How Can I Stop My Dog's Incessant Barking?

How Can I Stop My Dog's Incessant Barking?
Is your dog’s barking getting out of control? Does the barking get worse when you leave your home? Are your neighbors at their wit’s end? Are you contemplating getting rid of your dog? Bark collars can stop barking dogs quickly, easily, and humanely. When used properly, the electronic bark collar can stop your dog’s barking completely within a matter of few days. If all else fails, however, surgery might be a reasonable alternative. Most electronic bark control collars employ sound as the basic stimulus because it is well established that animals learn more quickly and retain a better memory when the desired behavior is associated with a sound. The more advanced models progressively increase the sonic stimulus as barking persists. Some models employ gradually increasing electric shock stimulus along with the sound to stop even the most stubborn barkers in a humane manner. The more sophisticated electronic bark collars sense the vibrations in a dog’s throat that happen only during barking. By doing so, they prevent false corrections from other loud noises and from other dogs barking. The drawback with some “barking dog collars” is that they may detect barking with a microphone and activate on sound; these can be set off by other noises or by another dog’s bark. Some Barking Dog Collars use only vibration; these can be set off by motion or jostling. Stay away from the following types of bark collars: 1) Bark Dog Collars the project a spray mist which startles and confuses the dog’s olfactory senses, causing him to stop barking. These mists may cause allergic reactions and hypersensitivity in your dog. 2) Independent devices that have a built-in microphone tuned to the sound of your dog’s bark. They emit a loud correction to startle the dog so he stops barking. They automatically stop and reset themselves after each auditory correction. The dog feels no correction with this type of bark stopper and can simply move away to another location further from the receiver and completely avoid the sound all together. Look for a barking dog collar with the following features: 1) One that simultaneously senses both sound and vibration, and only uses a combination of sound and vibration to trigger the electronic correction. By having both of these features, the electronic bark collar will be activated only by the dog wearing the collar, so there won’t be any “false corrections” caused by loud noises or other dogs’ barking. 2) One that automatically adjusts the level of static correction to your dog’s temperament with different levels of self-adjustable corrections in response to the bark intensity of your dog. The more intensity settings will help to accommodate the most sensitive too the most stubborn dogs. 3) One that provides a warning beep with the first bark. 4) One with a rechargeable battery, which features a low battery indicator light. 5) One that features a quickfit buckle that provides a quick release. 6) One that is durable, light weight, waterproof, and adjustable. 7) One that comes with a complete operating guide and a video tape demonstration. In some extreme cases, however, an electronic bark collar may fail to produce results. If your dog happens to exemplify such a case, then a surgical procedure called “De-barking” might provide you with a suitable alternative. The surgery is fairly simple to perform and your dog’s barking will be replaced with “squealing” sounds. The surgery will not affect your dog physically or psychologically as it will not make any difference to your dog whether it squeals or barks. However, there are several drawbacks to surgery. First, the procedure is irreversible; and second, your dog won’t be able to alert you to intruders. If you are at your wit’s end, when you have exhausted all others means, when you can no longer face your angry neighbors, then surgery might be the best alternative to giving your dog away.

Armen T. Ghazarians offers advice, information, and articles regarding many aspects of <a title="professional dog training" href="http://newdogtrainingsecrets.com/">professional dog training</a> for all those who are not professional dog trainers themselves. For more articles like this one, visit his website at <a href="http://www.newdogtrainingsecrets.com">http://www.newdogtrainingsecrets.com </a>.

Looking After Your Dog, Part Eleven - Older Dogs
The advances in medicine and veterinarian competence have significantly improved the life expectancy of pets. And this entails a rather new aspect in canine care - how to care for older dogs. Since the life expectancy of dogs is typically 15-20 years, the transition from one life stage to another appears rather rapid to humans. You must recognize the signs of your dog getting old so that you can provide it the much needed extra care.

As with humans, aging in pets is a gradual process. It entails a gradual deterioration of organs, waning of sensory perception, and flagging of energy and strength. However, with a few precautionary measures and adjustments, you can keep your dog happy in the last years of its life.

The first signs of aging may appear at different times for different breeds. It also varies from one dog to another. A strong, healthy dog will probably age later than a dog that has constantly suffered from various ailments early in its life. The first sign of aging is a gradual decrease in the activity level, depicting loss of strength and energy. Older dogs have a tendency to sleep longer than usual and depict a loss of excitement for a long stroll or other fun games and activities.

