Whenever you start a new hobby it is very tempting to try to get everything at once. It can be also be easy to buy whatever the store clerk tells you is the right thing, especially as you are probably keen to get started. But if you are setting up your first fish tank and buying your first fish, then it is a good idea to think what you really want and what may be suitable for you before you buy.
If you are not familiar with tropical fish, then the best thing you can do is to find someone who is. If you have a friend who knows about tropical fish then take them to the store with you. But if you don't, make sure that you do your research first. It might be tempting to go to the store and buy the fish that look best, but if you have no idea whether or how you can look after them, then it is not a very good idea.
There are some wonderful beginners books on how to keep tropical fish that will tell you exactly what the requirements of each fish are and how well they get on with other fish. If you do this research then you will be in a much better position to choose the right fish that you can look after well and your new hobby is much more likely to be successful.
One mistake that many people make is that they buy everything at once. There is no point in buying the tank and all of the accessories at the same time as you buy the fish. To set up the fish tank properly without using chemicals to clear the water, you need at least 24 hours to let the water and gravel settle and clear. You also need to make sure that your filter, aerator and heater are working properly and that your tank is set up properly and that everything works well. There is no reason, even if you did not have to let the water clear, to leave your new fish in a bag while you do all of this.
It is much better to wait until everything is set up and working well so that when you get your fish then you know that they will be ok. Tropical fish are a great hobby and choosing carefully and taking the time to set everything up well can make all the difference.
Johnny Blade, a former private investigator and award winning author who writes on a variety of subjects, is an online marketer for many sites such as Aquarium Fish Resource at http://www.themaxie.com/ This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact. © Johnny Blade 2006
Sunday, March 30, 2008
The Importance Of Finding The Right Dog Trainer
What makes a great Dog Trainer? If an individual is to judge how each and every dog is to be handled in a training class, he must possess the experience and the expertise. Not that of taking just one or two dogs through the preliminaries, but the kind of knowledge gained from working with dogs of all breeds and under all conditions. The temperament and individual characteristics of each dog must be considered and the training technique varied to meet the occasion.
When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. That is why some trainers succeed where others fail. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.
A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! Therefore, the expert is not a bully. He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.
A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.
The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.
A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.
The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.
The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.
The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.
Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.
He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.
When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. That is why some trainers succeed where others fail. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.
A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! Therefore, the expert is not a bully. He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.
A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.
The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.
A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.
The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.
The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.
The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.
Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.
He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.
3 Basic Tips For Better Handling Of Your Dog
What makes a great Dog Trainer? If an individual is to judge how each and every dog is to be handled in a training class, he must possess the experience and the expertise. Not that of taking just one or two dogs through the preliminaries, but the kind of knowledge gained from working with dogs of all breeds and under all conditions. The temperament and individual characteristics of each dog must be considered and the training technique varied to meet the occasion.
When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. That is why some trainers succeed where others fail. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.
A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! Therefore, the expert is not a bully. He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.
A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.
The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.
A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.
The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.
The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.
The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.
Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.
He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.
When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. That is why some trainers succeed where others fail. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.
A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! Therefore, the expert is not a bully. He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.
A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.
The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.
A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.
The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.
The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.
The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.
Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.
He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.
3 Tips To Prevent Your Dog From Scent-Marking His Territory
Dogs must mark their territory - it's just the way it is! And for a dog there is no better way they like to communicate to the world and announce “Hey, I'm Here, Smell My Scent!”
As normal a behavioral characteristic as this may be, it can be quite annoying to dog owners. Not only does your house get soaked in the odor from your dog's urination, but it also can cost a lot of money on ruined stuff. For example, I'll never forget the day my wife came home and found her new two hundred dollar shoes soaked in our Chihuahuas urine. Our dog simply marked the object because they were brand-new and contained unfamiliar smells. In his mind he was not doing anything wrong.
Below are a few tips that can help you lower the chances of your dog's scent marking behavior:
1. They say that prevention is more efficient than treating the symptom. This can also ring true when it comes to your dog's territory urine marketing. One of the best ways to stop your dog from urine marking is to have him fixed. Getting your dog neutered or spayed will reduce the body's natural chemicals and hormones that get pumped up by sexual heat. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about possible changes in your dog's attitude after being spayed or neutered.
2. A simple little trick that can keep your dog from marking certain areas of your house is to place items that he has respect for in specific areas. For example, just by placing his food dish or water bowl next to an area that he may have marked will prevent him from marking that area again. This is because dogs are naturally clean animals and do not want soil the areas in which they sleep or eat.
3. Another option is to consider utilizing drug therapy. Some dogs spray entirely too much due to fear and high stress levels. Perhaps it is because of past abuse or other similar circumstances, but regardless of the cause, drugs have been proven to help such severe cases. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about possible drug alternatives and do not be afraid to get full disclosure on possible side effects that your dog may experience.
As normal a behavioral characteristic as this may be, it can be quite annoying to dog owners. Not only does your house get soaked in the odor from your dog's urination, but it also can cost a lot of money on ruined stuff. For example, I'll never forget the day my wife came home and found her new two hundred dollar shoes soaked in our Chihuahuas urine. Our dog simply marked the object because they were brand-new and contained unfamiliar smells. In his mind he was not doing anything wrong.
Below are a few tips that can help you lower the chances of your dog's scent marking behavior:
1. They say that prevention is more efficient than treating the symptom. This can also ring true when it comes to your dog's territory urine marketing. One of the best ways to stop your dog from urine marking is to have him fixed. Getting your dog neutered or spayed will reduce the body's natural chemicals and hormones that get pumped up by sexual heat. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about possible changes in your dog's attitude after being spayed or neutered.
2. A simple little trick that can keep your dog from marking certain areas of your house is to place items that he has respect for in specific areas. For example, just by placing his food dish or water bowl next to an area that he may have marked will prevent him from marking that area again. This is because dogs are naturally clean animals and do not want soil the areas in which they sleep or eat.
3. Another option is to consider utilizing drug therapy. Some dogs spray entirely too much due to fear and high stress levels. Perhaps it is because of past abuse or other similar circumstances, but regardless of the cause, drugs have been proven to help such severe cases. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about possible drug alternatives and do not be afraid to get full disclosure on possible side effects that your dog may experience.
8 Signs That Your Dog Is Suffering From Heat Exhaustion
During the hot summer months, your dog probably enjoys long walks outside, jumping in and out of the local pond or ocean coast, or just simply hanging around the yard. It is a fun time and because the weather is so nice most dogs prefer to be outside where all of the excitement is at! However, there is one unique danger that a lot of dog owners do not think of when the temperatures become extremely hot, and that is heatstroke or heat stress.
When people are vigorously active outdoors during the summertime when the weather is hot, they do not have to think twice about going inside to cool off or stopping what they are doing in order to replenish bodily fluids with lots of water. But dogs on the other hand, have a habit of being so involved with whatever they are doing outside that they may go long periods of time without hydration and without stopping to cool off.
Problems that dogs suffer from the heat can stem from heat stress (which is the result of too much exposure and high temperatures) to heatstroke (which is also the result of being in the hot sun too long but with the addition of high humidity levels). If too much time has been spent suffering from these conditions without proper hydration, heat problems can cause a dog to experience cellular breakdown, heart failure, and possibly brain damage.
Some dogs are more susceptible to sustaining internal injuries because of heatstroke or heat stress. For example, if your dog has any type of cardiovascular condition, respiratory issues, is overweight, or is a short-nosed buried, then he may experience damage from the heat three times as fast as any other dog.
If you are concerned because your dog was out in the hot weather for longer than expected, pay attention to the following signs which may indicate he is suffering from a heat condition:
1. If your dog is staggering around.
2. His panting is heavier than normal and may have a slight rasping sound to it.
3. Does he seem overly anxious with a delirious expression on his face?
4. Check his skin, it may be very warm to the touch as well is dry.
5. Does your dog seem weak yet restless?
6. Check his temperature, he may have a fever higher than 104°F.
7. Check his mouth and look for inappropriate salivation.
8. He may also start sessions of diarrhea mixed with vomiting as well.
When people are vigorously active outdoors during the summertime when the weather is hot, they do not have to think twice about going inside to cool off or stopping what they are doing in order to replenish bodily fluids with lots of water. But dogs on the other hand, have a habit of being so involved with whatever they are doing outside that they may go long periods of time without hydration and without stopping to cool off.
Problems that dogs suffer from the heat can stem from heat stress (which is the result of too much exposure and high temperatures) to heatstroke (which is also the result of being in the hot sun too long but with the addition of high humidity levels). If too much time has been spent suffering from these conditions without proper hydration, heat problems can cause a dog to experience cellular breakdown, heart failure, and possibly brain damage.
Some dogs are more susceptible to sustaining internal injuries because of heatstroke or heat stress. For example, if your dog has any type of cardiovascular condition, respiratory issues, is overweight, or is a short-nosed buried, then he may experience damage from the heat three times as fast as any other dog.
If you are concerned because your dog was out in the hot weather for longer than expected, pay attention to the following signs which may indicate he is suffering from a heat condition:
1. If your dog is staggering around.
2. His panting is heavier than normal and may have a slight rasping sound to it.
3. Does he seem overly anxious with a delirious expression on his face?
4. Check his skin, it may be very warm to the touch as well is dry.
5. Does your dog seem weak yet restless?
6. Check his temperature, he may have a fever higher than 104°F.
7. Check his mouth and look for inappropriate salivation.
8. He may also start sessions of diarrhea mixed with vomiting as well.
Adopting A Shelter Dog: Learn The Most Common Behavioral Problem You May Face
If you have recently adopted a shelter dog or are considering doing so than this article is for you. One of the most common behavioral problems that you will experience when bringing home a shelter dog is extreme hyperactivity.
When a dog is hyperactive it is usually the result of the combination of living a long life of boredom mixed with his nerves – all due from experiencing high anxiety levels. When your dog was in the shelter then he probably used pacing and loud whining as a favorite past time. If you think about how long they are locked up and with so little to do, it is understandable why this hyperactive behavioral problem comes into existence.
Now that your dog is at home with you and into a more roomier and positive environment, this may translate itself into a new stressor that your dog is feeling. Even though the atmosphere of the new living situation is a positive thing, the changes are typically very stressful to new shelter dogs. It will take some time for your dog to get used to the new setting. Needless to say, the old habits of pacing back and forth and/or crying out loudly may come back to your dog as a way of coping.
Some new shelter dog owners think that the answer to this hyperactive problem is to coop the dog up in order to keep them from moving around so much and acting irritably. However, this isn't the answer. Exercise is also another common solution that new shelter dog owners think may work, and it does to an extent, but it will not solve the hyperactive problem forever. Although vigorous exercise will tire your dog's muscles out and take away the nervousness for a period of time, the hyperactivity will eventually come back.
Proper Training & Spending Time Together
Getting your pet involved in dog training and obedience training may help the hyperactive dog to rectify its behavioral problem because it will help give the dog confidence as well as help the dog pay more attention to general commands such as “sit” or “stay”. These simple commands can be used to subdue a dog who has been trained to listen to them whenever he is showing signs of hyperactivity.
Proper training will also help you and your dog spend more time together. So long as you keep the training periods positive and fun, your dog will start to show signs of improvement when it comes to being hyperactive. The more time you spend keeping your dog busy with training and bonding with you, the more you will notice the old hyperactive habits start to fade away.
When a dog is hyperactive it is usually the result of the combination of living a long life of boredom mixed with his nerves – all due from experiencing high anxiety levels. When your dog was in the shelter then he probably used pacing and loud whining as a favorite past time. If you think about how long they are locked up and with so little to do, it is understandable why this hyperactive behavioral problem comes into existence.
Now that your dog is at home with you and into a more roomier and positive environment, this may translate itself into a new stressor that your dog is feeling. Even though the atmosphere of the new living situation is a positive thing, the changes are typically very stressful to new shelter dogs. It will take some time for your dog to get used to the new setting. Needless to say, the old habits of pacing back and forth and/or crying out loudly may come back to your dog as a way of coping.
Some new shelter dog owners think that the answer to this hyperactive problem is to coop the dog up in order to keep them from moving around so much and acting irritably. However, this isn't the answer. Exercise is also another common solution that new shelter dog owners think may work, and it does to an extent, but it will not solve the hyperactive problem forever. Although vigorous exercise will tire your dog's muscles out and take away the nervousness for a period of time, the hyperactivity will eventually come back.
Proper Training & Spending Time Together
Getting your pet involved in dog training and obedience training may help the hyperactive dog to rectify its behavioral problem because it will help give the dog confidence as well as help the dog pay more attention to general commands such as “sit” or “stay”. These simple commands can be used to subdue a dog who has been trained to listen to them whenever he is showing signs of hyperactivity.
Proper training will also help you and your dog spend more time together. So long as you keep the training periods positive and fun, your dog will start to show signs of improvement when it comes to being hyperactive. The more time you spend keeping your dog busy with training and bonding with you, the more you will notice the old hyperactive habits start to fade away.
Adorable Puppies: How To Manage Your Attention-Seeking Puppy
Puppies love attention. They crave for it, they cry for it, and when they get it, they will do anything to keep that attention focused on them. Your puppy does not care if the attention that you are giving him is in response to something positive or something negative. All he cares about is getting attention from you.
Let's say that you're trying to have a nice, peaceful dinner, but your puppy keeps jumping up and down, standing like a prairie dog right in front of you to get your attention. When you try to correct him by pushing him down or yelling “Off!”, he just gets more and more excited and continues to jump up and down. He's doing so because you just responded to his behavior.
By yelling at him and pushing him down, you are actually giving him what he wants. You are answering to his needs whether you realize it or not. The response (attention) that you gave him, even though it's not positive, motivates your puppy to keep going because he knows that whatever he's doing is working.
Here is another example. Your puppy gets a hold of your key chain and starts running around the house with it. What do you do? You stop whatever it is you are doing and start chasing him. Your puppy does not register chasing as a form of discipline. In his mind, you are either playing with him or that whatever he has must be really good because you want it. So he will keep on running until you stop or one of you eventually gets tired of playing chase.
To your puppy, attention can be as simple as giving him a smile. This acknowledgment is saying to him that what he is doing is right. The reason for this is because puppies think that we are just like them. Therefore, when your puppy gets excited and you respond back by getting excited, whether it is positive emotion or negative emotion, your puppy will think that you are following his lead, which further reinforces his behavior.
The fact that you are upset with your puppy's action does not represent anything to him. His reaction is based on your body contact and excitement. Even if you yell at him and then push him hard, he will most likely stop and walk away. However, the only thing that you have accomplished is scaring him. It is possible to train your puppy without having to establish fear.
