Dog Food Aggression - Is it a Myth?

While it seems like an obvious sign of distress, dog food aggression is a serious problem that is growing out of control in the United States. More shelter dogs are put to sleep thanks to this behavioral problem than any other. Personality tests consist of dog food aggression tests, and a failure means an automatic failure, even if every other aspect of the dog is perfectly acceptable. Aggression in all forms is unacceptable in our dogs but there are ways to prevent and cure it.

Preventative measures are highly recommended for any puppy or new shelter dog. Starting good behaviors right off the bat is an easier avenue than fixing bad behaviors once they are a problem. Leadership is a necessary element in curbing any dog's food aggression problems.

A dog that has been previously starved will have a much higher tendency toward dog food aggression than one that has always had a constant supply of food. Some dogs will figure out that they no longer have to guard their resources when they realize that they have security in the midst of everything else. Others need a reminder that they are not in charge.

Make sure before every feeding that your dog sits and waits for you to fill the bowl, put it down, walk away, and give him a command to eat. This lets him know that you are the boss of his food. Take precautions with a dog who has shown any type of aggression around food. Make sure that he receives his meals alone and in a quiet place. Children and other dogs are too unpredictable to help a dog get over his aggressive tendencies.

Do not feed the dog table scraps or any other form of people food. Keep him away from meal time for the humans. He needs a direct distinction between his food and yours. Do not permit children to run around with food around the dog.

He doesn't get to continue eating if he becomes aggressive. Take the food bowl away calmly without entering his eating space and correct his behavior immediately. Make him sit or lie down yet again. He must go through the entire command and release process each and every time if you are going to make progress. Getting angry or teasing him even just once will blow all of your hard work and you will be back beyond ground zero.

Make him sit and calm down before returning the bowl. Never use your hands. Push it back with the yard stick. In order to prevent this type of aggression, you should always make sure your dog is in the seated position and waits for you to release him before eating. This teaches him that you are the boss of when he eats, so being aggressive with you will never get him the meal he wants.

Make sure that you are not giving him mixed signals. Dog food aggression is a serious problem with devastating consequences. You have to be the one to remain consistent and keep training him to behave for his food. Over time you should start to notice that he understands that there is nothing for him to get worried about. If you are truly his leader, he will know that you will provide food for him.

What is the Best Kind of Toy For My Dog?

Let's face it; there are millions of different kinds and varieties of dog toys on the market. How do you know what to choose?

First, you need to decide what kind of toy you are going for. Are you looking for a cheap toy that your dog can destroy or are you looking for an indestructible dog toy that they can't? Are you looking for a challenging toy that will make them think and keep them busy or are you looking for a toy to be used in the water?

Cheap dog toys can be found anywhere, while they are good for a dog that just tears it up right away, wouldn't it make more sense to get a toy that is durable and lasts longer? While these durable toys may cost more initially, in the long run they are actually more cost effective because you buy less of them.

Durable Dog Toys are hard to find, but there are options out there. Toys such as the Goughnut as guaranteed, so even if your dog does destroy it, you can get a replacement one for free! Also Tuffy's brand dog toy have a scale of 1-10, 10 being the toughest. They are stitched many times so that your dog can not tear it apart. Dog toy made out of fire hose are also very tough and perfect for dogs that manage to chew through them a lot. There are also Tuff Balls tennis balls that are very durable and non toxic, unlike many dog toys out there.

Interactive dog toys are good for dogs that have a never stopping mind and need something to keep them busy. Toys such as the Treatstik and Canine Genius Leos are made to have food and treats put in them and then your dog has to work to get it out. The Nina Ottosson dog toys are puzzle dog toys that your dog has to work to get rewards. They come in many levels so whether your dog is a beginner or advanced, there is a level for them that will keep them occupied. The Hide a Toy series (puzzle dog toys) are good for dogs that like to tear apart toys- they allow you to put the toy back together after your dog thinks they have destroyed it!

Tug and fetching Toys need to be durable and long lasting. The Pentapulls from Doggles are a high quality toy that can stand up to the rigors of two dogs pulling on it. Water wubbas can be used for playing fetch on the lake; they are large and brightly colored!

Stuffing less dog toys are good for dogs that main purpose when they get a toy is to rip out all of the stuffing. They look just like an average dog toy, but they do not contain stuffing, thus dogs do not have the want to tear the toy apart and it will last longer.

How to Give Your Boston Terrier a Bath

Bathing needs not to be a difficult situation for either you or your dog. In fact my pair of Boston Terriers just love their bath time.

