Should Your Dog Eat Table Scraps?

It's a familiar sight to every pet owner who has sat down to a meal with their dog in the room: Your furry friend scoots as close to the table as he can get. His big, pitiful eyes stare longingly - first at you, then at your plate. He licks his chops over and over again, hoping to get just one bite of whatever you are eating. As hard as it is not to give in to those sad, soulful eyes, there are many reasons NOT to feed your dog table scraps.

The most obvious reason is because many of the foods that humans eat are just not good for dogs. The best diet for a dog is a consistent diet. Talk to your vet about how much food to give your dog, and then feed the same amount at the same time each day. There are ways to make his meals more interesting, such as adding gravy that is made for dogs, without sacrificing his good health.

Dogs that eat a lot of table scraps tend to be overweight. If you are eating a steak and want to give your dog a treat, what part of the steak does he usually get? The fat. Eating pure fat isn't good for your dog's weight. Dogs that are overweight have less energy and are at greater risk for developing health problems such as cardiovascular diseases.

Some foods are a direct threat to your dog's health. Chocolate is the best example of this. Chocolate contains a substance that is toxic to dogs. While humans love this sweet treat, it can cause great harm, even death, to your dog.

Digestive disorders are another common problem among dogs that eat a lot of table scraps. Again, the healthiest diet for dogs is a consistent diet. You're not doing your dog any favors if you feed him scraps that cause him to vomit or have diarrhea. Even a food that isn't always toxic to a dog can upset his digestive tract enough to cause these unpleasant symptoms.

Table scraps do not provide the nutrition that dogs need. Tossing your dog a scrap of chicken now and then is different than feeding your dog a diet that consists mainly of table scraps. Dogs need different things nutritionally than humans do, and the best way for dogs to get what they need is to eat a food that has been formulated for dogs. Even if you offer him nutritious dog food along with an abundance of table scraps, he is less likely to eat his own food if he is filling up on yours.

In addition to the health problems, there are behavioral problems that can develop as a result of feeding your dog table scraps. You need to ask yourself the following questions.

Do you really want him to beg? You need to ask yourself this question every time you are tempted to give in to your dog. If you start feeding your dogs scraps from the table, he is going to sit there like Old Faithful at every single meal. Do not reward begging at the table unless you WANT him to beg at the table. Rewarding that behavior even one time may make it difficult to train your dog to stay away from the table. Even if it doesn't bother you terribly, you may want to entertain guests in the future who won't appreciate Fido sniffing their plates as they try to eat.

Help your pet be a good dog by NOT rewarding bad behavior such as begging.

Do you want your dog to be a picky eater? Since the healthiest food for you dog is dog food, it's a good idea to make that dog food as appealing as possible. Setting his dry kibble next to a juicy steak probably isn't the most effective way to accomplish that. By feeding your dog a lot of table scraps, you are helping him develop a taste for your food. In some cases, this will cause your dog to become finicky about what he eats, and his dry food will not seem as appealing as it once did.

Do you want a dog who steals? A dog who is allowed to eat human food on a regular basis will begin to assume it is his right to eat the pot of spaghetti you left on the counter. He may also be more apt to rummage through the garbage to get a hold of some of the scraps you neglected to give him. This may cause serious problems as many items found in the trash are very harmful to your pet.

There are many good reasons not to give table scraps to your dog on a regular basis, but there are ways to treat your dog that are not harmful and that will not encourage bad behavior.

If you want to give your pet an occasional treat of leftover meat, just follow a few rules.

o Be sure that small bones are removed. Never give your dog chicken bones. Some dogs have a bad reaction (severe vomiting and diarrhea) to other types of bones, so it's best to remove the meat from the bones completely.

o Do not feed directly from the table. After the meal, when the dog has stopped begging, take the leftovers to his normal eating place and put them in his bowl. Do not let him see you walk directly from the table to his bowl.

o Do not do anything that causes your dog to see a relationship between his begging and you giving him table food. Do not feed him table scraps every day. His main diet should be of a food that contains all the nutrition he needs. In other words: dog food. Only feed hand selected table scraps as an occasional treat.

As much as you might want to give in to his begging, you must keep his best interest in mind. Dogs don't know what is good for them. It's your job to help keep them healthy and to help them behave, not give in to their every whim.

