Posts Tagged ‘pet supplies’
Hiring a professional dog trainer can be very expensive. And browsing the training aids in the aisles of a pet supply store may leave you reeling from sticker shock. Not to worry! You don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a well-behaved dog. The following tips will help you train a dog on a budget:
Consider Clicker Training
Clicker training is a method of positive reinforcement dog training. It involves using a small device called a clicker to let your dog know when he does something you like. As soon as you click the clicker to mark the behavior, you give your dog a small dog treat. It’s easy to learn how to clicker train a dog, and you can purchase a clicker from any dog supply store. There are also a lot of inexpensive options for dog training treats, and since you only use a small treat each time you click, a bag of treats can last awhile.
Check Out Local Animal Shelters
Many dog rescues and humane societies offer free or low-cost dog training classes and seminars. Because so many dogs are surrendered to shelters due to behavioral issues, they offer dog training classes as a community resource in the hopes of keeping dogs from being given up by their families. Many shelters also offer behavior helplines, informational handouts on dog training, and on-site dog trainers who can help answer behavior and training questions, all for no charge.
Exercise is Free
While exercise won’t cure every dog behavior problem, it can make a big improvement in a number of issues, such as destructive chewing, digging, and excessive barking. A long walk or a game of fetch is a great way to burn energy and offer your dog some mental stimulation. And best of all, it’s free!
Invest in Indestructible Toys
Offering dogs a variety of dog toys is another way to curb problem behaviors. Dog toys offer dogs mental stimulation, the ability to burn off energy, and an appropriate way to give in to their need to chew. When you first look at the price of dog toys, it can be tempting to buy the most inexpensive ones. The truth is that this is not always best for your budget because dogs can easily destroy many of the inexpensive dog toys. A better option is to invest in some indestructible dog toys, such as Mojo Treat Ball or Tug a Jug. Spending a little bit more money up front can save you a lot more money in the long run.
Visit Your Local Library
One of the best ways to learn about dog behavior is to read books by expert dog trainers. A number of dog trainers also have videos which give step-by-step instructions on how to train a dog. Rather than spending a fortune on books and videos, check out your local library. Very often they have a collection of some excellent dog training books and videos, or they can borrow them from another library.
Tags: advice, dog toys, Dog Training, dog training collars, dog treats, pet supplies, pet training
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Us dog lovers are not usually willing to admit that our sweet baby could ever do anything that someone else would object to, not our dog. So, something like barking all night and keeping the neighborhood wide awake is completely out of the question. Yet there are times when some unknown monster starts the activity and unless you go out there to tend to the matter it will last all night. This could be a really good time to consider buying one of those Bark Collars.
Here are a couple of tips to try before spending money. Simply bring your dog in the house. If you can make it stay quiet indoors, the problem is solved. However, if you are not allowed to have pets in your home, then you need to consider some other option.
There are many reasons why dogs bark, and it is not always due to some monster hiding in the bushes. It can be a matter of being hungry, or needing a drink of water, and sometimes it is just a whole lot of pent up energy that has no place to go, except to bark in an effort to get you to play for the next few hours.
Most of us dog owners come home, spend a few minutes with our dog and then either sit and watch television or get involved in something on the Internet. We should make a point of taking our dog out to run and play to burn off the excess energy and if this new schedule does not work, you have the option of these devices which are supposed to help solve the problem.
Most people think of this type of bark collar which is the static electric shock anti bark collar. The word to notice here is the word static, meaning it delivers a shock like the kind you get when you walk across the room and get shocked when you flip the light switch. It might sting, but it is not known to be deadly. However, when shopping for this kind of training aid, look for one that is internationally accepted. Some of them are not up to world wide regulations.
Another type of bark collar is the sonic anti bark which, of course, makes use of sound waves to distract your dog from barking. Some of these units are actually out of the range of our human hearing, but others might only claim something like being mostly out of the range. Find out before you purchase.
If you are one of the people who is not excited about the other two choices there is the citronella spray collar which sprays when the dog barks and is supposed to distract its attention. If you like the smell of citronella you might be happy with this type of collar.
When considering the use of any of these products please keep in mind that none of these devices are recommended for constant use. They will need to be recharged, so they are not always a solution to an outside dog that barks constantly. However, for those who have the means of making use of these units there are the above choices to consider in bark collars.
Tags: Dog Training, dogs, family, garden, home, Pet Products, pet supplies, pet supply, pet training, pets
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Not everyone is interested in having a Labrador, Beagle or a Puggle as a pet. In fact some people are much more interested in having Chihuahuas, Terriers, Poodles and adorable Shih Tzu’s. The breed mentioned at the last is one that is suited to almost all the people, and it cannot be denied that it has a lot of value among future dog owners.
Of course not everyone looking for a puppy starts off with a Shih Tzu puppy in mind, but when fate crosses this adorable puppy across their paths, it seems to be more than they can do to resist the inquisitive faces, the short upturned nose with the hair fanning out in all directions and the gentle adoring eyes staring at them with patent mischief.
Living an apartment life is something a Shih Tzu puppy can handle very easily; this is because they love being indoors and can be active in small indoor spaces too. A Shih Tzu puppy is also very indolent and more often than not you would find your Shih Tzu puppy lying in various comfortable positions around your home.
This is the reason why you should never over feed your Shih Tzu puppy, as it can very easily become fat and lazy. The best thing is to keep your puppy well fed and fully exercised. If you live in an apartment then it is necessary that you take your puppy out for regular walks. However try not to overtire your puppy by going for long distance walks, as Shih Tzu is a small breed of dog and doesn’t require a lot of exercise. If you are unable to take you Shih Tzu outside for a walk, consider getting a dog treadmill.
You may think about letting your Shih Tzu puppy play and run around in your yard, if you do have a yard. A daily walk is a good option, but in this case your Shih Tzu puppy is having all the exercise it needs throughout the day in small bouts. If you want to let your Shih Tzu out in the yard, an invisible fence is a good way to make sure he stays safe at home.
Shih Tzu’s can also make great watchdogs as they are alert and will tend to bark if aroused by something out of the ordinary. Luckily they don’t normally bark out of turn which is one of the reasons why getting a Shih Tzu puppy is ideal if you live in an apartment. If you find the barking to be excessive, a bark collar is a good way to keep the peace with your neighbors.
You might want to know that although Shih Tzu’s are quite friendly with children, especially older children, but they can be quite aggressive in certain circumstances (like when its tail is pulled) and might not be a suitable dog to have around young or very young or mischievous kids.
A Shih Tzu puppy is also an ideal option for the dog lover who is allergic to dogs, or rather dog hair. Shih Tzu’s shed almost none to very little fur which makes them a great candidate for allergy sufferers.
You might be surprised to know but Shih Tzus’ make very good show dogs. A little bit of grooming can make your very own Shih Tzu a champion show dog.
Tags: animals, bark collars, dog breed, Dog Training, dog treadmills, dogs, family, home, invisible fences, kids, pet supplies, pets, shopping
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