Show your puppy that the way for him to get your attention is through positive behavior. The best time to do this is when he is calm and resting or chewing on a bone peacefully. Slowly go to him and give him a gentle pat or a soft belly rub while whispering a warm praise. Eventually, your puppy will realize that being calm and quiet is what gets him the attention he wants. He will then repeat the behavior of what you are paying attention to.
Let's say that you're trying to have a nice, peaceful dinner, but your puppy keeps jumping up and down, standing like a prairie dog right in front of you to get your attention. When you try to correct him by pushing him down or yelling “Off!”, he just gets more and more excited and continues to jump up and down. He's doing so because you just responded to his behavior.
By yelling at him and pushing him down, you are actually giving him what he wants. You are answering to his needs whether you realize it or not. The response (attention) that you gave him, even though it's not positive, motivates your puppy to keep going because he knows that whatever he's doing is working.
Here is another example. Your puppy gets a hold of your key chain and starts running around the house with it. What do you do? You stop whatever it is you are doing and start chasing him. Your puppy does not register chasing as a form of discipline. In his mind, you are either playing with him or that whatever he has must be really good because you want it. So he will keep on running until you stop or one of you eventually gets tired of playing chase.
To your puppy, attention can be as simple as giving him a smile. This acknowledgment is saying to him that what he is doing is right. The reason for this is because puppies think that we are just like them. Therefore, when your puppy gets excited and you respond back by getting excited, whether it is positive emotion or negative emotion, your puppy will think that you are following his lead, which further reinforces his behavior.
The fact that you are upset with your puppy's action does not represent anything to him. His reaction is based on your body contact and excitement. Even if you yell at him and then push him hard, he will most likely stop and walk away. However, the only thing that you have accomplished is scaring him. It is possible to train your puppy without having to establish fear.
Show your puppy that the way for him to get your attention is through positive behavior. The best time to do this is when he is calm and resting or chewing on a bone peacefully. Slowly go to him and give him a gentle pat or a soft belly rub while whispering a warm praise. Eventually, your puppy will realize that being calm and quiet is what gets him the attention he wants. He will then repeat the behavior of what you are paying attention to.
Bathing Your Dog: 3 Simple Tips To Help Keep Your Sanity
When giving your dog a bath, do you want to have a pleasant experience or do you want to get frustrated like most dog owners do when they do not adequately prepare? Obviously the first choice is preferred so below are a few simple tips when giving your dog a bath.
1. Preparation is key and the last thing you want to experience is your dog jumping out of a tub full of water and ruining your carpet all because you had to leave the bathroom to get something you needed. In order to prevent this from happening you must place everything that you will need inside the bathroom or your preferred dog wash area before starting your dog's bath.
Make sure that you have your shampoos ready, conditioner on hand, any brushes you may use, and of course plenty of towels. All of these items should be easily reachable while you are giving your dog a bath so that you can always keep one hand on him while the other and is reaching for a supply item. This way, you won't have to leave your dog to look for something you needed which will give your dog the chance to hop out and drive you crazy while he gets everything in your house soaking wet.
2. Expect to get dirty and wet! The last thing you should wear before giving your dog a bath is a piece of clothing that you care about. Put on your raggedy old jeans and a T-shirt that you could care less about. You may even want to just put on a pair of swimming trunks like I prefer to do. The truth is that your clothes are going to get wet so you may as well be prepared.
3. As soon as the bath is over be sure to leash your dog and get him outside immediately. If you do not do this, then your entire room will be soaked with water and suds from him shaking it off. It is impossible to prevent your dog from shaking off water, so ensuring that he is in an area outside and can do no damage is very important.
Of course this advice is more appropriate for larger dog breeds that have more hair. I own three Chihuahuas and giving them a dog bath is a lot less stressful than it would if I had a full grown German Shepherd to bathe, as you can imagine.
1. Preparation is key and the last thing you want to experience is your dog jumping out of a tub full of water and ruining your carpet all because you had to leave the bathroom to get something you needed. In order to prevent this from happening you must place everything that you will need inside the bathroom or your preferred dog wash area before starting your dog's bath.
Make sure that you have your shampoos ready, conditioner on hand, any brushes you may use, and of course plenty of towels. All of these items should be easily reachable while you are giving your dog a bath so that you can always keep one hand on him while the other and is reaching for a supply item. This way, you won't have to leave your dog to look for something you needed which will give your dog the chance to hop out and drive you crazy while he gets everything in your house soaking wet.
2. Expect to get dirty and wet! The last thing you should wear before giving your dog a bath is a piece of clothing that you care about. Put on your raggedy old jeans and a T-shirt that you could care less about. You may even want to just put on a pair of swimming trunks like I prefer to do. The truth is that your clothes are going to get wet so you may as well be prepared.
3. As soon as the bath is over be sure to leash your dog and get him outside immediately. If you do not do this, then your entire room will be soaked with water and suds from him shaking it off. It is impossible to prevent your dog from shaking off water, so ensuring that he is in an area outside and can do no damage is very important.
Of course this advice is more appropriate for larger dog breeds that have more hair. I own three Chihuahuas and giving them a dog bath is a lot less stressful than it would if I had a full grown German Shepherd to bathe, as you can imagine.
Breed-Rescue Volunteers & The Wonderful Work They Do
Homeless dogs have been an epidemic that has grown out of proportion over the last 20 or 30 years. However, there has been one very positive change when it comes to handling dogs that have no home, and that is the growth of volunteer work and people who offer their assistance within the breed rescue movement.
Breed rescue groups are a phenomenal movement that is made up of people who have a passion to help rescue homeless animals. These groups are organized in a fashion so that they only work with one single breed. Some of these organizations are extremely small, made up of one or two people, who spend their time placing homeless dogs to a few of the large nonprofit organizations that have their own sheltering facilities.
Some rescue breed groups operate by referral only. They will keep a list of dogs that are in private homes and other shelter areas who need homes and will refer quality potential adopters. Their passion is to ensure that a dog that needs to be rescued and adopted will only go to a family or individual that truly cares and will raise him accordingly.
Some people who do volunteer work with dog rescue breeds will foster the animals themselves. They go around and collect dogs from the shelters and other private individuals so that they can do what they enjoy doing best - which is to take care of dogs that need a home.
As you can tell, there is so much diversity in within the dog breed rescue community and that makes it virtually impossible to describe a “standard” organization and how they operate. Because it is all volunteer, there are many ways in which the job can be done, and all ways are welcome when it comes to rescuing homeless dogs. However, if one was to describe the most typical type of dog breed rescue scenario it would be that of a group of people consisting of 2-4 rescue volunteers who work together to place dogs of their particular chosen breeds with the breed club in which they are affiliated.
Under ordinary circumstances these people will foster the animals themselves for a time and ensure that the dogs have been checked by veterinarian, have been updated with vaccinations, and have been spayed or neutered. When it comes to charging the adoption fees, the above care expenses will be included so that there is little-to-no out-of-pocket expense for the breed rescue volunteer.
Breed rescue groups are a phenomenal movement that is made up of people who have a passion to help rescue homeless animals. These groups are organized in a fashion so that they only work with one single breed. Some of these organizations are extremely small, made up of one or two people, who spend their time placing homeless dogs to a few of the large nonprofit organizations that have their own sheltering facilities.
Some rescue breed groups operate by referral only. They will keep a list of dogs that are in private homes and other shelter areas who need homes and will refer quality potential adopters. Their passion is to ensure that a dog that needs to be rescued and adopted will only go to a family or individual that truly cares and will raise him accordingly.
Some people who do volunteer work with dog rescue breeds will foster the animals themselves. They go around and collect dogs from the shelters and other private individuals so that they can do what they enjoy doing best - which is to take care of dogs that need a home.
As you can tell, there is so much diversity in within the dog breed rescue community and that makes it virtually impossible to describe a “standard” organization and how they operate. Because it is all volunteer, there are many ways in which the job can be done, and all ways are welcome when it comes to rescuing homeless dogs. However, if one was to describe the most typical type of dog breed rescue scenario it would be that of a group of people consisting of 2-4 rescue volunteers who work together to place dogs of their particular chosen breeds with the breed club in which they are affiliated.
Under ordinary circumstances these people will foster the animals themselves for a time and ensure that the dogs have been checked by veterinarian, have been updated with vaccinations, and have been spayed or neutered. When it comes to charging the adoption fees, the above care expenses will be included so that there is little-to-no out-of-pocket expense for the breed rescue volunteer.
Buying A New Puppy: Should You Choose A Newborn Or A Matured Puppy?
Are you planning on getting a new-born puppy or perhaps one that has aged just a bit? If you want a young puppy, wait until he is at least 8 weeks old. If you want a more mature pup, around 6 months is the best age. Bringing home a more mature puppy is easier than bringing home a baby puppy. The reason for this is that an older puppy will more likely have outgrown his baby ways such as excessive chewing and biting, and most importantly – should be potty trained!
When getting young puppy, you have to consider several factors. Puppies that are less than 8 weeks old will do a lot of nipping and biting. They do this to try to determine a hierarchy. Often times, they will bite at their mother. When this happens, she makes it clear, by growling and using her body language, that these behaviors are unacceptable. It is around 6 weeks old that puppies learn about respect the most effective way, from their mother. Taking them home at this age and trying to teach them how to behave is harder because we don't talk “dog language.”
In addition to chewing and biting, puppies that are under 6 weeks old have not yet developed their bladder and bowel control. They cannot “hold it in” like mature puppies can. What this means for us is that it is much harder to house-train a younger puppy and there is going to be a lot more cleaning up to do.
Older puppies, however, are much more calmer and understanding of the daily activities in the household. Although this is only true if they have been properly trained and socialized in their birth home. Puppies who are neglected will show signs of nervousness, unpredictability, and some aggressiveness. It is very important to carefully observe the puppy of choice before you make the purchase.
When getting young puppy, you have to consider several factors. Puppies that are less than 8 weeks old will do a lot of nipping and biting. They do this to try to determine a hierarchy. Often times, they will bite at their mother. When this happens, she makes it clear, by growling and using her body language, that these behaviors are unacceptable. It is around 6 weeks old that puppies learn about respect the most effective way, from their mother. Taking them home at this age and trying to teach them how to behave is harder because we don't talk “dog language.”
In addition to chewing and biting, puppies that are under 6 weeks old have not yet developed their bladder and bowel control. They cannot “hold it in” like mature puppies can. What this means for us is that it is much harder to house-train a younger puppy and there is going to be a lot more cleaning up to do.
Older puppies, however, are much more calmer and understanding of the daily activities in the household. Although this is only true if they have been properly trained and socialized in their birth home. Puppies who are neglected will show signs of nervousness, unpredictability, and some aggressiveness. It is very important to carefully observe the puppy of choice before you make the purchase.
Clicker Training: What Is So Special About Using A Clicker To Train My Dog?
Using a clicker to train your dog is an extremely rewarding and fun approach to dog training. And most importantly, it works! This simple little training aid will go a long way to encouraging positive behavior and instituting obedience as well as tricks into your dog's life.
What Is A Clicker?
A clicker is a very simple and compact tool that simply makes a “click” sound when the trigger is pressed. Animal lovers who condone positive dog training are seeing amazing results from utilizing a clicker instead of other more negative approaches when using training aids. And amazingly, clickers are being used successfully in the training of cats, horses, and even dolphins!
How Does It Work?
In order to use a clicker successfully, the sound must trigger off an inviting response within your dog's mind. This is so easy to do and you can literally train your dog to yearn for the sound of the clicker in less than one day. All you have to do is connect the sound of the clicker with one of your dogs most tastiest of treats.
Here Is How You Do It
Click the clicker. Now give your dog a treat. Again, click the clicker. Follow through with another treat. And again – yes you guessed it – click the clicker and immediately give your dog the tasty snack.
Sounds simple, doesn't it? Believe it or not your dog may build that in mind/treat/clicker connection in less than 10 clicks! Some dogs may take longer but when it comes to pleasure most pets are very responsive, especially when you're utilizing tasty food as a motivator.
Now your dog will yearn to hear that sound as often as he can. It means that something good is on the way and when the click goes off he can't wait to get a tasty treat! Now you are ready to begin positive dog training with the use of the clicker.
There are many ways to do this. For example, if you are trying to teach her dog to sit then click the clicker every time he does so. Follow through with a treat until your dog anxiously awaits to perform the next command.
Eventually, after many uses of the clicker with different training techniques, you will be able to totally eradicate the use of treats. This is what is so great about using a clicker - you can continue to make the sound and so long as you follow through with a lot of praise and affection, your dog will get the same euphoric feeling as he did when you were giving him dog treats.
What Is A Clicker?
A clicker is a very simple and compact tool that simply makes a “click” sound when the trigger is pressed. Animal lovers who condone positive dog training are seeing amazing results from utilizing a clicker instead of other more negative approaches when using training aids. And amazingly, clickers are being used successfully in the training of cats, horses, and even dolphins!
How Does It Work?
In order to use a clicker successfully, the sound must trigger off an inviting response within your dog's mind. This is so easy to do and you can literally train your dog to yearn for the sound of the clicker in less than one day. All you have to do is connect the sound of the clicker with one of your dogs most tastiest of treats.
Here Is How You Do It
Click the clicker. Now give your dog a treat. Again, click the clicker. Follow through with another treat. And again – yes you guessed it – click the clicker and immediately give your dog the tasty snack.
Sounds simple, doesn't it? Believe it or not your dog may build that in mind/treat/clicker connection in less than 10 clicks! Some dogs may take longer but when it comes to pleasure most pets are very responsive, especially when you're utilizing tasty food as a motivator.
Now your dog will yearn to hear that sound as often as he can. It means that something good is on the way and when the click goes off he can't wait to get a tasty treat! Now you are ready to begin positive dog training with the use of the clicker.
There are many ways to do this. For example, if you are trying to teach her dog to sit then click the clicker every time he does so. Follow through with a treat until your dog anxiously awaits to perform the next command.
Eventually, after many uses of the clicker with different training techniques, you will be able to totally eradicate the use of treats. This is what is so great about using a clicker - you can continue to make the sound and so long as you follow through with a lot of praise and affection, your dog will get the same euphoric feeling as he did when you were giving him dog treats.
Does Your Dog Pee Every Time You Arrive Home? A Quick Fix To Urine-Greeting
Does your dog urinate every time you greet him? And does he splash pea all over the place when confronting other people and other dogs? I call this “urine-greeting” because it is a behavior characteristic that many dogs display which causes them to literally go pea whenever they are greeted by their owners.