Cody Golden Retriever playing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITsU3ltA-Uk&hl=en

Effective Training For Your Golden Retriever Dog

Some people think of dogs as if they where humans, but they are not, they need to be taught different things in different ways. Since dogs lack human form of judgment, being able to tell right from wrong escapes them. Instead, they operate on a principle of response, guided by the actions you give them. Most pet owners train their dogs in such a way that they don't do certain things out of fear, afraid of what their owner might do to them, not because they are aware of their wrong doing.

There is another way of training, coming from a completely opposite direction. The use of praise when your dog does something right is a positive method of training, and one which your dog will appreciate a lot more. This method of training simply requires that you pay attention to your dog's behavior, and whenever he is caught doing something right, quickly move to praise him for his good action. Letting your dog know that he did something right, will encourage the dog to do the right thing again and again. However, if you happen to be the owner of a naughty dog, which needs to be reminded of his wrong doing, a simple no, in a sober yet affirming voice with suffice.

During your dog training efforts, you will find that timing is the most important factor. The minute your dog steps out of bounds, you should quickly correct. Doing the potty in the rug is a good example of wrongdoing, where you should jump in the act, pick him up and take him to the assigned spot. In case of mischief, like scratching the sofa, you should reprimand with authority without raising your voice too much.

In general, to stop your dog from doing some activity you would rather see him not do, be firm and consistent precisely at the moment he is caught in the act of performing such activity. Understand that it will take some time and quite of bit of patience before you can successfully convey your message to the animal.

On the positive side, make sure to provide your dog with lots of praise in the event he actually did something right. Praise can be magnified by adding a snack, then your dog will be really happy and probably add power to your message. If your timing is wrong and fails to come at the moment he did the good deed, there is a chance you will loose your opportunity and the message will be lost. Generally, if you follow the instructions and provide praise and reprimands with proper timing you should start seeing results in as little as two weeks.

Remember patience is crucial for the success of the exercise; the same process will need to be repeated several times before he gets it. Training is essential at a young age, and will allow you to enjoy the company of your dog even more as he grows. Training should bring you and your Golden Retriever closer, not the other way around. Don't spend all the time at training, which can be too stressful, spend some time playing dog games just to break the ice before you get on to business.

sleeping puppy...TOO CUTE!!!

6 WEEK OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY HUNTER FALLS ASLEEP IN A BOWL OF WATER AND WAKES ITSELF UP BEFORE HE DROWNS...THEN REPEATS EXERCISE...HE IS THE GREAT GRAND NEPHEW OF RAJ FROM MY DOG AND THE ROCK VIDEOAND DOG IN WATER VIDEOS!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrNXUbD53Mg&hl=en

Staying Healthy in College Dorms - 9 Steps That Work

Increased exposure to a greater number of people puts college coeds at greater risk for contracting contagious diseases. And the most recent step by college officials to quarantine students on campus because of a Swine Flu outbreak is a scary example of how fast an airborne or contact disease can spread. Here are a few effective tips towards staying healthy, yet still being able to enjoy college dorm life.

1. Disinfect frequently used surfaces regularly. This should include door knobs, draw pulls, TV remotes, computer keyboard and mouse, phone, iPod, Blackberry, laptop, and other hand held devices.

Your normal routine of opening and closing doors, books, desks, chairs collects a ton of germs on your hands. If you then talk on you phone while using your hands to eat a snack, you've just transferred a lot of potential harm from outside to inside your body.

2. Avoid those who are coughing or sneezing.  This is particularly good advice for you if they are not covering their mouths. One of the ways the Swine Flu virus spreads is when droplets from the infected host are inhaled by others; and these droplets can travel as far as 6 feet.

3. Be fussy about who you allow in your room. If you have a sick friend, invite them back when they are well rather than let them come into your area while they are obviously still contagious.

4. Wash your hands frequently. With all the modern technology, this old-fashioned, low tech piece of advice still works to combat germs. Lather up well, and sing the Happy Birthday song to make sure you've washed long enough to kill the germs.

5. Invest in hand sanitizer. For those times when hand washing is not possible, keep some in your back pack, car, your friends' car, and your room. Offer it freely to help those you come in closest contact with to stay healthy. Always use it before using your hands to eat, after sneezing, or blowing your nose.

