Unfortunately, first impressions of the bull dog terrier may not be favorable. Well, if you can get past the looks, you’ll find a very lovable, docile creature to escort you through your days.

Years ago in Great Britain and later, America, gamblers were obsessed with bloody fights between bulls and dogs. The main function of the canine was to hang on to the bull’s neck and worry the poor animal until it dies. In order to that bloody deed, strong jaws were necessary. And the popular choice of the time were the pit bulls.

At that time, pit bulls displayed a variety of characteristics and made the “sport” interesting. But after a while, the focus switched towards the fight between pit bulls and not against the bulls themselves.

From these canines rooted most of the bull dog terriers that we know of today.

One of the popular bull dog terriers we have is the American Staffordshire Terrier that project strength and physical power but are in actuality not vicious at all. In fact, this dog is very much associated with its relationship to its family, especially among children.

Sometimes this breed will show aggressiveness which may somehow work against them. Nevertheless, this can be offset by their loving nature and devotion to their human family owners. Thus, it has a stable temperament which make them good pets and excellent watchdogs.

AmStaff terrier, as it is called by its shorter name, suffers in reputation though since it is commonly associated with pit bulls. These dogs are likely to back down from a fight or a challenge and therefore are used often in illegal dog fighting.

Responsible training could alleviate at least part of that situation. Sadly, there are too few AmStaff that are properly trained. And what’s even disturbing is that there are innumerable pit bulls that are continually ill-treated by bloodthirsty owners.

We are often confused of what true pit bulls are. In fact, many lovers of this breed are put off by their name as it elicits unwanted images of gory dog fights. While this breed is not yet officially recognized by the American Dog Breeders Association or the United Kennel Club, the legitimate name remains to be American Pit Bull Terrier.

Please judge these dogs as victims of maltreatment and exploitive training (and inhumane) for self-serving purposes. Otherwise, American Pit Bull Terriers can be very people loving - hardworking too.

So hardworking in fact, that they’ll play till their power reserves are exhausted. That’s why they make great companions while you’re getting in shape or need companyduring athletic training. If, however, you choose a sedentary lifestyle, please find another breed as your companion.

Unfortunately the American Pit Bull Terrier is not officially recognized by the AKC because it is not considered a purebred. Oh well, we still find them irresistible.

For more information on terriers of all kinds and which breed would suit your family’s lifestyle, see: http://www.aboutterriers.com

Coprophagia is the consumption of feces by your dog. It may be due to medical or behavioral problems.

Merck’s Veterinary Manual says that is initially seen in puppies four to nine months old. Coprophagia lessens with many dogs after the age of one year.

Primary among them are pancreatic problems, gastro-intestinal problems, and over-feeding.

While coprophagia is a nauseating thought to dog parents, it surprisingly has not shown to cause any health problems for our dogs.

Here’s some causes and cures for Coprophagia, including perspective from your dog’s point of view:

6 Causes of Coprophagia Behavior

• Give Me Attention-Your dog may just want to get your attention. When he eats feces, you will most probably scold him or say “No”. Your dog may get the notion that if he eats feces, you will pay attention to him. This would probably arise in a new adopted dog, or a dog that was rescued from a shelter. Dogs that have not been abandoned or abused are less likely to use this as an attention getter. Since you treat your dog with love and affection, scolding will not work

• I Learn By Watching- Your dog may see other dogs eating feces and simply copies the behavior.

• Mom Kept a Clean House-When a puppy is young, his mother may eat feces to keep the area clean for the pups.

• You’re the Boss- If your dog acknowledges the role of another dog as the pack leader he may eat feces as a submissive behavior.

• I Always Do This- Your dog may eat feces because he has eaten feces. Really. Feces eating may be simply a reinforced habit as odd as that seems. This behavior may have, are you ready for this…the taste which some dogs like as the initial cause. Eating more feces will provide more of the flavor to your dog, hence the behavior is reinforced.

• Feed Me Please!-If you feed your dog at night and first thing in the morning he seeks out some feces to munch on he may be telling you that he likes to eat more than once a day.

