Does your dog have separation anxiety? You should consult your vet about this behavior, but there are also some things you can do at home to help your dog with this problem.

How to Modify Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety Using Behavior Modification Techniques

By Kristi Patrice Carter

Separation anxiety is a condition that affects millions of dogs around the globe. It is a condition that causes intense anxiety, fear, and nervousness when the dog is separated from their human companions or pack leaders. As a result, many dogs with separation anxiety attempt to relieve their anxiety by digging, escaping, self mutilating, chewing, barking, or excessively whining.

In order to help your dog overcome dog separation anxiety, you will have to retrain him to deal with the anxious feelings that he experiences while you’re gone. For some dogs, medication may be needed, but for others behavior modification is best. In this article, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of behavior modification as a way to counter condition your dog’s negative behavior and recondition him to not feel stressed and anxious upon your absence.

1. First of all, you must understand that separation anxiety is a medical condition that only gets worse with time. It is not something that you can ignore. Therefore, if your dog is experiencing the symptoms of dog separation anxiety, you should take him to the veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian will do a complete health exam and offer tips and possibly medication to assist him.

2. Second, don’t escalate the problem. This means that you must make a commitment to not spoil your dog. That is, you can’t enable his condition by giving him your undivided attention when you’re home. This just teaches him that your life revolves around his. For instance, if your dog follows you around all the time, then don’t let him. Encourage him to have his own interests and to play by himself. Give him accolades when he plays independently.

3. Third, engage in basic obedience training. That is, you must be careful not to respond to all his demands for attention and to only give him attention when you’re ready to give it to him. For instance, if your dog jumps on you for cuddles, gently push him away without making eye contact. Then when you’re ready for cuddles, you should do so on your own time. You can call him over to you and offer him your attention. Another example is if he constantly barks and whines, ignore him. This will demonstrate that you’re the “leader of the pack” and that negative behavior will not be tolerated.

4. Fourth, give your dog plenty of exercise every single day. Exercising him for about 15 minutes a day (especially before you get ready to leave) will inevitably tire him out and cause him to feel more relaxed and less stressed. After all, a tired dog is often a calmer one.

5. Fifth, in addition to not spoiling your dog, you should prepare him for departures. That is, most dogs experience separation anxiety quite intensely as soon as you leave home, so you should start paying less attention to him about 20 minutes before you leave. This will help you distance yourself from him and mentally prepare him for your departure. Another option is ignore him for 6-8 hours when you’re at home. This teaches him how to handle being alone and encourages him to entertain himself.

6. Lastly, you can try the following:

a. Only give him free access to a smaller part of the house and then extend that time as you notice a positive behavior change. Another suggestion is to use a crate when you’re away which can help him feel less anxious. The only exception to this is if a crate makes him feel more anxious. In that case, a baby gate may work better.

b. Give him some special treats when you leave. Most dogs love natural sterilized bones or a special squeaky toy. Another option is to make him a buried treasure box full of toys.

c. Put on tape recording of yourself talking, but make sure that you play the same tape when you’re at home, as well.

d. Dog proof the house. You should cover electrical cords, close toilets, doors, cabinets, etc. In addition, you can spray items with a terrible tasting spray like bitter apple to keep him from chewing on it when you’re gone.

In conclusion, dog separation anxiety is a condition that affects many dogs. By engaging in a behavior modification program, you can retrain your dog’s negative behavior and teach him to enjoy being alone. Although it may take some time, the key is to not give up on your dog. But be patient and believe that he can and will get better with time!

Do you know what Puggles are? They are dogs who are a mix of a Pug and a Beagle. Here are some pictures of puggles so you can see for yourself:

A cute puggle.

A puggle puppy.

Another cute puggle.

A sad-eyed puggle.

Another puggle puppy.

I hope you enjoyed these puggle pictures!

Have you thought about sending your dog to obedience school? Could your dog use some professional training? Here is some great information you can use when choosing a dog obedience school.

Choosing A Good Dog Obedience School

By Lee Dobbins

Everyone wants a well trained dog, but sometimes your pet may be a little difficult or you just might not have the time or know how to train him properly. Luckily you can get help and it’s as easy as enrolling your dog in a dog obedience school.