This behavior should be tended to immediately. Not only does it do damage to your house and surface areas from the frequent urination, but more importantly it is a sign that there is something causing your dog to feel high levels of stress and anxiety. As a responsible dog owner, it is your duty to do your best to help alleviate these kind of behavioral symptoms.
Just Ignore Him
Although it may sound cruel, the fastest way to help your dog overcome urine-greeting is to simply ignore them when you arrive home. The greeting home is the most typical time that a dog who has these behavioral characteristics tends to pee. This means that there is something going on that causes your dog to get so nervous and worked up when his master is home that he cannot help but spray all over the place.
As I stated earlier, it may seem difficult for you to practice the habit of coming home and walking right past your dog without giving him a second glance. Trust me, I know how difficult this can be because I had to initiate the same protocol for one of my Chihuahuas. But the truth is that your dog will not perceive the experience in the same manner that you see it. In fact, a certain sense of relief will kick in your dog's mind after only a few minutes of realizing that the standard ritual of greeting and urinating does not have to take place.
Remember, for some reason your dog is feeling that the moment you come home is a very stressful situation and by eradicating the greeting altogether, you have taken away the cause of his anxiety. So keep this in mind as you are attempting to fix his urine-greeting behavior. As you walk into the house and have to ignore your little pup, always remember that you are helping his condition and not hurting his feelings.
This behavior should be tended to immediately. Not only does it do damage to your house and surface areas from the frequent urination, but more importantly it is a sign that there is something causing your dog to feel high levels of stress and anxiety. As a responsible dog owner, it is your duty to do your best to help alleviate these kind of behavioral symptoms.
Just Ignore Him
Although it may sound cruel, the fastest way to help your dog overcome urine-greeting is to simply ignore them when you arrive home. The greeting home is the most typical time that a dog who has these behavioral characteristics tends to pee. This means that there is something going on that causes your dog to get so nervous and worked up when his master is home that he cannot help but spray all over the place.
As I stated earlier, it may seem difficult for you to practice the habit of coming home and walking right past your dog without giving him a second glance. Trust me, I know how difficult this can be because I had to initiate the same protocol for one of my Chihuahuas. But the truth is that your dog will not perceive the experience in the same manner that you see it. In fact, a certain sense of relief will kick in your dog's mind after only a few minutes of realizing that the standard ritual of greeting and urinating does not have to take place.
Remember, for some reason your dog is feeling that the moment you come home is a very stressful situation and by eradicating the greeting altogether, you have taken away the cause of his anxiety. So keep this in mind as you are attempting to fix his urine-greeting behavior. As you walk into the house and have to ignore your little pup, always remember that you are helping his condition and not hurting his feelings.
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Herding Group
A breed is defined as a group of certain species that have common ancestors and have certain distinguishable traits and characteristics. Before you get a new puppy, you have to consider a breed that will fit your lifestyle and environment. It is best to get the breed of puppy that will suit your personality and living condition. For example, you wouldn't get a Great Dane if you live in a small one bedroom apartment. Similarly, you wouldn't get a Weimaraner if you don't have the time to give him the proper amount of exercise or activity that he requires.
There are seven standard group of dog breeds that are assigned by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are: The hound group, the herding group, the sporting group, the working group, the toy group, the terrier group, and the non-sporting group. Below is information regarding specifically the Herding group.
The Herding Group
These intelligent, hard-working dogs were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and other domestic animals under the supervision of a shepherd. There are two types of dogs that fall under this category - cattle and/or sheep driving dogs and sheep herders.
Cattle and/or Sheep Driving Dogs
The cattle and/or sheep driving dogs moved sheep and cattle over long distances and usually without any human direction. These dogs have a solid and stocky build. They can be unpredictable, aggressive, and reserved with strangers. These traits, however, can be prevented through proper training and early socialization.
Examples of cattle/sheep driving dogs are: Briard, Canaan Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Bouvier des Flanders, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Sheep Herders
The other type of dogs in the herding group are the sheep herders. These dogs were bred to move the flock. They are alert, agile, and very athletic. They are affectionate to their family but suspicious of strangers. When properly trained, these dogs usually get along with children. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do. Set some time to socialize and train this breed on herding or other constructive exercise.
Examples of sheep herders are: German Shepherd Dog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Collie, Border Collie, Bearded Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, and Belgian Tervuren.
There are seven standard group of dog breeds that are assigned by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are: The hound group, the herding group, the sporting group, the working group, the toy group, the terrier group, and the non-sporting group. Below is information regarding specifically the Herding group.
The Herding Group
These intelligent, hard-working dogs were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and other domestic animals under the supervision of a shepherd. There are two types of dogs that fall under this category - cattle and/or sheep driving dogs and sheep herders.
Cattle and/or Sheep Driving Dogs
The cattle and/or sheep driving dogs moved sheep and cattle over long distances and usually without any human direction. These dogs have a solid and stocky build. They can be unpredictable, aggressive, and reserved with strangers. These traits, however, can be prevented through proper training and early socialization.
Examples of cattle/sheep driving dogs are: Briard, Canaan Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Bouvier des Flanders, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Sheep Herders
The other type of dogs in the herding group are the sheep herders. These dogs were bred to move the flock. They are alert, agile, and very athletic. They are affectionate to their family but suspicious of strangers. When properly trained, these dogs usually get along with children. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do. Set some time to socialize and train this breed on herding or other constructive exercise.
Examples of sheep herders are: German Shepherd Dog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Collie, Border Collie, Bearded Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, and Belgian Tervuren.
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Hound Group
Dogs in this group loves to chase fast-moving objects, which makes them the number one choice for a hunting companion. There are three groups of dogs that fall under the hound group – the scenthounds, the sighthounds, and the large-game hounds.
Scent Hounds
The scent hounds are dogs that are bred to follow scent. They are trained to track down prey by using their excellent sense of smell. Their strong drive to follow a scent makes them hard to obedience-train because they can easily get distracted by any smell in their surroundings. They are affectionate to their family, great with children, and gets along well with strangers. They are active, energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise.
Examples of scent hounds are: Beagle, Dachshund, Harrier, Otterhound, American Foxhound, Basset Hound, Black and Tan Coonhound, English Foxhound, Bloodhound, and Petit Basset Griffon Venden.
Sighthounds
Sighthounds use their eyesight to spot a prey before they go for the chase. The instinct to run after a prey or an object makes this breed difficult to obedience train. Early socialization, especially with small animals such as cats and birds, is mandatory in order to tame down this breed's prey instinct. They need daily exercise and proper obedience training.
Examples of sighthounds are: Saluki, Whippet, Afghan Hound, Borzoi, Greyhound, Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound, Basenji, Irish Wolfhound, and Scottish Deerhound.
Large Game Hounds
Large game hounds were bred to have stamina, strength, and endurance. Their superior sense of smell makes them an excellent hunting companion. Originally bred to hunt elk and other game, this breed tends to be aggressive toward small animal. Early training and socialization is required to modify this behavior. This breed makes a great watchdog. They are initially suspicious of strangers and does not tolerate roughhousing. Children should be taught to be gentle with breed. Owner of large game hounds must have time to train and exercise this active breed.
Examples of large game hounds are: Rhodesian Ridgeback and Norwegian Elkhound.
Scent Hounds
The scent hounds are dogs that are bred to follow scent. They are trained to track down prey by using their excellent sense of smell. Their strong drive to follow a scent makes them hard to obedience-train because they can easily get distracted by any smell in their surroundings. They are affectionate to their family, great with children, and gets along well with strangers. They are active, energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise.
Examples of scent hounds are: Beagle, Dachshund, Harrier, Otterhound, American Foxhound, Basset Hound, Black and Tan Coonhound, English Foxhound, Bloodhound, and Petit Basset Griffon Venden.
Sighthounds
Sighthounds use their eyesight to spot a prey before they go for the chase. The instinct to run after a prey or an object makes this breed difficult to obedience train. Early socialization, especially with small animals such as cats and birds, is mandatory in order to tame down this breed's prey instinct. They need daily exercise and proper obedience training.
Examples of sighthounds are: Saluki, Whippet, Afghan Hound, Borzoi, Greyhound, Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound, Basenji, Irish Wolfhound, and Scottish Deerhound.
Large Game Hounds
Large game hounds were bred to have stamina, strength, and endurance. Their superior sense of smell makes them an excellent hunting companion. Originally bred to hunt elk and other game, this breed tends to be aggressive toward small animal. Early training and socialization is required to modify this behavior. This breed makes a great watchdog. They are initially suspicious of strangers and does not tolerate roughhousing. Children should be taught to be gentle with breed. Owner of large game hounds must have time to train and exercise this active breed.
Examples of large game hounds are: Rhodesian Ridgeback and Norwegian Elkhound.
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Non-Sporting Groups
The Non-Sporting Group
Dogs that are placed in this group were originally developed for a specific task. However, because man does not rely on these dogs anymore for work that used to be assigned to them, these breeds are mainly kept as a family pet and companion. Behaviors and personalities of dogs in this group vary significantly because each of them were originally bred to do different jobs.
Because of the difference in personalities and traits of these breeds, it would be wise to consult an expert such as a vet or a breeder of that specific breed before you make the purchase. This way, you know what to expect and if that particular breed will fit into your environment and lifestyle. Below are examples of breeds that fall under this category:
Lhasa Apso, Bichon Frise, Bulldog, French Bulldog, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Terrier, Keeshond, Lowchen, American Eskimo Dog, Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Tibetan Spaniel, Poodle (Standard and Miniature), Finnish Spitz, Dalmatian, and the Chinese Shar-Pei
Exotic Breeds
If you are interested in owning a rare, hard to find breed, consider the following listed below:
Norwegian Lundehund: The name means “Puffin Dog.” This breed is famous for his six toes and genuine talents that are traced back to puffin hunting at the time of the Ice Age.
Leonberger (Leo.): This large, energetic dog was first developed in Germany and has lion-colored coat.
Swedish Vallhund: Originated in Sweden and was used to herd sheep and cattle. This Spitz type breed makes a great family pet.
Cesky Terrier: Originated in Czechoslovakia in 1949 by crossing a Scottish Terrier with the Sealyham Terrier.
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog: Originated in the United States. This versatile dog is a first-class worker both in hunting game and herding cattle. At home, he is very protective of his family and makes and excellent guarddog.
Polish Owczarek Nizinny Sheepdog: A shaggy dog known in the United States as Polish Lowland Sheepdog or simply PONS. This breed is intelligent, confident, and territorial. He is loyal and affectionate to his family and suspicious of strangers. This dog is easily adaptable and makes a great watchdog.
Dogs that are placed in this group were originally developed for a specific task. However, because man does not rely on these dogs anymore for work that used to be assigned to them, these breeds are mainly kept as a family pet and companion. Behaviors and personalities of dogs in this group vary significantly because each of them were originally bred to do different jobs.
Because of the difference in personalities and traits of these breeds, it would be wise to consult an expert such as a vet or a breeder of that specific breed before you make the purchase. This way, you know what to expect and if that particular breed will fit into your environment and lifestyle. Below are examples of breeds that fall under this category:
Lhasa Apso, Bichon Frise, Bulldog, French Bulldog, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Terrier, Keeshond, Lowchen, American Eskimo Dog, Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Tibetan Spaniel, Poodle (Standard and Miniature), Finnish Spitz, Dalmatian, and the Chinese Shar-Pei
Exotic Breeds
If you are interested in owning a rare, hard to find breed, consider the following listed below:
Norwegian Lundehund: The name means “Puffin Dog.” This breed is famous for his six toes and genuine talents that are traced back to puffin hunting at the time of the Ice Age.
Leonberger (Leo.): This large, energetic dog was first developed in Germany and has lion-colored coat.
Swedish Vallhund: Originated in Sweden and was used to herd sheep and cattle. This Spitz type breed makes a great family pet.
Cesky Terrier: Originated in Czechoslovakia in 1949 by crossing a Scottish Terrier with the Sealyham Terrier.
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog: Originated in the United States. This versatile dog is a first-class worker both in hunting game and herding cattle. At home, he is very protective of his family and makes and excellent guarddog.
Polish Owczarek Nizinny Sheepdog: A shaggy dog known in the United States as Polish Lowland Sheepdog or simply PONS. This breed is intelligent, confident, and territorial. He is loyal and affectionate to his family and suspicious of strangers. This dog is easily adaptable and makes a great watchdog.
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Sporting Group
If you are an active person who loves the outdoors and enjoys a good run on the beach, you will find that a dog breed from the sporting group the perfect outdoor companion. Dogs in this group were originally bred to aid man in hunting and gathering wild birds, on land and in water. There are four types of dogs in the sporting group: Retrievers, spaniels, setters, and pointers.
Retrievers
Retrievers are large dogs with a strong, robust, well-built body. They are smart, loyal, affectionate to their owners and get along very well with children. They generally accept strangers and other dogs. Their easy-going and playful nature makes them an excellent family pet. These dogs do not do well in prolonged isolation. They may display destructive behavior such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging when left alone for a long period of time. They are very active and need plenty of exercise and a job to do to keep them busy.
Examples of retrievers are: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, and Flat-Coated Retrievers.
Spaniels
Spaniels were bred to hunt and flush birds. They are loyal, good with children, and affectionate to their owners. They need daily exercise and fit in perfectly with an active family. Spaniels do not like being left alone for long periods of time. Isolation and lack of training will cause them to whine and become timid.
Examples of spaniels are: Clumber Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, and Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Setters
Setters are hunting dogs. They are very active and energetic, qualities that make them an excellent jogging partner. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do such as hunting and agility work. Lack of exercise makes them nervous and high-strung. They are bright and loyal dogs who thrive human companionship.
Examples of setters are: Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, English Setter, and Brittany.
Pointers
Pointers are large, energetic dogs who love to stay busy. With their long legs, they were originally used to spend many hours running the fields in search for fowls. They get along with children and create a strong bond with their families. If not given enough exercise, these dogs may display destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking.
Examples of pointers are: Pointer, Vizsla, Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointer, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and German Wirehaired Pointer.
Retrievers
Retrievers are large dogs with a strong, robust, well-built body. They are smart, loyal, affectionate to their owners and get along very well with children. They generally accept strangers and other dogs. Their easy-going and playful nature makes them an excellent family pet. These dogs do not do well in prolonged isolation. They may display destructive behavior such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging when left alone for a long period of time. They are very active and need plenty of exercise and a job to do to keep them busy.
Examples of retrievers are: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, and Flat-Coated Retrievers.
