Indoor Dogs Blog

Indoor Dogs: How Long Do Dogs Live?

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The Right Dog Collar for Training

Using the right dog collar for training can make all the difference in an easy success or daunting task. A dog collar can be a great investment if you have a problem dog. This is a tremendous help with stubborn animals, or dogs that just have bad habits. If you have grown tired of relying on the rolled up newspaper option to help break your dog of his bad habits, the dog collar for training may be for you.

There are two main types of dog training collars available; the most common dog-training collar is the one that will give a small shock to your dog when he barks. This is extremely helpful for those dogs that have developed a barking problem. The second type of training collar is one that will again; provide a small shock to your dog if he goes outside the boundaries of your yard.

These types of dog collars are one of the most effective and humane ways to train your dog. Many people do not like to use a rolled up newspaper on their dog for breaking habits or reinforcing good habits, the dog collar relieves you of having to do this.

The flat dog collar is recommended for leash training a puppy. This type of collar is lightweight and easy for your pup to get used to wearing. It is always better to start your puppy on the gentle track to training. Don’t go full speed ahead with the more harsh training methods.

The metal training dog collar is commonly referred to as a choke chain. A better description would be a metal slip collar. If this dog collar is used properly it should never choke your dog. It should release quickly when used properly. When you learn how to use this dog collar with good timing and skill - it can be an efficient training device.

No matter which dog collar you choose for training your pet, do your homework and learn the best method of training your dog with a dog collar.

Natural Approaches for House Breaking a Puppy

House breaking a puppy should start immediately, just after you bring him home. Even at only 7 or 8 weeks old, he wants to eagerly follow your lead…. it’s important to use puppy house breaking training that will help him develop the acceptable behavior. He will have no trouble deciding where to eliminate if you don’t choose for him. This, of course, is unacceptable. It is up to you to communicate what his only option is. Puppies will learn very quickly when they are clear about what they are to do

Dogs have a natural instinct not to eliminate in their den area and, because of their strong sense of smell, are drawn to go in areas where they or others have defecated or urinated before. You can exploit these natural tendencies in several ways.

Puppy crate training is undoubtedly the best way to take advantage of these natural instincts and basically involves using a plastic dog carrier ‘crate’ as the pup’s den or sanctuary. You should get him used to being secluded in the crate for short periods of time so that he comes to think of it as his refuge and is comfortable sleeping there.

The second way to use his instinctive tendencies is to read the signs that he wants to go, i.e. your puppy is circling and smelling around, and then to react immediately by taking him to the usual spot.

he will recognize the scent in the designated area and your persistence in getting him there will help him quickly understand. You will be even more successful if you are observant and pay attention to when he is most likely to go. Be ready to take him out when he wakes up, after playing or exercise, and after he eats or drinks.

If you would like more information about house breaking a puppy and what blunders and pitfalls to avoid go to House Breaking a Puppy.

If you are trying to obedience train your new puppy Go to Puppy Training.

Is An Affenpinscher Puppy The Right Choice For Me And My Family?

The Affenpinscher is considered a toy breed. It is a wiry-haired dog that looks somewhat like a terrier but is not. It is a curious, active, confident, fun loving, lively and affectionate dog. It has small erect ears and some owners crop these ears, especially if he is to be a show dog. Other owners have stopped cropping the ears and still show them.

Are Affenpinschers Good With Children?

They can be just fine with older children. But they are generally very territorial, especially with their food and toys so they are not considered appropriate as pets for small children. There are always exceptions to the rule. Never leave very young children alone with any dog.