Hearing impairment and a reduced visual acuity are a result of aging. Skin and coat, which once used to be lustrous and shiny, looks pale and rigid in older dogs. Oil producing sebaceous glands are weakened. Non-malignant tumors may appear under the skin, which are noticed when you rub your hand through your dog s skin. The organs in older dogs lose their efficacy and the immune system is unable to ward off bacteria and viruses.

Although aging is an inevitable process, dog owners can delay its deteriorating effects through discreet canine care. Periodic visits to the veterinarian and administration of vaccines can help prevent common diseases. Annual checkups for intestinal parasites need be done. A nutritious diet is essential at all stages of a dog s life. Therefore, you must purchase the best dog food available even if your dog has grown old.

Exercise is a must for dogs. Dogs with a protruding belly are more likely to fall ill and suffer the consequences of aging much earlier than a slim and active dog. Therefore, take your dog for a casual stroll and make it do a few exercises. This would help it stay agile and in shape even in the later years of its life.

There are many products now available that will help your dog, and you, enjoy her senior years.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you <a href="http://www.best-pet-health.info">health information for older dogs</a>. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - <a href="http://www.dognewscenter.com">Dog Article Directory</a> - Submit Your Articles Now Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Dog Obedience Training - A New Approach
So you’ve got a dog? Great! Science has shown that dog owners live longer, happier lives. But what now?

Obedience training is one of the most important things you can do - for your dog and for yourself. The goal is to lay the obedience groundwork between you and your dog, and be able to use that foundation to overcome any behavior problems.

It’s all about communication. Effective communication with your dog is extremely important. You can teach a dog anything with proper communication. On the other hand, without proper communication, it will be nearly impossible.

Dogs are fun-loving animals, and without any training they will act like… animals! They will keep you awake all night barking, urinate and defecate on your furniture, chew up your belongings and just generally destroy your home. They might even bite you, or harm themselves by attacking another dog or running around in the street. You don’t want your dog bolting for the door anytime freedom is offered him, and you don’t want to spend hours trying to find a dog who doesn’t understand where his home is. All of these things can be cleared up quickly and easily with the right obedience training.

Most “behavior problems,” or things we humans don’t want happening, are completely normal behavior for dogs. The problem lies in that they occur at the wrong time or place. For example, your dog will urinate all over your brand new carpet instead of urinating outside like you want him to; or your dog will bark endlessly, all night long, for seemingly no reason, instead of barking only when there’s a creepy burglar creeping around outside your home, waiting to attack. Dogs are naturally good-natured animals: they want to help protect you and your family and live a happy life. They just need some coaching to direct their instinctive behaviors to work in more modern living spaces, such as your home or apartment.

Dog obedience training also establishes the owner (you) as the pack leader. As pack leader, you lay down clear behaviour guidelines for the pack to follow. This is the social hierarchy of the canine family, and if there is no pack leader established, the dog will assume he is the pack leader. This is why dog obedience training is very important. All dogs have an extremely wide capacity to learn basic and even extremely complicated obedience. They just need someone to teach it to them.

But don’t get ahead of yourself just yet. The first step in obedience training is to have fun with the dog, show him love and compassion. Give your dog a reason to respect you, and a reason to listen to the guidance you have to offer. You should only use commands such as “stay” when you literally want your dog to stay - such as while on a walk or if he has run away from you too far. Do not use “stay” if the dog has no choice BUT to stay - such as leaving your dog in your car for a minute while you run in and cash your paycheck.

Just begin by respecting your dog’s behavior, whatever it may be, and gently lay groundwork as to what is and what is not acceptable. Praise your dog for good behaviour instead of chastising him for bad behavior. This, in turn, lets your dog know the proper way to behave, and the good behavior replaces the inappropriate behavior.

Never abuse your dog in hopes of proper obedience training. Every dog has a different personality, just like people are each different. Learn your dog’s personality, and you will be able to learn how to train them. But also be willing to learn from your dog, and have your dog teach you lessons.

Above all, always remember the reason you got a dog to begin with: companionship, happiness and fun.

