If you want to train your bulldog, you must understand some basic things. First, you should be very consistent. Consistency is something that your dog will understand easily. If your bulldog knows that a certain thing would likely to happen if does or does not cooperate, then that would be a factor that will prod him or her to do or not do what you want. For instance, if your bulldog understands that you will give him or her a cookie if he or she performs a trick, he or she is more likely to cooperate to get his or her price.

You should make sure that you do not reward any unwanted behaviors in your dog. If you do not want your dog to jump on you and lick you on the face, then don’t let him or her think that it is okay to do that by giving some affirmations such as hugging him or her back when he or she jumps on you. From the very beginning, you should make it very clear to your dog what are allowed and what are not allowed. Do not give your dog any mix signals or else your bulldog will become confused.

Note that the bulldog is dominant in nature thus you should be very assertive when training your dog especially when you are doing some bulldog obedience training. Always let the dog know that you mean business when you give out a command. Bulldogs are very intelligent and perceptive creatures that if you give it a chance to take advantage of you, it will take advantage of you.

There are many people who make the mistake of treating the bulldog like a child or an equal member of the family because this will make the dog act spoiled. For instance, if you teat your dog like a child, it will act like a spoiled brat and will not really cooperate with you especially during bulldog potty training. When bulldog training, you should always show your dog that you are the leader of the pack and it should follow your command. Bulldogs understand supremacy so you should always work around the idea of supremacy when bulldog training. When your bulldog knows who is the boss around the house, it will not be hard for you to do bulldog obedience training.

There are few types of equipment that you will need to get for your bulldog pup. First, you will need a food dish and a water dish with strait side and flat bottom. Makes sure that you get a food dish made of steel and not made of plastic. The downside of the plastic food dish is that the bulldog pup may place with it and chew on it. Since plastic can easily be shredded into pieces in the mouth of your puppy, your puppy could be in great danger of swallowing some pieces of plastic. Plastic can irritate the stomach and the intestine of your bulldog puppy and could really make it sick so avoid plastic the plastic food dish. Another thing that you should never forget is the wire crate where you can keep your bulldog puppy when traveling. Note that bulldog puppies are very sensitive to heat and stuffiness so you should always use a wire crate to keep it properly ventilated.

You should also buy your puppy a collar and a lead. Choose a lightweight small link choke collar that would fit into the neck of your puppy. Make sure that the collar is long enough to slip effortlessly over the head of the puppy to avoid hurting your little dog. When your bulldog puppy is still very young, it would be best avoid using those heavy collars and leads but when the bulldog pup grows older, you will definitely need a strong lead to keep your dog in check.

A puppy pen would also be very important if you do not want the puppy to go tearing around the house. You must always remember that bulldog puppies could be very playful and energetic at times and they tend to bite on things especially those made of cloth, paper and other soft materials. Aside from the puppy pen, you should also buy a nail clipper, a brush and a table, which you can use when you are grooming your bulldog pup. Preparing for your bulldog puppy can be time consuming but it can also be a lot of fun.

Once you have taken care of all the paper works at the breeder’s place, you are now ready to bring the bulldog puppy home. Bringing a bulldog pup home could be very exciting for the whole family. Children usually love puppies and they tend to be overly excited about having something and someone to play with that they would tend to pester the puppy a lot. To give your bulldog puppy sometime to recover from being separated from its family, you should explain to the kids that the puppy is just like a baby that needs rest and should be taken care of very well. You must explain to your kids that the puppy just got to your home and it still need some time to adjust. If the kids must play with your bulldog pup, they should do so in moderation so that the bulldog puppy will who get exhausted. You should always remind the kids that the puppy needs a lot of rest and cuddling.

When it comes to naming the bulldog pup, you should let your kids choose the name. Although it would be tempting to do the naming yourself, the thing is, whoever kid gets to give a dog a name would always own that dog so give your kid that sense of ownership and let him learn about bulldog puppy care.

Finding a chihuahua name for your puppy can be a great challenge! It can also be a fun thing to do. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best chihuahua dog name.

- Keep the chihuahua name very short, one or two syllable if possible, so it is easier for the chihuahua puppy to recognise it.

- Choose a name you can easily call out without blushing! I had a friend who called her dog "ti-coune", a French word that mean something like "stupid". Everything was find, everybody found the chihuahua puppy name was cute, until one day my friend had to go to the vet with her dog. Imagine that, you are in the waiting room and the vet, who oftens call clients by their pet name, says clear and loud "can STUPID come to my office please?" The same goes if your chihuahua dog is playing outside and you have to call it very loud make sure the name you choose wont hurt your relationship with your neighbours!

- Keep in mind you will have to train your chihuahua puppy, teaching him to SIT, NO, STAY, etc., so try not to choose a chihuahua dog name that would sound to much alike so your chihuahua puppy does not get too confused.

- If you choose a long chihuahua dog name, remember that, just like human names, people will shorten it. Does the nickname sound good as well?

Chihuahuas are amongst the smallest dogs and they are in the toys category. Male chihuahua are about
6-9 inches (15-23 cm) tall while female dogs are about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall. They weight between from 2 to 6 pounds (1-3 kg).

People often call the very small chihuahuas Teacup chihuahua puppies but it is not an official name according to the A.K.C breed standards.

Chihuahuas have small heads with short pointed noses. They also have very large pointed ears that made them famous.

The chihuahua is a good companion because it is loyal and loving. They might show some signs of jealousy, so it is good to train them early and to teach them to socialise. They can be pretty suspicious of people they don't know.

Because of its very small size, it is safer to walk the chihuahua using a harness then a collar. Also, if you live in a cold climate, consider a coat when you take him outside.

Chihuahua history is filled with one of the larger mysteries surrounding the smallest breed of dog. There are many who believe that the truth will never be known.

The newest DNA evidence might shed some light onto the actual genetic precursor Chihuahuas. There have been Techichis included in ancient graves all over Mexico. Perhaps some of them can be tested to unravel the true Chihuahua history.

For those new to Chihuahua history, there is an accepted version of this tiny dog's heritage. It is commonly accepted that this is the only native breed of the Americas. The animal has gone from a mute companion of the Olmec, Toltec and Aztec civilisations to a very vocal member of the smallest registered breed in modern times. As each culture conquered and supplanted the prior, the Chihuahua's ancestor remained an important part of the then current society.

Aztec drawings and pottery show animals similar to the modern day Chihuahua as being integral members of the upper class families. In some cases, the dogs are thought to be able to communicate with the gods, though mute themselves! The pictured dogs are larger than the current Chihuahua, with thicker necks, pointed tails and ears. They are also pictured as accompanying their masters to the grave. Chihuahua history abounds with divergences about whether they went along as guides, companions--or as food!

When the Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez, and his men conquered the Aztecs in the years 1519-1521, much of the Aztec culture was lost. Chihuahua history suggests that the Spanish took a few of the little dogs with them back to Spain, where they were bred with other small breeds. Other discourses maintain that the Techichi were traded to China, where they were bred with a hairless, but vocal, breed and miniaturised for the next several hundred years.

This does not tell us how the dogs came to be discovered in modern day Chihuahua in their current form. Chihuahua history is full of mystery to this day. Nevertheless, the state of Chihuahua, which is due south of New Mexico and Texas, was where the current short- and long-haired Chihuahuas were discovered in the 1850s. The third dog to come from this area and further south in Mexico, is hairless and known as the Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzquintle, pronounced show-low-eats-queent-lee), but it is not considered to be a Chihuahuan kin.

Chihuahua history has the breed being first recognised in 1884, but not registered by the American Kennel Club until 1904. England didn't register the breed until 1924! It remains the smallest toy breed in the world.

Although Chihuahuas are usually healthy, they do have special health considerations, both as puppies and as adults. For puppies, starting at birth through age sixteen weeks, you should be aware of some potential health issues.

Chihuahuas, among other small breeds, often develop "reverse sneezing," which can be caused by excitement, soft palate problems, dust and pollen, cold air, or a collapsed trachea. Your Chihuahua may sound like it is gasping or huffing for air, honking like a goose, or wheezing.