Spaniels
Spaniels were bred to hunt and flush birds. They are loyal, good with children, and affectionate to their owners. They need daily exercise and fit in perfectly with an active family. Spaniels do not like being left alone for long periods of time. Isolation and lack of training will cause them to whine and become timid.
Examples of spaniels are: Clumber Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, and Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Setters
Setters are hunting dogs. They are very active and energetic, qualities that make them an excellent jogging partner. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do such as hunting and agility work. Lack of exercise makes them nervous and high-strung. They are bright and loyal dogs who thrive human companionship.
Examples of setters are: Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, English Setter, and Brittany.
Pointers
Pointers are large, energetic dogs who love to stay busy. With their long legs, they were originally used to spend many hours running the fields in search for fowls. They get along with children and create a strong bond with their families. If not given enough exercise, these dogs may display destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking.
Examples of pointers are: Pointer, Vizsla, Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointer, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and German Wirehaired Pointer.
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Terrier Group
If there is one word to describe a terrier, that word would be “driven.” Breeds in this group are tough, sturdy, and courageous. They are determined, confident, and very independent. These dogs were first developed to hunt rodents and other small burrowing animals. They have very high-prey drive and can be a little overly dog-aggressive.
There are two types of terriers – The fighters and the vermin hunters.
The Fighting Breed
As the name states, these terriers were originally bred to bait bulls and fight other dogs. They are brave, confident, and aggressive. Fortunately, these breeds are no longer exploited and their fighting instincts have been tamed down. They are now kept as guard dogs and companion pets. They are active, playful and affectionate to their owners but suspicious of strangers. They need a strong, confident owner who can dominate them and be able to handle this tough breed.
It is very important to socialize these dogs from puppyhood in order to avoid aggressiveness and rough behavior. They are not recommended for families with children, as they can be very aggressive and dominant.
Examples of these fighters are: Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Vermin Hunters
These terriers are active, alert, and confident. They were originally developed to hunt for otter, badger, and other vermin. They are bright, independent, and always ready to take on a job. This breed should be kept on leash when outside because of his high-prey instinct toward small animals. However, with proper training and early socialization, this breed will be very happy walking alongside you off-leashed. Terriers have a tendency to become destructive and chew, leave marks, and bark incessantly if left alone for long periods of time. They need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Below are the names of these hunters:
Scottish Terrier, Border Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Skye Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Australian Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Irish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and the Fox Terrier (Wirehaired and Smooth).
There are two types of terriers – The fighters and the vermin hunters.
The Fighting Breed
As the name states, these terriers were originally bred to bait bulls and fight other dogs. They are brave, confident, and aggressive. Fortunately, these breeds are no longer exploited and their fighting instincts have been tamed down. They are now kept as guard dogs and companion pets. They are active, playful and affectionate to their owners but suspicious of strangers. They need a strong, confident owner who can dominate them and be able to handle this tough breed.
It is very important to socialize these dogs from puppyhood in order to avoid aggressiveness and rough behavior. They are not recommended for families with children, as they can be very aggressive and dominant.
Examples of these fighters are: Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Vermin Hunters
These terriers are active, alert, and confident. They were originally developed to hunt for otter, badger, and other vermin. They are bright, independent, and always ready to take on a job. This breed should be kept on leash when outside because of his high-prey instinct toward small animals. However, with proper training and early socialization, this breed will be very happy walking alongside you off-leashed. Terriers have a tendency to become destructive and chew, leave marks, and bark incessantly if left alone for long periods of time. They need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Below are the names of these hunters:
Scottish Terrier, Border Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Skye Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Australian Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Irish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and the Fox Terrier (Wirehaired and Smooth).
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Toy Group
Most, if not all dogs in this group, are bred to be lapdogs and companion dogs. Many of them are miniaturized versions of hunting or working dogs. They are very small compared to other breeds. Some only weigh between 2 and 4 pounds and are 4 inches in height at the shoulder. Since they are too small to do any type of work, they have successfully achieved the art of being very cuddly and adorable.
Although these dogs are delicates, most of them are generally healthy and tend to be long-lived. They have a life expectancy of at least 13-15 years on average and some live as long as 20 years old.
Toy breeds are very playful, usually high-strung, and always lovable. They are happy, lively, and can entertain you for hours with their seemingly unlimited amount of energy and enthusiasm. They are very affectionate of their owners and initially suspicious of strangers. They get along well with children, although kids should be taught not to roughhouse with them and to be careful in handling their fragile body. These dogs demand constant attention from their family.
These dogs are great for apartment dwellers. Keep in mind, however, that they can be very noisy and tend to bark excessively. They also make great pets for busy people because these breeds do not need to be exercised regularly. They get enough exercise just running around the house.
Because of their size, they are very often spoiled compared to larger breeds. A toy dog has a big dog behavior wrapped in a little package. The Brussels Griffon, for example, has a high-prey drive toward small animals and can be dog-aggressive. They can be tough, stubborn, and hard to housebreak. Training and socialization are needed for this breed.
Below are examples of toy breeds:
Chihuahua, Brussels Griffon, Papillon, Pug, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Havenese, Affenpinscher, Chinese Crested, Italian Greyhound , Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Pomeranian, Toy Manchester Terrier, and the Silky Terrier.
Although these dogs are delicates, most of them are generally healthy and tend to be long-lived. They have a life expectancy of at least 13-15 years on average and some live as long as 20 years old.
Toy breeds are very playful, usually high-strung, and always lovable. They are happy, lively, and can entertain you for hours with their seemingly unlimited amount of energy and enthusiasm. They are very affectionate of their owners and initially suspicious of strangers. They get along well with children, although kids should be taught not to roughhouse with them and to be careful in handling their fragile body. These dogs demand constant attention from their family.
These dogs are great for apartment dwellers. Keep in mind, however, that they can be very noisy and tend to bark excessively. They also make great pets for busy people because these breeds do not need to be exercised regularly. They get enough exercise just running around the house.
Because of their size, they are very often spoiled compared to larger breeds. A toy dog has a big dog behavior wrapped in a little package. The Brussels Griffon, for example, has a high-prey drive toward small animals and can be dog-aggressive. They can be tough, stubborn, and hard to housebreak. Training and socialization are needed for this breed.
Below are examples of toy breeds:
Chihuahua, Brussels Griffon, Papillon, Pug, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Havenese, Affenpinscher, Chinese Crested, Italian Greyhound , Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Pomeranian, Toy Manchester Terrier, and the Silky Terrier.
Dog Breeds: Understanding The Working Group
As the name states, these dogs were developed to perform specific tasks to aid humans. They are large, strong, and brave. Most are very dominant and territorial. They require a confident owner with strong leadership skills. This group is divided into four types: Rescue dogs, personal protection dogs, estate guarding dogs, and sled dogs.
Rescue Dogs
These are large dogs with dense coats and strong, powerful bodies that enables them to perform their rescue in cold water. They make a great family pet and enjoys the company of children as long as they don't roughhouse.
Examples of this breed are: Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Portuguese Water Dog.
Personal Protection Dogs
These large, powerful dogs are bred to guard. They are strong, intelligent, and devoted to their owners. They are affectionate to their families but reserved with strangers. These dogs need a confident owner or they can become very dominant and aggressive. Early training and socialization as well as daily exercise are required for this breed.
Examples of these breeds are: Doberman Pinscher, Standard Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer, and Boxer.
Estate Guarding Dogs
If you are looking for a strong dog with a muscular and powerful body, a dog who will protect your family and your territory, then these dogs are exactly what you need. They are extremely loyal, devoted, and will literally protect you to death. They are very territorial breeds who, without proper training and early socialization, can become overly aggressive and dominant. They need an owner who is capable of handling this strong-willed breed. However, with early socialization, proper leadership, and the right training, this breed can be gentle and friendly toward strangers.
Exampled of this these powerful breeds are: Mastiff, Rottweiler, Komondor, Great Dane, Bullmastiff, Kuvasz, Akita, Anatolian Shepherd, and Great Pyrenees.
Sled Dogs
This breed of dog, also called the Nordic breed, were first developed to pull sleds. Their thick, insulated coat protects them from the cold. Warm climate makes them miserable. These dogs shed year round and require regular brushing. Do not get this breed if you are allergic to dog hair or if you are fastidious about having a spotless house. However, if you like a large, friendly and powerful breed, someone who you can play with in the snow, then this is the breed for you. Early obedience training and socialization are required for these dogs, as well as regular exercise.
Examples of this breed are: Samoyed, Siberian Husky, and Alaskan Malamute.
Rescue Dogs
These are large dogs with dense coats and strong, powerful bodies that enables them to perform their rescue in cold water. They make a great family pet and enjoys the company of children as long as they don't roughhouse.
Examples of this breed are: Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Portuguese Water Dog.
Personal Protection Dogs
These large, powerful dogs are bred to guard. They are strong, intelligent, and devoted to their owners. They are affectionate to their families but reserved with strangers. These dogs need a confident owner or they can become very dominant and aggressive. Early training and socialization as well as daily exercise are required for this breed.
Examples of these breeds are: Doberman Pinscher, Standard Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer, and Boxer.
Estate Guarding Dogs
If you are looking for a strong dog with a muscular and powerful body, a dog who will protect your family and your territory, then these dogs are exactly what you need. They are extremely loyal, devoted, and will literally protect you to death. They are very territorial breeds who, without proper training and early socialization, can become overly aggressive and dominant. They need an owner who is capable of handling this strong-willed breed. However, with early socialization, proper leadership, and the right training, this breed can be gentle and friendly toward strangers.
Exampled of this these powerful breeds are: Mastiff, Rottweiler, Komondor, Great Dane, Bullmastiff, Kuvasz, Akita, Anatolian Shepherd, and Great Pyrenees.
Sled Dogs
This breed of dog, also called the Nordic breed, were first developed to pull sleds. Their thick, insulated coat protects them from the cold. Warm climate makes them miserable. These dogs shed year round and require regular brushing. Do not get this breed if you are allergic to dog hair or if you are fastidious about having a spotless house. However, if you like a large, friendly and powerful breed, someone who you can play with in the snow, then this is the breed for you. Early obedience training and socialization are required for these dogs, as well as regular exercise.
Examples of this breed are: Samoyed, Siberian Husky, and Alaskan Malamute.
Dog Health Care: 4 Ways To Reduce The Cost Of Taking Care Of Your Dog
Owning a dog is the equivalent to having a child and he deserves the absolute best in veterinarian health care that you can provide. If you want to ensure that you and your beloved pet will have years of good times together then it is imperative that you provide your dog with the necessary annual checkups, vaccinations, and any other medical care that may arise in order to protect his health.
But I can tell you from firsthand experience that providing health care for your dog can be quite expensive, especially if there are health problems or injuries that arise. In today's article you will find a few money-saving tips that will keep you from breaking the bank account so that your dog can remain healthy.
1. There are some states in the US where rabies are more prevalent than in other areas. And because of this situation, the law may require you to get annual rabies shots done on your dog. In order to help save on the cost of these annual shots, you may have local shelters or other animal organizations that offer rabies shots at a significant savings. The costs associated by local shelter services can be dramatically lower than what the veterinarian would charge.
2. Low-cost rabies shots are not the only services that some local shelters offer at a reduced cost. In fact, there are some shelters that have in-house veterinarian care. These are known as “shelter clinics” that are open to the public and is designed to help reduce the cost of animal health care. These services can range from vaccination needs to emergency care needed in case your dog gets injured. Please contact your local shelter for more information.
3. If you own more than one dog like I do, then you may be lucky to find a veterinarian in your local area that offers discounts for multiple dog owners. It took me about five different locations in order to find a veterinarian that offered such a discount, but it was worth it and have saved me hundreds of dollars in health care costs for my pets. Don't be shy to ask your veterinarian for this possibility because many do not advertise it publicly but are happy to provide a multi-pet discount.
4. Last but not least, it is always best to spay or neuter your dog. It is a known fact that many dogs who are not spayed or neutered will cause unwanted births which lead to increased chances of injury to other puppies. As far as your personal health care costs are concerned, dogs that are in heat tend to get into very inappropriate situations that are associated with a dog's reproductive cycle. Getting your dog fixed may also prevent certain type of cancers. For these reasons alone your veterinarian costs will be minimized greatly.
But I can tell you from firsthand experience that providing health care for your dog can be quite expensive, especially if there are health problems or injuries that arise. In today's article you will find a few money-saving tips that will keep you from breaking the bank account so that your dog can remain healthy.
1. There are some states in the US where rabies are more prevalent than in other areas. And because of this situation, the law may require you to get annual rabies shots done on your dog. In order to help save on the cost of these annual shots, you may have local shelters or other animal organizations that offer rabies shots at a significant savings. The costs associated by local shelter services can be dramatically lower than what the veterinarian would charge.
2. Low-cost rabies shots are not the only services that some local shelters offer at a reduced cost. In fact, there are some shelters that have in-house veterinarian care. These are known as “shelter clinics” that are open to the public and is designed to help reduce the cost of animal health care. These services can range from vaccination needs to emergency care needed in case your dog gets injured. Please contact your local shelter for more information.
3. If you own more than one dog like I do, then you may be lucky to find a veterinarian in your local area that offers discounts for multiple dog owners. It took me about five different locations in order to find a veterinarian that offered such a discount, but it was worth it and have saved me hundreds of dollars in health care costs for my pets. Don't be shy to ask your veterinarian for this possibility because many do not advertise it publicly but are happy to provide a multi-pet discount.
4. Last but not least, it is always best to spay or neuter your dog. It is a known fact that many dogs who are not spayed or neutered will cause unwanted births which lead to increased chances of injury to other puppies. As far as your personal health care costs are concerned, dogs that are in heat tend to get into very inappropriate situations that are associated with a dog's reproductive cycle. Getting your dog fixed may also prevent certain type of cancers. For these reasons alone your veterinarian costs will be minimized greatly.
Dog Intelligence: Learn Why Adult Dogs Can Lose Up To 25% Of Their Brain Mass
After only seven weeks of being alive, a puppy's brain and response patterns are almost identical to that of an adult dog's brain. This statistic is recorded using an EEG. Because of this reading, it would be normal to think that a dog at this young age would be able to have the same ability to learn as an adult dog. However, this is not entirely true, regardless of what the brain wave patterns show.
A puppy's brain may be fully developed, but their ability to learn and their coordination skills must be practiced repetitively over time, just like any motor skill. It is very similar to how people must learn a new skill. In fact, humans and dogs are identical in many ways when it comes to how their intelligence develops over the years and throughout their life span.