John Rapp has spent many years perfecting an amazing new system of <a href="http://www.johnrapp.org/dogtrainingoffer.html"title="dog obedience training">dog obedience training</a>

Fixing The Problem Of The Doberman Who Liked To Urinate In A Crate
A Doberman Pinscher owner sent me this question:

“Dear Adam: I loved your book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” and your web site, Dogproblems.com.

They have been very helpful.

My biggest training problem right now has to do with potty training. My dog is a 5 month-old Doberman female. About 2 months ago she had a bladder infection, so she started not making it through the night. She would pee in her crate and then whine that she had to go out. We have since taken her to the vet and given her the entire dose of antibiotics and the infection is all cleared up. She makes it through the night fine now, but if we have to lock her in her crate during the day she pees in her crate.

She doesn’t seem to have too much separation anxiety, although I remember reading somewhere that Dobermans are prone to this. We let her outside to do her business and then lock her up a few minutes before we leave and she is quiet during that time. When we get home she is asleep or quiet. We wait a few minutes after getting home during which she is quiet, maybe whines a little, before we let her out. The only problem is that there is a puddle of pee at the bottom of her crate. We leave a few toys for her to chew on while she is in there, but nothing else, no bedding just the plastic of the bottom of the crate. She doesn’t seem to mind laying in it and we usually have to give her a bath when we get home. I’m not sure if I should punish her for this cause I know the timing is WAY off, but it’s getting so frustrating I don’t know what else to do.

I should also mention that we don’t have to be gone for this to happen. If she is locked up because while we are home, she does the same thing. She is generally quiet while she is in there, but after an hour or so she will whine loudly and when we get to her, there is already a puddle.

Thank you for your help. I look forward to implementing your advice.

Sincerely,
Tim

Dear Tim:

When you remove her from the crate after she urinates, be sure to clean the area thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner. This will break down the urine at the molecular level so its scent will be completely gone, not just covered up.

You should also limit her time in the crate to lower the chances of this happening. Only leave her confined when absolutely necessary or when she cannot be supervised. Along with this, it would be helpful to limit her water intake to a strict schedule and when she does drink, take her outside and let her relieve herself after a period of time.

Depending on the dog’s condition (hot and panting versus calm and tired), water will go through their system in anywhere from 20-45 minutes. If you put her in the crate immediately after she urinates outside, she might be less inclined (and able) to use the crate as a bathroom.

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: <a href="http://www.dogproblems.com" target="_blank">http://www.dogproblems.com</a>

2 Doggy Drooling Dog Treat Recipes
Dog Treat Recipes 1

Delicious Doggy Dip

Ingredients
- 3tbsp Peanut Butter
- 2tbsp Honey
- 1 very ripe banana (or if you want you can use a jar of baby food fruit. Any
flavour your dog likes will be fine)
- 450grams or 16 ounces of vanilla yogurt
- 1tbsp whole wheat flour

Directions
1. Mix the peanut butter, honey and fruit together until well blended.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the yogurt and flour and mix well.
3. Add the fruit to the yogurt and blend together.
4. Keep cold in your refrigerator.

You can use this dip to coat or dip
biscuits and treats. Allow treats to chill in refrigerator until this coating
is set and firm. This will help prevent big messes!

*******************************

Dog Treat Recipe 2

Brilliant Bacon Bites

Ingredients
- 3cups whole wheat flour
- cup milk
- 1 egg
- cup bacon fat (or vegetable oil)
- 1tsp garlic powder
- 3-4 slices bacon, crumbled up
- cup cold water

Directions
1. Mix ingredients together thoroughly.
2. Roll out on a floured surface to - thickness.
3. Bake for 35-40 mins in a 162 C or 325 F

Remember to let cool.
Justin Bryce is the Proprietor of /www.dogtreatrecipes.com.au> Stop by for over 400 dog treat recipes /www.dogtreatrecipes.com.au> and fantastic dog health and care tips plus way’s to spoil your dog.

Justin Bryce is the Proprietor of http://www.dogtreatrecipes.com.au Stop by for over 400 dog treat recipes and fantastic dog health and care tips plus way's to spoil your dog.