Another Chihuahua health risk is hypoglycemia, as Chihuahuas have a very small fat reserve around the liver. This problem can happen at any age, although small, young Chihuahua puppies have a higher potential for developing hypoglycemia.

Chihuahuas (just like people) need essential fatty acids, which are good fats like Omega 3 and Omega 6 that help build cell membranes in the body. Without them, the body's chemical structure will not function as well. Omega 6 is one fatty acid that cannot be made by your Chihuahua's body. Therefore, you should ensure your Chihuahua is getting Omega 6 in its diet for optimal health.

To determine if your Chihuahua has a deficiency in fatty acids, check its skin to see if it is flaky and if the coat is dull, greasy, or has a course texture. If you notice these things, you can be relatively certain your Chihuahua is not getting enough essential fatty acids.

Other Chihuahua health problems you may notice that may be attributed to a lack of or reduction in essential fatty acids:

Arthritis or arthritis-like conditions
Behavioral disturbances
Disrupted healing process
Dry nose
Eczema-like skin eruptions
Foul odor coming from the coat
Fragility
Heart and circulatory problems
Hindered growth
Impaired learning abilities or vision
Kidney or liver degeneration
Lethargy or lack of energy
Male sterility
Miscarriage
Regular hair loss
Vulnerability to infection
Weakness

Don't forget that Chihuahuas have a tendency of becoming obese. To maintain proper Chihuahua care, keep your dog on a healthy food, decrease treats, take your dog for a walk, and provide regular weigh-ins to ensure correct weight is being maintained. Obesity is a major cause of coronary heart disease and if your Chihuahua is allowed to live with excess weight, its health or lifespan could be dramatically reduced!

With its immune system not yet fully developed, problems such as worms, parvovirus, myocarditis, or coccidian can spread through contaminated feces. Without being vaccinated, your puppy has a greater risk of getting sick. Puppies love to sniff around the ground and can easily get into something they should avoid.

The Chihuahua information in the historical record shows images of the Chihuahua's ancestor on Toltec building stones. The Toltecs lived in what is now Mexico around 800 AD. The www.chirescue.org website shares the following: "The Toltecs had a breed of dog they called the "Techichi". And the carvings on the stones at Huejotzingo give a full head view and picture of an entire dog that closely resembles the modern-day Chihuahua. From this evidence, we can safely assume that the Chihuahua is a descendent of the Techichi."

As an officially recognized breed, Chihuahua information says the very first Chihuahua to be registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904 was "Midget". Chihuahuas are considered a Toy Breed and should not weigh more than 6 pounds if you are planning to "show" them. Like anyone, overeat and you get fat--and that includes fur people!

There are long-haired and short-haired Chihuahuas. One piece of Chihuahua information states that the long hair in Chihuahuas is a recessive genetic trait. But, just like any recessive trait, most pups will be predominantly short haired. That is, two recessive genes must match up--one from each parent--before the recessive trait can be expressed. Breeders who strive for this trait realize that they must mate two long-haired Chis in order to stand any chance at all of getting long-haired offspring.

Coat and eye color are varied in Chihuahuas. Coats are referred to as blond, brindle, black, brown, fawn, blue (= steel gray), and splashed. Chihuahua information has it that eye color just varies in shades of brown, while the large eyes are luminous and well lubricated with tears.

Distinctive ears give Chihuahuas their character. Most Chihuahua information says that "normally" their ears are upright at a 45 degree angle. Anything other than that is the "character" being expressed by the individual animal. Accompanied by angle of tail and head position, Chi owners soon learn what these expressions mean--it's Chi Talk!

Chihuahua information agrees almost unanimously that Chihuahuas love to be touched, but not by children. Children are a bit too loud and rough for the ears and delicate bodies of this dainty breed. Those 45-degree angled Chi ears pick up sound a bit too well to handle the piercing screams of children's glee or anguish, while their chests can be fractured under the clumsy hugs of young ones. Otherwise, Chis absolutely adore attention and will burrow at your side and under your arm, hoping to get in a nose lick! If you ignore their demands for attention, they'll trip you up or bug you until you give in.

Prepare to have another "person" in your household when you get a Chi, as Chihuahua information says THEY do NOT think of themselves as pets.

CHEWING

Dogs chew for many reasons. Puppies explore with their mouths. Everything and anything will go in. When they begin teething, chewing eases discomfort and helps puppy teeth work their way out. Adults chew for fun, to alleviate boredom, because it feels good. Chewing is natural and to be expected. Your job it to teach your dog to chew only appropriate items.

Make certain you use items approved for dog use. Make certain the items you give your puppy or dog to chew are sturdy and will not be ingested rapidly. Rawhide flips and chips, cow/pigs ears (I give these occasionally as treats but not as regular chews), latex toys (the cute squeaky newspapers and such) are not the best choices. They can be eaten fast, offer no nutritional value and do not give a long lasting, satisfying chew. Some squeaky toys have squeakers that may pull out and choke a puppy. Some dogs are fine with the rolled rawhide bones (also called knotted bones) and retriever rolls (rawhide rolled into rolls with no knots at the end). It all depends on how aggressively your dog chews. Old shoes, socks, old stuffed animals are also a bad choice. Your dog will not know the difference between your $180 running shoes and that old tennis shoe you gave him. Children's toys will not hold up to a vigorous chewer. Plus, button eyes and noses can be eaten and cause choking or obstruction. I keep all my dog toys in a specific box. The dogs learn that if something is in the box or came from the box it may be played with.

I use pressed rawhide bones (the rawhide is compressed under high pressure into a sturdy bone), the sterilized bones made for dogs (watch Puppy, I have one dog that can break off chunks of these bones so I never let him have one unattended) and rope toys. I also use the fleece chew men (other shapes available) made specifically for dogs. Know your dog and watch how he reacts to various chew toys. Should he shatter a bone or shred a fleece toy, you may wish to change to a different chew or try a different bone or fleece toy. Sometimes, there may be a weakness you did not see. Not every toy is safe for every dog! Choose toys appropriately sized for your dog. I would never think of using a four-inch bone with my Australian Shepherd-Newfoundland cross. It is just too small and he could choke. However, that giant, four-foot rawhide bone may dwarf my Sheltie's mouth!

Get a variety of toys and rotate every day or two so there are always "new" toys out. This way, Puppy has a variety of toys and you do not have to buy dozens of toys to keep Puppy entertained.

Should you see Puppy chewing something inappropriate, use a loud, firm, growly "NO! LEAVE IT!" and take the item away. Now IMMEDIATELY get a good chew and encourage Puppy to take it. Once he does praise lavishly. Remember, you must catch Puppy in the act so the correction will be effective. A good thing to have on hand is one of the no chewing products. There are a variety of sprays and ointments to deter chewing. Find one your puppy really hates and spray items if necessary. Do not spray it directly into Puppy's mouth. That is cruel. Follow the directions on the product.

Teaching appropriate items to chew can save a life. Puppies will chew electrical cords, bottles of poison, plants, objects that can cause intestinal obstructions. They have to learn what is good and bad. The safest things are prevention. Keep poisons out of reach. Hide cords (some home improvement places even carry cord cover as do places that sell baby proofing items) and check to see if your plants are nontoxic. Many garden centers have lists of toxic plants. Basically, puppy-proof (and doggy-proof) as if you had a precocious
toddler around! It is far better to prevent an incident than to treat one!

Should you think Puppy ingested a poison or ate something that could either cause a blockage or intestinal damage (pins, needles, nails, nylons, fishing line, coins, rocks, antifreeze, household cleaners, plants, etc.) call your vet immediately.

PUPPY BITING

It is never a good idea to let Puppy play with your hands or feet - no matter how cute it seems. This teaches Puppy it is OK to bite skin. Even though tiny puppies playing tug-of-war with your big finger is cute, it is teaching a very bad habit! Never let a puppy do something once that you do not want him to repeat. It is far easier to prevent bad habits from developing that it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog. Here are two techniques to teach puppy not bite. Technique #1 is less physical and I recommend it first. It may take a few days or so for puppy to catch on. Technique #2 involves physically stopping puppy. Some puppies (or dogs) may actually perceive this as a challenge to try again so I do not
recommend it is as much.