Temperment: They are generally quiet but alert. They can become fierce and fearless if they or their human family is threatened. They exhibit loyalty and affection to their adopted family.
*Approximate Adult Size. Generally the adults range from 7 to 8 pounds and 9 1/2 inches to 11 1/2 inches tall at the highest point of the adult dogs back, or withers.
*Ideal Environment. A fenced yard is always ideal for a dog but they will do well in an apartment. Expect them to run around in your apartment for exercise. If you do not have a yard, they will need frequent walks to burn off some of their energy. They do not like extreme temperatures, very cold or very hot.
*Special Health Considerations. This dog is considered to be very healthy but luxating patellas or trick knee is a common problem. This is where the kneecap dislocates or gets out of whack. This condition occurs more frequently in miniature and smaller breeds. Other less common considerations are patent ductus, hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome and collapsed trachea.
*Grooming. He has a harsh coat which should be brushed weekly and never clipped. The coat can be difficult to work with so an occasional professional grooming would be a good idea.
*Life Span. The average life span is 10 to 12 years.
*Training. It is recommended that they be crate trained. Because they can be stubborn and difficult to house train, crate training is ideal. Crate training runs on the principle that dogs and puppies instinctively do not want to soil their immediate surroundings. This will work in your favor. As long as you take your puppy out frequently, and understand that every time that puppy comes out she will need to go outside immediately, the puppy will almost house train itself. Praise the puppy every time she does her business outside.
*Training your puppy to poop outside is not that hard. When your puppy is loose in the home, at first, follow her around and keep a sharp eye on her. She will probably have to poop either right before she eats or right after, or right before and right after. It will not be rocket science to figure out her schedule. She has some control over this function and will welcome a chance for you to help her do the right thing and learn the rules. Give her lots of praise for pooping outside, every time. She wants to please you.
*Pee training is more difficult as your puppy can pee about 10,000 times a day, or at least it seems that way. Actually, your puppy has some bladder control but not much capacity so taking her out before and after everything you do will help her figure out that peeing in the house is not the right thing to do. Lots of praise is essential when she pees outside. Raise your voice a little when you praise her as she does not understand English. At first, she will pee in the house just because she has a little discomfort and why hold it. When she figures out that you do not want her to pee in the house, she will make an effort to hold it until she goes out. Her holding time as a puppy is short so frequent outs are a necessity. Between your positive reinforcement, her increased capacity to hold her pee as she becomes an older puppy and her instinct, you will be successful. Keep in mind that there will be accidents. Be sure to wipe down with a bit of white vinegar after you clean up an accident to make the scent so she does not get the wrong idea.
*History. The Affenpinscher was developed in Germany and goes all of the way back to the 17th century. The name relates to the German affe which means monkey in German. The monkey dog. The French call them the devil dog. The breed was developed to kill rats, mice, and other vermin in and around the house and barn.
*Special Good Points.
Very loyal to family and protective.
Fun loving.
*Special Bad Points.
Can be difficult to housebreak.
Can be stubborn.

German Shepherd Training

Are you fortunate enough to live with a German Shepherd? Then you know that they are extremely active dogs. They need lots of exercise. They are bold, determined, and smart, requiring a lot of attention. German Shepherds are also naturally dominant dogs so proper training is a must. It is essential that you control your German Shepherd or she will control you. But training will ensure that she is a happy, well-adjusted member of your family.

So, want to know the best way to train your German Shepherd? Before we share some important points with you, let’s get the biggest secret to training you German Shepherd out of the way. It is…

CONSISTENCY

Consistency! You’ve heard it before but it’s true. We’ve seen it before; someone gets a German Shepherd puppy and underestimates the amount of time and attention it will take to train it effectively. Dog training is pretty simple, give her praise when your puppy does something you want, and correct your puppy when she does something you don’t want. Doing this consistently will eventually train you German Shepherd effectively. In essence, training you dog enhances to special bond you have with your dog. Dogs are more comfortable when their owners establish themselves as the leader of the pack. This is a naturally occurring rank and you can promote it by following these teaching points. We will go over the best ways to train your German Shepherd so you will ensure a happy and long relationship.