5 Ways to Cure Coprophagia

• Add meat tenderizer to My Diet. This may add certain enzymes that will assure your dog of getting a more nutrient filled daily diet, eliminating the need for the nutriments found in feces.

• Spoon a little hot sauce on the feces. A lick or bite of two of this unpleasant taste may deter further interest in Coprophagia behavior.

• Clean up when feces is on the ground. Simply make it unavailable.

• Keep My Mug Muzzled -A muzzle that is properly fitted can easily deter your pooch from snacking on feces when you go for a walk. Be certain not to leave the muzzle on for long periods as this will constrict his ability to drink water, will become uncomfortable and can produce other behavioral issues. Just for a little while when were’ strolling folks, that’s all

• Let Me Grow Out of It – Many dogs begin eating feces as puppies and grow out of it as they mature,. Even an adult dog may pick up the habit and grow tired of it.

• Divert My Attention- When he makes a move for a “bowl of feces”, throw him a ball, command him to sit or come. He’ll lose interest in the feces in a few seconds.

By all means, never punish or strike your dog to get him to stop eating feces. This is cruel and unlawful as well as ineffective. Depending on the potential behavioral cause for Coprophagia you will be accomplishing nothing less than reinforcing the behavior, and hurting your relationship with your dog.

Is your dog feasting on feces? Does he misbehave in any other way such as barking or exhibit aggression toward dogs or people? Whatever the problem, help is at hand. Find out how to easily solve any dog behavior issue at http://www.dogs-4life.com/disobedient-dog-help.html

This article may be reproduced intact with the author’s link displayed.

Some of you out there have seen the zany film, “Cats and Dogs.” It is perfect for a lot of laughs over stylized antics in the classic war of “cat vs dog” if you are in the mood for something completely silly and off the wall.

But on a serious note, many dog owners who also have cats under the same roof really do seem to have a cat vs. dog war going on daily. It is scary when you do not know how to make Dog Spike and Cat Mike coexist.

Will Spike really hurt Mike? Or does Spike just chase and pester him?

What if Mike scratches Spike? Will things escalate?

What to do?

The truth about cats and dogs who were not raised together is that you may never be able to make them love each other. But here’s a step-by-step process for at least bringing peace, a détente of sorts, into your home, and to protect each pet from the ravages of attack.

The first step is for you (Dog Spike’s pack leader) to tell Spike that Mike is now part of the pack. Put Spike on a leash with the leash on the most sensitive part of the neck, the way they do in dog shows.

Crate the cat (never the dog for this). You cannot accomplish your goal if they are both in pet crates. That just results in a classic cat dog face off - a barking and hissing match.

Crating is especially important if the cat has a tendency to move away or scratches. You cannot let the cat run away from the situation. Running away encourages a chase, and certainly does not encourage a harmonious pack!

Sit or lie Spike down beside the crated Mike. Correct Spike with a firm (not harsh) pull UP on the leash, if he lunges at Mike or becomes fixated on him. If Mike scratches or hisses at Spike, correct him, too, but with something like a water pistol.

Move the cat’s crate toward Spike and take his leash off. What you are teaching Spike to do is to ignore the cat and to respect him.

Next time, repeat the first part of making Spike sit or lie down by the crate. This time, do not make the cat (crate) come to him. Instead, make him lie down beside the crate, off leash, until he stays there with his head turned away. Acceptance with avoidance.

When Spike is cool as a cucumber around Mike, take the cat out of the crate and put a lead on him so he cannot run. (Still have Spike on leash, and pull up on the leash if he makes a mistake.)

If Spike lunges, no panic. Simply put the cat back in the crate and make Spike sit or lie down next to it, all over again.

Finally, with Cat Mike out of the crate but on leash, bring leashed Dog Spike to him and make the dog lie down. Correct the cat with a water pistol if he hisses or scratches at the dog. Stay there until the cat has accepted Spike, even if the cat is sullen and pouting a bit.

Do this as a step-by-step process, nice and easy. Before long, the classic battle between cats and dogs will be over in you home. Spike and Mike will be peacefully co-existing.

