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Things to Consider When Buying Agility Equipment

February 20th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

When planning to train your dog to be as agile as those dogs you have seen on dog competitions, you need to follow certain guidelines in order to produce optimal results. You can buy quality books or ask professional dog agility trainers for instructions. You can also hire professional trainers but the cost might make you think twice. Even if you can afford a professional dog trainer it is more recommendable if you can train your dog by yourself, after all you are your dog’s master. Not to mention agility training is a perfect bonding moment for you and your dog to establish trust and confidence towards you as your dog’s master.

Now, if you have decided to train your dog by yourself you can create your own obstacle course. But be thorough in making it safe for both you and your dog; remember to fully test it before you use it. If you’re not confident in making your own agility equipments then why not buy quality dog agility equipments that are safer and made of quality materials which is perfect for your dog’s first training.

With huge line of agility equipment that can be found in the market nowadays you can easily choose the right equipment that will suit your dog’s primary needs. Here is a simple guide in buying the right agility equipment; in which if followed you definitely won’t go wrong.

Size the Training Place
If you’re planning to make the backyard of your house as the training place for your dog, you have to consider how many dog agility equipments it can hold.

Size and Weight of Your Dog
Considering the size and weight of your dog is very important, of course you would’nt want your dog to get stuck inside an agility equipment. By measuring your dog’s height and weight you can buy the right size and capacity that is safe for your dog.

Age of your dog
Your dog’s speed and capacity to finish an agility course also depend on his age. If you only want to have some fun with you dog and the whole family without even going somewhere from your place, then buy only the equipment that can be met by his age.

Quality of the Agility Equipment
Since there are so many agility equipments available in the market today, it is best to well research the manufacturer. You can search for comments regarding their products on forums. All quality dog agility equipments come with instruction manual so you can assemble it easily.

Buy from trusted online shop
Take into account your money’s investment. Aside from the price and quality, make sure that you are only buying from the most trusted, efficient and honest online specialty store like the Agility-Equipment 4Less.

agilityequipment-4less.com/ Agility Equipment, dogagilityequipment-4less.com Dog Agility Equipment

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Working with Pit Bull Terriers

January 20th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

This breed of dog, also fondly called as APBT, is known for its loyalty and intelligence. The dogs with this breed make excellent companions since they are very aggressive because of their protective nature.

How, then, are they different from the Staffies? For the UKC or the United Kennel Club, Staffies and APBT are of the same breed but many disapprove of this suggestion. For instance, if the American Kennel Club has an American Staffordshire terrier, it will be registered as an American terrier by the United Kennel Club. Furthermore, many breeders noted that their lineages have been separate for a long time already for these dogs to be still considered as having the same variety.

Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club does not register a UKC-listed American pit as an American Staffie. In order to gain dual-registry, the dog must initially be recorded as an AKC American Staffie before it can be listed with the UKC as an American , and not the other way around.

The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about APTBs:

Category: Terrier

Living Environment: either outdoor or indoor

Coat: smooth, shiny, thick, and short

Colors: color varies

Height: between 18 and 22 inches

Weight: between 30 and 60 pounds

Temperament: courageous, full of energy, and loyal; should be socialized early on with other animals especially with children

Health Issues: heart murmurs and mange

Care and Exercise:
• Bathe when necessary.
• Brush their coat only occasionally using a brush with firm bristles.
• Rub down their coat with a towel or a chamois to remove hairs that are loose.
• Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time and/or running along a bicycle while on a leash.
• They should be on leash while walking in public places.

Origin/History:

The ancestors of APBT came to the US in the mid-1800s with some Irish-Boston immigrants. Like the Staffie, they were originally bred from bulldogs and terriers. Since APBT is a forerunner to the Staffie, it was also molded to be a fighting dog. However, the Americans made their variety some pounds heavier and trained them to have a more powerful head.

Bull baiting and dog baiting were prohibited in England so bull terriers were no longer bred for bouts. It is in America where the also gained its popularity for many uses and reasons like:

1. It was used to embody the country in one WW1 artwork.
2. Well-known companies like the Buster Brown Shoe Company and even RCA used the breed as mascots.
3. Petie, a pitbull, was one of the stars in, “Our Gang”, a well sought children’s TV series.
4. A mix breed called Stubby was transformed into a popular and decorated WW1 hero.
5. Pits became good companies of pioneer families on their journeys.
6. Jack, a working pit bulldog was owned by Laura Wilder of lines of books called “Little House”.

7. Popular people like Helen Keller and US President Theodore Roosevelt owned the variety.

Here is some history about the cause of dilemma regarding the registries of APBTs.