First understand that your dog’s actions are largely governed by instinct so it is up to you to balance your dog’s instinct with conditioned behavior through human training. You can do this by correctly establishing in your household a social hierarchy from the very first day you bring your German Shepherd puppy home. This naturally occurring hierarchy is headed by the Alpha dog, which is the dominant dog, followed by the Beta dog, or second in line for dominance, and bringing up the rear is the Omega dog, which is dominant to none. The Alpha dog is submissive to none, dominant to all, and the supreme ruler in the pack. The Beta dog is submissive only to the Alpha but dominant to all other dogs. The Omega dog is submissive to all other dogs.

A critical fact to remember is that your German Shepherd is happiest when she has an Alpha dog to giver her firm, consistent leadership. But it is also essential to know that your dog will instinctively try to better her pack position, so, especially during training, you may experience periods where she tests the boundaries. She may test you by misbehaving and ignoring commands you are sure she remembers. This is normal. The best way to work through this trying period is with consistency and maintenance of the training program you have established.

Alpha wolves in the wild decide where and when to hunt and where to settle the pack. Always eating first after each kill, the Alpha wolf is the unequivocal leader of his pack with no exceptions. There are no exceptions to his law and he governs is pack in a firm and fair way.

What does all this have to do with training your dog? Simply that you must be the Alpha dog in your pack to effectively train your German Shepherd. He will work harder to please you if he understands his relationship with you. This will also establish a proper relationship between you and your dog right from the start and he will bond more closely and deeply to you.

There is a special situation you should know. Imagine this situation: Let’s say your husband is 6′4″, weighing 225 pounds and you are a petite woman. Can you really be the Alpha dog? You might say when and where your husband eats, but in the mind of your dog, you probably aren’t perceived as the Alpha. This is because his deeper voice along with the undetectable scent he gives off to the dog naturally establishes him as the Alpha. But you’re not doomed to Omega dog status. You can establish your dominance over all the dogs in your household as the Beta dog. But you may have to work a little harder to do this. Having your kids participate in the training process will make them dominant over the dog, as well. This is essential.

Be One With the Puppy

While a full advocate of dog obedience training even at the young age of puppy, it needs to be said that like children, dogs are only a puppy for a very short period of time. Yes, it’s a time for training and socialization and housebreaking and everything else that goes along with owning a puppy. Still, all too often we forget the real reason why we bought a puppy in the first place. Fun!

Romping with a little puppy is one of the few inexpensive joys of living. At this time, puppies think that you are probably the absolute most wonderful person. They learn to anticipate when you come home from work and when you leave in the morning. I had a Rottweiler for almost 13 years that even in those later years when he slept most of the time, my dog always managed to be at the door just as I was walking in. Kids grow up and go off on their own, but a puppy grows up to be your very own four-legged fan club.

I remember laying on the floor in the living room reading the newspaper after a hard days work. My Rottweiler puppy Willie, would unceremoniously plant himself right in the middle of the newspaper making certain to lick my eyeglasses. It was almost as if he was saying there would be no more work today, it’s time to build some sweet memories.

We would end up playing around and wrestling on the floor. I know you should never play with the dog with your own hands but Willie and I seemed to have this bond that was kept all throughout his life. When he tired, my little pup Willie would go over to the fireplace and curl up in the wood carrier. Sometimes he would decide to go to sleep directly on my slippers with his nose firmly lodged inside the right one.

I did crate training with Willie to housebreak him. Of course there were accidents but he was a great dog nonetheless. It took awhile but he got the hang of it. Although we moved several times during his life, Willie always seemed to know that going to the bathroom in a house was just wrong.

Willie and I had a great time together a short 13 years. Sometimes even today I long to once again enjoy that distinctive puppy breath and see my 4 legged friend once again waiting by the door. He was a great dog. I will never forget the time we spent together.

If you’re thinking of getting a puppy, remember to enjoy the good times and not obsess over training and other necessities. He’s only a puppy for a short while and they leave way to early.