GET HELP from Rena Murray at the Dog Obedience Training website. Proven Dog Behavior Modification Expert-Dog Obedience Trainer-Platinum Expert Author, Rena debunks Dog Training Myths in hands-on Articles, free “Best Ezines” newsletter - PAW PERSUASION POINTERS, and blatant Blog to help you better understand, communicate with, control and enjoy your dogs. Rena boldly addresses all your Dog Training and Dog Rehabilitation needs - whether puppy house training, destructive dog behavior, obsessive dog behavior, dog instinctive behavior, or cool dog tricks. Get your FREE Newsletter Subscription at http://www.PawPersuasion.com/ where you also find Dog Products, Dog Houses and Crates, Dog Lover Gifts, and all things dog-related. Need more help? Contact Rena for Coaching.

Using a clicker to train your dog is relatively new in the dog obedience world. The clicker itself is a simple piece of equipment, nothing more than a small rectangular box with a metal button that clicks when pressed. Many trainers that integrate this training method in with more conventional obedience training have found that it can cut training time in half for some dogs.

The idea behind clicker training is that it is a type of enforced training without the punishment aspect. Dogs learn through repetition and when they do the right thing and are rewarded for it they will continue with that behavior. Dogs also like to please their humans and if they do something that earns praise and a treat they will learn this behavior because it makes us happy. The converse is also true. If they do not behave or do as commanded they then get ignored or told no in a strict voice. A dog soon comes to realize that when this occurs no praise or treat will be given and they do not like that.

Clicker dog training works on the principle that good behavior will be rewarded. For instance if you are training your dog to sit you give the command. When he sits you click your clicker and give him a treat. You repeat this process with each behavior you are teaching him to do. He will soon connect the clicking sound with a reward, whether it’s a treat or praise. The clicking sound acts as an event marker that instantly communicates approval of what he is doing. During the first sessions of clicker training it is best to stay close to the dog so that the click and reward or treat can be given almost simultaneously. This allows your dog to associate the two happenings quickly.

As your dog becomes more used to this type of training you can begin to delay the reward portion of the training. This will allow you to start training your dog at a distance, giving you the ability to control your dog when he is off the leash. Again, you will still click at the moment a command is successfully done, but the click is now a signal that there will be a reward in the near future.

The clicker should never be used as a punishment or with punishment as it will send the wrong message to your dog. While punishing your dog for bad behavior may work sometimes it can create other unwanted behaviors. Because dogs have little or no sense of time and they are usually punished after they have done something wrong they seldom understand why they are being punished. If you use the clicker at this time they will associate its use with being punished.

The interesting thing about clicker dog training is that the use of a clicker to train is used on other animals such as horses, birds, and dolphins. If you want to speed up the process of training your dog consider the use of a clicker. It is becoming more popular and it does produce great training results.

To learn more about clicker dog training and other training tips and tricks please visit the website Worfdog.com.

You do not have to look very far to determine that the old saying about a dog being a man’s (or woman’s) best friend is right on. Dogs provide a great companion and they only want your attention in return. Some dogs require a bit more attention than others but that is understandable. Nowhere else will find a friend that will forgive you so willingly for virtually anything you may have done.

When you get a new puppy, one of the first tasks that you are going to want to teach it is the task of being house broken, and to provide some kind of sign or signal when they need to go outdoors to relieve themselves. By nature, dogs will squat wherever they are and this is their nature, but with training you can teach them that doing this inside the house is not good, and they need to do what you teach them.

An old school of thought is that when they make a mess indoors, you should scold them, stick their nose in it, and then put them outside. Believe me, there is not a need to stick their nose in it, they will get the point with the scolding. Keep in mind that this is an animal, not a child, and it may take them a bit longer to catch on to what you are trying to teach them, but in the end they will eventually catch on.

Dogs are huge with the reward system. Your attention and petting and kind words go a long way towards letting the dog know you are happy with something they have done, and it really does not take long for them to grasp the concept of something when it is associated with a reward. That reward could be a dog treat or kind words, but when they have done something right, make sure you remember the reward system will work wonders with them.

