Sunday, May 3, 2009

Shocking Dogs - Electronic Dog Collars



So, you have a dog with behavior issues. You've tried everything, but nothing has worked to keep your pooch from chewing the furniture or hosting doggy parties when you're not home. You may have heard about electronic training collars, and you are wondering if this might be the answer. You may figure that an electronic collar may do a better job of getting your dogs attention and making a lasting impression. Before you invest in this training technique, there are some things you should know.

There are different types of electronic training collars. One type is a bark collar. As the name suggests, it is used to stop a dog from constant, inappropriate barking. This collar is triggered by the dogs bark. It works by either a vibration or a sound that is felt or heard by the dog the instant the barking starts. It can be set to different levels and responds only to your dogs bark. There are also bark collars that work by spraying an unpleasant spray towards the dogs face as soon as he starts barking.

The other type of electronic dog training collar is the behavior correction collar. These training collars are designed to stop unwanted behaviors, including, digging, jumping, and running away. They work by a remote control held by the owner or trainer. When the dog starts the unwanted behavior, the trainer pushes the button to activate an electric shock. There are multiple levels available depending upon how well the pooch responds. The idea with these collars is, because they are operated by remote control, the dog will not realize you are issuing the correction, therefore, you do not look like the bad guy. A disadvantage to this type of collar is that you have to be with the dog in order for the correction to be made.

Although the technology and safety of electronic dog collars has improved over the years, they are still a controversial method for training. Many experts believe even difficult to train dogs can learn without the use of a physical correction. Apparently, if you are careful not to set the shock level too high, the collars are not painful, just uncomfortable. I'm sure you can find as many people for this type of training as opposed. I would not want to use an electronic training collar on my dogs, but it is a personal choice, and not for me to judge.

Quick and Easy Tips to Successfully Train That New K9 Dog



Owning a dog can be a great deal of fun, but it can also involve a lot of work on the owner's part. It takes a bit commitment of time, energy, persistence, and patience when it comes to properly training that new canine, but do not let that serve as a deterrent. The benefits of owning a trained, well-behaved a dog vastly outnumber having a seemingly undomesticated beast on your hands, or no dog at all. Once the owner is able to commit to providing the dog with the training it needs to be challenged and happy, it is time to begin the fun part. Here are several tips that will come in handy when looking to successfully train that new K9 dog.

The first tip is more of a guideline an owner must adhere to if they expect to be successful; dogs do not speak English. This might seem quite self-evident, but it is worth mentioning as often as it takes for owners to understand what it truly means. When using verbal commands, do be sure to teach the action first, before giving the verbal cue. Verbalizing the command first, then expecting the correct response, is probably never going to happen. Instead, aid the dog in acting properly, remembering to offer rewards for the right behavior, then followed by the appropriate verbal cue.

Another tip, more for the sanctity of the house and its contents, in properly training a dog is in reference to the toys they are to have. The market has an almost limitless possibility of different options for the owner and dog. Dogs, especially young ones, will have a tough time discerning between toys and household items. Because of this, it is helpful to purchase several toys of the same size and general make-up. This will help them to distinguish between toys and other objects if all the toys are pretty much the same.

The Shiba Inu - Awesome Fuzzy Friend and Guard Dog



The Shiba Inu is not a well known breed here in North America, but their popularity is quickly growing. The Shiba is a Japanese dog, similar in appearance to the Akita. They are small, independent dogs. I could go on about the appearance, temperment, lineage, and all that other boring "Breeder" stuff. Instead let me just say, these little puppies are way cute. Shiba Inu's are adorable, fuzzy, loyal and very playful. They need a lot of attention and love, but they will give back even more.

I own two Shibas and they are a huge part of my life. These guys have seen me through tough times and shared the joys of better ones with me.

Shiba Inus can be orange or black (with white and orange). They are small, but act like they are as big as a German Shepherd. They love to play, and they love to chew. And there's never a dull moment when they are around.

I'd love to see more people learn to appreciate this incredible breed. If you looking for a dog, and would like a small, sturdy, athletic dog, that also has the heart of a guard dog. Look no further take a look at the Shiba Inu, I am sure you'll fall in love with this great breed. There is a dearth of good books about the Shiba Inu, and not that many great sites either, so it will take a little research on your part to get a good feel for the breed. Deciding to own a dog (who's kidding who, they own you), is a huge decision. Do your research!