How to Stop Dog Growling and Snapping with Behavior Modification

Growling is a natural behavior in dogs and rather than looking for how to stop dog growling, the best approach would be to evaluate the underlying cause and work on the issue directly.

A growling dog can be intimidating and even dangerous, especially if you have small children in the house.

But there are many reasons why dogs may growl and they are not always necessarily linked to aggression.

So, depending on the type of growling you have to deal with, this behavior can be a serious problem… or nothing to be concerned about.

The best way to reduce or even stop dog growling is by interpreting its true meaning.

Dogs are masters in body language and non-verbal communication, but a vast array of vocalizations are also part of their vocabulary.

Growling is generally a warning indicating discomfort, fear or aggression. If a dog could talk, the growl in many cases would most likely mean "get away from me" or perhaps a more serious "I will bite if I need to". For this reason, dog growling should never be underestimated since it often indicates a problem.

Suppressing the growl by correcting this verbal manifestation is generally not recommended because this could result in a dog biting without warning. Growling, as unpleasant as it can be, is actually an important outward manifestation that needs addressed, often from an emotional level.

We will see more about how to stop dog growling in the next sections.

All dogs can growl given the right circumstances. Here are some examples of this behavior:

A resource guarder will likely growl if another dog or person gets too close to something the dog deems valuable such as bones, toys and food. When a mother dog has puppies, she may feel the need to growl so to protect them from any perceived threat, especially during the puppy's very first days. Pain may elicit a dog to growl. Consult with your dog's vet to determine if there are any health issues behind your dog's growling. But because a dog in pain can also bite, muzzling a dog at the vet may be a good idea when painful procedures are involved.Undersocialized dogs may feel compelled to growl anytime they perceive a threat and want to protect themselves from harm. Socializing your dog when he is still young can greatly diminish this behavior in the future.Territorial dogs, on the other hand, may growl in attempt to send an intruder away. Some dogs may growl to assert their status in the pack.

But not all growling is a sign of puppy aggression; indeed, many dogs engage in noisy growling displays when playing.

The accompanying body language in a growling dog is fundamental for interpreting the true meaning of the growl and stopping dog growling.

So if suppressing the growling is counterproductive, how to stop dog growling?

Recognizing the reason why the dog is growling in the first place is the key to the resolution of the problem. For instance, if the dog has not been socialized properly and is growling at people or other dogs, the dog must be gradually introduced to them through an appropriate behavior modification program.

Dogs prone to resource guarding food or toys must learn that the owner's intent is not to remove the resource. This is often accomplished by tossing tasty treats while walking by until the dog associates the owner getting closer with something good. Great progress is being made when a dog starts anticipating the owner walking by.

Dogs growling during unpleasant procedures such as nail trims or baths must be gradually taught how to enjoy these procedures. Keep some treats in your pocket and reward good behavior after the procedure is done. This will teach your dog that something good is going to happen, but only if he behaves.

A dog or puppy growling during play is generally not threatening, but if play gets too rough it is a good idea to ask for a temporary time-out.

While growling during play is generally non-threatening when accompanied by playful body language, growling under other circumstances deserves attention.

A dog growling upon taking its food away, upon being asked to do something or upon being moved from its favorite resting spot needs to be addressed in the correct way. Dog trainers with extensive expertise in dog behavior or applied animal behaviorists are often the best sources for recognizing the causes of growling and helping you to stop dog growling.

Dog owners should never underestimate growling. It is a big mistake to ignore a growling dog only to think the problem will solve on its own.

Punishing a dog for growling is counterproductive not only because it deprives the dog from an important warning system but also because it is dangerous. Resorting to physical corrections, such as alpha rolls and neck scruffs, to stop dog growling may cause a growling dog to become more defensive and bite.

While a deep, guttural growl may be a scary thing to hear, truth is, growling is a gift. If your dog growls he is likely telling you he does not like something and would like you to stop and move away. This verbal form of communication is ultimately a form of ritualized aggression preventing you from getting bit.

Learning how to stop dog growling requires you to go to the root of the problem and work your way up from there.

Here is a brief video that provides additional information about causes of dog growling...

For more advice on how to stop dog growling and snapping, I highly recommend you read and follow this dog training guide. You'll find lots of information on dealing with many behavioral problems, including growling.

You may also wish to explore the following articles:

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Return from Stop Dog Growling to Puppy Behavior

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"Dachshunds are ideal dogs for small children, as they are already stretched and pulled to such a length that the child cannot do much harm one way or the other." More great dog quotes here...

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Check Out These 5 Awesome Doggy Links

We’re always reading wonderful articles throughout the blogosphere and each week (at least each week we have time) we post our favorite doggy blog articles and post them here at the Puppy In Training blog.  If you have an especially awesome blog post coming up please let us know about it and we will consider it for our weekly roundup.

This weeks cute puppy picture:

Derby - Yellow Lab Taking A Nap

Whale Poop Sniffing Dog Is Saving Killer Whales – If you know us then you’ll know over the past couple years we’ve been very interested in sniffer dog training.  In fact, our black Labrador Retriever, Stetson loves our K9 Nosework training class and has an unmatched enthusiasm for searching and finding the different odors/scents.  Obviously we have not worked on Stetson finding whale poop, but maybe it’s in his future!?  Anyhow check out how a whale poop sniffing dog helps save killer whales.

Are Too Many Vaccinations Bad For Dogs – We’ve always wondered about over vaccination and this article discusses some of the things you might want to do when it comes to vaccinating your dog.  We plan on visiting our vet and finding out his thoughts on the subject as well.  I’ve always been worried that over vaccination could be harmful to my dog and agree with the article that “less is more”.

When Dogs Dig: How To Curb The Digging Habit In Your Canine – We haven’t had a digger in a while, but our old family dog used to love digging to hide his possessions.  Anytime we gave him a treat he’d bury it in the side yard when we weren’t looking.  If we stared at him for a couple minutes instead of burying his treat he’d just eat it.  I wonder if he ever dug up those old treats when he was hungry?