Some people want to have a dog but they are gone all day. This creates a problem, because even with a dog crate, the dog should not be left alone in the crate for the period of an entire work day, which is 8 hours or more. They just cannot hold it that long, and scolding them for making a mess in their crate after you have left them for 8 or more hours is totally unreasonable. If you are going to be gone for that long a period of time, either do not get a dog or make other arrangements. There are many places popping up all over that are the equivalent of “doggy day care”, and this is an excellent alternative to leaving your dog in a crate all day.

Something that is becoming more common these days is health insurance for your dog. In that sense, dogs are like people and need medical attention every now and then, so the pet health care insurance industry has cropped up. To get more information about this, please visit Pet Health Insurance Coverage.

In terms of intelligence, dogs are pretty much the same. It is said that some breeds are smarter than others, but I think it is because some breeds are more anxious to please you than others and therefore have your undivided attention when you are trying to teach them something. To a certain extent, dogs are as different, even within the same breed, as humans. I have seen some dogs that appear to be dumber than a doorknob, but then again, I have also met humans who fall into that same category!

Love your dog and treat them right, and you will have a constant companion and a friend for life!

Jon is a computer engineer who maintain a variety of web sites based on his knowledge and experience. For more information about any aspects of Dogs, please visit his web site at All Dog World.

There comes a time when you may have to board your dog at a local kennel. Whether it’s only for a couple of days or for a few weeks, you want to be sure that you locate the perfect ”home away from home” for your dog. This will require you to do some in-depth research if you want your dog to return to you happy and healthy. Here are some tips to follow when searching for a place to board your dog.

Get Recommendations

Ask around to get recommendations on suitable boarding kennels. Word of mouth is usually the best bet. Nobody is going to recommend a bad kennel… but they’ll certainly tell you about the awful ones! This will definitely help to narrow down your list.

Be sure to also ask animal trainers, veterinarians, pet groomers and animal shelters. They may have some good suggestions. However, be aware that many of them may also have their own agendas when recommending a dog boarding kennel. If they own it or if they have friends that run a kennel, they will most likely suggest those places, whether they’re good or not.

So, write down the names you receive, but don’t immediately assume that your search is over. It’s not. There’s still more you will need to do.

Visit The Dog Boarding Facilities Unannounced

Once you have a list of local kennels, take the time to go and visit them… without calling ahead… and ask for a tour of the facilities. Although this may inconvenience them somewhat, if they have a good, clean and well run dog kennel, they should be happy to accommodate you. This will give you the chance to see what the kennel area looks like on a typical day. Here’s what you should look for while you’re touring the dog boarding kennel:

• Kennels should be large enough for the dogs that occupy them. A large dog should not be in a cage that barely has room enough for him to stand in.

• Check to make sure the personnel that work there are kind to the animals and treat them well.

• Make sure all areas, including the dog cages, are kept clean and sanitary.

• Look to see if each dog has an adequate outside run for exercise. Also inquire about their exercise routines – how often do they take each dog out to walk and play each day (this is separate from the dog accessing the dog runs). Dogs need human contact and play time that is free from the confines of their kennels.

• Inquire about food and water. How often do they feed the dogs and what type of food do they use? Do they make sure there is always water available for the animals? Are you required to bring your own dog food? Bringing your own food in may be a better choice. Dogs can get upset stomachs and diarrhea when their food is changed abruptly. If the kennel owners won’t allow you to bring your own food, look for a different boarding facility.

• Do the kennels have an area where padding is laid down so the dogs don’t have to sleep on cold cement? This is important for elderly dogs, small dogs and puppies. They need to stay warm, especially at night. But it is just common sense to supply this to all dogs. If your dog gets chilled, it can easily get sick.

If they don’t supply a pad to sleep on, you may want to bring in one from home; however I would probably keep looking for another kennel, if they can’t supply just basic comforts.

• When possible, choose a dog boarding facility that has kennels which are built with concrete walls separating each kennel cage, rather than just fencing. There are two reasons for this. First, male dogs lift their legs to urinate. With fencing, the dog in the next kennel can pee all over your dog and their bedding/toys. Will the personnel bathe your dog and his/her items (free of charge) or will your pooch be left as is so you can take care of cleaning your canine up when you return home?