In people, developing intelligence increases at a rapid pace between infancy and into the mid-adolescent years. And this typically peaks when a person has reached their latter teenage years. Brain measures have shown that there are very small changes the ability to gain more intelligence, if any, between the age of 16 and 27.
After these years there is a slow and gradual decline of fluid intelligence. However, there is what is called “crystallized intelligence” that is based on what a person actually learns, that does not reach its peak in people until around their mid-40s. Some people actually maintain a slow increase in crystallized intelligence throughout their entire life. Dogs are much the same way. Their brains experience almost an identical pattern except for the fact that their lifespans are considerably shorter.
Brain Changes In The Older Dog
Once a dog starts to reach his older years, there are very noticeable changes in their physiology. When a dog reaches the age of four or five years old, the brain starts to lose weight at a large rate of almost 5% for every year that goes by. For example, the brain of a healthy German Shepherd who is 12 years old may weigh almost 30% less than it did when this dog was five years old.
Much of this decrease in brain mass is the result of brain cells that are shrinking and breaking down. And because neural connections become lost, information travels at a very slow pace within the dog's nervous system. This invariably causes delayed reactions and slow response time to noises and commands.
A puppy's brain may be fully developed, but their ability to learn and their coordination skills must be practiced repetitively over time, just like any motor skill. It is very similar to how people must learn a new skill. In fact, humans and dogs are identical in many ways when it comes to how their intelligence develops over the years and throughout their life span.
In people, developing intelligence increases at a rapid pace between infancy and into the mid-adolescent years. And this typically peaks when a person has reached their latter teenage years. Brain measures have shown that there are very small changes the ability to gain more intelligence, if any, between the age of 16 and 27.
After these years there is a slow and gradual decline of fluid intelligence. However, there is what is called “crystallized intelligence” that is based on what a person actually learns, that does not reach its peak in people until around their mid-40s. Some people actually maintain a slow increase in crystallized intelligence throughout their entire life. Dogs are much the same way. Their brains experience almost an identical pattern except for the fact that their lifespans are considerably shorter.
Brain Changes In The Older Dog
Once a dog starts to reach his older years, there are very noticeable changes in their physiology. When a dog reaches the age of four or five years old, the brain starts to lose weight at a large rate of almost 5% for every year that goes by. For example, the brain of a healthy German Shepherd who is 12 years old may weigh almost 30% less than it did when this dog was five years old.
Much of this decrease in brain mass is the result of brain cells that are shrinking and breaking down. And because neural connections become lost, information travels at a very slow pace within the dog's nervous system. This invariably causes delayed reactions and slow response time to noises and commands.
Dog Leash Training: Teaching Your Dog The Let's Go Command
There are many things that you'll have to get used to as a new puppy owner, especially when it comes to training your puppy with the basics. Are you up for the challenge? Great, because in today's article we are going to discuss a simple method that can help you leash train your dog and teach her to obey the “let's go” command.
Because new puppies are easily distracted by anything and everything around them, it is important to start your “lets go” leash training in a relatively quiet area. There should be very little distractions from other cats and dogs, children, and loud noises. The perfect area would be a private backyard or a quiet sidewalk in front, so long as you have a little bit of privacy.
The equipment you will need is simple: a leash, a loose fitting collar for your dog's neck, and a squeaky toy that you will use to divert his attention towards you.
The first thing you will need to do is to get your dog interested in the squeaky toy that you have brought with you. Play with it and show it to her in a friendly manner while talking to your dog at the same time and asking “what's this”, “pretty toy huh”, or “look what I got” - doing so in a tone of voice that makes your puppy feel comfortable and playful. Everybody has that “cutesy voice” that like to talk to their pets with, so use yours!
At this point your dog should be very turned on to the squeaky toy and will want to follow your hands and the fun noises that follow. To test this out you should get your dog's attention diverted away from you, perhaps towards another animal, and then start squeezing the toy to see if she forgets the activity around her and darts towards you and the noise.
Now The Training Begins
Stand with your dog at your left side while you have coiled most of the leash in your right hand. Your left hand should be holding the end of the leash near the collar as well as the squeaky toy. When you're ready to move, give a loud “Let's Go!” command and begin to walk away. It is important that your command is in a cheerful and positive tone of voice.
Your dog should then start moving at your same pace because there is little room for the leash to extend and the fun in a squeaky toy that she loves so much is right near her face, keeping her entertained and wanting to move towards that direction.
Be sure to utilize the simple training procedure for only a few steps at a time. If you make the mistake of trying to keep your dog walking on the leash after giving the “let's go” command for too far lengths at a time, she will get bored quickly and will stop watching you in the toy, as well as your movements.
Repeat this protocol as often as needed until your dog will follow in your direction without the use of a diversion (the squeaky toy).
Because new puppies are easily distracted by anything and everything around them, it is important to start your “lets go” leash training in a relatively quiet area. There should be very little distractions from other cats and dogs, children, and loud noises. The perfect area would be a private backyard or a quiet sidewalk in front, so long as you have a little bit of privacy.
The equipment you will need is simple: a leash, a loose fitting collar for your dog's neck, and a squeaky toy that you will use to divert his attention towards you.
The first thing you will need to do is to get your dog interested in the squeaky toy that you have brought with you. Play with it and show it to her in a friendly manner while talking to your dog at the same time and asking “what's this”, “pretty toy huh”, or “look what I got” - doing so in a tone of voice that makes your puppy feel comfortable and playful. Everybody has that “cutesy voice” that like to talk to their pets with, so use yours!
At this point your dog should be very turned on to the squeaky toy and will want to follow your hands and the fun noises that follow. To test this out you should get your dog's attention diverted away from you, perhaps towards another animal, and then start squeezing the toy to see if she forgets the activity around her and darts towards you and the noise.
Now The Training Begins
Stand with your dog at your left side while you have coiled most of the leash in your right hand. Your left hand should be holding the end of the leash near the collar as well as the squeaky toy. When you're ready to move, give a loud “Let's Go!” command and begin to walk away. It is important that your command is in a cheerful and positive tone of voice.
Your dog should then start moving at your same pace because there is little room for the leash to extend and the fun in a squeaky toy that she loves so much is right near her face, keeping her entertained and wanting to move towards that direction.
Be sure to utilize the simple training procedure for only a few steps at a time. If you make the mistake of trying to keep your dog walking on the leash after giving the “let's go” command for too far lengths at a time, she will get bored quickly and will stop watching you in the toy, as well as your movements.
Repeat this protocol as often as needed until your dog will follow in your direction without the use of a diversion (the squeaky toy).
Dog Leash Training Tip: Use A Diversion To Keep Your Dog's Attention
Dogs and puppies do not take to the leash as naturally as you may think. In the beginning part of leash training your toughest job as a dog owner is to teach your puppy that you are to be the center of attention instead of everything else that's going on around her. This can be quite the challenge because there are so many exciting things moving and making noises that can easily distract your little pup.
Such distractions can include other cats and dogs that are roaming the streets, interesting looking fire hydrants and other vertical objects such as trees and bushes, and of course other people walking back and forth.
All of these distractions are almost irresistible for a new puppy or dog. At first you will want to carry around a squeaky toy or some other object that makes a noise in which your dog will immediately turn his attention to. This will help you compete with the other noises and movements going on outside. As soon as your dog is not paying attention to your commands or your leash, you simply squeeze the toy and it brings him right back to you.
Of course this does not mean that you should prevent your dog from sniffing around a bit or exploring interesting areas. In fact, allowing your dog to sniff the outdoors is an important part of his social conditioning. Have you ever noticed when walking your dog that they absolutely enjoy sniffing were the last dog urinated? Well what is going on inside your dog's mind is that he is taking notes of what type of dog it was, how big or small the dog was, and whether it was male or female. You should allow your dog to do this now and again as it helps him familiarize with other animals.
Such distractions can include other cats and dogs that are roaming the streets, interesting looking fire hydrants and other vertical objects such as trees and bushes, and of course other people walking back and forth.
All of these distractions are almost irresistible for a new puppy or dog. At first you will want to carry around a squeaky toy or some other object that makes a noise in which your dog will immediately turn his attention to. This will help you compete with the other noises and movements going on outside. As soon as your dog is not paying attention to your commands or your leash, you simply squeeze the toy and it brings him right back to you.
Of course this does not mean that you should prevent your dog from sniffing around a bit or exploring interesting areas. In fact, allowing your dog to sniff the outdoors is an important part of his social conditioning. Have you ever noticed when walking your dog that they absolutely enjoy sniffing were the last dog urinated? Well what is going on inside your dog's mind is that he is taking notes of what type of dog it was, how big or small the dog was, and whether it was male or female. You should allow your dog to do this now and again as it helps him familiarize with other animals.
Dog Health Food
This article will give you information on how to choose a healthy food for your dog. With the recent events surrounding the tainted dog food found in the grocery stores, more and more people are becoming concerned about the food they feed their dog. Dogs are similar to humans in the fact that the healthier they eat the better they will feel. Feeding your dog a healthy diet can also fix behavioral problems that your dog may be having.
There are basically three levels of dog food on the market. The first is the grocery store foods. These dog foods contain low quality, indigestible ingredients. These dog foods are the equivalent of junk food for dogs. They may be easy on the pocketbook, but they are not a healthy choice for your beloved pet.
The next level is the premium foods. These are still found in grocery stores and can be found in veterinarians offices. They are just a small step above the grocery store foods. They may contain a little higher quality of ingredients, but for the most part still contain a lot of artificial flavorings and fillers. However, they are a lot more expensive that the grocery store dog food.
The last level is the healthy dog found that can be found online or purchased straight from the manufacturer. These are formulated with real fruits and vegetables and whole grains and rice. They will also contain real meat as a protein source. The healthy dog foods should not contain artificial colors or other artificial ingredients. These foods are designed to give your dog a full's day supply of vitamins and mineral in their natural form. You should expect to pay more for these foods due to the nature of the ingredients. The good news is that you will not need to feed your dog as much because the healthy foods are more nutrient-dense than other types of dog food.
If you really want to know what goes into to your dog's food, then consider making your own. There are plenty of healthy, dog food recipes online that you can get for free. Check with your vet for the best foods for your type of dog. Use only natural ingredients and introduce your dog to new dishes one at a time. Your dog may not be able to tolerate certain foods so it's best to test each one separately.
Your dog is a very important member of your family. He depends on you for all of his nutritional needs. It is your job to make sure that he is given a healthy, well-balanced diet. You wouldn't feed your children something that would harm them, so why feed it to your dog? Do your research and find the best dog health food for your dog.
There are basically three levels of dog food on the market. The first is the grocery store foods. These dog foods contain low quality, indigestible ingredients. These dog foods are the equivalent of junk food for dogs. They may be easy on the pocketbook, but they are not a healthy choice for your beloved pet.
The next level is the premium foods. These are still found in grocery stores and can be found in veterinarians offices. They are just a small step above the grocery store foods. They may contain a little higher quality of ingredients, but for the most part still contain a lot of artificial flavorings and fillers. However, they are a lot more expensive that the grocery store dog food.
The last level is the healthy dog found that can be found online or purchased straight from the manufacturer. These are formulated with real fruits and vegetables and whole grains and rice. They will also contain real meat as a protein source. The healthy dog foods should not contain artificial colors or other artificial ingredients. These foods are designed to give your dog a full's day supply of vitamins and mineral in their natural form. You should expect to pay more for these foods due to the nature of the ingredients. The good news is that you will not need to feed your dog as much because the healthy foods are more nutrient-dense than other types of dog food.
If you really want to know what goes into to your dog's food, then consider making your own. There are plenty of healthy, dog food recipes online that you can get for free. Check with your vet for the best foods for your type of dog. Use only natural ingredients and introduce your dog to new dishes one at a time. Your dog may not be able to tolerate certain foods so it's best to test each one separately.
Your dog is a very important member of your family. He depends on you for all of his nutritional needs. It is your job to make sure that he is given a healthy, well-balanced diet. You wouldn't feed your children something that would harm them, so why feed it to your dog? Do your research and find the best dog health food for your dog.
Dog Health Problems
This article will list just a few of the health problems your dog can develop. People tend to think that dogs can have only a few health problems in their lifetime and that these problems are specific to dogs. But dogs can develop the same health problems that humans can and the treatments for these problems are similar to the treatments for humans. Your dog is not that much different than you and since he can't speak for himself, he depends on you to recognize any health problems he may develop.
Dogs can develop diabetes the same as humans. If you notice your dog losing weight, eating or drinking more than usual or urinating frequently, see your veterinarian. He will do a series of blood tests to determine if your dog has diabetes. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, it is easily managed with insulin injections.
Your dog can also develop cancer of just about any region of his body. The treatment for cancer is chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Sometimes, depending on the cancer and it's stage of advancement, chemotherapy is more for pain control and life extension than a cure.
Arthritis is a common ailment in older dogs. The best thing for dogs with arthritis is adequate rest. Too much exercise or over exertion could lead to joint damage. You may give your dog NSAIDS for pain relief under the supervision of your vet. It is important that you keep your dog's weight under control. Dogs can become obese just like humans, especially if their activity level is not what it used to be. Obesity can cause excess damage to the arthritic joints.
Your dog can also develop allergies to certain environmental toxins. But instead of the normal respiratory symptoms that humans will exhibit, dogs will exhibit allergy symptoms by excessive scratching. They will also bite or lick their paws excessively. If left untreated, the scratching can lead to secondary skin infections such as a yeast infection. This makes it harder to cure. Your vet can determine if the cause of the excessive scratching is due to allergies.
There is a very long list of diseases and aliments that your dog can acquire as he gets older. The best thing that you can do is become very observant. Know your dog's normal routines and mannerisms. If you notice him acting differently take note of it. Your dog can have days when he just doesn't feel good, but if he continues to act strangely you need to take him to the vet. The veterinarian will most likely run blood tests or do x-rays to determine the problem. Then he can discuss with you the best treatment option for your pet.
Your dog is not that much different than you. He deserves a chance at a full and happy life. If he is diagnosed with a health problem, follow your vet's recommendation for treatment. With the advancement of medical interventions for animals, euthanasia is no longer the only option for a sick dog.
Dogs can develop diabetes the same as humans. If you notice your dog losing weight, eating or drinking more than usual or urinating frequently, see your veterinarian. He will do a series of blood tests to determine if your dog has diabetes. If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, it is easily managed with insulin injections.
Your dog can also develop cancer of just about any region of his body. The treatment for cancer is chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Sometimes, depending on the cancer and it's stage of advancement, chemotherapy is more for pain control and life extension than a cure.