Technique #1 - yelp and walk away:

Puppies are very social creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique. As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping OUCH!!! Glare at the pup, get up and move away. After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy. Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away.

Technique #2 - shake can:

If puppy does not respond to a verbal command only, try a shake can. Get an empty and clean soda can and place about 10 pennies in it. Tape the mouth shut. When your pup starts to nip, give the verbal command and at the same time give the can a good shake or drop it next to puppy (not on him please). This will help reinforce the verbal command. As soon as he stops, praise and give him a good toy to chew.

Technique #3 - shake down:

If Techniques 1 and 2 fail, then try this. I am not as fond of it as it involves physically grabbing the pup for reinforcing the "No Bite!". Start with a loud yelping OUCH; at the same time as you grasp the loose skin on puppy's neck. Give a firm scruff but not a shake and firmly say "NO BITE!" Do not pull puppy up and away, just scruff him. Release puppy and get him involved with a good toy. After a while, stop the scruff and just use the verbal.

Play Initiated Nipping

Certain games encourage biting and should be avoided when working on "No Bite": tug-of-war (my dogs are not allowed to play this with humans until they are well aware of the "pack hierarchy" and will release the toy when told to.); chase and tackle games; and other games where you actively encourage the puppy to bite a person. Dangling treats and encouraging a puppy to jump for then can encourage snapping for food as well as injure growing joints. If you play tug-of-war make certain YOU start the game and YOU stop it. If puppy brings you a toy and encourages you to play, reverse the rules (see NILIF below).

Nothing in Life is Free:

It is also a good idea to get your puppy used to working for things - even play time. Before you feed puppy, have him sit and then feed. Do the same before leashing up for a walk. If the puppy brings a toy and asks you to play, turn tables and do a bit of training then play. Puppy learns that if he listens and obeys and does something, there will be a reward. This also helps establish humans as higher in the pack order.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist. Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite. It is his way of saying something is not right. Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one. Teach your children NEVER EVER touch a dog, even one they know, without the owner's permission. Teach them never to handle a stray or loose animal, even if they know it. Children should contact a grown-up instead. Teach children not to tease or hurt dogs. Even the most tolerant dog can be pushed past his limit and retaliate. Even if the children are plainly at fault, it will be the dog that suffers. Prevention is the key.

Why house training your chihuahua puppy is so important? To make your life easier! When your dog finds out he is your master, instead of the opposite, you are in big trouble because your chihuahua puppy will do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Chihuahua puppy training tips become handy in this situation because it will help you to teach your puppy proper behaviour and it will put you in the right position.

A few general chihuahua puppy training tips

1. If you have kids, teach them how to behave with the new chihuahua puppy (and with any other dog for that matter). Kids need to know how to approach a puppy, slowly, letting the puppy smell them. If you don't teach them that, they might get bitten by the puppy which can lead to them being scared of dog for a very long time.

2. Give them toys to chew instead of your shoes or other personal items. This way, your chihuahua puppy will learn what's his and what is not, which should help you save a lot of shoes! A good cord is great to keep your chihuahua puppy teeth clean. The favourite toy of my cocker spaniel is the Kong. I make him homemade dog biscuits that I put in the Kong and he plays with it a lot. There is a tiny version of the Kong that can be a great toy for your chihuahua.

3. Teach the basic commands like sit and stay using treats and a gentle voice when your chihuahua puppy does it right.

What you need : A leash (dahhhh!) and a collar or harness. Some people prefer a good harness to a leash because it is more comfortable for the chihuahua puppy, being on its back instead of around the neck. I'd say it depends on your dog and what you prefer. Personally, I love harness because when I started to train my puppy, it used to jump all over the place, and when she got to the end of her leash, it gave a hard shock to her neck. With a harness, my puppy did not hurt her neck.

If your chihuahua puppy seams to be afraid of the leash, try indoor activities that fell good for the dog or put the leash beside its food bowl for a while. Your chihuahua puppy will see there is no danger and will come to like the leash.

The first walk
It does not take long before your chihuahua dog know that the sight of the leash means a walk outside! And it usually means that your chihuahua puppy get very excited. This is why you need to start leash training very quickly. But first, teach the sit and stay command to your chihuahua puppy. This way, you will be able to ask your chihuahua puppy to sit and stay while you put her leash on, making the start of the walk easier. ( if you don't know how to teach the basic commands to your puppy, you can read more about it or take a course).

The key to succesful leash training your chihuahua puppy is consistency and practice. Like verything else you try to teach to your puppy, she needs practice, which mean you need to do it over and over, a bit everyday.

Allergy is a disease in which the immune system reacts abnormally to every day substances such as pollens, animal dander, mold spores, mites, certain foods and chemicals. All of these allergic reactions are unpleasant, some are serious, and a few can be fatal. The offensive substances causing allergies are known as allergens. An allergic reaction may be caused by inhaling or ingesting the allergen or may be the result of direct contact with the allergen.

What are the signs of allergy?

The most common signs are scratching, face rubbing and biting and chewing at the skin. Usual locations for signs of allergy are the flank, feet, face, particularly around the eyes, mouth and ears, as well as areas around the base of the tail. In dogs, allergies are often the underlying cause of persistent skin disease. However not all scratching is due to an allergy. Conditions such as thyroid disease, fleas and certain infections, such as ringworm, can cause similar signs.

How do dogs get allergies?

They are generally inherited. The typical allergic dog starts with a short period of biting and chewing the first year. This may be mild and hardly noticeable. With repeated exposures to the offending allergens, the dog gradually experiences prolonged periods of discomfort and more severe signs.Allergies occur whenever the offending allergens are present. The more common allergens such as house dust mites or mold spores will produce signs of allergy year round, while allergies from plants that pollinate during warm months only happen at that time.

Food allergy can happen by itself or it may be a component of an overall allergy problem. Because of the complexity of allergy diagnosis, the combination of patient history, physical examination and allergy signs in the pet are all important in making an accurate diagnosis.

Can allergies be prevented?

Since allergies are inherited, there is no absolute way to prevent them. However allergies can be controlled.. The best control is achieved through avoidance of the offending allergens, so if, for example, your pet is allergic to fleas, it is better to prevent flea infestation. But allergens like dusts and mites are virtually impossible to avoid resulting in the need for alternative allergy treatments.How do I know if my dog has allergies? If your dog is persistently chewing its feet or scratching at its face, allergy may be a possible cause. Unfortunately, there are no specific signs for allergy so you will need to rely on your pet's vet to make that determination.

Allergy diagnosis requires eliminating other causes for your dog's clinical signs. This involves taking a detailed history of your dog's signs, a complete physical examination and some preliminary laboratory tests.If it is found that an allergy is the likely cause, your vet may recommend allergy testing to confirm the diagnosis.

How are allergies treated?

There are a number of different ways or combinations of ways to treat allergies. If it is mild, control may be achieved through avoiding contact with the offending allergens and medications to control the clinical signs. In pets with more severe allergies, or in pets where allergies occur year round, specific allergy treatments such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be needed. This is often recommended because prolonged use of certain medications, especially steroids, reduces itching, but produces serious side-effects which may decrease the quality and length of your pet's life. The vet may, therefore, discuss various alternative treatments with you based on your needs and the needs of your pet.

How successful is treatment?

The success depends on several factors including the overall health of your dog, the severity of the allergies,
and a commitment to therapy. In general, the steps to successful allergy treatment involve the following:
1. Trying to avoid or reduce the allergens in the environment.
2. Giving recommended medications to control clinical signs, and
3. Identifying the specific allergens causing clinical signs in your pet, followed by allergy immunotherapy.This combination will result in successful allergy treatment for most pets.

Allergies to dogs.

Sneezes, rashes or asthmatic reactions can be triggered by any breed of dog. Dandruff from the top skin and certain proteins in saliva and urine cause allergic problems in humans. Most research on allergies caused by pets has centred on those created by cats. This is not surprising because they are twice as likely to make their owners sneeze as dogs. For example it has been discovered that cats with long hair tend to shed less allergen and so their owners have fewer reactions. Cats with short hair give off more allergen.