Another reason to have solid walls between the kennels is to reduce barking and possible snapping.

• If your canine has any sort of medical conditions, such as diabetes for example, that requires them to take medication each day, you will need to find out whether the kennel personnel are willing to administer the medication and are experienced in doing so.

• Ask personnel what procedures are taken in case of an emergency. Do they have a vet on call that comes to the facility? Is the animal transported to an emergency veterinary clinic?

• When you’re planning a lengthy vacation, try boarding your dog for a night or two at the kennel beforehand to see how they make out. It’s a good way to gauge their reaction, as well as determine how well the personnel treat the animals.

Provide Instructions and Contact Information

Give all necessary information to the staff (write it down) regarding your dog’s food needs and schedule that he/she normally has at home. It would be foolish to think that the personnel will adjust their feeding times to accommodate yours, however, you can make a point of letting them know that you expect your dog to be fed twice a day (if they only tend to feed once a day, for example). This is reasonable and if they refuse, you need to find another dog boarding place.

Supply your veterinarian’s name, address and phone number in case the personnel need to contact him or her. Also provide your names, location of where you’ll be and direct numbers of where you can be reached in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to provide the name and phone number of a family member or friend that they can contact as backup. Make sure you call the boarding facility a few times while you are away to check up on your pet.

If your pet requires medications, make sure the personnel are familiar with how to administer the medications and with proper the treatment procedures should there be some type of reaction.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety In Your Canine

Bring a favorite blanket, toy or some other item that your dog is familiar with. As your dog will be anxious being in such a strange place and away from you, this will help make them a bit calmer. If possible supply a piece of your clothing that you have recently worn (wear something old for a few hours) – the scent of you will have a calming effect. In some cases, kennels may not allow you to bring personal dog items. If this is the case, you may wish to seek out a different dog kennel.

(c) Rose Smith, 2007. Discover how to have a happy, healthy, tail-wagging dog! Read free articles and recommendations on natural dog health care issues from feeding your pup a nutritious meal to safety concerns on a variety of canine topics. Visit: http://www.caringforcanines.com/

Agility training is considered a specialized area when it comes to dog training and while it may not be for every dog the majority of dog breeds can enjoy this exciting type of training. There is a variety of dog agility training equipment on the market today that can assist the owner who is interested in this form of dog training. The great thing about agility training is the fun that all dogs have doing it. There is no greater outlet for a dog than getting lots of exercise, and if they are learning at the same time it is a win-win for both dog and owner.

Before buying any agility training equipment it is a good idea to check out a training manual or check with your local agility training club to see which type of training and equipment is best suited for your particular dog. Because each breed of dog has its strengths and weaknesses it is important to set tasks that they can excel in. Every aspect of your dogs breeds abilities needs to be considered when determining not only the training methods but also the type of agility course to use.

The obstacle course is one of the agility exercises that many dogs and owners enjoy the most. It normally consists of a series of jumps, tunnels, hoops, turns, and other obstacles which the dog must be trained to navigate. If you have a breed that is naturally good at surmounting these types of obstacles you will find that they will learn to overcome any and all obstacles quickly and easily. The bond between owner and dog is further strengthened because of the communication and trust needed to successfully teach a dog to run these type of courses.

When training a dog to run an agility course it pays to make the experience as fun as possible. The more fun you have the better the experience for both you and your dog. Lots of positive reinforcement with praise is key to getting the best out of any dog. They naturally love to please and if they are having fun at the same time the rewards will be that much greater.

If you are considering dog agility training for your dog then it pays to do some up front research before purchasing any training equipment. By choosing the equipment that is best suited for your dog and the goals you have set you will soon see returns on your investment in your dog agility training equipment.

To learn more about dog agility training equipment and other training tips and tricks please visit the website Worfdog.com.