Arthritis is a common ailment in older dogs. The best thing for dogs with arthritis is adequate rest. Too much exercise or over exertion could lead to joint damage. You may give your dog NSAIDS for pain relief under the supervision of your vet. It is important that you keep your dog's weight under control. Dogs can become obese just like humans, especially if their activity level is not what it used to be. Obesity can cause excess damage to the arthritic joints.
Your dog can also develop allergies to certain environmental toxins. But instead of the normal respiratory symptoms that humans will exhibit, dogs will exhibit allergy symptoms by excessive scratching. They will also bite or lick their paws excessively. If left untreated, the scratching can lead to secondary skin infections such as a yeast infection. This makes it harder to cure. Your vet can determine if the cause of the excessive scratching is due to allergies.
There is a very long list of diseases and aliments that your dog can acquire as he gets older. The best thing that you can do is become very observant. Know your dog's normal routines and mannerisms. If you notice him acting differently take note of it. Your dog can have days when he just doesn't feel good, but if he continues to act strangely you need to take him to the vet. The veterinarian will most likely run blood tests or do x-rays to determine the problem. Then he can discuss with you the best treatment option for your pet.
Your dog is not that much different than you. He deserves a chance at a full and happy life. If he is diagnosed with a health problem, follow your vet's recommendation for treatment. With the advancement of medical interventions for animals, euthanasia is no longer the only option for a sick dog.
Dog Training Hand Signals
When you are training your dog to respond to your verbal commands, you can train him to respond to hand signals also. These can be learned in conjuction with the verbal commands and can be very usual in certain situations. There are a few common hand signals that you can teach your dog.
When you are training your dog, the very first command that you should teach him is the sit command. Teach him the verbal command first and then you can incorporate the hand signal. The hand signal for sit is to start with your right arm at your side, bend your arm at the elbow with the palm facing up. Slowly bend the arm until it is above the dog's head. Do this while giving the verbal sit command. Once he seems to have that mastered, do the motion without the verbal command. If he follows the hand signal, praise him immediately and give him a treat.
Once he has the sit command mastered you can teach him the down command. This command will have the dog lay down with head up and paws forward. This is one of the first verbal commands that has a hand signal. Once your dog learns the down command, incorporate the hand signal into the lesson. The hand signal for down is palm down, fingers together and you slowly lower your hand to the ground. Keep your dog focused on your hand signal as he obeys your verbal command. Slowly, verbalize the command in a softer and softer tone until he is able to do the command on hand signal alone.
The next hand signal that you can teach your dog is the come signal. When teaching your dog to come on command use his name first and then say "Come." If he comes right away, praise him greatly and give him a treat. If he doesn't come you may have to pull his leash toward you while saying his name and the word "come." Once he has the verbal command mastered, just add the hand signal. The hand signal for come is the same as the hand signal for a person to come. Bend your right arm at the elbow and move in backward toward your left shoulder in one sweeping motion. Make sure you have your dog's undivided attention when using the hand signal.
Teaching your dog hand signals along with the verbal signals can be very usual if you need to get your dog to obey you in a crowded, noisy area. It can also be usual as your dog grows older and his hearing declines. The most important thing is to never hit or spank your dog. You do not want your dog to associate your hands with pain. Be patient with your dog and before you know it he will be obeying your every command!
When you are training your dog, the very first command that you should teach him is the sit command. Teach him the verbal command first and then you can incorporate the hand signal. The hand signal for sit is to start with your right arm at your side, bend your arm at the elbow with the palm facing up. Slowly bend the arm until it is above the dog's head. Do this while giving the verbal sit command. Once he seems to have that mastered, do the motion without the verbal command. If he follows the hand signal, praise him immediately and give him a treat.
Once he has the sit command mastered you can teach him the down command. This command will have the dog lay down with head up and paws forward. This is one of the first verbal commands that has a hand signal. Once your dog learns the down command, incorporate the hand signal into the lesson. The hand signal for down is palm down, fingers together and you slowly lower your hand to the ground. Keep your dog focused on your hand signal as he obeys your verbal command. Slowly, verbalize the command in a softer and softer tone until he is able to do the command on hand signal alone.
The next hand signal that you can teach your dog is the come signal. When teaching your dog to come on command use his name first and then say "Come." If he comes right away, praise him greatly and give him a treat. If he doesn't come you may have to pull his leash toward you while saying his name and the word "come." Once he has the verbal command mastered, just add the hand signal. The hand signal for come is the same as the hand signal for a person to come. Bend your right arm at the elbow and move in backward toward your left shoulder in one sweeping motion. Make sure you have your dog's undivided attention when using the hand signal.
Teaching your dog hand signals along with the verbal signals can be very usual if you need to get your dog to obey you in a crowded, noisy area. It can also be usual as your dog grows older and his hearing declines. The most important thing is to never hit or spank your dog. You do not want your dog to associate your hands with pain. Be patient with your dog and before you know it he will be obeying your every command!
Dog Training Techniques
This article will look at each technique in more detail to help you decide which training technique is right for you and your dog. Training your dog is very important if you want to have a well behaved dog. Your dog is a member of the family and like other members of the family he must learn the rules of the household. There are basically three techniques for training your dog. They are the traditional dog training, positive reinforcement training and mixed training techniques.
The traditional training techniques have been around since World War I because it was developed to train war dogs. This type of training employs the techniques of negative reinforcement and punishment. Shock collars or prong collars are frequently used in this type of training. The traditional techniques have the advantage of giving consistent results. However, each dog has their own personality and you must be careful when you use these techniques because you could end up with a dog that bites you or becomes scared of you. This is not the goal in dog training. The goal is to get your dog to obey your commands.
The next type of dog training is the positive reinforcement method. This method involves rewarding the dog every time he exhibits the correct behavior. When he sits on command you will praise him and give him a treat. If he doesn't sit when commanded you do nothing. Some dog trainers swear by positive reinforcement techniques. They say the dog learns faster and more consistently with this type of training. A method that is popular to use in conjuction with positive reinforcement is clicker training. A clicker is a device that makes a "clicking" sound when squeezed. The clicker is used to mark the exact moment the dog performed the desired behavior. This type of training is enjoyable for both the owner and the dog.
The third popular dog training technique is the mixed training technique which is a combination of negative and positive reinforcement. This type of training is used frequently to train dogs for specific roles, such as attack dogs or protection dogs.
Another method that is coming to light is the use of canine ethology. This is not really classified as training, but is based upon the natural behaviors of the dog. The premise is to assert yourself as the leader of the pack. You must become the alpha dog whom all the other dogs in the pack submit to. This is done through proper body language and sounds. There is no concrete evidence that this works and more studies need to be performed.
It is very important that you know what you are doing before you start any dog training program. Get a few good dog training books written by someone who has been in the business for awhile. Follow the advice in the books and keep your training sessions short and consistent. Most of all, show your dog love and affection.
The traditional training techniques have been around since World War I because it was developed to train war dogs. This type of training employs the techniques of negative reinforcement and punishment. Shock collars or prong collars are frequently used in this type of training. The traditional techniques have the advantage of giving consistent results. However, each dog has their own personality and you must be careful when you use these techniques because you could end up with a dog that bites you or becomes scared of you. This is not the goal in dog training. The goal is to get your dog to obey your commands.
The next type of dog training is the positive reinforcement method. This method involves rewarding the dog every time he exhibits the correct behavior. When he sits on command you will praise him and give him a treat. If he doesn't sit when commanded you do nothing. Some dog trainers swear by positive reinforcement techniques. They say the dog learns faster and more consistently with this type of training. A method that is popular to use in conjuction with positive reinforcement is clicker training. A clicker is a device that makes a "clicking" sound when squeezed. The clicker is used to mark the exact moment the dog performed the desired behavior. This type of training is enjoyable for both the owner and the dog.
The third popular dog training technique is the mixed training technique which is a combination of negative and positive reinforcement. This type of training is used frequently to train dogs for specific roles, such as attack dogs or protection dogs.
Another method that is coming to light is the use of canine ethology. This is not really classified as training, but is based upon the natural behaviors of the dog. The premise is to assert yourself as the leader of the pack. You must become the alpha dog whom all the other dogs in the pack submit to. This is done through proper body language and sounds. There is no concrete evidence that this works and more studies need to be performed.
It is very important that you know what you are doing before you start any dog training program. Get a few good dog training books written by someone who has been in the business for awhile. Follow the advice in the books and keep your training sessions short and consistent. Most of all, show your dog love and affection.
Dog Training Tools
This article will give you a list of the basic tools you need to train your dog. If you have decided to take on the task of training your new puppy yourself you should know what kind of dog training tools you need and what they are used for. A well trained, well behaved dog is a must, especially in you live in an area where your dog will come into contact with a lot to people.
The first thing you should get is a good leather leash. The leash should be about six feet long. This gives you a good length to teach most commands. The width of the leash depends on the size of the dog. A larger dog requires a wider leash and a smaller dog a more narrow leash. This leash will be one of your most valuable dog training tools.
The second thing you should purchase is a good training collar. A good, well fitted, prong collar is the best tool for training your dog. The prong collar can be pulled to get your dog's attention. The prongs on the inside of the collar will poke your dog, but not hard enough to hurt him. This type of collar looks medieval but is actually safer and more humane than a choke collar. The prong collar is intended to be worn when training only and then removed when the training session is over. A word of advice. Know how to fit a prong collar properly and how to use it before putting it on your dog.
The next useful training tool is a squirt bottle filled with water. This will be used as an attention getter and a form of punishment to let your dog know that certain behavior is unacceptable. If you can't get him to pay attention to you or if he continues with a behavior that is not allowed , squirt him in the face with water.
A shaker can is used frequently to get your dog's attention also. These can be purchased at any store that carries dog supplies or you can make your own by putting a few pennies into an empty soda can and taping the opening. Shake the can when you want you dog to pay attention or when you want him to stop a certain behavior.
A dog crate is an essential tool in housebreaking your puppy or to correct behavioral problems. Place the puppy in the crate throughout the day for an hour or two at a time. Remember puppies have very small bladders so they should be taken out frequently and placed in the area outside where you want them to potty. Once your puppy uses the bathroom, praise him greatly. A dog has behavioral problems may be placed in the crate to curb the behaver. It's like a time out for dogs.
These are a few basic tools that you will need for training your dog. Do your research, purchase a couple of good dog training books. Before long you could have the best behaved dog in your neighborhood!
The first thing you should get is a good leather leash. The leash should be about six feet long. This gives you a good length to teach most commands. The width of the leash depends on the size of the dog. A larger dog requires a wider leash and a smaller dog a more narrow leash. This leash will be one of your most valuable dog training tools.
The second thing you should purchase is a good training collar. A good, well fitted, prong collar is the best tool for training your dog. The prong collar can be pulled to get your dog's attention. The prongs on the inside of the collar will poke your dog, but not hard enough to hurt him. This type of collar looks medieval but is actually safer and more humane than a choke collar. The prong collar is intended to be worn when training only and then removed when the training session is over. A word of advice. Know how to fit a prong collar properly and how to use it before putting it on your dog.
The next useful training tool is a squirt bottle filled with water. This will be used as an attention getter and a form of punishment to let your dog know that certain behavior is unacceptable. If you can't get him to pay attention to you or if he continues with a behavior that is not allowed , squirt him in the face with water.
A shaker can is used frequently to get your dog's attention also. These can be purchased at any store that carries dog supplies or you can make your own by putting a few pennies into an empty soda can and taping the opening. Shake the can when you want you dog to pay attention or when you want him to stop a certain behavior.
A dog crate is an essential tool in housebreaking your puppy or to correct behavioral problems. Place the puppy in the crate throughout the day for an hour or two at a time. Remember puppies have very small bladders so they should be taken out frequently and placed in the area outside where you want them to potty. Once your puppy uses the bathroom, praise him greatly. A dog has behavioral problems may be placed in the crate to curb the behaver. It's like a time out for dogs.
These are a few basic tools that you will need for training your dog. Do your research, purchase a couple of good dog training books. Before long you could have the best behaved dog in your neighborhood!
Wedding Favors For A Romantic Wedding
Wedding can be planned in a variety of different themes. Weddings can have themes based on the seasons, on a holiday, on the beach, on science fiction, on a period of history or any other theme imaginable. However, the underlying theme of any wedding should always be love and romance. Even weddings which may not have a particular theme will likely convey the message of love and romance. This article will provide ideas for wedding favors which will help you to give your guests a reminder of your wedding which will help to invoke the feeling of love and romance. Whether you are planning a particularly romantic wedding or a wedding based on another theme you might want to consider giving favors which are related to romance.
Anything invoking a feeling of love will be an appropriate wedding favor for a romantic wedding. One great example is a silver picture frame with the word love inscribed into the silver. This is a very simple favor but it is also one which accurately conveys the message of love. Your guests may choose to put a picture of you and your partner in the frame to serve as a definite reminder of you and your wedding or they can use the picture frame in any way the wish. However, they decide to use the frame, it will likely always remind them of your wedding. Each time they see the frame displayed in their home, they will fondly remember how much fun they had at your wedding.
Coasters can also be given as favors for a romantic wedding. This may not seem like a particularly romantic gift because it is more of a practical item but you can find ways to make this simple gift more romantic in nature. For example coasters can be purchased in a heart shape or in a design which reflects the theme of love and romance. A coaster displaying a picture of a bride and a groom is one way to do this. The coasters can also simply have the word love written on them or can be decorated with heart shapes to make them seem more romantic. There are even heart shaped coasters available which are designed specifically for wine glasses. These coasters are much smaller than average coasters and can create a very attractive appearance.
Books can also be an excellent idea for wedding favors for a romantic wedding. Again, this may sound as though it will not be particularly romantic because books are typically viewed as being very practical items. However, your choice of book can greatly influence whether or not it is appropriate for a favor at a romantic wedding. A book such as a book of love poems or quotations related to love would be very appropriate to give as favors at a romantic wedding. With a little creativity you may also find other books which are appropriate. For example if you and your partner are particularly fond of a certain classical romance novel you might consider giving each of your guests a copy of this book.
A CD filled with love songs is another great favor idea for a romantic wedding. You can download some of the love songs you and your partner enjoy or songs which you plan to feature at the wedding and put these songs on a CD for each of your guests. You may even want to decorate the CD cover with a portrait of the two of your or with another image which will invoke the message of love and romance. This is not only a romantic gift but it is also a gift which can be very inexpensive. Many savvy brides and grooms may even be able to create these CDs on their own with their home computer. However, even if they do not have the time or the resources to do this, it should be rather inexpensive for the couple to find someone to do this for them.