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6 Dog Training Tips For A Well Trained, Well Behaved Pet

Dogs are considered man’s best friend. Throughout the ages and of all animals, dogs have been man’s companion. More than companions, dogs serve a variety of functions. There are working dogs (e.g., police dogs) and dogs that are used as guides for the disabled. Farmers and livestock owners use dogs for herding, and some home owners get dogs specifically to guard their property.

Whatever the primary purpose of a particular breed of dog is, it’s important that it receive proper training. Many dog training professionals will attest to the importance of having a well-trained dog. You don’t have to be a professional dog trainer to train your dog. You can do simple activities to teach your pet how to behave.

Dog training tip #1: Curbing your dog’s digging behavior

As a dog owner, you need to understand that dogs are social animals. When they are lonely or alone, dogs resort to digging. Loneliness isn’t the only reason dogs dig, though. In some instances, dogs that dig are experiencing some sort of nutrient deficiency. To make up for this condition, dogs oftentimes would eat the dirt they dig. If your dog tends to dig a lot, spend more time with him. It also pays to have your dog checked up to make sure that his health is in good condition.

Dog training tip #2: Potty training your dog

A reward-based method works best when potty training your dog. To use this method, give your dog a treat after it potties in the right place. Following up good behavior with a reward will make it easier for your dog to remember doing good behavior.

Dog training tip #3: Repetition is key

Whenever you are trying to teach your dog something—whether it’s a trick or making your dog obey a command—repetition is important. Repetition and consistency are keys that will help your dog understand a command. To test if your dog knows a command after so many repetitions, test him without any assistance. Do this at least three consecutive times to make sure that your dog’s grasp of a command is not simply a fluke.

Dog training tip #4: Communicating with your dog

When training your dog to follow a certain command or do a certain thing, it’s vital that you not just issue the command out. It’s also important that you direct your dog how to perform a command or drill as well as correct your dog if he doesn’t follow the command properly. Be consistent when you are issuing out commands and trying to teach your dog to develop certain behaviors. For instance, if you are trying to teach your dog not to chew on slippers or shoes, do not praise him one day when you see him chewing on a slipper.

Dog training tip #5: Proper timing in training your dog

It’s always best—and professional dog trainers will recommend this—to train your dog when it is still a puppy. When it comes to training dogs, it is indeed true that old dogs can’t learn new tricks. So start training your dog early.

Dog training tip #6: Let your dog know you’re the boss

Dogs are pack animals, which means they follow a hierarchy. Thus, when training your dog, it’s important that you establish yourself as the alpha dog (the leader). Your dog needs to understand that he is the submissive being. Avoid showing any fear when your dog snaps back. Doing so will break the established hierarchy you have with your dog. When your dog is doing his exercises, never allow your dog to stop mid-way or not complete the exercise. Firmly let your dog know that it should do what you, the alpha dog, wants him to do.

Dog training tip #6: Act around your dog

Your puppy will naturally want to chew on things so give your puppy an outlet for his chewing urges. You can give your puppy a chew bone to chew. If your puppy tries to chew on you, yelp loudly, fold your arms and ignore your puppy for about ten minutes. When a puppy becomes too rough on other puppies, the others yelp and tend to ignore the puppy. However, you may need to assess your puppy’s personality because he may react to the yelping by biting more and even harder. If this happens, you may need to apply a more aggressive approach.

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Housebreaking a Puppy Made Easy

Housebreaking a puppy is probably the number one reason people donâ??t enter into dog ownership. There is no doubt that this is the hardest part of owning a puppy, but if the process is started immediately and taken seriously your puppy will be trained in no time.

Kennel Training

First and foremost, buy a kennel. This is as important as the toys the leash and the food dish. Kennel training is the easiest and most effective way to housebreak your puppy. Not to mention it will save you hundreds in cleaning bills and damage to your personal property. Forget all you that you have heard that kenneling a puppy is cruel. By providing a kennel for your puppy you are actually catering to his natural instinct as a den animal. Depending on your puppyâ??s breed, choose a kennel that can accommodate the puppy as a full grown dog. You will be surprised how much your mature dog will utilize their kennel as a place of refuge or just as a place to hang out years down the road. Whatever you do donâ??t use the kennel as a place to punish your pup. Make the kennel a fun and safe place your puppy will want to be.