Perhaps you have seen people with unruly dogs, or maybe even have resigned yourself to think that your dog will never do as he’s told. Maybe you’ve gotten used to coming home from work and finding chewed shoes and trash all over the house. Perhaps you’ve even taken to walking your dog at night when no neighbors are out because you simply can’t control him when people and other dogs are around.

You don’t have to resign yourself to thinking your dog will never behave and in, fact you owe it to yourself and your pet to do everything you can to get him trained properly. Having a well behaved dog can save trouble for both yourself and your pet. An unruly dog could bite a neighbor or child causing you legal problems. If your dog barks a lot or gets loose all the time you may even find yourself in trouble with the police. And most importantly, if your dog will not come when called, you have limited methods to keep him out of harms way.

A dog obedience school trainer will show you how to communicate with your dog to get him to listen to you. He’ll learn how to behave around people as well as other dogs and the basic commands such as “down”, “sit”, “stay”, and heel. Your dog will probably even enjoy this as he will get to spend time with you which is all he really wants in the first place!

Picking a dog obedience school is kind of like choosing a school for your kids - you want to be sure to send him to the right one. Of course, since you will probably be attending as well you want one that works for the both of you so you need to do a little research before you settle on the school.

One thing to consider when researching dog obedience schools is a reference from others who have attended the school. Perhaps you have a friend, co-worker or neighbor you can ask? If not you can ask the school for references and phone someone who has been through the program. You should have a list of basic questions you can ask about the school and the outcome of the dog’s training. If you get positive answers then you may have found your school, otherwise, it’s time to move on to the next choice.

Another thing you want to do when narrowing down your choice of obedience schools is to visit the “campus”. Just like picking a college, you want to be sure that the school offers a good environment. Make sure the school seems well organized and the trainers are knowledgeable. Also, you will probably want a friendly environment where your dog (and you) feel comfortable.

Talking to the trainers at the school is also a good idea. Find out about the methods that each instructor uses and you might even introduce them to your dog to be sure they will get along. Your training will be much more successful if both you and your dog are comfortable with the trainer.

Dog obedience school can be a great way to turn your unruly pet into a great companion that will not embarrass you in social situations and you can really take anywhere you want. The whole training process can help you bond with your dog and truly help him be your best friend.

Have you wondered what Cockapoos look like? Here are some pictures of cockapoos for you to see:

A cockapoo up close!

A white cockapoo.

Cockapoo with a regal posture.

A cockapoo in the snow.

A very happy cockapoo!

A cute cockapoo puppy.

Many people wonder how to house train their dog. It is not too hard if you follow some simple guidelines. Terry Edwards gives some great potty-training tips in this article.

How To House Train Your Dog

By Terry Edwards

House training a dog is perhaps one of the biggest subjects when it comes to dog obedience training. If you do it right, there isn’t that much of a hassle. However, many people have trouble when it comes to potty training their dog because there is a bit of a commitment involved. In his article, I will give you some tips to train your dog quickly and effectively.

Dogs do not think like humans do. They do not have the ability to reason like we do, nor can they interpret verbal communication effectively. However, they can make simple associations. All dog training boils down to creating positive associations to positive behaviors and negative associations to negative behaviors.

This means you will need to have a strategy for positively reinforcing good behaviors when house training a dog. What are yours? They can be simple words of encouragement, affectionate touching, or even treats and chew toys as rewards. Anytime your dog does something positive, you must reinforce it. The quicker you reinforce it, and the more consistently you reinforce their behavior, the more of that behavior you will get.

Also, develop a strategy to punish bad behavior. Usually, a simple “No!” and a look of disdain is good enough. Additionally, you might tug on their collar to show them that you do not approve of that behavior.

Potty training a dog revolves around routines. Until you have properly trained your pet, you should have a schedule for when you take them out. Ideally, you should take them out every morning around the same time, 20 minutes after they have finished their meals, and before bedtime.

Also, put your dog on a feeding schedule as well. Feed them at the same time everyday. This way you are taking them out at the same time everyday as well. These types of routines make it easier for dogs to learn to act how you want them to act.

Finally, when house training a dog; you must be patient and loving with them. Dogs rarely learn overnight, but if you are affectionate towards them and you continually work with them you can train them properly It takes a bit for you to understand the different signals your dog will send you, but by patiently observing them you will soon be able to pick up on the subtle communications your dog is giving you.

I just got done watching the first episode of The Greatest American Dog. I really enjoyed the show. I think that if you are a dog lover, you will like it too.