GoPetFriendly.com Pet Blogger Challenge – This year we participated in the 2nd annual Pet Blogger Challenge sponsored by the GoPetFriendly Blog and the WillMyDogHateMe Blog.  Lucky for us we barely got our blog entry into the blog hop and we were the 95th blog to participate.  Here’s our Pet Blogger Challenge Entry.  The challenge asks 8 questions about your blog that was a good exercise in looking at the past and future of our blog.  If you’re a dog blogger there’s definitely some gold in these mines!

What’s the Story Behind Your Pet’s Name – I love hearing about how people name their pets…there’s always a story.  We’re constantly thinking of new names for our puppies as we always seem to either be picking up new puppies or talking to our friends about their new pups.  Here’s our page on puppy names that helps us get started when it’s time to name our next pups.

That’s it for this week.  Remember if you ever have some awesome dog or puppy articles please let us know about it through our contact form or just leave us a comment in the comment section below.

So what about you guys?  Did you come across any interesting doggy blog posts this week?

Related posts: 5 Doggy Links You Should Not Miss5 Dog Links You Need To Check Out…NOW!Check Out These Awesome Halloween Dog Costumes!6 Dog Blog Links You Should Not MissWhen Doggy Treats Go Bad

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10 Puppy Potty Training Tips | How to Potty Train your Puppy

Get a feel of what to expect from housebreaking with these easy to follow puppy potty training tips.

Since potty training is such an important topic, I wanted to create something you could use as a reference. Something you could go to when you have a question or just need to find a tip... quickly.

You will find a lot of valuable suggestions here that will help you reduce puppy potty training time.

And since I plan to update this page on a regular basis, come back, and come back often!

Without wasting any more time, here are the…

Don't start puppy potty training before your puppy is 8 weeks of age. However, the earlier you start after 8 weeks, the easier and quicker the training will be.If at all possible, avoid puppy paper training. All it will accomplish is… prolong puppy potty training. Please visit paper training to find out why I strongly feel this way.Establish a feeding and walking schedule for your puppy. Just like humans, dogs learn quicker when put on a regular schedule.Don't scream at or hit your puppy when he messes up. If you do, all you will accomplish is a puppy that is scared of you. Just clean up and be more vigilant the next time.Just the opposite of the previous potty training tip, don't be stingy with praise when your puppy eliminates where he is supposed to. Praise does wonders in reinforcing positive behaviors.  Don't overfeed or overdrink a young puppy. Doing so guarantees an accident. Overfeeding is also not good for his health.Take a look at the food you are feeding to your puppy. Foods with too much fiber increase number of stools and the stools are softer and more difficult to clean. Consult your veterinarian for the best type of food for your puppy.A crate. This is the most valuable tool at your disposal. Use it correctly and you will reduce puppy potty training time and the damage that an untrained puppy can cause. You can find lots of crate training advice in this house training guide.Establish a command that you will use to let your puppy know that it's time for him to do his business. For example, every time that he eliminates, say something like "do it". With time, he will learn to associate the command with what you want him to do. When a setback occurs, just clean up and make sure the cleaner you use does not contain ammonia (visit dog urine remover to learn why).

Better yet, use a specially designed product, such as GET SERiOUS! Pet Stain, Odor and Pheromone Extractor.  

Here are some additional puppy potty training tips...

The above puppy potty training tips are easy to follow and a good place to start learning about potty training. However, as the header implies, these are just potty training tips. For more detailed discussion on puppy potty training, visit…

I also strongly recommend this Ultimate House Training Guide. In addition to some valuable potty training tips and advice, it explains several housetraining methods and lets you choose the one that works best for you and your dog.

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Boxing Training For Beginners

Boxing Training That Turns You From A Raw Beginner Into A Complete Boxing Pro.

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Top Tips For Puppy Obedience Training at Home

Best Dog Training Books

A puppy is a welcome addition to any family; however, if you are getting a puppy, you need to think about buying one of the best dog training books to get started on obedience training with your puppy so that they will be a joy to be around.

Here we cover the best dog training books available for purchase:

1. How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond

Not only does he have his own TV series, Cesar Millan is a well known dog expert who can easily interpret dog behavior and what you need to do as an owner to get the most out of your relationship. A very key point that he makes is how you need to start with a good foundation when your dog is young. It helps if you have a good training environment and frame of mind when you start your training. This guide not only trains your puppy, but also you, to prepare you to raise the best dog possible. One of the main points Cesar has is that a well behaved dog is one that receives early training in order to prevent behavior issues in the first place.

This book will show you very important factors, from what you will need to prepare for during each developmental stage of puppyhood, to how to properly housetrain him, good nutrition and proper feeding, when to vaccinate, how to be assertive, how to use and set rules and boundaries, how to correct issues before they become a problem and breed specific exercise techniques.

2. Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems

This is the next in the series of best dog training books, also from Cesar Millan. It covers ways that a dog owner can easily understand the needs of their dog and how they can build a better and closer relationship with their dog. He gets into great detail about the psyche of dogs and how they have simple or basic needs, which include exercise, discipline and affection. He also points out that there is no such thing as "problem dogs", but instead, "problem owners" who do not have a good understanding of their dog's needs or behaviors.

With this guide, you will be able to change unwanted behavior, as well as to train yourself to understand how to co exist with your dog, understand him and have a closer relationship.

3. Beyond Basic Dog Training

Once you have taught your dog the basics, you can grab this book to help you better understand canine learning patterns as well as how to stop "correcting". The alternative taught by this book is to teach your dog to stop being afraid to fail and to keep attempting to please you for rewards. You learn how to train your dog to "think" and to please you by using basic approaches that your dog will be able to understand.