6. When you are ill stay put. Pampering yourself with plenty of rest and fluids, and limiting your exposure to others will get you back on track faster than toughing it out which will lower your resistance even more. If you are not better pretty quickly, and are experiencing symptoms that seem out of the ordinary, seek professional help fast.

7. Carry a small pack of tissues with you. Use them to cover your mouth when sneezing and coughing. This will keep your hands cleaner, making you less contagious. Dispose of the tissues immediately. Empty the trash can frequently and avoid touching them again when you dispose of them.

8. Change the air in your room. Air can easily become stale, and letting new air in and the old air out can keep airborne pollutants from accumulating. This is only an option

9. Invest in a dorm room air purifier. A small, portable, light weight, but heavy duty air purifier in your dorm room can work 24 hours a day to remove airborne pollutants. Bacteria and viruses as small as .3 microns as well as odors, and particulates can be constantly eliminated whether anyone is there or not. Keeping the air clean keeps resistance high, and if you do encounter a brush with the flu, your body will be more able to fight it off.

Top Dog Seizure Symptoms

This short guide is to help, symptoms seized the dog, to save the life of your dog in an emergency.

A body in shape can experience muscle twitching and shaking uncontrollably aggressive and defined. The cause of the crisis is often unknown. Your best defense is to be able to recognize the dog seizure symptoms listed below. Knowing your dog, you should be able to identify normal and abnormal behavior.

4 Common Dog SeizureSymptoms

If something in the brain causes the neurological system, a dog attack experience, which is a disorder of the brain. The attachment can be anywhere from a few minutes to several minutes. Viruses and diseases do not cause seizures. dog attacks occur frequently due to epilepsy. Here are some symptoms that are common to dog attacks. Your dog may have one or more of the following symptoms:

Before your dog begins to urinate defecate, or saliva control.
According to YourDog begins to have hallucinations.
Third Your dog starts barking too much and eat away at his legs or paws.
My fourth dog no longer responds to commands.
Fifth Your dog is suffering from involuntary muscle contractions, is isolated or affecting the entire body.

Is your dog in danger during a crisis? He should be fine until he lay on the ground. Although his body in convulsions, his tongue will not block so it will be able to breathe his breath. Do not worry about putting yourhand to try to clear their throat and airways. The dog may bite if you accidentally do.

What should I do? Immediately call your local vet and try not to diagnose the problem yourself. Your dog needs immediate attention from a veterinarian who knows how to deal with the attacks. Recognizing the symptoms of seizure dog, you can save the life of your dog, but we still need to take care of a veterinarian, it held as soon as possible.

Try to have the phone numbers for more than a veterinarianif you can. Identify one or two emergency care for local animals in your area and keep these numbers handy. You can find these numbers next to the phone number and address of the veterinarian or glue them to the refrigerator door. If you have free time, there is always a good idea to check the local animal hospital, so we know how to get in an emergency or if your dog experiences an adaptation to driving.

Once you take the dog to the vet, he or she usually require somemedications to help keep your dog relaxed and stable. The prescribed treatment can be anywhere from one to two weeks for the rest of your dog's life. This type of drug is usually taken regularly, and most veterinarians avoid drugs for the life of a dog when he experiences seizures on a regular basis.

Dancing Dog - Linda Farr's Tango Partner

You've never seen a dog tango - until you've seen this video. It's a 2002 Iowa Public Television story about a golden retriever named "Keeper" and Linda Farr, his dance partner. They are national champions in several dance styles in the World Canine Freestyle competitions.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBsl4ARriQo&hl=en

Golden Puppies At 3 Weeks

Three weeks today, they are growing and turning in to little dogs! When I tap on the side of the pool most of them come running to check it out.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qemzOqKhRf8&hl=en

My 6 ages old Golden pouncing ice cubes

This is my 6 month Golden Retriever, Emma. I am so glad I finally got this on film. She will randomly pounce things when she is being playful.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYNffuUXa-s&hl=en

たんぽぽＣＯＣＯちゃん

たんぽぽとＣＯＣＯちゃんは良く似合うと思う。



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEA8jzgs4Dw&hl=en

5 Ways to Bond With Your Puppy

When you bring a new puppy home, it is important to bond with it and make it feel like one of the family. Puppies are not hard to bond with, so the process should be fairly easy. One thing you should know is that consistency is key. Your relationship with your new puppy should be based on a few simple things that you do with your dog on a daily basis.