There was plenty of fun interaction among the dogs and their owners. In one instance, Tillman, the skateboarding Bulldog, got his skateboard stolen by Ezzie, the hyper Boston Terrier.

The first contest was a game of musical chairs with the dogs, which was great to watch. The dogs played musical chairs until only one dog was left. The winners, J.D. and Galaxy, got to stay in the amazing Dog Bone suite all by themselves. The rest of the dogs and owners had to share rooms. Except for one unlucky pair, David and Elvis, who had to stay outside in the doghouse - yes, the owner David too. The pair to stay in the doghouse was chosen by the dog bone winner, J.D.

But the doghouse wasn’t too bad, especially after the other contestants brought out an extra mattress, pillows, and goodies for David and Elvis. I think this was a smart move, since anyone could end up in the doghouse on future episodes, so they might as well set a precedent of taking care of the poor pair in the doghouse!

The next competition was a talent show, with three teams. Each team had to put on a show, and all the shows turned out pretty cute. The three dogs and their humans with the worst dog/owner interaction were singled out, and one of these would be eliminated.

It turned out that Michael and Ezzie were sent home. I wasn’t surprised, since the judges pointed out how nervous and scared Ezzie was. She was not enjoying herself at all in the talent competition. It made you wonder what Michael did to make Ezzie so nervous. I think it was better that they got sent home before Michael got Ezzie even more worked up. I felt sorry for the poor dog.

So goodbye, Michael and Ezzie, and I’m looking forward to next week’s episode of The Greatest American Dog!

I plan to watch, and then I’ll update with my thoughts on the show. So far, I have heard both good and bad comments about it.

At least, I think it will be cool to have a reality TV show about dogs! Certainly a change from all those shows about boring humans.

Here, you can see a photo of all 12 dogs who are going to be on The Greatest American Dog show.

The 12 owners and their dogs are:

Travis and Presley (Boxer)

Ron and Tillman (English Bull Dog)

Michael and Ezzie (Boston Terrier)

Laura and Preston (Pomeranian)

Elan and Kenji (Giant Schnauzer)

David and Elvis (Parson Russell Terrier)

J.D. and Galaxy (English Pointer and Border Collie mix)

Laurie and Andrew (Maltese)

Brandy and Beacon (Miniature Schnauzer)

Beth Joy and Bella Starlet (Mutt - Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Shih-Tzu and Pomeranian)

Bill and Star (Brittany)

Teresa and Leroy (Border Collie)

So have fun watching the Greatest American Dog!

Have you ever run into this before? Your puppy just refuses to walk on a leash. Well, don’t despair. This is a common problem. You just have to get your puppy used to the leash gradually. Follow the tips below and your puppy will soon be walking on the leash just fine.

8 Tips For How To Leash Train a Puppy

By Alex Page

A well-behaved puppy becomes a well-behaved dog. One of the most basic, but most important, puppy training techniques is leash training. When your puppy grows up and can walk on a leash without pulling your arm out of socket, you’ll be glad you trained your puppy at a young age.

Here are some helpful tips to teach your puppy how to walk on a leash without pulling or tugging:

• Find a comfortable collar or training harness. Do not choose a collar or harness that is too tight or too loose.
• Let your puppy wear the collar or harness around the house until he gets used to it. This may take a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days. But eventually, he will get used to it.
• Hook the leash up to your puppy and let him get used to it also. If he doesn’t seem to be bothered with the leash, he’s ready to go outside to be trained. If he’s afraid of it, try to comfort him, but keep the leash hooked up until he knows the leash is not a bad thing.
• When leash training your puppy, your goal is to keep slack in the leash. If your puppy keeps the leash tight by pulling and tugging, then he’s not properly trained yet.
• The easiest technique is to just start walking. If you puppy starts to tug or pull on the leash, give it a quick little tug, then turn and walk in a different direction.
• When you start to head in the opposite direction, don’t drag him along. Wait for him to catch up. As long as the leash is not tight (the leash is slack) then you can keep walking.
• As soon as the puppy starts to tug or pull at the leash again, give the leash a quick little jerk and turn around again.
• Repeat this process until your puppy understands that he is not taking you for a walk, but you are taking him for a walk.

Puppies and dogs love going for walks, and should be exercised frequently. Walking a dog who is constantly pulling you along is no fun. If you follow these simple tips when your puppy is still young, you and your dog will have countless enjoyable walks for years to come.