The main theme of this book is to learn to work as a "team" together with your dog. This is one of the best dog training books that provides complete strategies as well as techniques that every dog owner should implement.

4. Good Dog 101: Easy Lessons to Train your Dog the Happy, Healthy Way

A lot of dog training methods teach you to punish or dominate your dog with physical force. This book is not like that, it teaches you a new approach to training your dog which is called the "learning theory", and is used by the SPCA. The guidelines in this book will help you to change your dog's behavior and make him an enjoyable member of your family.

There are not many people that have "natural" dog training skills and this book helps those short comings with complete step by step groundwork that shows you how to be highly successful in training your dog.

5. 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge and Bond with your Dog

Want to teach an old dog new tricks? This extensive trick book is one of the best dog training books in this category. It is simple to implement the methods shown in this book, because of the easy step by step instructions. You can start out with basic tricks and "build" on them as your dog learns each new trick. This book has many pictures and easy to follow simple instructions starting with basic tricks and working up to expert tricks.

You may be interested in teach your dog many universal hand commands, and those together with impressive tricks are all covered in this excellent book that can help you with dog training or puppy training dependent on your needs.

Or just join us at http://www.trainingapuppy.org to learn more about puppy training!

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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Graphic - Little Happy Puppy

WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won't damage your paint or leave any mess. PLEASE double check the size of the image you are ordering prior to clicking the 'ADD TO CART' button. Our graphics are offered in a variety of sizes and prices.

WallMonkeys are intended for indoor use only.

Printed on-demand in the United States Your order will ship within 3 business days, often sooner. Some orders require the full 3 days to allow dark colors and inks to fully dry prior to shipping. Quality is worth waiting an extra day for!

Removable and will not leave a mark on your walls.

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Our catalog of over 10 million images is perfect for virtually any use: school projects, trade shows, teachers classrooms, colleges, nurseries, college dorms, event planners, and corporations of all size.

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Dog Health Alert - Lepto Bacteria

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Dog Health Alert - Lepto Bacteria

In recent years, reports of the Leptospirosis bacteria in canines have risen.

Visit the Speak Dog Blog to learn more about how you can protect your dog.

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Crate Training As a Puppy Potty Training Technique

Puppy Aggression - Causes of Aggressive Behavior in Dogs

Puppies are extremely cute and cuddly, but puppy aggression may develop at any time because of genetics or the way people handle and interact with their puppies.

Truth is, the most teachable phases of puppyhood tend to pass quickly, and puppy owners must try to make the best out of this brief window of opportunity.

Puppy and dog aggression can be triggered by a variety of circumstances; however, knowing the underlying cause of your puppy's aggression is ultimately the key to reducing and resolving the problem.

While genetics play a role in how a puppy will develop when it comes to temperament, it is also true that puppies are blank slates when they are born. A great part of the way puppies interact with people and other dogs will be shaped through life experiences.

Puppies learn most about the world around them during the brief window of opportunity which opens at 3 weeks of age and closes around 16 to 20 weeks. In the first 8 weeks of puppy's life, interaction with its mother and litter mates plays a major role in shaping puppy's personality. After 8 weeks, both breeders and owners play a primary role in providing the puppy with proper socialization.

However, it is important to understand that puppy aggression may sometimes also have a genetic basis. A predisposition for fearful, anxious and general aggressive behavior may never be totally overcome; however, proper training may significantly change a dog for the better.

So, how do you know if your puppy or dog is overly aggressive? Take a look at the following list of dog behaviors.

BitingSnappingGrowlingExcessive barkingRaised fur along the back of the neck and the ridge of the spine

If you can recognize several of the above behaviors, and they occur frequently, chances are that you have an aggressive puppy or dog.

While all puppies have the potential for acting aggressively in the right circumstances, it is also true that some puppies are more predisposed than others to develop aggression.

For instance, some breeds of dogs may be predisposed to choosing aggression as their primary line of defense when dealing with problems. It is also true that bad breeding practices may cause a tendency for aggression to be passed down from one generation to another.

Among a litter of puppies there may be specimens more predisposed to assertive and aggressive behaviors. This ultimately explains why reputable breeders are quite selective when it comes to matching up puppies with owners.

Puppies removed too early from their mother and litter-mates may also develop aggressive traits because they have missed out important life lessons such as bite inhibition and other important social behaviors. There is also proof that poorly socialized puppies are also more likely to react fearfully to unfamiliar people and dogs. However, puppy aggression in many circumstances may be triggered by the incorrect interactions between dog and owner.

What causes aggression in puppies and dogs?

There are many factors at play. A puppy may react defensively when cornered or frightened by an owner, especially if the owner has resorted to physical punishment in the past.

Some puppies may become resource guarders, lashing out the moment a person or dog gets too close to their toys, bones or food.

Other puppies, on the other hand, may be assertive in nature and react aggressively when they feel their social status is being challenged.

It is not uncommon for older puppies to act aggressively when other dogs or people invade their perceived territory. These dogs are protecting their turf and some are even willing to bite in order to defend it.

In some cases, drives and instincts may kick in causing aggressive behaviors in dogs. For instance, predatory drive may escalate into biting when the dog is allowed to chase small animals or herding instincts may cause a puppy from strong working lines to chase and bite the ankles of children.

Finally, some puppies may exhibit signs of dog on dog aggression, including gender aggression (male vs. male, female vs. female).

Puppies suffering from aggressive behavior have a higher chance for recovery when the behavior is caught early.

The aid of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist is highly recommended especially in severe puppy aggression cases. A behavior modification program may sometimes benefit puppies displaying the early signs of aggression. Mild cases may improve by enrolling the puppy in a dog obedience training school and managing its environment.

If a puppy is deemed unsafe in a household with children, rehoming the puppy may be the safest and best option. When purchased from a reputable breeder, aggressive puppies and dogs may be returned back to the breeder.