Sufferers should keep their dogs outdoors at night. Certainly dogs and cats that live indoors should not be allowed on beds or even in the allergic person's bedroom. However research has shown that if a cat or dog is washed once a week the airborne allergens are cut drastically.

Dandruff collects on the carpets and in upholstered furniture so for those suffering allergies it is better to be without carpets and have wooden furniture or leather. If it is impossible to remove carpets then these should be steamed cleaned every three months to remove allergens. It is also advisable to wash walls and floors.Animal allergens are very small and very sticky and once they are secreted they dry on the animal's fur. There they stick until becoming airborne during petting and grooming. Then, because they are so small, they can stay airborne for a long time and, because they are sticky, they adhere to walls, clothing, and heating and cooling ducts.Some years ago I gave up smoking and noticed that I was coughing and choking when handling dogs. After a few tests I was told: "Mr. Dogman you are an asthmatic and allergic to dogs." Sadly I now have to take all kind of things to help control my allergic symptoms from medication to inhalers and I wash my hands more than a surgeon, change my clothes several times a day and wash my dogs every week.But with all my allergies I could not live without dogs because I know that dogs enhance our quality of life and are worth having around. So, if you are allergic to dogs, don't give up on them, they are still worth having around.

Chihuahuas are so dainty that there is a natural inclination to dress them up like dolls in special Chihuahua clothes. If you are very handy, you can make their clothing yourself and match your fur person's clothing to your own!

Whether you make them yourself, buy them in a brick-and-mortar store or on-line, the proper size of Chihuahua clothes is critical. You will need to have the following measurements with you when you are looking for clothing for your Chi: Length is the measurement along the backbone from the root of the tail to where the neck begins rising up from the back. Girth is the measurement found at the base of the rib cage up around the back. And the neck is measured at the base of the neck where it joins the main body trunk.

Special occasion Chihuahua clothes are a hoot. There is no end to the type of occasions for which you can dress your pet. If you are taking your Chi to a wedding, a frilly dress to match the bridesmaids dresses is always chic. You can even have a matching hat made to top off the ensemble! Every holiday has its associated clothing: Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas--the list is endless, as are the outfits that you can have made for your pet.

The practical side of Chihuahua clothes revolves around the thin layer of fat on most Chihuahuas. In cold environments and latitudes, there is a real need for a Chi to have a coat! Yes, their fur will probably thicken up some, but they just do not have enough body fat to keep them from shivering to pieces if you stick them in a snowbank!

Regardless of what you put on your pet, Chihuahua clothes can only go so far. You will want to be reasonable about how long your little one is out in the cold. There are boots made for dogs, but for Chihuahuas, they are not recommended as their legs already have a propensity to injure easily. You might -- stress "might" -- consider having knitted booties made to fit. This will still allow them to be sure-footed without the klunkiness and cumbersome qualities of shoes.

There are several websites that have patterns for making dog clothing. One website has instructions for knitting sweaters and can be found at www.redlipstick.net/knit/chihswe.html . Jackets, dresses, shirts, T-shirts, coats, caps, earmuffs, socks, booties, even pajamas--all are possible candidates for the complete line of Chihuahua clothes. You are limited only by your imagination and wallet size!

We all have a basic idea of what your average Chihuahua looks like, but did you know that it is classified by the type of coat it has? The two main types of Chihuahua coats are the smooth coat and long coat/long haired Chihuahua.

In the smooth coat variety, the texture is smooth, glossy, and coarser than the hair of a long coat. Some Chihuahuas have heavier coats than others, and will have an "undercoat." The perfect coat in this category is one that is even over the body (sparser on the ears and head), ruff at the neck, with furry hair on the tail. A Chihuahua with a short coat does shed, albeit minimally.

On the other hand, a long haired Chihuahua's coat texture is soft and can be flat or have soft curls. The ears have a cute fringe and the tail has full hair. The Chihuahua's feet and legs have slight feathering, the hind legs have "pants," and the neck should have a larger ruff.

A thin coat Chihuahua would normally be a disqualification for show. Many breeders state that the long coat Chihuahua has a gentler temperament than that of a short coat Chihuahua (although some people disagree). Long coats shed, but like the short coat, it is minimal.

Generally, a long haired Chihuahua will need to be cleaned more often than the short coat. The front side of the coat on the chest, called the bib, can get dirty and matted.

You also want to keep the rear end of a long coat Chihuahua clean since fecal matter and other particles can become stuck to the hair. For this problem, you can either clip the hair shorter in that area or bath the entire Chihuahua (or just that area) more often.

No matter the coat type of this loveable dog, correct grooming techniques will make its coat shine just like new. Oh, and one last thing -- don't forget to give your Chihuahua's coat a bath every so often!

It's that time of year when we hit the roads or fly the "friendly" skies for some fun and relaxation. But what do we do with our furry family members? More places are becoming pet friendly, but there's more to consider.

Is bringing your pet along what's best for your pet? Of course, if you're actually moving, you'll bring your pet no question. However, if it's for a long weekend or a week long vacation, is it best to bring your pet with you even though you want to? Be sure to take into consideration how your pet does with travel. Do they ride well in dog crates, dog carriers, or cat carriers as the case may be or are they anxious? Are they in good health? How old are they? Where will you be staying? Are you going into any extreme weather changes? Sometimes answering these questions will cause you to reconsider bringing your pet with you, for their sake.

If you do decide to bring your pet with you after asking the questions above, do your preparations so the trip is enjoyable for all. The worst thing is for your pets to become ill while they're away from their regular veterinarian and you haven't made the necessary preparations. Make sure you have all your pet's medical records and medications with you. It's always a good idea to have your pet checked out by their regular vet before leaving on any trip. Some airlines require this documentation to show that vaccinations are current.

If your pet requires special food, be sure to pack it. It's always nice to bring the pet beds they're familiar with along if possible as well as a toy or two. Don't forget to pack your pet's first aid kit, collar, leash, tags, all their regular items. Just consider what their daily needs are as well as the "just in case" items and throw them in a bag.

There's no reason your four legged family member can't join you, if they're up to it, and everyone have a wonderful time. It's up to us humans to take the time to prepare not only for our travel, but for our pet's, too.

Giving your dog the right kind of toys to play with can produce many benefits for both them and you

There is a common misconception that dogs’ toys are only designed to help relieve their boredom, but this is not their only use.

Dogs toys in general are excellent for relieving their boredom and particularly good where you may find yourself having to leave your dog on it's own at certain times, but, for your dogs sake, there are plenty of reasons why you should think about buying your dog some toys.

Several toys for dogs are designed to boost their intelligence. For example, the kind that they will only get rewarded for after they have successfully completed certain tasks.

These toys can be a very effective method of training your dog, as it’s seen as being fun for your dog as well as a means to teaching them.

There are some toys on the market that can help your dog to understand what they can and cannot chew and in buying these you can save yourself a lot of expense by not having to replace costly household items that may be damaged by your pet dog chewing them.

Toys that help your dog strengthen and keep their teeth clean and toys that help teach your dog with retrieval training, both have their purpose.

What you ideally need to decide, before buying the toys, is what you want the toys for. It is also a good idea to take into account the kind of personality your dog has to enable you to get the right sort of toys for their temperament and level of intelligence.

Some dogs’ toys are only designed to last a short time, after which they are to be replaced by new alternative ones, and these replacement ones can often be the chewing kind.

Some toys that are designed to be chewed are flavoured so you may need to check what ingredients they have used for the flavouring or you might end up buying a toy for your dog that they are allergic to.

These flavoured toys have occasionally some or many preservatives in them, so beware, and read the ingredients label carefully before buying them.

With the market for dogs’ toys being so vast these days there is bound to be plenty of choice for your dog to help keep their lives entertained and happy.

Buying the right kind of toys for your dog has got to be in your, and ultimately your dogs, best interest.