Agility dog training can be a lot of fun for both the dog and the owner. Here is an article about some of the equipment you will need for the agility training. You might be able to get together with some friends and share the agility training equipment among yourselves.

Getting the Right Dog Agility Training Equipment for Your Dog

By Andrew Bicknell

Agility training is considered a specialized area when it comes to dog training and while it may not be for every dog the majority of dog breeds can enjoy this exciting type of training. There is a variety of dog agility training equipment on the market today that can assist the owner who is interested in this form of dog training. The great thing about agility training is the fun that all dogs have doing it. There is no greater outlet for a dog than getting lots of exercise, and if they are learning at the same time it is a win-win for both dog and owner.

Before buying any agility training equipment it is a good idea to check out a training manual or check with your local agility training club to see which type of training and equipment is best suited for your particular dog. Because each breed of dog has its strengths and weaknesses it is important to set tasks that they can excel in. Every aspect of your dogs breeds abilities needs to be considered when determining not only the training methods but also the type of agility course to use.

The obstacle course is one of the agility exercises that many dogs and owners enjoy the most. It normally consists of a series of jumps, tunnels, hoops, turns, and other obstacles which the dog must be trained to navigate. If you have a breed that is naturally good at surmounting these types of obstacles you will find that they will learn to overcome any and all obstacles quickly and easily. The bond between owner and dog is further strengthened because of the communication and trust needed to successfully teach a dog to run these type of courses.

When training a dog to run an agility course it pays to make the experience as fun as possible. The more fun you have the better the experience for both you and your dog. Lots of positive reinforcement with praise is key to getting the best out of any dog. They naturally love to please and if they are having fun at the same time the rewards will be that much greater.

If you are considering dog agility training for your dog then it pays to do some up front research before purchasing any training equipment. By choosing the equipment that is best suited for your dog and the goals you have set you will soon see returns on your investment in your dog agility training equipment.

As spring quickly approaches, flowers begin to bloom and people begin their warm-weathered routine of caring for their lawn. However, if you have a new puppy or a pet you’ve had for several years, it is still important to consider what you have in your front lawn or backyard.

There are many different plants that are poisonous to dogs if they are ingested, and insecticides are harmful as well. Here is a non-exhaustive list of a few plants to look out for this coming spring season…it may effect what you may or may not decide to plant over the next few weeks.

An ever popular plant that is found in many lawns each spring is the Azalea flower plant (Rhododendron spp.). This is a poisonous plant, and though ingestion is not usually known to result in death, it does cause severe stomach and intestine irritation. The symptoms of consumption include stomach irritation, abdominal pain, an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, and convulsions. Sometimes, with great quantities of Azalea consumption, a coma and/or death can result, though that is often not the case.

Another common plant that grows in yards across the United States is English Ivy (Hedera helix L.). It is a dark green vine plant that can be found in almost any locale. They are gorgeous and elegant as they climb up the side of the house or the trees in the backyard, or even as they hang from a plant holder inside your home. English Ivy’s beauty may be deceiving, however; this plant is very toxic to dogs if it is consumed. The symptoms of ingestion include stomach irritation, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and a coma which may result in death.

Lantana is a flower plant that can be very harmful if eaten. It is a popular plant that is present in gardens practically everywhere. It does not always cause death, but it may in extra critical cases. The leaves and berries of the lantana plant are the most toxic part, though the flower section is harmful as well. The symptoms of consumption include weakness, sluggishness, and bloody diarrhea. If the case is severe, death will occur within 2 to 4 days after the plant is eaten.

If you decide to fertilize your lawn this spring, there are a few things you will need to consider first. Fertilizers are often harmful to dogs, and you will need to keep your pet away from the area after the fertilizer has been applied. If you get your lawn professionally fertilized, speak with the professional and ask them when your pup can safely walk over the lawn again. If you decide to self-apply the chemicals, be sure to carefully follow the instructions, and if there is nothing on the packaging that relates to animals, call the manufacturer and ask them…it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Keeping an eye out for plants and flowers that can harm your pet is important. It is easy to not think about what we have in our lawn or our backyard. Even if your dog rarely chews on grass or eats things that aren’t food, it is always a good idea to simply not have anything that could hurt them; your dog will thank you for it!