Anything invoking a feeling of love will be an appropriate wedding favor for a romantic wedding. One great example is a silver picture frame with the word love inscribed into the silver. This is a very simple favor but it is also one which accurately conveys the message of love. Your guests may choose to put a picture of you and your partner in the frame to serve as a definite reminder of you and your wedding or they can use the picture frame in any way the wish. However, they decide to use the frame, it will likely always remind them of your wedding. Each time they see the frame displayed in their home, they will fondly remember how much fun they had at your wedding.
Coasters can also be given as favors for a romantic wedding. This may not seem like a particularly romantic gift because it is more of a practical item but you can find ways to make this simple gift more romantic in nature. For example coasters can be purchased in a heart shape or in a design which reflects the theme of love and romance. A coaster displaying a picture of a bride and a groom is one way to do this. The coasters can also simply have the word love written on them or can be decorated with heart shapes to make them seem more romantic. There are even heart shaped coasters available which are designed specifically for wine glasses. These coasters are much smaller than average coasters and can create a very attractive appearance.
Books can also be an excellent idea for wedding favors for a romantic wedding. Again, this may sound as though it will not be particularly romantic because books are typically viewed as being very practical items. However, your choice of book can greatly influence whether or not it is appropriate for a favor at a romantic wedding. A book such as a book of love poems or quotations related to love would be very appropriate to give as favors at a romantic wedding. With a little creativity you may also find other books which are appropriate. For example if you and your partner are particularly fond of a certain classical romance novel you might consider giving each of your guests a copy of this book.
A CD filled with love songs is another great favor idea for a romantic wedding. You can download some of the love songs you and your partner enjoy or songs which you plan to feature at the wedding and put these songs on a CD for each of your guests. You may even want to decorate the CD cover with a portrait of the two of your or with another image which will invoke the message of love and romance. This is not only a romantic gift but it is also a gift which can be very inexpensive. Many savvy brides and grooms may even be able to create these CDs on their own with their home computer. However, even if they do not have the time or the resources to do this, it should be rather inexpensive for the couple to find someone to do this for them.
Wedding Favors For A Beach Themed Wedding
If you are planning to hold your wedding on the beach or are simply planning to incorporate a beach theme into your wedding it makes sense to give out wedding favors which reflect the beach theme. This can really help to tie the theme of the wedding together and will serve as a great reminder of the wedding. If you select a favor which is very closely related to the atmosphere of the wedding your guests are much more likely to remember your wedding well when they see your favor in their home. If you choose to give out favors which are not closely related to your theme, the favors will not likely trigger memories of your wedding for your guests. This article will provide some examples of favors which would be appropriate for a wedding with a beach related theme.
One great wedding favor idea which works well with a beach related theme is a gift of a votive candle in a holder designed to look like a beach pail. This really helps to convey the theme of the wedding and your guests are sure to remember your wedding fondly whenever they see the favor from your wedding. These types of favors can be very inexpensive but they are something your guests can really use and will serve as a great reminder of your wedding.
Giving out seashells as wedding favors is another great idea for a beach themed wedding. You can find authentic shells at party supply stores craft supply stores. To further carry the theme in the favor you can purchase decorative fishing nets and cut the net into small squares. Once you do this you can place the shells in the center of the square and use twine to tie the corners of the square together. This creates a very appealing presentation which is really representative of the theme of the wedding because both the favor itself and the wrapping material are indicative of the theme.
Magnets which are related to the beach can also make great wedding favors for a wedding with a beach theme. You can choose magnets in the shape of flip flops, starfishes, seashells or any other shape which accurately reflects the theme. This is such a great idea for a favor because it is not only a favor which will always remind your guests of the wedding but it is also a favor which is very practical. Your guests will likely keep your favor displayed prominently on their refrigerators where they will see it every day and be reminded of you and your wedding. Hopefully will it will serve as an enjoyable reminder of your wedding.
You can also combine your place card holders and your favor to contribute to the atmosphere at your wedding and also give your guests a favor which will be a keepsake which will remind your guest of your wedding. An example of this might be place card holders in the shape of sailboats, starfishes, seashell or even dolphins. These can be used at your wedding to hold cards with your guests name and table number but your guests can also take them home as a favor. Once at home your guests can insert a picture and use the place card holders as a modern and elegant picture frame instead. This allows your guests to get additional use out of your favor and also gives them a favor which will serve as a reminder of your wedding.
Bookmarks which relate to the beach are also appropriate favors for a wedding with a beach theme. This can also be a favor which is both practical and inexpensive. Simple paper bookmarks may not be appropriate as favors but you can purchase more elegant sterling silver bookmarks which are more appropriate are favors. These favors are not only attractive but they give the impression that you really were looking for a favor which your guests will appreciate. You can even combine a beach themed bookmark with a short book of love poems as a favor for your wedding so the theme of the wedding is combined with the overall theme of love.
One great wedding favor idea which works well with a beach related theme is a gift of a votive candle in a holder designed to look like a beach pail. This really helps to convey the theme of the wedding and your guests are sure to remember your wedding fondly whenever they see the favor from your wedding. These types of favors can be very inexpensive but they are something your guests can really use and will serve as a great reminder of your wedding.
Giving out seashells as wedding favors is another great idea for a beach themed wedding. You can find authentic shells at party supply stores craft supply stores. To further carry the theme in the favor you can purchase decorative fishing nets and cut the net into small squares. Once you do this you can place the shells in the center of the square and use twine to tie the corners of the square together. This creates a very appealing presentation which is really representative of the theme of the wedding because both the favor itself and the wrapping material are indicative of the theme.
Magnets which are related to the beach can also make great wedding favors for a wedding with a beach theme. You can choose magnets in the shape of flip flops, starfishes, seashells or any other shape which accurately reflects the theme. This is such a great idea for a favor because it is not only a favor which will always remind your guests of the wedding but it is also a favor which is very practical. Your guests will likely keep your favor displayed prominently on their refrigerators where they will see it every day and be reminded of you and your wedding. Hopefully will it will serve as an enjoyable reminder of your wedding.
You can also combine your place card holders and your favor to contribute to the atmosphere at your wedding and also give your guests a favor which will be a keepsake which will remind your guest of your wedding. An example of this might be place card holders in the shape of sailboats, starfishes, seashell or even dolphins. These can be used at your wedding to hold cards with your guests name and table number but your guests can also take them home as a favor. Once at home your guests can insert a picture and use the place card holders as a modern and elegant picture frame instead. This allows your guests to get additional use out of your favor and also gives them a favor which will serve as a reminder of your wedding.
Bookmarks which relate to the beach are also appropriate favors for a wedding with a beach theme. This can also be a favor which is both practical and inexpensive. Simple paper bookmarks may not be appropriate as favors but you can purchase more elegant sterling silver bookmarks which are more appropriate are favors. These favors are not only attractive but they give the impression that you really were looking for a favor which your guests will appreciate. You can even combine a beach themed bookmark with a short book of love poems as a favor for your wedding so the theme of the wedding is combined with the overall theme of love.
Unique Wedding Favors For Each Table
Although it is not very common, some couples may opt to provide unique wedding favors for each table at their wedding. The more standard practice is to give each guest the same favor but if the centerpieces will vary from table to table the couple may want to vary the favors as well. This is a great idea for a couple who cannot settle on one overall theme for the wedding. They may choose to have a different theme for each table and as a result may also prefer to have a different wedding favor for each table. This article will take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of offering unique wedding favors for each table at your reception.
One of the most obvious advantages to offering unique favors at each table is it prevents the couple from having to select just one wedding favor. There is a wide variety of wedding favors available and many couples have a great deal of trouble selecting just one favor. This may be because they are not agreeing on which favor would be the most appropriate or because they each have several different favors which they really like and are having difficulty narrowing down their options. For either of these cases, the idea of giving different wedding favors at each table is a great idea.
Another advantage to giving unique wedding favors for each table is that the couple can branch out and either choose several different themes or one overall theme which they vary slightly from table to table. This can make the process of shopping for wedding favors a lot more fun for couples who enjoy doing this. However, couples who feel stressed out by the process of selecting wedding favors would be wise to simply stick to one wedding favor because the process of selecting several different favors can make the planning exponentially more stressful.
One of the major disadvantages of offering unique favors at each table is the couple will not likely be eligible for bulk order discounts. Many wedding favor manufacturers are often willing to offer discounts to couple who are ordering a large number of the same favor to distribute to all of their guests. However, couples who are ordering different favors for each table will likely not qualify for these discounts. Most weddings have approximately 8-12 people at each table. This means the couple will not be ordering many of each favor and will most likely have to pay full price for each one.
Another disadvantage to providing unique wedding favors for each table is it can make setting the tables more complicated. If each table will also have a unique centerpiece and the wedding favors are designed to match the centerpiece, special care must be taken to ensure the correct favors are placed at the correct table. This may be obvious if the favors are unwrapped but if they are wrapped it can be incredibly difficult. Someone familiar with the favors and how they were wrapped should oversee the process of setting the tables to ensure the correct favors are placed at each table.
Another disadvantage to giving unique wedding favors to each table is it may create discontent among the guests. For example some guests may feel as though the favors given to one table are nicer than the ones given to the table at which they are seated. This is not a major concern as most guests will not make these types of comparisons but if the couple is concerned about this possibility they may wish to keep the wedding favors the same for each table.
One of the most obvious advantages to offering unique favors at each table is it prevents the couple from having to select just one wedding favor. There is a wide variety of wedding favors available and many couples have a great deal of trouble selecting just one favor. This may be because they are not agreeing on which favor would be the most appropriate or because they each have several different favors which they really like and are having difficulty narrowing down their options. For either of these cases, the idea of giving different wedding favors at each table is a great idea.
Another advantage to giving unique wedding favors for each table is that the couple can branch out and either choose several different themes or one overall theme which they vary slightly from table to table. This can make the process of shopping for wedding favors a lot more fun for couples who enjoy doing this. However, couples who feel stressed out by the process of selecting wedding favors would be wise to simply stick to one wedding favor because the process of selecting several different favors can make the planning exponentially more stressful.
One of the major disadvantages of offering unique favors at each table is the couple will not likely be eligible for bulk order discounts. Many wedding favor manufacturers are often willing to offer discounts to couple who are ordering a large number of the same favor to distribute to all of their guests. However, couples who are ordering different favors for each table will likely not qualify for these discounts. Most weddings have approximately 8-12 people at each table. This means the couple will not be ordering many of each favor and will most likely have to pay full price for each one.
Another disadvantage to providing unique wedding favors for each table is it can make setting the tables more complicated. If each table will also have a unique centerpiece and the wedding favors are designed to match the centerpiece, special care must be taken to ensure the correct favors are placed at the correct table. This may be obvious if the favors are unwrapped but if they are wrapped it can be incredibly difficult. Someone familiar with the favors and how they were wrapped should oversee the process of setting the tables to ensure the correct favors are placed at each table.
Another disadvantage to giving unique wedding favors to each table is it may create discontent among the guests. For example some guests may feel as though the favors given to one table are nicer than the ones given to the table at which they are seated. This is not a major concern as most guests will not make these types of comparisons but if the couple is concerned about this possibility they may wish to keep the wedding favors the same for each table.
Spring Wedding Favors
Spring is a fabulous time of year for weddings. Many couples choose to have a wedding in the springtime because it is such a wonderful time of year when the plants start to flourish after a dormant winter. With the combination of a variety of flowers in bloom and the temperate weather, many couples feel as though spring is the ideal time for a wedding. These couples are also likely to want to give there guests wedding favors which are closely associated to the spring season. This article will offer a few ideas for wedding favors which would be appropriate for weddings in the springtime.
Flowers are one of the most obvious choices for wedding favors for a spring wedding. Spring is one of the best times of year for fresh flowers. There are a wide variety of bright and fragrant flowers which are available in the spring. Couples who get married at this time of year may have trouble choosing flowers for centerpieces and bouquets because there are so many options available to them. Because flowers are so plentiful this time of year, giving flowers as wedding favors is also a very common practice at spring weddings. The couple may choose to give fresh flowers because they are so bright and fragrant or artificial flowers because they will serve as a lasting memento of the wedding for the guests. With either option the couple may choose to give either a single flower or a bouquet of flowers tied with a ribbon matching the other colors used at the wedding.
Knick knacks such as ceramic umbrellas or ceramic rain boots can also be very cute wedding favors for a springtime wedding. These favors can also often be personalized to include the name of the bride and the groom as well as the wedding date. By personalizing the favor the couple makes the gift more appropriate for the wedding but by keeping the favor related to the season the couple makes the favor a really fun gift for the guests.
Real umbrellas can also be used as favors for a springtime wedding. In many locations, spring is typically a rainy time of year. A favor of umbrellas is a really practical idea because the guests are likely to be able to use the favor for years to come. One way to personalize this type of favor is to include a small tag on the handle with the name of the bride and the groom as well as the wedding date. The umbrellas can also be made more appropriate for the season by seeking out umbrellas in bright pastel colors.
A final idea for springtime wedding favors is simply candy. There are candies available in a variety of vibrant colors. While chocolate bars with personalize wrappers may be popular wedding favors year round, couples having a spring wedding may wish to select more colorful candies such as jelly beans or hard candies which come in a variety of colors. These candies can be distributed in see through containers such as votive candle holders or clear bags so the colors will be prominently displayed at the place settings. This type of wedding favor is not only a great deal of fun but it also relates very well to the season of the wedding and it is a favor which is likely to be greatly appreciated by the guests. While it is not a favor which will serve as a lasting memento of the wedding, it is a favor your guests will enjoy while they are eating the favor.
Flowers are one of the most obvious choices for wedding favors for a spring wedding. Spring is one of the best times of year for fresh flowers. There are a wide variety of bright and fragrant flowers which are available in the spring. Couples who get married at this time of year may have trouble choosing flowers for centerpieces and bouquets because there are so many options available to them. Because flowers are so plentiful this time of year, giving flowers as wedding favors is also a very common practice at spring weddings. The couple may choose to give fresh flowers because they are so bright and fragrant or artificial flowers because they will serve as a lasting memento of the wedding for the guests. With either option the couple may choose to give either a single flower or a bouquet of flowers tied with a ribbon matching the other colors used at the wedding.
Knick knacks such as ceramic umbrellas or ceramic rain boots can also be very cute wedding favors for a springtime wedding. These favors can also often be personalized to include the name of the bride and the groom as well as the wedding date. By personalizing the favor the couple makes the gift more appropriate for the wedding but by keeping the favor related to the season the couple makes the favor a really fun gift for the guests.