If a person is considering buying a new dog they should consider what type of dog they are buying carefully. There is nothing worse than having an adorable puppy grow into a dog that is inappropriate for the family, especially when a little research would have let them know that before they bought it. Havanese dogs are a great small dog breed for any person seeking a new pet. In fact, Havanese are a great all around type of dog, no matter the size they are compared to. They have a good temperament, are hypoallergenic, and are a very healthy breed. When buying dogs like the Havanese (or any other breed really) a person should make sure that the breed is right for him or her and the person’s family. Adopting or buying dog is a long commitment that should not be taken lightly. Remember, when a person is getting a dog, they are getting a new family member. If a person is thinking about getting a new dog for his or her family, that person may wish to consider the small dog breed called the Havanese dog. This is a dog that originates from breeding in Cuba, and has been made somewhat more famous due to celebrities such as Barbara Walters owning them. This is a very varied type of dog. Havanese dogs may come in many different fur types and colors. In fact, very few colors and fur types and combinations will exclude them from being shown.

The Havanese dog breed is considered a very intelligent and a highly-trainable one. Dog lovers will find many reasons to buy this particular breed. First of all, this dog does not shed so it is considered hypoallergenic, which is great for anyone who is allergic to dogs. Second of all, Havanese dogs have a great temperament and even enjoys playing with children. Third of all, Havanese dogs are considered to be very healthy and most are healthier than the average small breed dog according to reliable Havanese information.

Havanese dogs are considered (like Bichons and poodles) to be a shed-free dog. This means that they shed very little, although they must be brushed. This type of dog is considered to be hypoallergenic because although they have dander, they do not shed it off easily. This adds one bit of work for a pet owner, because that means they must be brushed frequently to avoid damage to their skin and fur.

The temperament of Havanese dogs is another great reason to have this type of dog. Unlike most small dogs, Havanese dogs do not get nervous around people and children. Most children (even fairly young ones) are able to play with this dog easily.

A huge concern among pet owners, particularly among purebred dog owners, is the general health of the dog and the dog breed. Unlike many dog breeds, particularly smaller dog breeds, the Havanese is relatively hardy. The breed overall, is a very healthy one.

Choosing a dog for one's family can be a very difficult choice. There are many factors a person should consider, many of which they do not even think about until they adopted a dog they are not ready for. One type of dog that is generally a safe choice for most families is the Havanese dog breed. Havanese Dogs are a beautiful small dog breed that fit well into most households and bring joy along with them.

Havanese Dogs fit in with most families so well because of the fact that they do not shed, which makes them hypoallergenic, they are a very good temperament, and even get along with small children. They are a very healthy breed, especially compared to other small dog breeds. In addition to these factors, Havanese Dogs are very trainable smart dogs. Overall, they will fit into almost every household and are an excellent breed of dog.

by: Fiona A Kelly

The Bulldog is one of the most popular purebred dogs. It is popular among celebrities and families.The broad shouldered,stocky bulldog with it characterisitc under bite and pugnacious gait has long been a mascot of sports teams and military units.
But their docile,even tempered personality that belies their tough guy image makes them good pets for families with young children.The personality of Bull dog is unlike any other dog.They are so expressive.If one looks into their eyes one can almost see what they are thinking.Their growing popularuty with celebrities have added to their publicity.The breed is the second most popular dog in Los Angeles.

An English bull dog puppy makes a great companion.A prominent characterisitic of this breed is that they are attention seekers and get along well in a home with children and other pets.If they are given proper care and attention ,you are ensured of a very loyal and loving pet in return.Nevertheless,the care of an English bull dog puppy requires a bit of firmness. It will be difficult to deal if you spoil them. In case they are used to a lot of attention and loses it ,for instance,when its owner's have a baby, it can act out by barking or biting. Therefore, attention needs to be consistent and firm, so that the dog senses its place in what it sees as its group.

It must be remembered that an English bull dog they become less interested in exercise as they age. While these dogs are short and stocky they should be put through regular exercise on to prevent obesity. As they are exhausted by exercise they should be given water often. Another pecularity of an English bull dog is that it has so many folds .Therefore,its cleanliness is really important. If not cleaned well it can cause bacterial or fungal infections.

On the other hand,an American bull dog is a breed of working dog developed for catching livestock and for protecting property. Though larger in size, they are the closest surviving relative of the old English bulldog. There are generally considered to be two types of American bulldog, the johnson type and the Scott type, named after the breeders who were influential in developing them, John D. Johnson and Allen Scott. These are more commonly known as Classic or Bully type and Standard or Performance type.The American Bulldog is a stocky, strong-looking dog. Its coat is short and either white or white with patches.

The growing popularity of bull dog has a downside.They can suffer from breathing problems and should only be treated by experienced veterinarians.Bull dogs are also unable to swim.Breeders use artificial insemination and caesarean sections when breeding the dogs to reduce the high risk of injury caused by the large size of the dog's head in proportion to its hips.The elaborate precautions required when breeding bulldogs puts the cost of a typical purebred bulldog puppy on the higher side.

by: Mary Rose

A good dog training program is something that all dog owners should look into. Not only will this help your dog be able to obey better but it will also strengthen the bond with your dog. However, this does not have to be done by a professional as there really is nobody better equipped to train your dog than you, yourself.

Whenever you are working with a dog training program, you need to remember that you are the one that is in control. However, you do not want to come across as being too forceful either. The goal here is to be both friendly and assertive at the same time.

So, how do you train your dog to obey you? Of course, you do not want to just start yelling commands at your dog. Instead, you are going to need to have a good game plan. Part of this has to do with ensuring that your dog is in the right mindset before you even get started. As such, you should not try to train your dog right after he has eaten and you may wish to take him for a quick walk before you get started. Another thing that it is good to do before training him is to take a little time to play with him so that he will feel relaxed and comfortable with you. All of this will help to eliminate distractions and help you get down to business.

Whenever you are training your dog and he does something right, make sure that you have a treat available to give to him. This helps your dog to know when he has done something right. On the other hand, do not get upset when he occasionally runs off during a training session - this is normal. Simply call him back and get back on task right away. It is also normal for him to seem absolutely clueless at times. Herein you simply need to find a better way in which to communicate with him, even if this means showing him what you want him to do.

Training your own dog is a rewarding experience that has huge benefits. In the end, you will be happy that you have made this decision.

by: Nicholas Hunt

Here is part 1

Food and Water Bowls

A good food and water bowl are essential. Make sure the bowls you buy are microwave and dishwasher safe. Be sure they are sturdy so they cannot be flipped over. And make sure they are the right size, if they are extremely deep it may make it difficult for your little Chihuahua puppy to eat and drink.

Grooming Gear

If you have a long haired Chihuahua you will want to buy a brush and a comb, and he will need brushing and combing often not only to keep him looking attractive but to also prevent matting which will need to be cut out if it occurs from lack of brushing. If you have a short haired Chihuahua you will only need a brush. The pet store will be able to recommend some good brushes.

Nail clippers are also essential to keep your Chi's nails at a respectable length. His toe nails will not naturally wear down, they must be cut with nail clippers every so often. Long nails will cause him to slip on hard floors and eventually cause him pain.

A good dog shampoo is another essential for keeping your Chi puppies coat clean and killing fleas. Unfortunately, you cannot use human shampoo on your Chihuahua as it will dry out his skin.

Toys

Toys are an essential item on your shopping list. Your Chihuahua needs to have something to play with all the time - he likes having fun to! Toys keep him busy and stop him from chewing on your furniture, socks and slippers. They also provide entertainment for him. I recommend you get your Chihuahua a small "Kong" toy. This indestructible toy can be filled with treats, such as peanut butter, and keep him occupied for hours while he tries to lick it all out.

Puppy Gates

If you have stairs, add puppy gates to your shopping list. These will prevent him from falling down the stair case - which could kill him. These are available from the pet shop and will expand to fit the size of your stair case.

Exercise Pen

During housebreaking it is not a good idea to give your Chihuahua puppy full reign of the house. And exercise pen is a good way to give him room to play, and be near you, without having to watch him 24/7.