In 1898, the United Kennel Club or UKC was structured to provide fighting guidelines and registration for APBT as fighting dogs. Later, there were breeders who shun away from dog fighting so they asked the AKC to recognize their pits so they would be fit for performance events like dog shows.

In 1935, the AKC approved of their petitions but the dogs were registered as Staffordshire Terriers, naming them after the little province in England that the breed was known to have originated from. Thus, many breeders have dogs that have dual-registry.

It is interesting to note that Petie, which was one of the stars in the, “Our Gang” TV series was the first breed that was dual-registered to be Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull. However, the UKC later started registering other performing-type varieties and they also began holding dog shows comparable to those of the American Kennel Club.

The AKC soon sealed its studbooks to APBTs. They allocated registration to those pit breeds with lineages that are listed as Staffies. For a little time during the 1970s, the AKC disclosed the American pits to their studbooks.

In 1973, the American KC decided to add the word “American” with the pit’s name to discriminate it from a Staffie. At present, those dogs with mixed APTB-StaffIe parents are recognized by UKC and even the American Dog Breeders’ Association as “American pits or American terriers”.

Nowadays, the pit has employed as search and rescuers, police/armed service dogs, livestock workers, and even as therapy animals because they are good as companions and working dogs.

Moreover, the variety can even compete in dog sports such as herding, obedience, and conformation, French Ring, and Schutzhund. Breeds of this type can be very loving as pets for everyone. The physical demands and harshness of various activities developed a healthy, strong, and stable animal.

If you want to have an APBT as a pet, be sure that the puppy is handled well and properly socialized. A solid and good training will surely produce an obedient, tranquil, and good companion or even a working dog!

Training is essential to make your dog much better and very responsible to you and your family. If you need more info please visit my review of a nadraszky.com/books/archives/review-of-sit-stay-fetch-dog-obedience-book.html great book at nadraszky.com/books/archives/review-of-sit-stay-fetch-dog-obedience-book.html nadraszky.com/books/archives/review-of-sit-stay-fetch-dog-obedience-book.html

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Dog Aggressive Training: Understand & Eliminate Your Dog’s Aggressive Behavior

December 4th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of canine communication similar to human frustration or anger. Like human, aggressive behavior occurs in every dog. The different lie in the level of aggression shown in them, and this is where come into the picture.

While some breeds are born with a greater tendency to become aggressive, problems usually occur in homes that knowing or unknowingly encourage the development of a dog’s aggressive behavior.

It’s important to know what is going on when your dog show aggression, biting unwelcome strangers in your house is justifiable aggression. But if he bites the postman or you when you push him off the couch is certainly a crime!

There are basically 3 main types of aggression behavior shown in dogs namely, dominance aggression, possessive aggression and territorial aggression.

Dominance and possessive aggression are one of the most common reasons why dogs growl at or even worse bite their owners. This type of behavior does not develop in a vacuum and is always a result of the dogs’ interaction with its environment and owners. The dog has been accessing his position for some time and decided to challenge you for the alpha leader position.

If your dog is showing aggressive behavior towards you or any family members, he has to be brought down to earth again. You must let him know that he is the lowest ranking member in the family:

1. Avoid physical punishment if possible, it is too provocative and may make matter worse.

2. Review your relationship with your dog to determine why your dog is challenging you. Do remedial steps to assume to role of the alpha leader role again:

- You must eat first before your dog does.

- You must go through doorways first.

- Do not let your dog win you in games of strength. (Tug-of-war, wrestling)

- Do not let your dog assume a superior position against you. For example, you lying on the floor while your dog’s two paws pressing against your chest.

- Set & enforce your house rules consistently, let him know that he has rules to follow.

Territorial aggression is display by dogs that are fiercely overprotective. Prevent this problem by introducing and socializing your dog when he’s young to break down his suspicion of strangers. Try to expose your dog to more things and different people, which means bring him out more often! Let your dog know that these people are harmless and his territorial aggressiveness will died down naturally.

If you are unsure of your dog’s behavior when you bring him out to the public, be sure to put him on a leash and muzzle if necessary. This is to not only to safe guard the general public but also your dog. More often than not, dogs are always put to death should they bite and injure someone. No “ifs” No “buts”!

Lastly, remember that aggression is no small problem and need to be seriously dealt with. If you are losing control over your dog or feel that he by and large outsmarts you, seek professional help and advice immediately.

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dogsobediencetraining.com dog obedience training, dogsobediencetraining.com/dog_training_books_review.htm book reviews and dogsobediencetraining.com/dog_health.htm dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

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5 Commands You Should Teach Your Dog

May 4th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

For time-starved dog owners, training Fido can be an overwhelming task.

