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Curbing Aggressive Behavior In Dogs
Aggressive behaviour in dogs can be a big problem and a major source of conflict between pets and their owners. Aggressive dog behaviour is a natural instinct in your pet, but it needs to be controlled, for your safety and the safety of your canine companion.

Dog to dog aggression is not unique to any certain breed. As a matter of fact, a dog aggressive to other dogs is more frequent within breeds than between them. So is your dog aggressive? Let’s look at some of the signs of an aggressive dog, and some ideas in training aggressive dogs.
Dog growling is a very common sign of aggression and should be dealt with immediately. You can start by socialising your puppy with various other dogs. Don’t forget to socialise your pet with others of its own breed. Dog territorial aggression, such as chasing after cars or people, and excessive barking can also be a huge problem, especially if you have close neighbours. Territorial aggression may require extra preventive measures, such as citronella or electronic collars. Dog aggression training may also be needed. Dog aggression problems can make both you and your pet unhappy; therefore, proper training for aggressive dogs is a necessity.
Dog fear aggression can stem from fear of a specific person, place, or other animal or from the general situation your pet is in. He may be afraid or unsure of how to interact with other animals.
Dog aggression may arouse from pain. A dog that is in pain will have a shorter fuse, and is more likely to snap at another animal or person. It is best to just give an injured dog his space, as this aggression comes from a natural instinct to protect himself.

Irritation or anger can also lead to dog behaviour aggression. An irritable dog will have little patience with aggravating factors, and may be quick to let you know. Allow him some quiet time to get some rest, and his irritability should fade. A dog may also misplace his anger onto another dog or his owner, not knowing how to handle this anger appropriately. Use of a specialty collar may be needed to teach him to control this anger or to lead him to his own area until he calms down.
Aggressive dog training is also a mistake many trainers make that they are unsure how to correct. Many owners will train certain typically aggressive breeds to fight or become vicious guard dogs, yet they expect the animal to be calm and docile around them or their family.
A dog will learn what you teach him, and cannot turn his trained behaviour off and on. If you train a dog to be aggressive, he will be aggressive. You can blame only yourself for choosing this type of training. Correcting aggressive behaviour in dogs in this case may be difficult if not impossible. Consult a professional trainer for help with this problem.

November 12, 2013
Crate Training Puppies
Crate training puppies can be a great aid for pets and their owners. When crate training a puppy, also known as kennel training, the dog should be able to consider this as his own personal den. When puppy crate training, your pet should be crated for short periods of time at first, then gradually increased.
There are many types of puppy crates, so you might have to do some shopping around to find the right one for your breed.
There are many advantages to crate training. It is helpful for housebreaking a puppy, teaches good habits such as chewing only on their toys, keeps your pet away from harmful household objects, and helps with separation anxiety. A crate is the perfect place to keep puppy confined for short periods of time such as when having visitors to stop puppy biting or licking. Crates are easily mobile, making it easy to travel with your puppy.
Allow the puppy to slowly become accustomed to the crate. Put some treats in and around the kennel, and praise him if he ventures inside it. If your dog has a favourite bed or blanket, put it inside the crate. This will identify the crate as his space and will make adjustment easier. Try feeding your puppy inside the crate with the door open.
You can also use toys to entice a reluctant puppy inside the enclosure. Close a favourite toy inside the crate, allowing him to see it, and watch how fast he tries to get in after it. Try leaving the door open with a toy visible to get him to step inside. Once he is comfortable going into the crate, begin closing the door for short periods of time. Feed him treats through the mesh, and only leave him in for a few seconds at first. As he becomes more comfortable, you can lengthen the duration of his confinement. Ideally the first really long stretch should be in your bedroom overnight.

Once your puppy is comfortable with his new kennel and will willingly step inside, attach a cue word to this process. This word will let him know that it is time to go into the crate. Practice this by rewarding him with treats when he obeys your command.
Never place a puppy in a crate with his training collar on. The collar could get caught on the crate and choke him. Do not expect your puppy to remain in his enclosure for long periods of time without a potty break. If he has an accident, do not punish him for your mistake. Except for overnight, he should not be confined for long periods of time in the crate.
One thing you must be careful of when crate training puppies is to make sure you don’t place your puppy in the crate only when you are leaving home, otherwise he will become reluctant to go in it. Make him feel comfortable with the crate and it will become a valuable part of your training and relationship.
November 12, 2013
Clicker Training Dogs
Clicker dog training is very gentle, guiding and shaping behaviours rather than forcing them. Clicker training dogs uses positive reinforcement to elicit a desired response instead of punishment for incorrect behaviour. Dogs learn rapidly and this method has been used to train dogs for movies and television.
Dog clicker training does not require any expensive supplies. You will need a collar, but the type is up to you. Generally a standard collar is sufficient, but buy whatever dog collar is right for you and your dog. A leash will also be needed to ensure you retain control over your pet until he will obey your verbal commands. Of course you will need a clicker. This is a small piece of plastic with a button that emits a distinct sound when pushed. This sound becomes the positive reinforcement, telling your dog he did what you wanted him to do. You will also need a supply of treats, at least until your pet is properly conditioned to the sound of the clicker.
Teaching your dog to recognise the sound of the clicker is the first and most important step of clicker training for dogs. You, the trainer, will simply take your dog in a room that is ideally free from distractions, making sure you have plenty of treats handy. Press the button on the clicker and give him a small treat. Repeat this until your dog waits for a treat when he hears the sound. This is demonstrating to him that this sound is good, and that it is something he wants to hear.
Eventually you will not need to give a treat every time you use the device, but it is important in the beginning stages of clicker training. You are introducing a new element into your dog’s life, and it should be paired with something he already sees as positive. At some point the sound of the clicker alone will be a positive thing, and he will no longer need the association with treats.
Once your dog is familiar with the clicker and what it means, you can move onto teaching him simple commands. Make sure you use the clicker every time your pet exhibits the desired behaviour, and give him a treat until it is no longer necessary. You should also teach your dog hand or verbal signals to illustrate your commands during this time. This will enable you to eventually even phase out the clicker.