If at any time you are concerned about your puppy's behavior taking a turn for the worst, don't hesitate to seek out help. While it is true that genetics may impose some limitations when it comes to how much you can change behavior, it is also true that when caught early, appropriate training can make changes happen to some extent.

Regardless of the cause, never underestimate puppy aggression; left untreated it tends to get worse not better.

Here is a brief video that talks about some of the things we just covered in this article...

For more advice on how to stop puppy aggression, I highly recommend you read and follow this dog training guide. You'll find lots of information on dealing with many behavioral problems, including dog and puppy aggression.

Find this article interesting? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and as always, your +1's, Shares, Facebook likes and retweets are appreciated.

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Basic Dog Training Commands to Make Your Dog Come Back When Called

MGA Rescue Pets Train And Play Puppy

This lovable little Rescue Pet acts just like a real puppy - he really drinks water, burps, then lifts his leg and wets! He even chews on his bone and does tricks when you blow the whistle. Train him to "sit" and "stand" on command. Requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 11.5" tall.

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Puppy Behaviour Training Tips

Training your new puppy at an earlier stage is the best thing to do. A friend was complaining to me that his dog is not behaving well and that he does not understand things. This is what happens when you put a limitation to the way to train your beautiful new puppy that you just bought. You will need to give him proper puppy behavior training at an earlier stage. This kind of training will make him obedient to you, your families, as well as seeing you as his boss.

You have to learn to take charge over your puppy. Make sure that there is a strong relationship between you too, let him see you as his leader, do not give him free hands to run around the house anytime he feels. Make him understand that there is time for everything, time to play, time to poop, to urinate and time to stay calm. If you allow your puppy to play to much he will lake respect and he won't be ready to learn.

A lot of people do not have the time train their puppy and this result to their puppies to grow wild, not respectful, aggressive and even chase other dog or even human in a wild manner. I am going to give some puppy behavior training tips that will help you train your puppy effectively.

A puppy understands what you teach them at their early stage. You can start by teaching them things like stand, sit, pick, roll, shark and so on. This will make him follow some basic command he needs. Dog likes anything that is challenging, so apply this and you will be surprise on how fast they can learn.

Make sure you are friendly with your dogs. Dogs like it when you treat them nice. After you are through with your lessons with them try taking them out for a walk, give them toys to play or you can feed as well, with this, you are building a solid relationship with your dogs/puppy.

Puppies are very sensitive. When they see you are pleased with them, they will want to put up that character that you admire. So always treat them well to make them learn fast. Please do not yell at them when on the process teaching them. Puppy behavior training should be the first training for your puppies.

You have now learned the tricks of training your puppies. there are different kind of puppy which have different ways of training them, why not go over here puppy training king and see for yourself

Instant Dog Training Videos

World-renowned dog trainer releases amazing new instant-access videos that end your dogs bad behavior in just minutes!

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Puppy Crate Training - Will it Benefit Or Cause Harm to Your Puppy?

Now that you have brought a new puppy home, the first important thing you need to do is to apply your newly learnt puppies training tips on your new pet. If you have carried out any research on puppy training, you would most probably have heard of puppy crate training and might actually be wondering if you should apply it on your own puppy. Before you decide whether crate training will benefit or cause harm to your puppy, you need to first find out what exactly is crate training for your puppy?

Contrary to what many people wrongly understand, puppy crate training does not mean confining your puppy to a crate and locking him there for the whole day! Yes, it does refer to putting your puppy in a crate but you are not being cruel if you do not use it as a punishment. Dogs are 'den' animals and they will feel safe and comfortable if they have a warm, cozy 'bed' where they can sleep in. You can even make the crate comfortable by adding in a soft cushion for him to sleep on. Crates can even be very useful when you want to bring your puppy out for a car ride as you can simply put the crate in the car and your puppy will not be frightened by the strange noises as the crate will be something familiar to him.

Despite all the common misconceptions, puppy crate training is a necessity for your puppy and there is nothing cruel about it. In fact, as mentioned above, it is even beneficial for your new pet.

Crate training for your puppy is not difficult to carry out either. If you crate train your puppy right from day one, your pet will actually grow to like it. This is because dogs do not like to soil the area where they are sleeping and eating in. They like to keep their cozy 'home' clean so crate training your puppy will prevent them accidentally soiling their sleeping place.

Before you start puppy crate training, you need to decide on the best time to carry out this training. The best way to find the suitable time is to take note of your puppy's sleep, eat and toilet timings. Make sure you do not carry out your crate trainings during these times when your puppy will be distracted such as when he is feeling hungry or when he needs to release himself. It is best done when he is feeling sleepy so you can gently place him in the crate when he can fall asleep comfortably.

One reason why many dog owners mistook crate training to be a cruel act is because they thought that the puppies would be kept locked up in them for long periods. This is far from the truth. When you crate train your puppy, you are actually providing your puppy with a clean, safe and comfortable 'den' which all dogs enjoy possessing. As long as you carry it out in the correct way, it will even make life better for both you and your puppy. It can also prevent your puppy from any separation anxiety that it might feel when you are not at home.

It will be worth mentioning that you need to expect some little 'accidents' along the way when your puppy might mess up the crate. However, it is vital that you remember not to punish him for the mishaps as it is definitely not done intentionally. Punishing him will only make him fear or dislike the crate.

Your puppy might not like to be crate trained at the beginning and will whine or fuss a lot. You must never give in or you will fail in your training. Instead you can start your crate training exercises on short periods of time like only 10 to 15 minutes and slowly building it up to longer timings after awhile. You can put your puppy's favourite toy at the back of the crate and encourage him to go into the crate and investigate. Just remember that in order for your puppy crate training exercise to be successful, you need to be very persistent and patient. Work at it everyday and over time, you will see results.

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Crate Training Your Puppy - Essential Dog Training Technique

Ainu Puppies | Breed Profile and Information about Hokkaido Inus

Maybe you are thinking about buying a puppy and want to know if this is the right breed of dog for you and your family?