Easy ways to bond with your puppy:

1. Meal time and bath time should be special. Meal time will be one of your dog's favorite times of the day, so take part in enjoying it as well. Let your puppy know that you are happy to be feeding him, and give him lots of praise when he finishes all of his food. Bath time is no exception. Some dogs don't enjoy bath time; however, you can make it easier on them by keeping them calm. Take your time with the bath process, and commend your puppy for being so well-behaved. Use nice warm water and massage your puppy as well. Be sure to get him good and dry so he doesn't get a chill afterwards.

2. Take your puppy on a daily walk. Daily walks are important for dogs of all ages. What most people don't realize is that a dog needs daily exercise to release its energy. Your dog will be much better-behaved if you take him on a daily walk. Suggested walk time is 30-45 minutes. This will keep him calmer through the rest of the day. Your puppy will learn to enjoy this time with his owner, and it is good exercise for the both of you!

3. Groom your new puppy. This does not have to be a daily occurrence; however, it is another thing you can do to take time to bond with your puppy. Not only are you helping to keep your dog's skin and coat healthy, you are showing your dog affection, which he enjoys. Your dog will learn to look forward to this special time with his owner.

4. Speak plainly and calmly to your puppy. Showing your puppy calm and assertive behavior will help with his own behavior. Even when you scold your dog, staying calm will help your dog to notice its behavior and snap out of it more quickly. Don't talk excited and jumpy to your puppy because that energy will get put into him, which will make his behavior just as excited as your voice. This may cause your dog to be anxious and hyper and eventually uncontrollable. Speaking calm and plain will better his behavior and your relationship with him.

5. Take your pup on a car ride. Again, this does not have to be a daily occurrence, but your dog will most likely enjoy this time very much. Most dogs like to go on car trips and stick their head out the window. You can make this a special treat for your puppy when he has done well.

Advantix For Dogs Versus K-9 Advantix Versus Frontline Plus - How to Choose the Best Pet Meds!

OK, pet lovers, let's cut straight to the point. No matter how much you love your pets, your kids, or your significant other, you're more comfortable snuggling with them if they don't have fleas and ticks, right?

Well, now it's easier than ever to find safe and effective flea and tick spray for your dog or cat. In fact there are 3 leading name brand products for dogs (K-9 Advantix for dogs only, Advantage flea killer and Frontline Plus for dogs) and two for cats (Advantage Flea Killer and Frontline Plus for cats) that vets recommend and users endorse because they work.

You can buy any of these products for around $10-$15/month, depending on where you buy them, whether you buy in bulk, and which product you choose. Some of the best deals are to be found online. You can get free same-day shipping on most orders, and you can often get discount coupons or find sales to save an addition 15% or so on your order. (These products are usually 20-50% less online than at your vet's, anyway.)

I personally recommend Frontline Plus, since that is the product that I used for my dog, Kera who is a "Goldador" (Labrador x Golden Retriever mix). She was a guide dog puppy in training and the guide dog school was very strict. They said that we puppy raisers MUST use flea and tick control products and then said it MUST be one of the three I mentioned above.

Ingredients in K-9 Advantix for dogs and Advantage Flea Killer

The difference between canine Advantage and K-9 Advantix for dogs is that K-9 Advantix has 2 active ingredients (Imidacloprid and Permethrin) and Advantage for dogs or cats has just one (Imidacloprid). Advantage, with fewer active ingredients, also has fewer listed potential side effects. If you're trying to decide on using K-9 Advantix for dogs versus Advantage, I would start with Advantage (cheaper, fewer chemicals) and see if it is effective for your dog. If you need something stronger, than escalate to K9 Advantix for dogs, or in the case of a cat, switch to Frontline Plus for cats due to the different chemical make up of the medicine.

Ingredients in Frontline Plus For Dogs or Cats

Frontline Plus has an entirely different set of active ingredients (Fipronil and S-methoprene) and is also not listed as having any known side effects. You can start with Frontline, or switch to Frontline if Advantix or Advantage is not working for you. I will point out that Frontline Plus is the only one of the three that indicates it is safe to use for puppies or kittens as young as 8 weeks or on pregnant/lactating female dogs. However, it's always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before using any pesticide products if you have a dog or cat whose health is sensitive.