Pet Odor Remover

While you are housebreaking your Chihuahua puppy it is crucial that when he does make a mistake in the home, you remove all evidence of that mistake from the carpet - or else he will keep going back to that same spot. Your Chihuahuas smelling ability is a lot more powerful than yours. So even when you think the smell is gone, your Chi pup can still smell it there. This is why you need a pet odor eliminator, to remove all traces of where he went to the toilet so he won't go there again.

There are some bare essential accessories you will need to buy for your Chihuahua puppy to take good care of him, keep him safe and happy and help make your life a lot easier. In short, you will need a collar and a leash, an ID tag, a crate, bedding, food and water bowls, grooming supplies, toys, and possibly gates and a pen. Below i will introduce you to each of these accessories and explain why you need each of them. Each of these items is available for a pet store.

Collar and Leash

Lets start with collars. There are many different collars available for different purposes and they come in a plethora of colors and patterns. The type of collar you should get for your Chihuahua puppy is simply a standard buckle collar. These collars are fastened with a buckle (you can get a quick release plastic buckle for convenience), they are made of leather, nylon or cotton and the collar itself can be either flat or round. These types of collars are adjustable and won't tighten on your Chi puppies neck when they are fastened. You will need size: extra small :-)

Leashes are made from cotton, nylon or leather. Again, they come in many colors and patterns. You will only need a small, thin, lightweight leash for your Chihuahua puppy.

You are required by law to have a leash on your dog whenever you are in public. They give you control over your puppy and are handy during obedience training.

ID Tag

If your Chihuahua puppy ever escapes you will definitely want someone to return him to you. And how can they do that if he doesn't have identification. The ID tag should have your name, address, and telephone number and should be attached to your puppies collar which should be attached to him, at all times.

Crate

A crate makes transporting and housebreaking your Chihuahua much easier! It also gives him a home away from home where he can feel extra secure.

Crates are made from either metal or plastic. It's up to you which type you buy. Metal crates provide more ventilation during hot days, whereas plastic crates provide more of a den like environment for your pup.

Whichever one you choose, be sure that you buy a crate big enough that he can comfortably stand up, turn around, and lay stretch out in. Also, by the crate with his adult size in mind.

Bedding

You will need some sort of bedding to line his crate with so he can sleep in it comfortably. An old blanket and pillow will do the trick. If you purchase bedding from a Pet Store be sure that it is not edible and that it can be washed.

1) Start training your puppy early on. While old dogs can be taught new tricks, what's learned earliest, is often learned quickest and easiest. Moreover, the older the dog, the more bad habits will likely need to be "un-learned". When it comes to raising and training a dog, an ounce of problem prevention is certainly worth a pound of cure!

2) Train your dog gently and humanely, and whenever possible, teach him using positive, motivational methods. Keep obedience sessions upbeat so that the training process is enjoyable for all parties involved. If training your pooch is a drudgery, rev things up a bit, and try the "playtraining" approach: incorporate constructive, non-adversarial games (such as "Go Find", "Hide 'n' Seek", retrieving, etc.) into your training sessions.

3) Does your dog treat you like "hired help" at home? Does he treat you like a human gymnasium when you're sitting on the furniture? Does he beg at the table? Jump up on visitors? Demand your attention by annoying you to death? Ignore your commands? How well your dog responds to you at home affects his behavior outdoors as well. If your dog doesn't respond reliably to commands at home (where distractions are relatively minimal), he certainly won't respond to you properly outdoors where he's tempted by other dogs, pigeons, passersby, sidewalk food scraps, etc.

4) Avoid giving your dog commands that you know you cannot enforce. Every time you give a command that is neither complied with nor enforced your dog learns that commands are optional.

5) One command should equal one response, so give your dog only one command (twice max!), then gently enforce it. Repeating commands tunes your dog out (as does nagging) and teaches your dog that the first several commands are a "bluff '. For instance, telling your dog to "Sit, sit, sit, sit!", is neither an efficient nor effective way to issue commands. Simply give your dog a single "Sit" command and gently place or lure your dog into the sit position, then praise/reward.

6) Avoid giving your dog combined commands which are incompatible. Combined commands such as "sit-down" can confuse your dog. Using this example, say either "sit" or "down". The command "sit-down" simply doesn't exist.

7) When giving your dog a command, avoid using a loud voice. Even if your dog is especially independent/unresponsive, your tone of voice when issuing an obedience command such as "sit","down" or ""stay", should be calm and authoritative, rather than harsh or loud.

NOTE: Many owners complain that their dogs are "stubborn", and that they "refuse to listen" when given a command. Before blaming the dog when he doesn't respond to a command, one must determine whether or not: a) the dog knows what the owner wants, b) he knows how to comply, c) he is not simply being unresponsive due to fear, stress or confusion.

8 ) Whenever possible, use your dog's name positively, rather than using it in conjunction to reprimands, warnings or punishment. Your dog should trust that when it hears its name or is called to you, good things happen. His name should always be a word he responds to with enthusiasm, never hesitancy or fear.

9) Correct or, better yet, prevent the (mis)behavior, don't punish the dog. Teaching and communication is what it's all about, not getting even with your dog. If you're taking an "it's-you-against-your dog, whip 'em into shape" approach, you'll undermine your relationship, while missing out on all the fun that a motivational training approach can offer. Additionally, after-the-fact discipline does NOT work.

10) When training one's dog, whether praising or correcting, good timing is essential. Take the following example: You've prepared a platter of hors d'oeuvres for a small dinner party, which you've left on your kitchen counter. Your dog walks into the room and smells the hors d'oeuvres. He air-sniffs, then eyes the food, and is poised to jump up. This is the best, easiest and most effective time to correct your dog: before he's misbehaved, while he's thinking about jumping up to get the food.

11) Often, dog owners inadvertently reinforce their dogs' misbehavior, by giving their dogs lots of attention (albeit negative attention) when they misbehave. Needless to say, if your dog receives lots of attention and handling when he jumps up on you, that behavior is being reinforced, and is therefor likely to be repeated.

12) Keep a lid on your anger. Never train your dog when you're feeling grouchy or impatient. Earning your dog's respect is never accomplished by yelling, hitting, or handling your dog in a harsh manner. Moreover, studies have shown that fear and stress inhibit the learning process.

Owners would like to have an obedient, calm and faithful dog because an obedient and trained dog is a happier dog, most unlikely to get into tussles with people or with other dogs. A well socialised and trained dog is more reliable and interacts so much better with family companion, especially in households with young children.

They are also less likely to suffer from behavioural problems such as unprovoked biting and vicious attacks on humans. Many communities require that the dogs living in their neighbourhoods be well trained, and for a good reason - especially for many breeds thought to have aggression and behaviour problems – dog breeds like Pit bulls and Rottweilers for instance.

When considering training your own dog or having someone else to help you train it, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered by your dog. These basic commands include:

* Sit – it is vital to train your dog to sit on command. Speak to it in a very firm and authoritative tone, otherwise your dog may not realise that you are serious or associate what you say with danger and discipline. Say it like you mean it. Start training early, when your dog is still a puppy. Make sure that you use the same gestures, body language, the same command words (i.e. “sit”, “roll over”, “come here”, “fetch” etc) consistently in order to allow the dog to associate these words or motions with what he is supposed to do. Practise, practise and practise.

* Heel – it is important to teach your dog to learn how to walk beside you on a loose leash, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind.

* Down – lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program. This is also to make sure that your dog obeys your order as the leader of the pack.

* No – make sure that you train your dog to respond to the word “No”. This, of all the command words, is the one word that all dogs MUST learn. Training your dog to respond to this word will stop your dog right in its track from doing what it is about to do, sometimes this could mean in life and death situations.

* Stay – a well trained dog should be able to remain where it is when this command word is used, no matter how excited or threatened it feels.

Dog training does much more than just to create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly could actually strengthen the bond between your dog and you and make it a much more fulfilling experience for both parties.

Dogs are by nature pack animals and they always look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. It is therefore crucial to establish yourself as the pack leader as early as possible to address dominance issues with your dog. The key to successful dog training is to set this right from the word go as failure to do so leads to all manners of behavioural problems.