No matter what your situation may be, you will find the answers to your questions right here!

Also known as a Hokkaido Dog and Hokkaido Inu, this is one of the oldest Japanese breeds. It originated in the mountains of Hokkaido and is named after the tribe that brought it over to Japan over 3,000 years ago.

This dog was used to hunt bears, deer and other large animals.

Like Akita, another Japanese breed, this breed was designated a national monument by the Japanese government in 1937.

This is a medium sized breed. It has a wide chest and a strong body that is slightly longer than it is tall. The tail is thick, curled and carried over the back. It also has small, dark brown eyes and a black nose. Ears are small, triangular and erect.

As you can expect from a Northern breed, it has a very thick double coat that allows it to withstand severe cold. This dog is well-suited to live outdoors.

Like Chow Chow and Shar Pei, Hokkaido Inu has dark spots on its tongue.

The Ainu is affectionate with its family but wary with strangers. He is intelligent, fearless (how else would you call a 65 pound dog willing to attack a bear weighting 10 times his weight?) and loyal.

Because it can be aggressive towards other animals, I recommend puppy socialization training while your pet is still young. But even after socialization training, it's a good idea to keep an eye on these dogs when they are around other animals.

If you introduce an Ainu to children while he is still a puppy, he will not have any problems with them when he grows up.

These dogs have a very good sense of direction and are known to return to their owners from great distances.

Overall, despite their long history as hunters, they can make excellent family pets.

Ainus will do best with an experienced dog owner who has a large fenced yard and lives in the suburbs. They love cold weather and will do better in a cool climate.

Some breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure this is the right breed for them.

This is a moderately active dog that needs regular exercise to stay in shape. Take him for several brisk walks every day.

The Ainu doesn't require as much brushing as many other double coated Northern breeds -- once a week should be enough.

Like all dog breeds, the Ainu is susceptible to complications caused by parasites such as dog ticks, fleas, and puppy worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Other than that, this is a very healthy and strong dog with no known health concerns. Still, buy only from reputable Ainu breeders (visit dog breeders to learn how to identify responsible dog breeders).

No matter how small the risk of health problems is, any puppy may get sick or injured. Many health problems will require an immediate attention from your Vet, but there are many others that will not, and you may handle them on your own.

To save time and money, learn how to diagnose and treat dog health problems that don't require your Vet's attention.

The average life expectancy for Ainu puppies is between 13 and 15 years.

Did you ever consider adopting your next pet?

If this is the breed you are interested in, and adoption appeals to you, consider contacting your local Ainu rescue. There are thousands of pets waiting for a loving home and, yes, it's possible to adopt a purebred dog.

Find this article interesting? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and as always, your +1's, Shares, Facebook likes and retweets are appreciated.

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Dog Training Expectations

When it comes to your dog you should have certain ideas on how you would like things to go, and with dog training expectations there should be no differences. Training is something that you should be fully fledged and completely hands on with, and this is something that you will want to watch fully to see the progress. This will allow you to see if things are not working the way you had expected, you will be able to make adjustments in order to see the success that you desire.

The Trainer

When you are going to take your puppy to a new training session, dog training expectations should always include the trainer themselves. The trainer needs to be experienced with dogs and their behavior, and this is something that you need to look out for. If you cannot see a certificate of training classes' competition, then you may want to move on. The trainer needs to have an understanding of what the dog actually needs, as this will allow them to build a relationship. When you are finding trainers like this, you have the best possible chance at seeing success with your puppy. A good trainer will allow the dog to grow at their own pace, and not try to rush a puppy through the classes. If the puppy is scooted through the lessons, they are far more likely to fail. This could actually be a detrimental thing for the puppy.

Don't Waste Your Money

If you are trying to get your puppy into classes you are going to want to pay close attention to the specifics of the class. This means that you will want to see how big the class is, and how many people are actually dealing with smaller younger dogs. Dog training expectations should always means that you will pay close attention to the fine details of the class itself.

If you feel that the class is not what your puppy needs, then you would be best served to avoid it and look elsewhere. There are many great dog training schools out there today, and some of them are even associated with certain breeders. It might not hurt to look into the breeder where you purchased your dog, to see if they have a handle on a great trainer. The best interest for the dog is that you find a trainer that will be able to cater to their specific personality.

Look Out For Your Dog

You are going to want the best for your new puppy, and this should always include quality training. Dog training expectations mean that you are involved with the entire process, and this is something that will show benefits to the dog's behavior at the end of the day. This is good for the dog, good for you, and good for your household. A well behaved dog, will offer you many years of enjoyment as a family pet. This is something that you should be looking forward too.

Sandra Dobson writes dog food and dog training related articles for the Good Dog Food Recipes website at http://gooddogfoodrecipes.com/dog_training_tips_for_beginners.html

Newlyweds - Nick &amp; Jessica - The Complete Second and Third Seasons

MTV's reality series about the joys and challenges of juggling a relationship with rising celebrity kicks into a higher gear in seasons 2 and 3 now that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have a year of marriage under their belts. With both of them--separately and together--in heavy demand in Atlantic City, at photo shoots, surf meets, parades, football games, movie auditions, television and radio shows, and more, the couple have a hard time finding energy to be together. In the 20 episodes included in the Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica: The Complete Second and Third Seasons boxed set, there are several instances in which the pair go to some lengths to find private time: attending the Kentucky Derby, traveling to be with family over Christmas holidays, and taking a skiing trip that doesn't work out so well for poor Nick.