Dogs are man’s best friend, and most of us will want to achieve the status of being our dog’s best friend as well. How do you do that? Simply take him out for walks, or exciting adventures such as hiking. Dogs love to roam around freely, and being able to run on grassy lawns as well as play at forests areas. Seeing it in such a happy state one can almost see a smile on its face.

As fun as the wilderness seems fun for your dog, don’t forget the dangers lurking around the corner. You would not wish to see your dog being harmed and hurt while it is playing. There are a few things you should be aware of and you have to take responsibility as so to protect your dog from being hurt or even killed.

Below are a few risks associated with taking your dog out hiking or traveling other outdoor areas:

1. One of the risks are ant hills, especially for those who live down south. There are abnormally large anthills at the southern regions of the United States, and your dogs are best kept away from these anthills. From South Carolina to Texas, fire ants are common and they are known to be ferocious.

Fire ants are one of the most aggressive ants that you can ever come across, and these deadly ants have venom in their system which they will inject into anything that they deem threatening, especially those who approach their nests. Their stings are small but painful, and if your dog is stung by a lot of them at once, he may have the risk of being fatally wounded and may die from it.

2. Snakes are another dangerous threat. Rattlesnakes are common, and they can be found at most areas, and are harmful to dogs, and even humans. Snakes may prefer to take shelter in different areas, as common grounds are dry and contains burrows as well as vegetation. Rattlesnakes tend to hide in hollow logs, as it is dry and dark. These snakes will rattle when they sense threat approaching, and dogs are usually not afraid of the rattling noise. Therefore they will still offend the snake and ended up being bitten anyway.

The other common snake in the United States is the copperhead. These snakes are prone to biting and the bites are very painful. They are normally not very venomous, and if your dog is of larger size then it will not suffer fatal wounds. Smaller dogs may have a different fate, and a bite from copperhead snakes may do more harm to it. See below for more information on Dog Obedience.

For more information on Dog Obedience Training or visit http://www.puppydogobedience.com/neat-dog-tricks-how-to-train-your-dog-to-round-up-the-dirty-laundry/, a popular website that offers information on Dogs, Dog Training, and Dog Breeds. Please leave the links intact if you wish to reprint this article. Thanks

Obesity is on the rise for canines. The reasons for this influx are similar to those that humans experience, too much food and too little exercise. The results of obesity are similar for your canine friends too. Studies reveal that 25% of overweight dogs experience severe joint problems. This effects their daily activities such as walking, standing and sitting. It also increases pain and makes jumping up or down off the bed difficult. If a dog is overweight its lungs cannot function properly- the extra fat pushes against the lungs and diaphragm and makes breathing more difficult. Carrying extra weight decrease ability to preform daily activities. It takes more work to do everything. Body systems have to do more than they were designed for because extra weight places strain on the heart, muscles and respiratory system. Because being overweight causes daily tasks to be more difficult and causes more pain, dogs can become more irritable. Dogs who are overweight have a shorter life span and a lower quality of life. However, there are several things that a pet owner can do to help their animals shed the pounds and live a longer, happier life.

Assessing Your Dog

One way to get an idea if your dog is overweight is by checking their ribs. The ribs should not be visible as they stand, but still detectable when you touch them or when they move (such as jumping in the air to catch a Frisbee). If you cannot feel your dogs ribs, they are probably overweight. The first and for most important measure though, is to take your dog to their veterinarian. Your dog should be seen on a yearly basis for a routine check up. One reason why visiting your veterinarian is so important is that some dogs do not look overweight. Large dogs can especially hide weight well. Your veterinarian will be able to decide if your dog is overweight and why. To help your veterinarian keep a record of what you are doing with your dog before you go. Record your dogs patterns such as sleeping, eating and exercise. In some cases weight issues might be due to medical conditions, such a thyroid problems, verses overeating and under exercising.