Dog Dry Skin - Tips and Treatments
Shiny coat is a sign of healthy pet. Dogs can have all sorts of skin problems and they range in severity from benign to very serious. As Winter approaches and the temperature begins to drop, you notice a new behavior with your dog: he is constantly scratching, biting or licking his fur. As each day grows cooler, his behavior worsens. Winter is also a time when we experience dry hands and feet, and as such we require extra treatment during this time to keep our skin moist and healthy. Any dog can have dry skin; it is not an exclusively human condition. Just like us, dogs need good skin care to prevent itching and flaking.

Is your home dry in the winter? If so, this could be causing dry skin itch. Use a room humidifier to moisten the air. Also, try a moisturizing shampoo from the pet store. Do not bathe your dog too often; keep his coat clean but that is all–this will help with the scratching and, also, keep them from being uncomfortable during winter months. Water and winter do not mix well with your pet. When you must bathe your dog, be sure to use a dog shampoo. A dog’s ph level is different from our own and human shampoos can be harsh on their skin. Instead, buy a dog shampoo that can offer moisturizing effects. Besides providing moisture, many shampoos can also offer flea and parasite protection, which can also help lessen scratching. Some of the more promising cures are herbal extracts such as horsetail, dandelion, spirulina, and fucus, which can help maintain skin and fur health, improve digestive health, and promote general well-being in dogs and cats. Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander; if possible, a quick brushing every day will help your pet immensely. Healthy skin, ultimately, reflects a dog’s lifestyle. By using quality foods and adding fatty supplements to their food (oil, etc), you can guarantee your dog to have a flake-free coat.

But when your dog skin is flaky, red and irritated or some noticeable bumps, rashes or other unusual inflammations, this could be a sign of something serious. Others see some open sores in dog body or dog’s hair is falling out excessively, your dog needs to see his vet. He could just be allergic to his fleas or something in your home. It’s important to get some sort of flea control. Your vet can help you determine and eliminate any other allergens that are causing your dog trouble.

Also dog hotspots are very common, they are typically a bacterial infection. They might have started out as just an allergy, but as the dog scratched, he broke open the skin and introduced bacteria into the sore with his dirty paws. The bacteria grows and causes further irritation to the skin. The vet will want to clear up the initial allergy as well as treat the new infection. He may also prescribe a pain reliever. Most of the time, your dog’s skin troubles can be solved using a variety of treatments. Some are topical like creams and shampoos. Others are pills or injections. Be patient though, not all dogs respond similarly to treatment. It may take a while to find what works.

Common tips to prevent and treat dog skin allergies is to give the right and healthy food. Premium dog foods like Wellness, Royal Canin and Science Diet are balanced nutritionally, with less grain and more meat. One way to determine the quality of a dog food is to look at the first few ingredients, which should be a meat, rather than a grain. Fresh foods like meats and vegetables are high in nutrients and vitamins, which will help to improve a dog’s skin and coat by improving overall health. Consider adding fresh meats, and vegetables and fruits like carrots, celery, broccoli, apples (with no seeds), and greens like kale to each meal. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset. A dehydrated dog is going to be prone to dry skin, among other health problems, and some dogs simply don’t drink what they should. Provide extra fluids by serving wet food or by hydrating dry food. Add hot water to kibble, allow the kibble to sit for about ten minutes — this should cause the kibble to swell with water, providing extra fluid with each meal. Fresh vegetables also have high water content, aiding further in providing moisture to the dog’s body. Oils can greatly improve the condition of a dog’s itchy or dry skin. So once daily, soak one or two pieces of bread with olive oil and serve with each meal. Or add the oil directly to the dog’s meal by providing a teaspoon of olive oil for each 15 pounds of body weight.

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How To Help a Dog Suffering With Arthritis
Is your beloved dog suffering with arthritis? There is no
cause for worry as you can get the right medical aid with
natural treatments for your dogs.

First, however, it is essential that you are properly
informed of what arthritis is all about. You must know how
your dog became infected with the disease and how he or she
can recover quickly.

The immediate response of many dog owners that have
discovered that their dog is infected with arthritis is to
go the nearest veterinary. Though this is good, you need to
be aware that there is a better alternative to the problem
of arthritis in your dog. The solution is natural treatment
for dogs with arthritis.

Not many people are informed about natural treatments for
dogs with arthritis. It is not as complicated as many
thought. And also, there is nothing diabolical in it. It is
just an alternative solution to the medical aid we get from
our doctors.