Real umbrellas can also be used as favors for a springtime wedding. In many locations, spring is typically a rainy time of year. A favor of umbrellas is a really practical idea because the guests are likely to be able to use the favor for years to come. One way to personalize this type of favor is to include a small tag on the handle with the name of the bride and the groom as well as the wedding date. The umbrellas can also be made more appropriate for the season by seeking out umbrellas in bright pastel colors.
A final idea for springtime wedding favors is simply candy. There are candies available in a variety of vibrant colors. While chocolate bars with personalize wrappers may be popular wedding favors year round, couples having a spring wedding may wish to select more colorful candies such as jelly beans or hard candies which come in a variety of colors. These candies can be distributed in see through containers such as votive candle holders or clear bags so the colors will be prominently displayed at the place settings. This type of wedding favor is not only a great deal of fun but it also relates very well to the season of the wedding and it is a favor which is likely to be greatly appreciated by the guests. While it is not a favor which will serve as a lasting memento of the wedding, it is a favor your guests will enjoy while they are eating the favor.
Shopping for Wedding Favors
Many couples have a great deal of trouble when shopping for wedding favors because they try to get the favors purchased in only one day or they wait for the last minute to start shopping for wedding favors and realize it is too late to order some of the items they are considering or wind up spending too much per favor because they are in a hurry and do not have time to comparison shop. This can be extremely frustrating but unfortunately it happens to a lot of couples who are trying to plan their wedding. However, if couples make shopping for wedding favors a priority during the wedding planning they may find the whole experience is a lot more enjoyable. This article will offer a few tips on the subject of shopping for wedding favors to help couples make the most of their wedding favor budget.
One of the most important things to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should plan on setting a budget for wedding favors while you are setting the budgets for the other aspects of your wedding such as location, food, entertainment and transportation. This is very important because many couples who neglect to do this are often surprised by the cost of wedding favors. They mistakenly assume they can lump wedding favors into an incidental budget but soon realize the cost of wedding favors can really add up. This is because you typically purchase a wedding favor for each guest at your wedding. Each favor may only cost a few dollars but you have to multiply this amount by the number of guests at your wedding reception. As an example consider wedding favors which cost $2 per favor. If you plan on having 300 guests at your wedding the cost of the favors will be $600. As you can see this is certainly not an incidental amount.
Another thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that it is a good idea to purchase your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding day. This is especially important if you want to have the favors or ribbons used to wrap the favors personalized with your names and the date of your wedding. This personalization often requires a couple of weeks lead time because your order has to be made especially for you instead of simply being shipped from a warehouse. Most companies will rush your order upon your request but there will typically be substantial fees involved with this service.
Another reason to shop for your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding date is you will most likely have to wrap the favors once they arrive. You may be able to have the distributor wrap the gift but again this will most likely involve an additional. The fee for wrapping the favors may be charged per favor and can add up pretty quickly especially if you are having the order rushed. If you will be wrapping the favors yourself you will want to allow yourself enough time to do so without feeling rushed. It is important to remember that you will have a lot of last minute details to attend to so you most likely do not want to have to worry about wrapping wedding favors at the last minute.
One final thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should calculate all of the costs associated with the favor before deciding whether or not it will fit into your budget. There may be a base price for the item but there may be additional charges for personalization and costs associated with wrapping the favors. Even if you are wrapping the favors yourself you will still have the cost of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and any other accessories you use to adorn the favors. It is a good idea to have the distributor supply you with a total cost for the favors including personalization and shipping before making your purchase. This will help to avoid misunderstandings about how much the favors will cost.
Many couples have a great deal of trouble when shopping for wedding favors because they try to get the favors purchased in only one day or they wait for the last minute to start shopping for wedding favors and realize it is too late to order some of the items they are considering or wind up spending too much per favor because they are in a hurry and do not have time to comparison shop. This can be extremely frustrating but unfortunately it happens to a lot of couples who are trying to plan their wedding. However, if couples make shopping for wedding favors a priority during the wedding planning they may find the whole experience is a lot more enjoyable. This article will offer a few tips on the subject of shopping for wedding favors to help couples make the most of their wedding favor budget.
One of the most important things to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should plan on setting a budget for wedding favors while you are setting the budgets for the other aspects of your wedding such as location, food, entertainment and transportation. This is very important because many couples who neglect to do this are often surprised by the cost of wedding favors. They mistakenly assume they can lump wedding favors into an incidental budget but soon realize the cost of wedding favors can really add up. This is because you typically purchase a wedding favor for each guest at your wedding. Each favor may only cost a few dollars but you have to multiply this amount by the number of guests at your wedding reception. As an example consider wedding favors which cost $2 per favor. If you plan on having 300 guests at your wedding the cost of the favors will be $600. As you can see this is certainly not an incidental amount.
Another thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that it is a good idea to purchase your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding day. This is especially important if you want to have the favors or ribbons used to wrap the favors personalized with your names and the date of your wedding. This personalization often requires a couple of weeks lead time because your order has to be made especially for you instead of simply being shipped from a warehouse. Most companies will rush your order upon your request but there will typically be substantial fees involved with this service.
Another reason to shop for your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding date is you will most likely have to wrap the favors once they arrive. You may be able to have the distributor wrap the gift but again this will most likely involve an additional. The fee for wrapping the favors may be charged per favor and can add up pretty quickly especially if you are having the order rushed. If you will be wrapping the favors yourself you will want to allow yourself enough time to do so without feeling rushed. It is important to remember that you will have a lot of last minute details to attend to so you most likely do not want to have to worry about wrapping wedding favors at the last minute.
One final thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should calculate all of the costs associated with the favor before deciding whether or not it will fit into your budget. There may be a base price for the item but there may be additional charges for personalization and costs associated with wrapping the favors. Even if you are wrapping the favors yourself you will still have the cost of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and any other accessories you use to adorn the favors. It is a good idea to have the distributor supply you with a total cost for the favors including personalization and shipping before making your purchase. This will help to avoid misunderstandings about how much the favors will cost.
One of the most important things to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should plan on setting a budget for wedding favors while you are setting the budgets for the other aspects of your wedding such as location, food, entertainment and transportation. This is very important because many couples who neglect to do this are often surprised by the cost of wedding favors. They mistakenly assume they can lump wedding favors into an incidental budget but soon realize the cost of wedding favors can really add up. This is because you typically purchase a wedding favor for each guest at your wedding. Each favor may only cost a few dollars but you have to multiply this amount by the number of guests at your wedding reception. As an example consider wedding favors which cost $2 per favor. If you plan on having 300 guests at your wedding the cost of the favors will be $600. As you can see this is certainly not an incidental amount.
Another thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that it is a good idea to purchase your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding day. This is especially important if you want to have the favors or ribbons used to wrap the favors personalized with your names and the date of your wedding. This personalization often requires a couple of weeks lead time because your order has to be made especially for you instead of simply being shipped from a warehouse. Most companies will rush your order upon your request but there will typically be substantial fees involved with this service.
Another reason to shop for your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding date is you will most likely have to wrap the favors once they arrive. You may be able to have the distributor wrap the gift but again this will most likely involve an additional. The fee for wrapping the favors may be charged per favor and can add up pretty quickly especially if you are having the order rushed. If you will be wrapping the favors yourself you will want to allow yourself enough time to do so without feeling rushed. It is important to remember that you will have a lot of last minute details to attend to so you most likely do not want to have to worry about wrapping wedding favors at the last minute.
One final thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should calculate all of the costs associated with the favor before deciding whether or not it will fit into your budget. There may be a base price for the item but there may be additional charges for personalization and costs associated with wrapping the favors. Even if you are wrapping the favors yourself you will still have the cost of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and any other accessories you use to adorn the favors. It is a good idea to have the distributor supply you with a total cost for the favors including personalization and shipping before making your purchase. This will help to avoid misunderstandings about how much the favors will cost.
Many couples have a great deal of trouble when shopping for wedding favors because they try to get the favors purchased in only one day or they wait for the last minute to start shopping for wedding favors and realize it is too late to order some of the items they are considering or wind up spending too much per favor because they are in a hurry and do not have time to comparison shop. This can be extremely frustrating but unfortunately it happens to a lot of couples who are trying to plan their wedding. However, if couples make shopping for wedding favors a priority during the wedding planning they may find the whole experience is a lot more enjoyable. This article will offer a few tips on the subject of shopping for wedding favors to help couples make the most of their wedding favor budget.
One of the most important things to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should plan on setting a budget for wedding favors while you are setting the budgets for the other aspects of your wedding such as location, food, entertainment and transportation. This is very important because many couples who neglect to do this are often surprised by the cost of wedding favors. They mistakenly assume they can lump wedding favors into an incidental budget but soon realize the cost of wedding favors can really add up. This is because you typically purchase a wedding favor for each guest at your wedding. Each favor may only cost a few dollars but you have to multiply this amount by the number of guests at your wedding reception. As an example consider wedding favors which cost $2 per favor. If you plan on having 300 guests at your wedding the cost of the favors will be $600. As you can see this is certainly not an incidental amount.
Another thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that it is a good idea to purchase your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding day. This is especially important if you want to have the favors or ribbons used to wrap the favors personalized with your names and the date of your wedding. This personalization often requires a couple of weeks lead time because your order has to be made especially for you instead of simply being shipped from a warehouse. Most companies will rush your order upon your request but there will typically be substantial fees involved with this service.
Another reason to shop for your wedding favors at least a few weeks before your wedding date is you will most likely have to wrap the favors once they arrive. You may be able to have the distributor wrap the gift but again this will most likely involve an additional. The fee for wrapping the favors may be charged per favor and can add up pretty quickly especially if you are having the order rushed. If you will be wrapping the favors yourself you will want to allow yourself enough time to do so without feeling rushed. It is important to remember that you will have a lot of last minute details to attend to so you most likely do not want to have to worry about wrapping wedding favors at the last minute.
One final thing to remember when shopping for wedding favors is that you should calculate all of the costs associated with the favor before deciding whether or not it will fit into your budget. There may be a base price for the item but there may be additional charges for personalization and costs associated with wrapping the favors. Even if you are wrapping the favors yourself you will still have the cost of wrapping paper, tape, ribbons and any other accessories you use to adorn the favors. It is a good idea to have the distributor supply you with a total cost for the favors including personalization and shipping before making your purchase. This will help to avoid misunderstandings about how much the favors will cost.
Personalized Wedding Favors
Many couples opt to give personalized wedding favors to their guests. Personalized wedding favors are a good idea because they often include the names of the couple as well as the wedding date. This helps to ensure that the guests will remember where they received the favor. Many people attend a large number of weddings throughout their lifetimes and over time the favors they receive at these weddings may become indistinguishable. However, couples who opt to distribute personalized wedding favors often do not have this problem because their guests simply have to look at the gift to remember who gave it to them. They will also be more likely to remember details of the wedding when they receive a personalized wedding favor. This article will provide some information on the types of personalized wedding favors available and will provide some useful information for giving personalized wedding favors.
When giving personalized wedding favor it is very important to plan ahead. This is so important because unlike other wedding favors which can be bought right off the shelves, personalized wedding favors require special processing. Even if the favors are already manufactured, they may still need to go through an additional process to personalize the item. This requires additional time. It will likely take at least a few days for your order to be processed and the manufacturer may have a number of other orders ahead of yours awaiting personalization. This means the wait for personalized orders can be as little as a couple of days but may take a week or even longer depending on the size of your order and how busy the manufacturer is at the time. Rush orders are usually an option but they also usually involve high fees. In fact you will likely find that a rush order may double or even triple the cost of each favor.
Just about any wedding favor can be personalized. The most popular way to personalize a wedding favor is to include the names of the bride and the groom and the date of the wedding. This can be done on items ranging from candy wrappers to pictures frames and fortune cookies to candle holders. However, including the names of the bride and the groom and the date of the wedding is not the only way to personalize a wedding favor. The couple may opt to have an item personalized with a quotation from their favorite song or poem or with a line or two from their wedding vows.
Another popular option for purchasing personalized wedding favors is to give edible favors. Many different kinds of edible favors can be personalized. Photo cookies are just one example. Many bakeries can produce these cookies based on a photo you submit to them. They may require you to submit the photo electronically or they may be able to scan a photo into their system. The couple can choose to have their photos placed on the cookies and may also include a few words such as the date or a quote from a love song.
When giving wedding favors, the gift wrapping can also be personalized. Many couples opt to wrap wedding favors in simple white paper but they can also include ribbons with their names and the wedding date to make the favor wrapping more personal. These types of ribbons can be purchased either precut or in one continuous ribbon which must be cut by the person wrapping the favor. The precut ribbons are likely to be more expensive but they can save the person doing the wrapping a great deal of time.
When giving personalized wedding favor it is very important to plan ahead. This is so important because unlike other wedding favors which can be bought right off the shelves, personalized wedding favors require special processing. Even if the favors are already manufactured, they may still need to go through an additional process to personalize the item. This requires additional time. It will likely take at least a few days for your order to be processed and the manufacturer may have a number of other orders ahead of yours awaiting personalization. This means the wait for personalized orders can be as little as a couple of days but may take a week or even longer depending on the size of your order and how busy the manufacturer is at the time. Rush orders are usually an option but they also usually involve high fees. In fact you will likely find that a rush order may double or even triple the cost of each favor.
Just about any wedding favor can be personalized. The most popular way to personalize a wedding favor is to include the names of the bride and the groom and the date of the wedding. This can be done on items ranging from candy wrappers to pictures frames and fortune cookies to candle holders. However, including the names of the bride and the groom and the date of the wedding is not the only way to personalize a wedding favor. The couple may opt to have an item personalized with a quotation from their favorite song or poem or with a line or two from their wedding vows.
Another popular option for purchasing personalized wedding favors is to give edible favors. Many different kinds of edible favors can be personalized. Photo cookies are just one example. Many bakeries can produce these cookies based on a photo you submit to them. They may require you to submit the photo electronically or they may be able to scan a photo into their system. The couple can choose to have their photos placed on the cookies and may also include a few words such as the date or a quote from a love song.
When giving wedding favors, the gift wrapping can also be personalized. Many couples opt to wrap wedding favors in simple white paper but they can also include ribbons with their names and the wedding date to make the favor wrapping more personal. These types of ribbons can be purchased either precut or in one continuous ribbon which must be cut by the person wrapping the favor. The precut ribbons are likely to be more expensive but they can save the person doing the wrapping a great deal of time.
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