The first step is to prepare the bathroom. Lay out your shampoo and towels. Pull open the shower door or curtain.

The second step is to get the dog into the bathroom. I carry one of dogs to the bathroom and the other will follow me.

The third step is to get the dog into the bathtub. Often you will have to lift your dog in. I just pat the side of the tub and both my dogs will jump in.

The fourth step is to firmly grasp the shower head and point it away from the dogs.

The fifth step is to turn on the water. It should be warm but not hot. If you have bathed a baby before that is the right temperature.

The sixth step is to get the dog wet. With one hand, hold the dog's neck, and with the other the shower head. Slowly wet the dog. Be careful not to get water on the dog's face or in their ears. (I wash these with a damp cloth after I bathe them).

The seventh step is to turn the water off and put a small streak of doggy shampoo on their back. Never use human shampoo it may dry or irritate their skin.

The eighth step is to suds up the shampoo; work in slowly around their back. Next I wash the neck and front legs. Then I soap up the belly and back legs. Be very gentle around the dog's genitals and tail. These are very sensitive areas. Scrub firmly. Be sure to not miss any areas.

The ninth step is to rinse. Rinse and rinse again. You do not want to leave any soap on your dog.

The tenth step is to let the dog out of the tub. Let them shake.

The eleventh step is to take a damp cloth and wash the dog's face and ears. This is a very sensitive area so be extra gentle.

The twelfth step is to dry the dog with a towel. My dogs love this.

The last step is to let the dog out of the bathroom. My dogs run around like crazy. I usually take a bath next and rinse out the tub and sop up the floor.

Puppy Love - Dog Training Tricks

Got a new puppy? Excited to teach it how to sit, stay, fetch? Need a couple of dog training tricks to get your puppy to behave?

Taking care of a dog is a lot like taking care of kid. They're needy, helpless and quite clueless about everything. It takes a while for a dog to understand what you're trying to say to it ("No, pillows are for sleeping not chewing") and - unlike human babies - will never develop the capability to communicate with you through speech.

So, how can you possibly train your dog?

Remember the saying "it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks?" Well, that saying is very true. It is important that you start training your pup as soon as you can, otherwise it'll develop habits of its own that will be hard to break. I started training my dog a few days after I got him when he was less than three months old.

Dogs learn through good and bad experiences. That's why the "reward and punishment" system works best when dog training. If you want to teach your dog to sit, for example, make sure you have a bag of treats ready.

Hold a treat in your hand and hold it up at the dog's eye level, close enough for him to see it and far enough so he won't be able to snap at it. Say "sit" firmly. Raise the treat higher up until the dog assumes a sitting position. When he sits, reward him with the treat. Repeat until he learns to sit even without you holding a treat.

Once your pup has learned how to listen to you, start introducing some dog training tricks. Fetching sometimes comes naturally to some dogs, while others need to learn how to fetch. Take your dog to a fenced in yard and give him some treats while showing him how to run after the ball.

Other dog training tricks to start with are roll-over, paw-shaking, and playing dead. Always offer positive reinforcement and reward them with treats.

Finding the Perfect Beagle Puppy

When looking for your perfect beagle puppy, there are certain characteristics desirable to this breed. While all puppies are adorable, finding one with positive characteristics will help make sure you have a healthy and beautiful dog. Whether a pet quality animal or a show dog, the ideal characteristics in a puppy help ensure that the dog is true to its breeds abilities.

HEAD

The beagle head is a slight dome shape, somewhat wide. It should have a defined stop, and not be snippy or pointy.

EARS

Long, rounded ears like the "Puppy in the Window" make the beagle distinguished from other breeds. They will hang close to the cheeks. When buying a puppy, check inside the ears for redness, odor, or marks. These might indicate an infection.

EYES

The ideal colors of the eyes are hazel to dark brown, with a friendly expression. There shouldn't be any yellow or red around the eyes.

COAT

As a hunting dog, the beagles coat should be dense and waterproof. Even though it is short, it will be rough when you touch it, and it sheds.

BODY

The conformation of the beagle should be a line that runs straight on top, from the withers to the tail. There will be well-sprung ribs, which makes sure the dog stays balanced.

TAIL

The beagle tail should not curl over the back, nor hang down. The ideal dog will have a long tail that is carried high, completely covered with hair (but not feathered hair).

When looking for a beagle puppy, you should always ask to see the parents, since it's so difficult to get an accurate assessment of a puppy in growing stages. Using a reputable breeder that has dogs in clean and safe conditions, along with recommendations, are the best way to find a dog for your pet or showing needs.