Meanwhile, Nick and Jessica have to contend with aggressive paparazzi and fans, exhausting hours under hot lights, Jessica's pushy father-manager, and interpersonal conflicts when Jessica's best friend (and personal assistant) moves in with the couple. Compensating for all those trying times, however, is the duo's obvious devotion to one another, made clear through several elaborate, celebratory gestures each makes toward the other. Even if one doesn't find either Nick or Jessica to be particularly stimulating company, or find the process of turning somewhat talented people into larger-than-life celebrities to be interesting, the fly-on-the-wall documentary approach of Newlyweds quickly becomes irresistible to the voyeur in everyone. --Tom Keogh

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October 3, 2011 - Rabies Awareness

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October 3, 2011 - Rabies Awareness

Because rabies can be transmitted from animals to man, it’s important to keep your dog (and other mammals) current on his rabies vaccination. This protects you, your pets and your community. If you find wildlife or stray pets on your property, contact your local animal control office right away. If you are bitten, wash bite wounds with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. If your pet is bitten, consult your veterinarian right away. Know the requirements in your community for rabies certification for your pets. Some animal shelters offer rabies vaccines at low cost as a public health service.

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Pettag Small 8-25# Dog Sonic &amp; Vibration No-Bark Collar

Pet Tags Adjustable No Bark Dog Collar - Anti-Bark CollarPet Tags Anti-Bark collar is gentle yet effective. Our Pet Tags Adjustable Anti-Bark Collar is like getting two collars in one. With two different modes to select from the collar can be tailored specifically to your dog's needs. Sound mode releases a high frequency sound that deters dogs from barking. The Anti-Bark Collar can be set to vibration mode and every time your dog barks the collar will release a vibration. Low, medium, and high settings allow you to adjust the level according to your dog. Adjustable nylon collar fits most dogs. Includes 3xLR44 1.5V battery cells.

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Tips For Successful Puppy Dog Potty Training

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Dog Training Exercise - Come When Called

Puppy Potty Training - The Things You Have to Know

Puppy Potty Training is not so unusual from training older dogs. It is true that teaching old dogs new tricks would be more challenging because they already learned routines from the past. Patience is all you need to make your potty training successful. Although, it is still much better to start off training a puppy that never experienced training at all than a dog that has been trained many times and may have holdups and hindrances to not learn potty training the right way.

It has been believed that mature dogs can do better bowel control than new puppies. Soon after the dog has learned that it is not tolerable to do it inside the house, impediments on potty training will be occasional. Contrary to training puppies, it can begin its training right away.

You have to remember that establishing a schedule is one of the main key you have to be consistent about. Other dog owners would wait for their dogs to give them a cue if they have to get rid of their waste, and that is when they take their dogs outside of their homes. It is highly recommended for you not to wait or bring your dogs outside every single day. Just set a schedule on when during the day you would practice him for potty training . This is because dogs basically learn fast and if you follow a set schedule, they are most likely to learn quickly. You also have to reward your dog for a job well done by praising him. The ultimate goal is for you to set a proper schedule and reinforce your dog positively.

Undoubtedly, it may take a little while and you would definitely encounter difficulties throughout the process. One of these challenges would be the fact that you have to clean up their mess whenever they need to purge their waste. The good news is that we have potty training systems out in the market which can save you from cleaning their urine or feces every single time they mess up your home.

Porch Potty is the best tool you'd ever need in completing the potty training phase of your dogs. It is the best tool ever invented to aid in teaching your dogs the right way of doing it. It saves you time, money and the hassles of cleaning up your dog's mess!

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about puppy potty training, you'll love everything else you find at http://www.porchpotty.com

5 Types of Dog Training

Dog Spaying | What is Spaying and How it will Affect your Dog

Dog spaying is a painless procedure that can alleviate a lot of behavioral and health problems.

But while the procedure is pretty common, there are still a lot of misconceptions about its effects on dog's life.

These are some of the questions you may be asking.

I will try to provide you with unbiased information so that you can decide for yourself if your dog can benefit from having it.

To spay a dog, a veterinarian will surgically remove her ovaries and uterus. The procedure is very routine and painless for your dog. Normally, it's performed before your dog's first estrus, at about six months of age. In recent years, it became more common to perform it on puppies as young as eight weeks of age.  

There is a big misconception that after you spay your dog, she will become fat and lazy. While some dogs may be more lazy than others by nature, do not attribute it to the procedure itself. Out of the five dogs that I owned, two were neutered (read more about dog neutering), one was spayed and the remaining two were unaltered.

None of my dogs were lazy and, because of the healthy and moderate diet and plenty of exercise, they were not fat.

Did you know that in a lot of municipalities, it costs less to license spayed dogs?

Spayed dogs tend to live longer and healthier lives. If you spay your puppy before she turns six months old, you eliminate the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. You also greatly reduce the possibility of mammary cancer.

Here is a short video that discusses benefits of dog spaying...

Are there any negative effects of spaying on your dog's health?

Obviously, after it's performed, you can't go back and your dog will never be able to give birth. Her genitalia will most likely be smaller than it would have been if she was not spayed. Other than these observations, I can't think of any other negative consequences of spaying.

Let's review other benefits that spaying can offer…

Spayed dogs are less aggressive, more affectionate towards people and get along better with other pets. They are also less likely to bite or run away. Dog spaying will make your dog more focused and easier to train.

When people say that spaying will make a dog lazy, I think they often confuse laziness with a lack of aggression.

When you are in a public place, you don't need to worry about stray dogs chasing your pet when she is in heat. A spayed dog is also less likely to be irritable because she won't be experiencing heat cycles.

So, if anything, dog spaying will have positive effect on your dog's personality and behavior.

It may appear from my comments that I am biased in favor of dog spaying. In reality, I am not pro or against it. It's just that spaying offers a lot of real benefits to you, the dog owner. But, of course, the final decision is all yours.

To be fair, there are a lot of unaltered dogs who are happy, healthy and do not present any problems to their owners. Out of five dogs that I owned, two were not altered. The unaltered dogs did not give me any major problems that would have put me in the "pro" or "against" camp. But your situation may be different from mine.