Clicker training dogs can go hand in hand with dog leash training. Using a leash during clicker training allows you to gently guide your dog into the correct behaviour. Using a clicker while dog leash training helps ensure complete control in dangerous or unexpected circumstances.
There is no limit to what behaviour you can teach when clicker training dogs. For more complicated or special training, you may want to find a good clicker training video. This can teach you each step along the way, demonstrating the most effective methods in an easy to follow manner. A good clicker training video will be a valuable resource in quickly and effectively clicker training your pet. You can find out more about dog obedience equipment here
To find out how to train your dog easily, make sure to check out our reviews of the Top Dog Training Guides here.
November 12, 2013
5 Essential Vitamins For Great Health
The shelves in stores are loaded with vitamins and supplements today, so how do you decide which ones are must-haves in your medicine cabinet?
These five vitamins are essential for everybody, man or woman, old or young.
Keep in mind that your body cannot manufacture any vitamins except for vitamin D, which comes from sunshine. That means you have to consume foods with adequate amounts of vitamins or else buy the supplements you need.
The B Vitamins
Just the B vitamins alone could take up a whole page—the B complex comprises many nutrients important for everything from foetal development to a healthy heart to sound mental health. Probably the two most important vitamins, however, are B6 and B12. B vitamins are water soluble, which means that whatever your body doesn’t use in a given day is flushed out in your urine. B12 is the exception, however; about 5 milligrams will be stored in the liver.
Vitamin B6: This important nutrient, known as pyridoxine, helps many of the enzymes within your body to do their jobs. It also keeps the brain functioning at peak levels. Without enough B6, you can develop anaemia. You do not need thousands of milligrams of this vitamin, however, since too much can make you feel lethargic or make arms or legs tingle or feel numb. Avoid taking more than 100 to 300 milligrams daily.
Find B6 in the following foods: bananas, cereals, avocados, beans, oatmeal or oat grain bread, poultry or meat, and seeds.
Vitamin B12: You need this vitamin in order to manufacture red blood cells and keep nerve endings healthy. It also helps to make and protect the DNA that all the cells throughout your body contain. Most bottles list the B12 content in micrograms, and you need about 2000 to 3000 mcg daily—2 or 3 milligrams.
The best place to find B12 is in liver—but if you hate that, try clams, eggs, poultry, milk, or cheese. Because B12 is such an important nutrient, many cereals and breads are fortified with B12, so check packages when you’re at the grocery store.
Three other important vitamins include A, D, and C. Here’s what they do and how much to take:
Vitamin A
There are two types of vitamin A: There are the retinoids, which help skin and cell growth. Many people have heard of them in connection with acne treatment or prevention of lines and wrinkles in ageing skin. However, Vitamin A is also present in beta carotenes that help vision and is a natural antioxidant. Because vitamin A is so helpful for cell growth, it aids in the protection of the body’s organs such as the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs. You should take about 2,500 to 10,000 micrograms daily.
Find Vitamin A in fish oils, but also in carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. It is also plentiful in liver and spinach.
Vitamin D
A few years ago, doctors realized that many people who live in snowy parts of the world suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. That’s not because snow diminishes the vitamin; rather, it’s because people tend to stay indoors when it’s cold outside and they don’t get the Vitamin D that the sun normally provides. People with darker skin do not absorb Vitamin D as well as lighter-skinned folks.
Also, excessive sun exposure can cause skin cancers, so for that reason the government will not recommend a daily allotment of exposure to sun. For that reason you should take Vitamin D to protect yourself from rickets or softening of bone tissue or teeth. D is also important because it facilitates the transmission of synapses between the muscles and the brain. People who lack enough Vitamin D feel sluggish and lethargic. It fights off viruses and bacteria, and as you age it can protect you from osteoporosis.
Besides the sun, you can get Vitamin D from mushrooms, fish, or fish oils. Many dairy products such as milk come fortified with D. Often, you will find that calcium supplements come synthesized with added D because D aids in the absorption of the calcium that’s also needed for good bone health. You need from 1,000 to 5,000 micrograms daily.
Vitamin C
This vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, is another natural antioxidant. It protects the body’s immune system by aiding in the absorption of iron. It also manufactures collagen, a protein that aids in the healing of wounds to the skin or after surgery. People who don’t get enough Vitamin C can develop scurvy, a deficiency that causes softness and sores in the gums. You need 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams daily.
Find Vitamin C in citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, red and green peppers, and kiwi fruit. Broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, and baked potatoes have Vitamin C. Check food labels since many common grocery items are fortified with Vitamin C.
One other thing to remember in choosing a dose is that many vitamin bottles state the dosage in micrograms instead of milligrams. You may have noticed this in the recommended dosages, above, so be certain to read labels carefully before you buy vitamin supplements.
Most people who eat a well-balanced diet get enough vitamins without buying supplements. However, if you’re likely to eat on the run, skip meals, or exclude fresh fruits and vegetables from your daily diet, you really need to invest in some of these supplements.
HowOMG.com
November 8, 2013