Doberman

Doberman Training Tips

The doberman is another one of those dog breeds that has gotten the reputation for being aggressive or mean. Many times, these opinions are held by people who may not know enough about a certain breed. If you take the time to learn a little bit about dobermans, you'll find that they do have some unique characteristics that people will confuse with aggression. Below, we will discuss some of these traits and how they can be controlled through training.

Doberman Personality

The dobermans were bred as war dogs that were meant to accompany soldiers in battle. For this reason, they are extremely loyal and brave. They are also very confident and assertive, which is often misunderstood. People who do not know the breed very well mistake this assertiveness for aggression. This is unfortunate, and is one of the reasons that dobermans get such a bad rap. Another characteristic that makes training somewhat challenging is the fact that they are also very active and energetic. These dogs require an abundance of physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Training

Make sure that you are familiar with your breed's personality traits before you begin training, no matter what kind of dog you have. The first thing you need to do when training a doberman is establish yourself as the alpha male. In other words, make sure the dog knows that you are in charge. You must be very assertive and firm, due to the personality of the dog. If your dog thinks he has a chance to become the alpha male, you could be in big trouble. Always be careful that assertiveness does not turn into abuse. Never hit your dog, no matter what. You can do more emotional and mental damage than physical when you hit your dog.

Due to the high activity of dobermans, you need to find ways to work plenty of running and hard work into your dog's training program. These dogs were bred to work, and have tons of energy to burn. Try to incorporate some playtime into your training routine. Not only will your dog be happier, he will be able to pay attention better when he doesn't have so much excess energy. Allowing your doberman to get the proper amount of activity and exercise will make him less apt to destroy things in and around your house as well.

Training should be consistent and firm, when dealing with dobermans. A dog of this size and with this much power must be started out early. As soon as you bring your puppy home, you can begin the training process. It's also the best time to begin socializing your dog with other animals and people. If you take the time to do this correctly, your dog will be a great family companion for years to come.

Dog Training Agility

Basic Agility Training For Dogs

Just like for humans, agility training for dogs makes them more confident, increases their speed, and increases their overall flexibility, while doing things on their feet. Agility training for dogs is one of the fastest growing sports for dogs in the world. This relatively new dog sport is not only fun for the dogs but fun for the owners as well.

History of Agility Training for Dogs

Agility training for dogs started sometime in the late 1970s in England, where it somewhat copied horse show jumping. Both agility training for dogs and horse jumping build a strong bond between the owner and the animal. They also help to develop strategy and teamwork. You win an agility event with your dog by completing the course in the fastest time with the fewest number of faults. It is very similar again to horse jumping when the horse knocks down one of the poles of the fence.

Positive Benefits for Dogs

Another benefit of agility training for dogs is the mental effect it has on shy dogs and owners. Both often show a renewed confidence after successfully negotiating an agility obstacle course. Many dogs improve their coordination dramatically by completing the basic training exercises used to teach jumping and ramp work.

For those hyperactive dogs, agility training provides them with a method of releasing some of that extra energy in a positive manner. The mental workout for the dog is often greater for the dog than the physical one. The teamwork that the sport builds between the owner and the animal builds a level of communication between the two that is very similar to how humans communicate.

To make a great team in agility training, your dog and yourself must be in perfect sync, since there is no leash or collar allowed on a agility course. The order of obstacles is different on each course and the pathway twists and turns, so the dog, to be successful, has to learn a whole new vocabulary.

Puppies

Puppies can start training with regular walks through the agility courses as early as four months. As they get older, conditioning walks of two miles or longer are recommended. Dogs must be trained not to rush the obstacles as not to injure themselves by falling from an a-frame or a dog walk. Ramps have cross-laths to help with traction when the dog sprints up the ramp.

For the dog who is afraid of heights, the owner will coax through the uncertainty and by doing so will help his dog and himself.

Good Luck in agility training your dog!

Chihuahua Rescue

Chihuahua Rescue And Information About The Breed

The Chihuahua breed of dog has become the poster dog for celebrities. The small size of this breed allows it to be carried around in purses and makes for an adorable companion.

Because so many have seen pictures of celebrities with the Chihuahua, it became the popular choice for many who then decided they couldn't take care of their dog, and Chihuahua rescue organizations have had to step in to assist with caring for these dogs.

The Chihuahua has been a recognized member of the American Kennel Club since 1905. The dog was originally bred in Chihuahua Mexico, from which it gets its name. The tiny dog gets to be about 2-6 pounds and is only around 6-9 inches tall. The coat can be either long or short and the color combinations can vary greatly.

As a family pet they can be somewhat jealous. They sometimes focus all of their attention on one person and don't like to share that person with anyone else. They are often not a good pet for small children as they are a tiny dog and children can play extremely rough and hurt them. They do best with adults but they also like to be with other Chihuahua's but can sometimes not enjoying other pets in the family.