Based on her experience, Louise Louis of www.ToyBreeds.com
believes most books ask far too much of the typical dog-owning family.

She’s boiled down the absolute minimum number of commands a dog should know.
Of course, you can go beyond this, but start here.

1. Sit

The most perfect command. This
can stop your dog from jumping on someone,
running out a door, leaping at another dog,
chasing a squirrel, getting on the furniture, etc.

Make your dog “sit” before giving him any of the things he likes, such as
food, toys, going outside for potty breaks and you will help minimize
any tendency he has toward aggression as well as enforcing for him who
the leader of the pack is.

Remember, dogs are social animals who need a leader and secure place in the pack.

2. Leave It

This is necessary especially for any dog that goes outside. You want
your dog to avoid the strange and even dangerous things he may find on
his daily walk.

With this command, you also can get him to leave your slippers, pillows,
clothes, etc. It’s also the way to teach your dog not to accept
food from strangers.

3. Down

use this command both as “down” and as “stay.” This means he goes down
on his stomach and stays that way until I give the next command (#4).

This command is vital for his safety. It will make him wait while you deal
with any emergency. Or, if he encounters a strange dog or someone who seems
afraid of dogs and you want him out of harm’s way.

Unlike “sit,” this is a prolonged action. I don’t use “stay” because “down”
accomplishes the same thing and provides a physical move that is easier to
show and teach your dog.

4. Free

This command lets your dog know that he can now get up. You could use any
other word you want to: finished, up, released, take a break, etc.

Down/stay are not effective if there isn’t a release and that’s also what
distinguishes that command from sit.

5. Come

Probably the first command people teach their dogs. Again, for both his and your
safety, he must learn to come when you call his name.

If you’re walking him and his leash breaks or he darts out the front door as
you’re picking up the morning newspaper, this command may save his life by
keeping him from a busy street.

This command also enables you take him out and about and have confidence that
you can keep control.

That’s it for the bare minimum. Are there other commands that would be helpful?
Of course including the ever-popular
“go-potty.”

However, if you start and master these, you will be on the road to a well-adjusted,
safe dog that you can take anywhere.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
ToyBreeds.com ToyBreeds.com

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The One Dog Trick That All Dogs Must Know - The Hand Shake Trick

March 28th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog is to shake hands, and there are very few puppy and dog owners who do not teach their pets this simple trick.

In most cases it is so easily accomplished that the amateur trainer does not know exactly how it was done, for if you take hold of a dog’s paw and say “paw” or “shake” and repeat the performance often enough and at odd times, it will be the most natural thing for a dog to place his paw in your hand as soon as you extend it and he hears the word “paw,” to which he has become accustomed.

If during the training you always take hold of the right paw, this paw will always be the one he will give you, but he can be taught to give you the left paw by taking it when you make the request. You can make the performance more interesting by saying “shake hands” when you want the right paw and when you want the left paw say “left paw.”

This gives your audience the impression that your dog understands that it is customary to shake hands with the right hand and that he also possesses a left paw, in fact that is what he actually learns.

Should your dog offer you the left paw when you ask to “shake hands,” repeat your command distinctly, and when he sees, after a moment or two, that you are not going to take the paw he offers, he will put it down and in all probability offer you the other paw, which is the one you want.

You should take it promptly and hold it for a minute, then pat him on the head and impress on him that he has pleased you by praising and giving him a treat. This trick of shaking hands can also be varied by asking the dog to show you his pulse, or the trick can be farther elaborated by saying to your dog when you want to show him off to friends or acquaintances:

“Buddy, old man, you are not looking well this morning; come here and let me feel your pulse,”

and by putting a little emphasis on the word “pulse” the dog will come up to you and offer you his paw, and if you take it with an air of gravity it will impress your audience with your dog’s talent.

Some dogs, after sufficient practice at this trick, get so habitual that they continually offer their paw to every one who will take it, and a case is recorded of a half-grown puppy of one of the larger breeds which was so accustomed to offering his paw that one day when a strange cat made its appearance on the premises before the puppy. He made a rush at the intruder with every appearance of hostility, but when near the cat habit gained a mastery over instinct, and held out his paw as usual to offer a friendly hand shake.

Enjoy teaching your dog the hand shake trick and most importantly have fun!

Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dogsobediencetraining.com dog obedience training, dogsobediencetraining.com/dog_training_books_review.htm book reviews and dogsobediencetraining.com/dog_health.htm dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

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