What is arthritis and how does it affect your dog?

The inflammation or swelling in a joint is referred to as
arthritis. The causes include the following:

- Abnormal bone or joint development
- Instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons
- Damage to joints
- Infection
- Injury caused by immune system

Though there are anti-inflammatory medicines in the market
for the treatment of arthritis, there is a better approach
to its treatment. The approach is a natural treatment for
dogs.

The following are tips that will greatly assist your
ailing dog with arthritis.

- It is essential that you have your dog placed on slip-
free flooring. A slippery floor will not be of help in the
treatment of arthritis in your dog. This is because your
dog needs to have a firm grip on the floor while
recuperating. It is therefore recommended that you have a
rug or carpet in place.

- Swimming has been discovered to be of great help in the
treatment of arthritis in dogs. Swimming is a no-weight
bearing activity that will help your dog recover quickly
from arthritis. It is advisable that the swimming is
monitored so that the dog doesn’t drown in the pool.
Swimming will help exercise all the parts of the body of
your dog.

- It is recommended that you give your dog a soft bed in
the quest for recovery. Your dog needs all the rest he or
she could get on a soft bed that can cushion its ailing
body. Just like a slippery floor is detrimental to your
dog’s recovery, a hard bed is not ideal for him either.

- A peaceful and quiet environment is what your dog with
arthritis needs to recover from the disease. Let your
children be informed of this as your lovely dog may not be
tolerant of their noise and playfulness while recuperating.

- A good massage could also be what your ailing dog needs
to get off arthritis. A gentle massage from you might
provide the much needed assurance of your love for the dog.
But if you cannot do it for some reason or other, it is
advisable that you employ a professional animal massage
therapist to do the job for you. The massage will increase
flexibility, blood circulation, and calmness which go a
great length in giving your dog the good health he or she
deserves.

Above all, you must be aware that recovery of dogs with
arthritis takes a while. Hence, it is worthwhile giving
them that extra attention that they need.

Give enough time to your dog as he or she recovers from
arthritis. A natural treatment for dogs with arthritis is
highly recommended when you can’t afford the huge fees
charged by veterinary doctors out there.

For more information please visit http://www.five95ebooks.com/Natural_Dog_Care.html and see how you can learn more about caring for your dog naturally. To see our growing list of other $5.95 eBooks, please visit www.Five95eBooks.

Dog Training Part I
Dog training is the process of teaching a dog to exhibit certain desired behaviors in specific circumstances. Some examples are:

* Teaching a dog basic obedience commands (part of obedience training)
* Teaching a dog to perform tricks casually or for circus acts
* Teaching a guide dog to lead the blind
* Teaching a rescue dog to find victims of a disaster
* Helping a hunting dog learn to perform its instinctive behaviors at appropriate times

The specific behaviors taught in each case are different, but the underlying principles are similar.

In the wild as pack animals, canines have natural instincts that favor training. These instincts are manifested when the dog lives with humans as a desire to please a handler, as a dog would please senior members in a pack in the wild. The handler is simply whoever is working with a dog at the time.

Basic training

Most dogs, no matter their eventual advanced training or intended purpose, live with people and therefore must behave in a way that makes them pleasant to have around and for their own safety and that of other people and pets. Dogs do not figure out basic obedience on their own; it must be trained.

Basic training classes

Professional “dog trainers” usually do not train the dogs, but actually train the owners how to train their own dogs. Although it is also possible to send a dog away to a training school, the owner still must at some point learn what the dog has learned and how to use it and reinforce it. Owners and dogs who attend class together have an opportunity to learn more about each other and how to work together under a trainer’s guidance. Training is most effective if everyone who handles the dog takes part in the training to ensure consistent commands, methods, and enforcement.

Formal training in classes is not always available until the puppy has completed all its vaccinations at around 4 months; however, some trainers offer puppy socialization classes in which puppies can enroll immediately after being placed in their permanent homes as long as disease risk is minimal and puppies have receieved initial vaccinations. In most cases, basic training classes accept only puppies who are at least 3 to 6 months old.

Next article: Dog Training Part II - Age for early training

Hagar lagarto is a long time Pet lover with many articles and websites on the subject.You can get much more info at http://pet.freehostia.com

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