Pick Your Favorite Flea Control To Start With, And See If It Works For You!

The bottom line is that it is important to use some kind of flea control product on your dog or cat if you live in an area with fleas, mosquitoes or ticks. These parasites suck blood and can carry diseases. The disease can spread from wild animals to pets and to humans.

Be safe - take care of your pet and your family - with a safe and effective year-round flea control regimen.

Glucosamine For Dog Arthritis - Does It Really Work?

Some say dogs are the best companion anyone could have while others say they are family. That's the kind of feeling people share with dogs and this is one relationship that does not take into considerations any geographical boundaries, race or creed. German dogs like the German Shepherd and Doberman Pinchers are some of the best guard dogs while the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are treated as the best family dogs.

But a dog comes for a price. He/she is as much susceptible to diseases and other physical ailments or problems as we are. One of the most concerning dog health problems is arthritis in dog. Dog arthritis occurs due to inflammation in the joints and can be divided into two categories: degenerative arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.

The degenerative arthritis or joint disease is also known as osteoarthritis and occurs in dogs when the cartilage starts to degenerate at a rapid pace. The inflammatory joint disease occurs when there is an infection in the joints or there is an immune-mediated disease called as like dog rheumatoid arthritis. This type of immune arthritis in dog can affect multiple joints and is accompanied by anorexia and fever.

There are various dog arthritis treatments available, but the best treatment for dog arthritis is glucosamine. Basically, there are two types of Glucosamine supplements. They are Glucosamine HCL and sulfate. The amount of glucosamine that can be given to your dog depends on the physical condition of your dog.

After many researches about dog arthritis medication, recent studies suggest that liquid glucosamine is better than glucosamine tablets. The reasons include: 1) Liquid glucosamine has many higher absorption rates than solid glucosamine; 2) Liquid glucosamine has much better effectiveness to treat arthritis in dog than glucosamine tablets. If your dog is suffering from dog arthritis like dog rheumatoid arthritis, it is highly recommend to get liquid glucosamine for your lovely dogs. Don't delay.

How to Train Your Golden Retriever

If you are looking for ideas on how to start training with the Golden Retriever, you'll appreciate these tips. Training your dog can be fun, and it is very important for you to have a better educated friend.

Want to see the basic behavior, including the leash go and start training at home. From here, you can have a dog that is possible for people around, especially important to be around children, make sudden movements surprising is the control of a newDog.

Golden Retrievers are natural tendencies for hunting, farming and are doing, search and rescue operations. If you include in your workout, will be the natural talent of your dog, which leads to boredom, sometimes reduced to capitalize on behavior problems.

What it really means obedience? The behavior is the number one key of obedience. An obedient dog to his master, which means listening well educated. Start with behavioral training and obedience is. Come

An obedient dog obey your commands, even though there are many distractions. Cars, children, foreigners, food odors, D are so many distractions that a dog! It 'very important for your dog to obey you, no matter what you learn.

If enough people bring home a new puppy, worried that not stop chewing on things! This is normal for puppies, but you will be very strong in him that your teaching things are not chewed. He, too,many things he is allowed to chew.

There are many classes for new dog owners. You can take your dog to learn these classes, and the two puppies and owners to help you on your way. You must understand the basics of training, too!

Once the dog has learned basic obedience, you can decide if you are satisfied or whether to proceed with additional classes.

Day at the dog park

Our Golden Retriever and Saint Bernard at the local dog park... Please notice Maggie, our Saint being jealous of our Golden, Primeau, getting attention; she herds him away.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31PJKWja79g&hl=en

Golden Retriever Training Tips For Bad Dog Behavior

Is There Hope for my Golden Retriever?

"Sunny is a sweet dog... He's just a little naughty."

Oh, how I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard myself say this about our Golden Retriever! Now a well-behaved member of our family, he used to be quite the stinker! I wish I had some valuable Golden Retriever training tips when I first got Sunny! For those of you who have "stinkers" as beloved members of your families, read on.

