinforcement training. Positive reinforcement goes over well with both dogs and owners; the dogs are unharmed, and the owners do not have to partake in severe punishment. Many training organizations have adopted this method, eliminating negative methods from their programs. Boot camps have received negative publicity in the past, because of facilities practicing not-so-humane treatment of the animals. Such camps have been known to “train” the dogs through harsh treatment and cruel punishment. Using shock collars, prong collars, and other forms of cruelty, the trainers practice negative reinforcement methods. A few years back, one facility in Atlanta was caught abusing an animal with the use of a choke collar. During the abuse, the trainer was laughing as the dog vocally showed its suffering.  

Not all boot camps are necessarily cruel to dogs, so you shouldn’t rule out the possibility before you check into things. Before you ever drop your pup off at such a camp, you need to make sure that the camp you choose is known for its humane training methods. You should ask to visit a session to see exactly how the animals are treated. If you are refused a visit, then move on and find another facility. While you are there, pay attention to how the animals are housed. Are the quarter’s close and cramped? Find out how many trainers are present in the facility, and how many trainers will be working with your dog. Since the dog will be learning obedience training in a short, yet intense, amount of time, it wouldn’t make sense for the dog to be with a different trainer each day. Instead, look for a facility that uses one or two specific trainers per dog. Don’t forget to consider your dog while you are searching for a camp. If your pooch is uncomfortable around other animals or people, then sending him to a camp full of animals and people may not be the best idea. Don’t think that doggy boot camp is your only or last option. There are tons of ways to train a dog; you just have to find one that’s right.

If you are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary training program where the two of you can work on things together, consider a boot camp designed for people and animals. Although there are not many around, the popularity of this type of program is on the rise. These programs offer obedience training for your dog (using you as the handler) followed by an intense workout. Not only will the two of you practice obedience, you will also get to exercise together. Often, the obedience is based around the type of workout you will be completing. For instance, if you are going on a run down a fairly busy street, then you may work on commands to keep your pet safe during the run.

Boot camps are one option in training your dog. If you are considering using a boot camp, then choose carefully. In the past, boot camps have been known to use negative techniques, putting your dog’s wellbeing in danger. Do a little research before you choose to use a camp, since there may be a better option out there. If you are lucky enough to have one in your area, consider joining a dog and owner boot camp.

This article was provided by pet-super-store an online pet shop featuring dog gates, dog carriers and dog crates.
 
 

 

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Would your dog make a good therapy dog?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

 If you enjoy spending time with your pet, then you may seek out activities that the two of you can do together. There are many opportunities within your community where you and your pet can make a difference. Training your pooch to be a therapy dog is one such opportunity. Through therapy training and work, the two of you will get to spend time together, while helping others. If you think therapy training may be right for you and your pet, read on for more information.







Therapy dogs should not be confused with assistance or service dogs. Assistance and service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which basically means they are allowed in all public places as long as they are accompanied by their handlers. Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are only allowed where they are welcome and invited. A therapy dog may spend time at a nursing home, retirement home, hospital, group home, mental facility, school, or disaster area. The basic role of therapy dogs is to interact with the members of the facility in which they are visiting. For instance, a therapy dog at a nursing home would allow the patients to pet him, hold him, and play with him. He may even perform tricks for the tenants. This interaction with animals has been proven to help patients in a number of ways, including lowering blood pressure and making the patients happier.

There are no breed or size requirements for therapy dogs; any type of dog can be initiated into the service. There are, however, temperament, obedience, and socialization requirements for the dogs. As mentioned before, the dogs may sit through multiple pettings and groomings each day. The dogs must remain calm and be willing to handle all the attention. They must also be obedient both on and off leash, responding to the handler’s commands at all times. 

If you think that your dog would make a great therapy dog, then seek out training organizations in your area. There are multiple organizations around the country that provide training and certification for therapy dogs and handlers. Before admittance into the training programs, most organizations require that the dog and the handler are of a certain age. In addition to age, the dog must be up-to-date on all required vaccinations. Some groups even require proof of obedience training prior to enrollment, while others teach basic obedience in the training sessions.

Once you enroll in a therapy training class, you and your dog will be taught the ins and outs of the service. Dogs will learn how to navigate wheelchairs, IV poles, walkers, etc. They will also work on the dog’s socialization skills. Handlers will learn how to control the dogs off leash. The training may be practiced in a group setting, since the dogs will be required to remain calm and focused even in the presence of other canines.

Depending on the organization, the class may last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. During this time, you will not only be required to attend the training sessions, but you will also be required to spend a certain amount of time in a therapy setting. Don’t worry; you won’t be turned loose all alone with your pup. Instead, a professional will attend the session with you, coaching you and your dog the whole way through.

Once you complete the training course and receive certification, then you may be asked to be a part of a group of therapy workers or you may be on your own. At this point, it is up to you to continue using your dog for therapy work. Even if you visit only one nursing home a month, you can bet you and your pooch will make a big difference in the patient’s lives.

Dogs have proven beneficial for many types of therapy. Now, more than ever, healthcare and educational facilities are welcoming dogs, and their owners, to provide therapy work. If you think your dog would be great in such a setting, seek out therapy training organizations in your area. Through the training, you and your pooch will learn valuable tools to help make a difference in people’s lives. Not only will you spend time volunteering in your community, you will also be able to spend time together.

 

This article was provided by the authors at pet super store, which is an online pet shop featuring dog car seat covers, patio pet doors and pet beds.

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How to Find the Perfect Halloween Costume for Your Pet

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

With Halloween just around the corner, pet owners are thinking about how they can include their pet in the festivities.  There is a huge selection of pet costumes out there and there is no reason why your pet can’t join in on the fun! Follow the steps below when thinking about choosing the perfect Halloween costume for your pet.

Step 1: Think about your pet’s personality.  You’ll want the costume that you choose to reflect your pet’s unique characteristics and charm. If your pet is feminine and flirty, maybe a princess costume will do. If your pet is tough and feisty, dress him up like a biker.

Step 2: Consider the weather in your town at the time of Halloween. In warmer climates, you’ll want to consider that your pet might be uncomfortable if dressed in a heavy costume. If your pet has long hair and has difficulty getting rid of body heat, you’ll need to take that into consideration as well.

Step 3: Think about poop patrol. How will your pet be able to relieve himself in the costume you’ve chosen for him? If it’s going to be a messy prospect for either you or your pet, it’s not worth it!

Step 4: Safety first! Make sure the costume you choose is flame retardant. And while accessories to the costume may be cute, make sure they are not choking hazards for your pet. No part of the costume should be too restrictive or too tight either.

Step 5: Make sure the costume you purchase fits your pet well. If you are ordering it online or from a catalogue, pay special attention to measurements such as height and weight. Check the return policy just in case the costume doesn’t fit well and you want to return or exchange it.

Step 6: Have a dress rehearsal (or several dress rehearsals!) at home.  You’ll want to get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween.  If he balks at the idea of being dressed up, try to get him to wear parts of the costume around the house until he is comfortable with the whole get up. 

With your costumed pet in tow, you are ready to trick or treat. Just remember, even though your pet is dressed for the occasion, he should never partake in the human treats that are offered on Halloween!

This article was provided by Pet Super Store, an online pet shop featuring dog doors and dog crates.

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