And if all dogs were spayed, well… there would be no dogs! So, don't rush with your decision, weigh all the positives and negatives of dog spaying, talk to your veterinarian and other dog owners.  And no matter what you decide, I guarantee you that if you take a good care of your puppy, she will always love and adore you. 

As a dog owner, you are responsible for your puppy's health. A good source for dog health information, including puppy care and preventive medicine, how to protect your pet from worms and ticks, dog food, and how to recognize if your pet needs immediate medical attention, is the Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.

Find this article interesting? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and as always, your +1's, Shares, Facebook likes and retweets are appreciated.

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Training your Dog to Sit Down

Training your dog to sit reliably is very important because 'sit' is a control position. When a dog is asked to sit, it cannot be actively jumping, pulling or engaging in some other unwanted behaviors.

Sit, therefore, is a crucial command that should be part of your dog's repertoire of trained behaviors.

Best of all, any dog can be easily trained to sit, from an 8 week old puppy up to a senior dog. Yes, indeed you can train an old dog new tricks!

While several years ago dogs were trained to sit by pushing them on the rear or giving a downward yank on the collar, nowadays, kinder training methods are employed by professional dog trainers.

Current trends in the dog training world tend to gear towards the rewarding world of positive reinforcement training, a training method based on scientific principles. Training your dog to sit this way will allow him to develop a stronger bond with you and become more receptive to learning long-lasting behaviors.

Let's review different ways of training your dog to sit using different reward-based techniques...

Clicker training involves the use of a noise making box which produces a clicking sound.

A clicker has little significance to a dog initially, but if every click is followed by a treat, the clicker with time becomes a predictor of very good things.

While most dogs are not very good in math, with clicker training dogs learn fairly quickly the equation that "click=treat" in the same fashion as they realized through experience that "doorbell=guests" or "leash=walks"! How's that for intelligence?

However, the mathematical formula does not end here, indeed, once your dog has figured out that "click=treat", he may be ready to absorb more challenging formulas, such as "when I put my rear on the floor, I hear the click which equals treat".

We will see 2 different ways to help your dog understand this formula by training him to sit with the use of a clicker. I will also show you how to teach dog to sit without using a clicker.

Capturing, as the name implies, is a training technique where the dog is rewarded for engaging in a behavior he does naturally. This method requires good observation skills and good timing since spontaneous behaviors must be "captured" as they unfold. Eventually, even the most hyperactive canines will sit, and this is why dog owners must be ready to click and treat.

With time, the dog starts associating that the click happens the exact moment his rear touches the floor, which is ultimately what is reinforcing the behavior. The sitting behavior therefore should increase in frequency.

To recap, here is a step by step guide to training your dog to sit:

Wait until the dog's rear is about to touch the floorClick right at the moment the rear touches the floor With your dog sitting down, deliver the treat immediately

Because dogs tend to repeat behaviors that are rewarded, you will see an increase in frequency in your dog's sitting behaviors. Now is the time to give the action of sitting a name.

Right when you notice your dog is about to sit, add the cue "sit" followed by the click right when the rear touches the floor. Immediately deliver the treat. With time, your dog will sit when asked to and you can start gradually fading the clicker replacing it with a "good boy" or "good girl" pronounced before delivering the treat.

You may be unwilling to wait for your dog to sit spontaneously, and therefore, it does not hurt to use a "life line".

Luring, as the name implies, is a training method where the dog is elicited into a position with the aid of a lure. Just as a fish follows a lure, a dog's nose follows a treat. You will therefore need to arm yourself with some tasty ammo.

Training your dog to sit using the luring method would involve the following steps:

Have your dog stand in front of youBring the treat from your dog’s nose backwards towards his head slowly with an upward hand movementAs your dog's nose points upward, his rear should start lowering in a sitting positionRight when the rear touches the floor click the clickerImmediately deliver the treat

At some point, once your dog reliably sits with the hand movement, you will want to add the verbal cue "sit". Say the command "sit" before using the hand movement, and gradually make the luring gesture less and less evident. Eventually, your verbal command will replace the hand gesture.

The clicker can also be faded once the dog responds well, and can be replaced by a "good boy" or "good girl" pronounced before delivering the treat.

Did you know that you can also teach a dog to sit without the use of a clicker?

In this scenario you would follow the "Clicker Training a Dog to Sit Through Luring" directions from step 1 through 3, but then in step 4 you would praise instead of clicking and then immediately deliver the treat.

Dog owners often claim: "my dog sits perfectly in the living room, but then he fails to sit when at the dog park or on walks. Why is that?"

The answer to this problem is that the dog was not trained enough around distractions. Make it a good habit to ask your dog for sits at increasingly higher levels of distractions. If your dog has still a hard time focusing on you, try investing in high-value treats so to better get his attention and have him respond to you.

There are many benefits deriving from training your dog to sit. The following are only a few examples of the many advantages that sum up when you teach dog to sit:

A sit can teach an excited dog not to jump when you pet him until all 4 paws are on the floorA sit can be asked upon putting the food bowl on the floor so to teach the dog good self-control and mannersA sit can be asked before opening a door to prevent a dog from dashing out suddenlyA sit can be asked when your dog is undergoing a medical exam and needs to stay still for a few minutes

Last but not least, a sit can be a great alternative behavior to ask in order to prevent a dog from engaging in unwanted behaviors. As already mentioned, a dog sitting down cannot ultimately jump, chew the sofa, scratch the door, raid the trash, or chase the cat if it is sitting with all 4 paws on the floor!

This is why we mentioned training your dog to sit as a great control position: a sitting dog can ultimately only behave and be put up for success, a win-win situation for all!

Here is a brief video that talks about some of the things we just covered in this article...

Find this article interesting? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and as always, your +1's, Shares, Facebook likes and retweets are appreciated.