You love your Golden Retriever. They are beautiful dogs (some would say the most beautiful.) But what do you do when you have tried everything you know to train your beauty into an obedient dog you can be proud of? As if dogs don't shed enough, now you are pulling your hair out, looking for a solution.

If you are nodding your head, and thinking, "Yes - that is me! You are talking about my dog!" I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that there may still be hope to change your dog's behavior. The bad news is you may discover you are not the one who can do it. Keep reading for Golden Retriever training tips and suggestions.

There are several things to consider when you think of your Golden Retriever's behavior. Your dog is not a bad dog. I don't believe there is such a thing. Some dogs have special circumstances, obstacles to overcome. You know your dog. Think of its history. Some dogs have encountered abuse, starvation (many strays and some dogs from rescue shelters,) some dogs have been subject to poor golden retriever training methods or, unfortunately, are just not a good match for the home they are in.

First thing to consider is how much you know about Golden Retrievers. Are you prepared to work with this breed, and to do what it takes to train your dog, either yourself or by a professional trainer? Decide if you have been part of the problem - or if the dog has previously been sent to a poor trainer. Do you know where your dog has picked up its bad behavior?

Next, ask yourself the following:

Where did I get my Golden Retriever? If you bought your dog from a quality breeder you should have less chance of issues arising as you might from strays or dogs rescued from shelters. Of course there are exceptions to this, and I do not mean to imply that shelter dogs are not trainable or are not good family dogs.

How old is my Golden Retriever? Generally speaking, younger dogs have less bad habits and can learn as they are growing. Again, this is not to say that "you cannot teach an old dog new tricks." However, you may find that you need more time and patience with an older dog, if he has bad habits to turn around.

If you decide to there is hope, and want to work with your Golden Retriever, wonderful! My articles are meant to be free resources for you as a Golden Retriever Lover. I will be happy to share my Golden Retriever training tips with you in future articles.

Susanne Trainor

Golden Retriever Lover

Adopt a Puggle - Things You Should Know

The newest designer dog on the block is the puggle. Many people love them because they are small, cute and cuddly. They are a mixed bred that is a cross between a Pug and a Beagle. They are adorable and make good pets to many families.

Many puggles are sold by breeders and pet stores. The cost will be between $250 and $1,000 with many going for more. However, to save on cost, many go to shelters where they can find great dogs at a smaller price.

There are many things you should know about this breed though before you go to get one so that you can give them the best home and they can give you hours of fun. Puggles are very energetic and intelligent which means that they will be constantly on the go. They need a lot of attention and a lot of exercise.

Puggles do best in areas where they can run around. They don't do so well in apartment living, but they do get along with other animals in a home. They also are very friendly. You won't have a lot of maintenance for care, because they are a short haired breed and they just require brushing. They are small dogs so they are great as lap dogs.

Now that you know something about them, there are many reasons why adopting a puggle is better than purchasing one. Puggles come from many different environments and it is important for you as the soon to be owner to know exactly where your puppy was raised. Some are raised in places where there is little human contact. Because they are in demand, you may find them sold just about anywhere from a backyard puppy mill to a pet store.

You can adopt a puggle from an individual owner or from a shelter. Generally, the individual owner will know about the dog, where it came from and how it came to be up for adoption. At a shelter, you may not know these details. Also, from an individual owner, you still may pay $350 or more, but at a shelter you may only have to pay for the cost of neutering or spaying which may be around $150.

Finding a puggle that was raised in a home is best because they already have the socialization skills hat they won't get from a kennel. They are used to household noises, being handled and are potty trained. These are pluses when you are bringing home a new puppy in any breed.

Shelters also have puggles but generally keep them either the pug or the beagle breed instead of breaking them down into this category. At a shelter, you may not know where the puggle came from because they usually are strays or are dumped for one or more reasons.

There is a lot of information on the Internet about puggles and this is your first place to start if you are thinking about getting one. Always make sure that you see the puggle before you adopt it.

Training Your Dog For The Show Ring

Whether your dog is the most perfect specimen of his breed or not, training him for the show ring can be a challenging task.

If you've decided to enter your dog in dog shows you need to have more than a pet that conforms to breed standards. You'll also need to learn how to groom and show your dog so that he looks his best for the judges.