A well-trained dog will respond properly to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviours. Routine and patience is the key to successfully training your dog to perform these commands correctly.

Ongoing obedience training is a great way to fulfil some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of achievement, confidence building and bonding with its handler. Dog training also provides the dog a job to do and important goals to reach. Giving your dog a job to perform or challenges is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do which often lead to boredom and neurotic behaviours. This is especially important for high energy breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves. So incorporate lots of playtime into your dog’s training sessions and have fun!

By:Gerald McNicholl

My dog was adorable during his days as a puppy, but of course, there were some moments when I didn’t think the same way. I remember perfectly how much I hated to discover that he was having his potty accidents in the living room, right on the carpet.

Yelling or punishing him would have been useless so, instead of doing any of that, I have decided that it was about time to train him to “go” outside. What I had to do first was to clean after my puppy and finding the product who would remove 100% the smell hasn’t been easy.

Why this has to be the first step? Because when dogs pee on one spot on the carpet, next times they feel like doing that, it will happen at the exactly same place. Their sense of smell is well developed and it’s the smell which tells them to “go” there. Using this tip when taking the puppy outside to pee or to poop is very important, because you have to take it at the same place every time.

Do not forget to say “go potty” before and while he is “going” and to praise him afterwards.

However, even after he learned to associate “go potty” with “going”, accidents happened and I even caught him in the act a few times. Punishing was out of the question because this only scares the puppy and he will get the message that is wrong for him to “go” in front of you. In this situation there is only one thing to be done: distract his attention by clapping your hands or doing any other noise. He will stop going and this way you can quickly take him outside. After he had finished up, he must be rewarded. That is why puppies need to be supervised!

But what was in fact causing him to “go” at night? In a way, puppies are just like kids, therefore they need a schedule when it comes to eating, drinking water, sleeping. Once I’ve stopped giving water to my puppy a few hours before his bedtime, he stopped peeing at night. Taking your puppy out after a nap – no matter the duration of it, or before playing with him it’s mandatory! Puppies also need to “go” 5 or 10 minutes after eating and drinking.

In order to prevent accidents from happening, it’s better to establish a feeding schedule and this way I knew exactly when he needed to potty.

Personally, I think that everything gets a lot easier when you train him to do some kind of signal whenever he needs to go out. I have heard that some pet owners use bells or other stuff similar to that, but I have trained my puppy to scratch at the door – and this is the most common signal. Another option, however not always possible, is a dog door, that way the puppy can go outside whenever he feels like it.

And one last thing: don’t forget to take your puppy outside first thing in the morning! He will not be able to hold all night.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/

Your puppy will need chew toys that outlast his teeth and others that he can really get his teeth into. Add some squeaky toys, balls, tug-o-ropes, and whatever else you think your pup will enjoy that won't hurt him.

If your puppy chews on you or your clothing, make a loud noise, such as 'no', to get his attention, then remove whatever it is that he's chewing on. Promptly replace it with an appropriate toy for him to chew on and reward him when he does.

Although often thought to be a teething behavior, nipping, mouthing and biting in young dogs is generally a form of social play. Teething is more likely to involve gnawing or chewing on household objects. The first thing you must do is to provide your puppy with ample opportunity for play without biting. Social play with people could involve chase and retrieve games, as well as long walks or jogging. Although wrestling and tug of war games can be fun, they may lead to play that is too rough or rambunctious. Puppies need to learn bite inhibition. This is something they start to learn while with they are littermates. It is one reason that puppies should not go to new homes until 7 - 8 weeks and they have had time to practice social skills with other dogs. It can therefore be extremely beneficial for the puppy to have regular interactive social play periods with other dogs or puppies in the home or in the neighborhood.

Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths. The tastes and textures of objects in their environment help them to learn about their world. They spend several months shedding their baby teeth and growing in their adult teeth. This stimulates them to chew and, thus, it is normal for them to chew. However, what puppies must learn is those things that are appropriate for them to chew on and those things that aren't.

The most important learning period for puppies occurs between the ages of 4 and 16 weeks. From birth to about 8 weeks, a puppy is mostly learning from his mother and littermates. The pup should also have generous amounts of gentle human handling during this time as this will help to prepare him for his new home.

A new puppy should not have free rein of the house at first. This is too confusing for him. Keep him mostly in a smaller, easily cleaned room such as a kitchen. Give him acceptable chew toys such as Kong toys, rawhides and nylabones. Do not give him discarded shoes or clothing. He can't differentiate between old and new clothing. Never strike or yell at your pup during this time because you will only frighten and confuse him and may create unwanted aggression.

Having a friendly, loyal dog in the household is a real joy. But as a dog owner and dog lover you must be aware of certain facts about your dog's good health. Your awareness of these facts will help you to ensure that your dog is always in top shape because when you are aware what are the signs of good health in a dog you can pretty easily note the
deviation from that and take precaution before the problem takes serious turn.

Here are the simple tips for every dog lover.

1. In general a dog's nose is always moist and cool. If you find it is hot and dry then it's sign of problem. Most common cause of this is dehydration. Give it sufficient amount
of water to drink. But don't give lot of water at one go. Preferably mix some electrolyte suitable for dog with the water.

Dehydration problem is common in hot summer months specially if the dog spends lot of time outdoor. But dryness of nose may be because of some reason other than simple dehydration, in that case you should consider consulting your vet.

2. Body temperature is a very good indicator of normal health. Body temperature of a healthy dog is around 101 degree Fahrenheit. It can be up to 102 degree Fahrenheit. But if temperature deviates from this range, you should consult your vet.

3. Another easy check is your dog's skin condition. Skin of a normal healthy dog is clean, free from dandruff and scurf, skin color pinkish white. Healthy skin also shows good mount of elasticity. When pinched or pulled skin should return to original place in no time.

4. Inside the ears should be light in color and free from infection. Deep redness or wax accumulation indicates help of veterinary doctor should be sought.

5. Much like human beings eyes of dogs also tells a lot if you can read. Eyes of a healthy dog is clear and alert. If instead of that you find there is an expression of pain and discomfort or eye membranes are deep red in color instead of healthy pink, it indicates trouble.

6. Teeth of a healthy dog is clean and free from tarter. Dirty, loose or infected tooth means trouble and should cause concern.

By any means this is not an exhaustive list of things one should be aware of about dog health. But these are easy to check (anybody can check these without being a vet) and would help to detect most common ailment at the outset.

Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory

What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the best that is available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the best dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don’t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the best dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can purchase a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog’s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the best dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The best dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers cannot dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C.

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer’s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the best dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet’s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog’s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It’s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

Feed and water your dog with the best dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog’s wellbeing.

By: Niall Kennedy

Relief from heat does not come easily specially for our furry friend. They do not have sweat glands so they cannot sweat to cool off. Most dogs will just simply give up the comfort of their bed and stretch out in the bare floor to cool off. Panting also help to cool them off but this is not sufficient. Dogs with thick, double-coats are more susceptible to heat stroke. Dogs can experience some serious discomfort during summer and hot months. A cooling pet bed is the ideal solution to this. Canine cooler bed can provide an ongoing therapy for your furry friend. It can be very helpful and bring much relief, especially if your dog suffers from bad joints, hips or one of many skin conditions affecting pets from all walks of life. A cooling pet bed doesn't have to be expensive either, and can be used all year around, especially in those hot summer months.

Some dog have thicker fur than others, which makes it hard to keep cool. Unfortunately this can be the cause of your pet’s lack of energy, skin irritations, breathing difficulties and a variety of other concerns. Although they can lie down on the bare floor to cool off, this can bring other medical problems to them such as arthritis especially for aging dogs. Sleeping on the cold hard floor can cause chronic pain and additional discomfort.

There are two common types of dog beds, the cooling water bed and the cooling pads. Cooling water beds are filled with water provide a great relief during summer. Cooling pads are more like a thick mat that a fluffy mattress type of bed. The cooling pads are designed in such a way that they do not absorb heat thereby making the bed hot, but repel the heat so that your pet can always stay cool. Some of these pads are also the thermo-regulating kind, which means that they can be used as cooling dog beds in the summer, as well as heated dog beds come winter time. Make sure that the bed you get for your dog is made of high-quality and non-toxic materials.