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Dog Training Tips To Help You Deal With Your Dog's Separation Anxiety

Puppy House Training With Dog Litter Box Equals No More Bad Weather Walks

My Lhasa Apsos love going outdoors for play but only if the weather is nice. If there is bad weather like freezing snowstorms or heavy thundershowers, they don't want to go out at all and I don't blame them. The good thing is that unlike most other dogs that have to go out for elimination at least two to three times per day in all sorts of weather conditions, my dogs stay in if the weather is rotten out there. This is because both of my dogs went through puppy house training using a dog litter box.

Right from when I got them at ten weeks of age, they were both introduced to the dog litter box. This method of puppy house training has become more popular each year as pet stores are stocking specialized litter and pans made especially for dogs.

Up here in Canada, the winters can get really cold, windy, wet and just miserable. It's certainly not something to look forward to each morning if you have to get up and take the dog outside. It's no fun any other time of day either if the weather is not agreeable to either you or your dog.

My dogs do like to play in the snow but only when it's not too bitterly cold or windy and they don't stay out very long either. So they go out only when everyone (both the dogs and myself) feels like going out for fun. We don't have to go out in the winter if we don't want to.

This is the same thing with rain during the rest of the year. One of my dogs will stop at the doorway and not want to go out when there is rain falling. She just doesn't like to get wet. Her brother goes out for several seconds to see what's going on outside but once he realizes that he's getting wet, he runs right back inside the house. And of course, I don't like getting wet either. In fact, I would rather go out during a nice winter sunny day with snow than in the summer during rain.

Since both of my dogs stay inside during bad weather, they just simply utilize their puppy house training skills and go on their own to their designated dog litter box set up in their doggie room. It's basically their indoor dog toilet.

Then we sometimes watch the world through the window from inside our comfortable house where it's warm and dry. We see other dogs and their owners out there getting blown by the winter wind or getting soaked by rain. They don't look like they are having fun at all!

That's why I'm so glad that my dogs went through indoor puppy house training early on with the dog litter box. This advantage can also be for you and your dog if you also choose to utilize this method. My specialized dog website was created just to help other owners and their dogs do away with bad weather walks forever.

Clint Cora is author of Potty Train Your Puppy With A Litter Box - Convenient Indoor House Training For Dogs. Get a free dog training video that fully demonstrates minimum obedience standards that all dogs and their owners should learn plus training drills.

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We’re Going To The OC Pet Expo 2012…Are You?

Many of you already know that I love talking about the OC Pet Expo every year.  In fact I usually start writing articles about the Expo starting at the beginning of the new year and usually put together 1 or 2 updates as reminders (we don’t want you to miss out).

We’re now in the final stretch with opening day beginning in less than 1 week!

We found out that Apache and I will be working as volunteers at the Guide Dogs of America booth.  We’re currently scheduled to work from 3-6pm on Friday, April 20th, 2012, but we’ll most likely come earlier in the day so we can help out the other puppy raisers.

If you’re planning on attending this years Orange County Pet Expo please stop by the Guide Dogs of America booth and say hello to Apache and I.  Our booth is located in Building 10, Booth 1079.  Here’s a map of where we’re located:

OC Pet Expo Map

The OC Pet Expo 2012 is held at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California.

We’ve been attending the pet expo for over 5 years now and we’ve volunteered at the GDA booth for the past 5 years as well.  During that time we’ve learned a few things that help make the pet expo a more enjoyable event.

Dublin and A Donkey At Last Years OC Pet Expo

Here are a few tips we’ve learned:

Order your tickets online and you’ll save $2 per ticket.  Here’s a link to order your tickets.Fridays especially Friday mornings is the least busiest time.  It’s nice to beat the crowds.  ***however, this may change this year since “Fido Friday” is the first and only day this year the OC Pet Expo is allowing pet dogs at this event.Grab a program as soon as you enter so you can see what demonstrations you’d like to attend.  Make sure you look at all the events and plan your day accordingly.  Some of our favorites are Splash Dogs, Police and Search Dog Demonstration, K9 Nosework Demo.  There’s a ton of stuff going on every 15 minutes and as you can see I’m a bit biased towards the dogs, but there’s demonstrations and exhibits for all kinds of pets.  A few examples of other pet demos: The Birdman, Hamster Judging, The mystery of cat shows, etc.Bring along cash.  There are tons of great opportunities to buy products or give donations, but not all groups may accept credit cards.Visit the Guide Dogs of America Booth and say hi to Apache and I!

If you plan on bringing your own pet dog here are a few extra tips for the OC Pet Expo:

Make sure you read the policy and sign the waiver for Fido Friday.Make sure your dog can handle a high stress environment.  There’s a lot of noises, animals, children running, people in wheelchairs, loud noises, people on microphones, clapping, etc.  There’s a lot going on at the pet expo and you want it to be a fun day for your dog not a miserable, stressful day.Your dog may be a good dog, but you have to consider the 100's of other dogs at the pet expo.  Always keep a close eye not only on what your dog is doing, but what the other dogs and animals might be doing.I always bring water for my dog, but I don’t usually bring food.  If you plan on staying all day you may want to bring some food for your dog as well.It could be a long hot day.  We’ve attended some years when it was very hot.  Make sure you give your dog a chance to take breaks throughout the day.The black top (asphalt)  at the pet expo can get very hot and can easily burn your dogs paws.  Be careful and plan accordingly.

This is the first Fido Friday at the OC Pet Expo so I’m not too sure what to expect.  However, I do know that it can be a very stressful day for our guide dog puppies and I always make sure to keep an eye on not only my dog, but everything that is going on around us especially the other dogs.

I hope these few tips help if you’re planning to attend this years pet expo.  Of course if you are coming to the OC Pet Expo 2012  please make sure you stop by the Guide Dogs of America booth (Building 10, Booth 1079) and say hello!

Related posts: OC Pet Expo Allowing Pet Dogs This YearOrange County Pet Expo 2012Orange County Pet Expo 2011OC Pet Expo 2010OC Pet Expo 2011

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