Start the process immediately

After you pick up your cute fuzz ball at the breeder make the first stop the backyard or the outside area you plan to take your pup to do his business everyday. Get him acquainted with a spot. Dogs are creatures of habit that crave a schedule and familiarity.

Put together a schedule the entire household will follow on how to of care for your puppy. When everyone is on the same page it will be easy to housebreak your puppy. Puppies on average eat three times a day and sleep about 18 hours a day. After every feeding take him out to his spot and go with him. http://www.dogbreedadvice.com/ Yes, even when itâ??s below freezing and snowing. Take this into consideration when youâ??re deciding what time of year to bring your puppy home. You need to make sure he takes his outside trips seriously. Eventually you will be able to open the door and let him out, but not at first.

Newspaper training is a waste of time when housebreaking a puppy. Youâ??re just making more work for yourself. You will end up training your puppy twice, and time is of the essence in the house breaking process. You can never take your puppy out too much. They must go out first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed. If you are accustomed to staying out till 3 am and sleeping till 10, then maybe you arenâ??t ready to have a puppy.

Now back to the kennel. As I mentioned before, puppies sleep a lot! So after a meal, a trip outside to do his business and some playtime, put him in his kennel. Repeat this and it will become habit. Start out leaving your puppy in the crate for short periods of time when you are home. Gradually extend the stay and take him outside after each time. Dogs in general will not mess where they sleep. If the housebreaking process is done correctly there will be minimal accidents. Donâ??t leave a puppy to run free when you are not home. You are just asking for a mess.

Bedtime

Right before you go to bed throw on your slippers and head out one last time with your puppy. When you come back in, give your puppy a treat and tuck him into his kennel for the night. All night! Donâ??t cave to the sad cries of a home sick puppy that would rather snuggle under your down comforter. Before you invite your puppy into your bed remember, cute 10lb puppies grew into 80lb adults! To ease the loneliness you can put a radio near the kennel or a leave on a night light. After a night or two, when your puppy realizes the crying gets him nowhere, he will stop. Itâ??s so important to remain consistent in this house breaking process or it just wonâ??t work. There is no such thing as a partially house trained dog. They either get it or they donâ??t.

Praise, Praise, Praise

Last but not least dogs crave praise. After every outside trip make a big deal. Scratch under his chin and give him a treat. Donâ??t scold your puppy for accidents unless you catch them in the act. Puppyâ??s memory capacity is small. He will have no idea why he is being punished after the fact. If you do catch him in the act, grab him by the scruff of his neck, as his mother would do in the den, and give him a firm NO! Then immediately clean the area with an odor eliminating cleaner.

So thatâ??s it in a nut shell. Puppy training sounds a lot harder than it is. With a little patience and a kennel, you are on the path to puppy training success

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Bad Puppy - How to Deal With your Puppies Bad Behavior

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about puppy training. When you start sharing the fascinating puppy training facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Dealing with problem puppy behaviors:

Everyone who owns a puppy or dog will eventually have to deal with and correct less than desirable behaviors on the part of their companion animal. There are a number of behaviors that should be nipped in the bud, including:

Jumping up on people. This is one of those behaviors that many owners inadvertently encourage in their animals, since jumping up, wagging his tail and the like can be adorable in a young puppy. When that puppy is older, larger and heavier, however, this jumping up behavior ceases to be cute and begins to become annoying and even dangerous.

A large, heavy dog jumping up on people can be dangerous to young children and even to some adults, since a large, 100 pound plus dog can easily knock down a child or small adult. Since you as the owner are responsible for the behavior of your dog, it is important to nip this problem behavior in the bud.