It is important whenever getting a dog to know what type of temperament they may have due to their breed, As with any breed, Chihuahua's may not be the best choice for everyone, because of this Chihuahua rescue centers have formed to help take in these pets and find them new homes.

What Are Chihuahua Rescue Centers And How To Find Them

After learning about Chihuahuas, it seems as though this would be the right breed for you, you might consider visiting a Chihuahua rescue center. These can be found by asking at local animal shelters or even checking on-line.

A Chihuahua rescue center will generally want to know a lot about you. Their primary intent is to make sure a special dog doesn't end up back at a shelter because they have been mismatched with a person.

A Chihuahua rescue center will allow you to visit with their dogs and maybe even have the dog come and stay with you to see how they get along with other pets. A Chihuahua rescue center will want to make sure that you are committed to the dog and helping it. Some dogs that are found at Chihuauhua rescue centers have been abused or neglected and need not only love but also serious attention.

If you're considering getting a dog, check into Chihuahua rescue centers to find a special new friend to join your family.

Old Pet Store

An Old Pet Store Needs a Lot of Work!

You have recently become the proprietor of a pet store. You are looking forward to matching animals with families, and love meeting new people in the process. However, before you can do that, you need to do some renovations, because the pet store you now own is a very old pet store.

Old Pet Stores: A Questionable History

Pet stores have been in business in one form or another since the 1700s. As the twentieth century came along, they became even more popular. Old pet stores are rather hard to come by nowadays, mostly because they usually are torn down, or have been renovated into something else. Usually, this is just as well, as you might come to find out.

Pets are an integral part of many families. However, some old pet stores did not particularly note that fact, and subjected their animals to mistreatment. For example, nowadays it is practically unheard of for a reputable pet store to get its dogs from a puppy mill. Puppy mills are places where dogs are bred in unsanitary conditions, and the result was many dogs with health issues. Unfortunately, many old pet stores got their dogs just this way.

Something else that old pet stores did not pay particular attention to was the health and well-being of the animals in their care. This is rather odd considering that people would not want to purchase a dog that is dirty, but it happened anyway.

Dogs would be placed four or five to one medium-sized cage, with no play toys, and only shavings to cushion their excrement. It was common for puppies to get sores because the bedding was not changed regularly, and many people unknowingly took home sick dogs.

So, what should new pet stores have? They should first and foremost have clean facilities for their animals. The bedding should be changed at least twice a day, and the animals should be paid attention to by the workers. This is especially important because it teaches the animals socialization skills.

Additionally, new pet stores should have climate control, so that the animals are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The lighting should not be too harsh either, because it can affect the eyes of nocturnal animals like gerbils.

Also, make sure that any reptiles or fish you have in your pet store have the right food, and the right climate-controlled tanks. Indeed, owning a pet store can take a lot of work, but the happiness of the animals and the people who purchase them make certainly make the hard work worth it!

Dog Show Supplies

A Doggy Christmas: Dog Show Supplies

While dog and owner are the two most important components of any dog show competition, there are other factors that influence the success of the pair. These items not only increase the aesthetic value and positive personality characteristics, they also make it possible for the dog show to occur period. Dog show supplies are important for both the individual participants and for the event itself; without them, the animals would rarely be able to live up to their owners’ expectations, and the show itself would be unable to truly test the physical abilities and qualities of the dogs.

The Best Dog Show Supplies for the Best Dogs

For individual dogs, dog show supplies help the animals fulfill their potentials. Some are used on-site, while others are used throughout training. Grooming and dental supplies are integral for the physical appearance of dogs; their coats must shine, their fur must be soft, their teeth must be white and their nails must be clipped. Any deviations from the breed standard will never result in a win.

These tools should be used at home as well; while grooming before a show may be intense, the dogs should be given adequate attention even when they are not in the ring. An unhealthy dog will never be a winner, and these animals deserve to be treated the same regardless of whether they are competing or not. Collars and leashes are other dog show supplies that are equally used in the home as well; however, competitive collars and leashes are often fancier, and supplement the physical qualities of the dogs. While specific training collars may be used while the dog is learning proper posture and trotting form, these tools would seem out-of-place in a show.

Other important individual dog show supplies include travel crates, blankets, food dishes and equipment carrying containers. A professional show dog will travel the country and perhaps the world with his or her owner. Traveling can be a grueling endeavor for any animal if the proper precautions and considerations are not followed. A dog should always be kept in a crate during long road trips or flights, and the crate should be comfortable, filled with soft blankets and pillows, and more than enough food and water. For the owners, dog show supplies should be ordered and protected in specialized bins and racks, for both easy traveling and easy access during the shows.

Dog shows themselves require their own specialized dog show supplies. Obstacle courses and agility races are filled with equipment, including tires and poles, hoops and ramps. Even the conformation ring, with its platforms and ropes, must be planned well in advance. Without these tools, the dog show could never happen, and all of the preparation on the part of the dogs and owners would be for nothing.