#1 - Start Training Early:
Puppies start to learn the moment they open their eyes and are most open to new experiences during the first four months. Start training your puppy the moment it is bought home. Good early habits endure and will result in a well behaved dog in the future.

#2 - Early Socialization:
Help ensure your puppy meet and socialize with as many people as possible during the first four months. Going on outdoor trips, visiting friends who own pets, and walking along busy streets should all be part of your puppy's education. These positive experiences will allow your puppy to be comfortable with humans and reduce the likelihood of any future behavior problems.

#3 - Mental And Physical Stimulation:
Every puppy thrives on both mental and physical stimulation. Exposing your puppy to new environments and experiences early can greatly enhance your dog's interest in learning new things. Puppy walks or games are great ways to stimulate your pet both mentally and physically. If actively stimulated, your puppy will become healthier and adept at learning new trainings faster. This will also help strengthen the bond between the both of you at the same time.

#4 - Hand Feed Your Puppy:
Whenever possible, hand feed your puppy. This teaches him/her to like human contact, even when your puppy is feeding from his food bowl. Not feeding from hand can lead your puppy to turn aggressive to whoever that tries to get near him/her while feeding.

#5 - Biting And Chewing:
Your puppy will certainly bite and chew while they play and investigate new things around them. If your puppy is teething; direct, encourage and reward your puppy to bite the right object (toy). Discourage and discipline by simply saying a firm "NO" and replace the object with the correct toy or training equipment.

#6 - Step-by-Step Training:
Always begin your puppy training at home where it is in a familiar environment and work on one new exercise, command or trick per training session. This will allow your puppy to learn, understand and familiarize each training better and faster. Trying to introducing multiple items at one session can confuse your dog and lead to a slower learning curve.

#7 - Best Time To Train:
Train your puppy when it is feeling hungry or before each of its meal. Your puppy will respond very well to food treats. This is especially useful if you are just starting out to train your puppy or you have certain difficulty with a particular command. Balance your rewards with praises and hugs so that your dog doesn't associate every reward with just food. Never begin any training with your puppy when you are feeling lousy or in a bad mood.

#8 - Housetraining:
Housebreak your puppy early by supervising and recognizing your puppy's body language such as circling or sniffing the floor. Take your puppy out every 45 minutes after eating or drinking as they tend to "let go" around this time. When it eliminates at the right location, praise and rewards your puppy so that it will associate eliminating outdoors as a positive experience.

#9 - Rewards And Punishment:
Different puppies learn at different speeds. Whenever your puppy obeys or performs to a certain command, praise and reward your dog immediately. This allows your puppy to associate learning with positive-ness and fun. Never use any physical corrections or harsh yelling when you puppy misbehave as this can cause fear and promote future aggressive behavior in your dog. Reprimand your dog by using a stern voice instead and only when you actually caught it misbehaving.

#10 - Training Sessions:
Train you puppy in short, frequent sessions. Puppies have a short attention span and will get easily distracted or bored. Train your puppy for ten minutes each session and then play with him/her with its favorite toy to stimulate your pup's learning process. Always end each training on a positive note with your puppy wanting more. This will allow your puppy to look forward to its next training session.

The command Sit! would be one of the first and easiest you want your dog to learn and memorize.

Whenever a dog hears his feeding dish being handled, or his leash being taken from its place it knows what’s going to happen. So the Puppy is very early able to understand the connection food - cup, or walk – leash and anticipate the outcome. This is exactly what we are going to take advantage of.

The moment the Puppy sits down by himself we say “sit”. Repeatingly using the sit! command whenever the Puppy sits down will make your dog connect action and command. As with the cup and leash example the dog will sit down although the command is happening before the action taking place. Of course the Puppy will only sit down if not “disturbed” by something of major importance.

You may start to back your command after a few days of practice, by gently pushing your dog’s croup down with one hand and keeping his head up with the other. In doing so, we repeat the command "sit", "sit" with a comforting voice. Should the dog sit for about 5 seconds, this should be followed by exuberant praise and visible exaltation.
Your body language and voice must be a clear signal to your dog, that it has just achieved something world-shaking.

Do not start to train any other commands in that period, and don’t exercise the sit! command 5 times in a row! Let some time go by and don’t forget the celebration whenever it works out. Slowly increase the complicacy: Both of you are laying on the floor playing and out of the sky there comes the command.

Make sure to be consequent! Never repeat your command! Enforce the execution right after the first command! Support your verbal command with a precise hand signal. As soon as this works, try just calling the dog by its name and the use of the hand signal only the moment the dog is looking at you.

The next steps are to train the sit! command at close range. Use a light leash starting from about 1-2 yards and keep increasing the distance. At this point I suggest introducing your dog to a new kind of signal, the dog whistle, also known as silent whistle. There might come situations in your dog’s life, where your verbal commands might not be heard because of excessive noise or simply the distance. The dog whistle is the perfect tool in those situations as it has a long distance effect.

Choose a unique signal for this command and start using it in exchange to your verbal command. Make sure that this signal is clearly distinguishable for your dog from all other signals you plan to use for further commands.

Most normal puppies will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this
behavior, they can regulate it and influence the puppy’s behavior. To control your puppy’s biting behavior, you should understand the reason behind it. Overall, puppy’s bite and chew because it is a learned behavior; however, learned behaviors can be changed.

Puppies learn biting behavior from his mother at younger age. Young puppies often play with their mouths by grabbing or biting one another. Controlling this learned behavior requires training your puppy because biting and chewing can be harmful for your family and friends.

How to train your puppy to stop biting

*Understand “bite inhibition.” Bite inhibition is the process of making your puppy know the difference between people and playmates. You need to train her and make her understand that biting hurts people whenever she tries to do it.

*Discover the reason behind her biting. One explanation may be anxiety or your aggressive behavior. You need to have patience while training your puppy. You should earn trust and socialize in a proper manner before your puppy is 4 months to teach her biting control. If your puppy trusts and respects you, the biting behavior can be alleviated. However, slapping or kicking your puppy for her biting behavior is not
the solution. Thes actions will lead to mistrust and disrespect and may make the puppy more eager to bite rather than control it.

*Allow plenty of time for your puppy to socialize with other puppies and dogs. Socialization will teach her restrain the biting behavior.

*Speak in firm tone whenever your puppy bites. A firm tone can minimize the intensity and frequency of her biting behavior.

*Avoid aggressive behavior such as yelling at or hitting your pupply. Yelling or hitting your puppy because of her the biting behavior minimizes your ability to alleviate her biting control. When a puppy does something right or wrong, you should show it by your behavior. For example, if your puppy does something right, then you should reward her. On balance, if she does something wrong such as engaging in biting
behavior, then you should show that you are unhappy by disengaging from her..

Every puppy behaves differently. Therefore, you cannot expect to use the same techniques to train two different puppies. You must adapt your training techniques based on the puppy’s behavior. Often, you need to be experimental and use trial-and-error to determine the best training technique to control the puppy’s biting behavior.

Only you truly know your puppy, so you will need to develop your own training techniques. Adapting continuous changes in your techniques is a good idea. Your puppy may try to gain your attention by nipping you with a “gentle bite.” At times nipping can also cause irritation, and you should make your puppy understand you don’t like this behavior by not responding to her nipping. Because biting can be harmful and dangerous to you and your family, you must adapt the necessary training
techniques to stop the puppy from biting.

Most normal puppies will bite and chew. While you cannot completely erase this behavior, they can regulate it and influence the puppy’s behavior. To control your puppy’s biting behavior, you should understand the reason behind it. Overall, puppy’s bite and chew because it is a learned behavior; however, learned behaviors can be changed.

Puppies learn biting behavior from his mother at younger age. Young puppies often play with their mouths by grabbing or biting one another. Controlling this learned behavior requires training your puppy because biting and chewing can be harmful for your family and friends.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/