The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is still small and easy to handle. When the puppy jumps up on you or someone else, gently place the puppy’s feet back on the floor. When the dog remains standing there, be sure to praise it extensively.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on dog training now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

It is also important to give the puppy an alternative to jumping up. Puppies jump up on people to express their enthusiasm, so it is important to redirect this energy in a more socially acceptable direction. Try teaching the puppy to present his paw instead of jumping up.

When teaching the puppy to not jump up on people, it is important to be consistent. Consistency is important in any training program, and all members of the family must understand that the puppy is not permitted to jump on them.

Pulling, charging and tugging on the lead. One problem you definitely want to nip in the bud is this one. It is important that the puppy learn to respect the collar and leash now, when he is still small and light enough to handle. Teaching this lesson to a 10 pound puppy will be much easier than teaching the same lesson to a 150 pound dog.

Using a good strong body harness or head collar can be a big help when training a puppy not to pull, or to retrain a dog that has already learned to pull on the leash. When first fitting a harness, it is important to allow the puppy to walk around wearing it, so that he can get used to wearing it. The first thing your puppy must learn, and the basis of all subsequent training, is teaching your dog to heel. Teaching your dog to walk quietly at your side on a loose lead is the basis of all dog training, and until your puppy has mastered this vital skill he will be unable to move onto more advanced training.

When walking with a puppy on a leash, it is important to always keep slack in the leash. If the puppy begins to pull on the leash, the handler should quickly change directions. The puppy will then find itself lagging behind instead of forging ahead. The least will be loose except for the split second it takes to change directions. It is important for the handler to use a quick tug of the leash, followed by an immediate loosening, when teaching this lesson.
When teaching the puppy to walk properly, it is important to never allow the puppy to pull you around, or to forge ahead on the leash. Allowing the puppy to pull you around will teach him exactly the wrong lesson.

If you’ve picked some pointers about dog training that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won’t really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don’t use it.

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Start Early and Train your Puppy

Housebreaking any new pet can be a difficult chore, but with repetition and practice the challenge will become easier and easier. If you want the puppy to listen only to you, then don’t allow him to play with other persons. Potty training your new puppy is a necessary evil.

You must do the same routine every single day and it is important to give your puppy a lot of extra attention as this will make the house breaking process much easier.

Your pet is living in a human world full of confusing things and behavior he can’t understand. It is better to create good habits in the beginning, if you start early you can stop behavior problems such as biting or jumping on furniture.

Every dog owner knows that when he/she treats the dog with praise the dog will get greater satisfaction and will execute the command more readily than if the dog receives discipline in another fashion. So when training your dog needs positive reinforcement.

You can train a dog on your own, or you can join an obedience training class and get instruction from professionals. You will find many resources online and most of the online sites are free and you will find many tips and secrets to dog training.

If you really want to train your puppy you will need to put some effort into it. And some type of dog is trained just for that.

Having a dog that can perform tricks and is very obedient and well trained is the pride and joy of every dog owner. While they are generally warm, loving and loyal, they can be trained to be more obedient. Even if you only have your dog inside for a short amount of time he or she must be trained not to leave a mess.

The correct position for the heel command is your dog at your left side with his shoulder and front leg aligned with your left leg. When you and your dog have a good relationship and training will come very easily. As your dog progresses in his training, youâ??ll be able to give him a command in the middle of a crowded area and heâ??ll obey you.

When training your puppy make sure you use positive experiences because negative experiences might affect your puppy, so make sure you make the training positive and fun. And this training requires frequent, consistent, and appropriately timed positive reinforcement. Unlike man, dogs do not know how to differentiate between positive and negative attention.

Your dog will its best when it receives praise, so using positive words and reinforcement you dog will do it best when training him/her. There are two elements at work here: positive reinforcement and intermittent reinforcement. All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during training.

When training your pet you can use the treat system, this system is training with a treat by rewarding your dog with his/her favorite snack for following your commands or doing something good. Try to go outside with him at least every thirty minutes or so, and make sure you praise or reward him for relieving himself outside.

Properly crate training your puppy is one of the best things that you could possibly do.

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