Feeding

Dog’s have a strong need for affection. One reason dogs overeat is that pet owners use food as an easy way to show their affection. It is not recommended to do this. Using food as a means of reward trains your dog to seek food for affection. This adds to their weight gain and all the other associated problems. Instead, fill their need for attention with games, petting and playing or get a new toy or go for a walk. Habits are hard to break, so here are few tips to help you. Do not leave food out all day. Set a schedule and a location to eat. One meal per day (or two small ones) is all that a dog needs. Also, one day each week with no food will help burn excess fat which they have stored in their bodies. Dogs are trained in behavior. If they beg at the table and someone gives them food, they learn that begging results in getting what they want. To help change this pattern feed your dog before you eat and keep them in another room while you have dinner. After, take them out for a walk or to play a game so they feel loved and get the attention they need. Once new patterns have been decided upon make sure everyone in the family is on board. Otherwise someone might feel “sorry” for the begging dog and give them “just a little something” and this will slow down or prevent your dog’s weight loss, especially if that “little something” is every day. Meet as a family to discuss the need for changes in your dog’s diet and how your animal will be effected if you don’t. This will help everyone understand why and help them keep the new rules.

Excercise

The enthusiasm for new changes might cause over doing exercise at first, but it is important not to do this. Start slowly, for just a few minutes a couple times a day. This will be sufficient at first and then you can slowly increase their activity. Encourage your dog to move around the house with you. Movement frequently and throughout the day is essential. If you take your dog out for a hard run to get him “in shape” it might do more harm than good. Especially when no exercise has been implemented in his routine before. A nice, leisurely walk is sufficient each day and then a couple of times a day as directed by your veterinarian. Another way to get movement is by playing games with your dog. As your dog increases in strength and endurance playing fetch is fun for the dog and helps them get in more activity. Follow your veterinarian’s plan and keep appointments. This is especially important if the weight loss is significant.

Loving your pet is doing what is best for them. Increasing their activity and reducing their treats and table scraps will help them become their ideal weight. Your dog will move easier and breath lighter and you can sleep better knowing their health is on the right track.

Emma Snow, an animal lover, works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

One of the most frustrating, yet easily correctable dog behaviors, involves getting your dog to stop jumping on you, on your family, on guests, and on furniture.

Once you understand why your dog or puppy is jumping you can make a few adjustments and stop your dog jumping in a flash….

Most often the reason that a dog or puppy jumps is to get your attention, She wants to play, to go out, get a treat, be fed or just have you pay attention to her.

In rare cases, a dog may jump because she is trying to establish superiority of her position within the pack that she is a member of in your home. If she jumps and you respond, she has made her point.

If your dog has been displaying behavioral traits relating to a lack of socialization and she does not understand that you are the pack leader, then you should ignore her when she jumps. The lack of response from you will indicate to your dog that she does not have control of the situation or of you, and is not the leader of the pack. The jumping will stop.

If, on the other hand, your dog’s jumping is of the most common, I want attention, variety, there are techniques you can use to stop your dog from jumping fairly easily.

Three Ways to Stop Your Dog From Jumping

The main point to keep in mind is that you must never allow your dog to jump and you must be consistent.

Here’s a few tips that many dog trainers use.

• Divert your dog’s attention before she jumps. If you get her to focus on fetching a ball when you walk in the yard, instead of jumping, she will start to associate the game with your arrival, in lieu of her needing to jump to get your attention

• Teach your dog to sit. Command your dog to sit when she is about to jump. Once she obeys this command, give her a treat. She’ll soon learn that she will be rewarded by “sitting” instead of jumping.

• Deflect your dog’s contact from you when she starts to jump and say “NO!” in a firm tone. Repeat this every time she jumps and do not laugh or play with her until she obeys.

It’s very important to use the same words and technique repeatedly and consistently when you are training your dog.

Act in a calm and collected manner displaying firm but kind leadership. Under no condition ever punish or strike your dog. This is not only cruel and unlawful but will reinforce the negative behavior that you are trying to correct.

Finally, if you find that getting your dog to stop jumping is a challenge that you need help with, call a professional dog trainer. They work with jumping dog issues on a regular basis and will help you stop your dog from jumping in no time.

Is your dog a jumping Jack?, a furniture jumper? or is grandma the recipient of jumping puppy greetings? Whatever the issue, you can have a well behaved dog today by visiting, Dogs 4 Life at http://www.dogs-4life.com/disobedient-dog-help.html
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