A show dog must not only obey the commands of stay, sit and he'll but he has the added responsibility of walking and precision with his hand where in stopping in a certain spot and displaying a certain pose.

The earlier you can begin training your dog the better off you'll be. First off, you should teach your dog to remain calm when he Is being touched by judges as they will want to inspect his teeth denies as well as other body parts your dog may not want people touching. Obviously if you dog gets agitated and snaps at the judges, he will not be a good candidate for this show ring.

You'll want to practice this touching with your dog when you are bathing him and at other times during the day. Getting used to it. Have your friends galore and touch them just like a judge would so be used to strangers handling him. Needless to say the dog bit as well obedience trained and has a calm temperament is best for this sort of job.

you'll also want to pose (or stack) the dog as he will be in the ring. Practice this often and be sure he can hold the pose of a judge can get a good look.

Leash training your dog to walk with you is important and you want to make sure your dog will follow you no matter what direction you turn it. You want to start by training them to walk, or heel, beside you at a normal pace. Don't let him pull you, and don't let them run off in every direction possible. once he has the steno science, you want to practice sharp direction changes can be sure that he stays with you.

Some trainers use a clicker that they click when executing a direction change or you could tag and release the leash to let the dog know that you are changing. Practice Is making sure the dog stays right by your side and does not run ahead or lag behind.

Start off slowly and increase gradually over time until you are walking at a trot just like you would In the show ring.

You also want to make sure the dog stops when you do otherwise would be jerked back on the leash. You can use clicker training for this or use a gentle time on the leash. It doesn't hurt to give you got plenty of praise and a few treats him in there too!

Training your dog for the show ring is a great excuse to spend a lot of time bonding with your dog. Just remember practice makes perfect and you must have patience and always treat your dog with kindness. yelling at your dog when he does not do what you want will do nothing to increase his training, but positive reinforcement will work wonders.

Caique Parrot Care - 5 Tips For Caring For Your Pet Caique Bird

Caique Parrots are delightful little parrots with lively personalities that make them wonderful pet birds. Here are 5 tips for caring for your bird so that it can live a long and healthy life with you and your family.
 
Food-Since Caiques are known for their love of food, starting with this tip seems very appropriate. They need fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, some table food, and a high quality pellet mix as supplement. Change water as often as needed for it to be fresh. This will cut down on mold growth and infections that can result from ingesting mold. When feeding fresh food be sure to remove the food from the cage after several hours for the same reason.
 
Cage-Even though small, they are quite active and do best when they can move freely in the cage. Bigger is always better when it comes to the size of the cage, but a minimum size should be 24'" high by 24" wide by 24" deep. Since they are avid climbers, horizontal bars will be greatly appreciated by your bird. Avoid metals that are toxic to birds, and make sure your cage is certified as bird safe. Wood cages should also be avoided as they love to chew, and you would soon find your bird had escaped by chewing through the bars of a wooden cage. Sizing the cage properly keeps your pet happy, and can prevent undesirable behaviors from developing due to boredom. A happy Caique will provide unsolicited entertainment from morning to night, and all you have to do is have time to watch the show.
 
Interaction-These little parrots love people and need people to love them back. They can benefit from at least an hour a day of interaction with humans. They should be closely supervised as they are fearless little birds and can easily get into things they shouldn't. Go slowly and supervised carefully when introducing other pets.  Never leave a child alone and unsupervised with the bird. Small children may unintentionally frighten, or make the bird feel threatened, and you can easily prevent disaster by being there when your Caique is exercising outside the cage.
 
Training-Caiques respond well to training. Most can learn to speak, do tricks, and whistle songs. And once these skills have been perfected they are more than willing to take center stage and perform for you, family, and friends. Training sessions should be short and daily if possible. Always reward your bird and end before your bird's attention span wanes. Remember that training is not only to teach your bird something new, but is a great way to continue to bond with your Caique. Make it a time that your bird looks forward to.
 
Preserving their Health-With proper care these parrots have been known to live for as long as 30 years. Like many parrots they are susceptible to airborne disease and infections such as Psittacosis and other respiratory illnesses unless their air is kept clean. Since birds in captivity are subjected to much more dander, feather particles, and other pollutants found in many households, filtering their air will keep their airways clearer, keep them healthier, and ultimately increase their life span.